In the main hall of the Lu Residence, Iron Crutch Li stroked his beard in silence, while Han Zhongli paced restlessly around Lu Dongbin, waving his plantain-leaf fan.
Zhang Guolao had no appetite for the delicacies before him. Lan Caihe merely looked left and right, sitting quietly and not daring to move recklessly.
He Xiangu looked toward Ling Qing, while Ling Qing sat there as steady as an old god, his eyes half-closed.
Having paced himself into irritation, Han Zhongli pointed at Ling Qing and snapped, "Lu Daoqing, Lu Daoqing—what kind of rotten idea was that? You wanted Lu Dongbin to willingly fall into demonhood? How did you even come up with that? He is destined to lead the Eight Immortals through the demon tribulation, yet you want him to become a demon. How is that any different from handing the Three Realms directly into Tongtian's hands? And don't blame me for speaking harshly—tell me, have you truly submitted to Tongtian? Is this time you really came to harm us?"
He Xiangu was immediately displeased. Rising to her feet, she said, "Han Zhongli, don't speak so harshly. Haven't we yet to do it? Ling Qing merely wanted to help Lu Dongbin share his burdens. If he truly wanted Dongbin to fall into demonhood, there would have been no need to inform us. Wouldn't he have simply let him fall quietly?"
Iron Crutch Li advised, "Immortal Maiden, calm your anger. Han Zhongli is merely anxious. That was not what he meant."
"Ah!" Han Zhongli slapped both hands against his thighs. "Am I not anxious? I finally took in a disciple, only for someone to egg him on into falling into demonhood. Would you be willing to accept that if it were you? Why not let Daoqing fall into demonhood one more