Chapter 94 Donghua
The Queen Mother of the West took a deep breath and, sensing the impatience of the Primordial Lord, went straight to the point: "My two Heavenly Venerables, I have come here today with great honor, for the sake of Donghua."
Yuanshi's expression turned even colder. Why did Donghua die? It was because he offended Chang Hao.
Chang Hao was someone Yuanshi cherished. In Yuanshi's eyes, offending him directly was more serious than offending him directly. If Chang Hao hadn't personally intervened that day, Yuanshi wouldn't have hesitated to act on his behalf. The fact that the Queen Mother of the West dared to ask him for help was absurd.
"If it's for Donghua's sake, then there's nothing more to say. Show him out." Yuanshi lowered his eyes, not wanting to waste his time.
"Why does the Primordial Celestial Venerable refuse people from afar? Why not listen to my offer of reward?" The Queen Mother of the West swallowed her anger and said, showing both flexibility and humility.
“No…” Yuanshi refused decisively. He would not get involved with Donghua, who died at Changhao’s hands, for the sake of that little reward. Putting aside his hidden hopes, he would never do such a thing for the sake of their current relationship.
"Tell us, Queen Mother of the West," Laozi interrupted, giving Yuanshi a subtle glare. Had he lost his mind lately? Even if he wanted to refuse, he should at least find out Queen Mother of the West's plans before refusing.
Yuanshi received a sharp look from Laozi, and out of respect for his elder brother's actions, he silently kept quiet, letting Laozi take over the conversation.
The Queen Mother of the West looked at Yuanshi, then at Laozi. The Three Pure Ones always stood together through thick and thin. After a moment of thought, she gritted her teeth and said, "I am willing to offer my hands to the Immortal Palace Treasury. I only hope that Fellow Daoist Yuanshi can take me as his disciple after Donghua is reborn and protect me. I dare not ask for the position of the first disciple or the position of a personal disciple. I only ask to be an ordinary disciple."
The Queen Mother of the West went to great lengths for Donghua, wanting him to remain carefree and unrestrained even after his rehabilitation. However, Donghua offended Chang Hao, whose fighting strength was unknown.
As for Chang Hao's character, the Queen Mother of the West did not know. Without knowing, it was difficult to judge his personality and to know whether Chang Hao would come to eliminate him after Donghua's reconstruction.
In terms of martial prowess alone, she is no match for Chang Hao; in terms of influence, she has lost all power. How can she protect Donghua? If Donghua is to spend his entire life hiding, it would be better not to go through all this trouble.
After much thought, only the Three Pure Ones could provide protection to Donghua after its reconstruction.
Taiqing advocates tranquility and inaction. Given his personality, it's difficult for him to protect anyone. I'm afraid that if he keeps saying "let nature take its course," the Queen Mother of the West will be driven to her death with anger.
Although Shangqing Tongtian was protective of his own, the Queen Mother of the West watched coldly as he dared to act recklessly and do as he pleased. In short, he seemed unreliable.
Only the Primordial Celestial Venerable, though cold, aloof, and strict, is extremely protective of his own. Moreover, he is very likely to become a saint in the future, making him the best choice to become his disciple.
If the Three Pure Ones agree to accept disciples, Chang Hao will stop the fighting out of respect for the Three Pure Ones, and only then will Donghua have any hope.
"How about it?" The Queen Mother of the West was certain that the Primordial Heavenly Lord would agree. "The treasures accumulated by the Immortal Palace over the years can be used as a gift for Donghua's apprenticeship."
Lao Tzu's eyelids twitched, and even he was agitated. It took him a few breaths to calm down. If he were the person in charge, he would have agreed to such a grand gesture.
Unfortunately, he wasn't.
Laozi looked at Yuanshi and said, "Since I'm asking you, you decide." He accepted Donghua as his disciple, which would not disgrace the lineage of the Three Pure Ones.
"Things from back then are long gone, and you should come to terms with it now. Donghua's aptitude and background are both top-notch." Laozi was referring to the time when Yuanshi intended to take the young Chang Hao as his disciple. He didn't think Yuanshi would refuse such an easy task, but he had to put it nicely to avoid making a scene.
Yuanshi lowered his eyes, slowly straightened his cuffs, and secretly admired the auspicious clouds that were exactly the same as those on Chang Hao's cuffs. "No need to say more, Queen Mother of the West, please return. Entering the Three Pure Ones' sect is all by fate. I cannot agree with the Queen Mother of the West's talk of transactions."
