Chapter 686
The old man’s face immediately flushed with anger upon hearing this: “Does Zheng Fa really think that by slaying Luo Sanxian, he can look down on me, the Taishang Dao? How dare he be so dismissive?”
Li Shangxian also frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.
“It’s not that he’s being dismissive…” Mingde Shouzuo handed the Tongjian to Li Shangxian while explaining, “Zheng Fa said he needs to prepare for Huashen and will be in seclusion, so he really has no time.”
A moment of silence fell over the pavilion, the old man’s mouth agape, seemingly at a loss for words.
After a long pause, it was Li Shangxian who broke into laughter:
“Huashen?” His tone was a mix of amusement and bitterness, “He still wants to achieve Huashen?”
“…”
“Then should I be preparing to give birth to a child?”
…
Elder Bixia was also pondering Zheng Fa’s plans for Huashen, a smile playing on her lips as she entered the temporary courtyard.
Compared to Li Shangxian’s complex feelings, her thoughts were much simpler:
Zheng Zhangmen achieving Huashen is great!
Ideally, he would achieve Huashen in a day, become an immortal in half a month, and sweep through the Xuanwei in a year!
Only then could she feel at ease.
When Shinan Dang had asked her if she regretted her decision that day, she had said no, but honestly, how could she not feel anxious?
After all, her fate was tightly bound to Zheng Fa’s.
Now that the Jiushan Sect had won a battle, she felt a bit more at ease, wishing even more for Zheng Fa to grow stronger.
As soon as she entered the main courtyard, her expression froze, staring at the figure of the Chongxuan Zhangmen standing in the courtyard, she asked, “Shixiong? What are you doing here?”
Chongxuan Zhangmen wore a smile on his face but countered with a question: “Isn't Le Tu Island quite lively?”
Elder Bixia nodded slightly.
In this courtyard, she and her personally taught disciples felt the most at ease—after all, they stood on the side of the victors.
Thus, they could participate in the Jiushan Sect celebration quite naturally.
But for Chongxuan Zhangmen and Shinan Dang, it was different: they were genuine captives, their identities awkward.
So, they had been hiding in the courtyard these past few days, not going to Le Tu Island.
Unexpectedly, today he was waiting for her in the main courtyard.
“Lively… as long as it’s lively. I’ve heard that Zheng Mengzhu cherishes his disciples greatly; now I see it’s true, unlike Haori Mountain…”
This remark felt off to Elder Bixia, and she pondered for a moment, beginning to understand her shixiong’s intentions.
She looked at him, a smile in her eyes.
Chongxuan Zhangmen stammered even more: “I… I just saw those… Qingmu Sect disciples at Jiushan Sect, living quite well…”
“…”
“To be honest with you, I regret it deeply, only wishing I had seen their worth sooner…”
He was indeed here to seek allegiance.
“So, what does Shixiong want from me?”
Chongxuan Zhangmen smiled: “Isn’t it because you have a discerning eye and a close relationship with Zheng Mengzhu? I thought that if the Chongxuan Sect were handed over to you, it would have a way out…”
“You flatter me, Shixiong.” Elder Bixia shook her head.
Chongxuan Zhangmen’s expression darkened.
Then Elder Bixia continued, “You are the Chongxuan Zhangmen; your intentions are what I will convey to Zheng Fa.”
“That’s good, that’s good!”
“Just one thing, I must remind you, Shixiong.”
“Speak!”
“Our Chongxuan Sect has, after all, betrayed the Hundred Immortals Alliance.”
Chongxuan Zhangmen nodded repeatedly.
“If you want the same treatment as the Qingmu Sect, that’s impossible. I see that Madam Xuanhua from the Artifact Refiners Guild has remarkable skills and is deeply trusted by Zheng Fa; our Chongxuan Sect cannot replace her position.”
“I know that, of course!” Chongxuan Zhangmen quickly replied, “You can rest assured, Shimei, I understand. The Chongxuan disciples are here to redeem themselves; how could we dare to wish for more?”
“I see that the Jiushan Sect values merit above all; as long as Zheng Fa doesn’t suppress us, with our skills, we can live decently… As for comparing ourselves to the Qingmu Sect, I wouldn’t dare to dream.”
“Shixiong thinks clearly; Zheng Fa’s heart isn’t so narrow as to exclude us.” Elder Bixia reassured him, “After all, we pose little threat to him now.”
Chongxuan Zhangmen sighed: “You’re right, Shimei.”
The two fell into silence for a moment, and then Chongxuan Zhangmen asked, “Are you laughing at me for being indecisive?”
“Not at all; Shixiong had no choice; I’m not unaware of that.”
Chongxuan Zhangmen’s face showed gratitude: “You understand me, whether it’s Haori Mountain or Jiushan Sect, which one can I resist?”
