Chapter 67: He who understands me will live long

In Tianting, at Shenwei Dian, before the Meng Tian Yi.

After the second dream-sending to the Du Xian Men disciple, Lan Ling'e...

The Jin Jia Xian Guan's spirit returned from the Meng Tian Yi, seething with anger as he grabbed a long spear and gritted his teeth:

"He won't come! He claims he's refining pills!

Yue Lao, I'll go down right now and drag him up here!"

Yue Lao was taken aback and quickly stepped forward to stop him.

Deep down, Yue Lao knew that the immortal official was just putting on a show. No matter how minor, the Ren Jiao lineage was still part of Ren Jiao, and Du Xian Men might not even take two minor Tianting immortals like them seriously, let alone allow someone to just seize a person.

But since they were the ones seeking help...

"Immortal official, you mustn't! You mustn't! Let's think this through carefully, think it through!"

After Yue Lao persuaded him for a while, the Jin Jia Xian Guan finally 'calmed down.'

Yue Lao asked, "What did they say over there?"

The immortal official replied, "His junior sister was very polite and proper, saying that her senior brother is at a critical stage in refining pills and can't be distracted.

She also asked what urgent matter we have with her senior brother and suggested we explain it to her if it's important."

"This..."

Yue Lao suddenly felt troubled.

This matter couldn't be spoken of lightly—it concerned his reputation, and if it reached His Majesty's ears, His Majesty would surely hold him accountable.

Yue Lao pondered for a moment and said, "Could you help by contacting his junior sister again? This old one would be deeply grateful."

"Yue Lao, you're too kind—it's just a trivial thing!"

The immortal official turned back to face the Meng Tian Yi but couldn't help grimacing;

Each time he sent a dream, it drained his yuan shen power significantly, and a few more times might leave him passed out...

At Du Xian Men, in the Dan Fang.

Li Changshou listened as his junior sister described the earlier encounter and gave her a few instructions.

Soon, Lan Ling'e zoned out for a moment and again saw a haze of clouds.

"Senior brother! It's happening again!"

"Go ahead," Li Changshou said with a smile and a nod;

Lan Ling'e closed her eyes and quickly entered the dream, while Li Changshou watched her state closely from the side.

She was just asleep...

No dao rhyme circulated, and there were no other disturbances.

Li Changshou poked her arm lightly, and Lan Ling'e softly hummed, as if half-asleep and half-awake.

'Tianting truly lives up to being the institution ordained by the Heavenly Dao to govern the world; dream-sending must be triggered by some kind of Heavenly Dao treasure.

It's incredibly miraculous.'

With his immortal sense sweeping over Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou fell into thought.

The one stirring things up behind the scenes might not just be Yue Lao.

Yue Lao was probably like that Jin Jia Tian Shen now—just a tool.

The Feng Shen calamity was far from arriving, Tianting had only recently been established, and Yu Di had to be extremely cautious. The Yue Lao arranged by Yu Di should also be a timid figure.

Now, as a direct disciple of the Three Teachings' leaders, once in Tianting, they referred to Yu Di as Haotian Shishu, not His Majesty, and Yu Di had to treat the second-generation Dao disciples with respect...

The Ren Jiao lineage was sparse, backed by Taiqing Laizi;

Taiqing Sheng Ren's incarnation, Taishang Laojun, had already taken residence in Tianting's Doushuai Gong, so Yu Di wouldn't dare plot against Ren Jiao and had no motive to do so.

Moreover, Tianting was still the Dao's private domain at this time, with Xifang Jiao's influence not yet reaching in...

Although Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao's disciples were gradually falling out, they hadn't reached the point of open conflict;

Ren Jiao had few lineages to begin with and no friction with Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao, so their chances of causing trouble were low.

By process of elimination, the only ones who would dare, could, and might meddle with Ren Jiao were probably from Ren Jiao itself...

Could it be that some expert in Ren Jiao thinks the lineage is too thin and wants to use the marriage red strings to let each branch multiply and grow?

This is somewhat similar to my own plan to use love gu to promote breeding among a pair of rare spirit beasts...

Who could that expert be?

The founding ancestor of Du Xian Men, Du E Zhen Ren, who cultivates on Kunlun Mountain?

Unlikely...

As a named disciple of the Sheng Ren, this sect ancestor is careful in his cultivation, keeps a low profile, and wouldn't dare take on such karmic backlash.

Anyone who has heard the Sheng Ren lecture can claim to be a named disciple.

After thinking it over, Ren Jiao has only one direct disciple, and he's the one with the leisure, ability, and influence to have Yue Lao twist the Ren Jiao lineage's customs...

Xuandu, the Great Mage!

It's most likely him.

But this time, it's Yue Lao who wants to send a dream to see me. Li Changshou connected it to his earlier anomalies...

The current situation is probably that the Great Mage caused some minor issues with my marriage fate, and Yue Lao is showing up to resolve it.

