Chapter 22: Posthumous Genius (1)

Chapter 22: Posthumous Genius (1)

Qiu Feng told the three Lotus Pavilion disciples that they were free to walk around as long as they stayed within Kaiyang. Zhang Hong and Zhang Xuen were really excited about this. This was their first time leaving Mount Hua, so they went around like excited children. They were given four days because the mission happened in four days.

These two often hung out with Zhuge Xiang and Zhuge Xiuluan. Zhuge Xiang was the future head of the clan, and was very enthusiastic in interacting with Zhang Hong and Zhang Xuen.

As for Zhang Hong, he kept showing interest in Zhuge Xiuluan and hung around her.

"Now that I think about it, little brother Zhang. Is your apprentice-brother a bit unique even in the sect?" asked Zhuge Xiang.

He was older than the others, but he was also very smart and had a good nature. It took no time for Zhang Hong and Zhang Xuen to befriend him, and they got close in less than a day.

Zhang Hong nodded, affirming Zhuge Xiang's question.

"Yes, big brother Xiang. He's called All Bite No Bark, which..."

He went on to explain Zhou Xuchuan's past in detail. Zhang Xuen couldn't help but giggle, her shoulders jerking.

Zhuge Xiang had grown close to Zhang Hong and Zhang Xuen, but he didn't even get to have a proper conversation with Zhou Xuchuan.

"I never expected someone around Shengji's age to show interest in him, let alone a martial artist from the Lotus Pavilion." Zhuge Xiang couldn't hide his surprise.

*

Zhou Xuchuan approached Zhuge Shengji and tried talking to him.

"Hello, Shengji. Do you wanna be secret friends with this old man?"

"What? Aren't you only two years older than me? How are you, an old man? Please stop talking nonsense and go away," Zhuge Shengji said, finding Zhou Xuchuan's words ridiculous.

"Wow, your second uncle would be really surprised if he saw you now. Shengji can be so bold and act like a general. Can't you?"

As soon as he was given freedom to act, Zhou Xuchuan went to find Zhuge Shengji, who was holed up in his room, and kept nagging him. Eventually, Zhuge Shengji treated him like he was some eccentric man.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

Zhuge Shengji was well aware of his own strangeness. With all the gazes that he received, he would be a fool if he didn't know.

"This old man just wants to play with you, Shengji." Zhou Xuchuan smiled softly.

Right, I should start by complimenting him. He's a dangerous guy and I don't want things to go wrong.

If he could act as he wished, he wanted to grab Zhuge Shengji by the collars and threaten him, saying, "Hey, let's go raid a tomb."

"I know it might be awkward coming from me, but it'll be better for you not to associate with me. I've only reached the second stage of the Lesser Heaven Star Art, and I'm obsessed with the art of trap mechanisms that has lost all meaning in this era!" Zhuge Shengji shouted, on the verge of tears. His frustration could be felt in his voice.

Hearing that, Zhou Xuchuan put on a look of understanding. "Yes. I know that your nature isn't all that great, and you're a pathetic loser who sobs whenever you do something."

"...I didn't say—"

"But being obsessed with the art of trap mechanisms isn't a bad thing. In fact, I believe that you're an amazing guy for faithfully studying an area that no one is interested in."

Zhou Xuchuan tapped Zhuge Shengji on the shoulders and smiled softly, his eyes filled with desperation.

"So don't stop and walk your own path no matter what anyone tells you."

Posthumous Genius.

The martial world's assessment of him was only done properly after his death, as his title implied.

During the raid of the Three-Eyed Godly Thief's treasury, Zhuge Shengji gained attention for the first time. This was because of the various mechanisms installed inside the treasury.

The Orthodox Faction, and the Zhuge Family in particular, managed to obtain a considerable amount of treasure from the treasury due to Zhuge Shengji's knowledge of trap mechanisms.

It seemed Zhuge Shengji would be re-evaluated after being disdained all his life, but that was a mistake. Sure, people did see him in a new light, but most of their gazes remained indifferent, with most people thinking that he was a bit useful but not exceptional.

The world of martial arts was a world of power. Most people received acknowledgement based on their martial prowess.

"Hey, tell me properly. Uncle asked you nicely to do something about me, didn't he?"

"..."

"I knew it. Get lost!"

The road ahead seemed long.

*

The wait was over. The mission was delivered.

"If you head east for about two days from Kaiyang Town, you'll reach Weng'An Town. It's an area that the Martial Alliance and the Evil Valley occupy alternately about every two months. From what I gathered yesterday, our side is being pushed back, so I hope you can support them with the warriors from the Kaiyang branch of the Martial Alliance."

Shen Tujun looked at Qiu Feng and Zhuge Xiao after finishing his words.

"Hmm." Qiu Feng groaned, appearing deep in thought.

"It might be slightly dangerous, but it should be a good experience for Xiang and Xiuluan. We accept."

Zhuge Xiao was delighted by the mission. Weng'An Town was one of the regions with the fiercest conflicts in the Guizhou province. Naturally, many people were injured or died there. It was a place where many disciples of major sects had died due to their overconfidence.

Since it was the front lines, experts from the Evil Faction appeared from time to time. Although the appearance of experts on the level of Hundred Experts Under Heaven were rare, there were definitely experts that required them to be cautious.

How rude.

Shen Tujun frowned slightly when he heard Zhuge Xiao's words, his eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.

The members of the Zhuge Family would not fight against the warriors of the Evil Valley. They would only strategize behind the lines and give our orders.

He didn't think badly about that since that was what the Zhuge Family excelled at, but speaking as though the dangers had nothing to do with them was rude of him. They were going somewhere where they could lose their lives, and he was speaking in such a manner. What would Qiu Feng, who was next to him, think?

"...Understood. Mount Hua will accept this mission as well." Qiu Feng also accepted the mission after much thought.

"That is great news!" Shen Tujun rejoiced.

The Fourteenth Sword Hero was an Absolute Realm expert that almost everyone knew. This would definitely boost the morale of the warriors on their side.

Even if an expert from the Evil Faction appeared in Weng'An, they would feel relatively at ease with Qiu Feng present.

I need to make sure that the Fourteenth Sword Hero can fight without being too concerned about the members of the Lotus Pavilion as much as possible.

Shen Tujun was worried that he might refuse. He had originally prepared a safe mission. However, the news from Weng'An Town was so urgent that he had no choice.

Thankfully, Qiu Feng accepted the mission, which put his mind at ease about the matters in Weng'An town.

Later, around 1 pm, the group departed from Kaiyang after being briefed on the mission.

Weng'An. Weng'An, huh? What was there to watch out for in Weng'An around this time?

Zhou Xuchuan closed his eyes and attempted to recall. However, it had been too long, and Weng'An was a place where the occupying faction could change a dozen times in a year. There were so many events that happened that he couldn't think of anything.

"Old man, why are you still following me? You're scaring me."

Zhou Xuchuan followed Zhuge Shengji everywhere. The warriors from the Martial Alliance that came with them whispered among themselves.

"The two of them are still so young, so it shouldn't be that kind of relationship, right?"

"Shush. He might become one of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen in the future. Do you not fear that he will come to settle scores with you later? Don't you know that the brats in the ten major organizations have the worst personalities? Rumors say they're all terrible people."

"Honestly, I think you should worry about yourself more than me."

"Ehem!"

"And that kid named Zhou Xuchuan isn't someone you should be concerned about. I overheard young hero Zhang say that his title is All Bite No Bark. He only managed to join the Lotus Pavilion through luck, and it seems he isn't all that special."

"Whoa, just joining the Mount Hua sect is a stroke of fortune, and he was even luckier than that? Life is so miserable."