Chapter 220: A Dose of Strong Medicine

Buzz—

In the buzzing of the mosquito, Li Changshou detected a faint trace of probing and timidity...

This little blood mosquito seemed deeply aggrieved but dared not utter a word. It circled Li Changshou a couple of times before carefully landing on the ear tip of his Zhi Dao Ren.

Naturally, it was Wen Jing Dao Ren coming to deliver intelligence once more.

Previously, the one discovered and burst by Zhao Gongming was also such a blood mosquito...

Li Changshou was well aware;

To relay messages to him promptly, Wen Jing Dao Ren had used blood mosquitoes to infest a group of sea fish in the waters south of An Shui City, nurturing them with the faint souls of the fish.

When important matters arose, the blood mosquito would devour the fish's soul and rush directly from the South Sea.

Wen Jing Dao Ren's divine ability...

Though it harmed the harmony of heaven and earth, to be fair, it was indeed more convenient than his Zhi Dao Ren.

The key point was, it saved on trees.

"My lord," Wen Jing Dao Ren's voice reached Li Changshou's heart, carrying a touch of genuine grievance.

"Ah, earlier, the two daoist friends were here drinking tea, and one of them accidentally injured you," Li Changshou said warmly. "I couldn't explain your identity to them properly, so I feel a bit apologetic."

The little mosquito fluttered its wings;

Far away in a cave in Xi Niu Hezhou, Wen Jing Dao Ren couldn't help but roll her eyes.

What did that mean?

First scare, then soothe?

This approach was a bit too clichéd.

Did he really think she, Wen Jing Dao Ren, the queen of the Black Wing Blood Mosquito clan, would be so easily fooled?

Of course!

She would...

Through this blood mosquito, Wen Jing Dao Ren glanced at the landscape painting hanging in the back hall and recalled the fierce aura she had sensed earlier.

The one who had discovered her blood mosquito and directly burst it was the old man who had suddenly appeared before her that day!

Wen Jing Dao Ren absolutely wouldn't mistake him—even if he turned to ashes, she'd recognize that guy!

And this person, Wen Jing Dao Ren had now fully confirmed, was the outer disciple of Jie Jiao, the renowned Zhao Gongming with his chivalrous reputation!

Doing such things and still claiming to be chivalrous...

Hah! The disciples of Daoist saints are truly unrestrained, with hearts as dark as can be!

Hmph, the Hong Huang world.

Wen Jing Dao Ren grumbled inwardly but didn't dare show her true emotions, continuing to act aggrieved to lower the South Sea Sea God's guard against her.

Li Changshou lifted a cup of tea and said leisurely:

"What's the major event this time?"

"My lord, after your recent thwarting of their schemes, Western Cult suffered a defeat. Their six saint disciples were held back by Zhao Gongming alone, leading to a complete failure. They lost so many secretly recruited demon soldiers for nothing..."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Yes," the little mosquito drew closer and murmured softly.

Li Changshou's brows gradually furrowed deeper, and soon he waved his hand, dismissing Wen Jing Dao Ren.

The blood mosquito was about to self-destruct, but Li Changshou thought of something and said warmly:

"For the siege of the Dragon Palace, you delivered intelligence with merit;

A few days ago, when you were outside the Dragon Palace, I and the Grand Supreme were nearby. The Grand Supreme is now aware that you're working for Ren Jiao, so he won't kill you on sight in the future."

Wen Jing Dao Ren was startled at these words;

Before she could ask more, the blood mosquito burst with a pop, turning into a wisp of blood qi that quickly dissipated...

In that cave, Wen Jing Dao Ren sat up straight, inexplicably feeling her breathing quicken.

Her phoenix eyes slowly opened, and on her charming face, a hint of warmth appeared. Her lips curved up involuntarily, though she let out a soft hum.

"He... saw me, the queen?"

Wen Jing Dao Ren murmured to herself, lost in thought.

But soon, she put on a smug expression, slowly reclining again and continuing to manipulate her blood mosquito puppets scattered across the four seas.

She would pass on intelligence to Ren Jiao as required, but she couldn't neglect the tasks assigned by Western Cult.

'I wonder what Ren Jiao is plotting by having me continue to lurk in Western Cult.'

Wen Jing Dao Ren knew her place well.

To saints, she was merely a slightly stronger ant, so Ren Jiao probably wouldn't have her scheme against the two saints of Western Cult...

At most, they might use her for some dirty work like assassinations in the future.

'In the end, Ren Jiao and Western Cult are pretty much the same—big sects are all like that.'

Wen Jing Dao Ren licked her red lips, her eyes growing even more alluring.

But the saint disciples on both sides were worlds apart. On Ren Jiao's side, figures like the Grand Supreme and the various mages stirred her appetite...

