My Disciples Are All Villains

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and remained silent. Many years ago, Ji Tiandao had met the ever-living Emperor and the Empress Dowager. They were all in their prime back. Things and people had changed with the passage of time. He did not expect the Empress Dowager to recognize him. Who said she was visually impaired and senile? However, that was not important.

Lu Zhou waved his hand and said, "Those who have no business here should leave."

Many of the others wanted to watch the proceedings, but they had no choice but to leave the great hall for the time being.

Li Yunzhao, the Imperial physicians, and Jiang Liang did not leave. Jiang Aijian and Zhao Yue remained within the great hall as well.

Lu Zhou looked at the Empress Dowager. Perhaps, it was due to the extraordinary power, he felt that his mental state and optical strength were much better compared to before. He could see the faint purple gas the Empress Dowager's body emitted. Indeed, it was witchcraft. It was not a life-threatening spell, but it would cause worry and unrest, making it difficult to sleep. It seemed that Ba Ma and Mo Li did not dare to take it out on the Empress Dowager. This was nothing but a trick of theirs.

When Li Yunzhao saw Lu Zhou keeping quiet, he said, "Well? Tell the old mister what the situation is!"

The Imperial physician standing on the left shuddered. All his years in the palace, he had never encountered such a situation. How could he not be afraid of the old man before him? Nevertheless, he replied in a trembling voice, "O... O-old mister... the Empress Dowager, since she returned from Obedient Villa, has trouble falling asleep..."

Lu Zhou raised a hand and interjected, "There's no need for an explanation. I know what's going on with the Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing this, the two Imperial physicians exchanged a look. They were the cream of the crop among the Imperial family's healers. Although their cultivation base could be considered weak, they were quite skilled in medicine. They had been researching for years, but the Evil Sky Pavilion did not even need an explanation? This was too much a blow to them.

Li Yunzhao bowed and asked, "Old mister, do you have any remedies for this?"

Lu Zhou stood up with his hands on his back and replied, "Naturally, I have a way to get rid of this ailment."

Li Yunzhao bowed as soon as he heard Lu Zhou's words. "Please do whatever you can, old mister!"

Zhao Yue bowed. "Master..."

Jiang Aijian said, "Old senior."

Lu Zhou said, "I have something that I must tell you, Empress Dowager."

When the Empress Dowager heard this, she was slightly taken aback. She looked at Lu Zhou, who was standing with his hands on his back, with her old eyes. "Let's hear it, old mister."

Lu Zhou said, "I can free you of the ailment, but... your great limit is approaching. You should prepare yourself for it."

"..."

The great hall was plunged into silence.

If they were in the palace, the statement would have been considered as a serious offense that warranted immediate beheading.

The two Imperial physicians, however, lowered their heads simultaneously. It was impossible for them to not be aware of this.

Zhao Yue and Jiang Aijian's expressions changed slightly. They looked at the Empress Dowager, reluctant to believe what they had just heard.

Contrary to expectations, the Empress Dowager laughed heartily. She waved her hand and said, "That's it? This is all part of the natural cycle of life. It's natural to die one day. It's nothing."

Lu Zhou turned to look at the Empress Dowager. It seemed like he had wanted to say something but changed his mind in the end. He only shook his head and said, "Forget it. I'll respect your decision." Then, he waved his arm.

The two Imperial physicians retreated to the side hastily.

At this moment, Lu Zhou raised his palm and struck at the air.

The others watched unblinkingly, their hearts were hanging by a thread.

A surge of faint blue power emerged from Lu Zhou's palm.

Whoosh!

...

Meanwhile, in an unknown dark and gloomy room.

Ba Ma's eyes snapped open. He frowned. "The spell has been broken?" A surprised expression could be seen on his face.

"Indeed, the Imperial family can't be underestimated... Mo Li, oh, Mo Li. You spent all those years in the palace in vain. To think you weren't even aware of what the Imperial family is capable of." Ba Ma shook his head and sighed. "However, you can rest assured... I'll certainly send them over to where you are."

...

A shocked expression appeared on everyone's faces. Lu Zhou had broken the spell from a distance.

The Empress Dowager gave a muffled grunt, frowning slightly.

The purplish gas was instantly dispersed by the blue energy.

Lu Zhou was not surprised at all. The Heavenly Writing's extraordinary power was a natural bane for witchcraft spells. He had confirmed this a long time ago.

Li Yunzhao quickly supported the Empress Dowager and asked, "Empress Dowager, how are you feeling?"

"I... I'm alright." The Empress Dowager's eyes were closed. She was sweating slightly, and her voice sounded hollow.

The two Imperial physicians went over at once. They bowed before they checked the Empress Dowager's pulse and examined her.

After a round of examination.

One of the Imperial physicians fell to his knees and said, "Many congratulations, Empress Dowager! The spell has been broken!"

Lu Zhou stroked his beard with an apathetic expression on his face. 'If I can't even break this minor spell, I should be ashamed of myself.' He did not even look at Li Yunzhao as he called out, "Li Yunzhao."

Li Yunzhao's respect for Lu Zhou had risen another level at this moment. He immediately responded, "Yes, old mister?"

"The Empress Dowager has just recovered from her ailment. She should rest in the southern pavilion for now and return tomorrow," Lu Zhou said.

"That's great, that's great! Thank you, old mister..." Li Yunzhao, who was kneeling, began to kowtow.

Jiang Liang and the two Imperial physicians were shocked by this display of obeisance.

Although Li Yunzhao was only an attendant eunuch, he enjoyed a high status. He did not even show the Crown Prince such courtesy.

Lu Zhou merely glanced at Li Yunzhao and waved his hand, dismissing him.

Li Yunzhao and the Imperial physicians supported the Empress Dowager as they left the great hall.

Zhao Yue made the arrangements, and they were lodged in the southern pavilion.

...

It was almost dusk.

Inside the southern pavilion.

Li Yunzhao stood respectfully by the bed. He looked at the Empress Dowager, who seemed healthier now, and said, "Empress Dowager, you look much better compared to this morning."

The Empress Dowager leaned on the headboard and said, "It's all thanks to Zhao Yue..."

"Princess Zhao Yue has already returned to the Imperial family. There's no need to blame yourself for this, Empress Dowager," Li Yunzhao said.

"Little Li." The Empress Dowager paused slightly before she said again, "Bring me my belongings."

Li Yunzhao was slightly stunned. He shook his head helplessly. He fetched a brocade box from the luggage they brought with them. He presented it to the Empress Dowager and said, "Empress Dowager, these are your longevity pills... are you really going to do this?"

The Empress Dowager said with a sigh, "There are many in this world who seek to live a long life. The evergreen... even the ever-living Emperor... Yet, I think it's a form of happiness as well to live out one's life naturally."

"I understand." Li Yunzhao bowed.

"When my time comes, bury me with the ever-living Emperor... hold a funeral for me, and I'll be content," the Empress Dowager said.

Li Yunzhao shook his head and said nothing.

The Empress Dowager passed the brocade box to Li Yunzhao and said, "Give this to the old mister. This will be a token of our gratitude."

"Alright."

"After you leave, call Zhao Yue over. I'd like to talk to her."

"Alright." Li Yunzhao left the room.

...

Inside the eastern pavilion.

Li Yunzhao entered the pavilion with Mingshi Yin in tow.

"Under the decree of the Empress Dowager, I'm here to thank you, old mister. The Empress Dowager has ordered me to present this to the Evil Sky Pavilion. Kindly accept this, old mister," Li Yunzhao said. He bowed before he presented the brocade box with both hands.

Mingshi Yin said, "Master, they're longevity pills."