Chapter 241 – Burying Oneself in the Mountain, Awaiting the Harvest, Truth About the Emperor - Part 1
“Who would’ve thought Master Zhu would team up with the Black Lotus Cult.”
“It’s true. But don’t worry, Master Li—neither the Cui Clan nor Holy Tree Temple will hold you responsible for anything Master Zhu has done.”
In the courtyard, Li Yuan was talking to a member of the Cui Clan who had come bearing news. He listened with mixed feelings but had little to say in response.
He respected his father-in-law’s sense of loyalty. Even though the man carried a blood debt on his shoulders, he still honored his promise by training the next generation of the Cui Clan’s blacksmiths before defecting. Looking back, it now seemed clear he’d been waiting for a son-in-law capable of inheriting his skills—someone who could protect his daughter if he ever abandoned Holy Tree Temple.
Though many years had passed, his father-in-law had never once forgotten his grudge. When the time was right, he broke ties at once and joined forces with the elusive Black Lotus Cult. In hindsight, those months of anger before his departure likely sprang from his urgency to collaborate with the Black Lotus Cult, only to be delayed by Li Yuan’s repeated requests. And whoever had come on the sect’s behalf must have cooled their heels outside for months while waiting.
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A few weeks later.
Another Cui Clan member rushed in, calling out, “Master Li, something big has happened!”
Li Yuan, who happened to be home, recognized Cui Zhichang—Cui Huayin’s cousin—and greeted him politely. “What’s going on?”
Cui Zhichang, still panting, exclaimed, “Zhu Ban has secretly developed a new type of spirit artifact! He never gave it to anyone in Holy Tree Temple, but he forged it for one of the Black Lotus Cult’s top fighters instead!”