Hidden Moth-Chapter 386 - 217: The Flood Dragon Plows the Mountain, Smashing the Jade Pillar

The man stood amidst the trees.

The branches and leaves of the trees made full contact with the surrounding air, much more flammable than asphalt pressed between stones. High-tier sorcerers of the Micro Realm Sect practiced artifact refining, excelling in fire techniques, and Zou Tianjin was among the best.

Using the method just demonstrated, Zou Tianjin only needed to snap his fingers to instantly drain the oxygen around the man and cause the trees to erupt in a combustion, with a force nearly equivalent to a small thermobaric bomb.

At that time, it wouldn’t just take his life, even his ashes would be scattered on the spot!

Zou Tianjin didn’t act rashly. If he truly turned the opponent into ash, then many things would remain unclear.

Moreover, the man had clearly witnessed Zou Tianjin’s fire technique but still dared to stand among the trees. He was either a fool or had something to rely on.

"Are you the Fabre?" Zou Tianjin asked.

Even in the darkness, Zou Tianjin could discern the opponent’s appearance, a typical Eastern Country face, seemingly in his thirties or forties, rather handsome, and in quite good shape.

The man responded, "You can call me that; a name is just a label, after all. Whether it’s Zhang San or Li Si doesn’t matter."

He showed boldness by standing directly in front of the Magic Sect Sect Steward, and according to Zou Tianjin’s judgment, he wasn’t wearing a mask; he was revealing his true face.

Zou Tianjin said, "There is no disciple like you in the Microcosm Sect, which sect do you belong to?"

Fabre shrugged, "Technique isn’t exclusive to the current Magic Sect. There are many sorcerers in the world; do they all have to be disciples of your Magic Sect in Phoenix Tail Town?"

Zou Tianjin asked, "Jianghu Wanderer?"

Fabre replied, "That’s what you call us, but we call ourselves Carefree Wanderers."

Zou Tianjin shook his head, saying, "You are not a Carefree Wanderer. Nowadays, Carefree Wanderers only refer to the Lone Wanderers within the Magic Sect."

So-called Carefree Wanderers, also known as Lone Wanderers, are currently used to describe sorcerers who don’t frequently communicate with fellow disciples, drifting freely outside, like Qian Guran who once worked in the design institute.

Of course, now Old Qian can’t be considered a Carefree Wanderer.

Upon hearing those words, Fabre seemed somewhat agitated, and he coldly snorted, "Steward Zou, you’ve forgotten the roots! Traditionally, Carefree Wanderers are those who have mastered the technique but haven’t joined any Magic Sect like yours."

Traditionally, there has always been a situation where someone masters a technique but, for various reasons, is unable to join the Magic Sect, officially becoming part of the sect’s registry, and sometimes even the sect is unaware of the existence of a certain disciple.

For instance, Gu Chun in his youth, or Wu Yanjun in detention, these individuals were called Carefree Wanderers before officially returning to the Magic Sect.

But as times changed, the meanings of many terms gradually evolved. Today, Carefree Wanderers are used to refer to the Lone Wanderers within the Magic Sect.

Sorcerers not registered in the Magic Sect are now usually referred to as Jianghu Wanderers or Loose Cultivators, including those removed from the sect without having their cultivation abolished.

Thus, while Fabre’s words weren’t entirely wrong, they weren’t wholly correct either. Historically, Carefree Wanderers mostly referred to those who hadn’t officially joined the Magic Sect yet. However, judging by his tone, he seemed to imply sorcerers unwilling to join any sect.

From this sentence alone, one could deduce Fabre’s identity and stance.

Zou Tianjin did not engage in a verbal spar and instead asked, "Which technique have you practiced?"

Fabre replied, "I’ve practiced a bit of everything."

Zou Tianjin inquired, "Why did you do that?"

Fabre asked, "Excuse me, what did I do? If you’re referring to your nephew’s matter, it was you who approached Shi Haotu, intending to hold that thirty percent under the name of Lu Shutang, but nothing came of it.

Steward Zou is capable of such things, yet I merely had an intention and hadn’t acted on it, so why would I be guilty?"

Zou Tianjin continued, "Why did you unseal Shi Yun Road?"

Fabre retorted, "Excuse me, what crime did Shi Yun Road commit?"

Zou Tianjin declared, "He attempted to secretly harm the couple Shi Haotu and was caught in the act."

Fabre shook his head, "That happened afterward. I’m asking what mistake Shi Yun Road made to have his painstakingly cultivated progress sealed?"

Zou Tianjin frowned, "Don’t tell me you’re unaware of what trouble befell Huiming Shi Family?"

Fabre replied, "Whoever is at fault should bear the responsibility. Didn’t your Ancestral Hall already investigate? Shi Yun Road has long lived overseas and did not participate in the Shi Family’s forbidden actions. At least, the Ancestral Hall has no evidence indicating otherwise, correct?"

Zou Tianjin responded, "Thus, he hasn’t been removed from the sect, only reprimanded and sealed for a year to prevent any further issues during this period."

Fabre asked, "Does this mean you admit he did nothing wrong? Then why should he be punished innocently?"

Zou Tianjin stated, "He is not innocent, just dealt with according to sect rules! The techniques he practiced were learned from the Magic Sect, so he must abide by the sect rules. If he were an ordinary person, sealing wouldn’t be applicable. He has benefited from the Shi Family, which is where karma lies; how could he not be implicated?"

Fabre spread his arms, "I am not a Micro Realm Sect disciple, nor have I eaten your rice. So, I don’t need to listen to you, do I? A sorcerer who has committed no wrongdoing is unjustly sealed because of family issues.

He asked me to help unseal him, and I sympathized with his plight. What was wrong with that? As for what he did after being unsealed, that’s his business, I didn’t tell him to kill Shi Haotu.

Tell me, Steward Zou, what wrongdoing have I committed?"

Zou Tianjin asked, "Were those two cars of assassins sent by you? Did you just watch them go to their deaths?"