In An Shui City, in the Sea God Temple.

As soon as the blood mosquito dispersed, Li Changshou stood up and paced slowly, carefully pondering the message from Wen Jing Dao Ren.

Western Cult had just held a post-defeat review meeting. According to Wen Jing Dao Ren, one of the saint disciples was furious and talked about plotting against Zhao Gongming, but the others didn't respond.

Indeed, the ones overseeing the dragon taming efforts in Western Cult were these saint disciples; the saints themselves hadn't made a move.

Just as he had worried, Zhao Gongming's enmity level with Western Cult was too high...

But Wen Jing Dao Ren only overheard them mention it; the details of how they would plot, or when, remained unknown.

Zhao Gongming had just left, saying he was returning to Emei Mountain for cultivation, and that if anything came up, his Sea God brother should go directly to Luofu Cave on Emei Mountain.

How should he warn Zhao Gongming to be careful?

Or perhaps suggest that Zhao Gongming go to San Xian Island to lie low?

After some serious thought, Li Changshou felt that with Zhao Gongming's abilities and status, he wasn't someone Western Cult could easily plot against.

Among Western Cult's saint disciples, there weren't any particularly strong experts, and the great luck of the world was now with the human race and Daoism.

He didn't really need to worry about Zhao Gongming;

With the Grand Supreme's promise, Zhao Gongming should be safe facing Western Cult.

In other words, unless the Feng Shen calamity descended and Daoism turned on itself, for outsiders to target Zhao Gongming would be as difficult as slapping Tongtian Jiaozhu directly.

'If I were to plot against Zhao Gongming, what method would I use?'

Li Changshou began to think from their perspective and quickly came up with a couple of ideas, but each one was like walking a tightrope over a cliff—any mistake would mean his own demise.

So...

"I can only wish for Zhao Gongming to stay safe and sound, living a long life through the ages."

Li Changshou chuckled lightly.

Then, he started analyzing the second piece of information from Wen Jing Dao Ren—their follow-up arrangements.

Western Cult hadn't given up on their dragon taming endeavor...

This put Li Changshou's mind at ease.

These past few days, he'd been worried that Western Cult might crumble at the first setback and abandon pressuring the dragon race, turning Heavenly Court's plan to play the fisherman into a pipe dream.

This was perfect;

Even in defeat, they remained undaunted, rallying to scheme more plots and persist in their original goals—truly a model for the great sects of the Hong Huang world!

In fact, Western Cult's saint disciples had now confirmed that Daoism had its eyes on the dragon race as well;

Compared to the three teachings of Daoism, Western Cult wasn't lacking except in luck. If they backed down easily, wouldn't that mean they feared Daoism?

Even just to compete with Daoism and save face, they had to quickly subdue the dragon race.

Things had become more complicated, yet simpler in a way.

Due to this setback, Western Cult had become much more cautious.

Based on the intelligence from Wen Jing Dao Ren, Western Cult's next focus would be on Xi Hai Dragon Palace. They planned to use puppets to gradually infiltrate the dragon race, exploit internal conflicts, and push the dragon race to the brink.

In the battle at Ao Yi's wedding, though the sea race rebels suffered heavy losses, the relationship between the four seas' sea races and the dragon race had reached a freezing point;

A little provocation could spark even larger rebellions.

Moreover, Western Cult would mobilize more forces from the three thousand worlds to continue besieging the dragon race.

They aimed to crush the dragon race's proud demeanor and make them kneel at the foot of Ling Mountain, begging Western Cult to take them in...

'Western Cult wants to rise greatly, so they seek to subdue the dragon race.

But what exactly are the benefits of this great rise? Just to become stronger?'

This question suddenly popped into Li Changshou's mind, but after careful analysis, he gained nothing.

"Forget it, peace is the ultimate blessing."

With that, Li Changshou sent this Zhi Dao Ren back to the underground repository, shifting most of his focus to the wedding banquet at East Sea Dragon Palace. He continued chatting and enjoying drinks with Yue Lao, the heavenly generals, and the incarnation of the Jade Emperor.

Music and dance resumed around the grand hall, with sea nymphs and pearl maidens weaving through, carrying various delicacies. As soon as an empty plate appeared, they swiftly replaced it.

The Crystal Palace was lively everywhere, a scene of peace and prosperity.

Of course, Ao Yi and Jiang Si Er were no longer there;

Following dragon race customs, the couple had gone to their new chambers and wouldn't emerge for three months to serve tea to the Dragon King.

During this time, the bridal chamber was protected by multiple layers of dragon race arrays, making it hard for ordinary experts to peer inside—leaving them free to do as they pleased.

