Chapter 143: Mediation to Buy Time
In the meeting hall, Taoist Xuantan discussed Taoism with the elders for a long time, but did not mention the matter of seeking medicine. Maidong, who was sitting at the end and was known as the elder of Fucang, did not seem to be in a hurry either. He just sat quietly, occasionally agreeing with them or smiling indifferently, and did not mention the purpose of Kunwu Sect's visit.
This made Master Zhaoming feel uncomfortable. He still had some lingering fears about Maidong. Before recruiting disciples this time, there were only two women in the entire sect, her and Lingxiang. As the saying goes, things are precious because they are rare. These two devils were well taken care of in the mountains. The old one doted on the young one and protected them, which made them lawless.
He still remembered the incident many years ago very clearly. 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 doubted whether the person sitting here was some monster in her skin.
It was this glance, but it seemed as if Maidong had seen it. She looked back, apparently calm and indifferent, but Master Zhaoming was startled and quickly adjusted his gaze, staring at the floor tiles and not looking anywhere else.
What on earth were Lingxiang and Maidong up to that made his old bones feel uncomfortable. Lingxiang must have come up with some bad ideas again and wanted to mess with Taoist Xuantan.
Thinking of this, Master Zhaoming couldn't help but feel sympathy for Taoist Xuantan opposite him.
It's 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 Master Zhaoming was feeling compassion for the world, Maidong noticed that the female disciple named Changpu, who was sitting opposite Taoist Xuantan, was looking at her. She looked up and saw that there seemed to be great jealousy in Changpu's eyes.
Jealousy?
The two of them didn't know her, and this was just the first time they met, so why did they look at her like that?
Just as he was wondering, he heard Taoist Xuantan say to him, "I never thought that Elder Fu Cang, who is proficient in external alchemy, is actually a half-grown girl. It's really true that young people are to be feared!"
Upon hearing this, Mai Dong quickly put away his thoughts, stood up and bowed, saying, "I don't deserve your praise, Taoist Priest."
Seeing Mai Dong's reasonable and measured words, Taoist Xuantan continued, "How can you say that it is an exaggeration? To be honest, I have already told you the purpose of my visit this time, and now I will tell you again. I heard that Elder Fu Cang is very good at external alchemy. This time, I came here to ask Elder Fu Cang for a life-extending pill for my senior brother, the head of the sect. I hope Elder Fu Cang can 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 make the life-extending elixir?"
Taoist Xuantan laughed when he heard this: "As for how I got this information, it was this disciple behind me who told me. It is said that you used the life-extending elixir to save a disciple whose life was hanging by a thread in the Tai Shang Sect that day. It just so happened that she was out training at the time and stayed at the Tai Shang Sect. That's how she got to know some of your affairs."
Maidong was shocked when she heard this. She knew that Lingxiang had saved someone in the Taishang Sect. Since it was said that Changpu was there at the time, she must have seen that she was not the person at that time. 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 thought a lot in her mind, it was only a matter of a moment. She smiled and looked at the Taoist Xuantan, and said with regret: "Master, you really came at an untimely 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 give it to you right away."
Taoist Xuantan frowned when he heard this, but Changpu behind him was unwilling.
"Lost? I don't think you would want to give it to me! How could it be such a coincidence that you lost it when I came here to ask for 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 Tu Mi only made four pills many years ago, one of which 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...
While Xuantan Taoist was thinking about it, Mai Dong stood up and bowed:
"What this nephew said makes sense. The Taoist priest came all the way here to ask for medicine. If I don't come up with a reason, 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 does not 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 just now, did you arrive in front of Taoist Xuantan?"
Mai Dong knew the stakes and his usual crazy look disappeared completely: "I did see him from a distance, but when I received the news, Master sent me here to look for you, so I guess I didn't see him. And..."
"And what?" Lingxiang asked puzzled.
"Also, I always feel that the female disciple behind him is a little strange, but I can't put my finger on why." Mai Dong said, pinching his chin and trying 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 very puzzled when he saw this: "What did you two understand? Why don't you tell me?"
Xin Yi crossed her arms and said in a deep voice, "If we can see the murderous intent in her eyes, she must be related 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 brothers are not pushovers. If she is really a demon, we won't have any suspicions. They will be able to get rid of her. Moreover, if she is a demon, she will definitely not be able to enter Brother Zhaoming's mountain defense formation, let alone see her outside the meeting hall."
This is a bit strange. Could it be that this woman was born with a vicious look?
At this time, Mai Dong said, "Looking at the woman's face, she doesn't look like a fierce person, but her eyes are fierce. It's really strange."
Since he doesn't look fierce, but has fierce eyes, could it be... "In that case," Lingxiang said, looking at Maidong, "Maidong, you can change your identities with me and go to the temple in my name. I will then find a way to get your master out, and then go with him to Kunwu Sect to rescue people."
