Chapter 168: New Mission

Ye Zhiyun, Xiao Liang, and Luo Zehn stared at me, dumbfounded, as they internalized what I just told them. There they were, trying to graciously 'give' (or in other words 'dump') their responsibilities onto me as if I were some sort of saint. But then I flat out rejected their offer. I happened to say it so sharply that any rebuttal from them would be irrelevant. I know because based on their expressions, they didn't know how to react at all.

"You see, when I first found out that you've built the Tang Shelter from the ground up, I knew that you deserved it. Although the Tang Sect is mine to oversee, the Tang Shelter is yours to govern. That much is a fact. I for one don't know anything about overseeing a shelter, let alone govern it. And also, I didn't contribute a single thing to the Tang Shelter. It's all your hard work and diligence that earned it the recognition of the other shelters." I continued to explain to further rest my case. "As such, I don't think I deserve overruling something that I didn't work hard for. The three of you have done a great thing and I don't intend to take all the credits from you."

"I mean, think of it this way, a lot of Sect Masters from all over the place made their own Shelter. And then there's me who had his own disciples with their own Shelter? I bet a lot of Sect Masters will feel jealous because of that— not only to me but to you as well since you've managed to do an incredible feat."

Shi Yanmei seemed like she was about to say something but she pursed her lips and looked down. After looking twice towards me, she then turned her head away and pretended as if nothing happened.

"That's right! We shouldn't just be dumping all of the hard work to our Sect Master! We were the ones who started it so we should be the ones to see to it until the end! Also, Master is already stronger than he was compared to before, he shouldn't be sitting behind the desk doing paperwork." Xiao Liang expressively reiterated.

Compared to before, Xiao Liang now has a bright and genial personality. Even though he looked the same I couldn't believe that I mistook this person for an NPC in the past. He's just vibrant through and through... or maybe, he decided to work on his personality after everything I told him. See? Even an NPC can change if he puts his mind to it.

"Yes, I totally concur with Xiao Liang. Heretofore, it's Ye Zhiyun's job to oversee the entire Shelter and to handle all the paperwork. Xiao Liang's job is to assist the whole Shelter in any way possible while I handle all the vermins outside the Shelter. This System has worked for the past four or so years. If we suddenly change this System by having our Sect Master oversee something even though he doesn't know the ins and outs of it... we'll just be plunging ourselves directly into chaos." Luo Zehn lengthily backed me up. "Sect Master Tang Yongrui, thank you so much for redirecting our misguided approach and for kindly teaching us what's right. We will etch your words in our minds and not divert from it."

And there you have it, the way of the eloquent samurai. I get that you agree with me and all... but you don't have to say such descriptive and flavorful words in front of me. It makes me want to talk to you in a formal manner.

To think that this person used to eat swords for iron once... I'm amazed. He has grown so much after all these years. Truly, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I can even see myself in him. Good job, Luo Zehn, good job.

"Then that settles it." Ye Zhiyun wore a smile as she stood up and trapped me in her embrace once again. "We'll do things the way it is but... you will always remain as our Sect Master. Thank you for coming back to us." She gently said as she tightened her hug a little bit.

My heart skipped a beat because what else is it supposed to do? Stop?

"And also! While you were building up Tang Shelter, I was also working hard to better myself and to gain more followers! Now I have two or three disciples!" I proudly announced. "Their names are Xiang Xiaoqing, Zeng Meihui, and Wu Yan. Now the Tang Sect is expanding once again! Ahahaha."

"You mean... Zeng Meihui?! The disciple of the Hundred Poison Lady?! How did you do it, Sect Master?!" Xiao Liang cheerfully asked as he leaned his face closer to mine. He was breathing heavily as well... I'll be damned.

"Ah, that? Ye Zhiyun, Xiao Liang, you might not believe what I'm about to tell you but apparently, our Sect Master worked at great lengths just to get Zeng Meihui over to the Tang Sect." Luo Zehn explained before I could even stop him. "He fought the Hundred Poison Lady with poison and he triumphed gloriously. To think that our Sect Master is more knowledgeable in Poison than the Hundred Poison Lady. It was indubitably such a great sight to behold."

"He won against the... Hundred Poison Lady?" Xiao Liang's jaws dropped so far to the ground that I even contemplated whether to shake him awake or not. Had I known that he will react that way with my story, I would've told him about it sooner.

Bam!

Suddenly, Xiao Liang kowtowed in front of me with great vigor, slamming his head down to the floorboards as if it was a pestle pounding down a mortar. "Sect Master! Please make me your disciple and teach me about poisons!"

"Idiot, you're already my disciple," I told him. "If you really want me to teach you something, then just ask me normally. You don't have to make yourself bleed."

Waving my hand, the wound on his head suddenly disappeared, much to his surprise.

"Oh, and also, Sect Master has the most powerful and purest form of Holy Element with him. He can heal any injuries, even fatal ones. Sect Master wasn't joking when he said he was working hard after all those times." Luo Zehn relayed. "He also has the rumored Blood and Dark Element, and the Summoning Element. Oh, and the Fire and Wind Element."

"Wha- but that's impossible! At most, someone could only master two to three elements in their lifetime!"

'Um, Luo Zehn? What are you doing?' I thought to myself as I awkwardly reacted to their praises. Sure I worked hard but it was mostly the System that did all the work. Even my other Qi Cores were caused by the System, not me.

Well, I'll just make sure to tell the System all the praises they gave her later. I bet she'll be incredibly pleased. Wait, she could hear them now, right? Is there a need to tell her? Perhaps I'll just tell Hui-ying then, she might even squeal for joy or something.

"Yongrui! What are you saying?" Hui-ying bashfully hissed. It was obvious she was listening in my head.

"Oh, and if you want to know about Master's Dark Element, then just wait until you see one of his summons." Luo Zehn continued.

"Luo Zehn, you don't have to tell them anything. Once I'm up and running, I'll show you everything. We're also going to make a trip back to the Tang Shelter. After all this time, not once have I visited the Tang Shelter. I can't wait." I said as I looked up the ceiling.

I didn't want to raise a flag so I didn't say anything more than that. I knew that if I were to add a few things on my statement, White would come barging into this room or something... and then he would proceed to ask me to go with him to the Middle Plane. I mean, that's just how the plot works, right? You're about to get all reminiscent and then a mission comes... and then you die by the end of it.

Sigh~ my imaginations are running wild these days. Well, there's no way that those would happen. I mean, I didn't even stay on the topic! That shouldn't count, right? Right?

Slam!

"Ah, Yongrui, you're awake." A voice from the other side of the door said as a figure walked towards the room. At that moment, I immediately know that something's about to go down real quick and I hate where this is going.

"White, how are you feeling." I forced myself to greet him even though I know I shouldn't entertain his presence in the room. WHY?! I didn't even trigger any flags.

"I'll get to the point, were you able to get the memory fragment or whatever from that Void Tower?" He asked.

I wanted to say no but I knew that lying would result in a death flag. I mean, I'm in no condition to fight here. "Yes?"

White sighed in relief as if a great burden was lifted off of his shoulders. "That's great! Now let's go to the Middle Plane and rescue everyone!"

"What on— "