Hearing this, the Daoist did not immediately turn the cart around, instead hesitating as he reminded him, "True Person, it is getting late. If we return to the Imperial Palace, I fear we will miss the ritual."
Recalling Ma Shunde's appearance, Liu Zhan said with a cold laugh, "Petty men are swiftest when seeking revenge. This matter is grave. If I do not go and plead guilty today, I fear it will be impossible to explain tomorrow. Go, return!"
Since the True Person had said so, the Daoist naturally had nothing further to say. The ox cart quickly turned around and headed toward the Imperial Palace.
After getting into the cart, Liu Zhan lowered the curtain and leaned back against the seat. He did not sit with his five hearts facing heaven, merely closed his eyes to rest, yet an involuntary sense of helplessness rose within him.
His earlier divination of fate had already injured him somewhat, and divining Cao Yiyan's affairs had brought an even harsher backlash!
"Heavenly Secret stood before me, yet I failed to recognize it."
Cao Yiyan had deceived him for too long. In truth, he himself had not spoken honestly either. Not only had he failed to recognize him, he had deliberately or unconsciously overlooked his surname, and had even taught him some Daoist Arts. He was no mere disciple bound by incense offerings.
If not for his instinctive vigilance, and the fact that passing on teachings was a secret matter, he feared he would have been unable to clear himself.
Even now, though he knew something was wrong and had already exposed the Heavenly Secret, thick fog still shrouded Cao Yiyan, preventing anyone from glimpsing his true foundation.
This matter had thoroughly set Liu Zhan up, leaving him deeply resentful.
"Still no good..." As