Chapter 143: Mediation to Buy Time
In the meeting hall, Taoist Xuantan discussed Taoism with the elders for a long time, without mentioning the matter of seeking medicine. Maidong, who sat at the end and bore the title of Elder Fucang, seemed unhurried either. He simply sat quietly, occasionally agreeing or smiling faintly, yet he also didn't mention the purpose of Kunwu Sect's visit.
This made Master Zhao Ming feel uneasy. He still had a lingering fear of Mai Dong. Before this recruitment, the entire sect had only two women, her and Ling Xiang. As the saying goes, scarcity makes things valuable. These two devils had been so well-attended in the mountains, with the elder doting on the younger and the younger protecting them, that they developed a lawless nature.
He still remembered the incident many years ago. The two little guys gave him some unknown medicine, which caused him to have diarrhea. After he finally recovered, his legs were so weak that he couldn't get out of bed for several days.
Glancing at Maidong who was now so quiet, he really suspected that the person sitting here might be a monster wearing her skin.
It was this glance that seemed to have been seen by Maidong. She looked back, apparently calm, but Master Zhaoming was startled and quickly adjusted his gaze, staring at the floor tiles and not looking anywhere else.
What the hell were Lingxiang and Maidong up to? It made his old bones feel uneasy. Lingxiang must have come up with some wicked idea again, wanting to mess with Taoist Xuantan.
Thinking of this, Master Zhaoming couldn't help but feel sympathy for Taoist Xuantan opposite him.
It's really true. It's not good to be targeted by anyone, but it has to be this little ancestor of his family. Who knows what tricks he will use next!
While Zhao Ming Zhenren was expressing his compassion for the world, Mai Dong noticed that the female disciple named Chang Pu was looking at her from behind the Taoist Xuan Tan sitting opposite him. She looked up and saw that Chang Pu's eyes seemed to be filled with immense jealousy and hatred.
Jealousy?
The two of them didn't know each other, and this was just the first time they met, so why were they looking at her like that?
Just as he was wondering, he heard Taoist Xuantan say to him, "I really didn't expect that Elder Fu Cang, who is proficient in external alchemy, is actually a half-grown girl. It really is true that the young are to be feared!"
Upon hearing this, Mai Dong quickly put his thoughts aside, stood up and bowed, saying, "I don't deserve your kind words, Taoist Priest."
Seeing Mai Dong's reasonable and measured words, Taoist Xuantan continued, "How can you say that this is an unwarranted compliment? To be honest, I've already told you all the Taoists the purpose of my visit this time, and now I'm going to tell you again. I've heard that Elder Fu Cang is very skilled in external alchemy, so I've come this time specifically to ask Elder Fu Cang for a life-extending pill for my senior brother, the head of the sect. I hope Elder Fu Cang will do me a favor for my old face."
After Taoist Xuantan finished speaking, all the elders present, except for Taoist Shangqing and Taoist Qianyuan, took a deep breath. Maidong was also startled, but he returned to normal in an instant.
"This... It's not that I don't want to give the Taoist priest the elixir, but I don't know how the Taoist priest knew that I could refine the life-extending elixir?"
Taoist Xuantan laughed heartily upon hearing this. "As for how I learned this, it was this disciple behind me who told me. It's said that you used the Life-Sustaining Pill to save a disciple on the verge of death in the Supreme Sect that day. Coincidentally, she was away training at the time and stayed at the Supreme Sect, so she knew some of your affairs."
Maidong was shocked when she heard this. She knew that Lingxiang had saved someone in the Taishang Sect. Since Changpu was said to be there at the time, she must have seen that she was not the same person. Could it be that the way she looked at her just now meant that she saw through her?
No, judging by this woman's words and actions, she is definitely not a steady person. If she saw through me, why would she remain silent?
This is really weird!
Although Mai Dong had a lot on her mind, it was only a matter of a moment. She smiled and looked at Xuantan Taoist, as if with regret, saying, "Master, you really came at an unfortunate time. Although I originally had two life-extending pills, I accidentally lost the other one on the way back. Master, you asked me for it this time, but I really can't produce it for the time being."
Taoist Xuantan frowned when he heard this, but Changpu behind him was unwilling.
"Lost? I don't think you'd want to give it to me! How could it be such a coincidence that you lost it when you came here to ask for the medicine?"
Hearing what Changpu said, Taoist Xuantan stopped her immediately. He knew the reputation of this life-extending pill, but it was a pity that Fairy Tumi had only made four of them many years ago. One was used on the previous headmaster of Yuanqing, and the rest were now missing with the decline of the Long, Lu and Qiao families. He was really surprised to hear that someone in the Yuanqing sect was able to refine it.
