Techniques and Dao

Chapter 123 Erlang Shen (2)

Erlang Shen's words implied something, which left Hua Sheng somewhat puzzled.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun deliberately ignored him, saying, "General, you jest. My master has long since retired from worldly affairs, only seeking to refine elixirs in peace. If it weren't for my meddling, the Dao Ancestor wouldn't have bothered with such trivial matters."

Erlang Shen smiled slightly but did not reply.

Seeing that it was time to get down to business, Taishang Xiaojun said, "To be honest, we dare to bother you today, Zhenjun, because we want to ask you about something."

"I knew you had something to say." Erlang Shen leaned back and crossed his legs.

Taishang Xiaojun glanced at the blooming flowers.

Hua Sheng bowed and said, "True Lord, to be honest, I and the Supreme Lord Xiaojun are both cultivating at the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the abbot, Dao Lingxingjun, is currently imprisoned in the Blazing Wrath Heavenly Prison."

Erlang Shen sneered and said, "So what? Isn't this Dao Ling Xingjun's own fault? According to Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Mingyou also came from your Daoist Academy. You've caused trouble in your own backyard and affected the mortal world. Now that there have been casualties among the immortal masters in that battle, even if the Holy Court acts openly, how can the Heavenly Court sit idly by? Arresting Dao Ling Xingjun is too lenient. In my opinion, all those immortal masters in your academy who stirred up trouble should be imprisoned!"

"General, you jest! Haha! Putting so many immortal masters in the Heavenly Prison is a waste of the Holy Court's Ministry of Revenue's money! Besides, if all the immortal masters are arrested, then the next generation of Saint Pingning will all be out of school."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun quickly tried to ease the tension: "For more than a thousand years in Sheng Ping Ning, many immortals and spirits have had some connection with the Heavenly Court. Naturally, the immortals of the Heavenly Court wouldn't want the descendants of royal relatives to have no education, would they?"

Erlang Shen glared and said, "So the Heavenly Court doesn't 'punish the ringleaders and let the accomplices go unpunished'? So you can still cultivate in peace?"

Taishang Xiaojun raised his index finger and pointed upwards, saying, "However, General, you also know that although the Academy of Arts and Sciences suffered considerable losses in the Battle of Qiankun, it still saved many lives in the mortal realm. If the mortal realm were to cease to exist, not only would the Dao Ancestor suffer losses, but the Heavenly Court's many offerings of incense would also be lost. In the end, isn't the Academy also protecting the interests of the Heavenly Realm?"

Erlang Shen shook his head and said, "Xiao Jun, you are mistaken. The trouble was ultimately caused by Xi Yuan. Regardless of the outcome, Dao Ling Xing Jun will always be implicated."

Taishang Xiaojun nodded in agreement, and said, "What the general said is very true. However, every natural disaster and man-made calamity also has its opportunities within danger, and it depends on how the immortals of the Heavenly Court judge it. It is true that Lingxingjun is guilty in this matter, but it is also acceptable to portray the participating immortal masters and disciples as defending the mortal world and saving lives, and to describe their bravery and martial prowess." Reporting good news and not bad news has happened more than once or twice before. True Lord, you have been in the officialdom for many years and should have heard about the mysteries of characterization.

"Hmph! I have never heard of such a thing!" Erlang Shen chuckled dismissively.

"That's right, that's right! Although Dao Ling Xingjun was once a sage of the Jianjing realm, he is now merely the head of an academy. In what capacity should Xingjun bear responsibility for the casualties of the Qiankun Defense War? While Xingjun may have made the decision as the headmaster, the weight of this responsibility is probably too great for a mere academy's head immortal to bear. To erase the merit of establishing Shengpingning with this matter would be excessive. However, if this matter harmed innocent civilians of Shengpingning, causing Xingjun's merits to outweigh his faults, then no immortal in charge of Lingwei Yangzhou has come forward to share the blame. Surely Your Excellency has noticed this?"

Upon hearing this, Erlang Shen's face turned pale.

