Is Everyone Else's Eldest Disciple Like This? | Chapter 92 | Worlds Apart | Novela.app

Because Ming Zhu wore a mask, Nan Qinghe did not recognize him. He merely clasped his hands in a cold, distant greeting. Na Lian exchanged a few casual pleasantries with him before turning to Ming Zhu. "Go take Xi Chu and rest. I have matters to discuss with Tower Master Nan." Ming Zhu nodded and allowed himself to be pushed toward their designated quarters. Nan Qinghe looked on with slight surprise. "He isn't joining us?" To outsiders, Bu Hui’s cultivation appeared slightly higher than Na Lian’s; everyone assumed he was the one spearheading this demonic incursion. Na Lian shook his head. "Guifang’s revenge is my business. It has nothing to do with him." Nan Qinghe frowned. "Will he not assist you?" "He will not." Nan Qinghe was even more perplexed. "Why? Given his cultivation, bringing him into your fold would only benefit your revenge." Na Lian replied tonelessly, "I can drag anyone and everyone into my quest for vengeance, but not him." Ming Zhu had suffered so much at the bottom of the Sun-Shielding Cliff that he had begged Na Lian to kill him more than a hundred times. Each time, his sanity had only been tethered back by a cheap Memory Pearl. There were very few things left in this world that gave him a reason to live; Na Lian could not bring himself to use him as a tool. The Moon-Plucking Tower was wealthy enough to rival nations, so the accommodations arranged for their two esteemed guests were naturally top-tier courtyards. However, Ming Zhu had no energy to appreciate the luxury surrounding him. His mind was entirely occupied by Na Lian’s earlier words. What did he mean by... *the one he thought of most was him*? What... *deep-seated affection*? Whenever Ming Zhu recalled those words, the tips of his ears turned a shade of red. His hand, stroking Xi Chu, moved absentmindedly. The servant led him into an exquisite detached villa and bowed. "If Milord requires anything, please do not hesitate to command." "Leave us." Once they were alone, Ming Zhu used his spiritual power to propel his wheelchair to the window. He pushed the casement open. Moments later, a green snake slithered over the windowsill, coiling itself into a loop as it flicked its tongue at him. Ming Zhu asked, "Where are they staying?" The green snake swayed its head back and forth for a moment. Ming Zhu’s brow instantly furrowed. "Why are they refusing the people from Rizhao? Who issued the ban?" Xi Chu, nestled in his arms, was suddenly enveloped by a wave of chill. He shivered and looked up blankly, only to see Ming Zhu’s face masked in cold indifference. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were stark white. "Nan Qinghe..." He murmured the name, took a deep breath to suppress his killing intent, and flicked the green snake’s forehead with a finger. "I understand. Go play." The little snake quickly slithered away. When no one was watching, Ming Zhu’s expression was usually a void. He sat upright in his wheelchair for a long time, his mind filled with the green snake’s report: *“No one in Shuoyu City will host them. They might have to sleep on the streets.”* A moment later, he could no longer endure it. He struggled to stand from the wheelchair, tapping his side with a finger. Spiritual power poured out to support his swaying body. Holding Xi Chu, he walked out the door. *** Outside the black market street of the Moon-Plucking Tower, Lu Qingkong was shouting at the top of his lungs inside an inn. "Are you people just snobs?! Is that it? Tell me, is that it?! What do you mean 'full'? A run-down place like yours, how could it be full?! If you don't want to make money, just say so. What kind of skill is lying? Is everyone in Shuoyu City this shameless? Huh? Answer me!" The attendant was practically showered in Lu Qingkong’s spit. He had grievances he couldn't voice and could only apologize repeatedly. Seeing that Lu Qingkong was about to step onto someone’s table, Zhou Fuxue stepped in helplessly to restrain him. "Enough, Senior Brother. If it's full, it's full. We'll find another place." As Zhou Fuxue dragged him away, Lu Qingkong continued to struggle, shouting back indignantly, "Fine, fine! Just you wait! You'd better never come to Rizhao, or your Grandpa Lu won't even let you have a drop of water! Shameless bastards... Dammit! You said it was