This life-extending elixir is not an ordinary thing. Even if someone is unwilling to give it to me, it is understandable, but...
Just as Xuantan Taoist was pondering over this, Maidong stood up and bowed:
"What this nephew said makes sense. The Taoist priest has come all the way here to ask for medicine. If I don't explain myself, wouldn't I be letting the Taoist priest down with his sincere heart to save me? But..."
…
"So you think there's something wrong with this?" Xinyi couldn't help but ponder after hearing what Lingxiang said.
"That's right. Judging from Hongying's expression, she doesn't seem to be lying, and her desire to save people doesn't seem fake. But she is too concerned and confused, and has never thought it through. That's why she is confused." Lingxiang said as she stood up and asked Maidong.
"When you came here just now, did you come before Taoist Xuantan?"
Mai Dong knew the stakes, and his usual frantic look disappeared completely. "I did see him from a distance, but when I received the news, Master sent me here to look for you. I guess I never saw him. And..."
"And what?" Lingxiang asked in confusion.
"And that female disciple behind him, I always feel a little strange, but I can't put my finger on what," Mai Dong said, pinching his chin as he tried to recall. "She looks pretty, but her eyes, even from a distance, give me a chill, as if I've seen some kind of monster."
Feeling cold all over? Could it be?
Lingxiang glanced at Xinyi. Xinyi frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded at Lingxiang.
Long Qi was puzzled when he saw this: "What did you two understand? Why don't you tell us?"
Xinyi crossed her arms and said solemnly, "If I can see the murderous intent in her eyes, she must be connected to the demons. Could it be that this woman is a demon in disguise?"
Lingxiang shook her head upon hearing this. "I think it's impossible. My senior brothers are no pushovers either. If she really is a demon, we wouldn't have any reason to suspect her; they would have already taken care of her. Furthermore, if she were a demon, she would have absolutely no chance of entering Senior Brother Zhaoming's mountain defense formation, let alone being seen outside the meeting hall."
This is a bit strange. Could it be that this woman was born with a fierce look?
At this time, Mai Dong said, "Looking at the woman's face, she doesn't look like someone with a fierce look, but she has a fierce look in her eyes. It's really strange."
Since he doesn't look menacing, yet his eyes are menacing, could it be...
"In that case," Lingxiang said, looking at Maidong, "Maidong, you should exchange identities with me and go to the temple in my name. I will then find a way to get your master out, and then we will go with him to Kunwu Sect to rescue them."
Mai Dong was shocked when he heard this: "You want me to pretend to be you? All the senior brothers are here, how can I pretend to be you?"
Lingxiang frowned and said, "My brothers are no pushovers either. They'll definitely notice something's amiss, but they're holding back because of the concerns of both sects. After your master and I go rescue them, you can hold the Kunwu Sect's people hostage first. Then, I'll explain the situation to my brothers. They should be able to make arrangements for everything else."
"And now, you are the only one who can pretend to be me. Could it be that Long Qi and Xinyi are required to pretend to be me?" Lingxiang said with a strange smile. Somehow, she suddenly thought of Long Qi and Xinyi dressed as women, especially Xinyi, who had a cold and murderous face, but was wearing women's clothes. It was very funny just thinking about it.
Seeing Lingxiang smiling like that, Xinyi felt a chill down his spine for some reason. Based on his understanding of Lingxiang, she must be planning something when she smiled like that.
Xinyi remained calm, but took two steps towards Long Qi without leaving any trace.
Mai Dong was still hesitant. She really felt that this method was not feasible: "But..."
Before she could finish, Lingxiang hurriedly stood up and grabbed her, "Don't be so naive. Not to mention that you're the only one who can swap identities with me right now, even if there were someone else, it wouldn't be appropriate. You and I grew up together, and you know everything about me. Besides, we're both of similar character. And that Taoist Xuantan doesn't recognize us, so even if there's a slight difference, we can definitely fool them, right? At the very least, you can act like an elder of a certain sect; I think that'll fool them. Haven't you always wanted your master's position as an elder? Now, just get used to it and treat it as practice."
Hearing Lingxiang say this, Maidong felt that it made sense, but why did it sound so awkward?
What do you mean by "being of the same character as her"? What's wrong with her character? Actually speaking of her like this in front of Xinyi is really disrespectful. And when did she ever even think about the position of Master and Elder?
Mai Dong was about to open his mouth to refute when he heard Ling Xiang talking to Long Qi: "Just in case, you should go to Youyuan Palace and find Shoucheng. Have him go to the ancient bamboo forest to ask for the Cizhu sword. Have him ask the old man with the bamboo stick to get the one he used."
