Chapter 378 Pride
"Qingwei?!" The smile in Chang Hao's eyes faded slightly, but the corners of his mouth remained curved. "Is this the Immortal Master's true name?"
What a coincidence! That foolish cult leader from before called himself Qingwei.
Did they not communicate with each other? They used the same alias.
Given that person's intelligence, they wouldn't just make up a meaningless name. The one they would casually use must be a name they are extremely familiar with. Chang Hao secretly guessed the true identity of this 'Qingwei'.
Yuanshi frowned. "Why should I hide my true self and fabricate a false name to deceive people?" Qingwei was him, Yuqing was him, and Yuanshi was still him.
Yuan Shi sensed for no reason that Chang Hao was a little unhappy. Little did Yuan Shi know that his third brother, who had been so unkind to his brother, had used his name without any restraint. Yuan Shi was still pondering what he had done to upset Chang Hao.
Chang Hao sized up the Taoist priest Qingwei, who called himself Kunlun Sanren, and his gaze lingered on the black lotus at his waist. Was he a member of the Jie Sect?
Is this the real Qingwei or... still the fake Qingwei? What is his identity? To share a title with the Foolish Cult Leader, their status must be quite similar.
"The True Man Qingwei has come to Chaoge and lured me here with his zither music. I wonder what his intentions are?" Chang Hao couldn't help but suspect the True Man's motives, and he forcefully suppressed the initial attraction he felt at first sight.
Since this immortal master insisted that he was Qingwei, Chang Hao decided to accept that he was.
“I came to Chaoge to find an old friend. I heard that Your Majesty is diligent in governing and loves the people, that the officials under your rule are honest and upright, and that the people live in peace and prosperity. I was curious and on a whim, I brought Your Majesty here.” Yuan Shi’s words were all true, without the slightest falsehood.
However, how one interprets it depends entirely on the listener.
Chang Hao suddenly realized, "An old friend, the Tongtian Cult Leader?"
"So, you have seen me. Are you disappointed?" Chang Hao was somewhat concerned about what 'Master Qingwei' thought of him.
"No, Your Majesty is indeed as rumored, a dragon among men." Yuan Shi stood three feet away from Chang Hao, his expression extremely restrained, aloof yet polite, putting on a show.
"You are truly a man of refined taste and lofty character, and I am very pleased with you." Chang Hao's suppressed goodwill uncontrollably surfaced.
Yuan Shi's eyes lit up slightly, his heart filled with joy, and Chang Hao told him that he loved him.
"Does the Master intend to enter the imperial court?" Chang Hao himself didn't believe this, as this person didn't seem like someone who would serve others.
"No." Yuanshi denied it outright. What would he do in the Yin Shang court? Chang Hao could command his ministers. Once he entered the court, he would have no time to follow Chang Hao.
He came to teach Chang Hao how to protect himself.
"I think so too," Chang Hao said with a smile, "The black lotus on Daoist Qingwei's waist is small and exquisite. I felt a fondness for it at first sight, and for some reason, I always felt that there was a connection between it and something else."
Yuanshi took the opportunity to remove the black lotus, saying, "This belongs to an old friend. Since you are destined to have it, I can give it to you."
Yuanshi originally intended to hand the restored black lotus to Chang Hao, but after taking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and instead handed the black lotus to Quan Chang, who was standing to the side.
Chang Hao looked at the black lotus in front of him and then at 'Master Qingwei' with suspicion. "Master, you have given me such a generous gift as soon as we meet. Could it be that you, like that Taoist priest before, have fallen in love with me at first sight?"
The previous Tongtian Sect Leader wanted to give him the Black Lotus. These two wouldn't give up until the Black Lotus was in his hands.
Yuanshi's expression froze; he couldn't admit it, nor could he deny it, so he remained silent for a moment.
Chang Hao smiled and said, "I misspoke. I know you all value fate. Since this black lotus is destined for me, I will shamelessly accept it."
Yuanshi breathed a sigh of relief, "You can refine the Black Lotus once or twice, and this Black Lotus can protect you from all magic."
Chang Hao seemed to be deep in thought. It seemed that the Jie Sect really wanted to win and had invested heavily in him.
"Does the Immortal Master have a place to stay in Chaoge?" Chang Hao had a good impression of the Qingwei True Person in front of him. Now that he was sure that this person was not dangerous, the suppressed flame slowly rose again.
"It existed before, but not anymore." Tongtian is gone, Wenzhong has also left, and Yuanshi truly has nowhere to settle down.
"In that case, would the Immortal Master be willing to return to the palace with me?" Chang Hao immediately invited Daoist Qingwei to return to the palace with him. The Jie Sect had gone to great lengths to send this top expert, surely hoping that he could be kept by their side.
Excuses, all excuses. Chang Hao's feelings, which were originally buried deep in his heart, were stirred at first sight. He was also affected by the spell of Zhunti Jieyin. Now he could not suppress his true feelings. Even though he knew that there was no possibility between him and this Taoist priest, he still could not help but want to keep the person by his side and take a look at him from time to time.
"It's not very convenient." Yuanshi feigned reluctance, clearly longing for it but pretending to be reserved, yet unable to suppress his desire.
“How could that be? My harem is empty, there is no queen yet, and the Empress Dowager has been away from the palace for many years. There is no principal position in the harem now, so you may do as you please, Daoist.” Chang Hao began to persuade, not missing the slight hint of arrogance and interest in Yuan Shi’s eyes.
There's a chance!
Quan Chang was dumbfounded. He had watched His Majesty grow up, and something was wrong with His Majesty's condition! He dared not offer any advice, and could only watch as his king excitedly led a man back to the palace. He felt like crying.
Quan Chang glared at the pretentious immortal master. Only their simple-minded king couldn't see through your feigned modesty. If you really didn't want it, why would you play the zither? It's definitely intentional.
Grand Tutor, please come back soon! As soon as you leave, all sorts of demons and monsters start to appear.
“Then go,” Yuanshi said, raising his chin slightly as he waited in place, holding his zither.
“I do not wish to incur any karmic debts. If Your Majesty has any doubts, you may come to me for clarification.” Yuanshi’s words were loaded with meaning.
Chang Hao understood and decided to find a Taoist priest to answer his questions. Apart from asking about cultivation, he figured this priest probably didn't know much else.
"Thank you, Daoist Master." Chang Hao found him more and more pleasing to the eye. The Tongtian Sect Master was unreliable, but his disciples were all outstanding, especially this Daoist Master Qingwei.
"What? His Majesty brought a celestial master back to the palace? Are you sure he's not a newly recruited minister of the King?" Bigan's bamboo almost fell to the ground.
“His Majesty specially allocated a palace for him to live in,” Chong Houhu said, having plucked all the beard off his chin himself. “It was because I noticed that the palace servants were acting strangely today, and I couldn’t get any information out of them, that I went directly to His Majesty. On the way, I bumped into that immortal master entering Qiankun Palace.”
"Prime Minister, Uncle Wang, you two should come up with a plan," E Chongyu sighed.
Bi Gan and Shang Rong's world has collapsed. The king went to relax and came back with nothing but a man. Bi Gan and Shang Rong couldn't convince themselves that there wasn't something going on.
I wish I could slap myself for suggesting the king relax, for talking nonsense.
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