Chapter 149: Flood Era's First Standardized Scammer Encounter

While exchanging a few words with Zhao Gongming, Li Changshou had already clarified his subsequent strategy.

The principle of adaptability dictates that one must never only consider the immediate impact.

Even with pressing time, one must thoroughly consider all possible future developments and deduce the path that causes the least harm.

Furthermore, several principles were also of paramount importance:

He must maintain his identity as a Daoist disciple and steadfastly stand with the Dao Ancestor and the Three Pure Ones Saints.

He must uphold the principle that Daoism is one family and the Three Religions originated from the same source.

He must persistently safeguard the interests of the Human School, protect the reputation of any Saint and top-tier expert, and avoid bringing trouble upon himself.

Besides these three 'musts,' there were five necessary preparations and nine major action guidelines.

Finally, and most importantly...

Do not show off.

The act of showing off is a major taboo for those who seek stability in the Dao.

In his previous life, Li Changshou most vividly remembered the historical anecdote of 'Yang Xiu's execution.'

This was actively showing off, a sure way to court death.

After coming to the Primordial World, what influenced him most deeply was the Primordial World fable of 'the Black Tortoise being slain.'

The tortoise was innocent, but its body was too large, so its legs were cut off to prop up the sky.

This was the perfect illustration of passive 'showing off'!

If the Black Tortoise had hidden itself away, or had gone to the Chaos Sea or void to shrink itself, the Saints would very likely have used other great mountains and peaks to refine into pillars for the sky, and would not have casually slain the tortoise for convenience.

This meant...

If one could avoid exposure, one should.

If others could be prevented from knowing one's origins, then one should absolutely not easily give any clues about them!

Early self-preservation meant finding a stable backer, completely concealing one's traces, and ideally, ensuring that the Three Realms did not know one's name.

Mid-term self-preservation was having a Golden Body of Merit plus a backer, with the Three Realms unaware of one's existence...

Otherwise, wouldn't it be letting down his own Saint who had helped conceal his heavenly secrets?

In the future, besides the alias Daoist Chang Geng, Li Changshou decided to create the titles 'Little Mage Xuandu' and 'Young Master Xuandu' to avoid karma.

Of course, these matters would need to be meticulously planned later.

What needed to be done now was to resolve the current crisis—

Zhao Gongming had violently beaten a Western Saint's disciple, implicating the Sea God Sect, which might face reckoning afterward.

The difficulties of this matter mainly comprised three points:

This Saint's disciple could not be killed;

The opponent might later retaliate against the South Sea God Sect as an outlet for anger, and would raise the banner of a Saint's reputation;

This was Zhao Gongming's first encounter, so his specific temperament was unknown; things might become more chaotic the more one planned, and both sides' reputations needed to be preserved.

Therefore, addressing these difficulties, Li Changshou, following his own principles, steadfastness, preparations, and action guidelines, chose the most secure solution, which he conveyed to Zhao Gongming using undetectable spiritual sense transmission...

He outlined the plan in detail.

Upon hearing the spiritual sense transmission, Zhao Gongming initially frowned slightly.

But Li Changshou cleverly spoke a few words, bringing up what Zhao Gongming cared about most—the life and death of his fellow disciples—and Zhao Gongming quickly nodded in agreement.

By the time Li Changshou finished his elaborate explanation, Zhao Gongming even felt that while such a handling was troublesome and slightly cunning...

...if it could truly achieve the effect the Sea God spoke of, it was indeed much more brilliant than directly killing him!

Zhao Gongming secretly thought to himself:

'This South Sea God seems to be a fellow disciple of the Human School...

What a pity. If he could be brought back to their Jie School, he could earn merit and offer ideas.

Much more reliable than those Ten Heavenly Monarchs.'

So, within this small Sea God temple,

Li Changshou's paper effigy hid deeper underground, ready to 'self-detonate' at any moment.

He used his spiritual sense to watch the two experts in the courtyard and communicated with Ao Yi, who had been watching from the side, exchanging spiritual sense messages and giving hundreds of instructions.

Half an hour later, Li Changshou transmitted via spiritual sense, saying: "It's ready. I'll leave it to you, Senior."

In the courtyard...

Zhao Gongming nodded, and with a flick of his sleeve, put away the twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls. He then looked down at the hunchbacked Daoist and gritted his teeth, saying:

"Get up, and come with me to your Spirit Mountain!"

The hunchbacked Daoist lying on the ground frowned and glared at Zhao Gongming.

The Daoist coldly said: "You still dare to come with me to Spirit Mountain!"

"What makes me not dare?"

Zhao Gongming cursed, "Today, you first bullied my Daoist sect. I will go ask my two Martial Uncles what they have to say about this!"

Li Changshou pondered slightly, feeling that Uncle Zhao's emotional state was still a bit off.

It should have a touch of indignation and sorrow.

This was the first step—forcefully characterizing this matter as a conflict between the Daoist sect and the Western religion.