As she spoke, she pulled out a jade flute from her Qiankun bag and handed it to Long Qi. The flute was emerald green and translucent, exactly the same one she had played in front of the ancient bamboo forest.
Long Qi was just admiring the beautiful flute when Lingxiang said, "Go with him. He knows the flute well and will tell you how to use it." Her face flushed as she spoke, and she then said to Xinyi, "Xinyi, you're good at hiding. Since that woman is acting strangely, you should keep a close eye on her and make sure she doesn't do anything rash. We'll make all the decisions after I come back."
…
"But what?" Taoist Xuantan asked hurriedly.
Mai Dong smiled upon hearing this and said, "Since it's about saving people, it's naturally the responsibility of cultivators like us. And making this life-extending elixir isn't difficult either, but it seems like it will take half a month to make. I wonder how long I can wait?"
After hearing this, all the elders except Shangqing Zhenren took a deep breath - the life-extending pill is an extraordinary thing. Even Lingxiang spent two years to obtain two of the best quality. Even Fairy Tumi only obtained four pills as far as they know. Where did Maidong get the confidence to say such arrogant words?
If I can't refine it, what will I do then?!
"Mai..." Master Zhao Ming was anxious, his eyes widened, he stood up and exclaimed, almost calling out Maidong's name, but he changed his words in an instant to avoid being exposed.
"Do you think this is a business deal? That's a life-extending elixir! What if one furnace doesn't produce it? Wouldn't that make Daoist Master Xu wait for half a month? Saving lives is like putting out a fire, and we can't wait!"
As soon as Mai Dong heard Master Zhao Ming speak, he was really shocked, and the expression on his face could no longer be controlled. But the people in front of him were Taoist Xuantan and his disciples, and they were not blind. How could he hide this?
In an instant, Mai Dong had an idea. She stood up, clutching her chest, and gasped, "Fifth Senior Brother, what are you doing? You're so jumpy, you're scaring me... Oh, my dear..."
As she said this, she patted her chest, imitating Lingxiang's behavior perfectly, causing the two real people Danyang and Danzhu sitting on the seats to almost laugh out loud.
"Others don't trust me, so does Fifth Senior Brother also not trust me? Could it be that my Taoist name Fu Cang is just an empty name? I said half a month is okay, then it is definitely possible, but I don't know if Taoist Xuantan can wait." As he said this, Maidong looked at Changpu behind Taoist Xuantan, but saw surprise on her face.
Surprised? Could this person know the origin of the life-extending pill?
Although everyone was a Taoist, not everyone understood the art of external alchemy. Most laypeople only knew how difficult it was to refine the elixir, but they had no idea how long it would take or what the success rate was. They thought they could get by with a casual guess. But looking at the expression on Changpu's face, he seemed to know something.
Mai Dong had calculated the half-month deadline. If Xuantan Taoist's brother was truly on the verge of death, he certainly wouldn't have come with a group of disciples to request the elixir. Instead, he would have come alone, making the round trip to reach him. However, if this person had ulterior motives, half a month would be plenty of time for him to succeed. Furthermore, within half a month, Master and Lingxiang would surely have reached a conclusion.
Just as Mai Dong was thinking about something, Taoist Xuantan smiled and said, "Elder Fu Cang, are you kidding me? Although I am not good at external techniques, I do know a little bit. Even the best elixirs require seventy-seven days of hard work, let alone the life-extending elixir. How can you make it in just half a month?"
Taoist Xuantan's question made Mai Dong puzzled. Did this old man want to save his senior brother or did he want him dead? No matter what, he should have just followed her words, but he had gone off on a tangent.
Thinking of this, Mai Dong smiled and said, "It's true that half a month is not enough to refine the life-extending elixir. Coincidentally, I had already started refining it before you all came to visit. Just now, when my nephew went out to look for me, I was in the herb field collecting the last ingredient for the elixir. So he couldn't find me for half a day, so he came late."
"That's really a coincidence." Taoist Xuantan said, stroking his beard.
"Who said it wasn't? It was just a coincidence that I lost the elixir and the Taoist priest came to look for it. It was also a coincidence that the Taoist priest found it. I was refining a new batch of life-extending elixirs." Lingxiang said, picking up the teacup and taking a sip.
But the tea in the cup was a little cold. Maidong twisted his fingers and performed a fire spell. In a moment, the tea in the cup began to steam.
When Taoist Xuantan, who was sitting opposite, saw this, he seemed relieved and even picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.
The tea was indeed cold.
"In that case, let's wait a while. Thank you for your concern, Elder Fucang."
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