As the two Western Teaching masters departed, their faces were as dark as dried eggplant. If they weren’t still concerned about maintaining their dignity as high-level masters and afraid of being beaten again by Zhao Gongming, they might have already been cursing and swearing…
Anyone would have found it hard to contain their anger. But they could only swallow their pride and slink away, returning to their mountain to seclude themselves for five hundred years, no longer wandering the primitive world.
After the two left, Zhao Gongming stroked his beard thoughtfully, reflecting on what had transpired.
After a moment, he suddenly threw back his head and laughed, his laughter echoing across a thousand miles.
“Hahaha!”
Yellow Dragon True Person beside him, though not understanding why, joined in with a few laughs…
For a time, the sea surface was filled with the jolly laughter of old men.
Li Changshou’s paper avatar remained hidden, continuing to conceal itself in Yellow Dragon True Person’s sleeve…
The opponents might still return for revenge;
It would be best if his involvement in this matter could remain concealed.
When Yellow Dragon True Person first approached him, Li Changshou had considered the possibility that this might be a scheme targeting him.
But after careful deliberation, Li Changshou couldn’t simply ignore the matter, lest it create bigger troubles for himself.
With his now perfectly refined art of paper avatar manipulation, even if he was schemed against, he would at most lose one paper avatar and waste a bit of tree essence.
So, he came to this place, and behind the scenes manipulated…
Ahem, how could the affairs of Dao disciples be called manipulation?
Li Changshou had merely offered some suggestions to his two senior Dao colleagues, helping them escape their current predicament and avoid future troubles, nothing more.
Incidentally, using oaths to bind these two Western Teaching masters, preventing them from leaving for five hundred years…
This was something Li Changshou had planned from the start.
For masters of Yellow Dragon True Person and Zhao Gongming’s level, five hundred years wasn’t particularly long, perhaps just the time for a short nap, making it easy for them to overlook this restriction and agree readily.
But in Li Changshou’s calculations, the next hundred years would be crucial for the Dragon Clan’s ascension to heaven.
Having the Western Teaching temporarily reduce some of their fighting force, even if the overall impact wasn’t major, would make future situations easier to control…
Yellow Dragon True Person, after laughing along for a bit, couldn’t help but ask: “Why does Gongming laugh so heartily?”
“Hahaha, I’m laughing at all those I’ve encountered before!”
Zhao Gongming stroked his beard proudly, his heroic bearing at maximum, and said leisurely:
“Elder Brother Yellow Dragon doesn’t know, but previously my Third Sister Qiongxiao and I were in Western Oxhead State, teaching a lesson to many Western disciples who had displeased us.
Today, these two tried to extort you using methods they learned from us!
Unfortunately, they only learned superficial tricks!”
Li Changshou: …
What was there to be proud of?
Why did he hear a sense of pride in “honest work” from this old master of scamming?
Listening to Zhao Gongming continue laughing:
“Hahaha, if not for my Second Sister Yunxiao stopping me and Third Sister in time, perhaps the Western Teaching would already be chasing after me with threats and attacks, hahaha!
Who would have thought the method to resolve this approach would be so simple?
Hahaha! How delightful!”
Yellow Dragon True Person’s mouth twitched…
We’re all disciples of the Severing Teaching… so unrestrained and casual?
Yellow Dragon True Person suddenly remembered something and raised his sleeve, calling softly into it:
“Sea God Fellow Daoist? Would you like to come out now?”
“Brother Sea God!”
Zhao Gongming excitedly moved closer, peering into Yellow Dragon True Person’s sleeve opening, praising:
“I owe you another favor, this poor Daoist truly doesn’t know how to repay you!”
Li Changshou: How about a photo album of Maiden Yunxiao?
Of course, such jokes Li Changshou would never actually say, at most just amusing himself internally.
Li Changshou transmitted his voice:
“Senior, please find a secluded place, junior has something to discuss.
Junior’s cultivation is far from as profound as you two seniors, if the Western Teaching learns this was schemed by me behind the scenes, I fear they would truly tear down my small Sea God Temple.”
“They dare!?”
