HPMC Chapter 22

　　 Soon, the Jiuyang Sect had to leave first. Wanting to quickly break away from this sect, Yu Tianze applied to the Zhenggang Immortal Sect’s personnel and decided to return to his sect first to pack up.   Naturally, the main sect approved—an excellent seedling wanting to come over quickly was also a reflection of the main sect’s strength afterall.

　　 Thus, Yu Tianze, holding Mu Zirun’s hand, ultimately left with the Jiuyang Sect.  The journey was quite somber.  The leading elder constantly calculated how to explain things to the sect leader. Chen Yiheng silently contemplated the possibility of having Ming Yuan coax Yu Tianze, while the other disciples and elders felt the atmosphere was oppressive, so they all kept quiet to avoid drawing attention.  

　　 And so, they soon returned to the Jiuyang Sect.   Yu Tianze continued to do as he pleased. Outside the sect, he directly released the Thunder Eagle King, then, carrying Mu Zirun, swiftly flew to his own Thunderfire Hall.  After setting Mu Zirun down, he flicked his fingers, sending out several hand seals. The entire hall transformed into a bolt of lightning that enveloped it like a giant net, rapidly contracting.  

　　 Before long, the net shrank smaller and smaller, and the Thunderfire Hall, trapped within, also shrank accordingly.  

　　 Mu Zirun was somewhat surprised: “Peak Lord, what is this?”  

　　 Yu Tianze’s attitude toward him wasn’t bad: “We’ll take it to the main sect, to serve as a mountain abode.”  

　　 Mu Zirun understood. So, his Peak Lord was moving his entire home. This was truly packing up without leaving anything behind.  After a while, Yu Tianze had completely stored the Thunderfire Hall in his storage bracelet. At that moment, Mu Zirun also received a message from the demon spirits below. They said that Master Ming Yuan wanted to see his disciple.  

　　 Yu Tianze’s expression instantly turned unpleasant, then turned somewhat mocking. Even with his toes, he could guess that Chen Yiheng must have been stirring things up. Otherwise, once he left, wouldn’t all his schemes fall apart? But now he would go and see what those two were plotting again.  Having made up his mind, Yu Tianze, carrying Mu Zirun, headed straight for the Minghua Mansion on Yinxiao Peak.  

　　 Feeling the wind whistling past his ears, Mu Zirun gained a new understanding of his Peak Lord’s decisiveness and swiftness. Well, he was really getting used to it. Quickly, the two arrived at Minghua Mansion. At the cave entrance, the same beautiful demon spirits greeted them. Upon seeing Yu Tianze, they didn’t dare obstruct him in the slightest.  

　　 Yu Tianze strode in, holding Mu Zirun’s hand, and saw his good master Ming Yuan, who always busied himself with flowers and plants and was fond of pity and compassion, in the same place as before.  Surprisingly, Chen Yiheng wasn’t there. Had he misunderstood? Before he could entertain a few thoughts, Yu Tianze felt a chill run down his spine.  

　　 Looking up, it turned out Ming Yuan was gazing at him with a look that was three parts sorrowful, five parts melancholic, and two parts reluctant. It made Yu Tianze’s hair stand on end.  Why hadn’t he noticed before that his good master had such great acting skills? 

 Yu Tianze’s expression was very cold: “Master, your disciple has obtained the top rank. Now feeling a bottleneck, I intend to go to the main sect for secluded cultivation. In three days, I will depart. I especially came to bid farewell to Master, hoping Master will take good care of yourself. Your disciple will arrange for the junior brother to serve the Master in my stead.”  

　　 Let’s stop looking and get straight to the point!

　　 Ming Yuan’s expression stiffened slightly: “Tianze, you and I have never been apart. You… you cannot leave Master also…”  

　　 Yu Tianze frowned: “What is Master saying?” 

　　 Ming Yuan, having spoken, immediately realized he had gone too far. In this world, only masters bring disciples along when they advance, not disciples bringing masters. There was no such principle, and it would be an insult to the master.  

　　 He had just suddenly felt Yu Tianze’s detachment and couldn’t help blurting it out.

 Then he quickly composed himself and changed his tone: “Master was just joking.” 

He paused before continuing, “Master remembers that if someone from the sect obtains a slot, they can bring one person along. Master believes that, having cultivated in the sect for many years, master and disciple have deeply benefited from the sect leader’s grace. Since Tianze now has a path to advancement, why not bring Senior Brother Yiheng along? That way, you can look out for each other.”  

　　 Ming Yuan’s heart felt somewhat sour. He actually didn’t want Chen Yiheng to go along, but he couldn’t refuse either. He knew that the person Senior Brother Yiheng longed for was his own disciple. If he wanted Senior Brother to look at him differently, he could only facilitate this. Senior Brother Yiheng was so good that Tianze would be very happy with Senior Brother Yiheng.  

　　 He… he envied it, yet was helpless.

　　 Yu Tianze: “…”  

　　 So, this was what they were after. Who knew how Chen Yiheng had coaxed Ming Yuan? He actually had his eye on his slot, wanting to go with him to the main sect? Did they think he was stupid? Bringing along a disgusting fly would only hinder his cultivation.  Moreover, the person to be brought along had long been decided.  

