Chapter 347: Gentlemen Take Revenge, No Need to Wait Too Long

Someone is stirring up trouble.

After hearing what Daoist Duobao said, Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming exchanged glances, almost simultaneously realizing this.

Even Daoist Duobao himself felt something was off after speaking, and he carefully mulled it over.

Holy Mother Huoling had already moved to Luofu Cave on Mount Emei for cultivation. She, the eldest disciple of the inner sect's chief disciple, and Zhao Gongming, the chief disciple of Jie School's outer sect, had long been cultivating partners.

This news was even personally confirmed by True Lord Huanglong in Jade Pure Palace!

Daoist Duobao murmured, "Could it be that Huoling was targeted?"

Zhao Gongming immediately interjected, "How could Huoling and I be having an affair, cough, how could such a thing happen? Earlier, Junior Sister Jinguang had collapsed, injured, in front of my cave dwelling, and I brought her inside. Considering it improper for me to care for her, I invited Senior Niece Huoling to help look after Jinguang. She and Jinguang are very close and inseparable in their daily lives."

A pensive expression immediately appeared on Daoist Duobao's slightly plump face as he stood with his hands behind his back on the cloud.

"And this news was spread by Junior Brother Huanglong..."

"Senior Brothers," Li Changshou said with a smile, "let's first go to the inner hall. The Taiji Diagram there will shield our words from being overheard."

He, of course, had a hidden meaning in his words.

However, Zhao Gongming said, "I'll return to my cave dwelling and ask what exactly happened!"

"Let's go together," Daoist Duobao said, a rare serious expression on his face. "Chang Geng, you are resourceful and wise. Would you mind accompanying us? Although this matter seems minor, perhaps just a joke from Junior Brother Huanglong, it could easily reignite friction between Chan School and our Jie School. As a disciple of Ren School, it would be simple for you to mediate."

"All right."

Li Changshou readily agreed, then took a paper effigy from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Gongming, saying, "Senior Brothers, please take this paper effigy with you first. I need to make some arrangements."

"Good."

Gongming and Duobao nodded in unison, then immediately rode the clouds... cough, dug tunnels to hurry to Luofu Cave on Mount Emei.

After the two great figures left, Li Changshou, however, slightly frowned, put his hands behind his back, and descended from the cloud to the rear hall of the Sea God Temple.

This matter was both simple and not so simple.

'Could it be that someone saw how quickly the Grand Master's rumor spread across the Five Continents, and then decided to use this kind of situation to cause trouble?'

Li Changshou retrieved this paper effigy into his underground paper effigy treasury, and the paper effigies in the Heavenly Court immediately became busy, riding clouds towards Tushita Palace.

Although the information he had at the moment was limited, Li Changshou could roughly piece together a logical thread:

True Lord Huanglong must have seen Holy Mother Huoling in Luofu Cave.

The question was whether True Lord Huanglong had told anyone about it. If he had, even just a simple 'Why is Holy Mother Huoling in Luofu Cave?', then the rumor must have originated from him.

But if True Lord Huanglong hadn't mentioned it to anyone, then this matter...

...then it became quite intriguing, and it could largely be concluded that someone was secretly plotting, most likely someone from the Western Sect.

It was best to play it safe. Given that it involved the Three Schools, even the smallest matter could escalate into a major issue.

Li Changshou didn't dare to mediate rashly; it would be safer to let the Grand Master step in.

When the paper effigy arrived at Tushita Palace, Li Changshou was about to call out to request an audience, but the palace gates already slowly opened a crack. Seeing this, Li Changshou rejoiced, ascended the steps with his whisk, slipped inside the palace, and headed straight for the backyard.

Finally, after gaining unrestricted access to the High Heavens Hall, a certain ordinary Heavenly Court official with influence had now also unlocked the 'unrestricted access to Tushita Palace' privilege!

Hmm, one must have dreams.

Li Changshou resolved that his next step would be towards 'unrestricted access to Taiqing Temple,' striving to firmly secure his position within Ren School!

Upon reaching the backyard and finding the Grand Master, Li Changshou couldn't help but frown slightly.

