Chapter 2784 — Acknowledging an Identity
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
By rights, after Patriarch Kuanglong's death, Patriarch Kuangniu ought to have taken up residence in Kuanglong's dwelling, for the sect masters of every generation had lived there. But Kuangniu had set his heart on breaking through to the peak grand completion of the late Heaven Rank; so after serving a time as acting sect master, he passed the seat to Kuanglong's own disciple, Chunyang Tianzun.
And Chunyang Tianzun, out of reverence for his master, had never moved into his master's rooms. He had stayed on in his own side courtyard—though after becoming sect master he had rebuilt it, making it grander and more luxurious.
At that thought, Chunyang Tianzun dropped to his knees before Zhong Yongliang and cried out in agitation, "Master! You have finally returned! Your unworthy disciple Chunyang pays his respects to you!"
"Get up, you rascal. No fault where there was no knowing," Zhong Yongliang said mildly, lifting a hand.
"Yes!" Chunyang Tianzun was overjoyed. That his own master should have seized a body and returned to life—what surpassing good fortune! With this, the strength of the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect was bound to leap forward by no small measure.
Then he suddenly remembered Zhang Naipao and Gao Xiaofu at his side, and a flicker of regret crossed his eyes. He turned to Zhong Yongliang and asked, "Master, the location of that treasure vault key is a sect secret. These two here—what do you say to them?"
Loath as Chunyang Tianzun was to part with Zhang Naipao, he had to seek Zhong Yongliang's will on the matter. His own inclination was to dispose of Gao Xiaofu and keep Zhang Naipao.
"Brother Liang... you—you're not Brother Liang anymore?" Gao Xiaofu was scared out of his wits. He understood Chunyang Tianzun's meaning well enough—the man meant to silence them. How could he not be afraid?
Zhang Naipao too was staring at Zhong Yongliang in profound shock, his gaze complicated. "Brother Liang... you..."
"Haha, you two—don't worry. I'm still your Brother Liang. We brothers still have work to do together—we're going to settle scores with that little bastard Wei Zhao, and besides, you two still have to help me win over Gu Mengyao!" Zhong Yongliang waved a hand and spoke in reassurance.
"Huh? You're still Brother Liang?" Zhang Naipao and Gao Xiaofu exchanged a glance, thoroughly baffled. Who on earth was this man before them?
Chunyang Tianzun was puzzled as well. Could the seizure of the body have failed? Had the man before him become Zhong Yongliang again?
But just then Zhong Yongliang said to Chunyang Tianzun, "Though I am your master, my primordial spirit is no longer strong enough to complete a full seizure. I could only fuse with Zhong Yongliang's soul. So after the fusion, I am both Zhong Yongliang and Patriarch Kuanglong!"
"I see. Then you are still my master!" Chunyang Tianzun breathed a sigh of relief. Fused or not, the man was still his master.
"Paozi and Xiaofu are both my trusted men. It's fine—no need to guard against them! They are utterly loyal to me!" Zhong Yongliang said.
"Yes, Master!" Chunyang Tianzun said hastily. "But then—aren't the rankings of seniority in a muddle now? Between me and Naipao... am I to address him as Martial Uncle from now on?"
"Master, it's I who should be calling Brother Liang Patriarch from now on—I can't call him Brother Liang anymore..." Zhang Naipao put in quickly. He would not dare set himself up as Chunyang Tianzun's Martial Uncle. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (.) to vote with