Volume 10, Chapter 703 – He’s Clearly Just a Cultivation Squatter (Part 2)

“Senior Brother Zhang… it’s been years… you’re doing well, I hope… ah, Senior Brother Liu is here too… can’t recognize me? It’s me… I’m Huang Qi… you even beat me up once before… shall we do it again so you can get a feel for it… maybe then you’ll remember.”

Huang Tian walked along, greeting people as he went. That was how men were, once they had strength, they simply couldn’t control themselves.

“Who is this guy? Why does he look so familiar?”

“Huang Qi, former disciple of Steward Hu, famous as the cultivation squatter of Honghua Sect. He was expelled long ago, but still shamelessly lingered around the sect for years.”

“Now I remember. If not for Elder He discovering it, he probably would have stayed until he died. His face is thick enough.”

“You can’t put it like that. Didn’t Steward Hu and Fairy Qi investigate later? It was all Elder He’s persecution.”

The surrounding people gradually recognized Huang Tian and began talking among themselves. Since they all knew the truth now, they didn’t hurl insults anymore.

Huang Tian felt utterly at ease. He was thankful he had such a powerful main body. Otherwise, let alone talk of clearing his disgrace, his master might not even have lived to celebrate his sixtieth birthday.

With his head held high, chest puffed, Huang Tian strode toward his master’s courtyard, while the guests along the way continued pointing at him and whispering.

“Isn’t that Huang Qi?”

“Huang Qi? Who’s that?”

“The disciple who crippled Steward Hu! Once Honghua Sect’s cultivation squatter, his reputation back then was no less than Junior Sister Cheng’s now.”

“Steward Hu really was pitiful. His future was bright, but for that disciple he lost an arm and three fingers, ruining his path of cultivation completely.”

Qi Huang heard these discussions clearly. In the past, she would have felt unbearably ashamed. Fortunately, now she had found the Heaven-Mending Crystal.

Huang Tian felt the same, so his expression didn’t change much as he quickly entered Steward Hu’s courtyard.

Qi Huang glanced at him, her main and doppelgänger bodies exchanging a subtle nod.

Huang Tian scanned the surroundings and saw his master surrounded by a crowd of old disciples. He couldn’t be bothered squeezing in, so he silently sat in a corner.

Those disciples had no idea he was present, so they started stirring trouble.

“Master, I remember when I left, your hand was perfectly fine. How did it end up like this?”

A tall, thin disciple who had long broken ties with the sect asked directly. His name was Min Jun, son of a minor official in Huangtian County, once notorious for bullying others.

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‘Truly shameless. He severed his ties with Master, yet still dares to call him “Master”.’

Qi Huang cursed inwardly, feeling that perhaps her own skin was too thin compared to these people.

“Yes, if it was an enemy, just tell us. As disciples, we’ll certainly get justice for you. That’s our duty.”

Another short, dark disciple chimed in. He was Liu Shou, once the most talented among the group, who had used his strength to oppress his fellow disciples, Huang Qi included.

‘Justice? What big words. Even the Immortal Alliance cannot uproot the Severed Immortal Sect, and you think you can?’

Qi Huang sneered inwardly again.

Though Hu Bing didn’t want to recall that past, his disciples’ pressing questions forced him to explain briefly.

When they heard the culprit was the Severed Immortal Sect, the group immediately shrank back.

“What about Huang Qi? Did he know of this?”

Min Jun shifted the focus.

“He doesn’t know. I never told him.”

Hu Bing brushed it off casually.

“So he hasn’t come to visit you in Honghua Sect all these years?”

Liu Shou pressed further.

“He didn’t know about it. His home is in a remote mountain village. How could he have had the ability to come?”

Hu Bing’s face showed irritation.

“How can that be? You lost an arm for him. That’s a debt he’ll never repay.”

Min Jun added fuel to the fire, and the other disciples echoed him.

“You can’t say that. He was persecuted and failed his condensation of spirit. As his master, I can’t escape blame. Losing an arm was my way of atonement.”

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Hu Bing defended Qi Huang.