full, so why did that person get a room? You motherfucker, explain that to me!" Lu Qingkong nearly flipped the inn upside down. It took a great deal of effort for Zhou Fuxue to haul him away. "They're just looking down on us!" Lu Qingkong panted with rage. Standing on the crowded street, he ignored the mocking stares and pointing fingers of the passersby. "How many inns have we tried now? Either they're 'full' or they're 'closing.' They're clearly bullying us!" Despite being rejected by so many establishments, Zhou Fuxue’s expression remained unchanged. He said, "Nan Qinghe is determined to make it impossible for us to stay in Shuoyu City. No matter how many places we ask, the result will be the same. Forget it. We'll make do outside for the night." Lu Qingkong couldn't swallow such an insult. He angrily pulled Zhou Fuxue toward a very luxurious inn nearby, thinking furiously: *Such a large establishment surely wouldn't be so shameless as to kick guests out directly, right?* This time, the inn didn't drive them away. On the contrary, the staff was very polite. Lu Qingkong breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he could finally rest and stop cursing. But when the two of them presented their credentials for registration, the smiling attendant said, "Honored guests, a one-night stay at our humble establishment requires one thousand spirit jades. No credit accepted." Lu Qingkong: "..." He was incredulous. "A thousand? Are you robbing us? Don't take people for fools. A normal inn costs one spirit jade for several nights. How did it become a thousand here? Even a lion wouldn't open its mouth that wide!" The attendant’s face didn't twitch. "For others, one jade is fine. But the higher-ups have decreed that for those from Rizhao Mountain, this is the price. If you cannot afford it, please seek lodging elsewhere. We will not host you." People passing through the lobby looked over, whispering and snickering. Lu Qingkong trembled with rage, his fists creaking. It seemed he truly couldn't hold back any longer. Zhou Fuxue took back their credentials and said calmly, "Ninth Senior Brother, let's go." The attendant, seemingly certain they couldn't pay, smiled respectfully. "Safe travels to our honored guests." Lu Qingkong gnashed his teeth. Having searched over a dozen inns, he was truly exhausted from the shouting. His throat ached, and he could barely speak. Zhou Fuxue gripped Lu Qingkong’s sleeve, fearing he might erupt into violence. Just as they were about to turn and leave, a white shadow suddenly flashed beside them, and a voice as gentle as a breeze rang out. "How many nights do you wish to stay?" Zhou Fuxue turned his head and met Ming Zhu’s amber eyes, which had hidden their beast-like pupils. Lu Qingkong saw him too and jumped in fright, quickly hiding behind Zhou Fuxue. Zhou Fuxue’s expression turned cold. He stepped back slightly to shield Lu Qingkong, watching the newcomer with utter indifference. Ming Zhu, appearing in the guise of Bu Hui, was strikingly conspicuous with his white robes and white hair. He held a snow-white little fox in his arms. He seemed wounded by Zhou Fuxue’s retreat; his white eyelashes fluttered down slightly as he asked softly once more, "How many nights are you staying?" Zhou Fuxue pursed his lips, unsure of this demon cultivator’s intentions. Instead, it was Lu Qingkong who, for some reason, had a momentary lapse in judgment. He poked his head out from behind Zhou Fuxue and muttered, "We're staying for ten days." Ming Zhu nodded gently. The attendant had never seen Ming Zhu before and was rapidly calculating in his head. Before he could reach a conclusion, he saw the white-clad man tilt his head slightly toward him. "Open two superior rooms. Ten nights." The attendant hesitated. "This..." Ming Zhu’s eyes locked onto him. For a fleeting second, his golden beast pupils flickered—cold and predatory like a bloodthirsty monster—yet his voice remained soft and gentle. "I said ten nights." As he spoke, he took a storage ring from his robes and placed it on the counter. "Take however much is needed from here." The attendant didn't dare touch it. He had only intended to make the two men leave by making things difficult; he hadn't expected this stranger to interfere. After a long hesitation, he could only brace himself and say, "Honored guest, these two are from Rizhao. Tower Master Nan has ordered that no inn in Shuoyu City may host them. If we do, we are the ones who will suffer." Lu Qingkong immediately bristled, whispering to Zhou Fuxue, "I knew it!" Zhou Fuxue had no energy for that. He watched the elegantly standing Ming Zhu with extreme wariness, his heart filled with doubt and shock. *Isn't he a demon cultivator? Why is he suddenly meddling in this?