Chapter 227: Mr. Zhao's... Fangirl?

Li Changshou had already anticipated this situation.

Moreover, the timing of this event was much later than he had expected.

The secret instigation of Jie Jiao immortals to target the Nanhai Sea God, who had ties to Ren Jiao... This wasn't a particularly clever scheme; it was more like a countermeasure, indicating that Western Teachings had started to take seriously the influence of this Sea God on Dragon Clan matters.

Before the six Jie Jiao immortals arrived to demand an explanation, Li Changshou used his immortal sense to scan the various areas of Xiao Qiong Peak.

He wondered if the seeds he had planted today would bear fruit next year, perhaps bringing a new little shishu or something...

Tsk, after all this fuss, the story of the reserved and wealthy Fuguifu and the proud and tsundere Shizu had finally settled down peacefully.

Li Changshou fully understood how troublesome and difficult it was for people with such non-ordinary personalities to form a dao companion bond.

This was despite the two old immortals having thousands of years of emotional foundation, and in the end, the little shizu decisively pushed things forward...

Oh well, better not dwell on it.

Scheming like this was far less relaxing than engaging in wits with Western Teachings, maintaining a superficial monarch-minister relationship with the Jade Emperor, or being brothers with the Dragon Clan.

On top of that, he could use these events to gauge just how much merit his conscience was worth.

The six Jie Jiao immortals had reached a spot about a hundred li south of An Shui City.

The paper effigy of the old immortal stood up, holding a horsetail whisk, and said:

“Seal the temple and welcome the noble guests.”

Outside the main hall, divine messengers immediately responded and hurried into action.

The temple had stopped receiving worshippers half an hour earlier, and now they were just escorting the lingering visitors out.

Soon after, a group of burly men lined up outside the main hall, each exuding a fierce and murderous aura.

For friends from the primordial world like Zhao Daye, there would be fine wine and tea here.

But for these six unfamiliar immortals coming to demand an explanation, there was... a group of muscular men whose arms could support a galloping horse.

“Stay serious, all of you!”

The shamans from Xiong Village guarding the door shouted a few times, bringing laughter and a cheerful, muscular vibe to the Sea God Temple.

The six Jie Jiao immortals had already appeared in the sky.

Li Changshou rode a cloud upward to greet them. This effigy wore a warm smile, appearing very benevolent and giving off an air of someone who had seen it all and let go of worldly concerns.

Of course, this wasn't the kind of "letting go" that meant "not backing down from a fight," but rather an aura of "letting go without striving or seizing."

It was also a form of camouflage, using this effigy to make the other side think of the Nanhai Sea God as just an old man, thereby protecting his true self.

When Li Changshou reached the air, the six exchanged glances, and a young woman in a light yellow short skirt stepped forward half a step, positioning herself in front of the other five.

Clearly, she was the one in charge.

No need to elaborate on the young woman's appearance—reaching the Jin Xian realm meant most were quite beautiful, unless they had some special preferences.

What caught the eye was her unique outfit, different from most female cultivators.

She wore a short skirt, cloth boots, hand flowers, and bracelets, with her long hair tied into two "xiao long bao" buns, giving her a youthful vibe.

But the pressure emanating from her...

This was a genuine Jin Xian, not like their own Hollow Sect leader Ji Wuyou's ordinary level!

She was quite polite, furrowing her brow and saying:

“Are you the Nanhai Sea God?”

“It is I,” Li Changshou nodded with a smile. “I already know why you fellow daoists have come. Please, let's go to the temple for a discussion, and I'll explain everything.

After all, this is the mortal world, and it's best not to alarm the ordinary people.”

The Jin Xian young woman blinked and suddenly pointed to the bustling streets around the Sea God Temple, as lively as ever.

“Do they look alarmed?”

Li Changshou turned to look and saw people going about their business as usual—only a few children and some distant visitors were gazing up at the scene in the sky...

The people of An Shui City were already accustomed to immortals visiting the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou gave an awkward smile and said, “Still, it's not quite appropriate.”

“Hmph,” the young woman smirked. “From what I see, it's because you have something to hide!

Since you know why we're here, let me ask you straight: Did you scheme against my Jie Jiao outer disciple?”

Li Changshou frowned. “Why do you say that? We should go to the back hall first; some things aren't suitable to discuss here.”

“Since you have nothing to hide, why insist on talking in secret?”

The young woman narrowed her eyes, staring into Li Changshou's eyes. “You must have schemed against Gongming shixiong.”

Li Changshou: ...

On this point, he dared to swear a heavy oath—it was Zhao Gongming who had jumped into the pit himself that day!

