Chapter 207: This Matter, Gongming Has Decided to Help

When the two experts from the Xi Fang Jiao departed, their faces were as ashen as dried eggplants.

If they hadn't been concerned about maintaining the dignity of their great sect and feared another beating from Zhao Gongming, they might have started cursing up a storm.

Anyone in their position would have felt an unavoidable surge of anger.

Yet, they could only swallow their pride, slink away with their tails between their legs, return to their mountains for five hundred years of seclusion, and avoid wandering through the Honghuang world.

Once the two had gone far away, Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and pondered, reflecting on all that had just transpired.

After a moment, Zhao Gongming suddenly threw his head back and laughed uproariously, his laughter echoing for miles around.

“Ha ha ha ha!”

Though Huanglong Zhenren standing nearby didn't quite understand, he chuckled along a few times.

For a while, the sea surface was filled with the joyful laughter of these old men.

Li Changshou's paper effigy remained hidden, continuing to stay concealed in the sleeve of Huanglong Zhenren.

After all, the opponents might still launch a surprise counterattack; it was best not to reveal that he had been involved in the matter.

When Huanglong Zhenren had first sought him out, Li Changshou had considered the possibility that this could be a scheme targeting him.

But after careful deliberation, Li Changshou couldn't ignore the situation, as letting it slide might lead to even greater troubles for himself.

With his paper effigy technique now refined to perfection, even if he were caught in a trap, the worst outcome would be losing one paper effigy and wasting a bit of his tree essence.

So, he had come to this place and orchestrated things from behind the scenes.

Ahem, could this even be called orchestrating for disciples of the Dao gate?

Li Changshou had merely offered a few suggestions to these two Dao gate seniors, helping them escape their predicament and avoid future hassles—that was all.

Conveniently, he had used an oath to bind those two Xi Fang Jiao experts, keeping them from going out for five hundred years.

This was something Li Changshou had planned from the start.

For experts of Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren's level, five hundred years wasn't a long time—perhaps just the duration of a casual nap—and they might overlook such a restriction, agreeing to it easily.

But in Li Changshou's calculations, the next hundred years were crucial for the matter of the Long Clan ascending to heaven.

Even if temporarily reducing the Xi Fang Jiao's forces didn't have a major overall impact, it would make the future situation easier to control.

Huanglong Zhenren forced a few more laughs before asking, “Gongming, why are you laughing so heartily?”

“Ha ha ha, I'm laughing at those fools I've dealt with before!”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard smugly, exuding an air of heroic confidence, and said leisurely:

“Huanglong Shixiong, you may not know this, but earlier, my third sister Qiongxiao and I were in Xi Niu He Zhou, teaching a lesson to many of those Xi Fang Jiao followers we couldn't stand.

Today, these two tried to extort you using the same tactics they learned from us!

Unfortunately, they only picked up the superficial tricks!”

Li Changshou: ...

What was there to be proud of?

Why did he hear a sense of pride, like the honor of 'hard work leading to prosperity,' coming from this old extortionist?

Then he heard Zhao Gongming continue laughing:

“Ha ha ha, if it weren't for my second sister Yunxiao stopping me and Qiongxiao in time, who knows, the Xi Fang Jiao might be chasing us down right now, ha ha ha!

Who would have thought the way to counter this scheme is so simple!

Ha ha ha ha! It delights me to no end!”

Huanglong Zhenren's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Were all the Dao friends from Jie Jiao this unrestrained and carefree?

Suddenly, Huanglong Zhenren thought of something and lifted his sleeve, whispering into it:

“Sea God friend? Are you coming out?”

“Sea God old brother!”

Zhao Gongming eagerly leaned over, peering into the opening of Huanglong Zhenren's sleeve, and praised:

“Once again, I owe you a favor—I truly don't know how to repay you!”

Li Changshou: A photo collection of Lady Yunxiao!

Of course, Li Changshou would never say such a jest out loud; he only teased himself about it in his mind.

Li Changshou transmitted his voice:

“Senior, please find a secluded place. This junior has something to discuss.

This junior's cultivation is far inferior to you two seniors. If the Xi Fang Jiao finds out I was behind this scheme, they might really tear down my humble Sea God temple.”

“They wouldn't dare!?”

Zhao Gongming glared, his presence imposing and formidable.

Huanglong Zhenren nodded with a smile and said:

“Today, I owe you a favor, and I must think carefully about how to settle this karma.

Why don't we go to your Sea God temple, friend?”

“Let's go, let's go freeload some tea at the Sea God's place.”

Zhao Gongming called out, quickly erasing all traces of blood and aura from the area, then headed off with Huanglong Zhenren toward Nan Zhan Bu Continent.

Following Li Changshou's suggestion, the two Dao gate heavyweights changed their course and went to the main Sea God temple in An Shui City.

As clouds drifted over the five continents and wild geese returned to the heavens,

Li Changshou multitasked, glancing at his little grandmaster strolling in the back mountains with Master Wangqing, while activating another paper effigy hidden beneath An Shui City. In the rear hall of the Sea God temple, he made some preparations.