　　 Thus, Yu Tianze frowned again: “Master is joking again. What status does Chen Yiheng hold? How could he go to the main sect with me as a menial servant? If the sect leader heard, wouldn’t that be repaying kindness with enmity?”  

　　 Ming Yuan, originally lost in self-pity, was stunned upon hearing this: “M-menial servant?”  

　　 Yu Tianze’s expression was grim: “When I go to the main sect for secluded cultivation, I should have someone to handle affairs for me. I took Zirun as a menial servant precisely to have him attend to me closely. Although Chen Yiheng has decent aptitude, I cannot have him lower himself to such a degree. Master, say no more.”  

　　 Ming Yuan finally understood, but he had just promised Chen Yiheng’s request. Now he couldn’t fulfill it, this… But then he immediately remembered: his disciple had said, “Attend closely.” If it were close attendance, wouldn’t Senior Brother Yiheng be with Tianze day and night? For some reason, he hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue, but didn’t speak up to persuade further.  

　　 Tianze was right; someone of Senior Brother Yiheng’s stature would be looked down upon if he went to the main sect as a menial servant—it would be a stain on his reputation. With Senior Brother Yiheng’s strength, it shouldn’t be long before he also obtains a slot in the ranking competition. By then, he and Senior Brother Yiheng could go together to the main sect to find Tianze. Given Tianze’s temperament, he surely wouldn’t seek a Dao companion so quickly.

　　 Seeing Ming Yuan fall silent, Yu Tianze inwardly sneered. After exchanging a few more words with Ming Yuan, he left. As for Ming Yuan sending a message to Chen Yiheng after he left, and how Chen Yiheng rushed over only to be persuaded by Ming Yuan, he paid no mind. What worth did those two have for him to expend more effort?  Mu Zirun, watching from the side, remained obediently silent.  

　　 His Peak Lord’s handling was indeed clean and decisive. Always so admirable. After returning, Yu Tianze encountered an elder sent by the sect, who said the sect leader wanted to see him. Well, that was normal. He was about to go to the main sect for secluded cultivation; of course, he had to bid farewell to the sect leader. Fortunately, Sect Leader Chen didn’t look much like his son. Going to see him shouldn’t be too nauseating.  

　　 So he took Mu Zirun along, but since the sect leader wasn’t someone just anyone could meet, and Mu Zirun was currently just a small menial servant, he could only wait outside and couldn’t follow Yu Tianze in. Yu Tianze wasn’t one to fuss, so he went in alone. Sect Leader Chen was also quite handsome. Since his innate aptitude wasn’t bad, he now appeared to be in his thirties, not particularly imposing but rather amiable, a graceful middle-aged man.  

　　 As Yu Tianze expected, Sect Leader Chen didn’t mention the top-rank rewards he had received. He only offered some advice, urging him to work hard and cultivate diligently at the main sect, bringing glory to the Jiuyang Sect. He also made it clear that there would always be a place for him in the sect, and the mountain peak he resided on would never be given to anyone else.  

　　 Overall, if not for the precedent of being killed by Sect Leader Chen’s lineage in his previous life, Yu Tianze would definitely have felt deeper affection for the Jiuyang Sect and closer to Sect Leader Chen because of these words. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the past life anymore.  

　　 After the advice, Sect Leader Chen asked: “Tianze, for this trip to the main sect, do you want to choose a servant yourself? Whoever you fancy, no matter who, let them go with you.” 　 More experienced than Chen Yiheng, these words clearly indicated to Yu Tianze that he wasn’t planning to insert any of his own people, leaving it entirely up to Yu Tianze. This was also to improve Yu Tianze’s favorability.  

　　 Yu Tianze nodded directly: “A couple of days ago, I took in a menial servant who is quite attentive. He will accompany me.”  

　　 Sect Leader Chen had evidently heard about Mu Zirun, but he still hesitated slightly: “I understand your intention, Tianze, but that child is too young. Can he serve you meticulously?”  

　　 Yu Tianze didn’t hesitate: “It’s him. It’s fine.”  

　　 Sect Leader Chen had only been expressing concern. Since Yu Tianze was determined, he wouldn’t create obstacles here. Since he was being a good person, why not go all the way? Immediately, he said: “As Tianze pleases, then!”  

　　 Afterwards, this sect leader specially gave Yu Tianze a storage pouch containing a considerable amount of spirit stones for him to use for connections at the main sect, handling things quite thoroughly. Yu Tianze, of course, expressed his gratitude before taking his leave and exiting.

　　 Not far outside the door, someone was waiting for him under a tree.  Young in age, steady in demeanor, gradually taking on the bearing of a youth. Wasn’t that his little charge?  Mu Zirun stood quietly there waiting. Even though many passing cultivators cast curious glances his way, he remained composed, showing no timidity despite their pressure and scrutiny. At the very least, his patience and demeanor were good.  

　　 Watching the boy’s straight back, Yu Tianze felt pleased. As expected of someone who could form a Nascent Soul on his own, he had to be this calm. Once they went to the main sect for secluded cultivation, there would surely be many who looked down on others. Without such mental fortitude, wouldn’t he be ruined?  

　　 This little charge was becoming more and more to his satisfaction.

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