Originally, Li Changshou had only intended to persuade Huanglong Zhenren, but who knew Zhao Gongming would be so chivalrous and impassioned, shouting about the unity of the three teachings and charging straight to the bottom of the pit.

And even lying down there!

But now, Li Changshou could only try to deflect her first. Speaking here might reveal too much information...

Li Changshou said, “You claim I schemed against Gongming Qianbei—do you have any evidence or witnesses?”

The young woman looked puzzled. “What's evidence or witnesses?”

“People or things that can prove it.”

“Everyone on the island has been saying so; that can't be false!”

The young woman in the yellow skirt straightened up proudly and said coldly, “It's not like someone made it up out of thin air to target a mere incense wild god like you.

Western Teachings and Jie Jiao are both major teachings of the world—what's your background, anyway?”

Hearing this, Li Changshou wasn't angry; in fact...

He felt like laughing a little.

Her words showed that his hidden disguise was still passing muster.

Moreover, her statement had revealed a lot of information.

These six immortals were probably the "onlookers" stirred up on Jin'ao Island, rushing over to demand an explanation without even knowing about the Nanhai Sea God's connection to Ren Jiao...

People like this were usually not hard to persuade.

But as the saying goes, even a hawk gives its all when hunting a rabbit, so Li Changshou wouldn't hold back.

Li Changshou smiled. “As for background, I can be considered part of Ren Jiao. If you didn't know that, you might want to check around first.”

“You're from Ren Jiao?”

Li Changshou just smiled without answering, letting a hint of dao rhythm flow from him. The expressions of the six Jie Jiao immortals changed slightly.

"The Wúwéi Jing" and "Tàiqīng Dàohán" were essentially from the same lineage—the former was a pure cultivation method, while the latter included various saintly discourses beyond just practice.

In terms of value, the "Tàiqīng Dàohán" gifted by the Grandmaster was naturally more precious.

What Li Changshou revealed was a trace of dao rhythm from "Tàiqīng Dàohán," serving as proof of his Ren Jiao identity.

The young woman in yellow furrowed her brow slightly.

A middle-aged man beside her arched his hands and said with a smile, “We were a bit rash earlier; we didn't realize you were also from the Daoist lineage. Please don't take offense, fellow daoist.”

Li Changshou smiled warmly. “Now that that's clear, will you all come inside for a talk?”

“Of course,” the young woman huffed. “Even if you are from Ren Jiao, if you really schemed against Gongming shixiong, I won't let you off!”

Why this tone?

Li Changshou curiously sized up the somewhat headstrong young woman. Could she be... Zhao Daye's romantic interest?

Thinking of Zhao Daye's handsome, burly figure with his beard, and then looking at this young woman...

Well, in the primordial world, such things were commonplace.

Li Changshou turned and made a welcoming gesture, sweeping his whisk as he led the six downward.

The lined-up divine messengers on both sides bowed in unison, their movements neat and imposing.

The six Jin'ao Island immortals each frowned, with the other five following the young woman in yellow as they entered the back hall together.

Once they were in the Sea God Temple's domain, things would be much easier to handle.

Leading the way, Li Changshou lightly flicked his whisk, and the six followed his gaze to...

That landscape painting.

As Jie Jiao disciples, the young woman in yellow had even heard the saint lecture several times, so her delicate face showed a hint of shock.

Not just her—the other five also sensed the sword intent within the painting and the familiar traces of the great dao...

This was!

The six exchanged glances, each seeing wariness in the others' eyes.

The young woman in yellow frowned slightly but asked directly:

“Why do you have a painting by our saint here?”

Li Changshou smiled calmly. “A gift from a friend.”

The six Jie Jiao immortals immediately began to speculate wildly.

Li Changshou said, “Please, fellow daoists, have a seat.

I'll explain everything you want to know in detail.

And please pass this on to the other daoists on Jin'ao Island, so we can avoid such misunderstandings.”

The six Jie Jiao immortals didn't say much and sat down on either side.

The young woman in yellow asked, “So this is all a misunderstanding?”

“Of course it is,” Li Changshou chuckled. “Before we get to that, let's exchange names first.

I'm from Ren Jiao, currently making a living with the Sea God faith and some incense merit. My dao title is... Changgeng.”

“So it's Changgeng fellow daoist!”

One of them instinctively arched his hands in greeting, but was glared at by the young woman in yellow, so he just nodded awkwardly.

The six introduced themselves, and though the young woman didn't speak, someone else did for her:

“This is Jin Guang Shengmu from the Ten Heavenly Lords on Jin'ao Island.”

