Volcanic Age

"My… help?" Zhuge Xiuluan curiously asked.

"Yes."

Zhou Xuchuan no longer had to fight by himself. It was better to let those capable of helping him know the truth about the Dark Heavens Association. Especially when Avaricious Wolf was hiding within the Righteous Faction; something had to be done before that man could do whatever he pleased.

To that end, Zhou Xuchuan had alerted the Martial Alliance's executives ahead of time. It should be enough to keep the lid on things for a little while. Unfortunately, he still couldn't share the most important information.

After all, the odds of Avaricious Wolf hiding among the elders were uncomfortably high, forcing Zhou Xuchuan to share only the minimum necessary info.

To make up for that, though, he shared a lot more with a few people he could trust. They were Nangong Weiwu, the Martial Alliance leader; Zhuge Zhonghao, the adviser; and Zhuge Xiang, the Vice Adviser, as well as the future Heavenly Strategist.

"Young Lady Zhuge. What I'm about to tell you might sound a little… No, make that quite outlandish. Even then, I implore you not to take them as a tall tale. Please," said Zhou Xuchuan with a grave face.

Zhuge Xiuluan sensed that something was up and turned around to face him properly.

"There is a secret faction trying to rule over Murim from the shadows. However, this organization does not belong to the Righteous, Evil, or even the Demonic Faction."

Zhou Xuchuan only started his explanation after confirming that they were alone. He extended his perception as widely as possible and even periodically scanned the surroundings.

He stopped talking whenever he felt something was amiss, no matter how trivial it was, and he resumed only after making sure that the potential issue had passed them by.

Just like that, Zhou Xuchuan revealed the existence of the Dark Heavens Association to Zhuge Xiuluan. The contents of his explanation were detailed and almost all-encompassing. He revealed a lot more info to her than to the brain trust of the Martial Alliance or certain members of his inner circle.

What made the Tactician Phoenix valuable were her resourcefulness, cunningness, and strategic mind. In other words, the more she knew, the more helpful she would become.

Zhou Xuchuan figured that it'd be better to let her know everything, bar those subject matters that could put him in a tricky spot.

To her credit, Zhuge Xiuluan didn't react like other people. She looked neither stunned, in disbelief, nor in a panic. She was just like her usual self as she listened calmly with her brows quivering not even once.

"If what you told me is true…" Zhuge Xiuluan broke her silence with an emotionless voice. "That is certainly a terrifying organization."

"Yes, it is."

The recent Great War of Good and Blood was all the proof one needed. Just how many organizations under the heavens would have the wherewithal to push one of the Two Demonic Factions into action like that? The war proved that the Dark Heavens Association was an unprecedented threat.

What made this organization even more terrifying was how it persistently stayed within the shadows to minimize its losses while maximizing its gains. There were also things like various spiritual medicines and artifacts in their possession to consider. Their worth alone couldn't even be calculated in monetary terms.

Zhuge Xiuluan asked, "Do you mind… if I ask you a few things, Young Master Zhou?"

"No, I don't mind."

"Why do you need my help?"

"It's because I need your intellect, cunning, and resourcefulness," Zhou Xuchuan replied unhesitantly.

"I… am grateful for your high praise. However, if you're basing your evaluation on my reputation alone, then I must apologize. You're greatly overestimating me. People with brilliant minds are as numerous as grains of sand in the gangho, so if you search a little more, finding someone better than me should—"

"No. There isn't anyone better than you," Zhou Xuchuan cut Zhuge Xiuluan off with a confident voice. "Your fame as the Tactician Phoenix is well deserved, my lady. Haven't you created revolutionary array techniques that will forever change how the formations are deployed in battle from now on?

"Not only that, but I've witnessed your outstanding leadership on the battlefield and during the meetings of the commanders, too."

Her resourcefulness and intelligence were multifaceted. Not only was she highly proficient in the Zhuge Family's specialty, array formation techniques, but she could also devise various military strategies and schemes.

"On that vicious battlefield, even the most level-headed cultivators would have gradually gone mad from all the bloodshed. However, you remained composed. No, you did more than that. You prevented our people from falling into panic."

Zhou Xuchuan had ample opportunities to confirm Zhuge Xiuluan's excellence during the Great War of Good and Blood.

"Tell me, Young Lady Zhuge. In your honest opinion, how many commanders or strategists capable of responding appropriately to ever-changing battle situations are out there?"

On top of that, Zhuge Xiuluan also possessed enough martial prowess to protect herself when needed, even if her strength wasn't heaven-defying. Indeed, her high evaluation was not misplaced.

The Heavenly Strategist, the Tactician Phoenix, and finally, the Posthumous Genius; as long as these three were alive, Zhou Xuchuan was convinced that his side would never lose. These three didn't have many opportunities to work together during his past life, but he swore to change that this time around.

During Zhou Xuchuan's previous life, there was a discussion regarding what could have happened if those three geniuses had worked together.

The trio had been such incredible geniuses that people would discuss their achievements well into the future. The outcome of the previous life would've been starkly different if they had survived their tragedies and had been allowed to unleash their intellect without any limitations.

