The next day, Shi Ji brought back a list from Wen Zhong.
Gu Changqing accepted the list with a knowing smile. Wen Zhong truly understood him.
These days, when Wen Zhong looked for helpers, he did not seek the strongest—only the worst.
The list Gu Changqing had given him before had nearly been used up.
These people's final value was as bargaining chips.
Two more days passed. Gu Changqing returned to Chaoge and handed the Heavenly Mystery Abode over to Di Xin.
After meeting up with Tong Tian, master and disciple headed together for Wa Palace.
Along the way, Tong Tian asked, "Changqing, how do you plan to negotiate?"
Gu Changqing smiled. "Of course, sitting down."
Tong Tian's sword-like brows stiffened. "Do you think my Four Swords of Zhuxian can no longer beat people?"
"Not at all." Gu Changqing took out the Six Souls Banner and handed it to Tong Tian. "Master, isn't this the Six Souls Banner you lost?"
Now that the Ten Thousand Immortals Grand Formation no longer had any meaning, the Six Souls Banner was likewise meaningless.
"Yes!" Tong Tian took the Six Souls Banner, then asked, "Where did you get it?"
"I picked it up in the Eastern Sea." Gu Changqing smiled. "Perhaps Master dropped it while taking a stroll."
Heh heh!
Like hell I believe that. I never take strolls!
Tong Tian naturally did not believe Gu Changqing's nonsense, but he did not wish to pursue the matter either.
Everyone had secrets. He respected Gu Changqing's privacy.
This bargain disciple had brought him too many surprises. Not only had Gu Changqing attained the Dao, but although the Intercepting Sect had lost quite a few disciples during the calamity, its fortune had instead greatly increased because of it.
Gu Changqing had already used the calamity to purge the Intercepting Sect once.
Now that the Intercepting Sect's fortune had greatly increased, even Tong Tian's cultivation had become much smoother.
Moreover, ever since the calamity had developed to this point, he had not had to worry about anything at all.
Not only had he not worried about anything, but the Intercepting Sect's Eight Great Personal Disciples had not even left their doors, yet victory was already within their grasp.
All of this was thanks to Gu Changqing's meticulous planning.
Tong Tian collected his thoughts and asked again, "Changqing, how do you plan to negotiate?"
Gu Changqing smiled. "However I want, because we are the victors."
Tong Tian frowned slightly. "An arrogant army is bound to lose."
Gu Changqing glanced at Tong Tian. Big shot, are you sure you're talking about me rather than yourself?
Seeing that Gu Changqing remained silent, Tong Tian could not bear to criticize him too much. "You will take charge of this negotiation. If there are any problems, the Four Swords of Zhuxian will speak for you."
Gu Changqing: Thanks. Why don't you burn those fire pokers of yours? We won't need them!
After the two arrived at Wa Palace, all the Saints had already gathered. Even the Two Sages of the West had come.
When the Two Sages of the West looked at Gu Changqing, their eyes held no small amount of awe.
Even Laozi's eternally unchanged old face had shifted slightly in color.
Yuanshi also looked deeply uncomfortable.
Nüwa looked at the Saints' reactions and understood that their failure to eliminate the demon was not the only issue. They had likely suffered a heavy loss at Gu Changqing's hands.
The pride in Nüwa's gaze toward Gu Changqing gradually grew.
This is an outstanding rising star of my Human Race!
That look was like a mother seeing her son place first in an exam.
Tong Tian: What's going on?
I'm supposed to be the protagonist!
You should be afraid of me!
Why is every one of you so wary of that brat?
Have my Four Swords of Zhuxian rusted?
Glancing at Gu Changqing, he thought, Brat, did you do something earth-shattering behind my back again?
Seeing that Tong Tian's expression was strange, Gu Changqing smiled awkwardly and said to the Saints, "Changqing greets all my senior uncles."
The Saints: Was that a greeting? At least raise your hand!
Laozi gave a dry laugh and replied, "Fellow Daoist Changqing, there is no need for such formality."
Tong Tian: Since when had Eldest Brother become so polite? Shouldn't he have rebuked Gu Changqing for his rudeness?
Gu Changqing ignored Laozi, walked before Nüwa, and gave a slight bow. "Changqing greets Lady Nüwa."
Nüwa smiled. "Fellow Daoist Changqing has already attained the Dao. We are peers, so there is no need for such formality."
Gu Changqing smiled. "Your Ladyship is the Human Ancestor and should rightly receive the reverence of all humans. Changqing is also human and dares not forget human propriety."
Gu Changqing's attitude toward Nüwa made the Saints uneasy.
