I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Vol 2 Chapter 77: Trust You

"Shishu, have you found any trace of Senior Sister Zhang?"

Inside the Five Dragons Palace, Zheng Fa turned to ask Master Pang.

Master Pang glanced at him, his expression carrying a hint of bitterness.

"We’ve pinpointed a general location… but we haven’t found her yet."

Seeing his expression, Zheng Fa immediately knew that things were complicated.

"Is there a problem?"

"That place is too close to the Great Freedom Demonic Sect's secret realm. There are too many demonic sect disciples… and I don’t dare go there recklessly," Master Pang hesitated before sighing. "I’m worried this is a trap."

Zheng Fa understood his hesitation.

If they couldn’t kill Senior Sister Zhang, then taking out a Nascent Soul cultivator from Jiushan Sect would still be worth it for them.

"Would they really go that far just to deal with us?"

Objectively speaking—

The Great Freedom Demonic Sect was on a completely different level.

Was Jiushan Sect really worth that much effort?

"If we weren’t in the same territory, of course, they wouldn’t bother with us." Master Pang didn’t take offense to Zheng Fa’s blunt words and replied honestly, "But right now, it’s a one-mountain-can’t-hold-two-tigers situation. The Changchun Sect has already been wiped out—plus, there’s the Heavenly Monument."

That made sense.

Jiushan Sect saw Taiyang Prefecture as its domain.

Meanwhile, the Great Freedom Demonic Sect saw it as their secret realm’s location.

A natural conflict was inevitable.

Master Pang’s concerns weren’t unfounded.

"If not for the special conditions of the Thunder Pool, even the demonic sect’s Nascent Soul cultivators would hesitate to take action," Master Pang shook his head. "But Jiushan Sect remains the weaker side overall."

Zheng Fa nodded.

The Thunder Pool's current environment greatly leveled the playing field among cultivators.

Higher-level cultivators still had some advantage thanks to their magical tools and artifacts, but compared to the outside world, the risk of miscalculating and getting killed was much higher.

Master Pang didn’t want to enter the Thunder Pool because he feared that the enemy might sacrifice weaker disciples just to take him down.

Not to mention, the Heavenly Monument had drawn many powerful figures from the Immortal Sects, forcing the demonic sect to keep a low profile.

"Even if there’s no conspiracy and they’re just defending their territory, it’s still a tricky situation," Master Pang said after thinking for a moment. "At this point, we have no choice but to rely on Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples."

Zheng Fa fell silent.

Given how dangerous the Thunder Pool was, sending Golden Core and above cultivators was simply not worth the risk.

Instead, they’d have to rely on sheer numbers.

But that also meant casualties were unavoidable.

"Zheng Shizhi." Seeing his expression, Master Pang sighed. "You know as well as I do—Senior Sister Zhang is worth more than a hundred ordinary disciples to Jiushan Sect."

"I understand."

Master Pang spoke softly. "Do you know why I brought so many disciples here?"

Zheng Fa paused and glanced outside the Five Dragons Palace.

Half of the Jiushan Sect disciples who had come to the Thunder Pool belonged to Master Pang’s faction.

"Shishu…"

"A leader must not be soft-hearted."

Stepping out of the Five Dragons Palace, Zheng Fa slowly walked through the Thunder Pool Market.

This time, he wasn’t paying attention to the new shops or the growing crowds.

Instead, his gaze was fixed on his fellow disciples.

The Thunder Pool Market was thriving.

His fellow disciples were living well.

Patrol disciples walked in groups, chatting and laughing softly.

When they saw Zheng Fa, many greeted him with smiles and respect.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride—

Regardless of anything else, Jiushan Sect was in a much better place now than before.

Disciples smiled more.

And he had played a part in making that happen.

But with just a single order from Master Pang, all of this could be shattered—

Because in a few days, these same people might be marching into the Thunder Pool, risking their lives against the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.

"Junior Brother Zheng?"

A familiar voice called out—it was Senior Brother Yang, who had once served under Senior Sister Zhang.

Zheng Fa had worked with him before when managing the Jiushan Sect Market, and he had contributed a lot to setting up the new Thunder Pool Market. Over time, their relationship had grown close.

Noticing Zheng Fa’s expression, Senior Brother Yang looked curious.

"Senior Brother Yang."

"Any updates on Senior Sister Zhang?"

Yang asked with concern.

Zheng Fa shook his head.

After some hesitation, he finally spoke, "We have a rough location, but… there are too many demonic sect disciples in that area."

Senior Brother Yang froze for a moment.

Then, as if realizing something, his gaze slowly shifted.

After a long pause, he finally said, "...So we’re going into the Thunder Pool, aren’t we?"

"……"

"When Senior Brother Sun Daoyu was picking people, we all understood," Senior Brother Yang chuckled, seeing Zheng Fa’s silence.

Zheng Fa gave him a small nod.

"If we don’t rescue Senior Sister Zhang, sure, we might live a little longer for now—but without her, Jiushan Sect’s future would be in danger. And besides, just because we go in and fight the demonic sect bastards doesn’t mean we’ll all die, right?"

Zheng Fa shook his head and smiled.

"I didn’t expect Senior Brother Yang to see things so clearly."

"No, Junior Brother Zheng."

Senior Brother Yang waved a hand and looked at him.

"It’s not that you don’t understand."

"It’s that you care about too many people."

"Hmm?"

