My disciples are all villains.

After reading the letter, Lu Zhou felt that the Imperial tutor was too narrow-minded. Throughout history, no dynasty had ever managed to align the thoughts and actions of every single person under the heavens. Free will, experiments, and curiosity were imperative in human improvement.

Even if Lu Zhou did not transmigrate to this place, Ji Tiandao, Yun Tianluo, Liu Gu, and Gong Yuandu, all these people, would still try to attempt the Nine-leaf stage. Even his previously short-lived disciple, Yu Shangrong, had similar thoughts in the past.

When the lotus-severing era dawned, many cultivators jumped on the bandwagon and cultivated.

Half a year had passed since then. Even Liu Gu had recultivated to the Eight-and-a-half leaf stage. The others would certainly catch up sooner or later. It was only a matter of time. Who could stop everyone from attempting the Nine-leaf stage?

Even if Lu Zhou did not spread the theory of lotus severing, Yun Tianluo's chessboard, Liu Gu's research, and Yu Shangrong's successful attempt at severing his lotus would one day reveal the answer to everyone.

The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "I'll leave it to the heavens."

"I, for one, think it's in our hands."

The Empress nodded and did not continue the conversation.

Lu Zhou remembered the Luo woman mentioned in the letter. He asked, "Have you heard of a woman with the surname Luo, Empress Dowager?"

The Empress Dowager fell deep into her thoughts. Perhaps, it was due to her advanced age, she needed some time to recall events of the past. After a while, she shook her head. "The Imperial tutor never mentioned her to me. Perhaps, he might have told someone about her. I heard the Emperor say that the Imperial tutor would frequently spend time on his own while thinking about his hometown. The Imperial tutor had spoken about searching for someone. Perhaps, he was referring to the Luo Woman"

"So she had never appeared in the Divine Capital before?" Lu Zhou was puzzled.

Li Yunzhao said, "I've been serving the Empress Dowager for the longest time. I know about everything the Empress Dowager sees and hears. I can guarantee that we have no knowledge of a Luo woman being on good terms with the Imperial tutor. However, the Divine Capital is huge, and there are many people with that surname. We can rule out the possibility that the person the Imperial tutor was looking for is among them."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. "I see."

At this moment, an Imperial bodyguard showed up outside the inner warehouse. He bowed and said, "Empress Dowager, the Big Dipper Academy's Zhou Youcai and the Sky Conduct Academy's Meng Nanfei request an audience!"

The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "Tell them to wait in Dazheng Palace."

"Understood."

…

Dazheng Palace.

The Big Dipper Academy's President Zhou Youcai and the Sky Conduct Academy's President Meng Nanfei were shaking as they kneeled on the ground.

The Empress Dowager sat on the right while Lu Zhou sat on the left.

Zhou Youcai prostrated himself and said, "Senior Ji, please believe me. I didn't approve of the ten elders' actions… I tried to dissuade them from interfering with the conflict between the Divine Capital and the Evil Sky Pavilion, but they wouldn't listen!"

Meng Nanfei said with a sigh, "Ever since Yan Province, I've repeatedly told my disciples to not leave the academy. I didn't think that…"

On the twin rocks peak, Lu Zhou had met Zhou Youcai, and they had a conversation there.

Among the two presidents, the others were, naturally, more suspicious of Meng Nanfei.

"Give me a reason to believe in you," Lu Zhou said.

Zhou Youcai shuffled forward on his knees. He produced a handful of talismans and said, "These are the talismans I've given my core disciples. If they stray too far away from the academy, the energy seal on the talismans will fade away. Senior Ji, you have a profound cultivation base; you can examine the time these talismans were created."

Lu Zhou waved his arm. One of the talismans flew into his palm. Indeed, there was a faint trace of a talisman seal's power on it. This was the simplest tracking seal applied on paper.

"What about you?" Lu Zhou shifted his gaze to Meng Nanfei.

Meng Nanfei shuddered. His eyes were wide open as he said, "Senior Ji, I'm telling the truth… I thought of using the same method but…"

This was not convincing enough.

On the twin rocks peak, Meng Nanfei was dismissive of Lu Zhou's invitation. He only sent a disciple there. At that time, Lu Zhou had only intimidated him with a Disguise Card.