Gu Changqing respected Nüwa so greatly, so Nüwa would certainly favor him. This negotiation would likely be exceptionally difficult.
Laozi and Yuanshi were under the greatest pressure. The Two Sages of the West were rather more relaxed, since they had already decided not to involve themselves in the affairs of the Eastern Lands.
At that moment, Laozi said again, "The Investiture of the Gods Calamity was ordained by the Dao Ancestor. None of us may defy it..."
Gu Changqing cut him off and retorted, "The Investiture of the Gods was indeed personally decreed by the Dao Ancestor, but the Dao Ancestor never said that Zhou would replace Shang, nor did he say that the Human King should be demoted to the Son of Heaven."
"This..." Laozi frowned and immediately shifted the blame. "Demoting the Human King to the Son of Heaven was Haotian's idea."
Gu Changqing continued, "Haotian governs Heaven, the Human King governs Earth, and Houtu commands reincarnation. That has been the way since ancient times. For Haotian to demote the Human King to the Son of Heaven is to act against Heaven."
"For the Three Sects to collude with Xiqi in rebellion is to undermine the rightful lineage of the Human Race. They are rebels and must be suppressed."
The Saints: Aren't we Heaven? Isn't Haotian Heaven?
It was quite helpless. Their piece of Heaven was not as vast as Gu Changqing's piece of Earth.
Laozi felt bitter. Demoting the Human King to the Son of Heaven had been Haotian's idea, and it also aligned with the Saints' interests.
In principle, Gu Changqing's words were not wrong either. After all, the Primordial World had followed this system for countless years.
The key was that Nüwa had been the first to move against Great Shang, yet now she had stabbed them in the back.
No matter how they put it now, the other side had reason on its side.
Seeing that words alone were useless and that he could not seize the moral high ground, Laozi said again, "Although the calamity is ordained by Heaven, we should still do our best to contain it and prevent it from expanding without limit."
Gu Changqing nodded. "Eldest Senior Uncle speaks wisely. For the sake of all living beings, let the Western Sect withdraw from the Eastern Lands, and let the Human and Chan Sects relocate to the Heavenly Court. Then there will be no more conflict in the mortal world, and the calamity will end as well. Would that not be wonderful?"
"My Western Sect is willing to withdraw from the Eastern Lands."
Before Laozi could speak, Jie Yin rushed to answer.
The two of them had been frightened by Gu Changqing's beating.
When Laozi saw that the Two Sages of the West had also stabbed him in the back, a chill rose in his heart.
Yuanshi: If we all move away, what the hell is left to play for?
Seeing the veins bulging on Yuanshi's face, Laozi knew his second brother was furious. He quickly sent him a voice transmission. "Junior Brother, do not act rashly. Once Teacher emerges from seclusion, he will naturally uphold justice for us."
Thinking of the omnipotent Hongjun, Yuanshi glanced at Gu Changqing and thought, Let you be smug for now.
Laozi said again, "The foundation upon which the Human and Chan Sects were established is to enlighten the people. This was ordained by Heaven. If Fellow Daoist Changqing asks us to relocate to the Heavenly Court, would that not go against Heaven's will?"
"Not so, not so!"
Gu Changqing smiled. "The Human and Chan Sects' relocation to the Heavenly Court will not affect their teachings. Most humans are mortals, so Qi Refining disciples are enough to enlighten them. Having disciples above Foundation Establishment relocate to the Heavenly Court will not hinder the Qi Refining disciples from teaching the people."
Pfft!
Pfft!
Laozi and Yuanshi nearly vomited blood.
Tong Tian, however, laughed.
You damn genius!
You can even come up with such a vicious move.
You aren't here to negotiate. You're here to start a fight!
Thinking of fighting, Tong Tian secretly summoned the Four Swords of Zhuxian, ready to strike at any moment.
Yet after waiting for a long time, Eldest Brother and Second Brother showed no intention of making a move.
What's going on?
The negotiations have reached this point, and you still won't teach this brat a lesson?
Second Brother, don't you despise our Intercepting Sect the most? Make your move!
Tong Tian was anxious.
If no one fought, his protagonist's halo would never return.
Yuanshi and Laozi's expressions changed again and again, but in the end, they did not take out the Pangu Banner and Taiji Diagram.
They could not defeat them to begin with. Now that the Two Sages of the West and Nüwa had both stabbed them in the back, fighting would only bring humiliation upon themselves.
Laozi said again, "Since Fellow Daoist Changqing has no sincerity today, how about we talk again tomorrow?"
"Agreed!"
Gu Changqing thought, Very soon, you will see my sincerity.
Before you continue