Chapter 61

At that moment, Baihe and Wan Zhu did not notice the injuries on Zhenzhibao's body, so they did not inquire about it. They just told all the disciples to disperse. Zhenzhibao returned to his room, fell onto the bed, and only then felt the pain all over his body, fainting into a deep sleep.

As the sky grew dark and it was time for dinner, Zhenzhibao was sound asleep when he suddenly heard someone calling his name. He woke up to see Miao Feng standing in front of him. Thinking that Miao Feng was coming to seek revenge, he leaped up, grabbed a pillow from the bed, and shouted, "You're back? What, not enough beating, now you want to kill me?" His words were filled with anger, and his hands were trembling.

Miao Feng looked embarrassed, coughed a couple of times, and said, "Brother, what are you talking about! This morning was entirely my brother's fault, and it has nothing to do with you—besides, I've already scolded him and ordered him not to bother you again. Moreover, if any disciple in the sect bothers you, I will stand up for you... Here, take this ointment for your injuries, and apply it later. It's a small token of my apology."

His words were sincere, and his expression was earnest, making him look genuinely remorseful. Although Zhenzhibao had been in great pain that morning, he was a child and did not harbor deep grudges. Moreover, he had often been taught by Eighth Master to be lenient when possible. Hesitantly, he took the ointment and asked, "Are you really here to apologize?"

"Of course," Miao Feng's mood improved when Zhenzhibao took the ointment. He then took out a few steamed buns from his pocket, saying they were for dinner. They chatted for a while, and Miao Feng suddenly became hesitant, saying, "Uh, this... Zhenzhibao, if... if the Master and Senior Master come over... and ask about the injuries on your face... can you... can you say that you fell and hurt yourself, and it has nothing to do with anyone else?"

Zhenzhibao immediately guessed the reason and asked, "Can I say that I fell and hurt myself, and it has nothing to do with anyone else?"

Miao Feng's face turned red with embarrassment, but he slowly nodded and forced a smile, "It would be best if you said you fell after we parted ways..."

It turned out that the disciples of the Wulun Sect gathered for dinner, and any trivial matters were also handled at that time. Wan Song and Baihe wanted to ask Zhenzhibao about his first day to avoid any complaints from Eighth Master in the future. However, they couldn't find Zhenzhibao in the dining hall.

Baihe then called Miao Feng and asked him, his words filled with anger. Miao Feng, seeing this, did not dare to admit that he had beaten Zhenzhibao. He said everything was fine and that he didn't know where Zhenzhibao was, and he would go look for him. He planned to cover up the incident, so he took the ointment and went to Zhenzhibao, hoping to make amends and cover up the matter.

Zhenzhibao, guessing Miao Feng's intentions, felt disdain for his character but, as fellow disciples, did not want to make things difficult for him. He responded, "Alright! We are fellow disciples, and today's incident was a misunderstanding. Since you are asking for my help, I can cover for you—however, if your brother comes to beat or insult me again, I will report everything to the Grandmaster. If he doesn't bother me, we can be good fellow disciples."

"Of course not, of course not!" Miao Feng's face lit up with numerous smiles, and he made seventeen or eighteen promises. They chatted for a bit more, and Miao Feng taught Zhenzhibao how to explain the situation to the Master and Senior Master, making sure everything was handled properly before leaving to report back.

Soon, Zhenzhibao heard footsteps in the corridor. Baihe and Wan Zhu indeed brought a few disciples over. He quickly greeted his Senior Master and Uncle, saying he had overslept. Baihe, seeing the injuries on his face, was startled and then angry, "You said you fell and got hurt, but how could it be so severe—did you fight with someone?"

Wan Zhu also shouted, "Who beat Zhenzhibao, step forward!" His voice was stern, and he looked extremely angry. Miao Feng felt a slight tremor of fear.

Their anger was justified: Zhenzhibao was Eighth Master's grandson and disciple. If he was bullied and beaten while not on the mountain, it would reflect poorly on their etiquette and the sect's teachings. It would be embarrassing to face Eighth Master, and they would have a hard time explaining to their own Master.

Zhenzhibao, seeing Miao Feng's fear, felt a sense of satisfaction but followed their instructions, saying he had wandered around the mountain after they parted ways and fell down a slippery path, injuring his face. The details matched what Miao Feng had taught him, and their faces gradually relaxed, nodding in agreement.

Miao Feng, seeing Zhenzhibao's smile, felt his teeth grind with hatred but had to follow his story and explain to the Master and Uncle. Their stories matched, and the two finally believed them.

