Calculations

Seeing the young disciples return, somewhat dispirited yet somewhat excited, Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and closed the little courtyard's gate again. He was not naive enough to believe that a single sparring match could win over these young disciples. Martial skill was only one aspect; more importantly, he was a Pill-Refining Hall disciple, not a Misty Hall disciple. And Misty Hall seemingly had not yet planned to merge into the great "family" of the Incense-Passing Cult. As for this bargain-bin senior brother of theirs, they could call him that casually if they wished. People were naturally happy when there was something to gain, but once there was no benefit, they simply would not come.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaohua believed that before long, their real senior brothers—the ones who would stand up for these young disciples—would emerge and come looking for trouble with him in all "seriousness." Unless, in his future dealings with Misty Hall, he truly did as he had said and tipped every scale in Misty Hall's favor, they would lower their guard. Of course, merely lowering their guard was all they would do. He would absolutely never become their true senior brother in the end!

Perhaps this was what they meant by: those who walked different paths could not make plans together!

What the Misty Hall disciples could never have imagined was that this genuine Pill-Refining Hall disciple was, in his bones, the blood brother of a true direct successor of the Misty Sect. If he would not give Misty Hall fair deals, then who could?

Thinking of fair deals, Zhang Xiaohua could not help but smile bitterly. Looking back now, Yang Yao had repeatedly spoken to him of Pill-Refining Hall's honor on the road from Tianmu Peak to Shixin Peak, telling him to always remember his duties