551: Chapter 194: Only Because the Holy Mother Is Not at Home 551: Chapter 194: Only Because the Holy Mother Is Not at Home “Immortal Wang, please rise!”
Li Ping’an was baffled but reacted swiftly, bowing his head to assist Wang Shan to his feet.
Wang Shan leveraged the motion to stand up, bowing his head with hands clasped: “Many thanks, my lord!”
Inside and outside the Eastern Alliance, it was quite rare to address someone as ‘my lord;’ the common titles were ‘master’ or ‘sir.’
Li Ping’an frowned and said, “We both serve as divine officials, where does this loyalty come from?
We are both officials loyal to His Majesty.”
“Indeed,” the senior Tianli hastily said, “Wang Shan, come back to be a divine official!
If your injuries have recovered, why not return to the Eastern Alliance and continue your pursuit of immortality?”
Wang Shan replied with a smile and hands clasped: “Thank you for the deep affection of the Third Alliance.
Without the Elixir Pills bestowed by the Deputy Alliance, my recovery wouldn’t have been possible.
But Third Alliance, my mind is made up.
From now on, I only wish to follow by my lord’s side to attend to various chores, no longer possessing the ambition and drive from six thousand years ago.”
Tianli wanted to say more, but Li Ping’an had already casually grabbed the elder’s arm to stop him.
Li Ping’an said, “Senior, no need to hurry.
I will properly persuade Immortal Wang later.
You go over there and focus on the Eastern Alliance’s crucial matter of stopping the bleeding and recovering the strength.
The treasure house is vital for the stability of the Eastern Alliance.”
The old Tianli opened his mouth, looking at Li Ping’an’s youthful and handsome face, then toward the frail figure of Wang Shan, and all his words turned into a sigh:
“Any matters should wait until after this great battle is over.
“This is not about prioritizing the bigger picture; we cannot afford chaos afterwards.”
Li Ping’an clasped his hands together and then gestured for Wang Shan to follow: “Brother Wang, there’s nothing for me here for the time being, retreat to the corner to rest, let’s have a good talk.”
“My lord may directly call me Wang Shan.”
Wang Shan said earnestly:
“My lord has granted me a second life and reestablished my virtue; from now on, I am indebted to my lord with my life.”
Li Ping’an shook his head and talked to Wang Shan as they walked, his voice quite amiable.
“Why speak so seriously, we are all of the Human Race, as well as officials of the Human Emperor.
We should simply refer to each other as brothers, this way please.”
“Is my lord perhaps disdaining Wang Shan for not having the Longevity Dao Fruit?”
“How could that be, I myself have not yet become immortal.”
“My lord, you needn’t be too modest.
I have seen a spark of hope in you.
The path of righteousness in the human realm needs a sharp sword.
I am willing to stand by my lord’s side and be the one to polish the sword…”
The two entered a barrier, seemingly deep in pleasant conversation.
A 7th rank Pure Border Envoy, Ye Zisang, opened his mouth and exclaimed:
“Worthy of being Brother Wang, always able to surprise with unexpected decisions, to so decisively join Brother Li’s command is astonishing!”
A fist the size of a clay pot landed on Ye Zisang’s head, causing him to shudder in pain.
Looking up at his mentor, the latter resembled an enraged lion, glaring at Ye Zisang and scolding:
“What for did you bring him here?
You wish to see more Golden Immortals die in these few years?”
“Sss—Master, please be gentle.”
Ye Zisang’s face bore a look of misery:
“Master, Brother Li is acting on the Emperor’s will to purge the poison within our race.
We should be supportive.”
“Some matters are not so easily explained!”
The old Tianli sighed helplessly:
“Everyone speaks of emulating the ancient sages, but do true sages even exist in this world?
Every person has their selfish desires, every person also has personal feelings, it’s just that some are elevated and worshipped as sages.
“The Eastern Alliance has existed for more than sixty thousand years.
When it comes to power, who can truly remain uninvolved?
“Ah, never mind, I can’t be bothered anymore.
In any case, I have a clear conscience; let them be.”
“Now, I just hope to break through to the realm of Taiyi Golden Immortal, then enter the Hall of Esteemed Sages, and die in West Continent, a satisfied and fulfilled life.”
Ye Zisang asked, “Master, if you want to break through, then why not converse more with Brother Li?
He is the Enlightenment Stone of the East Continent.”
“Hah, what Enlightenment Stone, not Enlightenment Stone.”
The old Tianli shook his head:
“If he’s capable of enlightening a Golden Immortal into breaking through to Taiyi, then from now on I’ll take his surname!
“His enlightenment of Xu Sheng was a matter of chance and also because Xu Sheng himself had accumulated enough, and was already due for a breakthrough, but his Dao heart had a knot due to issues with his son and daughter-in-law.”
Ye Zisang muttered softly, “Just admit that Brother Li was the one who untied that knot.”
Are you trying to provoke me?!”
Tianli pretended to strike, prompting Ye Zisang to turn his head and run, disappearing in a flash.
The old Tianli sighed once more, turning his head to look at the Eastern Alliance divine officials competing to surrender, as he leisurely walked back to his original seat.
This matter would indeed keep them busy for days.
As soon as Li Ping’an returned to the corner barrier, Xu Sheng gave him a thumbs-up.
Xu Sheng praised, “People say, ‘do not involve family in misfortune,’ but you, you went straight for the family of your adversary—what a forceful move!”
Qing Su pondered, “Will they seek revenge?”
“Teacher, rest at ease, this Zhao-named Golden Immortal won’t survive.”
Li Ping’an sat down in the chair with a smile, and Wang Shan took the initiative to move behind him, effectively taking Xing He’s usual spot.
Li Ping’an slowly explained:
“The theft of the treasure house, if it were any other time, would certainly be a monumental case.
But now, with the war at the front, it is a great taboo to execute generals in the rear without careful consideration.
“Therefore, only a typical case can be grasped to make a point, while the old debts of others are temporarily set aside for future settlement.
“This Zhao-named will be used by Minister Feng through some Secret Technique to transform him into a powerful weapon akin to a demonic warrior, letting him shine on the frontlines, burning himself out—an end which can be considered a destiny for him.”
Qing Su said seriously: “But, can you truly know what Minister Feng is thinking?”
“I cannot, but Minister Feng should be aware of how I think.”
Li Ping’an said warmly:
“Feng Tingzhu previously conveyed Minister Feng’s words, telling me to decide on my own, implying he would cover for me.
This time, I simply subdued the Golden Immortal who stood up to challenge me, and Minister Feng would not let him off easily.”