322: It turns out my master's surname isn't Xiong.

“Feng and Yun... where are they now?”

His voice was calm, revealing no joy or anger, yet it naturally carried a solemn authority that made one's heart tighten.

Wen Chouchou shivered at the words, immediately looked up, his face filled with fawning and cautious smiles, his feather fan forgotten in his hand:

“Reporting to the Gang Leader, you’re asking about Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun... Ah, it truly is a cause for lament.”

He deliberately lowered his voice slightly, with just the right touch of regret:

“Bu Jingyun, ever since his last sparring match with you, Gang Leader, where he unfortunately lost an arm, he disappeared and his whereabouts remain unknown. Despite extensive searches by our society’s scouts, there has been no definite news, as if he vanished into thin air.”

As Wen Chouchou spoke, he secretly observed Lu Jiuyuan’s expression. Seeing his face remain impassive, he continued:

“As for Nie Feng, he... he became disheartened after Miss Ming Yue’s misfortune, resigned from his duties in the society, and now lives in seclusion in the mountains, no longer concerning himself with Jianghu affairs.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiuyuan knew which period of time this had reached. It should be when Bu Jingyun obtained the Qilin Arm and Nie Feng acquired the Snow Drinking Saber.

“Summon Frost of the Qin!”

“Yes, Gang Leader!”

Wen Chouchou left to carry out the order. Before long, Frost of the Qin, dressed in plain white martial attire, with a gentle and steady demeanor, strode into the main hall and respectfully bowed to Lu Jiuyuan, who was seated on the main platform:

“Disciple Frost of the Qin greets Master. May I ask for Master’s summons and instructions?”

Lu Jiuyuan’s gaze fell upon Frost of the Qin. This Master of the Heaven Frost Hall had a steady aura and clear eyes; he was indeed a promising talent, and one of the few loyal and righteous individuals in his original fate.

His fingers gently tapped the armrest of his seat. He did not ask Frost of the Qin to rise, but spoke directly, his voice echoing through the hall:

“Shuang’er, you joined my sect the earliest and are the most steady in handling affairs. Lately, I have often pondered a prophecy.”

He paused slightly, his gaze like a torch, looking directly into Frost of the Qin’s eyes, and slowly enunciated the four lines that would determine Overlord’s life and affect the fate of countless people:

“How can a golden Qilin be a creature of the pond? Upon meeting Feng and Yun, it will transform into a Dragon.”

Frost of the Qin’s body imperceptibly trembled at the words, clearly not entirely ignorant of this prophecy. He lowered his head, waiting for what was to come.

Lu Jiuyuan continued to recite, his tone calm yet carrying an invisible pressure: “The Dragon’s roar in the nine heavens startles the world with change; Feng and Yun gather, swimming in shallow waters.”

When the last line fell, the entire hall seemed to solidify, even the air.

Frost of the Qin’s head drooped even lower, and his breathing subconsciously lightened.

He had only recently seen this prophecy, and Master had actually spoken it in front of him. What did this mean?

“These four lines of prophecy are the words of the Mud Bodhisattva, concerning my life’s destiny and the future of the World Society.”

Lu Jiuyuan’s voice carried an elusive meaning, “Shuang’er, you have always been intelligent and steady. In your opinion, how should this prophecy... be interpreted?”

A faint sheen of sweat appeared on Frost of the Qin’s forehead.

He deeply understood the weight of these four lines in Master’s heart, and even more, the danger they contained.

Feng and Yun were both brothers he had grown up with, yet the prophecy hinted that they would eventually turn against Master.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, weighed his words carefully, and cautiously replied: “Master, prophecies are profound and mysterious, and may not be entirely trustworthy. Junior Martial Brother Feng and Junior Martial Brother Yun were both personally cultivated by Master. Although there are misunderstandings now...”

“Are they truly misunderstandings?” Lu Jiuyuan gently interrupted him, a half-smile playing on his lips:

“As the saying goes, ‘Success by Feng and Yun, defeat by Feng and Yun!’ What do you think?”

“Success by Feng and Yun, defeat by Feng and Yun!”

These eight characters were like eight thunderbolts, striking Frost of the Qin’s heart lake fiercely, stirring up monstrous waves!

He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with undisguised shock and horror!

Master actually... actually laid out the latter half of the prophecy so directly, so cruelly, before him!

“Master knows I let Junior Martial Brother Yun go. He wants to kill me.”

