Chapter 884: Sitting and Discussing the Dao

Blood continuously flowed from the Yellow Skin Daoist's mouth, then turned into strands of green spiritual light that merged with heaven and earth.

Facing the Netherworld Peng Sovereign's surprise attack, the Yellow Skin Daoist offered no resistance.

He merely wore a fake smile, his gaze sweeping past the Netherworld Peng Sovereign's shoulder to fixed on Wu Tie, and he said word by word: 'The Martial King is a man who observes the rules… Do you still wish to observe the rules?'

Killing intent surged in the Netherworld Peng Sovereign's eyes.

The Yellow Skin Daoist's behavior utterly disregarded him.

Raising his left hand, the Netherworld Peng Sovereign prepared to strike down the Yellow Skin Daoist.

Wu Tie coughed, then said in a deep voice: 'Peng Sovereign, please halt.'

The Netherworld Peng Sovereign stared, then gave a 'heh heh' cold laugh: 'What an old Daoist, this brat—you've indeed persuaded him.'

Retracting his right hand's long, sharp claws, the Netherworld Peng Sovereign flickered and returned to Wu Tie's side, licking the drop of the Yellow Skin Daoist's blood still on his right index fingernail, as if nothing had happened.

'I naturally observe the rules.' Wu Tie, hands tucked in his sleeves, gazed warmly at the Yellow Skin Daoist: 'But you actually know I am a man who observes the rules, and yet you use that to discuss rules with me—how interesting, how interesting.'

The Yellow Skin Daoist smiled, producing from his sleeve a thumb‑sized yellow pill, peeled off its thin transparent feather‑like coating, flicked it with a finger, and the pill sank into the wound in his chest pierced by the Netherworld Peng Sovereign.

A wisp of fragrant medicinal vapor sprayed from the pierced wound; the Yellow Skin Daoist gave a soft hum, his injury instantly healed rapidly, leaving no trace after a single breath.

Wu Tie narrowed his eyes, impressed by the superb alchemical skill.

That strike of the Netherworld Peng Sovereign just now contained a trace of his thousand‑fold refined demonic aura, which ordinary medicines could not dispel; the Yellow Skin Daoist needed only one pill to instantly heal his wound—its potency is easy to imagine.

It was hardly wasted on the rich medicinal aura that clung to the Yellow Skin Daoist and his companions.

The Yellow Skin Daoist tossed aside the thin feather‑like cloth in his hand and said calmly: 'Yes, the Martial King is a man who observes the rules. Otherwise, had he not killed Feng Xiao and his gang and seized the magpie's nest in Sui Du, would that not be good?'

He sighed, then said leisurely: 'Of course, we can be certain the Martial King observes the rules, precisely because he obtained that imperial edict jointly signed by the thirty‑six former emperors of the Sui Dynasty…'

'Do you, Daoist, know the origin of that edict?' Wu Tie felt a flicker of interest.

'The Azure Lotus Temple is, after all, one of the three state‑protecting divine sects, and its foundation and inheritance far surpass those two.' The Yellow Skin Daoist flicked the whisk in his hand, then said solemnly: 'Thus, knowing some things the Feng Clan royal family are unaware of, perceiving some matters they dare not investigate, is not difficult for us.'

Wu Tie nodded in approval: 'Not bad; the Azure Lotus Temple's foundation is indeed formidable.'

Wu Tie recalled what the Black Stone Daoist had said: in their rear‑mountain secret cavern lay ten thousand self‑sealed ancient monsters, half‑step venerable beings whose lifespans had reached the limit.

'The fact that the Martial King could obtain that edict proves that the hidden powers truly controlling the Sui Dynasty's fortunes all approve of his character.' The Yellow Skin Daoist sighed: 'Although our Azure Lotus Temple is dissatisfied with their existence… we cannot deny their strength and vision.'

'Those they favor, we are naturally willing to discuss rules with.' The Yellow Skin Daoist tapped the dragon‑head scepter in his left hand toward Wu Tie: 'Shall we now discuss the rules?'

Wu Tie drew a deep breath: 'Easy to say, easy to say; please, Daoist, mark out the way.'

The Yellow Skin Daoist pointed to the temple below, especially the shattered jade archway: 'You trespassed the Daoist mountain gate, injured the Daoist mountain guards—you are in the wrong.'

Wu Tie narrowed his eyes and remained silent.

'However, the old Daoist is not the sort who, being right, refuses to let go.' The Yellow Skin Daoist said solemnly: 'The old Daoist, together with his eight junior disciples here, wishes to properly discuss matters with the Martial King—if the old Daoist and his brothers happen to prevail, please, Martial King, refrain from meddling in Sui Dynasty affairs henceforth.'

Wu Tie's eyebrows shot up, his heart giving a sudden jolt—'Well then, Azure Lotus Temple, you've been waiting for us here, huh?'

In that edict, Wu Tie was ennobled as the One‑Character Side‑by‑Side King of the Sui Dynasty, his rank equal to the Sui Divine Emperor, with supervisory authority over the state, even the power to depose the emperor and execute disloyal subjects.

