Is Everyone Else's Eldest Disciple Like This? | Chapter 105 | A Scandalous Misunderstanding | Novela.app

A moment later, Zhou Fuxue stood to the side with a dark expression, handing over a cup of water. His face was marked with several fresh bruises. Lu Qingkong was busy pressing a hand against Shen Di’an’s chest while trying to force medicine down his throat with the water. He scolded through teary eyes, "Zhou Fuxue! You’re worse than a beast! How could you do something like this? Do you have a death wish? Huh? Answer me! Are you dead already?!" Ming Zhu was wrapped in Zhou Fuxue’s outer robe, sitting on the soft couch by the window with his knees pulled to his chest, nibbling on a savory pancake Lu Qingkong had bought. Earlier, after Shen Di’an had fainted outright, Lu Qingkong had rushed in. The scene on the bed had nearly caused him to lose his breath and pass out alongside Shen Di’an. Trembling, he had first helped Shen Di’an lie down, then grabbed Zhou Fuxue and given him a thorough thrashing, cursing him non-stop until now. Words like "shameless," "worse than a beast," and "moral depravity" had all been hurled at him. If Zhou Fuxue weren't his junior brother, Lu Qingkong likely would have used even viler language. Zhou Fuxue stood there and took it all without offering an explanation. Even if he wanted to explain, he didn't know how to start. Should he say, "I saw that Eldest Senior Brother looked delicious, so I planned to kiss and nuzzle him, but I definitely wasn't going to go all the way"? Or perhaps, "To be honest, Eldest Senior Brother seduced me first"? He was certain that either explanation would only result in an even more brutal beating from Lu Qingkong. Lu Qingkong’s voice was hoarse from shouting. Seeing that Shen Di’an’s breathing had stabilized, he hurled the cup in his hand toward Zhou Fuxue. Zhou Fuxue raised a hand and caught the cup, saying sullenly, "Ninth Senior Brother, it’s not what you think." Lu Qingkong grew even more incensed. "Not what I think? If you didn't have filthy intentions, how would you know what I'm thinking? Zhou Fuxue, oh Zhou Fuxue, I originally thought you were a mature, steady person who understood the bigger picture. Now I see you’re truly a piece of work. You even dared to lay a hand on your own Eldest Senior Brother! Tell me, did you eat a tiger’s heart and a leopard’s gall? Aren't you afraid Fifth Senior Brother will castrate you? 'Lecherous and decadent'? 'To die beneath a peony flower'? Do you not value your life?!" As he ranted, he turned to the "victim," seeking confirmation. "Right, Eldest Senior Brother?" Ming Zhu was busy eating his pancake and hadn't really heard what Lu Qingkong said. He simply nodded. "Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Lu Qingkong exclaimed, "See! Right?! Even Eldest Senior Brother is calling you shameless! How could you do such a thing? No matter what, he is our Eldest Senior Brother. Even if... even if you really like men, couldn't you find someone else?" Shen Di’an, who had been lying there with a faint breath, finally drifted awake. He looked at Zhou Fuxue with eyes full of disappointment and resentment. He croaked, "If my body hadn't yet recovered, I would personally beat you to death. Zhou Fuxue, you are too much of a scoundrel." Zhou Fuxue: "..." For a moment, Zhou Fuxue didn't know how to respond, so he remained silent and let them continue their verbal assault. Once Shen Di’an felt a bit better, he climbed out of bed and walked over to Ming Zhu, looking at him with a complex expression. He had originally intended for a tearful reunion after their long separation, but having witnessed that scene just now, Shen Di’an only felt incredibly awkward. The mood was ruined, so he could only manage a dry question: "Eldest Senior Brother, is your body alright? Do you feel unwell anywhere?" Ming Zhu finally finished his pancake. He gave Shen Di’an a smile and said, "I'm fine. What about you?" Shen Di’an replied, "With the Linglong Heart, I’m no longer in any great danger. I just need some time to recuperate. It’s nothing—Senior Brother, is your body truly fine? You don't feel... uncomfortable anywhere?" He cast a subtle, meaningful glance toward Ming Zhu’s waist. Ming Zhu was baffled. "No, why?" Only then did Shen Di’an feel relieved, turning back to glare fiercely