Chapter 1719: Deception (I)
Chapter 1719: Deception (I)
The sunset's pale crimson glow still flickered along the horizon as the demonic creature, wrapped in his magnificent great cloak, turned to look at the Daoist Master beside him. "Daoist Master Chi, would you consider him a fiend?"
Chi Buzi met his gaze, his expression calm, as though the answer were self-evident. "He puts on a fierce front but is weak within, a contemptible and incompetent wretch. Nothing more than a petty fiend."
The demonic creature smiled. "Is that not perfect? My attendant merely used his divine ability to influence the woman, while every one of his own actions sprang from his heart, from the evil inherent in that Dao of Bright Yang. As far as I am concerned, that is proof enough.
"If nothing else, he can serve this purpose. Whenever Minghuang is too occupied to attend to something, the boy can lend him a hand."
Minghuang... That is Li Zhouwei...
Chi Buzi found the situation rather strange, and a faint suspicion lingered in his mind. The demonic creature remained perfectly composed as he studied Chi Buzi closely and introduced himself. "White Flood Dragon of Clear Sea and Still Pond, Dingjiao."
Chi Buzi took a sip of wine and replied, "So, you are the Crown Prince of the White Dragon Succession... I am Chi Buzi, a rogue cultivator."
Chi Buzi had naturally heard of Dingjiao before. He was acclaimed as a prodigy of the White Dragon Clan and a descendant of the Dragon Monarch. His bloodline was pure and noble, making him one of the most distinguished among the noble scions of the hornless dragons!
Dragons were inherently lustful, yet also utterly devoid of affection. Those of the same succession and species mated among themselves, even brothers with sisters, but found it difficult to produce offspring. Yet they sired many children with all manner of demonic creatures, most of whom were kept and driven as servants and slaves.
Only the rare offspring with pure bloodlines were worthy of being called the Dragon Son. The Xu Water Demon King, for instance, was a noble demonic perch in his true form and likewise a son of the Bei Sea Dragon King, yet even he had to address offspring born from unions between true dragons such as Dingjiao as Master!
More importantly, he is a descendant of Dongfang You, which makes him a direct descendant of the Dragon Monarch. If the dragons succeed in their pursuit of Truth, his standing will inevitably rise with theirs, and he may very well attain a Golden Position himself someday!
The Daoist Master slowly withdrew his gaze and swallowed almost imperceptibly before replying, "In my eyes, he is merely a pitiable villain. The Bright Yang Fruition Attainment influenced Li Zhouwei, just as it influenced his children. That is beyond question, so why go to such unnecessary lengths?"
The Dragon King shook his head, his expression inscrutable. "It is not that simple. According to Daoist principles, Minghuang enjoys the favor of the Fruition Attainment, so he was naturally born with a Bright Yang disposition. Yet he is deeply calculating; his outward appearance is at odds with what lies within; and no divine ability can bind him. Who can say what he is truly like? My elders have always felt that there is more humanity than Metallic Essence in him, which will make it difficult for him to attain the Dao...
"They tried to test him, but their attempt ended in failure. Yet there is no need to insist on testing him directly."
The Dragon King smiled. "What a father keeps sealed behind his lips will inevitably be spoken by his innocent young son. All sons bear the secrets of their fathers, and without realizing it, they will give voice to them, forcing their fathers to confront their own ugliness. This is what you cultivators call the sin of Yang Apex.
"We only need to test Li Jiangnian. If that Bright Yang evil truly exists within him, how could his father possibly be without it?"
Chi Buzi fell silent, but doubts began to rise within him, The dragons are testing Li Zhouwei to determine the possibilities surrounding Bright Yang. The method is certainly clever, but what does any of this have to do with me? I am not the one who will ascend to the Bright Yang Position, nor do I have anything to do with the Li Family. Why tell me all this? He is speaking as though I were a member of the Li Family...
Dingjiao shook his head as he said, "But my father still dislikes the idea. He always feels that once Minghuang ascends to the position... he will be a True Monarch. How could a True Monarch tolerate being manipulated? He is far too uncontrollable... I, however, see things differently."
