Chapter 72
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Chapter 72: Grant Me This Favor
"Sell myself into slavery?"
Ye Xu chuckled lightly, rocking back and forth on his reclining chair, seemingly uninterested.
Beside him, Ye Xian’er was inwardly astonished.
How could the mighty head of the Xuanfu Palace be reduced to selling himself into servitude? Had some great calamity befallen the Xuanfu Palace?
"Did Lu Fengming die?" The words slipped unbidden from Ye Xian’er’s lips.
Having spent so much time at the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and learned many hidden truths, she immediately realized the issue must lie with Lu Fengming.
"Yes."
Yang Xuanzhan gritted his teeth. "The Ten Saints joined forces and attacked the Xuanfu Palace. Jade Sky Saint was killed by Fu Tianxing and his wife. Lu Fengming was grievously wounded by the Myriad Phenomena Saint, and I personally delivered the final blow."
"But after Lu Fengming’s death, they were not willing to give up. They sought to annex the Xuanfu Palace completely, aiming to wipe us out entirely."
"They gave me half a day. If I could evade their pursuit, they’d let me live. If I couldn’t escape, that would be the end for me."
"I would never dare disturb you, Honored Senior, unless it was absolutely necessary."
Ye Xu’s gaze was deep and profound.
In truth, he had already foreseen today’s events.
Once Lu Fengming and the Jade Sky Saint had fallen, the remaining power of the Xuanfu Palace would be far too weak to maintain its foothold in the Southern Wilderness. At best, it would decline into obscurity; at worst, it would be swallowed whole.
What the Xuanfu Palace faced now was the latter scenario.
"I offered Jade Sky Saint a path to survival," Ye Xu shook his head slightly, sighing, then addressed Yang Xuanzhan, "But he still chose death… You may come in first."
The sight of the Palace Master, kneeling outside the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, drew a crowd of curious cultivators who stopped to speculate.
Yang Xuanzhan ignored them entirely.
What use was face when his very life was at stake?
"If the Pavilion Master doesn’t agree, Master, this junior has only death awaiting him," Yang Xuanzhan said bitterly. "I implore you, Honored Senior, to save me."
Ye Xu’s index finger tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair. "You should understand that having you or not makes no difference whatsoever to me."
"On the contrary, if I were to take you in, all the major sects of the Southern Wilderness would certainly be displeased with my actions."
Yang Xuanzhan remained silent.
"Little girl," Ye Xu suddenly shifted focus, turning the question to Ye Xian’er, "What do you think I should do?"
Ye Xian’er was momentarily stunned but quickly composed herself. "The Buddha says saving a life surpasses the virtue of building a seven-story stupa. If you, Honored Senior, grant Yang Xuanzhan sanctuary, it would also demonstrate your own benevolence."
"As for the major sects of the Southern Wilderness, let them dare oppose the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"
"Honored Senior, why not let him stay?" Her clever eyes sparkled as she offered a suggestion, "He can pour your tea and serve you?"
She giggled mischievously.
"Fine."
Ye Xu nodded, a glimmer of light flashing imperceptibly in his eyes.
Taking in Yang Xuanzhan was something he had his own thoughts about as well.
After all, he needed to nurture his own trusted followers. Yang Xuanzhan was naturally brilliant; were it not for Lu Fengming, he would have already become a saint.
His earlier persistent refusals were merely to make Yang Xuanzhan aware of his predicament.
Thus, by taking Yang Xuanzhan in now, he would secure even greater loyalty.
"Many thanks, senior… no, many thanks, master."
Yang Xuanzhan immediately corrected himself.
"I, Yang Xuanzhan, swear to Heaven, from this day forth, I shall serve the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion as my lord for all eternity. Should I violate this vow, I shall suffer divine retribution, reduced to ashes."
"Come in."
"This lowly servant pays respects to the master." Yang Xuanzhan straightened his clothes, a broad smile on his face. Even in servile status, he felt neither humiliation nor resentment.
In his heart, being able to acknowledge Ye Xu as his master was nothing short of a miraculous blessing, a divine gift of fortune.
"This set of clothes, put them on first."
As Ye Xu spoke, a set of green robes and a felt hat materialized mid-air.
Yang Xuanzhan changed into them instantly.
In a heartbeat, he transformed from a powerful palace lord holding sway over life and death into a green-robed, felt-capped servant boy.
Even his appearance seemed to grow over a decade younger after donning the attire.
"From this day on, you are a servant of my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. With me here, no one under Heaven can harm you." Ye Xu smiled faintly, raising his teacup.
Quick-witted, Yang Xuanzhan seized the teapot and poured tea for Ye Xu.
Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!
Streams of light descended from the sky.
Nine saints arrived together at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
"His aura vanished precisely here at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion." Demon Sage Fire Phoenix stated coldly. The hearts of the assembled saints were clear as glass; in the entire Southern Wilderness, only two places possessed such mystic prowess—Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and Godfall Ridge.
"My guess is Yang Xuanzhan is inside Heaven’s Secret Pavilion." Old Ghost Fei chuckled.
"The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is known for his fairness; he shouldn’t give us any trouble." Fu Tianxing said.