at Zhou Fuxue once more. Lu Qingkong wasn't as indirect as Shen Di’an. He grabbed Ming Zhu and asked point-blank, "Did that beast surnamed Zhou do anything lewd to you? Does your waist hurt?" Ming Zhu looked completely lost. "Huh?" Seeing that their words were becoming increasingly outrageous, Zhou Fuxue stepped forward and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Senior Brother is fine. You two should stop worrying over nothing..." Lu Qingkong and Shen Di’an looked at him as if he were a predator and shouted in unison, "None of your business! Get out!" Zhou Fuxue: "..." Fine. It seemed the label of "beast" would be stuck to his head for a few days. Lu Qingkong grew angry the moment he saw Ming Zhu wearing Zhou Fuxue’s clothes. With a dark face, he stripped the robe off his Eldest Senior Brother and personally brought out a set of his own new clothes for him to change into. Only then did he nod in satisfaction. Ming Zhu’s complexion was pale, and wearing Zhou Fuxue’s teal robe had made him look even thinner. He found the situation rather novel, tugging at his sleeves and looking them over several times before asking, "How did you two get here?" Lu Qingkong gave a brief explanation. "After the Tenth woke up and learned you were back, he made a fuss about coming to find you. We originally planned to pick up Fuxue and go together, but we didn't expect..." As he spoke, he glared at Zhou Fuxue again and cursed, "I didn't expect him to be such a bastard, even daring to target you. I’m going to tell Fifth Senior Brother about this later. Let’s see if he doesn't break all three of this son of a bitch's legs!" Zhou Fuxue: "..." In his youth, Zhou Fuxue had indeed harbored illicit thoughts about his Eldest Senior Brother. Back then, his first reaction upon coming to his senses was terror, thinking that even if his Eldest Senior Brother didn't scold him, his other senior brothers would surely beat him to death. He hadn't expected that after all these years, this fear was about to become a reality. Perhaps because he had already seen Ming Fuhua and experienced the worst of his identity being exposed, Ming Zhu was no longer afraid. He simply nodded and said, "Go tell Yanfeng quickly." He had intended to say they should inform Shang Yanfeng so they could all meet, but in the eyes of the others, it looked as though he had been bullied by that bastard Zhou Fuxue and was too embarrassed to scold him himself, so he was seeking out his most reliable junior brother to stand up for him. Lu Qingkong’s expression became even more grief-stricken and indignant. "Eldest Senior Brother!" Ming Zhu didn't understand why Lu Qingkong and Shen Di’an looked like they were about to cry just because of a casual remark. He asked innocently, "What is it now?" Lu Qingkong kicked Zhou Fuxue’s foot, his eyes brimming with tears. "I will definitely make sure Fifth Senior Brother gets justice for you!" Ming Zhu: "??" Justice for what? Justice to let him and Zhou Fuxue become cultivation partners? Ah, would that be too fast? Ming Zhu toyed with his hair, his mind wandering. *Where would we live after becoming partners? I can't go back to Rizhao. Should we live in Lveyue Tower? No, that would definitely expose my identity. That won't do.* Seeing Ming Zhu’s dazed expression, Lu Qingkong asked cautiously, "Senior Brother... what are you thinking about?" Ming Zhu let out an "Ah" and instinctively spoke his thoughts aloud. "I was thinking about where would be a good place to live in the future." The three of them assumed he was pondering his living situation because of Master Guining’s attitude toward him, and they fell into a sudden silence. While Ming Zhu was still considering whether to have Na Lian buy him a residence, the perpetually silent Zhou Fuxue suddenly spoke up. "I have a private villa in Jianglou." Ming Zhu blinked and looked at him. Before he could speak, Lu Qingkong snapped angrily, "You still want to abduct Eldest Senior Brother to your den? Zhou Fuxue, you look like a refined gentleman, so why don't you act like a decent human being?" Zhou Fuxue was forced to shut his mouth. As if reminded of something, Ming Zhu took a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Fuxue. "I heard your cultivation was destroyed. If you can't condense spiritual energy, you can try the