My Disciples Are All Villains

The beggar shifted and squinted as he looked at the figure standing at the entrance. He said fearlessly, "If you want to come in, then come in. Stop hovering around and disturbing my sleep."

The figure hesitated for a moment before walking into the hall.

It was dark, and the smell of something old and rotten permeated the air. There were rats scurrying around as well.

The figure saw a plank at the side and took a seat before he called out, "Mister?"

"Young man, I know the conditions aren't ideal, but make do for the night. It's not safe out there so don't run around outside during the night," the beggar muttered.

"I asked you a question," the figure asked.

"What question?" The beggar sat up, somewhat impatient. He shivered from the cold and hurriedly took a flint out from the side, igniting a small flame in an old brazier. When it was finally a little warmer, he raised his head to look at the person in front of him. Due to the lack of light, he could not see the other person's appearance clearly.

"I remember the family who used to live here bore the surname Meng," the figure said.

The old beggar's interest was piqued. The night was long, and he had slept enough. It was not a bad idea to chat with a junior to kill the boredom and loneliness that cold nights tended to bring.

The old beggar moved closer to the fire. It illuminated the stone-like surface of his mottled skin. He said, "Indeed. The family who used to stay here bore the surname Meng. They're from the ancient Baili clan."

The figure asked curiously, "Then, where did everyone go?"

"They all died," the old beggar said as he casually pointed at the hall, "In the days of old, this place was like a treasure land."

"How did they die?" the figure asked again.

The old beggar looked away and said, "I don't know."

"About 200 years ago, there was a chaotic war in Zhongzhou. At that time, Great Qin wanted to unify the lands. At that time, Meng Mingshi appeared out of nowhere and became Great Qin's general. He led the army and defeated the powerful Great Jin and slaughtered millions of enemies on Mount Xiao. After that, Great Qin came into power."

The figure said with a hint of disapproval, "Wasn't he a defeated general?"

"Indeed. It's true that he lost many battles. However, the battle with Great Jin was too memorable. Sometimes, one battle is superior to 100 battles. Meng Mingshi was too cautious and cowardly; it's normal that he was defeated."

"He only got lucky…" the figure sneered.

The old beggar shook his head, indicating that he disagreed. "Not entirely. He was tenacious and very tolerant. He was very hard to kill due to how cautious he was. He knew how to wait for the right chance to strike, and he knew to strike at the vital point. The battle on Mount Xiao proved his ability. He could be considered a legend."

"Hard to kill? Didn't he die in the end?"

"Well, you'd have to consider his opponent. How could he possibly defeat the emperor of Great Qin?"

"You're saying the emperor killed him?"

The old beggar sighed and lay down before he slowly said, "It's just a rumor. Don't take it so seriously."

"Old beggar, you really aren't simple," the figure said as he rose to his feet. Then, without any warning, he attacked. His hand glowed as he grabbed the old beggar's neck.

The old beggar was startled as he was lifted off the ground by his neck. His eyes were wide with fear, and his entire body trembled when he saw a pair of eyes that surged with killing intent.

Upon seeing this, the figure loosened his grip.

The old beggar fell to the ground, clutching his chest as he coughed violently.

"You're not a cultivator? I apologize," the figure said. Following that, he vanished into thin air.

The old beggar was speechless. "What bad luck…"

Following that, vines suddenly grew wildly in all directions. At the same time, the tree within a radius of 1,000 meters grew, blocking the cold wind and hiding the dilapidated mansion from sight.

…

The next morning.

At the Zhao residence.

Crash!

Zhao Yu smashed the table into pieces with his hand as he roared, "What? You lost the blood ginseng and the fire lotus?"

The attendant trembled all over and said with his head lowered, "General Xi said he met with a thief who's an expert. It's hard for ordinary people to defend against that person. However, General Xi has left to look for the treasures again. Please give him some time."

Zhao Yu sat down, panting. He had worked hard and risked his life to obtain those treasures. How could it be gone just like that? After a moment, he said angrily, "Give him time? Do I have time?"

