Chapter 73: Like Master, Like Disciple

Zhang Hongze had yet to realize what was about to happen.

The moment he once again approached the Snow-Treading Dragon Horse, the beast swung its hindquarters and knocked him stumbling backward.

Zhang Hongze was completely bewildered. Once might have been a fluke, but what was the meaning of this second rejection? Before he could even react, the Snow-Treading Dragon Horse turned its rear end directly towards him.

PFFFT!

A cloud of dust and a heavenly stench filled the air. The crowd of disciples, who had been losing interest, now burst into uproarious laughter, clutching their bellies.

The foul odor nearly made Zhang Hongze pass out. He doubled over, gagging.

And just as he bent over, the Snow-Treading Dragon Horse lashed out with a hoof.

THUD!

The pitiful Zhang Hongze was sent flying once again.

This time, however, his luck had run out. He didn't land in a feeding trough.

He landed in the manure fermentation pit.

When Zhang Hongze clawed his way out, he was a man unhinged. He shrieked and charged toward Lin Yun, ready to fight to the death.

"You bastard! You must be behind this! I'll kill you! Don't anyone try to stop me!"

Watching the filth-covered disciple rush forward, even Zhou Damao couldn't help but pinch his nose. The stench was truly overwhelming. With a casual flick of his wrist, he froze Zhang Hongze in place.

"Junior Brother Zhang, calm down."

Zhang Hongze was still roaring. "Zhou Damao, are you still going to cover for this traitor? It must have been him! Otherwise, why would my Dragon Horse lose control? It must be him!"

Lin Yun sneered and offered a deadpan rebuttal. "How amusing. With so many eyes watching, did any of our fellow disciples see me do anything to your Dragon Horse?"

A number of disciples nodded in agreement.

"That's right. Lin Yun didn't do anything just now."

"We were all watching. He really didn't move."

Zhang Hongze's fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white, but for a moment, he was speechless.

Lin Yun continued, "It's clear your own skills are lacking, and you can't even control your own spirit beast. Yet when you embarrass yourself, you insist on blaming others. If word of this got out, people would laugh themselves to death. They'd probably say Elder Wu is incompetent and couldn't teach you how to tame a beast."

Zhang Hongze nearly fainted from rage. "Lin Yun, you have some nerve! How dare you insult my Master?"

Seeing that Zhang Hongze was about to lose control completely, a powerful surge of vital energy suddenly slammed into him, sending him flying once more.

"Useless trash!"

Wu Boyan had appeared out of nowhere. He frowned in disgust at the sight of the filthy Zhang Hongze. What an absolute disgrace! To make such a fool of himself in front of so many people… he was losing face for his master as well.

Seeing Wu Boyan, Lin Yun put on a comforting smile. "Elder Wu, no need to be angry. We are all willing to believe that this happened simply because Zhang Hongze's skills are unrefined. It has absolutely nothing to do with you, Elder."

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. But looking at the grin plastered on Lin Yun's face, Wu Boyan felt like a kettle that had just come to a boil. He was about to explode.

He could only force down his anger and squeeze out a smile. "You are correct. This boy's skills are indeed lacking. I will have him focus on consolidating his fundamentals. One day, he will surely make everyone see him in a new light…"

Though he had suffered a hidden loss, Wu Boyan kept up appearances while sending a telepathic message to Lin Yun.

"You have some nerve, boy. Just you wait. For every day you remain in the Beast Taming Sect, I will make you wish you were dead!"

After he finished, he flicked his sleeve and stormed off, dragging the wretched Zhang Hongze with him.

Zhou Damao chuckled and clapped Lin Yun on the shoulder. "Junior Brother Lin, that tongue of yours is truly unforgiving."

Lin Yun smiled benevolently. "Not at all. I have never been one to make trouble for others." He glanced at the crushed spirit stones on the ground, then ground them into fine powder with his foot.

After this incident, Lin Yun's life in the beast pens became much more comfortable. No one dared to bother him again. After all, with Zhang Hongze as a prime example, who would be so foolish? After that day, Zhang Hongze didn't even dare to walk around the sect. Rumor had it that people had started calling him "The Great Fart-Sniffer" behind his back.

However, although his days in the beast pens were easier, Lin Yun did not let his guard down. Zhang Hongze was easy to deal with. But Wu Boyan… he was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

Several days passed in this manner. Then, at the zi hour, Lin Yun awoke on schedule.

He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

He slipped out of bed and tiptoed out of his courtyard. Ever since he had moved in, not a single person had come to greet him. It seemed the inner disciples of the Beast Taming Sect rarely lived in this area.

After confirming that no one was watching, Lin Yun headed toward Mingtai Mountain.

There was only one place of importance on Mingtai Mountain: the Ming Pavilion. It was the archive where many of the sect's most important documents and records were stored, in addition to numerous cultivation manuals and secret techniques.

When Lin Yun arrived, he saw a furtive figure sneaking toward the Pavilion.

That must be him.

He had already made his preparations during the day. Without making a sound, he took out an Image-Retaining Crystal and began to record.

Zhao Fa's movements were practiced and skillful. He bypassed the numerous guards at the entrance with ease. It was obvious he had been casing this place for a long time. This old goat has been planning this for more than a day or two, Lin Yun mused.

Zhao Fa quickly entered the Ming Pavilion and emerged less than a quarter of an hour later. The guards at the entrance remained completely unaware.

He was clutching something to his chest. Just as he was about to slip away, he ran headfirst into Zhou Damao, who was also coincidentally heading to the Ming Pavilion. It seemed Zhou Damao had been taking a shortcut.

Their eyes met.

After a brief moment of shock, Zhao Fa recovered and darted into the nearby woods, disappearing from sight.

Zhou Damao, after a moment's hesitation, gave chase.

Without a second thought, Lin Yun stealthily followed them. His cultivation realm wasn't high, but when it came to movement techniques, no one in the Beast Taming Sect was his match.

He had barely taken two steps, however, when someone tapped him twice on the back. Just as Lin Yun was about to strike, a familiar voice sounded in his ear. "It's me."

He spun around to see none other than Xu Miaoyun.

It's the middle of the night. Why are you following me instead of sleeping? he thought wryly. Are you seeing his ghost in me?

Lin Yun felt a bit helpless but managed an awkward smile. "Senior Xu, what are you doing here?"

"Seeing what you're up to," Xu Miaoyun said casually. "Now that Zhao Fa has been discovered, he will surely try to silence Zhou Damao. Let's go see."

This wasn't the time for chatter. The two of them immediately hurried after the others.

They arrived just in time to see Zhou Damao collapsed on the ground. Zhao Fa was nowhere in sight.

Lin Yun glanced at Xu Miaoyun. "He's gone."

"But Zhou Damao's memory has been erased." Xu Miaoyun stated with certainty after only a brief look.

Lin Yun was deeply shocked. Erasing memories? Is such a powerful technique even possible?

Xu Miaoyun seemed to guess his thoughts. "It was just a pill that made him temporarily forget this period of time. There's no guarantee the memory won't return at some point. It's merely a stopgap measure."

She knelt beside Zhou Damao. "Speaking of which," she said, her eyes sharp, "what did he steal from the Ming Pavilion?"