cultivation method on this jade slip to see if it helps." Zhou Fuxue never held any guard against Ming Zhu. Without questioning the origin of the jade slip, he took it and glanced over it before saying calmly, "Who did Senior Brother hear that from? That my cultivation was destroyed?" Ming Zhu was suddenly at a loss for words. Shen Di’an said coldly, "Why are you being so aggressive?" Zhou Fuxue: "..." Zhou Fuxue had only spoken in his usual manner, yet it was interpreted as being aggressive. He finally realized that no matter what he said or did now, these two senior brothers who found him eyesores would find fault with him. He decided to shut up completely and act as a silent wallflower. Having silenced Zhou Fuxue, Shen Di’an brought up the matter of checking Ming Zhu’s pulse. However, when he reached for Ming Zhu’s wrist, Ming Zhu recoiled like a startled bird, looking at him with a hint of terror. Shen Di’an was taken aback. "Senior Brother?" Ming Zhu hugged his arms awkwardly and forced a smile. "I... I'm fine. No need to trouble yourself." Shen Di’an likely saw Ming Zhu’s resistance and followed his lead, withdrawing his hand and dropping the subject. He said, "We received a divine sense jade decree from Fifth Senior Brother while we were on the road. He said he and Master would be coming to Sayu City in a few days and told us to wait here." Ming Zhu was stunned. "Master... what is he coming to Sayu City for?" Shen Di’an explained, "Senior Brother might not know, but recently, the demon cultivator Na Lian has been using the name of Lveyue Tower to send out countless invitations through Wenfeng Pavilion, inviting people for a discussion at Lveyue Tower. As far as I know, everyone who received an invitation is a powerful cultivator who participated in the siege of Guifang City back then, or their descendants. It looks like Na Lian is planning to make his move." Ming Zhu hadn't involved himself in Na Lian’s revenge and didn't know much about it. He said, "Anyone would know this is a 'Hongmen Banquet.' I'm afraid very few will go. Na Lian isn't stupid; why would he make such a scene and alert the enemy?" Lu Qingkong took out a jade token and flicked it with his finger. A flash of morning light flickered, and the image of an invitation appeared in mid-air. The words "Guifang" were written in a bold, sweeping script on the cover, as if he feared people wouldn't know he was seeking vengeance. The invitation was adorned with extremely intricate patterns, intertwined and reflecting each other in a very eerie manner. Lu Qingkong said, "This is Na Lian’s invitation. They weren't sent out by Wenfeng Pavilion; rather, he used Wenfeng Pavilion’s name to ensure safe passage across the Five Continents, and his demon cultivators delivered them one by one. Exactly one hundred and thirty-seven invitations, delivered personally into their hands." He waved his hand, and the invitation rotated half a turn. The complex patterns and talismans were revealed bit by bit, forming two hexagram arrays. "There are two arrays embedded in the invitation. One is a teleportation array, likely leading to Lveyue Tower. The other is a Kill Order—not the ordinary kind found in the Five Continents, but a talisman that can summon Heavenly Lightning. Demon cultivators have treacherous abilities; a single strike of this Heavenly Lightning could shatter a person's soul," Lu Qingkong said. "Na Lian’s meaning is clear: either come, or die." *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation ---|---|--- 煎饼 | Jianbing | A traditional Chinese savory crepe/pancake. 玲珑心 | Linglong Heart | "Exquisite Heart"; a spiritual artifact or organ used to save Shen Di'an. 降娄 | Jianglou | One of the twelve zodiacal signs in ancient Chinese astronomy, used here as a location name. 闻风楼 | Wenfeng Pavilion | "Hear the Wind Pavilion"; an organization specializing in information and logistics. 掠月楼 | Lveyue Tower | "Moon-Snatching Tower"; the headquarters of the demon cultivator Na Lian. 鬼芳城 | Guifang City | The city that was besieged in the past, central to the revenge plot. 鸿门宴 | Hongmen Banquet | A historical idiom referring to a feast intended as a trap for the guests. 五洲 | Five Continents | The general term for the world/setting of the novel. 说玉城 | Sayu City | The city where the characters are currently staying.