Zhao Gongming’s eyes bulged, looking magnificent.
Beside him, Yellow Dragon True Person smiled and nodded, saying:
“Today this poor Daoist owes Fellow Daoists a favor, I truly need to think about how to repay and sever this karmic bond.
Why don’t we go to Fellow Daoist Sea God’s temple?”
“Let’s go, let’s drink Sea God’s tea.”
Zhao Gongming called out, completely erasing all blood traces and auras from this place, heading to South Jambu Continent with Yellow Dragon.
Subsequently, these two great Dao masters, disciples of the Sage, followed Li Changshou’s suggestion and changed course to the main divine temple in Anshui City.
…
Clouds passed over the five continents, wild geese returned to the sky.
Li Changshou divided his attention, glancing at Little Senior Uncle and Forgotten Emotions Person strolling in the back mountain, and activated another paper avatar hidden beneath Anshui City, making some preparations in the back hall of the Sea God Temple.
Before the two great masters arrived, tea was ready and the Sea God Temple temporarily closed;
As for how to befriend Yellow Dragon True Person, probe his attitude toward the Dragon Clan, persuade him to assist in helping the Dragon Clan ascend to heaven… and other such matters, Li Changshou already had plans in mind.
When Yellow Dragon True Person and Zhao Gongming arrived, this Sea God Temple in the mortal realm gathered “bigshots” and “pseudo-bigshots” from the three Dao teachings.
A few “Fellow Daoists”s, two “Senior”s, and various Dao bows and ceremonies sat down for a small talk.
Zhao Gongming enthusiastically told Yellow Dragon True Person about his previous “glorious achievements,” making Li Changshou listen with a bitter smile…
Fortunately, Zhao Gongming now understood that this scamming approach was easily countered, so he probably wouldn’t use it much in the future.
Looking at the scene before him…
Zhao Gongming and Yellow Dragon True Person, sitting on the Human Teaching disciple’s territory, under the Original Heaven Teacher’s painting, chatting and joking, laughing freely, Li Changshou felt somewhat strange in his heart.
Ever since he understood his environment, he had an inescapable anxiety and tension about the Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods.
Today I saw these two future bigshots of Severing and Pure who would fight fiercely in the great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods, able to happily chat and joke, discussing various matters…
‘Perhaps, this is what makes Tribulation most frightening.’
Li Changshou suppressed the insights in his heart, smiling as he joined the conversation, actively beginning to guide the topic toward the Yellow Dragon True Person.
Soon, Li Changshou appeared hesitant to speak, drawing concern from Yellow Dragon True Person and Zhao Gongming.
Old Master Zhao waved his hand, smiling: “Brother Sea God, just speak directly, there are no outsiders here!
You’re a Human Teaching disciple, and Yellow Dragon True Person is one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Capital Palace, we’re all one family in the Dao teachings, being so hesitant, are you not considering us friends?”
Li Changshou sighed lightly, seeming to speak to Zhao Gongming but directing his words to Yellow Dragon True Person…
“To be honest, Junior recently encountered a thorny matter, though it’s not convenient to speak of directly, it was also… assigned from above.”
Li Changshou bowed upward.
Zhao Gongming and Yellow Dragon True Person showed understanding, each becoming alert, gesturing for Li Changshou to explain in detail.
Li Changshou said: “Senior Yellow Dragon, I’ve heard rumors in the primitive world that you are also of Dragon Clan origin, I don’t know if this is true or false.”
Yellow Dragon True Person smiled somewhat awkwardly, sighing:
“This poor Daoist is indeed of Dragon Clan origin, however, currently the Dragon Clan doesn’t wish to acknowledge me.
If counting generations, this poor Daoist is of the same generation as the current Four Sea Dragon Kings, should call them Elder Brothers.”
Zhao Gongming beside him asked puzzled, “Brother Sea God, why suddenly ask about this?”
Li Changshou dipped his finger in tea water, writing the character “Heaven” on the table, then wrote “Dragon” beside it…
Facing these disciples of the Sage and Twelve Golden Immortals of Pure Teaching, Li Changshou didn’t want to conceal anything, directly telling the matter to Yellow Dragon True Person, letting him decide for himself.