"Supreme Lord, I advise you to behave yourself! Today, I wouldn't have wanted to discuss official matters if it weren't for our shared affiliation with Ancestor Hongjun. But since you are disciples of the Daoist Academy, you must have some connection with that Dao Ling Star Lord, so I might as well say a few more words. Firstly, although Dao Ling Star Lord has been well-behaved for many years, as one of the Seven Sages of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he has been lying low for many years. How do you know that he doesn't want to use the Qiankun Guardian War with Mingyou to win over the hearts of the people in the mortal world, forcing the Heavenly Court to appoint officials to the Lingxiao Palace and turn the tide in one fell swoop?"

"General's guess is probably..." Taishang Xiaojun was about to speak.

"This is one of them!"

Erlang Shen interrupted Taishang Xiaojun, shouting, "Secondly, in most power struggles, scholars and students are used as spears and shields. How could Daoling Xingjun not understand this? Since he claims to be a savior of the world, he should have realized that using his disciples is tantamount to giving others a handle against him. Now that he has been thrown into the Heavenly Prison, he has to accept his defeat. Who can he blame for this?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Sheng was indignant and argued, "General, you and Dao Ling Xingjun are both among the Seven Sages of the Founding Realm. You should know that Dao Ling Xingjun is not a fraud or a charlatan. He is a man..."

Unexpectedly, Erlang Shen immediately flew into a rage, slammed his fist on the table, and said, "Who are you to interrupt me!"

The impact was so strong that Hua Sheng's ears were ringing. The wooden chair he was sitting on instantly turned to dust, and he almost fell on his backside.

After finally managing to stand up straight, there was nowhere to sit, so I had to stand to the side.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun immediately gave Hua Sheng a wink and said in a conciliatory manner, "True Lord, please calm down. My fellow disciple has only been in Shengping Ning for less than a year, so it's understandable that he doesn't know the rules here."

Erlang Shen snorted but didn't say anything.

Seeing that things were not going well, and fearing that Erlang Shen would immediately prepare to serve tea and send the guest away, Taishang Xiaojun quickly changed the subject, saying, "I just said that, and the general just heard it. Please take it as a junior speaking without thinking, a child's words."

He then turned to Hua Sheng and said, "Hey? Didn't you just say you had an upset stomach and were going to the place of the Five Grains Reincarnation? Why are you afraid to go now that you've seen the General? It's alright, it's alright. I have a few more words to say to the True Lord. You go ahead, Hua Sheng."

Hua Sheng was taken aback, but then immediately realized that the Supreme Lord Xiao Jun must be trying to get rid of him.

Concerned for the safety of Dao Ling Xing Jun, he decided it was best to leave now. He bowed to Erlang Shen and left the main hall.

They had only taken a few steps when the Ruihua Treasure Mirror transmitted a message from the Supreme Lord Xiaojun.

“I originally intended to say a few words in defense of Dao Ling Xingjun, hoping to persuade Erlang Shen to show leniency. However, since he is unyielding on this matter, he will likely not agree to let us see Xingjun. Now, we can proceed as previously agreed, with Mieying taking the purple-gold thread and attempting to see Xingjun. You yourself should return quickly, and make sure no one sees you. Be careful! If this doesn't work, then so be it, and we can discuss it further later.”

Hua Sheng then flew back to the ground, hiding in a secluded, dark spot. She raised her wrist and whispered, "Mie Ying! There's no one here anymore, come out!"

The red and gold watch on his wrist vanished in a flash of white light, and Mieying Xiaoqi instantly reappeared in front of Hua Sheng. Hua Sheng quickly asked, "You said you could pass through this Crystal Lock Array. What kind of immortal technique did you use?"

While smoothing out the wrinkles on her Taoist robe, Mie Ying said, "I've heard my elder sister mention this Crystal Lock Array before. It's extremely difficult to break with immortal techniques. However, there are magical artifacts that can pass through it. I happen to have one of those artifacts on me."