Jin Guang Shengmu? This somewhat headstrong young woman?

Li Changshou sighed inwardly.

Another unfortunate soul from the Fengshen calamity, a future celestial official of Heaven?

Jin Guang Shengmu was one of the Ten Heavenly Lords, the sworn sister of Qin Wan (Qin Tianjun), not the powerful inner disciple Jin Ling Shengmu.

Li Changshou had a clear impression of this Jin Guang Shengmu.

In the Fengshen calamity, she met a tragic end, joining the other nine Heavenly Lords in setting up the Ten Absolutes Array, only to become a foil for the Chan Jiao Twelve Golden Immortals. She was struck on the head by Guangchengzi's Fantian Seal and perished.

But really, why did Jie Jiao love titles like "Shengmu" so much? "Shengniang" was so much more straightforward.

And...

Li Changshou said with a smile, “Ah, so it's Jin Guang Qianbei. My apologies for the oversight.”

Separating "Jin Guang" made it really mismatch her delicate, youthful appearance.

“Hmph!”

Jin Guang Shengmu smirked. “Don't think that just because you know some high figures in Jie Jiao, you can scheme against our Gongming shixiong!

Get to the point; I'll listen.

If you dare lie even a little, I'll tear down your Sea God Temple today!”

“Very well,” Li Changshou nodded slowly, beginning today's session of...

The classical revival of the art of language.

Li Changshou asked, “How well do you all know Gongming Qianbei?”

The other five fell silent.

Only Jin Guang Shengmu said calmly, “Of course I know him well. I've been acquainted with Gongming shixiong for a yuan hui. When I first arrived on Jin'ao Island, he took great care of me.”

“And how do the rest of you prove you're Jie Jiao immortals?”

Li Changshou quickly added, “Don't misunderstand; what I have to say involves Gongming fellow daoist's secrets.

You can each make a great dao oath to prove you're Jie Jiao immortals, and then I'll tell you everything I can.”

“Make an oath? Fine, I’m not afraid!”

Jin Guang Shengmu stepped forward first, raising her hand to swear a great dao oath, stating that if she wasn't Jin Guang from the Ten Heavenly Lords of Jin'ao Island, she would suffer the Zixiao divine thunder.

The others followed suit, all verifying their Jie Jiao identities.

Once they had sworn, Li Changshou sighed softly and said, “In that case, do you all think Gongming Qianbei is foolish or wise?”

“Of course he's wise!”

Jin Guang Shengmu immediately replied, “How can you speak like that? Gongming shixiong is chivalrous and upright—who doesn't know that?

He takes care of us all and is incredibly clever!”

“Exactly. So, why would you think I could scheme against Gongming Qianbei?”

Li Changshou countered, and Jin Guang Shengmu blinked, finding his words...

Quite reasonable.

“Ah, since you've asked, I'll tell you the whole story in detail,” Li Changshou sighed and began sharing his on-the-spot crafted tale.

He started from his first meeting with Sea God Gongming, moved to the grievances between Gongming and Western Teachings, and then described how he had gone to Sanxian Island to ask Yunxiao Xianzi for help in persuading Gongming Qianbei...

Late at night, the six Jie Jiao immortals rose on clouds from the Sea God Temple's backyard, their faces full of remorse.

Before leaving, the originally headstrong Jin Guang Shengmu bit her lip and bowed repeatedly to Li Changshou, saying:

“It was I who wronged you earlier, Changgeng fellow daoist. I almost fell for someone else's scheme—please forgive me.”

“If this harmed Gongming shixiong's opportunity, I don't know what I'd do... Ah...”

“Changgeng fellow daoist, please accept these small gifts as a token of respect, and continue to offer advice for our Gongming shixiong.”

Li Changshou just nodded with a smile and watched them leave on their clouds, not accepting their gifts.

Once Jin Guang Shengmu was far away, Li Changshou finally let out a light breath.

From her behavior today, she seemed to be one of Zhao Daye's... Jin Xian realm admirers, the kind with long-standing affection she dared not confess.

Zhao Gongming Qianbei probably wasn't interested in dao companions, so Jin Guang Shengmu could only keep her feelings buried.

Li Changshou carefully reviewed the story he had told—there was no deception, just some parts vaguely handled without revealing any schemes related to the Dragon Clan.

He didn't know if more Jie Jiao immortals would come to demand explanations later.

“If they keep coming, it really will drain too much of my energy.”

Li Changshou murmured, sighing lightly. Just as he was about to use earth escape to leave, he suddenly heard a familiar, gentle voice from behind:

“Fellow daoist, aren't you going to turn around?”