At this moment, Hua Chongyang bowed and said, "Senior Ji, I have something to say!"

"Let's hear it."

"When the Nether Sect attacked the city, I saw many Sky Conduct Academy disciples!" Hua Chongyang said.

Hua Chongyang's words were akin to the final nail being hammered into the coffin for Meng Nanfei. He fell backward immediately. "You… You must be mistaken."

Hua Chongyang snorted before he said, "I can differentiate between the Imperial guards and the Sky Conduct Academy disciples."

One group donned armor while the other wore long white robes. Hua Chongyang was not a blind man.

Lu Zhou made up his mind. He looked at Hua Chongyang and said, "How many Nether Sect disciples died?"

"We haven't had the time to tally the number yet. Before the battle of the Divine Capital, we had close to 70,000 comrades. Now, we barely have 40,000…" A frown appeared on Hua Chongyang's face when he said this.

Swoosh!

At this moment, many Nether Sect disciples swarmed toward the entrance of Dazheng Palace and glared at Meng Nanfei with bloodshot eyes.

The 12 branch masters from the Nether Sect fell to their knees at once. "With the sect master's absence, please make a decision on our behalf, patriarch!"

The members of the Nether Sect echoed the branch masters' words.

"Please make a decision on our behalf, patriarch!"

"Please make a decision on our behalf, patriarch!"

Their voices resounded loudly in Dazheng Palace.

'For every grievance, someone is responsible. For every debt, there is a debtor'.

Liu Gu was dead. There was nothing more to be said about this.

Lu Zhou looked at Meng Nanfei. "Even if I forgive you, the blood of tens of thousands of Nether Sect disciples determine that you won't be forgiven."

Meng Nanfei's heart sank. He hastily said, stumbling over his words, "S-senior... S-senior Ji… I h-had no choice as well... We were only serving our master!"

Lu Zhou ignored him. He called out, "Hua Chongyang."

"Yes, senior."

"In Yu Zhenghai's absence, you'll be in charge of the Nether Sect… I'll leave Meng Nanfei's fate to you," Lu Zhou said with a wave of his sleeve.

When Hua Chongyang heard this, he fell to one knee. "Thank you, Senior Ji."

Upon hearing Lu Zhou's words, the branch masters grew visibly excited.

Hua Chongyang looked at Meng Nanfei and said, "Come with us."

"…"

When Meng Nanfei did not move, Hua Chongyang went over and dragged him out. Hua Chongyang was injured to begin with. He did not have the confidence to take down Meng Nanfei.

Meng Nanfei flinched instinctively. He cowered in fear.

At this moment, Lu Zhou raised a hand and launched a palm seal! The Five-leaf Lu Zhou was already considered an elite among elites.

Boom!

Meng Nanfei did not dare to dodge. He took several steps backward and grunted; blood spilled from the edge of his lips.

Lu Zhou continued to ignore Meng Nanfei. He rose to his feet and said, "Hua Chongyang, I'll be staying in the Imperial city for a few days. You'll be in charge of cleaning up the Divine Capital. So long as I'm here… the sky won't fall."

Hua Chongyang had been worried that the Nether Sect would have a hard time picking up the pieces if Lu Zhou left. After all, the Nether Sect and the Imperial city had both suffered heavy losses in this war. With the Evil Sky Pavilion around, he was beyond thankful.

Hua Chongyang and the Nether Sect members were overjoyed. They kneeled again. "Thank you, patriarch!"

…

On the city walls of Liang Province City.

Huang Shijie looked at the green-robed swordsman on the turret. He cupped his fists together and said, "Mister Second, are you thinking about a method to kill General Karol?"

With his arms crossed and body facing west, Yu Shangrong answered without turning back, "No."

"Then, what are you thinking about, Mister Second?"

"I'm wondering why Karol isn't attacking until now," Yu Shangrong replied.

"He must be afraid."

"Instead of passively defending, why don't we take the initiative and attack?"

"Mister Second, what do you mean?" Huang Shijie was startled.

At this moment, a figure flew down. He bowed and said, "Island Master, a letter from Mister Seventh in the Divine Capital."

"What is it about?"

"Sect Master Yu is in trouble."

"…"