"Master Pang, Senior Sister Zhang, even the Sect Master—do you think they ever really looked at us low-ranking disciples?" Senior Brother Yang smiled. "But you… You’re the only one who, at a time like this, is actually thinking about us."

"…I guess I was being sentimental."

Zheng Fa chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Maybe it was just his modern mindset making him feel out of place.

"Junior Brother Zheng, before we came here, we all understood what we were getting into," Senior Brother Yang said in a low voice.

"Some of us had no choice. Who dares to disobey a Nascent Soul’s order?"

"For people like me, we had to come because we’re part of Senior Sister Zhang’s faction."

"But there’s another group—probably not many, but I know they exist." Senior Brother Yang paused before saying, "They came because they trust you."

"Trust me?"

"They trust that you won’t let us throw our lives away for nothing."

"They’re not here for Senior Sister Zhang. They’re here because of you."

"……"

Zheng Fa was stunned.

He hadn’t expected that Jiushan Sect still had such people.

Senior Brother Yang chuckled. "Junior Brother Zheng, no one in Jiushan Sect is blind. Everyone knows who’s actually doing things that benefit the sect."

With that, he cupped his hands and said, "I’m going to get ready."

Zheng Fa watched his retreating figure, momentarily speechless.

A clear and piercing cry rang through the sky above Thunder Pool Market.

A Qingluan soared across the heavens, clutching two pale-faced individuals in its claws.

As it descended into the market, the Qingluan transformed into a round-faced young woman, who hurriedly ran into the Five Dragons Palace.

"Junior Brother Zheng! I’m here!"

Even before Senior Sister Yuan arrived, her voice—full of energy and enthusiasm—already echoed through the hall.

Zheng Fa smiled and stepped outside, looking at the three people before him.

"Look! I brought you the people you wanted!"

Senior Sister Yuan pointed at Lin Bufan and Li Nuo.

Both of them looked pale, as if they had suffered greatly on the journey.

"Young Master."

"Junior Brother Zheng."

The two of them looked at Zheng Fa, their expressions filled with uncertainty.

Zheng Fa gave them a small nod but didn’t speak to them immediately. Instead, he turned to Senior Sister Yuan.

"Senior Sister, did you ask Master for more Dao Struggle Immortal formation talismans like I requested?"

"That old man is so stingy! He even said he was too busy directing a theatrical play!" Senior Sister Yuan huffed. "But when I told him it was for you, he ended up throwing a whole bunch at me."

She handed over a storage pouch.

Zheng Fa opened it and saw complete sets of talismans inside.

"Junior Brother, what do you need all these formations for? You even had the Sect Master change the Thunder Pool map?"

Seeing his satisfied expression, Senior Sister Yuan couldn’t help but ask.

"Master Pang is preparing to send disciples into the Thunder Pool. I want to put them through some special training first."

To put it plainly—

A last-minute cram session before the test.

Boost their survival rate by giving them targeted practice.

Senior Sister Yuan immediately understood and clapped her hands. "That’s actually a good idea! But why bring these two?"

"Bufan."

Zheng Fa turned to Lin Bufan. The man’s expression was complicated—it seemed like he hadn’t expected to return home so soon.

"Young Master, regarding the Great Freedom Demonic Sect… I’ve already told you everything I know."

"I know."

Zheng Fa waved dismissively. Lin Bufan’s soul imprint was still in his possession. He might have his own thoughts, but absolute loyalty to the Great Freedom Demonic Sect? Highly unlikely.

"Then… Young Master, do you want me to infiltrate the Great Freedom Demonic Sect?" Lin Bufan’s face turned white as he suddenly realized something.

Senior Sister Yuan and Li Nuo both looked at him sympathetically.

Such a mission was practically a death sentence.

Who knew if the Great Freedom Demonic Sect had ways to detect traitors?

But at the same time, aside from the obvious risk to Lin Bufan, it was a damn good plan.

Jiushan Sect currently knew far too little about the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.

If someone could successfully infiltrate their ranks, they might be able to find Senior Sister Zhang’s exact location.

"You don’t want to?"

Zheng Fa asked.

"I do!" Lin Bufan gritted his teeth. "I just ask one thing of you, Young Master."

"What is it?"

"If you ever encounter Lin Yangtian, and you take his life… please visit my uncle’s grave and let him know." Lin Bufan’s voice was low.

Senior Sister Yuan’s expression showed a hint of sorrow.

She could hear the resolve of a man who was prepared to die.

"It won’t come to that." Zheng Fa shook his head. "I called you here for the training, not for infiltration."

Lin Bufan looked up, his face filled with both shock and relief.

"You’re going to be the test subject."

"Huh?" Lin Bufan blinked, confused.

"Every single Jiushan Sect disciple who is set to fight the Great Freedom Demonic Sect will need to practice against you in the Dao Struggle Immortal simulation."

"They won’t be allowed to leave for battle… until they can kill you inside the formation."

Lin Bufan stared blankly. "...Every single one of them?"

"Yes."

"How many people total?"

"…Master Pang said as many as possible."

"Young Master! I volunteer to infiltrate the Great Freedom Demonic Sect!"

"…Shut up. Your life belongs to me now. Don’t waste it."

"……"

After convincing… no, forcing Lin Bufan to accept reality, Zheng Fa turned his attention to Li Nuo.

Seeing Zheng Fa’s gaze, Li Nuo visibly flinched, raising his hands in defense.

"I swear, I don’t know any Great Freedom Demonic Sect techniques!"

"Senior Brother Li, what kinds of talisman imprints can you create using Bufan’s blood?"