My Disciples Are All Villains

Jiang Aijian chuckled and said, "I've missed you, old senior. I've brought you some goodies." He slid the sack off his back and placed its contents on the table as he continued to say, "These are high-grade tea leaves presented to the empire as tributes before this. Many people of power and position don't even have the opportunity to taste them. They're for you, old senior."

"One who is unaccountably solicitous is hiding evil intentions," Lu Zhou said wryly.

"I would never." Jiang Aijian waved his hands. "In terms of relationship, your fifth disciple is my younger sister... I'm a relative of the Evil Sky Pavilion. I don't think it's strange for relatives to give each other gifts."

The others were speechless.

Zhao Yue sighed and softly said, "I guess nobody can surpass him in terms of shamelessness."

The others nodded as their eyes instinctively shifted to Mingshi Yin.

Mingshi Yin was aggrieved. He wondered to himself, 'Why's everyone looking at me? I didn't say or do anything. This has nothing to do with me.'

Lu Zhou looked at the items on the table. He did not seem to be interested. At his age, material possessions no longer excited him. "So, why did you come?"

"Well, I... accidentally stabbed the Second Prince to death... The Imperial family won't forgive me for this. So, can I trouble you, old senior, with the burden of killing me?" Jiang Aijian asked.

Mingshi Yin grinned and said excitedly, "I can do that!" His Separation Hook that glowed with a nefarious light and energy materialized in his hands.

Zhao Yue's eyes twinkled with envy.

Jiang Aijian speechless. Then, he said, "I don't mean it literally... Great Yan's Imperial family is searching for me all over the empire right now. I've already cut ties with my comrades, and we're no longer in contact. There's no place for me to go. After thinking about it for a long time, I feel that the Evil Sky Pavilion's the safest."

"So... you want to stay here for a period of time?" Lu Zhou asked.

"You're intelligent, old senior."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. "You're my source of information. Naturally, I will help you."

Jiang Aijian was greatly moved by this. He bowed and cupped his fists. "Thank you, old senior!"

Lu Zhou looked at him grinning. He frowned and said, "So, aren't you going to say anything?"

"About what?" Jiang Aijian was puzzled.

"You're the Third Prince, and you killed the Second Prince... The crime of killing one's brother is spat upon, no matter where you go."

The others nodded. Their master had a good point. Throughout their journey here, Jiang Aijian had been smiling and grinning as though nothing had happened. An ordinary person would not react that way. Not only was the person he killed Great Yan's Second Prince, but it was his elder brother!

When Jiang Aijian saw Lu Zhou's serious and stern expression, the smile on his own face gradually vanished. He sighed softly. "The dead are dead. There's nothing I have to say."

"So... It's true that Liu Huan was the one who burned down Jing He Palace?" Lu Zhou asked.

"You know about that?"

"The Prince of Qi, Qin Jun, is on my side," Lu Zhou replied.

'Very well. I've almost forgotten about him.' Jiang Aijian nodded. He turned to look at Zhao Yue and Mingshi Yin and said, "A wronged soul cries in Lonely Moonlit City. There's a natural cycle in the world. Anyone who commits sin shall be dealt with by another. Truth be told, many have tried to persuade me to let go of my grudge and the past, to never bother myself with the Imperial family, and stay away from the court. How good will it be to live a free life as the Sword Freak? However, every time I fall asleep, I will remember the flames, how fiery-red they were as they seared my eyes. I couldn't sleep. Whenever night falls, I can hear their cries for help and their wails of pain, and yet, I remain powerless..."

The others looked at Jiang Aijian.

Lu Zhou looked at him as well.

Jiang Aijian said with a sigh, "In the end, I took it all upon myself... Oh, how lucky I am to have met all of you. If you're moved by my story, please be nicer to me. I'll be plenty grateful."

"..."

The earlier parts of his tale sounded genuine, but as his story went on, it felt fake.

Zhao Yue rolled her eyes at him and no longer bothered with him. She stepped forward, bowed at Lu Zhou, and said, "Master, I have another matter to report."

"Speak."

"The Empress Dowager, my grandmother, has a frail constitution. The incident at Obedient Villa has taken quite a toll on her. She's been bedridden ever since." Zhao fell to her knees. "Please forgive me for spending so much time in the Divine Capital before returning."

Lu Zhou waved his hand and said, "It's good to have filial piety."

"Thank you, master." Zhao Yue turned and shot Jiang Aijian a meaningful look.

Jiang Aijian scratched his head awkwardly. He said shamelessly, "Old senior, to tell you the truth, the Empress Dowager is in a critical condition. I'm afraid... I'm afraid that she won't survive the winter."

Lu Zhou understood now. He said, "There are many elites inside the palace, and the Imperial physicians are all highly-skilled. You're dreaming if you want me to intervene."

Zhao Yue said, "Master, it's witchcraft."

"Witchcraft?" This surprised Lu Zhou. He recalled the events at Obedient Villa. There was no Grand Witchcraft Formation there nor were there any witchcraft traps. 'How did the Empress Dowager get afflicted by witchcraft?'

Jiang Aijian said, "It was done by Ba Ma, the genius shaman from Lou Lan."

"Ba Ma?" Lu Zhou had no recollection of this name.

"Allow me to explain in detail, senior... Firstly, this Ba Ma is Mo Li's senior brother. He's from Lou Lan. Secondly, you fought against Ba Ma once. On the Lotus Dais, you injured his mount, Ba Wu, heavily. Thirdly, during the battle in Obedient Villa, Ba Ma had been lying in wait outside. Ba Ma has opposed you several times. When Mo Li died, his grudge deepened, and he took it on the Empress Dowager by casting a spell on her. He'll surely act against the Evil Sky Pavilion sooner or later."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and considered this.

Jiang Aijian said again, "Old senior, I won't ask for a favor from you without proper compensation... I'll help you capture the Evil Sky Pavilion's traitor, your seventh disciple, Si Wuya."

Lu Zhou looked at Jiang Aijian. He said skeptically, "You're confident about capturing Si Wuya?"

"Nope," Jiang Aijian replied with a straight face.

The others were rendered speechless. 'If you're not confident, why would you even say it in the first place?'

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and stood up. He looked at Zhao Yue and Jiang Aijian and said, "Since you have a favor to ask of me, you should've been the one to come to me."

Disregarding one's standing in the situation and maintaining a slightly arrogant attitude while asking for a favor. This was not how things were done.

When Jiang Aijian heard this, he was overjoyed. He bowed at once and said, "That's only natural... With these words of yours, old senior, I can rest assured."

Zhao Yue chimed in, "Thank you, master."

At this moment, a voice rang from outside. "Greetings, master."

The others turned to look.

Zhu Honggong fell to his knees at the door. Then, he shuffled into the hall. He bowed and kowtowed continuously as he entered the hall. "Greetings, master."

Mingshi Yin covered his eyes with his right hand. 'Oh, alright. You win.'

Zhu Honggong stood up, kowtowed, and fell to his knees again. He said loudly, "Greetings, master!"