Chapter 24: And who exactly are you supposed to be?

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Zhao Zhen raised his head and glanced at the chubby boy before him. A thoughtful look first appeared in his eyes, then he blinked as realization dawned.

“Brother Wang?”

Wang Ai was the Wang family’s beloved young heir. Two years earlier, when Zhao Zhen had visited the Wang family, he had met the boy several times.

To be honest, when Zhao Zhen had first seen Wang Ai, he had found it difficult to connect that innocent, somewhat foolish-looking child with the sinister old schemer he would become in later years.

“I can’t believe you actually dared to come here...” Wang Ai muttered under his breath while eating a candied hawthorn skewer.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Zhao Zhen replied with a faint smile.

“The incident at Welcoming Crane Tower caused a huge stir throughout the supernatural world some time ago. Even the leader of the Complete Nature Society showed himself. Now everyone knows that you are the disciple of a Complete Nature demon. At a time like this, you actually dared to come to Old Master Lu’s birthday banquet. Aren’t you afraid someone might attack you here?”

“It’s true that I learned everything I know from that old man, but I’m not a member of the Complete Nature Society. Since I’m not one of them, why shouldn’t I attend Old Master Lu’s birthday banquet?”

“Considering all the evil deeds your master committed back then, the only reason you managed to leave the Lu family alive when you visited us was that we failed to recognize your origins. Otherwise, whether you could have walked out through our front gate would have been another matter entirely!”

Before Wang Ai could say anything, a thin figure slowly emerged from behind him.

“Brother Lu, it’s been a long time.” Zhao Zhen smiled faintly and clasped his fists toward the newcomer.

“Who’s your brother? A demon like you has no right to call me that!”

The newcomer was named Lu Ci, the younger of the two famed heirs known as the Lu family’s Twin Jewels.

The Lu family’s eldest son, Lu Ren, possessed extraordinary talent and a steady temperament. The family had raised him as its successor. Compared with his elder brother, Lu Ci, the second son, was considerably more rebellious and unruly.

Because of their remarkable talents and flawless cooperation, the two were known throughout the supernatural world as the Lu family’s Twin Jewels. Both were acknowledged prodigies among the younger generation.

Faced with Lu Ci’s insolence, Zhao Zhen did not lose his temper. He merely gave Zhang Zhiwei, standing beside him, an exasperated smile.

“My apologies, Fellow Daoist Zhang. It seems I may be disturbing your peace.”

“Not at all. Do as you please, Brother Zhao.”

Zhang Zhiwei shrugged. He showed no intention of standing up for Zhao Zhen, instead rising and moving off to one side.

Only after Zhang Zhiwei had left did Zhao Zhen slowly wipe the smile from his face and turn his gaze back to Lu Ci.

“A demon? I wonder what terrible crime I have committed to earn such a title from the Second Young Master Lu. Is it merely because you lost to me in that contest between our families years ago? Are you trying to use Old Master Lu’s birthday banquet to regain your dignity?”

“Bullshit! Do you really think I’m the sort of person who can’t accept defeat?”

“Then that’s strange. Since you aren’t here to settle an old score, let me ask you this: today is Old Master Lu’s birthday banquet, and I was personally invited by my friend Lu Jin to offer him my congratulations. The Lu family, as the hosts, have not asked me to leave. Who exactly do you think you are?”

As he spoke, Zhao Zhen slowly rose to his feet. His gaze turned cold as he fearlessly stared into Lu Ci’s eyes.

The next instant, the aura radiating from Zhao Zhen caused Wang Ai, who had been eating candied hawthorn, to change color. He hurriedly retreated to his seat.

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“Wang Ai, what’s going on over there?”

“Looks like Lu Ci got into a quarrel with someone?”

The younger members seated at the same table began asking questions one after another.

“I don’t know. I was on my way to relieve myself just now when I ran into Zhao Zhen. We chatted for a couple of minutes, and then Lu Ci suddenly started arguing with him.”

“Oh, it’s that Zhao Zhen? No wonder Lu Ci is so angry.”

“What happened?”

“Didn’t news come out recently that Zhao Zhen is actually the disciple of Master Golden Light, that Complete Nature demon? One of the Lu family’s relatives—technically Lu Ren and Lu Ci’s paternal uncle—was killed by Master Golden Light back then.”

At those words, everyone turned their eyes toward Lu Ren, who had remained silent from beginning to end.

“Yes. Miss Guan is right. My eldest uncle did indeed die at the hands of Master Golden Light.”

Lu Ren nodded, then gave Zhao Zhen a long look. However, considering the special circumstances of the occasion, he ultimately decided to go over and pull his younger brother away first.

After all, today was Old Master Lu’s birthday banquet. Even for the sake of the Lu family’s dignity, they could not openly start a fight here.