'I knew it couldn't be that someone suddenly took a liking to me for no reason.'

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow, but then felt a bit puzzled.

If Qin Xuan Ya's affection for me was indeed arranged by Yue Lao, why arrange it for me?

Had I already been targeted by the Great Mage?

I'd better probe carefully later.

As for marriage, I have my junior sister as a shield;

—This is one of the few benefits I could think of when Master took her as a disciple.

"Heavenly Dao's workings are truly unfathomable.

In the vast Honghuang, we are but mere mayflies."

Li Changshou sighed lightly and continued pondering how to turn this passive situation into an active one;

He stood with hands behind his back, waiting for his junior sister to wake up, while also activating the arrays around them.

Since Yue Lao doesn't dare offend anyone around him and wants to exert pressure or negotiate with me, the weakest party...

Then, what could I gain from this?

No, I shouldn't force a scheme;

It's best to play it by ear and aim for a peaceful resolution.

As a minor disciple of Du Xian Men, I have my own planned path and don't need to cling to others' influence; keeping control myself brings peace of mind.

However, if I can build a connection with Yue Lao, it would make things easier for Master, junior sister, and me when we ascend to Tianting...

Yue Lao handles marriages, so his network in Tianting must be extensive.

For this, I could approach it by doing a favor for Yue Lao, making sure he knows I did it intentionally, without revealing anything...

It definitely needs careful handling.

A moment later, Lan Ling'e woke up.

She thought for a bit and then told Li Changshou the message that Yue Lao, through the Jin Jia Tian Shen and then through her, wanted to convey to her senior brother:

"Yue Lao said that while he was checking the marriage clay figures recently, he accidentally bumped into yours, causing some damage.

He's quite uneasy about it and wants to meet with you to discuss and check if you're alright."

Li Changshou suddenly understood—Yue Lao's attitude suggested he wanted to resolve the karma, so that made it...

Easier to handle.

Lan Ling'e asked nervously in a low voice:

"Senior brother, are you okay?

If the marriage clay figure is broken, does that mean you'll have no marriage fate?"

"I don't know," Li Changshou shook his head. "Oh well, I'll just meet with him."

No matter what, they had come to him, and their attitude was sincere enough.

I just need to maintain the demeanor of a contemporary young disciple of Du Xian Men and play it by ear.

"Junior sister, help me keep watch."

"Okay!"

Lan Ling'e agreed crisply, jumped lightly from the lounging chair, and held a few treasure pouches in her hands.

Li Changshou lay down on the lounging chair, held two paper figures in his palm, and tried to relax his mind, gradually extending his spirit...

Sure enough, he gradually entered a hazy, misty dream.

Ahead was a pavilion on a mountain peak, where a slender old man in a wedding robe was bowing in invitation to him.

Li Changshou felt as if he were standing on a cloud. With a thought, he rode the cloud forward and bowed to the old man.

"Disciple of Du Xian Men, Li Changshou, greets the senior."

Yue Lao smiled with a mix of relief and weariness. "Finally, I've managed to get you here. Please, don't stand on ceremony.

Since this is just a dream, I can't offer proper hospitality, so let's just sit and talk."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, and the two exchanged dao salutes before taking their seats on either side.

They shared a knowing smile, each with their own calculations.

Yue Lao thought: 'This person seems quite reasonable.'

What crossed Li Changshou's mind was: 'This Yue Lao looks...

Not as frail as I expected.'

"Senior, please get straight to the point. I know you're busy, and I don't want to take up too much of your time."

"Ah, alright," Yue Lao said, choosing his words carefully. "Ahem... In the past couple of years, have you had any issues with your body?"

Li Changshou laughed. "Just a bit of itching—nothing serious."

Yue Lao frowned immediately and asked hurriedly, "And, um... have you felt any surges of yang energy, a racing heart, or an urge stirring within?"

"This, I'm not sure about."

"Please wait a moment," Yue Lao said, summoning a potted Xiangsi tree with a wave of his hand. "This is a ling bao Xiangsi tree. I'll poke you with a branch and see if you feel anything."

Li Changshou nodded cooperatively, though he was pondering internally.

This dream is truly remarkable;

I've heard of 'dream-sending objects' in some texts...

A branch of the Xiangsi tree extended toward Li Changshou. He let it poke him, and suddenly, waves of amorous thoughts surged in his heart, his breathing quickening slightly.

After a short while, Yue Lao asked with concern, "Do you feel anything?"

"It's there, but..." Li Changshou smiled inwardly as he felt the innate yang energy churning inside him, but he feigned a frown. "Not much."

"This, this," Yue Lao furrowed his brow and smiled bitterly. "Let's try poking a few more times."

Li Changshou coughed and quickly refused;

Another poke and he might really lose control!

"It's fine, senior. I can adjust back on my own. My junior sister is nearby, so it's not convenient."