Myriad Phenomena Saint and Ye Hongchen remained expressionless.
Neither of them had ever sought Yang Xuanzhan’s death.
Their attack on Xuanfu Palace was solely to fulfill Ye Hongchen’s sworn oath.
Therefore, Yang Xuanzhan’s fate meant little to them.
"This aura… saints!"
A Heavenly God uttered in awe.
This was his first time witnessing the true forms of saints in his lifetime—and nine of them at once.
Since the Talents List competition, countless cultivators had flooded into the Southern Wilderness.
Today, within Linglong City, Heavenly Gods walked the streets as densely as common folk.
Moreover,
After the debate ended, all major forces deployed personnel to Linglong City, observing for any developments.
"I, your junior Qi Ruyu, request an audience with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion." The Myriad Phenomena Saint bowed deeply.
"I, your junior Fu Tianxing…"
The various Saints paid their respects one after another.
"These are all newly ascended Saints from the Southern Wilderness!" The crowd gasped in shock.
"Could they be here pursuing the Master of Xuanfu Palace?" someone speculated.
"Quite possible."
Yang Xuanzhan knelt before Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, his clothes tattered and torn, pleading for the master to accept him as a servant. Soon after, nine Saints arrived together, clearly no coincidence.
"All of you may enter."
Following Ye Xu’s voice, the nine Saints filed into Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
A young attendant in blue robes entered their view.
Though his appearance had changed, rendering him younger, all nine Saints recognized Yang Xuanzhan at once.
"Yang Xuanzhan?"
Killing intent surfaced in Demon Sage Fire Phoenix’s eyes. "Did you truly believe fleeing to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion would leave you beyond my reach?"
Ahem…
Ye Xu cleared his throat, interrupting Demon Sage Fire Phoenix. "Daoist friend Fire Phoenix, Yang Xuanzhan is now my servant and a member of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."
Whoosh!
At these words, all eyes fixed on Ye Xu in astonishment.
Yang Xuanzhan belonged to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?
Fu Tianxing and Su Qing turned to Ye Xian’er, who merely giggled and nodded.
Ye Xian’er felt an unmistakable pride, having essentially orchestrated Yang Xuanzhan’s entry into the pavilion herself.
Had Fu Tianxing and Su Qing known, they’d likely have found it both amusing and exasperating.
"How might I serve you, noble lords?" Yang Xuanzhan gazed at the group of Saints, utterly humble, his face adorned with a sincere smile as if suffering from amnesia.
Witnessing this deepened Demon Sage Fire Phoenix’s unease.
"You hold no right to speak here."
Ye Xu glanced coldly at Yang Xuanzhan.
Yang Xuanzhan promptly withdrew to the background.
"Esteemed colleagues, grant me this favor. Concerning Xuanfu Palace’s matters, let them conclude. Spare him his life. As for Xuanfu Palace’s territory, do with it as you will." Ye Xu declared.
Several Saints’ expressions tightened.
"Senior, I recall your prior assertion that Heaven’s Secret Pavilion refrains from meddling in worldly affairs." A middle-aged man from He Huan Sect frowned. "Given this, why shelter Yang Xuanzhan?"
"Yang Xuanzhan sold himself into servitude to me. No cost to me, merely granting him shelter. This was a business deal that guaranteed profit with no risk. Why wouldn’t I accept?" Ye Xu responded lightly.
Sober understanding dawned upon the assembly.
"I see," murmured Old Ghost Fei.
"Since it’s a transaction, we also wish to make a deal with you, senior."
The Dan Ding Sect Saint said solemnly, "We are willing to buy Yang Xuanzhan’s life, honorable sir, please name your price!"
"Good,"
Demon Sage Fire Phoenix nodded, "as long as it’s within our means, we are willing to do business with you, senior."
If Yang Xuanzhan were not dead, the hearts of the saints could not be at peace.
Especially since Yang Xuanzhan had joined Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, and with Ye Xu’s ability, Yang Xuanzhan becoming a saint would be effortless.
If one day Yang Xuanzhan came charging in, how would they respond?
Therefore, Yang Xuanzhan must die.
The Myriad Phenomena Saint remained calm and composed.
He cared nothing about Yang Xuanzhan’s life or death, he only wanted to settle this matter early and head to the Sea of All Realms.
The conditions offered by the saints were extremely generous.
Yang Xuanzhan was not without worry.
"Do you people think that the members of my Heaven’s Secret Pavilion are mere objects?" squinted Ye Xu, revealing a dangerous glint in his eyes.
The saints did not speak.
In their hearts, almost all had the same thought.
Everyone knew that the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was greedy for money.
As for a mere Yang Xuanzhan, he could certainly be used in a transaction.
Ye Xu slowly stood up, his words resounding firm and clear.
"I tell you, only I can decide the life, death, or future of anyone in Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
"Besides that, if anyone dares to take one step beyond the limit, do not blame me for being ruthless."
Yang Xuanzhan trembled, both moved and excited.
Ye Xu’s words meant that he had gained Ye Xu’s acknowledgment and truly became a part of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.
A great weight lifted from Yang Xuanzhan’s heart.
Since the sir had spoken, his own life was saved at last.