Qi Huang was deeply moved hearing this. Though Hu Bing’s cultivation was mediocre, having him as her master was her life’s greatest fortune.

“Steward Hu’s character is truly admirable!”

Ruan Lingyu, listening nearby, was solemnly impressed.

“A teacher should be that way. Our master isn’t bad either.”

Yun Fei added.

“Indeed, Steward Hu is a model among teachers. But Huang Qi? He’s not a worthy disciple. He hasn’t come to visit in all these years.”

Ruan Lingyu immediately criticized.

“How do you know he hasn’t come?”

Qi Huang’s face stiffened, and she countered.

“Heh, he’s a famous figure of Honghua Sect. If he had returned, the news would have spread instantly.”

Ruan Lingyu teased.

“That’s right, his ‘fame’ in Honghua Sect is no less than yours!”

Shen Yuan chimed in, stirring the pot.

Qi Huang, teased by her senior sisters, felt her smile turning increasingly awkward.

“Even so, he couldn’t have forgotten your sixtieth birthday, could he? Why hasn’t he shown up?”

“Yes, Master suffered for his sake. How could he dare miss this?”

“What’s there to stop him? He shamelessly freeloaded at Master’s home for years.”

“That’s right. I heard that once it was exposed, he was driven out. If not, he’d probably have lived off Master for a lifetime.”

The group of old disciples thought “Huang Qi” was easy to bully, so they took turns trampling him.

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“I’ve already explained. Weren’t you listening? He was persecuted by villains. As his master, I was right to take him in. And he never freeloaded at my home.”

Hu Bing’s face darkened. If not for it being his birthday today, he would have thrown those traitorous disciples out already.

“Even so, how could he miss your sixtieth birthday? That’s ungrateful and unfilial!”

Liu Shou pressed on mercilessly.

“Yes, brothers, shall we go fetch him right now?”

“Good idea. Today’s Master’s sixtieth birthday. He must come.”

“Most importantly, since Master sacrificed so much for him, he must take responsibility.”

The disciples clamored excitedly.

“There’s no need to trouble yourselves. Am I not right here?”

Huang Tian could no longer tolerate their slander and shouted loudly.

The courtyard fell into dead silence.

Those disciples had been caught gossiping behind someone’s back, leaving them awkwardly speechless.

Steward Hu never dreamed his beloved disciple would appear. Trembling with excitement, he stood, lips quivering.

Seeing his master again, Huang Tian’s heart surged with emotion, and he hurried forward.

But just then, Liu Shou, blind as ever, cut in: “Junior Brother Huang, when did you arrive? Why so quiet?”

“What? Do I need to report to you before coming here?”

Huang Tian calmly retorted.

Liu Shou froze, stunned that the former weakling dared speak to him with such sharpness. Forcing his anger down, he said, “No need, but at least greet Master first, no?”

“I would have loved to. But you lot had him hemmed in so tightly that not even a mosquito could get through. How was I supposed to greet him?”

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Huang Tian mocked.

Liu Shou was left speechless, unable to reply.

“Well, now that you’ve seen him, you know how he lost his arm, don’t you?”

Min Jun interjected, changing the subject.

“I know. No need for your reminder.”

Huang Tian cut him off impatiently.

“If that’s the case, how do you intend to take responsibility as this unfilial disciple?”

Min Jun pressed aggressively.

“Min Jun, when did I ever say he needed to take responsibility?”

Hu Bing stepped forward to stop him.

“You didn’t say it because as his master you won’t stoop to his level. Then let us disciples do it for you.”

Min Jun declared arrogantly.

“Steward Hu truly is a good teacher. Even the disciples who left the sect are so filial to him!”

“Yes, if I had disciples like that, I’d immediately take them back.”

“That’s right. In his state, he should be grateful to have disciples at all, let alone be picky.”

The guests praised them loudly.

Qi Huang now fully understood. These people were just trying to use her as a stepping stone.

“I see now. You want to make me your stepping stone. On the surface you look so filial, but really, it’s just to show yourselves off, isn’t it?”

Huang Tian said, realization dawning.