* *Knowing they are from Rizhao Mountain—the ones who besieged Guifang back then—shouldn't his first instinct be to kill them all?* *What exactly is he trying to do?!* Ming Zhu had no idea his junior brother’s mind was in such turmoil. After standing for a while, his posture became slightly unstable. He rested his elbow on the counter and lowered his voice. "Do not worry about Nan Qinghe. Just do as I say." The attendant was nearly in tears. "Honored guest, Tower Master Nan..." Ming Zhu suddenly asked, "If Nan Qinghe dies, will you no longer be under his control?" Attendant: "..." "Huh?" "If that is the case, let them stay first," Ming Zhu tapped the counter. "I will go kill Nan Qinghe in a moment. That should solve the problem." Attendant: "..." Zhou Fuxue, Lu Qingkong: "..." *This person... what is wrong with him?!* Zhou Fuxue felt both wary and speechless. Not wanting to invite trouble, he said coldly, "We won't trouble you, sir. We will find another place to stay." Ming Zhu turned back and smiled at him. "It's no trouble. Sit for a moment; you'll be able to stay soon." Zhou Fuxue: "..." Regardless of how complex the looks directed at him were, Ming Zhu remained standing there quietly, looking at the attendant with eyes as still as an ancient well, waiting for an answer. The attendant felt he couldn't handle this "honored guest" who spoke of killing Nan Qinghe as if it were a casual errand. He apologized profusely and sent someone to fetch the manager. Ming Zhu was dead set on finding an inn for Zhou Fuxue and the other. Even when the manager arrived and tried to persuade him otherwise, his expression didn't change. Finally, having no other choice, the manager sent someone to fetch Nan Qinghe. Logically, such a trivial matter shouldn't have bothered Nan Qinghe. However, when the attendant explained the situation to the Moon-Plucking Tower’s staff, the people around Nan Qinghe immediately suspected the white-haired man might be the esteemed guest, Bu Hui, who had just arrived. They rushed to the study to inform Nan Qinghe. Nan Qinghe and Na Lian were discussing important matters. Nan Qinghe was initially impatient upon hearing of such trifles, but his expression changed the moment it was suggested the man might be Bu Hui. Na Lian rubbed his forehead helplessly. By the time the two arrived at the inn, Ming Zhu was already sitting in a soft chair, eyes closed for a brief nap. Zhou Fuxue and Lu Qingkong sat not far from him with furrowed brows, looking as if they wanted to leave but couldn't quite bring themselves to do so. Na Lian saw that it was indeed him and walked over. "My ancestor, why did you come out on your own? Do your legs not hurt?" Ming Zhu opened his eyes. He glanced at Nan Qinghe behind Na Lian, a flicker of a mocking smile appearing in his gaze. Na Lian suddenly pressed down on Ming Zhu’s hand resting on the armrest. He said tonelessly, "It's just an inn. If they stay, they stay. Is it worth this much effort from you?" The spiritual power surging in Ming Zhu’s palm was instantly suppressed by Na Lian. His pupils turned slightly cold. "You should say those words to him." Nan Qinghe was frowning at Zhou Fuxue and Lu Qingkong, his expression full of loathing and impatience. When Ming Zhu caught that look, his hand clenched instantly, and the smile on his face slowly vanished. As he moved, Na Lian almost couldn't hold him down. He said hurriedly, "Calm down, calm down. I'll have him lift the ban on Rizhao immediately. Right now, alright?" Ming Zhu’s pupils abruptly shifted into golden beast eyes. He said softly, "I want to gouge his eyes out." *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation ---|---|--- 说玉城 | Shuoyu City | The city where the Moon-Plucking Tower is located. 晶玉 | Spirit Jades | A form of currency/energy crystals used in this world. 符验 | Credentials | Identification talismans or documents used for travel and lodging. 不讳 | Bu Hui | The alias Ming Zhu is currently using. 九师兄 | Ninth Senior Brother | Refers to Lu Qingkong.