“When Shiran comes, I’ll listen to him. Zheng Mengzhu has won; I can only bow my head in submission.”
Elder Bixia nodded gently, offering comfort: “Shixiong, don’t worry. Zheng Fa’s bottom line is quite clear; as long as he hasn’t truly harmed the Jiushan disciples, he will spare their lives. Just look at Elder Jiao Wuji.”
“This…” Chongxuan Zhangmen fell silent for a moment, and instead of feeling comforted, his expression grew even gloomier, “So, our Chongxuan Sect is so incompetent that we’ve saved our own lives?”
“…”
Even Elder Bixia couldn’t find words to console him; the fact that they hadn’t harmed the Jiushan Sect disciples wasn’t due to their own wishes…
Fortunately, it seemed that Chongxuan Zhangmen had adjusted himself; he suddenly asked, “Shiran…”
“Hmm?”
“…like me?”
Elder Bixia understood; her shixiong was asking if Shiran had also defected like him.
She shook her head at Chongxuan Zhangmen.
A hint of shame crossed Chongxuan Zhangmen’s face as he murmured:
“Of course, Shiran is proud by nature, and being a top disciple of Haori Mountain, how could he be like me?”
“He has great confidence in Haori Mountain; perhaps the death of a Luo Sanxian won’t shake his resolve.”
“Seems he is loyal and righteous, willing to die rather than yield.”
As he spoke, he seemed to find it less meaningful and turned to Elder Bixia, saying, “With your words, I’ll go back and wait for Zheng Mengzhu’s decision.”
Elder Bixia nodded gently.
Chongxuan Zhangmen pushed open the courtyard door, preparing to leave, when he suddenly froze, exclaiming, “Shiran?”
Shinan Dang stood straight outside the door, his expression suggesting he was also caught off guard.
“Shangren, you…” Chongxuan Zhangmen looked at the stiff-faced Shinan Dang, then turned to Elder Bixia, asking, “Are you looking for Bixia?”
Shinan Dang maintained a stern face, gazing deeply at Chongxuan Zhangmen for a long moment before saying, “No, I was just passing by.”
With that, he didn’t wait for the two to respond and walked straight toward the right courtyard.
Watching his figure disappear, Chongxuan Zhangmen was stunned for a long time before suddenly sending a thought: “I think Shiran might have overheard our conversation.”
“Hmm?”
“The way he looked at me just now seemed like he wanted to kill me.” Chongxuan Zhangmen’s face was filled with fear, “He must have heard me wanting to ally with Zheng Mengzhu and felt angry, but he couldn’t act out in the Jiushan realm.”
Elder Bixia recalled Shinan Dang’s expression and actions, suddenly laughing: “I think Shiran is angry, but not for that reason.”
“Then for what reason?”
“Because you praised him for being loyal and righteous, willing to die rather than yield.”
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 479: The Intent of Taishang, the Huashen Experiment
“Master, why are we in such a hurry to go to Jiushan Sect? What’s the purpose?”
A purple haze stretched across the sky from Taishang Dao, and amidst the glow, Li Shangxian led the way, followed by Mingde Shouzuo and five others, including the old man who had achieved Huashen.
“You don’t know?”
Li Shangxian was taken aback, seemingly more surprised than they were.
Mingde Shouzuo and the others shook their heads in unison.
Li Shangxian slapped his forehead, speaking with practiced ease: “I forgot to tell you.”
…Indeed, he had forgotten.
Mingde Shouzuo glanced at the old man who had achieved Huashen and thought to himself, “No wonder Master Xuanding wanted so many people to accompany Li Zushi…”
Li Zushi had been in the sect for over a decade, and everyone had more or less figured out his personality:
To put it nicely, he was free of worldly distractions.
To put it bluntly, he was forgetful.
While this quirk of the Master didn’t delay major matters, he often overlooked the small details.
Because of this, Li Zushi had initially been reluctant to bring so many Huashen along, wanting to take only Mingde Shouzuo, but Master Xuanding seemed uneasy and arranged for six Huashen to assist him, saying they would help Li Zushi negotiate with Zheng Fa.
Mainly to remind him not to forget anything when the time came.
Yet, as they neared the Hundred Immortals Alliance, they still didn’t know what they were supposed to discuss, let alone be reminded.
At first, they didn’t dare to ask, but as Mingde Shouzuo saw Jiushan Realm coming into view, he finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked.
Li Shangxian pondered for a moment before explaining, “Our goal is to form an alliance with Zheng Fa, at least to have an unspoken understanding to deal with Haori Mountain together.”
Mingde Shouzuo was taken aback, realizing that this idea represented a shift in the sect’s previous attitude toward Jiushan Sect.
Previously, Taishang Dao had indeed viewed Zheng Fa favorably, but to be honest, they still considered themselves as bystanders.
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