Mai Dong was shocked when he heard this: "You want me to pretend to be you? All the senior masters are here, how can I pretend to be you?"
Lingxiang frowned and said, "My brothers are no pushovers, they can definitely see the weirdness, but they can't say anything because of the face of the two sects. When your master and I go to rescue them, you can hold back the people from Kunwu Sect first, and then tell the brothers the reason. I think they should be able to arrange everything after that."
"And now, you are the only one who can pretend to be me. Do you want Long Qi and Xin Yi to pretend to be me?" Ling Xiang said with a strange smile. Somehow, she suddenly thought of Long Qi and Xin Yi dressed as women, especially Xin Yi, who had a cold and murderous face, but was wearing women's clothes. It was very funny just to think 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 unnoticedly took two steps towards Long Qi.
Mai Dong was still hesitant. She really felt that this method was not feasible: "But..."
Before she could finish, Lingxiang stood up and held her back, "Don't be so adamant. Not to mention that you are the only one who can exchange identities with me now, even if there are others, it would definitely not be appropriate. You and I grew up together, and you know everything about me, and we are both of similar character. And that Taoist Xuantan doesn't recognize us, so even if there is a slight difference, we can definitely fool them, right? At worst, you can pretend to be an elder of a sect, and I think you can fool them. Haven't you always been thinking about your master's position as an elder? Now you should adapt to it first, just treat it as practice."
Hearing Lingxiang say this, Maidong felt that it made a lot of 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? He actually said this about her in front of Xinyi. He really didn't give her face. And. When did she ever think about the position of master and elder?
Mai Dong was about to open his mouth to refute, but he saw Ling Xiang talking to Long Qi: "Just in case, you should go to Youyuan Palace and find Shoucheng. Ask him to go to the ancient bamboo forest to ask for the Cizhu sword. Ask him to ask the old man with the bamboo stick to get the one that the old man has in his hand."
As he spoke, he took out a jade flute from his Qiankun bag and handed it to Long Qi. The flute was emerald green and transparent, and it was the one she had played in front of the ancient bamboo forest before.
Long Qi was just thinking that the flute was really beautiful when he heard Ling Xiang say, "You go with him. He knows the flute and will tell you how to use it." His face turned red as he said this. Then he said to Xin Yi, "Xin Yi, you are good at hiding. Since that woman is weird, you should keep an eye on her and don't let her do anything weird. Wait until I come back before making any decisions."
……
"But what?" Taoist Xuantan asked hurriedly.
Mai Dong smiled upon hearing this: "Since it is about saving people, it is naturally our responsibility as cultivators. And making this life-extending pill is not difficult, but it seems that it will take half a month to make it. I wonder how long it will take?"
After hearing these words, 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 pills of top 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? !
"Mai..." Master Zhaoming got anxious, his eyes widened, he stood up and exclaimed, almost calling out Maidong's name, but 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 fails? Wouldn't that mean that the Taoist priest would have to wait for half a month in vain? 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, holding her chest, and said with a sharp breath, "What are you doing, Fifth Brother? You're so jumpy. You scared me... Oh, my dear..."
As she said this, she patted her chest, imitating Lingxiang's behavior exactly, causing the two real people Danyang and Danzhu who were 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 it be that this person knows the origin of the life-extending pill?
Although everyone is from the Taoist sect, not everyone knows the art of external alchemy. Most laymen only know that it is difficult to refine the elixir, but they don't know how long it takes or how successful it is. They think that they can get by just fooling around. Judging from the expression on Acorus's face, he seems to know something.
Mai Dong had calculated the half-month deadline in his mind. If Xuantan Taoist's senior brother was really in danger of death, he would definitely not bring a group of disciples to ask for the elixir, but come alone, so that he could catch up. But if this person had bad intentions, half a month would be enough for him to succeed. And after half a month, I think the master and Lingxiang will definitely have a result.
Just as Mai Dong was thinking about things, Taoist Xuantan smiled and said, "Elder Fu Cang, are you fooling me? Although I am not good at external single techniques, I know a little bit. Even the best elixir needs seventy-seven days of hard work, not to mention the life-extending elixir. How can you make it in half a month?"
Taoist Xuantan asked this question, which made Mai Dong confused. Did this old man want to save his senior brother or kill him? No matter what, he should have followed her words, but he got sidetracked.
Thinking of this, Mai Dong smiled and said, "It is true that it is impossible to refine the life-extending pill in half a month. Fortunately, I had already started refining it before you all came to visit. Just now, when my nephew who went out was looking for me, I was digging the last ingredient for the pill in the medicine field. 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 because 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 had become a little cold. Maidong twisted his fingers and performed a fire spell. In a short while, 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."
Today is only one chapter but 4,000+
(End of this chapter)