However, when explaining this matter, Li Changshou paid attention to his language techniques.
Listening to Li Changshou’s skillful and indirect explanation of the stakes, Yellow Dragon True Person frowned deeply.
The Western Teaching’s schemes, wanting to subdue the Dragon Clan;
The Dragon Clan themselves had already reached a point of many worries, the great structure about to collapse, the Four Seas in danger;
The Human Teaching received Heaven’s Mandate, wanting to incorporate the Dragon Clan into Heaven’s organization, the Grand Master of Mysterious Capital being the main person in charge, while Li Changshou as South Sea God was running errands for the Grand Master…
“This matter is indeed good for the Dragon Clan.”
Yellow Dragon True Person pondered for several moments, looking at Li Changshou, smiling bitterly: “However, this poor Daoist has little connection with the Dragon Clan now, I fear even if I speak up, they won’t listen to much.”
Li Changshou said seriously: “Senior, do you still care for the Dragon Clan?”
A common small trick in the primitive world — speaking to the heart.
“That is this poor Daoist’s root,” Yellow Dragon True Person sighed lightly, his eyes filled with distant light, “No matter what, this poor Daoist won’t abandon them completely.
However…
Sigh, it’s a long story, these are all matters of high antiquity.”
Li Changshou said: “Junior also has dealings with the Dragon Clan, this Sea God Teaching also has some merit from the Dragon Clan’s incense;
What senior sighs about, junior roughly understands.
Junior dares to offer one piece of advice here.”
Yellow Dragon True Person showed a gentle smile, saying seriously: “Fellow Daoists need not be so modest, please instruct freely.”
Li Changshou sighed slowly, opening his mouth:
“Since ancient times, the Dragon Clan has carried the karmic burden of shattering heaven and earth, their fortune declining, struggling to survive, yet unwilling to fade away, constantly making some laughable actions that damage the Dragon Clan’s prestige.
Senior, watching from the side, you should understand this most clearly.
How did it come to this?
The spirits of Dragon Clan’s ambitious ones sigh and wander in the sea eyes, they also hope for Dragon Clan to stand tall again in the primitive world, not having to worry whether their offspring can successfully break out of their shells…
Senior, spring flowers return to mud, fallen leaves return to roots.
The sins the Dragon Clan committed in ancient times must be carried through endless future years, but the Dragon Clan’s current situation can be improved through this matter.
At least, when Heaven Palace is complete, with Heaven’s Way’s blessing, when that Majesty speaks one sentence, the Dragon Clan can be spared from half the suffering of filling sea eyes.
And the key to this matter lies within these hundred years…”
“Fallen leaves return to roots, spring flowers return to mud.”
Yellow Dragon True Person’s eyes showed slight confusion, sitting in the circular chair, unable to recover for a long time.
Suddenly…
“I’ll help!”
Hmm?
Li Changshou stared wide-eyed to the side at Lord Zhao Gongming who had suddenly become excited for unknown reasons.
Master Gongming directly stood up, his eyes full of light, looking intensely at Li Changshou, saying firmly:
“This Dragon Clan matter, Zhao Gongming will help!”
Uh… eh?
Zhao Gongming continued shouting:
“Without hearing Brother Sea God’s words, this poor Daoist wouldn’t have realized the Dragon Clan’s miserable state!
Indeed, though the Dragon Clan has boundless karma, having the Dragon Clan enter Heaven’s organization is greatly beneficial for Heaven Palace, the Three Realms, the Dragon Clan, and our Dao teachings!
Brother, say how we should proceed!”
Li Changshou: ???
What’s going on?
This involves major karma, besides a bit of merit there’s no benefit, how did Lord Zhao just?
No!
Reasonably speaking, shouldn’t you remain indifferent and observe from the sidelines when hearing this matter, Lord?
Anyone else, with such major karma, Dragon Clan’s boundless karma there, wouldn’t easily get involved, at most helping give some advice…
He was persuading Yellow Dragon True Person, even Yellow Dragon True Person with Dragon Clan origins hadn’t spoken up, why was Lord Zhao so excited?