Before the two heavyweights arrived, the tea was already brewed, and the temple was temporarily sealed off.

As for how to befriend Huanglong Zhenren, gauge his attitude toward the Long Clan, and persuade him to help with the Long Clan's ascension to heaven... Li Changshou had already formulated a plan.

When Huanglong Zhenren and Zhao Gongming arrived, this mundane Sea God temple became a gathering of 'heavyweights' and 'pseudo-heavyweights' from the three branches of the Dao gate.

A few greetings of “Dao friend” and “Senior,” each bowing in respect, and they sat down for some small talk.

Zhao Gongming was in high spirits, recounting his past 'glorious exploits' to Huanglong Zhenren, while Li Changshou listened with a wry smile.

Fortunately, Zhao Gongming now understood that this extortion tactic was easy to counter, so he probably wouldn't use it much anymore.

Watching this scene...

With Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren sitting under the portrait of Tongtian Jiaozhu on the turf of a Ren Jiao disciple, chatting and joking casually, Li Changshou felt a slight unease in his heart.

Ever since he figured out his surroundings, he had an lingering sense of anxiety and tension about the Feng Shen calamity.

Seeing these two, who would later fiercely battle in the great calamity of Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao, now happily boasting and chatting...

'This is probably the most terrifying aspect of calamities,' he thought.

Li Changshou suppressed his inner reflections and smiled as he joined the conversation, subtly steering the topic toward Huanglong Zhenren.

Soon, Li Changshou hesitated as if about to speak but holding back, drawing questions from Huanglong Zhenren and Zhao Gongming.

Zhao Gongming waved his hand grandly and laughed:

“Sea God old brother, just say what's on your mind! There are no outsiders here!

You're a Ren Jiao disciple, and this Huanglong Zhenren is one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Yu Xu Gong. We're all one big Dao gate family. Acting so hesitant isn't treating us like friends!”

Li Changshou sighed lightly, seemingly addressing Zhao Gongming but actually speaking to Huanglong Zhenren:

“To be honest, this junior has recently encountered a tricky matter. It's not convenient to spell it out clearly—it's something... assigned.”

Li Changshou bowed toward the heavens above.

Zhao Gongming and Huanglong Zhenren both showed sudden realization and perked up, urging him to explain in detail.

Li Changshou said: “Huanglong Senior, I've heard rumors in the Honghuang that you are of Long Clan descent. Is that true or false?”

Huanglong Zhenren gave a slightly awkward smile and sighed:

“I am indeed from the Long Clan, but nowadays, the Long Clan doesn't really acknowledge me.

If we go by seniority, I'm of the same generation as the current Four Seas Dragon Kings, so I should call them brothers.”

Zhao Gongming, puzzled, asked, “Sea God old brother, why bring this up all of a sudden?”

Li Changshou dipped his finger in some tea and wrote the character “Tian” on the table, then wrote “Long” beside it.

Facing these saint disciples and one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Jiao, Li Changshou saw no need to hide anything. He directly explained the matter to Huanglong Zhenren and let him decide.

However, in explaining, Li Changshou was careful with his wording and tactics.

Listen as Li Changshou spoke cleverly, outlining the pros and cons—Huanglong Zhenren listened with a furrowed brow.

The Xi Fang Jiao was plotting to subdue the Long Clan;

The Long Clan itself was in dire straits, on the brink of collapse, with the four seas in peril;

The Ren Jiao had received the mandate of the Tian Dao to incorporate the Long Clan into the Tian Ting's ranks, with Xuan Du Dashi as the main overseer, and Li Changshou, the南海 Sea God, acting as his envoy.

“This matter would indeed be beneficial for the Long Clan.”

Huanglong Zhenren pondered for a moment, looking at Li Changshou, and said with a bitter smile: “It's just that I've lost most of my connections with the Long Clan. I'm afraid even if I speak up, they won't listen.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “Senior, do you still have any attachment to the Long Clan?”

This was a common subtle approach in the Honghuang—appealing to the heart.

“Of course, it's my roots,” Huanglong Zhenren sighed softly, his eyes distant. “No matter what, I won't abandon them.

It's just...

Ah, it's a long story, all from ancient times.”

Li Changshou said: “This junior has some interactions with the Long Clan, and my Sea God cult receives a share of their incense merit;

I can probably guess what you're sighing about, Senior.

Allow me to offer a bold piece of advice.”

Huanglong Zhenren smiled warmly and said earnestly: “You don't need to be so modest, friend. Please advise me.”

Li Changshou sighed slowly and began:

“From ancient times, the Long Clan has borne the karma of shattering the heavens, their fortunes waning as they struggle to survive, yet they refuse to fade away, resorting to laughable acts that tarnish their own reputation.

As someone who's been watching from the sidelines, Senior, you must know this better than anyone.

Why has it come to this?

The heroic spirits of the Long Clan's ambitious ones sigh and linger in the sea eyes, yearning for the clan to rise again in the Honghuang heavens, free from worries about their offspring hatching safely...

Senior, flowers turn to mud in spring, and leaves return to their roots.