The attendant remained silent.

Everyone in the Zhao residence knew Zhao Yu's mother was critically ill and needed the natural treasures urgently.

Zhao Yu lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time. He had tried his best, but it was not enough.

The attendant said tentatively, "General Xi has said that if he can't find the snow lotus and blood ginseng, he won't know how to face you…"

"Get lost!"

After dismissing the attending, Zhao Yu rose to his feet expressionlessly and walked out. He walked through a corridor that led to another building.

When he arrived in front of the building where Lu Zhou was staying, he did not hesitate as he fell to his knees outside the door. "Zhao Yu is here to pay respect to the old sir."

With this, Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong flashed over, landing on the roof.

"Zhao Yu?" Yu Zhenghai raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Yu said anxiously, "I have something important to ask of the old sir. I hope that both of you will help me."

"When my master cultivates, no one's allowed to disturb him," Yu Zhenghai said.

Bam!

Zhao Yu kowtowed heavily without mobilizing his vitality energy. He said, clearly agitated, "I lost the snow lotus and blood ginseng. I have to save my mother. I have no other choice but to come to the old sir for help again."

Yu Zhenghai said, "You know how important those things were, and yet, you dare to entrust it to another person? What should be given to you has already been given to you. It's impossible for us to give you more. If everyone's like you, no matter if the Evil Sky Pavilion has a lot of blood ginseng and snow lotus, it still won't be enough. The Evil Sky Pavilion isn't a charity hall. You should leave."

"..."

Bam! Bam!

Zhao Yu kowtowed twice again with all his might.

Yu Zhenghai frowned upon seeing this. Zhao Yu was a member of the royal family. To think, he was so ruthless with himself.

At this moment, a figure appeared behind Zhao Yu and asked, "How did you lose it?"

Zhao Yu turned around and saw Mingshi Yin. He quickly recounted what had happened.

"That person with the surname Xi is really good at acting," Mingshi Yin casually said after listening to Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu looked confused. He ignored the pain on his forehead and asked, "General Xi? Acting?"

"Are you stupid or are you pretending to be stupid?" Mingshi Yin asked. He continued to say, "Xi Qishu has passed two Birth Trials at least. How powerful is the thief to be able to steal something from him? If the thief is so powerful, is there a need for him to be a thief?"

Zhao Yu exclaimed in shock, "Impossible! General Xi has always been very good to me. It's impossible for him to do something like this!"

"How naive," Mingshi Yin said with a hint of scorn, "If you summon him here now, do you think he'll show up?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu turned around on his knees and began to kowtow to Mingshi Yin. "Brother Mingshi, please help me. I'm begging you."

Mingshi Yin remained unmoved. "You shouldn't simply kneel. If you do this, it'd only make me disdain you."

"I…" A conflicted expression appeared on Zhao Yu's face before he finally rose to his feet. "I have no choice."

Mingshi Yin said, "Don't say I didn't help you. Summon Xi Qishu over."

Zhao Yu shook his head. "General Xi went to look for blood ginseng and snow lotus again. He won't be back so soon."

Mingshi Yin stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Yu's collar before he said slowly, "I'm warning you. You better listen to me. Otherwise, no one will be able to help you."

"..." Zhao Yu was frightened by Ming Shiyin's gaze. From the first time they met, Ming Shiyin had been hostile toward him. He had asked Mingshi Yin about it, but he did not obtain an answer. He always felt it was just a misunderstanding. However, at this moment, he was truly afraid of Mingshi Yin.

Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong exchanged a look. They were very familiar with Mingshi Yin's temper. Mingshi Yin did not get angry easily and was very good at dealing with his emotions. Moreover, Mingshi Yin always had a sense of propriety when dealing with things. However, at this moment, Mingshi Yin seemed to have turned into a different person.

At this moment…

"Don't be impudent."

Upon hearing Lu Zhou's voice, Mingshi Yin finally realized he had lost control. He loosened his grip on Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu fell limply to the ground immediately.

Creak!

Lu Zhou emerged from the room with his hands on his back.