The Great King is Useless!

"Zhao Gongming? How did he know something happened in Chaoge? Could it be that person they call Uncle-Master Zhao?"

Di Xin's brows naturally furrowed, a look of deep thought on his face. Given the circumstances at the time, Zhao Gongming had never revealed his name. It was Yang Jian who had called him Uncle-Master Zhao. If Di Xin had immediately identified him, it would have seemed quite suspicious.

Wen Zhong nodded slightly. "Great King, your guess is correct, it is that person. He came to see this minister mainly to verify something, wanting to ask if the Great King is a member of the Daoist sect and if he possesses Magic Power."

Speaking of which, Wen Zhong chuckled and continued, "I have served in the court for many years, and I am very familiar with the Great King. The reason the other party asked this was because he and two other elders from his sect had their magic treasures stolen. They are profoundly cultivated, and it's impossible for ordinary people to accomplish such a feat. And the treasures ended up in Chaoge, so after some investigation, no clues were found. Naturally, everyone present was under suspicion, and the Great King could not be excluded. However, this minister has already cleared your name, assuring them with certainty that the Great King is not a Daoist and has not cultivated."

Di Xin asked doubtfully, "At the street that day, I heard them talking about the stolen treasures. I never imagined they suspected this King. Can't people of the Daoist sect tell who has Magic Power? Grand Tutor, looking at this, is someone trying to stir up trouble in Chaoge? A few days ago, a falling stone from the sky collapsed the Imperial Study, and the next day the large rock exploded, nearly injuring someone. Yesterday, the Crown Prince was kidnapped. Fortunately, an Immortal secretly aided us, and the Crown Prince and I escaped safely. In the Grand Tutor's opinion, what exactly is going on here?"

Wen Zhong pondered for a long time before saying, "These matters are indeed quite strange. This minister needs to investigate further to uncover the truth. During this period, I will remain in Chaoge to investigate this matter and protect the Great King. I implore the Great King to no longer leave the palace lightly."

Di Xin let out a long sigh. "Then I shall trouble the Grand Tutor. That day on the street, I was taken into a magic treasure, facing certain death, and almost never saw the Grand Tutor again. Only then did I realize the power of Daoist arts. Therefore, I issued a royal proclamation, widely recruiting talented individuals from all over the world. However, that is an external force. Precisely because of this, I also wish to learn some Daoist arts from the Grand Tutor, at least to extend my lifespan."

Wen Zhong's face was filled with hesitation, wanting to speak but stopping.

Di Xin leaned forward, frowning and asking, "Is something amiss?"

Wen Zhong gave a bitter smile. "The Great King is the Human Emperor, governing the court day and night, engrossed in official documents. Where would he find the leisure time to cultivate Daoist arts?"

Di Xin frowned again. "To be honest?"

Wen Zhong sighed. "Great King, if I were to speak the truth, it would be quite disheartening. Ten years ago, when the Great King was still the Crown Prince, you fell ill, and this minister treated you. At that time, I had already examined your aptitude. Cultivating Daoist arts requires very high aptitude, and it is impossible for the Great King to succeed. Moreover..."

"Moreover what? Grand Tutor, please don't hesitate, speak your mind."

Di Xin stood up, inwardly sighing. When he first transmigrated, he thought he was the protagonist of a system-genre novel, but he didn't expect to also be a part of a "trash-tier" protagonist story.

At this moment, the only person he could rely on was Wen Zhong, so he absolutely would not give up until he achieved his goal.

Besides the reasons previously stated, Wen Zhong had another concern.

He was a disciple of the Jie Sect. If he taught the Great King the methods of cultivating Daoist arts, it would mean the Great King was also considered part of the Jie Sect lineage.

And the Great King's other identity was the Human Emperor. Above the Human Emperor belonged to the Human Sect, which was Laozi's sphere of influence. If the Jie Sect interfered in the affairs of the Human Sect, even Lord Tongtian would not want to court such trouble.

However, he couldn't say this directly. Given the Great King's current position, he couldn't yet grasp the deeper secrets of the Daoist sects.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Furthermore, even if the Great King were to cultivate Daoist arts, he would be no match for those in the Daoist sects."

Di Xin shook his head dismissively. He recounted the incident where he went to rescue the Crown Prince, fell off a cliff, and was about to be smashed to death before being rescued.

Then he looked at Wen Zhong and spoke again, "If, at that time, I knew even a little Daoist arts, I wouldn't have just watched the Crown Prince fall off the cliff, nor would I have closed my eyes and waited for death after falling. Having more skills means having more capital to protect oneself. What does the Grand Tutor think?"

Wen Zhong was momentarily speechless.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Great King, please allow this minister to consider it carefully. I will give you a reply tomorrow."

Di Xin knew this couldn't be rushed, so he didn't force him to give an immediate answer. He then exchanged opinions with Wen Zhong regarding his reasons for withdrawing troops and the matter of reducing the world's annual tribute.

The monarch and minister conversed for over an hour before Wen Zhong took his leave from the palace.

Outside the palace gates, his attendant and his mount, the Ink Qilin, were already waiting. Wen Zhong mounted the tall and majestic Ink Qilin and, under the gaze of countless onlookers, exited the west gate.

Upon reaching a secluded area, white clouds appeared beneath the Ink Qilin's hooves, and it soared into the sky, rapidly flying towards the direction of Chaoge Mountain.

Flying over Chaoge Mountain and continuing westward, it entered the mountains for more than ten li before landing in a densely wooded mountain valley.

"Fellow Daoist Wen, we meet again today, just a day after our last parting."

In the forest, Zhao Gongming, Lady Yunxiao, Lady Bixiao, and Lady Qiongxiao were looking up in this direction. Zhao Gongming clasped his hands in greeting.

Wen Zhong returned the gesture, dismounted the Ink Qilin, and scanned each of them. "Esteemed Martial Uncles, this disciple pays his respects."

"Fellow Daoist Wen, since my elder brother addresses you as fellow Daoist, there's no need for excessive formalities," Lady Yunxiao said with a smile and a nod.

"Since several fellow Daoists speak thus, Wen Zhong shall dispense with further pleasantries."

Wen Zhong naturally had no objections. He got straight to the point and asked, "Was the matter with the Crown Prince a test by you fellow Daoists?"

Lady Bixiao did not conceal anything and directly admitted, "Fellow Daoist Wen speaks correctly, it was indeed my doing and that of my sister Qiongxiao."

Wen Zhong gave a helpless bitter smile. "Fellow Daoist Gongming and I had already made it clear before. Perhaps the two of you didn't know of my meeting with Fellow Daoist Gongming at the time. Since things have already happened, it can only be this way. The Great King truly does not know Daoist arts and is not a member of the Daoist sect. His suspicions should be dispelled. I would like to offer you a direction: a few days ago, a colossal stone from beyond the heavens fell into the Royal Palace. Perhaps the theft of the treasures is related to this incident."

"Moreover, you were only focused on the situation on the street at the time. You may not have realized that some fellow Daoists possess the Earth Evasion divine ability. If the thief was underground, how could you have discovered them?"

Upon hearing this, Lady Bixiao's expression turned serious. "These repeated tests were all out of desperation. Our sect has lost three important treasures in succession, which is no small matter. This test of Di Xin was indeed before my elder brother returned. However, Sister Yunxiao went to Biyou Palace and met with the Sect Master. After the Sect Master performed his divinations, he was unable to deduce the truth behind the lost treasures. Fellow Daoist Wen, can you guess the reason?"