Chapter 282: Old Daoist, Did You Intentionally Humiliate Me?

"Junior brother, recovery?"

Luo Liang was startled, his face full of bewilderment.

He wasn't even injured, so where does this recovery come from? Could it be that Gu Huiyan saw him rush here and sensed his magical energy was greatly depleted?

Given his temperament, until the troublesome monster is identified—its origin, its details—he will, no matter what, not leave Qingyang County Seat.

He still knows the principle that knowing oneself and the enemy guarantees victory in every battle.

If anyone truly perishes at a monster's hands, at worst he can investigate later who the rampaging monster was and avenge the villagers who died by its claws.

As long as no wealthy families are harmed, whether he slays the troublesome monster or not, no one will say much.

This time he rushed out of Qingyang County Seat not because Xuanqing Daozhang had helped him before; Xuanqing Daozhang did indeed help him, but he has already repaid Xuanqing Daozhang by returning the slot he held.

He recommended a slot for a young cultivator to enter Ziyang Palace for further training!

He has already helped Xuanqing Daozhang by sending his disciple to cultivate within Ziyang Palace.

He and Xuanqing Daozhang are now even.

This time he hurried to the Wang Family because Xuanqing Daozhang hails from Ziyang Palace; he knows that when a monster breaks into a household, Xuanqing Daozhang is at the Wang Family upholding justice, and if he were to stand by and do nothing…

Ziyang Palace might not be angry with him, but it would affect Ziyang Palace and even its senior brothers' view of him.

Then, at a critical moment, it would be hard to draw on Ziyang Palace's power for further advancement.

Of course.

This time his dash from Qingyang County Seat was merely for show; although he looks down on Xuanqing Daozhang, he knows Xuanqing Daozhang's abilities.

If even Xuanqing Daozhang cannot match a monster, and he tries to rescue Xuanqing Daozhang, he will likely risk his own life.

He doesn't want to sacrifice his life to save Xuanqing Daozhang; regardless of whether Xuanqing Daozhang is rescued later, he alone would bear the loss.

He only needs to let outsiders know he "did his best"; Xuanqing Daozhang's fate cannot be blamed on him.

Therefore.

When he rushed to the Wang Family, he still had the mind and time to investigate the details of the monster that broke into the Wang household.

He learned.

The monster that broke into the Wang household turned out to be Hu Meiniang; when he first heard this, he was reluctant to believe it, suspecting the Wang Family of lying—how could he not know who Hu Meiniang was?

Unlike other monsters, Hu Meiniang is very compassionate toward humans; she has lived in Fengyin County City for years and has never committed any illegal act.

Let alone breaking into a residence!

Only after the Wang Family repeatedly assured him did he have to believe.

That is why he just now dared to shout loudly outside the Wang Family's demon aura barrier—no, magical energy barrier.

He doesn't know why Hu Meiniang lost her senses and committed the foolish act of breaking into a home, but he believes Hu Meiniang would never harm him.

After all, they share a fleeting romantic bond!

Perhaps he can even use this chance to rekindle the old affection!

He never imagined…

Hu Meiniang didn't see, yet she saw Gu Huiyan.

"Senior sister, my magical energy is exhausted, but it's no big deal; after taking your pill, the depleted magical energy is gradually recovering!"

Xuanqing Daozhang replied with a sentence, his gaze turning to Luo Liang, myriad tangled thoughts in his mind, and said, "Junior brother Luo, do you know if any elder from your clan has visited Qingyang County Seat during this period?"

"Old Dao…" Luo Liang was about to sarcastically question Xuanqing Daozhang's status, daring to call him "Junior brother," when a flash of insight struck his mind, his whole body trembled, and with a flattering smile he said, "Brother Xuanqing, what do you mean?"

It was only then that he realized Gu Huiyan's earlier "Junior brother" was not directed at him but at Xuanqing Daozhang, that once‑a Ziyang Palace disciple who, aside from a modest cultivation level, was otherwise inept.

He never imagined that Xuanqing Daozhang and Gu Huiyan had this connection.

Both Xuanqing Daozhang and Gu Huiyan are indeed Ziyang Palace disciples, yet among the many disciples sharing Gu Huiyan's background, only a handful are qualified to be called "Junior brother" by her.

It seems…

He has underestimated this old Daoist!

He thought the old Daoist, aside from a slightly stronger cultivation and his past as a Ziyang Palace disciple, had nothing else noteworthy.

"Nothing, nothing!"

Xuanqing Daozhang opened his mouth, intending to say something, but the words were swallowed and he changed his tone.

He originally thought that the mastermind behind the Small Five Elements Sword Formation at the Wang Family was likely an elder of the Luo family; he hadn't ruled out Luo Quan, but considered the stringent requirements for arranging the formation.

Luo Quan might have some skill, yet may not meet the strict criteria for setting up the Small Five Elements Sword Formation.

Given the Luo family's foundation in Fengyin County, it's not impossible for them to have someone capable of arranging the Small Five Elements Sword Formation.

This novel you to

Perhaps after Luo Quan returned, he mentioned Wang Ping'an to his clan chief, making the Luo clan chief aware of Wang Ping'an's importance and fearing that, before Wang Ping'an grew up, he might be harmed; thus he arranged for an elder who sets formations to install the Small Five Elements Sword Formation at the Wang Family.

To protect Wang Ping'an and the entire Wang Family's safety!

Only.

Hearing Luo Liang's words, his speculation might be wrong.

Of course.

It could also be that the matter is so important that even Luo Liang isn't entitled to know.

Or perhaps Luo Liang knows but is unwilling to disclose it to him.

"Fellow Daoist, do you have any other business? If you have nothing, please return; I have matters to discuss in detail with my junior brother."

Gu Huiyan could probably guess the meaning behind her junior brother's question to Luo Liang, seeing that nothing could be gleaned, she had no interest in keeping Luo Liang there.

Luo Liang opened his mouth, eager to ask what business Gu Huiyan had with Xuanqing Daozhang, but seeing her cold demeanor and realizing she despised him, the words at his lips were swallowed, and he changed his tone:

"Senior sister Gu, I reside in Qingyang County Seat; whatever you need, just call. Even if it means climbing a mountain of knives or wading through seas of fire, junior brother will not shy away!"

Having said that, Luo Liang turned away regretfully.

He also understood why Gu Huiyan inexplicably despised him—it was because his attitude toward Xuanqing Daozhang earlier displeased her.

If he knew that Xuanqing Daozhang had this connection, how could he possibly act that way toward Xuanqing Daozhang?

Blame Xuanqing Daozhang then—he has this connection, why didn't he say it? Isn't he deliberately trying to embarrass him in front of Gu Huiyan?

Obviously

Xuanqing Daozhang isn't anything good either; he's just deliberately laughing at him.

Luo Liang had barely taken a few steps when he suddenly seemed to think of something, turned his head to look at Gu Huiyan, gave an embarrassed smile, looking as if he wanted to speak but stopped.

Gu Huiyan frowned and said, "What is it, fellow Daoist? Do you still have something to say?"

(End of chapter)