In a plain pavilion, Master Zhou sat upright, then rose again and bowed to Lü Bufan...
Lü Bufan hurriedly stood to return the bow. Zhou Zhengyan said with emotion, "To think that after all these years, Former Sect Master Zhao still remembers my late father so fondly... To this day, I have never forgotten how they escorted me a thousand miles through that storm of blood and slaughter. There are no more loyal and righteous men in this world!"
Lü Bufan said, "The Former Sect Master's cultivation is now lost, but that has also allowed him to enjoy his remaining years in peace."
"The Vigorous Martial Gate, the Might-Spreading Gate, the Golden Spear Society... dozens of benevolent, righteous men. Thirty years... not a single day has passed when I forgot them."
Lü Bufan nodded and asked, "What exactly happened to Miss Zhou and your brother-in-law?"
Zhou Zhengyan's expression dimmed. "A year ago, the magistrate of Huayin County summoned my brother-in-law. In the course of their conversation, he wanted him to come up the mountain and persuade me to help Heavenly Wave Valley purchase the Righteousness Stele. Although my brother-in-law was not an academy disciple, he was a true scholar! How could he agree to do such a thing for them? Afterward, a gang of ruffians and down-and-out scoundrels harassed them every day. My sister and brother-in-law refused to let me know about any of this and simply endured it in silence... I fear those people did them harm."
Hearing this, Lü Bufan said, "Sir, aside from that Seventh Realm Sect Master, does Heavenly Wave Valley have any other means at its disposal?"
Zhou Zhengyan looked at Lü Bufan and said, "Heroic Knight Lü, this matter involves a great deal... it is not merely about a stone stele. The previous guardian