Chapter 191: The Azure Dragon Offers a Horn
As I entered the incense hall with Master, I felt my thoughts were a bit jumbled. I only remembered his last words of advice, which Xiang Jiannan kept repeating in his heart.
I always thought I was ready.
The depths of the East Sea are more than a few thousand miles… The old Taoist is really asking for a king’s ransom.
“Sit.”
Holding Chen Jingxuan’s calligraphy in his hands, the White-Faced Scholar merely gestured when Gao Yu’an and Xiang Jiannan reappeared. He seemed to have found a treasure, stretching out the paper with both hands, barely glancing at the two Taoists.
It wasn’t until Gao Yu’an coughed after sitting down that he shifted his gaze and spoke again:
“If you have something to say, please speak plainly.”
Hearing this, Xiang Jiannan turned his head to look around, feeling that the White-Faced Scholar seemed to be acting like the host.
We’re the owners of this Ping’an Temple, right? Could he at least show a little sincerity?
Just two lines of poetry, and he’s so happy he can’t close his mouth, overjoyed. Is he really that interested in them?
The Azure Dragon also yearns for the cultural world. From his eyes, I could see a trace of fanaticism.
“Don’t you have something to say to my disciple?”
Completely unconcerned with the White-Faced Scholar’s behavior, seeing him clutching the paper, Gao Yu’an began to make eye signals at Xiang Jiannan. In the end, even the White-Faced Scholar noticed, but the little Taoist still couldn’t understand.
He also knew that the old Taoist wanted him to speak, but for the moment, he didn’t know what to say.
Did you eat before coming to Ping’an Temple? How’s the recent economic development in the East Sea?
Do you know a snake demon who recently survived the Heavenly Tribulation?
Being both creatures of the water, after some time, you two might become the same species.
“Taoist, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
Understanding because of Gao Yu’an’s frequent blinking, he only found the old Taoist across from him ridiculous. The White-Faced Scholar didn’t hide his amusement.
He saw that everything above Gao Yu’an’s neck had turned the color of pig liver, yet the little Taoist still looked completely innocent.
The master and disciple just couldn’t seem to communicate. After several attempts, he felt like teasing them.
This trip has been very fruitful. Spending a little time in this Ping’an Temple isn’t excessive.
“My disciple is truly very dull.”
He was disappointed that he didn’t live up to his expectations.
The last glance he gave Xiang Jiannan was completely helpless. With his right hand on the ground and his left leg extended, Gao Yu’an, who was suffering double torment, finally came to his senses.
He knew why his disciple hadn’t agreed with his suggestion earlier. This kid is blind.
As your Teacher, I’m blinking so much I’m about to make myself dizzy, and you’re sitting next to me, still shaking your head! This matter isn’t just for personal gain, Grandmaster is above, Gao Yu’an is doing all of this for the Human Sect.
“No need to say more, I understand.”
With a light wave of his sleeve, he put away the paper. As he rose from the cattail hassock, things clattered and fell from his sleeve, and the White-Faced Scholar’s feet were soon covered in glittering objects.
The sight made Gao Yu’an keep swallowing his saliva. Fortunately, without Xiang Jiannan’s help, he finally resisted the temptation.
These should be rare treasures from the depths of the East Sea. Each one looked priceless, but for now, it’s still far from enough for me. If I hold on a little longer, there will definitely be something better.
“Back then, I was schemed against by the Buddhist Sect. Today, I can return to the East Sea, all thanks to the help of you two Taoists.”
Kicking the jewels at his feet towards Gao Yu’an, the White-Faced Scholar, not knowing if the two had done it intentionally, said:
“A few days ago, you also helped me destroy the sacrificial offering at the spring eye… Today, I’ve come to the temple for no other reason. As long as it’s within my power, you two can ask for anything.”
Was this Azure Dragon suppressed by the Buddhist Sect in the Li Family Grave Site?
Seeing the White-Faced Scholar’s cold and murderous gaze when he spoke of the past, Xiang Jiannan, not knowing what kind of feud they had, could only look at Gao Yu’an.
