Beitang Xing nodded in satisfaction. After all these years, the person he trusted most had always been this old Daoist.
It was not only because the man possessed formidable abilities, but also because the old fellow had lived with him for far too long. What had begun as ulterior motives had, over time, turned into deep affection.
People were not cold-blooded creatures. Feelings were built up through time and memories. Why did long-distance relationships so often fizzle out without a trace? Because the distance was too great; given enough time, feelings naturally faded.
He had lived with Old Daoist Liu for so many years. Their bond was certainly deep enough—of that, he was convinced.
Otherwise, he would have long since used his last-resort means to escape this place. Why would he bind his own hands and feet?
"Master Liu, speak freely. Let me hear it."
"It is very simple. Find an opportunity to escape this place and hurry back to Imperial Capital City. Ask the Great Emperor to grant you a marriage. Other than that, do not resort to any more schemes or tricks."
Beitang Xing had considered this idea more than once, but he had always hesitated. After a pause, he said uncertainly,
"I have long had that thought, but Imperial Father may not act as I wish. Tan Changming's position in Yanzhou is too important.
"Besides, if I leave Yanzhou and Meng Zhao takes advantage of the opening, what then? If he gets there first and takes Tan Cai'er's Crimson Pill, then no matter how strong her Phoenix Physique is, she will be of little use to me."
He had rejected the idea from two angles.
First was the Beitang Imperial Clan. Asking for a marriage grant sounded easy, but carrying it out was difficult. His imperial mother's