"There really is a way?" Hua Sheng quickly said, "Then hurry up and go see Dao Ling Xingjun. Remember to be careful, and if it doesn't work, retreat quickly."

Hua Sheng was about to turn back to the main room when Mie Ying suddenly grabbed his sleeve, shook her head, and said, "I've thought about it, and I think it's better if you go, Hua Sheng..."

Mieying Xiaoqi is usually straightforward, but her sudden change of heart puzzled Hua Sheng, who asked, "If you have a magic weapon, you can just go see Dao Ling Xingjun. Why go through all this trouble?"

Mie Ying lowered his head and said, "Hua Sheng, you have experienced the Battle of Qiankun, you must have more questions to ask Lord Dao Lingxing. Besides... besides, Ming You was introduced to the Daoist Academy by my eldest sister. Now that Lord Dao Lingxing is imprisoned, my sister is standing aside. Thinking about it carefully, my sister and I have no face to see Lord Dao Lingxing..."

"What are you saying? You're overthinking things. Dao Ling Xingjun won't blame you for something like this. Everyone knows that the real reason he was imprisoned wasn't this..."

Mieying still insisted, saying, "No! You go instead. I need to transform into your appearance to make a good impression, lest Erlang Shen become suspicious if it takes too long."

“However…” Hua Sheng wanted to argue a bit more, because he had almost no idea how to use the magic weapon that Mie Ying mentioned could pass through the Li Liujing Lock Array.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

But judging from Mieying's expression, his mind was made up.

Seeing that Mieying insisted on letting him go, Hua Sheng stopped refusing and asked, "But what method should I use to pass through those layers of the Heavenly Prison's immortal array?"

"Wait a moment..." Mieying slipped her slender hand into her Taoist robe through the gap at her neck.

Hua Sheng saw Mie Ying reach her hand into her neck and assumed it was a necklace or some other ornament, so she waited for her to pull out some magical treasure.

Suddenly, Mieying blushed and scolded, "You pig-headed idiot, what are you staring at me for! Turn around right now!"

Hua Sheng was startled, but quickly realized what was happening and turned his back.

After waiting a while, seeing that the Shadowless One behind him still made no sound, Hua Sheng asked, "May I turn back..."

"Wait, wait! Don't..." Mieying shoved Huasheng in the back and cursed, "Dare to turn around or I'll gouge out your dog eyes!"

Hua Sheng had no choice but to wait patiently.

Then Mieying said, "It's...it's okay now. Turn around."

Hua Sheng turned around and saw that Mie Ying held a bright red silk ribbon in his hand. The red silk ribbon was fragrant, and even though he was quite a distance away from Mie Ying, he could smell the sweet fragrance.

"Huh? What's this tape?"

“The Hun Tian Ling…” Mie Ying said, his face flushed.

"Wow! The Universe Ring? You actually have such a treasure? How come I've never seen you take it out before?"

Hua Sheng reached out to take the Hun Tian Ling, but Mie Ying withdrew her hand.

She shifted her gaze to the side and pressed the back of her hand against her flushed cheeks, as if trying to cool them down. Then she said softly, "This young lady... has been in poor health since childhood. This Hun Tian Ling is a magical artifact, so I've always worn it close to my body..."

"Close to...close to the body? Isn't that the underwear..." Hua Sheng suddenly felt embarrassed as soon as he said this.

"You bastard! Don't you dare talk nonsense!" Mie Ying stomped his foot and said.

Hua Sheng quickly corrected himself, saying, "My apologies, my apologies, this Hun Tian Ling is intended to..."

"My elder sister once told me that as long as it is accompanied by a spell to break the formation, this Hun Tian Ling can break most of the immortal formations of Sheng Ping Ning. It allows people to come and go freely, so I guess it can unlock the Li Liu Jing Lock Formation. At this time, we can only give it a try."

"But this is something you wear intimately, how can I wear it..."

"Idiot! Who asked you to wear it!"

(End of this chapter)