The Grand Master's resting place was truly too simple. There wasn't even a proper bed; he was simply lying on a haystack made of green grass. How could his sleep quality be high? Could his dreams be sweet?

"Cough, Grand Master... Grand Master? Senior Brother?"

Li Changshou called out a few times, but Grand Master Xuandu's snoring rhythm remained completely undisturbed.

This...

Li Changshou took a small bench from his sleeve and sat down. He then pulled out an erhu, and while seated, played an impassioned horse race melody.

"Hm?"

The deeply sleeping Grand Master slowly opened his eyes, turned to look at Li Changshou, who was sitting not far from him, stretched, and sat up.

"Changshou, what's wrong? Has someone bullied you?"

Li Changshou put away his erhu and quickly explained the minor incident that was currently unfolding.

After listening, the Grand Master smiled and said, "Perhaps it's just a misunderstanding or two. There's no need to be so nervous."

"Before the incident in the East Sea, I too would have considered this a misunderstanding," Li Changshou said. "But after that last battle, I now have to consider several more layers. According to the information I recently obtained, Grand Master, could you perhaps deduce anything about the name 'Ksitigarbha'? He should be a disciple of a Western Saint."

The Grand Master said, "But Wenjing..."

"Grand Master!"

Li Changshou suddenly interrupted him and made a shushing gesture.

The Grand Master couldn't help but laugh wryly, "This is Tushita Palace. What is there to fear?"

At once, the Grand Master held a phantom image of the Taiji Diagram in his left hand, closed his eyes in concentration, and began to carefully make his deductions.

Soon...

The Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus warned.

However, the Taiji Diagram slowly rotated, and wisps of Yin and Yang energies condensed out of thin air, flowing into the diagram's phantom image.

The Grand Master closed his eyes, wisps of Daoist charm swirling around him, and soon slowly exhaled: "This Ksitigarbha you speak of is a disciple of Senior Uncle Jieyin from the Western Sect. His cultivation isn't bad; it seems he has just recently emerged from seclusion."

Li Changshou said, "The recent East Sea incident was orchestrated by him."

"Oh?"

The Grand Master raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Indeed, Changshou, it's rare for you to encounter such an opponent."

Li Changshou continued, "Grand Master, could you please continue your deductions? I want to know if this Ksitigarbha possesses any powerful divine abilities, especially those for eavesdropping. It's very possible that True Lord Huanglong went to Luofu Cave to find Zhao Gongming, then unexpectedly encountered Holy Mother Huoling, and their conversation was overheard by someone."

The Grand Master, not understanding the implication, laughed and said, "Who could possibly be constantly watching Luofu Cave?"

Despite his words, the Grand Master continued to close his eyes in concentration and meticulously deduce.

This time, it truly took some effort, and the Grand Master's expression grew somewhat solemn.

"There is an auspicious beast named Di Ting, and this beast is Ksitigarbha's mount," the Grand Master said. "Heaven's Will reveals that it possesses a divine ability to hear the thoughts of all beings in the Three Realms and discern truth from falsehood in the world. This isn't considered a particularly powerful ability. At a slightly higher cultivation level, one only needs to be prepared beforehand and seal their Dao heart, and nothing will be overheard by it."

Only then did Li Changshou sigh in relief. "As long as it can be guarded against, that's good."

The Grand Master smiled, "Are you saying that Ksitigarbha is causing mischief by using Di Ting's divine ability?"

"At this moment, it's still just a conjecture. I wouldn't dare make a definitive statement."

After thinking for a moment, Li Changshou asked again, "Are there still many auspicious beasts like this in the Great Desolation now?"

"That's hard to say," the Grand Master replied with a smile. "Many ancient powerful beings who have lived until today possess various mysterious divine abilities. Speaking of auspicious beasts, during the peak of the ancient Demon Court, there was a great demon named Bai Ze. Its innate divine ability was to predict good and ill fortune and avoid harm. As soon as the third Lich War began, it vanished without a trace. I've had two encounters with Bai Ze, and each time he managed to escape beforehand. He could even sense danger the moment I harbored killing intent. He's a hundred times more troublesome than this Di Ting."