Li Changshou had also wanted to let Zhao Gongming know of this matter, equivalent to preparing a case for the Severing Teaching side, thus also considering the face of Severing Teaching’s Sage Lord.
—If saying Zhao Gongming would leak information to Western Teaching, Li Changshou was ninety-nine point nine percent sure he wouldn’t.
But unexpectedly, his heartfelt words just now to Yellow Dragon True Person, Lord Zhao found extremely touching…
Just then, Yellow Dragon True Person slapped the armrest of his chair, sighing:
“Fallen leaves return to roots, how can this poor Daoist watch Dragon Clan be schemed against by the West like this?
Thanks to Fellow Daoist’s enlightenment, this poor Daoist will go now to find the Dragon Kings in charge of the Dragon Clan, and persuade them to join Heaven Palace!”
“Senior please wait, senior please wait!”
Li Changshou couldn’t care about Zhao Gongming, and quickly stopped Yellow Dragon True Person, carefully explaining how to plan.
Zhao Gongming didn’t treat himself as an outsider, hands tucked in his sleeves, moving close to Li Changshou and Yellow Dragon True Person, constantly nodding, his mouth continuously making sounds of ‘mm’, ‘correct’, ‘I thought the same’…
Li Changshou truly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry…
Zhao Gongming forcefully involving himself in this matter naturally had benefits, and their side gained another great helper.
There were also downsides…
He seemed to be getting more and more deeply entangled with Lord Zhao.
Things having reached this point, Li Changshou could only repeatedly remind the two bigshots to keep it secret, not to tell anyone, to avoid this matter being exposed.
Yellow Dragon True Person at first still felt that being of Dragon Clan himself, scheming against Dragon Clan like this was somewhat inappropriate;
But Yellow Dragon also felt what Li Changshou said was indeed the most effective, most reasonable arrangement…
Thus, this Pure Teaching Twelve Golden Immortal was gradually led into the ditch by Li Changshou, even walking forward himself, honestly squatting at the bottom of the ditch…
The entire process of persuading Yellow Dragon True Person was extremely smooth, so smooth that it made Li Changshou feel somewhat guilty.
However, Lord Zhao jumped out again.
“Elder Brother Yellow Dragon, why don’t we make an oath right here today!”
Zhao Gongming fingered his beard, saying seriously: “First is not to leak this matter, second is to immediately come here to meet when Brother Sea God summons us in the future, how about it?”
“Good!”
Right then, the two bigshots made simple oath agreements in front of Li Changshou.
Following this, Zhao Gongming took out three jade talismans, giving them to Li Changshou and Yellow Dragon True Person.
“Let’s use these talismans as signals, when Brother Sea God crushes this talisman, Elder Brother Yellow Dragon and I will immediately sense it!”
Yellow Dragon True Person said firmly: “Good! Let this matter be settled thus!”
Zhao Gongming rolled up his sleeves, declaring loudly: “Elder Brother Yellow Dragon, let’s not disturb Brother Sea God anymore!
Let him handle the thinking work, while we prepare our divine powers and treasures to face those Western masters head-on!”
Yellow Dragon True Person’s face showed excitement, continuously nodding in approval.
Li Changshou: …
Lord Zhao’s [Getting Fired Up] was no longer just a passive skill, it had become a legion-level aura!
“Brother, Elder Brother, I’ll take my leave first!
I’ll go back right away to polish my divine powers and prepare treasures, awaiting Brother Sea God’s summons. No need to see me off!”
With these words, Zhao Gongming stepped out, leaving the back hall in two strides, directly transforming into a streak of light and disappearing.
Yellow Dragon True Person praised: “Master Gongming’s reputation for loyalty truly isn’t unfounded! This poor Daoist is deeply moved!
Fellow Daoist Sea God, farewell!”
This True Person sighed lightly, then laughed twice, riding clouds toward the north, leaving only Li Changshou’s elderly immortal paper avatar standing at the back hall entrance…
Feeling a bit bewildered.