Frost of the Qin’s face instantly turned pale, his lips trembling slightly.

Recalling Bu Jingyun’s deep-seated hatred after losing his arm... Lu Jiuyuan took in his reaction, but did not press him, merely picked up the teacup beside him and took a light sip, his posture relaxed.

This silent pressure was more suffocating than any harsh words or stern looks.

Frost of the Qin’s breathing grew heavy, and cold sweat soaked his inner garments.

“Thump!”

Frost of the Qin no longer hesitated, falling heavily to his knees, pressing his forehead tightly against the cold, smooth stone slab of the floor:

“Master! Prophecies are dead, but people are alive! As the ancient saying goes, man can conquer Heaven!

Junior Martial Brother Feng and Junior Martial Brother Yun, they... they may have been temporarily blinded by hatred, or perhaps misunderstood Master, but Disciple knows their true nature!

Junior Martial Brother Feng is kind-hearted, and Junior Martial Brother Yun, though extreme, values affection! They are by no means inherently rebellious individuals!

All of this... all of this may have arisen from misunderstandings. It is Disciple, as the Senior Brother, who failed to guide them in time, who failed to...”

His words were hurried, as if he wanted to pour out all the worries and affections accumulated in his heart.

However, under Lu Jiuyuan’s calm, unruffled gaze, which seemed to penetrate everything, his voice gradually faded.

“Master, Disciple dares not presumptuously discuss the Heavenly Dao of prophecy, nor question Master’s decisions.

Disciple only asks... only asks that Master consider the past 師徒情分 between Master and Disciple, and consider the great contributions they both made to the World Society... If they can be found,

May... may they be given another chance? Even if their martial arts are abolished, it is still better than... better than meeting in battle, fighting to the death!”

By the end, Frost of the Qin’s voice was tinged with a sob.

He knew these words were extremely risky, and might even anger Master, leading to his immediate execution.

But he could not stand by and watch his brothers, with whom he had grown up since childhood, walk towards a dead end, nor did he wish to face them in a life-and-death struggle in the future.

Lu Jiuyuan quietly watched Frost of the Qin kneeling on the ground, his fingertips still idly tapping the armrest.

The main hall was utterly silent, with only the rhythmic tapping sound, like a drumbeat in Frost of the Qin’s heart.

After a long while, Lu Jiuyuan slowly spoke, his voice revealing no joy or anger:

“Shuang’er, do you know why I keep you by my side and entrust you with important responsibilities?”

Frost of the Qin’s body trembled, and he whispered: “Disciple... does not know.”

“Because of this loyalty of yours, this... foolishness that, even in the face of absolute power, is still willing to fight for a glimmer of hope for old acquaintances.”

Lu Jiuyuan’s tone was flat, but it made Frost of the Qin’s hair stand on end instantly!

“I appreciate your loyalty, but I detest your indecisiveness even more.”

Lu Jiuyuan stood up, his red hair like flames, his black robes moving without wind, and an invisible pressure enveloped the entire hall.

“Heavenly Dao is without Emotionless, operating the sun and moon.

Since I have received the Mandate of Heaven and control the World Society, I will not be bound by mere personal affections. If Feng and Yun are my assistants, I can bestow glory upon them; if they are obstacles...”

He paused slightly, his gaze like an icy sword, sweeping over Frost of the Qin:

“...Then there is only one path: to crush them.”

Frost of the Qin felt a chill run straight from his spine to the top of his head, his entire body turning cold.

“However, a mere prophecy trying to sway my Mandate of Heaven is simply a huge joke.”

“However...” Lu Jiuyuan’s tone shifted, and the icy killing intent slightly receded, “I will give you a chance.”

Frost of the Qin suddenly looked up.

“Find them.”

Lu Jiuyuan’s voice carried an undeniable command: “Tell them that if they return, they will still be the Masters of the Feng Hall and Yun Hall.”

“What if they still remain misguided?” Frost of the Qin asked subconsciously.

Lu Jiuyuan smiled, that smile cold and cruel.

“Then, the next time we meet, I will no longer hold back. It will no longer be a game like before. You will know what terror is!”

“This is the last chance I give them...”

“Yes, Master!”

“Remember, my surname is Lu, and I am called Lu Jiuyuan!”

Frost of the Qin nodded heavily. So Master’s surname was not Overlord, but Lu, with the given name Overlord and the courtesy name Jiuyuan!