"Mm, that was true!" Xiao Hua did not mind, smiling as he said, "When this old man went to the Yaotai Gathering, holding Black Cloud Ridge would indeed be a matter of great importance. Xiaoyao's cultivation is insufficient, and this old man truly cannot rest easy. That is why this old man wished to ask Fellow Daoist to lend this Xiao a hand and hold the fort for a few days. Since Fellow Daoist needs to consider it, then after this Xiao restores your disciples' cultivation, simply inform this Xiao before departure!"
"Ah???" Li Xiang stood there dumbfounded, asking in astonishment, "True Person... True Person merely wanted this poor Daoist to help you hold the fort for a few days??"
"Yes? What did Fellow Daoist think this Xiao meant by asking Fellow Daoist to lend this Xiao a hand?" Xiao Hua also feigned surprise.
"Oh..." Li Xiang was somewhat disordered. He had never expected Xiao Hua's demand to be so low—so low that he could not respond.
Princess Changling seized the moment to say softly, "Master, the National Teacher means..."
"Oh, this old man understands!" Xiao Hua slapped his forehead and laughed. "Fellow Daoist Li, do not overthink it. This Xiao is not skilled in affairs of state and has never had experience as a National Teacher. Changling once said that she wished to invite Fellow Daoist Li to emerge once more and become Jiang Kingdom's Second National Teacher. That was why this old man had Xiaoyao inquire into Fellow Daoist's whereabouts, which led to this Xiao's trip to Qianyu Mountain. However, along the way, this Xiao saw that Fellow Daoist had little interest in becoming National Teacher, so this Xiao did not mention it again. Whether Fellow Daoist becomes National Teacher has nothing to do with this Xiao; that