The Queen Mother of the West was incredulous. How could this be?
"White Crane, see the guest out." Yuanshi didn't even look up. He didn't talk about anything else, just about the deal. Xi Wangmu's bargaining chips weren't enough. He was trying to avoid anything that might cause Chang Hao to feel resentful. He wished he could see that Fengshen Chexiu every day. What if Chang Hao stopped coming to Kunlun because he accepted Donghua as his disciple?
"Wait..." Xi Wangmu could not hide her anger. Suddenly remembering Chang Hao whom she had just met, she had to realize a fact that was devastating to her: Yuanshi Tianzun valued the Lord of Lishan far more than she had given.
But is that even possible? Whether it is possible or not, she will fight for Donghua one last time.
"Is the Primordial Celestial Venerable worried that Lord Li of Mount Li harbors resentment?" the Queen Mother of the West asked cunningly. "If so, why not invite the Lord of Mount Li to come and hear what he has to say?"
If Chang Hao had any affection for the Three Pure Ones, he would definitely become her advocate and do his best to make this happen, as long as he knew about this matter.
"Invite Chang Hao here?" Yuanshi frowned, his face cold and stern. "No need." He glared at the White Crane Boy. "What are you still standing there for? Show him out..."
Yuanshi sneered. Invite Chang Hao? Doesn't this invitation mean he's interested? It means Chang Hao's value can be put on the table and measured. He's not stupid; he'd risk Chang Hao's future for a treasure trove.
The white crane trembled and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, please."
“Brother Dao…” the Queen Mother of the West looked at Laozi, “Why has it come to this?”
"Yuanshi, do not be willful." Laozi was truly confused at this moment. Yes, why did it come to this?
“If Elder Brother is interested, he may take Donghua as his disciple,” Yuanshi’s gaze fell on Xi Wangmu, “What does Xi Wangmu think?”
Don't think he didn't see that the Queen Mother of the West was picking and choosing among the three brothers; even without Chang Hao, Yuanshi wouldn't have considered them.
The Queen Mother of the West looked at Laozi, her eyes twitching. She wanted Donghua to learn tranquility and non-action from Laozi, but thinking of the philandering Donghua... well, that was too much to ask of him.
“I fear our paths are different,” the Queen Mother of the West said tactfully, lowering her stance again and again. “I beg the Primordial Heavenly Venerable to protect Donghua, considering that we both live in Kunlun and are familiar with him. If this is successful, I am willing to cede the area of West Kunlun that is adjacent to East Kunlun to East Kunlun.”
Laozi's eyebrows twitched; he was truly tempted. He couldn't help but subtly signal to the boy beside him to go to Chang Hao. Yuanshi had insisted repeatedly, and it seemed that only Chang Hao could turn the tide.
Chang Hao, on whom Lao Tzu had placed high hopes, was being pulled aside by Tongtian, who whispered, "Chang Hao, how about I secretly go and kill the Queen Mother of the West?"
Chang Hao's brow twitched. Why hadn't Tongtian given up yet? Tongtian's killing intent was stronger than ever before. Could it be that he had been influenced by something?
However, given Tongtian's temperament, speaking harshly and sternly would likely backfire.
"Has the Queen Mother of the West ever offended you?" Chang Hao whispered softly, as if two close friends were exchanging secrets, secretly observing whether Tongtian was acting strangely.
Tongtian told the truth: "Never."
"If you never did, why are you so determined to kill the Queen Mother of the West?" Chang Hao remained calm, his clear voice like a spring, suppressing Tongtian's murderous intent, which was stirring within him.
“West Kunlun is closer to East Kunlun, which is convenient,” Tongtian said without hesitation.
“But justice is clear, why should Tongtian dirty his hands? There is cause and effect in everything.” Chang Hao patiently persuaded him, his eyes filled with worry, genuinely concerned for Tongtian.
A warm current seemed to flow into Tongtian's heart. For the first time, the boy, who had always been suppressed and ordered around by his elder brother, felt the joy of having his words answered. He immediately said without hesitation, "Death will erase all karma."
This was a hint given by Zhunti and Jieyin; otherwise, Tongtian would never have thought of such a brilliant method.
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