Chapter 983: The Immortal Tea and the Beating to Come

Xuan Yue Zhenjun spoke with solemn gravity: “My trip there was only to establish an initial intention, to lay some preliminary karmic ties. But how to handle this relationship ultimately depends on you. What you need to do now is find a time to stay at Jiangong for a few days—just get familiar with everyone.”

Don’t be formal at Jiangong—eat and drink as you please, ask freely about anything you want to learn, but don’t accept any titles or positions. Remember! We can’t sell ourselves too cheaply…”

Xuan Yue Zhenjun halted himself in time.

Zhang Sheng said coolly: “You decline three times, refuse three times, then sell it for a higher price, right?”

Xuan Yue was heartbroken: “How can you call it selling? It’s… it’s…”

Xuan Yue had read few historical texts and couldn’t find a suitable word to gloss over it; under Zhang Sheng’s clear gaze, his pressure mounted until sweat beaded on his forehead.

Zhang Sheng suddenly smiled and asked: “Just how great is this killing calamity I’m facing?”

Xuan Yue’s expression changed instantly, his words stumbling: “W-what killing calamity? There’s no such thing! Don’t go imagining things—it’s all nonsense.”

Zhang Sheng smiled and said: “If you’re willing to humble yourself and beg Jiangong for protection, then I must be facing certain death, won’t I?”

Xuan Yue suddenly flew into a rage: “Nonsense! Even if ancient Immortal Masters laid their schemes, there is no such thing as certain death! The world isn’t ruled by just one or two True Immortals! If they truly had such power, they’d just come and kill you directly—why all these roundabout schemes? Old Daoist would rather cross the Immortal Gate today and fight them to the death!”

Zhang Sheng laughed helplessly and quickly soothed: “It’s not that bad, not that bad! Calm down, Grandmaster—it’s just a calamity, not actual death. Besides, I’ve died once already—why would I fear it?”

But this struck a wound in Xuan Yue Zhenjun; his eyes instantly reddened, and in silence his aura surged like a volcano about to erupt!

Xuan Yue calmed down and said: “Go to Jiangong and endure some discomfort, play along with them for now. I’ll sacrifice this old face of mine and seek out more old friends and allies—I will cut off the source of this killing calamity. If I can’t protect you both as you grow, what use is this broken body of mine?”

Zhang Sheng spoke calmly: “Grandmaster, no need for this. I’ve walked this path precisely because Heaven and Earth reject it—killing calamities will come one after another, without end. So blocking them is useless; we must face them directly. Even the Heavenly Witch couldn’t kill me—this time won’t be any different.”

Besides, I still have many bright years ahead, full of joy, ready to welcome the warm sun—I won’t perish.”

Xuan Yue Zhenjun was a man of lofty spirit; upon hearing this, he said: “Good! My Tianqing Hall must make its name known across the world—and we’re short of stepping stones. This time, we may just need to sacrifice a few to consecrate our new hall.”

Xuan Yue rose and said: “I must go to Jiangong again. Before I leave, I’ll check on Weiyuan. Come with me—we haven’t reunited in a long time.”

But Zhang Sheng suddenly said: “Grandmaster, wait—don’t go yet! Weiyuan doesn’t know I’ve returned—he still thinks I’m in Jiguo.”

Xuan Yue blinked: “You didn’t tell him you came back? Did you two have a fight?”

Zhang Sheng said: “It’s nothing major—I didn’t plan to care. But now that I’ve been sold four cups of Immortal Tea and didn’t even get one myself, I’m furious! Yet lately he’s been ecstatic—so I need an excuse to go beat him up, just to clear my heart and Dao.”

“Hmm? Ecstatic?” Xuan Yue Zhenjun ignored the part about himself and sensed something unusual—his eyes flashed with sharp light.

Xuan Yue Zhenjun waved his hand: “No problem! Your Grandmaster has your back! If that brat dares to wrong you, no matter who his fox spirit’s patron is, I’ll make her regret it! Come on, let’s go catch—oh, I mean, go see what’s going on!”

Zhang Sheng chuckled: “That one’s backed by an Immortal too—I heard he recently beat up Zushi Yanshi. Don’t stir up trouble—leave it to me. You just watch from the shadows.”

Hearing that Yanshi had been beaten, Xuan Yue Zhenjun’s bravado instantly dimmed; he muttered: “A True Immortal is behind him? Then we must be cautious—what’s his character like? How old is he…?”