Yue Lao looked troubled and sighed.

Li Changshou thought for a moment and smiled as he continued...

...

Half an hour later.

In Tianting, before the Meng Tian Yi.

Yue Lao stirred and woke up, unable to help stroking his beard with a smile, feeling a wave of emotion.

He touched his sleeve, where the storage ring had vanished, and let out a sigh of relief.

It was all resolved perfectly.

"What a fine junior—he truly embodies the grace of a great teaching's disciple!"

"Cough, cough," the Jin Jia Shen Jiang nearby slipped on his feet but quickly steadied himself, smiling at Yue Lao.

Though he hadn't participated in the dream, it was powered by his immortal energy.

Especially the dream-sending of objects, which nearly depleted his yuan shen power—particularly after several sessions before this...

"Yue Lao, is everything settled?"

"I've troubled you, my friend, truly troubled you!" Yue Lao pulled out a brocade box from his robe. "A small token of appreciation, nothing much."

The immortal official said righteously, "Ah, we're not the type to accept such things!"

"I can't let you help for nothing—this old one would feel terrible," Yue Lao said smoothly.

After a bit of polite back-and-forth, the brocade box soon ended up in the immortal official's sleeve.

Yue Lao bowed deeply and took his leave from Shenwei Dian.

The immortal official saw him off and collapsed onto the steps at the hall's entrance, letting out a long breath...

The immortal official looked even thinner than half a year ago.

On the other side, Yue Lao flew along on the clouds, his mood light and cheerful.

'Changshou is such a fine junior.'

This Du Xian Men disciple was impressive—worthy of the 'Three Stars Arching the Moon' omen. He was respectful to elders, polite, and always considerate of this minor god.

Most people, upon meeting Yue Lao, would bring up marriage in three sentences;

But in their long conversation, Changshou never once mentioned 'marriage.'

This made Yue Lao feel utterly at ease.

That phrase from Changshou, 'let it happen naturally,' was far superior to many Tianting generals!

Marriage, after all, is about letting things flow naturally to find the right match.

Changshou was incredibly thoughtful, even suggesting they make a vow to put the old god's mind at ease...

It was just that when they made the vow together, the junior's wording was a bit wordy;

But upon closer inspection, it was perfectly comprehensive, covering nearly every condition and scenario.

They swore by the Great Dao that neither would mention the damaged clay figure again—Yue Lao wouldn't interfere with Li Changshou's marriage, and Li Changshou wouldn't speak of this dream-sending to anyone.

In truth, when Yue Lao checked earlier, the clay figure was enveloped by Heavenly Dao power and already undamaged, fully capable of forming and growing red strings.

He had only been worried...

But he never expected the other party to be so concerned about Yue Lao's position—especially those words that hit right at his heart!

Was it easy for him?

With no real background and modest cultivation, placed in this role by Yu Di, he had to handle external matters while serving Tianting and the Heavenly Dao;

He dared not offend those with higher ranks;

He dared not cross those with lower ranks but higher cultivation;

And those with backgrounds, he dared not touch even more...

Yet, he managed the sensitive Yue Lao Hall, and any selfish thoughts could lead to being obliterated by the Zixiao Shen Lei...

'Senior, you've had it tough.'

Yue Lao looked up at the sky, hands behind his back, his old eyes full of emotion.

Ten thousand years as Yue Lao—only he knew the hardship!

Now, one more person understands me—Changshou!

If possible, this Du Xian Men disciple is truly someone to call a confidant!

Oh, and he mentioned his master's story;

Qi Yuan Dao You endured many trials, ignoring others' judgments, and with great resolve, shed his immortal form to become a mortal immortal;

Changshou used that story to encourage this struggling Yue Lao...

If Qi Yuan Dao You ever wants a leisurely position in Tianting, I must help out!

The gifts I gave to Changshou were truly nothing in comparison!

I only wish I'd prepared more!

At Du Xian Men, on Xiao Qiong Peak, in the Dan Fang area.

Li Changshou awoke from the dream and quickly scanned his surroundings, instantly noticing his junior sister standing three zhang away with her back to him, her face flushed red.

Li Changshou glanced down at his robe...

Ah...

It was awkward.

In the dream, being poked by the Xiangsi tree was unavoidable—he was, after all, a normal male immortal who hadn't severed his emotions.

He slowly got up, casually adjusted his clothes, tucked away the ring that had mysteriously appeared in his hand, and said with a smile:

"I'm awake now."

"S-Senior brother," Lan Ling'e's shoulders trembled slightly. She didn't dare turn around and stammered, "I-I'll head back first... I'll come by later!"

With that, she fled on her cloud without looking back, even with wisps of white smoke rising from her head...

Li Changshou chuckled, deactivated the arrays around her, and couldn't help muttering to himself.

What a case of curiosity killing the cat.