"You are awake, Junior Martial Brother Zhao?" Hu Nan asked in confusion. "What happened to you? Why did you suddenly faint after we left the main hall?"
"We left the main hall?" Zhao Yunxiao looked around with a similarly confused expression after finding his footing. "I... I can't remember what happened..."
"What is the last thing you remember doing?" He Luoxuan asked with a frown.
"The last thing I remember... Ah, I think it is the prime disciple Chen Pingxi arriving at the main hall. That's right! I remember seeing something that resembled a sea serpent flash before my eyes- argh!" Zhao Yunxiao rubbed his temple in agony. "My head hurts just thinking about it!"
"I see, so that's why," He Luoxuan nodded in understanding.
"What is going on, Elder He?" Hu Nan asked curiously.
"You might not know this, but the Origin Lake Sect used to have a powerful sea serpent general among their ranks," He Luoxuan explained with a sigh. "Back then, it is said that when this general is within the confines of the Origin Lake Sect territory and supported by the sect arrays, the Origin Lake Sect progenitor is the only one who could defeat it in a battle. What happened earlier might just be the remnant will of that general possessing you to aid its descendants. Who knows? That might well be its remnant will's farewell gift, using up the last of its energy to leave some advice for the current sect members before dispersing for good..."
He Luoxuan's tone was one filled with melancholy as he reminisced on the various powerful characters that had come and gone in the past.
At the same time, Hu Nan and Song Xiaoqiao blinked in confusion.
Did that mean it was not He Luoxuan who had been giving guidance to everyone earlier?
They could not help but feel slightly disappointed upon realising that.
Zhao Yunxiao was impressed to see how He Luoxuan instantly identified Cha's involvement just from that little hint he dropped. However, he could not help but speak up after hearing how He Luoxuan was praising Cha to the skies.
"I might not know this sea serpent well, but I really don't think it will do something as noble as sacrificing the last of its energy for others..." Zhao Yunxiao said. "If anything, it gave me the feeling of something sinister and selfish. It felt more like a sea serpent that is likely to kidnap innocents or use the sect resources to satisfy its own whims and wishes!"
"Silence!" He Luoxuan quickly hushed. "How can you say that of the old generals of the Origin Lake Sect, and in their own territory to boot? It doesn't matter how you feel about it. From now on, you can only describe it as I did in the future, understood? Or at least, that restriction will apply for as long as you remain in the Origin Lake Sect territory lest you misrepresent the view of the Black Tortoise Sect!"
"Yes, Elder He. Disciple Zhao Yunxiao understands and accepts the restrictions," Zhao Yunxiao quickly accepted.
Zhao Yunxiao understood that He Luoxuan was right. Even if it was truly what he thought, he still should not have openly voiced out his opinions like that.
"But why did this sea serpent's spirit possess Junior Martial Brother Zhao of all people?" Hu Nan asked.
"Who knows?" He Luoxuan shook his head. "Perhaps there is something restricting him from possessing a member of the Origin Lake Sect, or perhaps it has been waiting for someone who suited it well. Perhaps it is even because Yunxiao's cultivation is low, making him an easier target."
Zhao Yunxiao felt the corner of his lips twitch.
He knew that he was weak, but it still hurt to hear it being said to his face.
That was especially the case when he knew that with Cha's strength, he would probably be able to overpower anyone in the room, not just him!
"Looks like you really have to train hard then, Junior Martial Brother Zhao," Hu Nan chuckled.
"I have always been working hard, Senior Martial Brother Hu," Zhao Yunxiao nodded nevertheless.
"All right, it is all good now that things had cleared up. Let's return then," He Luoxuan said in satisfaction.
Now that he finally understood what happened earlier, He Luoxuan felt like a burden had been lifted off his chest.
***
Back in the main hall, Dan Juexing looked at the various elders and core disciples who had remained seated even after the members of the Black Tortoise Sect left.
"From the looks of it, nobody here has heard of Little Brother Yunxiao?" Dan Juexing asked.
Everyone started to exchange glances, though that only allowed them to see just how uncertain each other was. It was obvious that nobody had really looked into the identity of Zhao Yunxiao prior to today.
"What I gathered is that the three attendants this year are just ordinary outer disciples selected at random," a disciple voiced out.
"That's what I was told as well, but does even that make sense now, Junior Martial Brother?" Qian Luming responded in irritation. "If you were Elder He, will you leave it to a random ordinary outer disciple to do something like that? Especially when you have two inner disciples right there?"
"Luming is right, there must be something special about this little brother that we are unaware of," Ming Leishang added. "Before we understand better, it is best that we pay special attention to his needs. For all we know, he might soon become next in line after Han Xing."
Those words instantly caught everyone's attention.
Everyone knew that He Luoxuan only had one direct disciple – Han Xing.
Han Xing turned out to be extraordinary indeed, more than worthy of He Luoxuan investing all of his effort in him.
But even in such cases, it was not unheard of for an elder to continue accepting direct disciples. Doing so would not only serve to ease the elder's burdens in the future, but it would also reflect well on the elder if all of their disciples did well.
In a way, it was like an investment, albeit one that required a keen eye.
Therefore, it would not be surprising for He Luoxuan to want to take in another direct disciple as well.
And if that was indeed the case, then Zhao Yunxiao could very well be a future core disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect.