The discussion is starting. I don’t have much experience with this kind of thing. The White-Faced Scholar has already spoken so generously, so it’s naturally time for the old Taoist to take the stage.
What I meant by being ready was being able to calmly face a thank you. After the last time Qiaoyun came to the temple to give thanks, these two words had long since changed their meaning in Xiang Jiannan’s heart.
Right now, I only want to know why the White-Faced Scholar wanted Chen Jingxuan to give him a piece of calligraphy, why the Buddhist Sect schemed against him back then, and whether a bloody storm will follow.
The old Taoist didn’t seem too interested in the White-Faced Scholar’s past. After he finished speaking, he just snorted as a response.
“By unintentionally destroying the sacrificial offering at the spring eye, my disciple has become unsafe.”
Sitting on the cattail hassock in a carefree manner, showing such a frivolous posture for the first time, Gao Yu’an concluded.
Those monks are very vengeful. If I say this, the White-Faced Scholar can’t possibly not understand.
If we keep chatting, it will be lunchtime. We should seize the time and force the White-Faced Scholar to reveal more.
“Of course, I know this. With your abilities, Taoist, can’t you protect your own disciple?”
Understanding that Gao Yu’an still had something to say, the White-Faced Scholar sat back down on the cattail hassock, raised his palm, and gently swiped it across his neck, making a slitting motion:
“The Buddhist Sect emphasizes compassion. You Taoists are not on the same path as them.”
“The sea of suffering is boundless, why not send them to the West sooner rather than later.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
It seemed that because of the White-Faced Scholar’s words, he could finally get to the point. Gao Yu’an’s tone was pained when he spoke:
“Although my Daoist cultivation is invincible, I can’t possibly be with my disciple at all times.”
“Who in this world hasn’t made a mistake? Back then, you were schemed against by the Buddhist Sect, and your cultivation was also helpless. I, the old Taoist, can’t gamble on that.”
“I will definitely avenge this!”
Enraged by Gao Yu’an’s words, the White-Faced Scholar slammed his fist heavily on the jewels. He quickly smiled again:
“Taoist, stop playing coy. Tell me, what else do you want from me?”
“Not much, I want it all.”
Using his horsetail whisk, he gathered the jewels closer to himself. As the White-Faced Scholar spoke, Gao Yu’an immediately got busy:
“The aquatic clan has always valued loyalty and righteousness. I know, Taoist, that this is just foreplay.”
The White-Faced Scholar laughed heartily at this. Although he saw through the old Taoist’s flattery, he didn’t refute it.
When Gao Yu’an had gathered the jewels back into a pile beside him, he lowered his head for a moment and then reached up to touch the top of his head.
There was a cracking sound, and when he reached out again, a few-inch-long object appeared in his palm.
It was round and still had a bloody color.
“This is!”
The White-Faced Scholar seemed surprised when he revealed the object in his hand. Gao Yu’an became agitated.
Just as he was about to get up, he seemed to remember something and turned to glare at Xiang Jiannan, sternly saying:
“Hurry up and take it. This thing was given to you by someone else!”
Hearing this, Xiang Jiannan hurriedly got up. Just as he was about to reach out, a piece of yellow silk was thrown over.
“You’re going to lose your Daoist cultivation by doing this.”
With a pious heart, Xiang Jiannan wrapped the object in the White-Faced Scholar’s hand with the silk. Returning to his master’s side, he followed all his instructions. Xiang Jiannan heard the old Taoist say something.
But he saw that the White-Faced Scholar had a disdainful expression, staring at the Grandmaster’s clay statue to the side, and his tone became impatient:
“What’s there to worry about with just an inch or two? Losing Daoist cultivation… Who told you that, Taoist?”
But as soon as he finished speaking, his body suddenly tilted. After getting up from the ground, he seemed a little regretful:
“It’s actually true?”
“Do you believe it now?”
Looking at the White-Faced Scholar in front of him as if he were an idiot, Gao Yu’an waved his horsetail whisk with pity in his eyes:
“Disciple, you must keep this Azure Dragon’s horn safe. Such a great gift, you must not be careless.”
“He’s going to faint again.”