Bai Ze from ancient times is still alive?

Li Changshou made a mental note of this and then steered the conversation back to the current rumor.

The Grand Master initially didn't want to get involved in such a minor matter; but then he heard Li Changshou say: "I believe, though this matter is small, if Jie School were to go to Jade Pure Palace to confront True Lord Huanglong, it could very easily escalate the situation. Grand Master, perhaps you could first invite True Lord Huanglong, and then both of you could proceed to Luofu Cave. I already have a clone waiting there. I also need to devise a method to prevent such incidents from happening again."

"Good," the Grand Master stood up and instructed, "It's best if we can resolve this once and for all. Such rumors are indeed quite bothersome."

"Rest assured, Grand Master, I already have a plan."

The Grand Master nodded slightly, then directly used the Qiankun Shift technique to leave Tushita Palace.

Li Changshou glanced at the empty main hall of Tushita Palace, made a Daoist bow, and then slipped out.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Yin were nowhere to be seen. Tushita Palace was surprisingly quiet today.

After leaving Tushita Palace, Li Changshou went directly to the High Heavens Hall and waited outside for a while, multitasking.

The Grand Master soon arrived at Luofu Cave with True Lord Huanglong, meeting with Duobao, Gongming, Li Changshou, and the two bewildered young Holy Mothers.

The 'affair between Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Huoling' was merely a rumor. Once the involved parties met, it was naturally cleared up. True Lord Huanglong even voluntarily swore an oath to the Grand Dao, stating that he had never mentioned anything about Holy Mother Huoling to anyone. The flow of Heavenly Dao power confirmed his words.

At this point, Li Changshou finally had no more doubts.

This matter was most likely Ksitigarbha and Di Ting's casual mischief.

With the divine beast Di Ting's assistance, Ksitigarbha could 'catch wind and shadows' and freely fabricate rumors. Although effective and seemingly achieving 'a thousand catties with four ounces,' it was ultimately a low-level tactic.

This very act was a weakness!

The Western Sect was the first to employ such tactics; this was the cause; then his appropriate counterattack would be the effect.

As they sowed bitter seeds, they would reap bitter fruits!

Having made up his mind, Li Changshou stepped into the High Heavens Hall. Emperor Jade, seated high on his throne, immediately brightened, revealing a faint smile.

The white-robed Emperor Jade said, "Minister Chang Geng, you have been standing outside for quite some time. Is there something you find difficult to speak about?"

"Your Majesty, I was indeed hesitant just now, unsure whether I should ask Your Majesty..."

"Ask, I will certainly tell you everything I know!"

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, then quietly asked, "Your Majesty, how much Heavenly Dao power can you command? To what extent can you utilize it?"

Emperor Jade seemed somewhat perplexed, not understanding why Li Changshou would bring this up.

"Hmm..." Emperor Jade hummed softly, his words quite precise: "If a great evildoer is encountered, or someone disrespects the Heavenly Court, or if a fierce attack reaches my High Heavens Hall, summoning the Purple Heavens Divine Thunder should not be a problem."

Li Changshou immediately felt a surge of admiration. He admired Emperor Jade's increasingly meticulous way of doing things.

Purple Heavens Divine Thunder... and it's 'not a problem'... Simply unrivaled.

Inside Luofu Cave.

Li Changshou sat cross-legged with his eyes closed in concentration on a cushion in the corner. Four great figures from the Three Schools sat around a low table, while Holy Mother Jinguang and Holy Mother Huoling hid in a stone chamber deeper within the cave dwelling.

Jinguang continued to lie there 'unconscious,' while Holy Mother Huoling felt a little guilty. Fortunately, Li Changshou had secretly sent a message beforehand, instructing them to play their parts to the end.

Silence reigned in Luofu Cave for a long time.

"Senior Grand Brother," Daoist Duobao spoke, "are we really just going to let this matter go?"

Grand Master Xuandu shook his head with a smile. "Without evidence, how can we confront the one plotting behind this?"