That would make him an individual with status comparable to the elders of the Origin Lake Sect!
"Let's not speculate wildly here," Dan Juexing voiced his thoughts to calm everyone down. "Everyone, look into the identities of all three attendants who came along on this trip and let me know if you have any special findings. At the same time, pass down the message that no one is to be rude to Little Brother Zhao even though he is only here as an attendant. Anyone who defies this instruction will be subjected to heavy punishment!"
"Understood, Sect Leader!"
***
He Luoxuan might have managed to solve the mystery of the events that just transpired, but he was still exhausted from the session.
After returning to their assigned courtyard, He Luoxuan returned to his room after telling everyone that they were free to spend their time until the banquet later.
With that, Song Xiaoqiao left the courtyard to look for her friends while Hu Nan returned to his room as well.
As for Zhao Yunxiao, he washed up a little before visiting Hu Nan in his room.
In the morning, Hu Nan had instructed Zhao Yunxiao to look for him after the cultivation lecture as he wanted to have a talk about how Zhao Yunxiao left without a word the night before.
A serious talk, he said.
With that, anyone with half a brain would understand that this would be more of a reprimanding session!
Unfortunately, Zhao Yunxiao had yet to think of a way to appease this senior martial brother of his, so he was feeling rather nervous as he knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Zhao Yunxiao took a deep breath, put on as regretful an expression as he could possibly muster, and gently pushed the door open.
"Senior Martial Brother Hu," Zhao Yunxiao greeted with a faint smile.
Hu Nan was initially standing with his back facing the door, but slowly turned around to look at Zhao Yunxiao once he entered.
His expression was stern.
"Regarding last night, I am truly sorry for what I did!" Zhao Yunxiao immediately took a deep bow. "What Senior Martial Brother Hu said earlier is right. What I did is indeed unacceptable! I am willing to accept any punishment!"
Since he did not have a way to explain his way out of the situation, this was the only feasible option he could think of – to apologise and blame himself for everything before Hu Nan needed to do so.
This way, he wanted to remove the need for Hu Nan to list down his mistakes, thereby reducing the possibility of Hu Nan getting reminded and angered by what he did all over again.
Huu-!
Hu Nan let out a helpless sigh as he looked at Zhao Yunxiao who was remaining in a deep bow. "Rise."
Zhao Yunxiao timidly raised his head as instructed.
Seeing the look on his face, Hu Nan sighed once again before continuing. "Are you feeling better now?"
"Me? Feeling better from...?" Zhao Yunxiao blinked blankly.
"I'm talking about how you fainted earlier," Hu Nan explained. "Are you feeling better now?"
"Ah, that..." Zhao Yunxiao scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "I can't say that I'm feeling great right now, but at least some of the weakness is gone. I should be fine after a little more rest."
"That's good to hear," Hu Nan said while patting Zhao Yunxiao on the shoulder. "It is good that you understand your mistake. Make sure you don't do that again."
"I definitely won't do that again, Senior Martial Brother Hu," Zhao Yunxiao replied seriously.
"It's good as long as you understand," Hu Nan nodded. "You may leave now. Have a good rest, and I will see you later before the banquet."
"Hmm?" Zhao Yunxiao could not help but feel surprised. "Is that it?"
"What is it?" Hu Nan chuckled. "Are you expecting to receive a harsh scolding?"
Zhao Yunxiao felt like he had been completely seen through, but he naturally would not admit that.
"Senior Martial Brother Hu is truly as kind as the immortals!" Zhao Yunxiao hurriedly praised. "Since Senior Martial Brother Hu has already said so, I shall take my leave now. See you later for the banquet!"
With that, Zhao Yunxiao immediately stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him, not wanting to give Hu Nan time to renege on his words.
Looking at the closed door, Hu Nan shook his head with a smile.
Earlier in the morning, Hu Nan had truly intended to give Zhao Yunxiao a good scolding.
But upon seeing that Zhao Yunxiao had fainted and was still feeling all weak after falling under the possession of a powerful spirit, if Hu Nan were to still mete out punishment on Zhao Yunxiao, wouldn't that be akin to trampling on Zhao Yunxiao while he was down?
If anything, he thought that perhaps this whole possession incident was already enough of a punishment to Zhao Yunxiao.
As for Zhao Yunxiao who was on the other side of the door, he could not believe his luck!
Talking about luck, it was a good thing that he had not lost his fortune to Cha last night. Otherwise, perhaps there was no way that something this good would happen to him.
When Cha show up again later that night, he had to make sure not to be tempted into betting his fortune again, no matter what Cha was putting on the line.
No, that's not right.
Why was he already assuming that Cha would surely appear again that night?
It was best if that jinx did not appear again later!
After all, he had just given his promise to Hu Nan, so he definitely could not be found missing from his room again.
Otherwise, no amount of fortune would be able to save him!
Huu-!
Zhao Yunxiao let out a tired sigh as he looked up towards the warm afternoon sky.
There was only one night left before they depart for Purple Plum Mountain the next day.
Right now, Zhao Yunxiao was no longer hoping to get any other benefits out of the work trip.
Instead, all he was hoping for was that the rest of his time here be as uneventful as possible, so that he could return to the Black Tortoise Sect without getting himself into any other trouble!