Chapter 344: Let Bian Zhuang Walk the Right Path

Prince Consort, I, Old Zhuang, haven't offended anyone—where does this karma come from?

Bian Zhuang said with a look of grievance.

Heh.

Bian Zhuang, fellow Daoist, do you think your hiding in the dark could be concealed from a few sages?

This...

Bian Zhuang thought for a moment, then said helplessly: 'Sages know all about the Three Realms; my little concealment tricks are nothing before them.'

Then isn't that settled?

Ao Yifan said: 'This time the four sages have descended; the two from the West have suffered great loss of face. If no outsiders knew, it would be fine, but now that you know, the Two Sages of the West might...'

What? Prince Consort, don't scare me—I'm timid. You mean my karma lies with the Western Teaching?

Saying this, Bian Zhuang felt a chill run halfway through his heart.

He knows the Two Sages of the West are notorious for being petty and will stop at nothing.

If they decide to scheme against me, what good could come of it?

Suddenly, Bian Zhuang recalled the Prince Consort's earlier demeanor—this person could calmly face several sages, a tough one.

Prince Consort!

With a mournful cry, Bian Zhuang slumped to the ground, looking aggrieved.

Prince Consort, I, Old Zhuang, have always been loyal to you; this time you must save me!

Saying this, Bian Zhuang even forced out a few tears from the corners of his eyes.

Seeing this, Ao Yifan's mouth twitched involuntarily; he couldn't help but admire this fellow's thick skin.

All right, considering our acquaintance, I, the Prince Consort, will point you toward a proper path.

Ao Yifan said.

Prince Consort, please speak; if you can save Old Zhuang this time, I will forever follow your lead.

Bian Zhuang solemnly promised.

Hearing this, Ao Yifan nodded and then said pointedly: 'Bian Zhuang, fellow Daoist, if I recall correctly, the incarnation of the Supreme Purity Sage, Lord Lao, currently holds a post in the Heavenly Court—do you know why?'

This: the Heavenly Court follows the Heavenly Dao, about to commence the Investiture of the Gods; Lord Lao goes along with the Dao, taking charge of the Heavenly Court—my master once told me this.

Bian Zhuang said.

That's correct!

Ao Yifan patted Bian Zhuang's shoulder and said: 'Now even the sages follow the Heavenly Dao and join the Heavenly Court. If you were to join the Heavenly Court and become part of this calamity's settlement, could the Two Sages of the West, no matter how powerful, still defy Heaven?'

That makes sense!

Bian Zhuang's eyes lit up, but then he worried: 'However, joining the Heavenly Court isn't that easy; my status is low, and His Majesty the August Heavenly Emperor may not give me a good position.'

Bian Zhuang, fellow Daoist, this is you underestimating yourself!

Ao Yifan said: 'Your status is not low; you are a third-generation disciple of the Human Teaching, and moreover a disciple of Grand Master Xuan Du—you are truly orthodox Human Teaching.'

But does His Majesty the August Heavenly Emperor really recognize that? After all, I am merely a nominal disciple of my master.

Bian Zhuang still lacked confidence.

Don't worry!

Ao Yifan said solemnly: 'Your status will surely be acknowledged by my father-in-law; if not, go weep before Lord Lao—out of respect for Grand Master Xuan Du, could he possibly ignore you?'

Hearing this, Bian Zhuang's face showed astonishment as he hesitated: 'Wouldn't doing that be too shameless?'

After all, he is somewhat known in the Three Realms.

At his age, if he runs to his elders to cry when trouble arises, and this gets out, would Bian Zhuang lose face?

Bian Zhuang, fellow Daoist!

Seeing this fellow still worrying about face, Ao Yifan sternly admonished: 'Look at the Two Sages of the West—how did they become sages? Wasn't it by being shameless all the way? If you keep worrying about face, how can you achieve great things?'

Prince Consort, isn't it wrong to speak of sages like that?

Bian Zhuang was startled and looked left and right.

After experiencing the earlier descent of the four sages, he grew a bit suspicious and fearful—there's no helping it, the sages' methods are truly beyond comprehension.

Don't worry; nowadays we could even say we have acquaintanceship with the Primordial Heavenly Lord and the Leader of the Sect of Penetrating Heaven—the Two Sages of the West wouldn't dare do anything to me.

Ao Yifan said: 'On the contrary, as a cultivator, what matters is acting according to your heart's desire; you worry too much about face—how can your cultivation path proceed smoothly? Sometimes, letting go of face, you'll find everything ceases to be a problem—perhaps...'

Perhaps what?

To be honest, Bian Zhuang was swayed.

Hehe, just mentioned, the Two Sages of the West became sages by being shameless; Bian Zhuang, fellow Daoist, here is a great path before you—why not give it a try?

Ao Yifan gave a mysterious smile and said: 'Discard your own face; perhaps one day you, Bian Zhuang, will have the chance to enter the sage's realm, and thereafter everyone will have to call you Zhuang Saint!'

Zhuang Saint! Discard your face, follow the path of the Two Sages of the West, and achieve the sage's realm!

At this moment, Bian Zhuang's heart was completely moved.

Prince Consort!

Bian Zhuang, his face excited, looked at Ao Yifan and said: "Thank you, Prince Consort, for your guidance today. From now on, Old Master Ao will no longer care about his face; if the true sage way is truly accomplished, a single word from the Prince Consort, this old Ao will definitely go through fire and water without hesitation."

Thank you, Prince Consort, for today's guidance; Old Ao Zhuang will no longer care about face from now on—if the true sage's way is achieved, a single word from the Prince Consort will have Old Zhuang rushing through fire and water, sparing no effort!

Ao Yifan looked at Bian Zhuang with a satisfied expression, he thought: "This guy has finally been duped into limping by me."

Ao Yifan looked at Bian Zhuang with satisfaction, thinking: 'This fellow, I've finally managed to lead him astray.'

However, someday as the illustrious Marshal Tianpeng, if he remains this concerned about face, wouldn't that be too dull?

Therefore, Ao Yifan decided to properly correct him, guiding him onto the right path.

Great kindness needs no thanks; Prince Consort, just watch Old Zhuang's future conduct!

Husband, weren't you just deceiving that simpleton?

Watching Bian Zhuang's retreating back, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady finally couldn't help but speak.

Pa!

A crisp sound rang out, Ao Yifan glanced sideways at the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady and said, "Impudent, do you think your husband is that kind of person? I was just giving him a clear path, yet you dare doubt your own husband—I've decided that today I will surely punish you properly!"

Hearing this, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady couldn't help but blush.

After all, if only Yuan Feng were present now, everyone had already been frank with each other, and could be considered comrades who had borne arms together, so there would naturally be nothing awkward.

But Yuan Feng's daughter is still here, which makes the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady a bit embarrassed.

Indeed, Kong Xuan beside him had a somewhat dazed gaze, repeatedly imagining Ao Yifan's hand movements just now.

It seems he earlier did the same thing to me—no, he isn't the mother's husband, so what is he to this woman…

Thinking this, Kong Xuan felt a sour ache in his heart, and his gaze at Ao Yifan gained a hint of resentment.