"Their intentions are damnable!" True Lord Huanglong cursed. "The intentions of such a behind-the-scenes plotter are truly damnable!"

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard beside him and said in a deep voice, "This matter truly cannot be left unaddressed. Such rumors have already spread everywhere, unfairly tarnishing Senior Niece Huoling's reputation. But as Senior Grand Brother said, even if we know it's the Western Sect causing trouble, what can we do?"

Duobao also said, "Are we truly going to swallow this humiliation just like that?"

The Grand Master asked, "How do you plan to retaliate?"

The three Daoists simultaneously fell silent, each frowning in thought.

Duobao suddenly chuckled. "Then we'll just spread rumors everywhere too, and return it to them twofold."

Zhao Gongming said, "By then, gossip will be flying everywhere, with no real basis, and we'll be the ones who suffer in the end."

"Esteemed... Senior Brothers?"

Li Changshou opened his eyes in the corner, smiled calmly, adjusted the hem of his Daoist robe, and slowly stood up. "I have a plan that might work."

The eight eyes immediately brightened in unison.

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and smiled. "What is this plan?"

Li Changshou made a Daoist bow, then stood up fully, smiling as he said, "This plan is different from before. I call it — 'Exaggerate to Control.' Since our opponent has given us this opportunity, we might as well make full use of it."

Daoist Duobao couldn't help but ask, "How do we make use of it?"

"We make a big deal out of it!" Li Changshou stated firmly, "So big that it might alarm the Saints at any moment. We'll use this to make the Western Sect panic, and the one plotting behind the scenes will feel unable to bear such karma, indirectly putting pressure on him!"

The Grand Master smiled, "Chang Geng, please explain your plan in detail, and we can discuss it thoroughly."

"Yes," Li Changshou made a Daoist bow, organized his thoughts, and said aloud: "This counterattack can be divided into three steps. The first step is today. Soon, Senior Brother Huanglong needs to leave this place in a rage, making some noise, and upon returning to Jade Pure Palace, he should complain to a few Chan School masters. Afterward, Senior Niece Huoling also needs to put on a show, ideally to the point of being suicidal, feeling her innocent reputation has been insulted, and publicize this matter. This first step is titled: 'True Lord Huanglong Wronged in Luofu Cave, Holy Mother Huoling Vows to Die to Prove Her Innocence.' Remember, all of you who know this plan must remain vigilant at all times, so as not to give our opponent any opportunity. Since the other side wants to scheme against our Dao Sect, then we will give them a fright, teach them a small lesson, and let them know that using certain despicable methods comes with endless consequences!"

The Grand Master and Daoist Duobao's eyes lit up; they had already understood Li Changshou's subsequent reasoning. Zhao Gongming and True Lord Huanglong, on the other hand, exchanged glances, seeing 'not quite understanding' in each other's eyes, and immediately felt somewhat relieved. They weren't alone in their confusion.

Half an hour later, True Lord Huanglong, with a grim expression, left Luofu Cave on his cloud. After flying only a few hundred li, he turned back towards Mount Emei, let out a cold snort, and then swept his sleeves and departed. Not long after, Holy Mother Huoling, with red-rimmed eyes, followed Daoist Duobao out of Luofu Cave, taking the 'heavily injured' Holy Mother Jinguang with her.

Thus, a grand play commenced.

Li Changshou hadn't expected that Daoist Duobao and True Lord Huanglong would so readily agree to the plan he proposed. During the past half-hour, the four great Daoist figures had even exchanged tips on acting and rehearsed the subsequent developments several times, which greatly pleased Li Changshou.

One of his paper effigies hid in True Lord Huanglong's sleeve and would secretly observe the 'trends' within Chan School.

This plan actually had five layers of objectives. Li Changshou had revealed four layers to the great figures, but he kept the last layer to himself.

A gentleman's revenge is not delayed by a month. Using this opportunity to strike at Ksitigarbha would lay the groundwork for Ksitigarbha's future 'self-imposed seclusion,' and also ensure that Ksitigarbha would have constraints and rules for any future schemes.

Not every trick can be used indiscriminately.