With such authority, judging by Wu Tie's previous conduct, the strength he has displayed, and the top‑tier combat power he now commands, the Sui Dynasty's future will surely be stable and secure.

Stable and secure…… that is not good.

The Azure Lotus Temple sent nine old Daoists who style themselves 'Breaking the Gate, Reverse the Dao,' simply to keep Wu Tie from interfering in Sui Dynasty affairs.

Wu Tie said coldly: 'Even if the Sui Dynasty is awash in a sea of blood?'

The Yellow Skin Daoist replied: 'Then let it be a sea of blood!'

Wu Tie gazed coldly at the Yellow Skin Daoist.

The Yellow Skin Daoist gazed coldly at Wu Tie.

Their eyes locked, after a long while, Wu Tie sneered: 'What if I, the king, refuse to agree?'

The Yellow Skin Daoist cupped his hands toward the distance, speaking softly with a hint of sorrow: 'The Martial King relies on force, he crashed the Daoist mountain gate, injured the Daoist mountain guards, yet remains relentless and overbearing… what can be done…'

In the far distance, beneath a mass of dark clouds on the horizon, a flash of azure light appeared.

A lotus of azure hue, a million li in diameter, burst open wildly; its petals exploded one after another, each obliterating mountains within millions of li to ash and smoke.

Wu Tie suddenly opened his heavenly eye at the brow; a beam of chaotic divine light shone forth, and he clearly saw the terrifying sight in the distant wilderness—earth, water, fire, and wind all turned to chaos, the annihilating chaotic tide surging and rolling, leveling countless mountains tens of thousands of zhang high and spanning a thousand li, turning innumerable birds and beasts into resentful spirits.

Fortunately, that was merely an undeveloped wilderness, with few Sui Dynasty inhabitants.

Aside from some unlucky herb‑gatherers, hunters, and treasure‑seekers, perhaps several million people scattered in that forest would turn to ash along with it, and not many Sui Dynasty civilians would suffer.

With his heavenly eye's power, Wu Tie clearly saw millions of human silhouettes instantly annihilated in that chaotic tide.

'One of the old Daoist's grand masters, unable to endure the humiliation, self‑detonated and perished.' The Yellow Skin Daoist chuckled lightly: 'A half‑step venerable's self‑explosion wields enough power to turn a domain of tens of millions of li into a dead land.'

Wu Tie's whole body turned icy, unable to speak.

The Yellow Skin Daoist said leisurely: 'I wonder how vast the Martial King's Wuguo territory is.'

Wu Tie remained silent for a long while before hoarsely asking the Yellow Skin Daoist: 'Are you still cultivators of the Dao?'

The Yellow Skin Daoist gave a soft sigh: 'Our paths differ…'

In the far distance, strong light, gale‑force winds, and deafening terrifying roars surged forth in rolling waves; Wu Tie's massive fleet hovered in midair, and although the fleet had activated its formation, linking tens of thousands of warships large and small into one entity, it was still shaken unsteadily by the wind.

Amid the gale, the bright light, the fearsome roar, Wu Tie shouted sternly: 'What if I, the king, win?'

The Yellow Skin Daoist said solemnly: 'If the old Daoist and his brothers prevail, please, Martial King, refrain from meddling in Sui Dynasty affairs… if you, the king, win… then nothing like today will happen again; each will rely on his own means—how about that?'

Wu Tie said coldly: 'Can you decide?'

The Yellow Skin Daoist slowly nodded: 'I can decide… the Martial King could obtain that edict, so he must have already communicated with them… we, too, wish not to provoke them… after all, we are merely a pitiful band of Dao seekers.'

Before Wu Tie could speak, the Yellow Skin Daoist shouted sternly: 'Heaven and earth will not allow us to advance another step… we can only spare no cost to break these heavenly fetters.'

Wu Tie replied coldly: 'Even if we act like demonic fiends?'

The Yellow Skin Daoist nodded: 'Even if our conduct resembles that of demonic fiends.'

Wu Tie extended his hand to point at the spacious platform, several hundred zhang square, at the prow of the martial vessel, and said in a deep voice: 'Then, please.'

The Azure Lotus Temple resorted to such measures—without shying from entrapment or intimidation, exhausting every means—simply to keep Wu Tie from interfering in Sui Dynasty affairs; clearly, the temple will surely undertake major actions in the Sui Dynasty thereafter.

Wu Tie would not tolerate such matters.

But others have pulled off the stunt of a half-step venerable-level old monster self-destructing… To be honest, Wu Tie cannot bear such consequences.

One or two would be tolerable, but these humanoid disasters—there are a full hundred thousand buried in the rear mountains of Qinglian Temple.

Wu Tie can only strive for victory… He only hopes that Qinglian Temple keeps its word.

If they go back on their word, Wu Tie can only do his best to contend with them, ultimately ending in mutual destruction. In short, Qinglian Temple wants to spread the war to Wuguo, which Wu Tie absolutely cannot tolerate.

The heavy-hearted Wu Tie glanced at those around him; for now, he can only take things step by step.