"You'll sometimes find idiots who accuse you of becoming one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes through luck or your good looks alone. However, those narrow-minded individuals are simply jealous of you, Young Lady Zhuge.

"There is no need for you to care about such people. Ah, of course, I'm not implying that your looks aren't heaven-sent, either. If I'm honest, your beauty is overwhelming enough for me to have trouble breathing at times, and…"

Zhou Xuchuan had plenty to say. Zhuge Xiuluan had already achieved many things up to this point, and she'd go on to achieve many more in the future.

Of course, many geniuses had perished during the previous timeline, and it gave her more opportunities to shine. However, there was a reason that someone so young was entrusted with the commander's baton.

Zhuge Xiuluan whispered meekly, "P-please, stop…"

"Let's not forget that you—Sorry?" Zhou Xuchuan was about to heap more praises on Zhuge Xiuluan in order to bring her to his cause, but she suddenly stopped him.

"Y-yes, I get it, so please… No more…"

With her hands in front of her and clasping her sleeves tightly, Zhuge Xiuluan's head deeply faltered. She was trembling softly as well, and the sight made Zhou Xuchuan wonder whether she was angry about something or not.

When he checked her expression, however, he noticed her flushed-red face—she looked like a ripe persimmon! She was even biting her lip in an attempt to endure something.

Have I made a mistake somewhere? Zhou Xuchuan belatedly realized what he had done. Praising someone too much was not the best idea sometimes. Depending on the people, some would take praise as sarcasm.

It'd be the absolute worst if Zhuge Xiuluan ended up misunderstanding him. He got too enthusiastic upon remembering the heroic feats she had achieved in the previous timeline.

"Young Lady Zhuge, I wasn't trying to ingratiate myself with you. It was my honest—"

"N-no, I know, but… But…" Zhuge Xiuluan interrupted Zhou Xuchuan again. Then, she said with a voice barely a whisper, "I, I'm grateful for your… praise, but… but it's embarrassing…"

"Ah…!" Zhou Xuchuan gasped in shock. Was she really the same Zhuge Xiuluan that he was familiar with? Despite being an expert at the Coruscant Realm, he had to do a double take just to make sure.

A strategist who personified icy coolness and would never let herself get agitated no matter what was trembling meekly with a face that had turned bright pink.

How could Zhou Xuchuan keep his jaw from falling to the ground?

In certain ways, this sight was enough to make his breathing rough. Zhou Xuchuan's heart tried to pound madly away, but he somehow calmed it down in the nick of time.

"I'm now seeing you in a new light, Senior Brother."

And that was when Zhou Xuchuan finally remembered that someone else had been with him all this while. He turned to find Luo Xiaoyue glaring at him from the side.

"Maybe you've been having fun during your journey through the gangho? Your skill when it comes to tugging at a maiden's heart has gotten rather extraordinary, Senior Brother."

"…Don't you think that's a bit too harsh?"

"Hmph."

Luo Xiaoyue's sharp glare told Zhou Xuchuan that she was greatly dismissed by something.

"In any case. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable. However, I haven't spoken a single lie to you. I, no, we need your strength, Young Lady Zhuge."

"I-if you're willing to go that far… Then I understand," said Zhuge Xiuluan.

"Does that mean you believe me?"

"Yes. Well, it's coming from none other than you, after all."

This was why fame was so crucial. Even if Zhou Xuchuan was strong, without enough fame to sway the people's opinion, no one would believe him at all.

"Thank you very much!"

Zhou Xuchuan smiled brightly while bowing deeply.

***

The next day, the warriors of the Righteous Faction stationed in Lanzhou got ready to head back home, including Zhou Xuchuan. The Mount Hua disciples were the first ones to leave.

As soon as the battle ended, the aide Wei Zhijie returned along with several Mount Hua members. Even if the war had yet to end officially, and the standby order was still in effect, the situation in the sect was too chaotic for one of the Five High Elders to stay away for too long.

Of course, the Martial Alliance didn't object.

"Then, I'll see you again."

Zhou Xuchuan bade goodbye to his wartime comrades.

"It was my honor fighting alongside a great hero like you, Plum Blossom Order Sword. We'll cherish this honor for generations to come!"

Several warriors of the Martial Alliance bade him a farewell with tears of admiration in their eyes. Although their admiration was a bit much, Zhou Xuchuan realized that it didn't feel too bad, either.

"I'll speak to you again next time," said Hong Gao. His goodbye was quite succinct.

The farewells with other core warriors of the Righteous Faction were brief as well. Since he was running short on time, bidding everyone farewell wasn't on the cards. However, there was no problem, as they had already done that the day before.

The journey back to Mount Hua didn't take too long. The group charged ahead at full steam on horses prepared in Lanzhou. When the animals got too tired to run, the cultivators would unleash their lightness arts to continue the journey.

Everyone in the group was an elite warrior stronger than the First Class, so both their speed and stamina were outstanding. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen were especially superior in both departments.

The group ran into zero bandits on their way, but it'd be more accurate to say that the bandits had decided to hide. In fact, they stopped their banditry temporarily lest the passing heroes decide to act on their sense of justice or something.