At the same time, the family heads seated at the place of honor had also noticed what was happening.

“Hmm? Old Lu, isn’t that your boy over there?” the head of the Wang family asked.

“That little brat—what kind of trouble is he causing now?”

The head of the Lu family rose at once, intending to go over and drag Lu Ci back.

“Who’s the young man opposite Little Ci?” Lu Xuan asked with a frown.

Zuo Ruotong and Zhang Jingshi also glanced in that direction before exchanging a knowing smile.

“Gentlemen, my apologies. That child came here with me,” Zuo Ruotong said.

“Oh? In that case, he’s also a disciple of Sect Master Zuo—a fellow disciple of Jin’er?”

“That little brat Lu Ci picked a fight with Fellow Daoist Three-One for no reason? Just wait until I get home. I’ll teach him a lesson!”

“You misunderstand. That child is not one of my disciples. His name is Zhao Zhen. Jin’er invited him here to offer his congratulations to Old Master Lu.”

“Zhao Zhen?”

At those words, the head of the Lu family, who had just been about to rise, paused and stared carefully at Zhao Zhen for a moment.

“It really is that boy. He visited the Wang family two years ago. I never expected him to change so much in only two years—I didn’t recognize him at first,” the head of the Wang family said with a sigh.

“Sect Master Zuo, this Zhao Zhen is Master Golden Light’s disciple. Why would you...?”

“Patriarch Lu, Zhao Zhen was indeed taught by a member of the Complete Nature Society, but he himself never joined them.

“Five years ago, the boy also came to my Three-One Sect to pay his respects. He defeated Jin’er, and I spent a brief period getting to know him afterward.

“He was orphaned when he was very young. Master Golden Light took him in and raised him from childhood. As for his decision to become that man’s disciple, it was not because he was incapable of distinguishing right from wrong. He simply had no other choice.”

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“That child is pure-hearted by nature. More importantly, although he grew up beside a Complete Nature demon, he was still able to preserve an innocent heart. That is no small achievement.

“While it is true that the Complete Nature Society has committed many wicked acts, forcing the grudges of the previous generation upon an innocent child would be rather unjust.”

After hearing Zuo Ruotong’s words, Patriarch Lu frowned and slowly returned to his seat.

At that moment, Zhang Jingshi spoke again.

“I also tested that child on the way here. Zhao Zhen truly is not one of the Complete Nature Society’s kind. Therefore, I am willing to trust Sect Master Zuo’s judgment.”

At this, not only Patriarch Lu but many of the other sect leaders present could not help taking another look at Zhao Zhen.

A disciple of a Complete Nature demon had actually drawn both the Celestial Master and the Great Fulness Immortal into personally vouching for him. It was truly astonishing.

“All right. Since the Celestial Master and Sect Master Zuo have both said so, I’m willing to trust the boy this once. But if he ever—”

“If he dares commit any crime in the future, you need not send anyone, Patriarch Lu. I will personally kill him. What do you say?”

“Hahaha, there’s no need for that. I have always trusted Sect Master Zuo’s judgment. As for today’s incident, it is probably because my son still cannot let go of the fact that Zhao Zhen defeated him last time. Young people are naturally competitive. I hope everyone will forgive him.”

“From what Sect Master Zuo just said, Zhao Zhen defeated Jin’er five years ago. No wonder he visited the other three great families over the years but never came to the Lu family.”

“Ah, since so many prominent families happen to be gathered here today, why don’t we do this? Tomorrow, let all the youngsters put on a little exhibition for us. They can spar and show us what they’ve learned,” the head of the Wang family suddenly suggested.

“Brother Wang, this...”

A troubled expression crossed Lu Xuan’s face.

“Hahaha, I think it’s a fine idea. Let Zhao Zhen beat that brat of mine up once more. After that, he’ll naturally behave whenever he sees him again,” Patriarch Lu said with a hearty laugh.

“Sect Master Zuo, Celestial Master, what do you think?” he asked.

“I have no objection,” Zhang Jingshi answered crisply.

“Mr. Lu, I don’t see any harm in it. Let the children have a little fun and exchange pointers. Jin’er has been brooding over that defeat five years ago all this time, after all.

“Still, this is ultimately Old Master Lu’s birthday banquet. We should hear what he thinks.”

As he spoke, Zuo Ruotong turned his gaze toward Old Master Lu, seated at the place of honor.

“Hahaha! A match? Wonderful, wonderful! That will make things lively. I enjoy seeing the younger generation full of vigor!”

Seeing how eager the old man was, Lu Xuan could only offer an helpless smile.

“Well, since Uncle has said so, why don’t we have these youngsters put on a little practice session for everyone tomorrow?”

“Agreed.”

“Count me in!”