Chapter 179: Most Afraid of Strangers Suddenly Caring

As the saying goes, the devil is one foot high, but the Dao is one foot two.

After a series of fierce struggles and scheming, taking advantage of Wen Jing Dao Ren's unstable Dao heart, Li Changshou used a mix of truth and deception to lure her into the mortal world.

Wen Jing Dao Ren was a major figure on the Honghuang ruthless experts ranking, a wielder of great supernatural powers, yet she couldn't see through this white-haired old immortal before her at all.

Ordinary calculations yielded no results, and if she tried to force a divination, all she got was...

A warning from the Tai Ji Tu.

This only confirmed what Wen Jing Dao Ren had suspected deep down—that this person was a hidden master of the Ren School!

Earlier, the great mage of the Ren School had already supported the Sea God Cult, and since then, Wen Jing Dao Ren had kept her distance from the South Sea Sea God Cult out of respect.

But she never expected that this South Sea Sea God was also a key figure in the Ren School...

Today, he had deliberately arranged this scheme against her, with hidden motives and deep secrecy.

At the very least, given that he could mobilize Zhao Gongming and Qiongxiao, his background in the Ren School was likely second only to... that man.

Half an hour later, in a major city six thousand li northeast of Anshui City in the southwestern part of Nanbuzhou.

A Sea God Cult temple was under construction here, and the streets were filled with 'messengers' spreading the teachings of the Sea God Cult.

Li Changshou hadn't chosen this place randomly; he had used his divine statues to search various locations, carefully considering and selecting it as the ideal spot to deceive the mosquito spirit.

At that moment, the two walked one after the other along the mortal street.

Wen Jing Dao Ren used her supernatural powers to conceal the auras of herself and Li Changshou's paper effigy, following three feet behind this white-bearded old immortal while constantly pondering ways to save herself.

If her true origins were exposed, it would be like having her fatal weakness grasped.

A weakness that could lead to her destruction.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou was also thinking...

Should he use a heartfelt approach or a profit-driven one next?

But one thing was certain: seduction was out of the question—he had no interest in crossing racial barriers.

According to the core principles of the steady teaching classic "Theory of Schemes," to deceive such a master, he needed to first maintain his aura of profound mystery, starting from the details to draw her into his rhythm, then speak in vague and grand terms to spark her imagination.

Easier said than done, though.

Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums echoed from a nearby street corner, drawing a crowd of mortals, where a Sea God Cult promotion in the form of a clapper opera was underway...

Dong, dong, dong-dong...

“Listen up, folks, let's have a heart-to-heart chat.

All you neighbors, stop and join in for a casual talk.

This Sea God protects the whole family, so fear not on sea or mountain.

The unmarried young lady from East Street, the strapping bachelor from West City;

Young lady and strapping bachelor, young lady oh strapping bachelor!

Just the other day she prayed to our Sea God, and yesterday, the betrothal gifts were already delivered...”

Li Changshou listened with a smile, while Wen Jing Dao Ren frowned slightly but still gazed at these ignorant and fragile mortals.

There must be deeper meaning in making her listen to this...

A moment later, Li Changshou said:

“Come on, let's go.”

Wen Jing Dao Ren nodded slowly, her doubts growing, though she didn't show any displeasure toward Li Changshou.

No eyes on the street turned their way—Wen Jing Dao Ren's powers were quite impressive.

Li Changshou envied this kind of technique that almost every great expert possessed for reducing their presence.

“Dao friend,” Li Changshou said, holding his fly-whisk and gesturing invitingly, signaling for Wen Jing Dao Ren to walk beside him.

In his heart, Li Changshou thought that if she attacked, he would simply discard this effigy.

Wen Jing Dao Ren also thought to herself that although she was from the blood sea's fierce demons, she wasn't someone anyone could insult lightly—if he made a move, it would be mutual destruction at worst.

Then, Li Changshou slowly began:

“What do you think of my Sea God Cult, Dao friend?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren frowned slightly and replied:

“Why not get straight to the point?”

“Some things lose their charm if said too quickly.

We were opponents once, but now we're strolling the mortal streets together—isn't that quite delightful?”

Li Changshou smiled. “Though you've targeted me several times, I hold no great ill will toward you right now.

If not for you nearly ruining my plans this time, I wouldn't have pushed you to this extent.

Look around, Dao friend—this mortal world is full of troubles, humans live just a hundred years amid birth, aging, sickness, and death, yet they are the protagonists of this heaven and earth. By receiving their worship, one gains incense merit.

Why do you think that is?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren smirked but didn't answer.

Li Changshou chuckled and quickly changed his approach.