Soon, the group arrived at Mount Hua.

***

As expected, the mood awaiting them at Mount Hua could only be described with the word "unrest."

"You're finally home, Xuchuan."

Zhou Xuchuan wanted so badly to greet his master before doing anything else, but he held himself back wisely, as the mood within the sect wasn't really great. Knowing Liu Zhengmu's personality, he'd want his disciple to make a report first, anyway.

Zhou Xuchuan wanted to get over that first. He didn't have to wait for too long before receiving the summons to attend the meeting in the Upper Palace.

"Now, tell us everything you've heard and witnessed, Xuchuan."

Although Wei Zhijie had already briefed the other High elders, hearing it from the protagonist directly was always better than hearing it from someone else.

Zhou Xuchuan omitted certain things about the Black Coffin or the Manifestation of One's Path as he gave a detailed account of what had transpired.

The briefing took a while, but the Five High Elders of Mount Hua didn't get distracted even for a brief moment. It was like they didn't want to miss even a single word, as they paid utmost attention to every single one of Zhou Xuchuan's words.

They also asked a few questions here and there.

Zhou Xuchuan tried to reply as honestly as possible.

"…And that concludes my report, Elders."

"Wheeew…"

The elders sighed. Utterly shocking! There was no other way to describe it.

The elders moved on to discuss the crisis that the sect was facing at the moment.

"Do we have to resort to getting a regent or something…?"

"Uh-huh! Do you wish to invite disaster to our sect?!"

"Ah…"

A regent was meant to rule in place of a monarch who couldn't carry out their duties for such reasons as suffering from incurable illnesses or being too young to make informed decisions.

The term "regent" was brought up because there wasn't a more fitting alternative, but that word still implied the "ruler of a nation." Uttering it so brazenly could get the whole sect branded as treasonous!

"And we still haven't even sorted out the matter with the Violet Haze Divine Art, too! Why did this have to happen to us now?"

The Five High Elders of Mount Hua could only groan in agony.

"I'd like to propose a solution, if I may," said Zhou Xuchuan.

"A solution, you say?"

"Yes. I'll speak about the matter regarding the Violet Haze Divine Art first."

"Fine. Speak."

"First of all… Although bringing this up now might sound strange, people do say that I'm a genius."

"Hah?"

The Five High Elders all reacted in flabbergast. Some even stared at Zhou Xuchuan as if he had lost his mind.

Before their gazes could turn into glares, Zhou Xuchuan swiftly carried on. "That is the public's opinion of me. The rumors are so absurd that some even say that I was born with a Heavenly Physique or have consumed countless spiritual medicines during every meal.

"Some even claim that I've mastered the Twenty-Four Sword Forms of the Plum Blossom in less than a week."

Not all of those claims were false, technically speaking. As a matter of fact, a few of the guesses were fairly close to the truth despite "regression" being the secret to all those cases.

"So what? Are you trying to brag about yourself to us?"

Destiny Hand Zhao Wuyang's face turned beet-red from anger. He looked like he wanted to accuse Zhou Xuchuan of belittling the High Elders.

"Besides, who would believe in such absurd rumors, anyway? Logically, it's…"

Zhou Xuchuan chimed in, "Yes, it's not logical at all. In fact, my level of strength should be impossible at my age—that's what logic says. That's why I believe we can make it work."

Zhou Xuchuan was one of the One Hundred Experts Under Heaven. He was at the top of the list, no less. His strength basically made him peerless among the Harmony Realm experts.

What about his other achievements so far? They all sounded absurd in the extreme.

Without incredible luck, like the Heavenly Physique or some other logical explanations, people would complain about how unbelievable his attainments were.

"That is why we can convince others that it's not strange for me to reach the tenth level of the Violet Haze Divine Art relatively quickly. We do that by insisting that I started my intense training right after my fame began spreading in the gangho."

"Urgh… Sounds like you have a plan here, so stop building the suspense and tell us straight, Xuchuan." Pill Apothecary Ling Zhen pounded his chest in frustration.

"Yes. We'll say that our Sect Master, the Exalted Sword Immortal, had sensed his ascension to the afterlife was imminent. Basically, we will lie," Zhou Xuchuan said.

"Aha!" Iron Blood Plum Sword Shen Yulian exclaimed upon realizing something.

"I see. Now I get where you're going with this," said Wei Zhijie. He had been silent with his arms crossed all this while. "You're about to ascend, yet your only disciple is still too young and lacking in so many ways.

"That will certainly present a serious problem as the Sect Master. When in such a tricky situation, you can only realistically resort to one solution."

"Yes, Elder. It's imparting the Violet Haze Divine Art to someone else in the sect so that person can become the substitute teacher instead," said Zhou Xuchuan.

"Mm… There shouldn't be a problem with our late Sect Master privately imparting the knowledge of the divine art to you, but…! Even if you're a peerless genius, leaving everything on your shoulders still wouldn't make a lot of sense. It'll still make people suspicious."

"I understand. But that won't be a problem, either. We can just tell the world that I'm not the only one who has inherited the divine art."

"What? What do you mean…?"

"We'll say that all the Five High Elders have inherited it as well."

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