Chapter 354: Three Steps One Course of Treatment

Is this the legendary first peacock of heaven and earth?

Li Changshou's paper effigy stood on the clouds, gazing in the direction where Kong Xuan had vanished with that young woman, his heart stirring with wave after wave of thoughts.

First, he needed to offer a sincere apology to Da Zhangshi.Earlier, he had briefly used Da Zhangshi as a shield.But it wasn't too serious!He hadn't made any promises on Da Zhangshi's behalf; he had just subtly described Da Zhangshi's current life and mentioned Lao Chunyang's emotional state in a roundabout way...

From their brief conversation, it was clear that Kong Xuan held some admiration for Da Zhangshi.The records he had seen in ancient texts were probably just simplified versions; the actual events back then must have been far more complex...As an unofficial disciple of the saints, he wasn't in a position to say much about it.

In their exchange, Li Changshou hadn't learned more about Kong Xuan's origins, only confirming that Kong Xuan was from the Feng clan.—He couldn't just outright ask about someone's background, after all.From Kong Xuan's behavior this time, this Feng clan expert harbored no malice toward the human race, though he wasn't particularly benevolent either.It was a typical attitude of an innate spirit, viewing humans from an external perspective—humans were utterly insignificant to him, something that could exist or not without mattering.

Youqin Xuanya had felt indignant earlier and wanted to punish the man-eating peacock demon, and that wasn't wrong.It was just a difference in perspective.

"Ah..."

Li Changshou sighed softly, turning to descend below.If Kong Xuan truly admired Da Zhangshi, why not have Da Zhangshi make a personal sacrifice to bring such a powerful ally to Ren Jiao?Hmph, Da Zhangshi is always scheming to have him abduct Yunxiao Xianzi, yet he keeps experts like this at arm's length...Leading by example is what a senior brother should truly do!Besides, if romance isn't an option, they could always go with brotherhood.Xuan or Xuan, either way works for that side...

Li Changshou chuckled to himself, suddenly imagining a future Honghuang news headline:Shocking! Explosive! A Heavenly Oddity!At the fourth lecture in Zi Xiao Gong, two ruthless figures of Honghuang, Wen Dao Ren and Kong Xuan, actually brawled over a seat next to Xuan Du Da Zhangshi!

Just kidding, just kidding.

Li Changshou tended to think things through comprehensively, which often led him to some rather amusing observations.For instance, that peacock young woman from earlier.Kong Xuan's gender was indeterminate, and he was the first peacock in heaven and earth, so how did that peacock young woman come about?Tsk, that question is quite profound in the philosophy of Honghuang.

As the white clouds lowered and moonlight scattered down,Li Changshou looked at Youqin Xuanya, who was silently bowing her head beside him, and his thoughts turned, considering how to make her realize just how dangerous today had been...

Incidentally, when he had previously sent a voice transmission to Youqin Xuanya, he had already noticed that Kong Xuan had no intention of killing the human cultivators here, so he hadn't planned to show himself;To keep Youqin Xuanya quiet, he had used his own voice.But unexpectedly, Kong Xuan had intercepted his immortal sense transmission, and in that brief moment, Li Changshou could only make the choice that minimized losses—Step forward as the "Little Mage" and later ensure You Du kept the secret.

Several Du Xian Men elders stepped forward and bowed to Li Changshou, saying,"Elders of Du Xian Men pay respects to the senior, and thank you for your lifesaving grace!"

"First, go settle those mortals,"Li Changshou glanced at the figures in the iron cages and instructed, "Remember to inform the mortal authorities. They've been through a fright and need time to recover."

The elders replied in unison, "Yes!"

They weren't fools; from Li Changshou's conversation with Kong Xuan, they had already grasped his identity as a Ren Jiao expert.With Li Changshou's instructions, these elders would handle everything meticulously.

"Xuanya," Li Changshou deliberately put on an air of authority and said, "Come with me. I have a technique to teach you."

Youqin Xuanya knew her Shixiong Changshou didn't want his identity revealed, so she nodded lightly and said, "Thank you, senior."

Li Changshou summoned a cloud again, taking Youqin Xuanya to a nearby cliff. He produced two meditation cushions and gestured for her to sit.

Youqin Xuanya bowed slightly and sat down cross-legged, her head lowered as she stared at her slender fingers, her eyes growing even dimmer...

Li Changshou raised his hand to set up a layer of immortal force barrier around them, then handed her a cyan-blue jade talisman, advising,"Youqin Shimei, keep this on you at all times to guard against anyone probing your mind."

In public, he called her "Xuanya" to emphasize the "high person" aura of his Little Mage identity, but in private, there was no need for that.

"Thank you, Shixiong."

She sighed softly, her expression full of melancholy, and murmured, "Changshou Shixiong... have I done something wrong again?"

"Oh?"

Li Changshou sat down cross-legged beside her and smiled. "What did you do wrong?"

