High in the sky, the scorching summer sun blazed down on the dozen or so Taoist priests without any shade.
My lips were chapped, sweat dripped down like rain, my throat was as dry as sand, and if I looked down even slightly, I could see a terrifying height.
From righteous persuasion to outbursts of anger, Zhang Zhenren and the other Taoist priests were met only with the cold, indifferent gaze of the white snake, a mythical beast.
This snake demon isn't going to leave them to die in the scorching sun under the watchful eyes of hundreds of thousands of people in the capital, is it?
This conjecture arose in the minds of the Taoist priests. Not only them, but also the common people who had been going about their business for a long time and occasionally looked up at the heavens had also come to their senses.
"My goodness, the Taoist priests the emperor hired are really weak! They were captured in one go, and couldn't even escape. Now that they've fallen into the hands of the demon... Liu Xian, they're definitely not going to have a good time."
A butcher selling meat whispered mysteriously as he cut meat for a customer.
Other stall owners and customers nearby also became interested and started discussing it animatedly.
"Yes, but even the emperor miscalculated," the old woman buying meat said, her eyes darting around.
"Everyone says Taoist priests subdue demons and monsters, but who knew there was always someone better? Liu Xian even cured the Empress's illness, which means she's not a monster that harms people, but alas..."
This one was very clever, and coupled with the woman's strange expression, the others understood and laughed.
"Tell me, with such a big incident happening, didn't those officials come up with a solution?"
"Yes, seeing Liu Xian in the heavens makes even us common folk uneasy."
What's the worry? Of course, it's the fear that Liu Xian might get addicted to killing and suddenly get hungry, then bend down and take a couple of bites of fresh meat...
Seeing that the Taoist priests with traditional skills were out of the question, and wondering if the monks were reliable at all!
Inside the palace.
"Your Majesty, why don't we offer them amnesty?"
These were words that no one dared to utter aloud, but they were the common sentiment of the ministers present.
This has been a traditional practice throughout history: if the court cannot defeat the rebels or bandits, or is unable to spare the resources for the time being, then they will turn them into their own people.
There's a saying that murderers and arsonists can be granted amnesty. The White Snake Demon hasn't committed any murders or arson yet, so why can't she be granted amnesty?
What? You're saying the Taoist priests are dying? They're not dead yet!
After a brief exchange of glances, Li Shanchang, the head of the civil officials, spoke up: "Your Majesty, please allow me to report..."
"No need to report," Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him, rising swiftly from his throne and surveying all the civil and military officials present.
"You all probably know about Liu Xian's background. As for the rumors circulating in the marketplace that I was infatuated with the beauty of a demon fairy, that's all nonsense!"
Old Zhu couldn't help but swear. "Damn it, who spread this rumor? Do I look that much like a lecherous glutton?"
The rumor spread incredibly fast, and even the Imperial Guards couldn't find the originator.
"It was all because the Daoist sect acted on their own initiative to test Liu Xian, but they were simply outmatched and got utterly thrashed."
Thinking of the lightning that hadn't even broken off a single white snake scale, a hint of disdain flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.
Bah! He bragged so loudly that I almost believed him. Turns out he's just a charlatan.
The ministers exchanged glances, surprised that this was the truth. The world was going to the dogs; not only could the Taoist priests not defeat the monsters, but they were also being publicly executed.
Tang He's heart skipped a beat. Liu Xian had established a great reputation among the officials and people of the Ming Dynasty through the Taoist sect. What exactly was it planning to do?
The system is also wondering what the host is trying to do.
"First, establish the image of Liu Xian to seize faith."
Ling Xiao carefully explained to his companions that the first step in all those guides to becoming a god was the same: first establish a godhood.
"Secondly, the ultimate foundation of this world is not some magical treasures or artifacts, but rather the ancient Taoist methods and scriptures!"
Ling Xiao smiled, his snake eyes burning with a greedy glint, as if he wanted to consume everything in sight and turn it into nourishment for himself.
She really didn't care about anything else. In all the heavens and myriad worlds, what was the most expensive thing? It was knowledge!
Startled, I realized that these Taoist priests were indeed the most authentic successors of Taoism; they were walking libraries.
So they actively offered suggestions:
"I've heard these people have very strong beliefs. What if they're not convinced? According to this system, we'll turn them all into 'evil spirits'..."
Ling Xiao couldn't help but glance at the system, feeling a pang of pity. "No, after becoming a cougar, you're no longer yourself; your memories will be incomplete."
"What should we do then?"
"It's not too difficult. Since Liu Xian is so aggressive and difficult to deal with, under pressure—"
If their Taoist sect suddenly had some kind of ancient spirit beast or the soul of a patriarch who had died many years ago reappear, do you think they wouldn't be overjoyed?
"As for the sect's scriptures, what's wrong with letting the guardian spirit beasts and the amnesiac ancestors take a look? It's all for their own good!"
"The enemy's big boss is actually our mole."
The system's data streams surged erratically, a bad premonition creeping into its heart, as it cautiously crept outwards...
Ling Xiao glanced at him casually. Hmm, the ghost can use its skills from its previous life without spending money, while the system's acting requires money.
So he generously said:
"Although you are very experienced, System, let's send a few of the 'lackeys' this time, and you can take command from the center."
With teary eyes, finally, finally he was going to turn the tables and become the master.
"So what excuse do we have to spare their lives now?"
"Hmm, let me think. Bai Suzhen is here, but Xiaoqing can't be without her either."
…………
Master Zhang and the others had no idea that Taoism was about to regain its former glory; they only felt that Taoism was going to decline and they were dying of thirst!
When I was almost delirious from the sun, I suddenly heard Liu Xian's extremely seductive voice, tinged with doubt:
"Why does this bloodline aura feel so familiar?"
What is it saying?
Despite the stinging pain from sweat dripping into his eyes, Master Zhang forced them open and saw the white snake demon pulling the youngest of the Taoist priests in front of him.
He was shocked. This person was his grandson, who was only twenty years old. He was very intelligent and could understand the Taoist scriptures at a glance. He was also the next Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain!
The common people, officials, and even an emperor observing from below also noticed the strange phenomenon in the sky and all focused their attention on it.
It's just that the things we're thinking about are a little different.
Liu Xian looked at the young celestial master with suspicion, then suddenly her expression changed, and she coldly questioned:
What's your last name?
The young Taoist priest was pale, but calmly replied, "My Taoist lineage is inherited from the Zhang family of Dragon and Tiger, so of course I have the surname Zhang!"
The perfectly reasonable answer inexplicably enraged Liu Xian, who suddenly released the snake's tail and threw the Taoist priests down from the sky!
A fall from a height of 100 feet will only turn you into mincemeat.
Accompanied by Liu Xian's voice filled with hatred: "So it's the bloodline of that heartless Zhang!"
Wow, this is quite something! People in the capital are all sticking their heads out to watch, their gossip-loving hearts burning brightly.
Whose heart did this heartless man betray? Was it Liu Xian?
So many questions! Why can't I see anything? The Taoist priest fell down, and Liu Xian is nowhere to be found either.
No problem, we can discuss it ourselves.
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