Chapter 486 - 496: Testing
Yue Rujing was reprimanded and didn’t dare to reply, but still muttered with his head lowered, "How am I ignorant? I am Master’s proudest disciple. Alas, isn’t it because I’ve always stayed in the Taoist Temple serving Sanqing that my prime years have slipped by."
Although his voice was soft, the emperor heard it clearly and scoffed, "You’re still not convinced? You deserve to be under your father’s control. You say you have studied at Qi Mountain for many years, now tell me, how many skills from Qi Mountain have you learned? The State Preceptor is getting on in years, and the selection for the next State Preceptor might not be far off. As Master Tianjizi’s proudest disciple from Tianzong, do you have the confidence to compete with Huo Li?"
Yue Rujing chuckled, "Do I even need to take action myself? My master’s disciples are many and talented, we have..."
Speaking to this point, he realized he had mentioned something he shouldn’t have and suddenly stopped, adding only, "Master is not young anymore. He knows the Yue Family has only me as the sole successor, so he has never thought of making me a Taoist. He has always been laissez-faire with me. To use his words, it would be better even for the little junior brother to take over than me."
The emperor raised his eyebrows, deep in thought. Seeing Yue Rujing glance his way, he suddenly said with profound meaning, "Your master is a wise man."
Yue Rujing, looking at the emperor with unclear intentions, laughed in a ruffian-like manner, "Your Majesty, my master hasn’t come down the mountain for many years. You don’t know—he’s not wise at all. His mind has been muddled these last few years. Otherwise, would my father let me come down from the mountain? He’s just afraid that in his confusion, he might hand down his mantle to me, risking the Yue Family’s lineage coming to an end."
"Your master has become muddled?" the emperor asked, surprised, looking at Yue Rujing.
Yue Rujing replied, "Isn’t that so? He’s the senior brother to the State Preceptor, even older than him by quite a bit."