"That was clearly an existence we couldn't oppose," Youqin Xuanya said, her gaze turning aside, some words on the tip of her tongue, "but I felt... felt..."

In the end, she swallowed them back, her eyes filled with gloom and self-reproach.

Li Changshou smiled and continued, "You felt that even if it meant being killed, you should still voice what needed to be said and ensure the deserving were punished...Is that it?"

Youqin Xuanya was slightly startled and turned to look at Li Changshou's paper effigy's profile, murmuring, "Shixiong..."

Li Changshou sighed lightly, gazing at the edge of the night sky, his voice growing more distant."Youqin Shimei, when I was as naive as you, our tempers were exactly alike."

Youqin Xuanya blinked, staring at this unfamiliar profile, listening carefully.

Li Changshou said slowly,"But Youqin Shimei, you're different from me. Even after facing setbacks and blows, you haven't given up your principles.I'm like most people—I encountered a couple of hardships and actively smoothed my edges, adapting to think about my surroundings, and gradually let the environment shape me..."

As he spoke, images from his past life flashed through his mind, which he quickly dismissed.

"Youqin Shimei, I actually thought about how to lecture you properly earlier.I should have made you understand the dangers of Honghuang, explained that provoking such a powerful being would only lead to pointless death, no matter how loudly you shouted, and it might even endanger those elders' lives.I wanted to remind you of the survival rules for the weak and that actions need strategy.But when the words reached my lips, I suddenly realized...I just didn't want to admit that I'd been defeated by my environment, and I was trying to tell someone who dares to challenge it that she must surrender like I did.Ah... Do you understand?"

Youqin Xuanya lowered her head in thought for a moment, then nodded honestly. "Mm!"

"I'm praising you."

A faint blush colored Youqin Xuanya's cheeks as she whispered, "Is Shixiong saying I'm stubborn?"

"No, no, it's not stubbornness—it's just that you're a bit headstrong."

Li Changshou shook his head. "On this matter, I won't interfere with your decisions or take on the karma you create.But Shimei, some things may be principled, yet you still need to consider the surrounding circumstances.I'm just a projection here; dying wouldn't matter, but those elders, the generals, even the existence of Honglin Kingdom—all hung on that senior's whim!Youqin Shimei, look at this."

Li Changshou beckoned with his hand, and a paper effigy emerged from the earth escape, bringing a basket... of eggs.

Youqin Xuanya frowned as she watched. Li Changshou summoned a large stone, placed it in front of them, and threw an egg at it.

The egg shattered instantly, yolk and white splattering everywhere."See, that's the consequence your actions could lead to."

Youqin Xuanya murmured, "The egg breaks..."

"And it's completely smashed," Li Changshou said, taking another egg and gently pushing it against the stone, moving the stone slightly without damaging the egg.

Youqin Xuanya looked thoughtful.

Li Changshou suddenly felt like he had become one of those "masters" from old jokes, but he was seriously teaching and professionally "curing" her stubbornness. He had to use this incident to stop Youqin Xuanya's headstrong behavior.

"What are you thinking?"

"To be more strategic..."

Li Changshou smiled and handed her two eggs. "Here's a question for you.In the same situation, if you still chose to stand up, to insist on punishing that peacock young woman and upholding your sense of justice, how could you express it so the egg doesn't break and the stone moves lightly?"

Youqin Xuanya pursed her lips, holding an egg in each hand, and slowly closed her eyes.

Li Changshou activated the Heart Seal Curse, his ethereal voice ringing in her ears and imprinting in her mind:"Youqin Shimei, your heart of chivalry is more precious than the Dao fruit of longevity, but remember to use it in the right places. Only when the power protecting it grows strong enough can it shine with even greater brilliance.So, don't let yourself be used—learn to judge the times, avoid rash bravery, and know when to advance and when to retreat.Simple ideas of right and wrong, good and evil, only fit peaceful environments like mountain cultivation. In Honghuang, right and wrong are intertwined, with no absolute good or evil...I hope you can learn to protect yourself and those around you, while keeping that precious and noble heart.I've already been tainted by my surroundings and fear that one day I'll lose my original sense of right, wrong, good, and evil. Having someone like you will always remind and guide me..."

Gradually, Youqin Xuanya clutched the two eggs and entered a state of enlightenment...

Li Changshou discreetly withdrew the jade talisman he had been holding in his left hand and tucked it back into his storage pouch, feeling the gentle night breeze.This time, it should work.If not, he'd really have to keep You Du confined to the sect for cultivation and stop her from running around outside.

Two hours later...

"Changshou Shixiong, I'll first emphasize the Ren Jiao lineage, then assert that we're in the right regarding today's events..."

Youqin Xuanya opened her eyes, her words trailing off.

The barrier around them was still up, and the jade talisman on her waist ring glowed softly, but the cushion beside her was empty—the figure had already left.

Just then, a voice transmission entered her mind:"Remember, the Ren Jiao Little Mage has no connection to Du Xian Men."