The hunchbacked old Daoist immediately jumped up upon hearing this, clutching his staff, seemingly intending to strike someone...

Zhao Gongming stepped half a pace forward, with divine light radiating from his eyes and his beard fluttering forward.

The hunchbacked old Daoist instinctively shivered, retreated several steps, his eyes full of apprehension.

The space here was still sealed by Zhao Gongming; the hunchbacked old Daoist had just experienced the power of the Jie School's chief outer disciple and knew he couldn't escape.

The hunchbacked old Daoist cursed: "Today, it was your Daoist sect who plotted against me! How can you turn around and blame me!

Look how miserable I am now! I'll go to your Biyou Palace and sort this out!"

"You're miserable?"

Zhao Gongming sneered, recalling the method the South Sea God had transmitted; a little interest sparked in his heart.

Suddenly, without warning, Zhao Gongming let out a "wah" sound and spat out a mouthful of blood, constantly coughing violently while clutching his chest...

At the same time, Zhao Gongming's aura withered, his Daoist charm dispersed, and his original imposing aura instantly vanished, as if he had suffered a severe injury.

Zhao Gongming gritted his teeth and said:

"Clearly, I was injured by your spirit treasure. When fighting you just now, my Dao foundation was shaken and injured by you. It will likely take tens of thousands of years to recover!

Come, go with me to Spirit Mountain; we're not done with this today!"

The hunchbacked old Daoist's eyes widened; even though he was exceptionally cunning, he had never encountered such a situation.

Li Changshou, observing through the divine statue, slightly exhaled in relief, as this most difficult step had been smoothly taken.

It must be said that Uncle Zhao's on-the-spot reaction was quite excellent, truly worthy of being an old hand who had mingled in the Primordial World until now...

The second step—to subtly change the narrative and seize the moral high ground with a self-inflicted injury ploy.

The next third step was divided into six scenarios, corresponding to six different paths.

Zhao Gongming wiped a smear of blood from his mouth and cursed again: "Who could be more miserable than Daoist Sea God? His avatar was forced by you to perish directly!

An external avatar is so difficult to cultivate; how much Dao foundation and cultivation did he lose!

How will you account for this?!"

The hunchbacked old Daoist rebuked sharply: "You're twisting words! You're slandering me!"

Zhao Gongming cursed: "I have injuries as proof, and you are the primary culprit! Come with me to Spirit Mountain to confront this!"

"You, Zhao Gongming! Do you have no shame?!"

The hunchbacked old Daoist cursed loudly, then suddenly had an idea. He raised his staff and smashed it hard against his own shoulder.

One could hear the muffled sound of thunder within a hundred-mile radius!

One arm of the hunchbacked old Daoist hung down, his shoulder completely shattered. He sneered and said: "You are the culprit! To Biyou Palace!"

Seeing this, Zhao Gongming gritted his teeth, took several thudding steps back, and suddenly tilted his head back, vigorously spitting blood foam...

The hunchbacked old Daoist hardened his heart and again raised his hand to strike his own chest several times; the two seemed to be competing.

Suddenly, Zhao Gongming's body trembled; the blood he had spat out instantly dried up, his aura returned to normal, and he became vibrant and spirited again, his beard still as clean as before.

From his sleeve, he pulled out a recording orb wrapped in layers of immortal power, calmly activated the twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls, and opened the orb.

Immediately, a phantom image appeared in front of Zhao Gongming, showing precisely the scene of the hunchbacked old Daoist smashing himself...

The hunchbacked old Daoist reacted instantly and immediately prepared to act;

but the twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls exerted their power, once again fixing the already injured old Daoist in place!

This was the third step under the fourth scenario—splashing dirty water back and seizing the opponent's leverage.

That it could proceed so smoothly was also beyond Li Changshou's expectations.

Zhao Gongming gazed at the hunchbacked old Daoist and said calmly:

"Daoist friend, why did you self-harm in front of me? Was it to falsely tarnish my reputation? To use this matter to incite a conflict between the Daoist sect and the Western religion?

It seems I will have to take this item to some friends for them to observe.

If I'm not mistaken, Daoist friend, you seemed to say you were the third disciple of the Western religion.

I know it's not easy for the two Martial Uncles to establish the Spirit Mountain lineage, but to extort treasures from others this way, tsk, it's a bit too disgraceful."

"You! You!"

The hunchbacked old Daoist was so angry his lips trembled uncontrollably, then he suddenly lowered his head and spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with indignation and sorrow.

"Zhao Gongming, everyone says you are straightforward and honest. Today, I have truly learned!

Truly learned!"

Zhao Gongming clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky, but sighed slightly in his heart.

He hadn't expected to engage in such calculations himself...

However, the South Sea God was right: loyalty is for one's own brothers and sisters, for Daoist disciples, not for outsiders of other religions.

A little cunning was also to prevent this matter from causing a dispute between the Daoist sect and the Western religion, and thus protect his fellow disciples.