The sins the Long Clan committed in ancient times must be borne through the long years ahead, but their current predicament can be improved through this matter.

At the very least, once the Tian Ting is complete and bolstered by the Tian Dao, if His Majesty speaks a word, the Long Clan could be spared much of the suffering of filling the sea eyes.

And the key to all this lies in the next hundred years...”

“Leaves return to their roots, flowers turn to mud.”

Huanglong Zhenren's eyes grew slightly vacant, sitting in his chair, lost in thought for a long time.

Suddenly...

“I'm in!”

Li Changshou turned to look at Zhao Gongming, who had suddenly become excited.

Zhao Gongming stood up directly, his eyes full of fervor, staring intently at Li Changshou, and declared firmly:

“I, Zhao Gongming, am committing to this Long Clan matter!”

Uh... eh?

Zhao Gongming continued shouting:

“After hearing what you said, Sea God old brother, I had no idea the Long Clan was in such a miserable state!

True, they carry immense karma, but bringing them into the Tian Ting's ranks would be a huge boon for the Tian Ting, the Three Realms, the Long Clan, and our Dao gate!

Old brother, tell us—what should we do!”

Li Changshou: ???

What on earth?

This was a massive karma, with little benefit beyond some merit—why was Zhao Gongming jumping in like this?

No!

Logically, upon hearing this, he should just observe quietly from the sidelines, right?

Anyone faced with such great karma and the Long Clan's boundless karma would avoid getting involved directly, at most offering some advice.

He was trying to persuade Huanglong Zhenren, and even this Long Clan-born Chan Jiao expert hadn't spoken up yet—why was Zhao Gongming getting so worked up?

Li Changshou had originally planned to inform Zhao Gongming as well, just to keep Jie Jiao in the loop and save face for their saint.

—He didn't believe for a second that Zhao Gongming would leak information to the Xi Fang Jiao.

But he never expected that his heartfelt words to Huanglong Zhenren would resonate so much with Zhao Gongming.

Just then, Huanglong Zhenren slapped the armrest of his chair and sighed:

“Leaves return to their roots—how can I watch the Long Clan fall to the schemes of the Xi Fang Jiao!

Thank you for enlightening me, friend. I'll go right now and persuade the leading Dragon Kings to submit to the Tian Ting!”

“Senior, wait, Senior!”

Li Changshou quickly stopped Huanglong Zhenren, explaining in detail how to plan this out.

Zhao Gongming, not treating himself as an outsider at all, stuffed his hands into his sleeves and leaned in close to Li Changshou and Huanglong Zhenren, nodding constantly and muttering, “Mhm,” “That's right,” “That's what I was thinking too.”

Li Changshou couldn't help but laugh and cry inside.

With Zhao Gongming forcing his way into this, there were advantages—they gained another strong ally.

But there were downsides too...

It seemed like he was getting more and more entangled with Zhao Gongming.

With things as they were, Li Changshou could only keep reminding the two heavyweights to keep it secret and not breathe a word to anyone, to avoid exposure.

Huanglong Zhenren initially felt that, as a Long Clan member, scheming against his own kind was somewhat improper;

But he also realized that what Li Changshou said was the most effective and reasonable approach.

Thus, this Twelve Golden Immortal of Chan Jiao gradually followed Li Changshou's lead, walking straight into the trap and settling comfortably at the bottom.

The process of persuading Huanglong Zhenren went unusually smoothly—so smoothly that Li Changshou felt a twinge of guilt.

Yet, Zhao Gongming jumped in again.

“Huanglong Shixiong, why don't we make a vow right here today!”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard seriously and said: “First, we won't leak this matter; second, whenever Sea God old brother calls, we'll come here immediately. What do you think?”

“Excellent!”

Right then, the two heavyweights made a simple vow in front of Li Changshou.

Then, Zhao Gongming took out three jade talismans and handed them to Li Changshou and Huanglong Zhenren.

“We'll use these talismans as our signal. When Sea God old brother crushes his, Huanglong Shixiong and I will sense it immediately!”

Huanglong Zhenren said firmly: “Agreed! Let's settle it this way!”

Zhao Gongming rolled up his sleeves and declared loudly: “Huanglong Shixiong, let's not bother Sea God old brother anymore!

Leave the brainwork to him—we'll prepare our divine powers and treasures to face those Xi Fang Jiao experts head-on!”

Huanglong Zhenren's face lit up with excitement, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Li Changshou: ...

Zhao Gongming's enthusiasm was no longer just a passive skill—it was like an army-level aura!

“Old brother, Shixiong, I'll take my leave first!

I'll go back, hone my divine powers, prepare my treasures, and wait for Sea God old brother's summons. No need to see me off!”

With that, Zhao Gongming strode away, stepping out of the rear hall and vanishing as a streak of light.

Huanglong Zhenren praised: “Gongming Shidi truly lives up to his reputation for righteousness and generosity! I'm impressed!

Sea God friend, farewell!”

The Zhenren sighed lightly, laughed a couple of times, and flew off on a cloud toward the north, leaving Li Changshou's paper effigy of an old immortal standing alone at the rear hall door.

A bit disoriented.