The Huangpi Daoist laughed loudly, flicked his right hand, and a small incense burner over three feet tall fell dead center on the platform; wisps of purple light smoke rose slowly, and within a radius of several hundred miles, a rich, refreshing fragrance immediately pervaded, refreshing the spirit.

The Huangpi Daoist shook his left sleeve, and two cold-jade mats over three feet in diameter flew out.

Pure white throughout, with inner flashes of azure cold light, the cold-jade mats landed with a 'thud-thud', one left, one right beside the incense burner. The Huangpi Daoist stepped forward and landed gracefully on the left mat.

"King Wu, since we're discussing principles and rules, you made the first mistake, so it's only natural for me, the old Daoist, to set the questions." The Huangpi Daoist pointed to the mat opposite: "Please, please, please… come sit and discuss the Dao."

Wu Tie said in a deep voice: "Just me alone?"

The Huangpi Daoist nodded with a smile: "Just King Wu alone… King Wu is a man who observes the rules; since his people erred, naturally it's me and my eight fellow Daoist brothers who will debate King Wu alone!"

Wu Tie slowly exhaled, then smiled and said: "Good!"

Taking a step forward, Wu Tie came above the cold-jade mat, shook off his robe, and slowly descended to sit on the mat.

The Huangpi Daoist said with a smile: "Then let the first round begin. Um, I and King Wu will exchange pointers on the medicinal principles of alchemy, ruler-minister assistance, and so on. We'll each propose three questions; whoever answers more correctly wins this round… If the numbers of correct answers are equal, we'll propose another three, alright?"

Wu Tie nodded slowly, his vast divine sense operating at full capacity; countless pieces of knowledge about medicinal principles and properties surged forth from the massive database inherited from Old Iron.

Wu Tie simply didn't believe that, given the fragmented state of modern human civilization, Qinglian Temple's knowledge of medicinal principles could match the complete database preserved from the primordial mythic era by Old Iron.

If that were truly the case, Wu Tie would accept it.

The Huangpi Daoist made the first move, producing a common roadside stinkweed and chuckling as he placed it before Wu Tie.

"King Wu, please look—what marvelous use does this stinkweed have?"

Wu Tie's mouth twitched.

Stinkweed is not a spiritual herb born from the infusion of heavenly and earthly primal energy.

The former aristocratic clans of the Great Wei, and now the Bian and Hua families of Wuguo, who excel in medicinal alchemy, focus all their efforts on those spirit-rich herbs; who would even glance at these roadside, waterside stinkweeds that are utterly unremarkable?

In the present age, stinkweed is utterly useless.

However, in the era before the primordial myths, stinkweed could be refined to yield a strange component that has excellent efficacy against certain special ailments, common human illnesses.

The Huangpi Daoist intended to use this obscure knowledge to catch Wu Tie off guard, but it ended up striking right on Wu Tie's blade.

Wu Tie tilted his head, glanced askance, and looked at the Huangpi Daoist with a conflicted expression.

The Huangpi Daoist, together with the eight Daoists standing in midair outside, laughed.

They did not want Wu Tie to interfere further in Sui Chao's affairs; they wished Sui Chao to follow the path set by Qinglian Temple, forging for these seekers of the Dao a possible road to heaven.

Yet they also feared Wu Tie, who produced that strange imperial edict, and feared those behind it.

Thus they devised this scheme: feigning a debate while secretly planning to self-destruct an ancestor whose lifespan had reached its limit and could no longer be prolonged, to intimidate Wu Tie; they racked their brains further to come up with the 'discussing the Dao while seated' method, hoping to make Wu Tie meekly shut his mouth and eyes and cease meddling in Sui Chao's internal affairs.

They searched through all of Qinglian Temple's classics for the efficacy of this stinkweed, but found no corresponding record.

The potency of this stinkweed was actually discovered by accident by a menial disciple of Qinglian Temple.

They simply didn't believe that Wu Tie, as the lord of Wuguo, could comprehend the use of such a lowly weed.

As expected, seeing Wu Tie's grimacing face, the Huangpi Daoist and his companions laughed happily. It was obvious that Wu Tie didn't know the use of this stinkweed, so the Huangpi Daoist could count this first question as his win.

"King Wu, could it be that you don't even know such superficial medicinal principles?" the Huangpi Daoist sneered: "It's a shame, King Wu, that you exchanged pills for such a vast territory in the Demon Kingdom."

Wu Tie laughed: "It seems your Qinglian Temple really has eyes and ears everywhere, even knowing my affairs in the Demon Kingdom in perfect detail."

After a cold snort, Wu Tie said calmly: "But is it for malaria?"

Wu Tie said coldly: "Malaria is merely a minor ache that even slight cultivators don't suffer; it's not easy for you to have come up with this question."

Without waiting for the stunned Huangpi Daoist to speak, Wu Tie waved his right hand toward the great mountain below.

The mountain's veins trembled; soon, vast mist rose from within the mountain, and Wu Tie directly controlled a vein beneath it, refining from it a lump of pure arsenic as large as a square zhang.

"Then here comes my question. Besides killing people, arsenic has another extremely obscure use—may I ask what it is?"

Wu Tie stared at the Huangpi Daoist, coldly laughing, laughing again, and laughing yet again.