Baihe, though strict in appearance, was kind-hearted. Mei Hua had entrusted him with the responsibility of disciplining the disciples. Thinking of Eighth Master's uncertain fate and Zhenzhibao's loneliness, his heart softened, and he said loudly, "Miao Feng, take good care of Zhenzhibao! He is young and new to the mountain, so you must explain everything to him in detail. If he gets hurt again, I will hold you responsible!" Miao Feng had no choice but to agree.

At this point, the incident on the mountain was finally settled.

After everyone dispersed, Miao Feng went to the training ground alone. The anger inside him could no longer be contained, and he punched the dummy with a loud thud!

Thud! Thud! Thud!...

Miao Feng vented his anger on the dummy, each punch faster and harder than the last, striking it hundreds or thousands of times. Finally, with all his strength, he punched a hole through the dummy!

He then fell to the ground, panting heavily, and thought of a plan.

It turned out that Kong Feng, a fellow disciple, had a good relationship with Miao Feng. On the way to the Reflection Cliff, Kong Feng had learned the truth and, knowing Miao Feng's character, lied to him, saying that Eighth Master had returned to seize the position of the sect leader and that Zhenzhibao would take over in the future. Although the lies were baseless, they struck a chord with Miao Feng, making him believe them.

Although Miao Feng had made amends with Zhenzhibao that day, he harbored deep hatred. Seeing the attention his Master and Uncle gave Zhenzhibao and remembering Kong Feng's words, he felt extremely uncomfortable. Later, he learned that the Grandmaster had personally met Zhenzhibao when he arrived on the mountain, which only increased his hatred.

Miao Feng thought, "Zhenzhibao is stubborn and strong-willed. He doesn't yield to beating or insults. I can't control him, and he will be a formidable opponent in the future. But my Master has ordered me to teach him the sect's techniques, and I can't refuse!"

Thinking of Zhenzhibao's smile earlier, he became even angrier. Suddenly, an idea struck him, "Right! My Master ordered me to teach him cultivation techniques, but he didn't specify which ones! Our sect specializes in communicating with the underworld, and the three fires must be weakened to easily leave the body and communicate with spirits. I can just make Zhenzhibao strengthen his body and cultivate the three fires. The stronger his body, the harder it will be to separate his soul. If he fails the 'Severing Yin' ritual at twelve, he won't be able to stay in the Wulun Sect!"

He thought the plan was feasible and felt satisfied.

In the Wulun Sect, new disciples were taught various techniques by the third-generation disciples, aiming to weaken the three fires and communicate with the underworld. If the three fires were strong, it would be impossible to separate the soul. At twelve, those who could separate their souls would be kept and taught by the second-generation disciples, officially becoming part of the Wulun Sect.

Miao Feng didn't know that Zhenzhibao, being under twelve, didn't need the 'Severing Yin' ritual and had a natural talent for cultivation.

The next morning, Miao Feng took Zhenzhibao to a small training ground and said with a smile, "Zhenzhibao, to practice the techniques of the Yin-Yang Wulun Sect, you need a strong body. I see that your body is weak and your strength is insufficient. For now, let's focus on strengthening your body. Once you are strong enough to withstand the techniques, I will teach you more, okay?"

Zhenzhibao, though not entirely trusting Miao Feng, understood the logic. He had already memorized dozens of sect texts and wasn't in a hurry to learn more, so he followed Miao Feng's instructions and started practicing.

Miao Feng, fearing that Zhenzhibao would be completely clueless if his Master asked, added techniques like finger movements, hand seals, and starting postures to the basic training, making it look proper.

After about ten days, Miao Feng had taught Zhenzhibao all the techniques and brought him to Baihe for an examination. Zhenzhibao performed some moves, showing a solid foundation and accurate gestures, with a hint of a master's demeanor. Both were very pleased and praised him for his intelligence, also complimenting Miao Feng. Neither realized Miao Feng's ulterior motives.

This solidified Miao Feng's teaching method, and he continued to follow this plan.

As winter turned to spring and spring to summer, several months passed. Zhenzhibao no longer had conflicts with other disciples. Miao Feng deliberately arranged for him to live alone and avoid contact with other disciples, who, following Miao Feng's orders, also stayed away from Zhenzhibao. It seemed as if they were close friends.

Both Miao Feng and Zhenzhibao knew the truth.

After several months of training, Zhenzhibao's body became much stronger. The hot springs on the mountain also helped heal and strengthen his bones, and he grew taller, looking like a teenager of thirteen or fourteen, even though he was under ten.

However, the eldest disciple had not returned, and no one knew what had happened to Eighth Master...