Li Changshou had just exchanged a few casual words with Yue Lao when a scene suddenly flashed in his mind:

At Xiao Qiong Peak, Ling E was riding a cloud toward the alchemy room.

Li Changshou immediately smiled and said: "Yue Lao, please keep an eye on my incarnation for a moment; I have something to handle elsewhere."

"Very well."

Yue Lao nodded with a smile, already accustomed to this.

In front of the alchemy room, Ling E, dressed in a simple white flowing skirt, descended slowly on her cloud.

For some reason this time, Ling E didn't stride in boldly. Instead, she tiptoed to the door, peeked in with her head—her hair neatly tied up—and called softly:

"Senior brother..."

"What's the matter?"

Li Changshou's figure rose from in front of the alchemy furnace and turned to face Ling E.

But Ling E's face suddenly flushed, and she whispered: "Senior ancestor wants you to come over."

"Summoning is summoning; Senior ancestor is our elder, no need for such formality."

Li Changshou adjusted his robe and, seeing Ling E's state, quickly understood.

"Did Senior ancestor ask you something that embarrassed you?"

"Senior brother, you heard?"

Ling E was a bit surprised.

Li Changshou shook his head and chided with a laugh: "It's written all over your face—who needs to listen?

Let's go and see. It seems Senior ancestor has run out of patience and wants to take things further with Wangqing Shangren.

That's not bad at all."

"Mm!"

Ling E pursed her lips and followed behind her senior brother on the cloud, inadvertently drawing a little closer to him;

But as she looked at Li Changshou's back, she couldn't help but recall the moment by the lake... when her senior brother suddenly...

Sizzle...

Hm? Li Changshou turned back curiously to glance at his junior sister, only to see Ling E covering her face with both hands, white smoke rising from her head...

Li Changshou was also taken aback.

This girl, why hasn't she gotten over it? It's been over a decade!

It was just a playful tap—thankfully, he hadn't actually...

Ahem, better not dwell on that, lest thoughts lead to actions.

Li Changshou led Ling E on the cloud to the thatched hut. Ling E had intended to slip away, but Jiang Lin Er's voice already came from inside:

"Ling E, come in too."

Ling E had no choice but to lower her head and agree, following her senior brother into the room.

Jiang Lin Er, in a simple elegant dress, knelt behind a low table, her pretty face full of seriousness;

As the two entered, she raised her hand to set up several layers of barriers, then looked at Li Changshou with a stern expression.

With a thud, Jiang Lin Er clenched her left fist and lightly struck the table.

"From now on! No one is allowed to laugh!"

The senior brother and sister were a bit puzzled.

"Senior ancestor, rest assured," Li Changshou said, "no matter how funny what we hear is, we won't laugh—at least, not out loud."

Ling E nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Yes, Senior ancestor, rest assured!"

"I!"

Jiang Lin Er took a deep breath, then instantly lost her composure. She sighed heavily, slumped over the table, and in a hoarse, weak voice like that of someone starving or dying of thirst, she murmured:

"Changshou, come help me. Your senior ancestor can't hold on any longer."

"Senior ancestor... what's specifically wrong?"

"Um..."

Jiang Lin Er's face turned red, but she quickly composed herself, sat up straight, and even put her hands on her hips.

As long as she was confident enough, any embarrassment would vanish.

"To put it bluntly! I want to take things further with Fu Gui Er!

Ling E said you have some Valiant Heart Pills; give me a few, and I'll make him take them to cook the rice while it's still raw!"

Li Changshou: ...

He turned to glance at Ling E, who quickly shook her head—this definitely wasn't her idea!

Senior ancestor had been out in the world, after all; what hadn't she seen? As for matters between men and women, even if she hadn't eaten the spirit pork, she'd seen it run.

"Senior ancestor, while Valiant Heart Pills might work, they're not the right remedy."

Li Changshou smiled slightly and placed a bottle of the liquid used to refine Valiant Heart Pills on the table in front of her.

"Senior ancestor, this is called Qing Shui, made from love gu and one of the main ingredients for Valiant Heart Pills. You can mix it into wine...

But before using it, it's best to tell Wangqing Shangren, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

"You really have this stuff?!"

Jiang Lin Er blinked lightly, tucked the porcelain bottle away, coughed twice, and lectured righteously:

"Changshou, don't go messing around with this kind of thing.

Matters between men and women should happen naturally. Look at the pills you're refining—Valiant Heart Pills, Qing Shui...

How could you stoop to that?"

"Senior ancestor, one bottle of Qing Shui costs six thousand six hundred spirit stones."

"Uh, in all other aspects, you're quite outstanding, ha ha, ha ha ha!

I'll go prepare the wine first!"

With that, she hurried out.