“In all of Honghuang, few know your true origins, Dao friend. Aren't you curious how I found out?”

“Oh?” Wen Jing Dao Ren still wouldn't give up and asked, “Then tell me, what exactly are my origins?”

She didn't even bother with polite terms like 'this poor Daoist' or 'Dao friend.'

Li Changshou smiled. “Dao friend, please add a few more layers of isolating barriers. I really need to say it now.”

“Hmph,” Wen Jing Dao Ren snorted coldly but truly raised her hand to set up two layers of Dao rhymes around them.

Just then, a profound Dao rhyme surged around Li Changshou;

Wen Jing Dao Ren saw with her own eyes a small Tai Ji Tu flicker gently behind him before vanishing.

In her heart, she had no more doubts about Li Changshou's identity...

At that moment, Li Changshou said casually:

“You come from the depths of the underworld, your true form is the leader of the Honghuang fierce beast blood-winged black mosquitoes, and you're currently working for those two unspeakable lords.

Right now, you're plotting to absorb the dragon race.

Is there any inaccuracy in that?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren's face turned pale, and she abandoned any thought of resistance, though a frenzied killing intent instinctively arose. Her gaze shifted constantly, and her aura turned icy cold at times.

Li Changshou said lightly:

“There's a human saying: Man proposes, Heaven disposes.”

Wen Jing Dao Ren snapped out of it with a soft sigh, showing a charming smile as she said gently:

“Since you've investigated me so thoroughly and set up this scheme without killing me, you must want something from me.

Go ahead and speak. As long as you don't reveal my origins, I'll do whatever you ask.”

“Dao friend...”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked: “Aren't you tired?”

First move: heartfelt approach.

Wen Jing Dao Ren was clearly startled;

Li Changshou sighed. “Humans have intricate hearts, so they wear a thousand masks. Other beings are no different.

Look at the people on this street—they toil for survival, worry about food and clothing, and must put on false faces so others can't see their true thoughts.

We are cultivators beyond the mortal world, with endless lifespans, yet aren't we the same?

Dao friend, aren't you tired of this?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren's smile faded somewhat as she gazed at the bustling street and the mortals upon it.

Li Changshou continued walking, and Wen Jing Dao Ren subconsciously followed, her phoenix eyes showing thoughtfulness mixed with a hint of weariness.

She said softly: “It's all for survival.”

Li Changshou smiled, and just then, they passed a brothel.

There, a wooden sign hung on the red pillar at the entrance, boldly written:

Believers in the Sea God pay only seventy percent for wine and entertainment.

Tsk, the Sea God Cult's propaganda was truly effective.

Li Changshou looked at the figures resting in the brothel during the day and said:

“If we're talking about forcing a smile, what's the difference between us and them?”

Second move: empathy.

Wen Jing Dao Ren sighed lightly: “You and I are different, Dao friend.”

“No, we're actually the same,” Li Changshou said calmly. “Honghuang is like a chessboard, with saints moving the pieces—we're all just pawns.”

Wen Jing Dao Ren said: “You see things very clearly, Dao friend.”

“It's all for survival.”

Li Changshou replied casually, and Wen Jing Dao Ren's gaze flickered slightly.

She asked: “You didn't bring me here just to say this, did you?”

“Of course not,” Li Changshou laughed. “To be honest, I've crossed paths with you several times and have some understanding of you.”

“Oh?” Wen Jing Dao Ren frowned slightly. “I've only schemed against the South Sea Sea God Cult once.”

Third move: breaking defenses.

Li Changshou said: “Do you remember Du Xian Men? One of your puppets was destroyed by an effigy I arranged.”

“It was you?”

“Yes, and before that, you must have seen that young mage from Xuan Du.”

“You again?”

Li Changshou just smiled and shook his fly-whisk, continuing forward.

Wen Jing Dao Ren followed involuntarily, looking at Li Changshou's paper effigy's aged face. “Then why didn't you let Zhao Gongming and Qiongxiao kill me?”

“To kill you, Dao friend, why would I need Zhao Gongming and Qiongxiao?” Li Changshou said calmly. “The dragon race has a few old dragons, as you should know.”

Wen Jing Dao Ren looked at Li Changshou and said somewhat helplessly:

“So, from beginning to end, I've been in your schemes.”

“You flatter me,” Li Changshou laughed. “I'm not the one moving the pieces—I'm just a pawn myself.”

Wen Jing Dao Ren nodded gently, looking up at the nine heavens above.

“The Ren School is usually so inactive, but when it comes to scheming, no one can match you.

Go on, what do you want me to do?”