Afterwards, Zhao Gongming said nothing, quietly waiting for the hunchbacked old Daoist to speak.

At this moment, the hunchbacked old Daoist understood something. He suppressed his anger and said coldly: "Daoist friend, what exactly do you want?"

"What do I want? Today I was humiliated by you, what else could I want?"

Zhao Gongming said calmly: "Be direct, Daoist friend. Do you want to settle this matter privately between us, or continue to escalate it?"

The hunchbacked old Daoist was trembling with anger, wanting to flatten a hundred-mile radius with a single kick, yet unwilling to waste his merit for nothing...

(though he was currently suppressed by the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls, he couldn't stomp his foot freely anyway).

The hunchbacked old Daoist said coldly: "What if we settle it privately? What if we escalate it?"

"If Daoist friend wants to settle privately, today you and I will clarify this matter, and you will make a Great Dao Oath. I will immediately crush this item."

Zhao Gongming shook the magical recording orb in his hand.

"If you want to escalate it, then I will have to take this item, first to my three sworn sisters for a show, then to places like Jin'ao Island and Penglai Island where my Jie School cultivators gather, to open everyone's eyes and make them take it as a warning.

The world today has far more tricks than in ancient or primordial times.

Finally, if that doesn't work, I'll visit Jade Void Palace, stroll through the Heavenly Court, and travel around the Central Divine Continent."

Zhao Gongming paused, the Sea God's earlier instructions echoing in his heart...

Although he didn't fully understand the meaning, the matter had progressed smoothly to this point, and everything had indeed fallen into place according to the South Sea God's plan.

'If it weren't for the consideration of my fellow Daoists in the sect,' he thought, 'I would absolutely not do such a thing.'

But this feeling...

...was quite good.

So, Zhao Gongming spoke that sentence:

"I have no intention of interfering with the shady dealings you conduct in the Four Seas. I actually only came here to chat casually with the South Sea God."

Hearing this, the hunchbacked old Daoist's eyes flickered, and he had already made a decision. He whispered: "This matter, I am... in the wrong.

I will now make a Great Dao Oath."

"Wait, wait," Zhao Gongming said with a smile, "Please wait a moment."

The hunchbacked old Daoist was somewhat confused and was about to speak, when a low dragon roar suddenly came from above the South Sea.

A dragon-headed elder came on a cloud, bowed in the air, and used immortal power to send a piece of cloth into Zhao Gongming's hand;

The dragon-headed elder said nothing and directly left on his cloud.

This was Li Changshou's fifth step in his own scheme—to divert the opponent's attention and tie this person's hatred to the Dragon Race and the Jie School.

How could the hunchbacked old Daoist not understand at this moment?

Today, it turned out to be the Jie School and the Dragon Race setting a trap for him!

The Dragon Race truly wasn't willing to be captured without a fight!

Zhao Gongming tossed the cloth over. The hunchbacked old Daoist opened the cloth imbued with immortal power and saw dense, tiny characters on it.

It began with a 'Clear Revelation Oath of Gratitude'...

Its content stated that he would never trouble the Jie School, the Dragon Race, or the Sea God Sect in the future, and that today's events should be treated as if they never happened.

Otherwise, he would be abandoned by the Great Dao, his merit would return to zero, and his luck would vanish!

How ruthless...

And such detailed oath content!

Zhao Gongming shook the recording magic treasure in his hand and smiled: "Daoist friend, what are you still gawking at? Is a simple Great Dao Oath this much trouble?"

At this moment, the majestic face of this chief outer disciple of the Jie School appeared so malicious in the eyes of the hunchbacked old Daoist.

The hunchbacked old Daoist gritted his teeth. The oath content only bound himself: he would withdraw from matters related to plotting against the Dragon Race, never return to this place, and never mention this matter to anyone else.

It would not interfere with his Western religion's grand schemes...

In fact, even if he didn't make this Great Dao Oath, the hunchbacked old Daoist couldn't possibly mention this matter to others.

He was a dignified Saint's disciple; did he not care about his reputation?

However, the master of the paper effigy, now hiding at an unknown depth, probably close to the 'sky' of the Underworld, only recognized this item.

Li Changshou had Ao Yi draft it according to the format of Ao Yi's oath back then, adding another sixty percent of scenario settings and fully considering all possible situations. Only then was this oath condensed and swiftly delivered here by an expert from the South Sea Dragon Palace.

Soon, the hunchbacked old Daoist sat cross-legged, first reciting the 'Clear Revelation Oath of Gratitude' before chanting the oath content.

With such an expert making an oath, the Heavenly Dao immediately reacted; waves of heavenly might descended, and the Heavenly Dao was recording the hunchbacked old Daoist's oath.

Zhao Gongming, who was nearby, couldn't help but blink. Listening to such oath content and looking at the dense, tiny characters on the cloth with his divine ability, his mouth instantly twitched.

This South Sea God...

It was better to be his friend than his enemy.