A glimmer passed through Dingjiao's pale blue eyes as he smiled. "I firmly believe the prophecy will come to pass, and I also believe that we dragons must join forces with these True Monarchs..."
At this, Chi Buzi's expression finally darkened somewhat. "Oh?"
Dingjiao continued mildly, "Nevertheless... Both my father and I wholeheartedly support what is to be done regarding the Grand Daoist Master."
A cold, mocking smile rose in Chi Buzi's heart upon hearing that, Support it? How could you not? Never mind you dragons, even Pristine Water wholeheartedly supports it... If it can draw out the Metallic Essence of that Feathered Serpent, who would oppose it? No one cares about me... I am naturally expected to die quietly off to the side. Do you expect me to support it too?
The Dragon King quietly watched him, seemingly discerning the emotions in his eyes. He gave a soft sigh and said, "There are certain matters for which Li Zhouwei cannot spare the time, and he may not even be able to contact the person behind him. It would be difficult for me to discuss them with him... but discussing them with you, Chi Buzi, amounts to the same thing."
He turned his head, his pale blue dragon eyes resting quietly upon Chi Buzi. "Am I right, Grand Daoist Master?"
Chi Buzi's eyes abruptly narrowed as profound bewilderment surged through him. Yet his natural talent for deception kept his expression dark and unreadable.
He said nothing, merely taking a sip of wine before asking softly, "I must confess I am puzzled. What led you to that conclusion, Dragon King?"
His words drew a faint smile from Dingjiao, who leaned forward and calmly said, "Back then, you were only in the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion Realm. You remained trapped in Lord Du's[1] grasp, unable to act of your own accord, yet while he was in seclusion, you blithely made your way to Moongaze Lake.
“From that point onward, your temperament changed drastically. You traveled across the seas, frequently behaved in unusual ways, and then crossed the Purple Mansion Threshold for no apparent reason. Truly, for no apparent reason at all!"
His smile gradually faded. "Lord Du may know nothing of these matters, but we dragons know them very well. If the great figures of our dragons had not hidden every last trace for you, do you think Lord Du attained the rank of True Monarch for nothing? Do you think you would still be alive today?"
Dingjiao's gaze was icy and carried a distinctly intimidating edge. The unspoken meaning behind his words could not have been clearer. You went to enormous lengths to visit Penglai, bearing the [Profound Bearer Supreme Yin White Laurel Branch] that appeared out of nowhere. You fabricated that cave dwelling, and deceived the entire Chunyi Dao Gate. We saw everything, and it was we who cleaned up the mess you left behind!
"Our dear Lord Du would sooner kill the wrong person than let a suspect escape. He has never hesitated to do so!"
Chi Buzi lowered his head and narrowed his eyes slightly. His mind felt as though mountains were collapsing and the earth was splitting apart, yet it was also utterly blank, as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss.
Me? What did I do?
Dingjiao's manner truly did not suggest that he was lying. As a dignified descendant of the Dragon Monarch, he had no reason to deceive Chi Buzi with such utterly baseless nonsense. Either the Dragon King before him had misunderstood something... Or the dragons really had covered up some misdeed on his behalf to keep Pristine Water from learning of it!
Why do I know nothing about it?!
Yet no matter how baffling he found Dingjiao's words or how desperately he racked his mind, Chi Buzi's expression remained perfectly composed.
Dingjiao smiled and said, "In all the world... who else could produce a [Profound Bearer Supreme Yin White Laurel Branch]?
"Lord Xuan'an was the one who gave you your cultivation method, was he not? It was also at Moongaze Lake, beneath the [Azure Attainment Primordial Heart Instrument], that you received his guidance. Only then did you suddenly awaken, obtain some unfathomable benefit, and set out to wander the four seas!"
Xuan'an[2]... Who is this lord...
Chi Buzi had no recollection of this name, and had no idea how to answer. He simply lowered his eyes and remained silent, allowing a trace of complicated emotion to show on his face.
1. Referring to Du Qing. ☜
2. Appeared once during Chapter 1637. ☜