Li Changshou smiled without speaking and, as they passed a tavern, gestured invitingly.

Wen Jing Dao Ren didn't understand but, with the rhythm now fully under Li Changshou's control, simply nodded and followed him. Without disturbing any mortals, they went to a private room on the top floor of the tavern.

Fourth move: have a drink.

Li Changshou brought out his immortal brew original liquor and said with a smile: “Today, let's follow the mortals' way and drink to drown our sorrows.”

After all, this effigy of his was just a paper one, so he feared nothing.

Wen Jing Dao Ren chuckled lightly and didn't refuse.

Soon, two night-light cups were filled and quickly emptied. After a few rounds, Wen Jing Dao Ren's gaze grew hazy.

It was probably a case of the drink not making her drunk, but her getting drunk on her own.

Li Changshou, after brewing and thinking for a long time, finally said something that might strike at this ruthless expert's core:

“Dao friend, have you ever asked yourself what all this rushing around is for?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren stared at the cup in her hand and said: “You should know why I follow them.”

Li Changshou: ...

He really didn't know that.

But that didn't stop him from continuing his scheme.

“Dao friend, have those people who've been using you ever looked at you properly?”

Images flashed in Wen Jing Dao Ren's mind as she turned to look out the window of the private room and said calmly:

“Why should I need their gaze?

I'm the ruler of my race, dominating the blood sea. If not for those two using my people's lives as leverage...”

“Dao friend,” Li Changshou interrupted seriously, “you can deceive others, but not yourself. Is that really what you think deep down?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren frowned slightly at Li Changshou, then tilted her head back to down another cup of the immortal brew. She clenched her fist, then gradually relaxed it, sighing:

“Fine, back then, I could have returned to the blood sea and escaped, but with the cycle of reincarnation established and the underworld set up, I had no place left. So, I thought of using my people's captivity as an excuse to fully align with the West.

I've never said these words to anyone before.

Are you satisfied now, Dao friend?”

“Since that's the case, let's speak openly,” Li Changshou said. “You should know that as long as the West needs you, you're safe and can gain some benefits.

But if the West rises greatly, what will happen to you?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren said softly: “I'd be utterly destroyed, turned to dust, and when they deal with me, probably no one would even know...

But I could hide in the Chaos Sea.”

Li Changshou looked at her with sincere eyes and asked quietly: “Could you really escape?”

Wen Jing Dao Ren fell silent, just giving a cold smile as she poured herself another drink and tossed it back.

“Say it—what do you want me to do, and what benefits can you offer?

If you can protect me from the saints, I'll defect to you.”

“I don't want you to do anything, and I have no use for you,” Li Changshou smiled, subtly moving to the next step.

Fifth move: painting a pie in the sky.

“But today, I can point you toward a clear path.”

Li Changshou dipped his finger in some wine and wrote two large characters on the table.

Heaven Court.

He said: “Dao friend, how much do you know about this place?”

“Heh,” Wen Jing Dao Ren laughed mockingly, “do you think it can protect me?”

Li Changshou smiled and added a character next to "Heaven Court."

Wen Jing Dao Ren's expression turned cold: “What use would they have for me?”

“Everything has yin and yang, heaven has day and night,” Li Changshou erased the characters and said. “For this place to rise, it needs both open majesty and hidden sharpness.

Do you know why, among the many vacant god positions in Heaven Court, there are both benevolent gods for aiding mortals and gods for spreading plagues?

That's the reason.”

Li Changshou took a cloth scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Wen Jing Dao Ren, saying calmly: “Today, you just need to make this Dao oath. When the time is right, answer my call, and I'll help you escape your suffering.

Then, you'll simply be a minister serving heaven in secret matters. Apart from His Majesty, you won't have to answer to anyone.”

Wen Jing Dao Ren looked at him with complex eyes, took the scroll, and slowly unrolled it.

She glanced up at Li Changshou...

Was this oath written by him?

Wen Jing Dao Ren nodded slowly and said: “I can make the oath, but you must agree to one condition.”

Li Changshou said: “Go ahead.”

“I want to meet the Great Mage of Xuan Du in the future.”

Li Changshou frowned slightly, not daring to agree lightly, but a sudden insight formed in his heart, turning into a single word:

Uh, was the saint lord watching? He hadn't said anything reckless earlier—all his words had been carefully considered at least a dozen times...

“Very well,” Li Changshou nodded immediately. “Make the oath.”

Wen Jing Dao Ren let out a light breath, never imagining she'd have to make such a tedious Dao oath twice in one day—and this one was even more perfect and comprehensive, even accounting for heavenly interference.

Indeed, she hadn't lost unjustly.