Youqin Xuanya exhaled lightly and nodded firmly, her ponytail swaying gently as she responded.

She stood up and bowed toward the eastern horizon where the sun would rise.

When she straightened, her face no longer showed the earlier confusion. She looked more confident now, with a touch more thoughtfulness in her eyes, standing quietly by the cliff edge, her figure ethereal.

As the barrier dissipated, the elders approached and heard her say,"Xuanya thanks the senior for guiding me out of my confusion."

At once, the Du Xian Men elders smiled knowingly.

Youqin Xuanya glanced at the basket of eggs, picked it up, and turned to meet the elders.

"Xuanya, let's go find your Shidi."

"Earlier, Xuanya was reckless and nearly put the elders in danger. Please punish me!"

"Uh..."

The elders exchanged glances, a bit bewildered, and whispered among themselves.

"What's wrong with this child?"

"Has she been possessed? Does that sound like something Xuanya would say?"

"What should we do? Should we restrain her and take her back to the sect for the sect leader to check her primordial spirit?"

"Let's observe first. Quick, respond!"

Youqin Xuanya tilted her head slightly, and the elders hastily assured her it was nothing, suddenly feeling a bit flustered.

Underground nearby, Li Changshou's paper effigy smiled faintly.He would continue to observe secretly and see how effective the "cure" had been.

By the time the sun rose in the east, the Water God Manor was already bustling.

Li Changshou's paper effigy in the Heavenly Court changed into a pristine white robe and combed his white hair and beard in the mirror.

Should he go tell Da Zhangshi about the "Kong Xuan senior"?Better not— he had just parted from Da Zhangshi not long ago, and going back so soon would seem too frequent.Besides, how would he even bring it up?'Hehehe, Da Zhangshi, your disciple ran into a girl named Xuanxuan earlier.'He'd probably get beaten for that.

As for Kong Xuan's mention of forming a good karma, Li Changshou didn't take it to heart, since he had no real dealings with this great figure.Though he still couldn't figure out why Kong Xuan was involved in the Feng Shen calamity, Kong Xuan's interactions with the Dao sect were minimal, and he had only appeared as a "merchant general."

Putting these trivial matters aside, Li Changshou flicked his dust whisk and rode the clouds out of the Water God Manor, heading toward the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

He had barely flown a short distance when he heard a clear call:"Water God!"

Li Changshou turned to see Long Ji Gongzhu approaching on a cloud, wearing a light pink skirt;She had her hands behind her back, with colorful ribbons wrapped around her wrists, embodying a fresh and budding charm as she lightly leaped onto his cloud.

Dangerous cloud-riding—deduct merit for that!

"Water God, do you have any business outside? You promised to take Long Ji along if it's not too dangerous!"

It was clear that after the Peachtree Banquet, Long Ji's personality had become much more cheerful and lively.

Li Changshou laughed. "Your Highness, you weren't lying in wait nearby the whole time, were you?"

"Well, not the whole time..." she said with a giggle.

"Perhaps there will be matters, or perhaps not," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "Wait in the Water God Manor for now. I'll meet His Majesty, and if it's not dangerous, I'll call for you."

Long Ji happily agreed, mimicking a formal salute to Li Changshou before riding her cloud back to the Water God Manor.

Li Changshou proceeded directly to the Lingxiao Hall to pay respects to Yu Di and report on a few matters.

After some simple discussion, the Tian Di Zheng De Monument would be transported by heavenly generals to the outer gate of Zhongtian and placed directly below it.

As for the infertility issue among the Wu clan in Beizhou...

"The signs of heaven show that the Heavenly Dao has not imposed such a punishment."

Yu Di gave this answer, and Li Changshou immediately understood the situation.

It was either the effect of toxic mists in Beizhou or some enemy of the Wu clan secretly at work.

However, for safety and to ensure the next plan went smoothly, he still needed to visit the underworld as the Water God to obtain firsthand information on the Wu clan's reincarnation.

Yu Di asked with a smile, "Changgeng, do you lack assistants for this trip to the underworld?"

Li Changshou: ...Could you be any more obvious?Is the Heavenly Emperor and his daughter just bored?As for the Queen Mother... ahem, can't say that, can't think that.

"I do!"

Li Changshou nodded firmly. "Especially someone like General Zhao Dezhu, who is skilled in strategy, combat, and escape—a pillar of the Heavenly Court!"

Yu Di's eyes crinkled with a smile, and he immediately issued a decree, summoning the second technical incarnation, Zhao Dezhu, and ordered him to accompany the Water God.

Once Yu Di finished speaking, Li Changshou added with a smile, "Your Majesty, before I came, I promised Long Ji Gongzhu that if it wasn't dangerous, I'd take her along.Should I go back on my word to Long Ji Gongzhu?"

Yu Di frowned and glared at Li Changshou;Li Changshou smiled calmly, "Then I'll go back on it..."

"Take her!"

Yu Di glared at him again. "Love minister, keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't act improperly!"

"As you command, Your Majesty."