Li Shaojun's Gift of a Treasure
Inside the Zhang residence, Li Shaojun had changed into a gray Daoist robe, and his figure had become thinner.
It is unknown what method Li Shaojun Li Shaojun, but his physical form is no longer the robust old man he once was. Instead, he is like a crane with a white beard and slender body, with a white beard that flows freely, giving him a more otherworldly and ethereal appearance.
Even Zhang Xuezhou would have to acknowledge that he possessed the demeanor of a master.
As the saying goes, "Buddha needs gold plating and a horse needs a saddle," Li Shaojun's reappearance is indeed a sight to behold.
This transformation undoubtedly met Zhang Xuezhou's previous requirements, making him appear like a highly accomplished sage untouched by worldly interests.
The only downside was that Li Shaojun misled the wrong person.
At this moment, Li Shaojun held a silk book and a bamboo scroll, while constantly scrutinizing the new emperor.
Perhaps in preparation for how to face the emperor in the future, Li Shaojun was now trying out relevant plans.
He rambled on and on, while the new emperor wore a faint, almost imperceptible, cold expression.
Li Shaojun's words were not kind; no normal person would like to hear them, let alone the emperor of Chang'an City.
"So it's the owner coming home!"
Upon seeing Zhang Xuezhou push open the door and enter, Li Shaojun stroked his beard and smiled broadly.
If there weren't other people around, Li Shaojun felt he would definitely put on airs and give Zhang Xuezhou a disapproving look, letting Zhang Xuezhou give him a proper evaluation of his outfit.
As a highly accomplished person, he must have the demeanor of one.
Outward appearance is a prerequisite for success, especially since Li Shaojun Li Shaojun sensed the strange aura of Cai Ma, a cultivator, and thus concealed his cultivation level.
If someone were to spy on him, some might mistake him for an ordinary person, or others might be able to discern some of his cultivation level, but it would be very difficult for anyone to be completely certain of his cultivation level.
Taking all these factors into account, Li Shaojun felt that he had no problem playing the role of a master.
He fooled Lady Yourong, Rong Li, and others in the courtyard. Only Cai Ma mumbled a few words listlessly. He had won over everyone else.
Having tested everyone he had met before, Li Shaojun chose to treat the Zhang Household's guests in the same way.
Although the new emperor did not wear imperial robes, the Marquis of Pingyang, whom he impersonated, was dressed in luxurious attire. Li Shaojun felt that he had to go from deceiving ordinary people to becoming an aristocrat, which led him to repeatedly make outrageous and intimidating remarks to the new emperor.
Of course, compared to ordinary people, those from wealthy families are much more composed.
Just as Li Shaojun was about to say something more, Zhang Xuezhou pushed the door open and entered.
This made him stroke his beard, and then he looked at Zhang Xuezhou with a smug expression.
"So it's Shaojun Li who has come to Chang'an City!"
Zhang Xuezhou bowed to the new emperor and then bowed to Li Shaojun.
He was now extremely polite, without a trace of joking, which made Li Shaojun's heart tighten suddenly.
It's certainly not appropriate to joke around in front of outsiders, but when Li Shaojun saw this outsider bowing in order of precedence, he immediately understood who went first and in what situations such a distinction was necessary.
He knew that the emperor from Chang'an City would come to the Zhang residence, but Li Shaojun did not expect the emperor to be dressed like this, looking no different from some scions of the Aristocratic Clan.
"You've got the wrong identity!"
Li Shaojun felt a chill run down his spine and wanted to slap himself twice, taking back everything he had said.
"Master Shaojun Li?"
The new emperor exclaimed in surprise.
He had come to Zhang's residence on time to inquire about the scholar's examination questions, but he never expected to run into someone the court was recruiting.
Li Shaojun was indeed handsome, and looked like a capable person, but what he said displeased the new emperor.
"You just said I was unaware of the impending doom. Could it be that the owner of this house will bring me great calamity?" the new emperor asked casually.
If this question were asked in the Weiyang Palace, everyone, whether sitting or standing, would have to kneel down immediately.
This statement not only implicated Li Shaojun, but also dragged Zhang Xuezhou into the mess.
However, falsely accusing an emperor of impending doom could cost many people their lives.
Zhang Xuezhou's eyes widened slightly.
Their plan showed signs of failing within a day of its commencement.
If Li Shaojun fails to see through the situation and resolve the current predicament, things will become very bad.
"No, no!"
Seeing Zhang Xuezhou's slightly wooden expression and his subsequent search for a place to sit, Li Shaojun couldn't help but frantically rack his brains.
He had mistaken the new emperor's identity, but he hadn't fully explained his story yet, so there was still room for redemption.
But salvaging this narrative is a difficult task.
"You have a murderous look between your brows; you're clearly a person destined for violence," Li Shaojun said, forcing a smile. "People like you usually have smooth sailing, but once you encounter stronger setbacks, you'll find yourself too rigid and easily broken, making it difficult to recover!"
"What kind of severe setback? What kind of excessive rigidity leads to breakage?" the new emperor asked.
"When you encounter a strong setback, someone will naturally surpass you," Li Shaojun said.
Who can beat me?
The new emperor asked one more question.
If Li Shaojun is a fraud, this question could easily hit his weak spot.
As the emperor of Chang'an City, there are not many who can emerge as the new emperor.
He now enjoys harmony within the royal family, and even the Empress Dowager treats him with great kindness.
Whenever Li Shaojun mentions a certain master, a certain minister, or a certain king or general, it becomes a deadly question.
For someone to be unaware of impending doom, that doom must be imminent, and the new emperor wants to see who can bring him down in the near future.
"This old Daoist is just offering a friendly reminder. If you believe it, then believe it; if you don't believe it, then don't believe it. If you still want to ask me for an answer, this old Daoist can't do something like revealing heavenly secrets and causing trouble for free, lest I bring trouble upon myself," Li Shaojun said, shaking his head.
Hehehe!
The new emperor blinked slightly, then let out a laugh that was difficult to decipher.
Li Shaojun said a lot, but not a single word of it came to fruition.
"What kind of reward does Master Li want?" the new emperor asked in a deep voice. "As long as what you say is true, I'll give you whatever amount of money you ask for!"
"I don't want any reward right now!" Li Shaojun waved his hand and said.
"No payment?"
"Since you know Dongfang Shuo, I will first give you this ancient silk scroll as a magical Law Artifact," Li Shaojun said. "When you use this Law Artifact to save your life someday, you can come back and give me back this life-saving gift!"
Seeing that Li Shaojun neither asked for treasure nor revealed anything, but instead gifted him a Law Artifact, the new emperor's doubts were greatly relieved.
"Is this life-saving gift something I can just give away at will? If the reward I get isn't as valuable as your Law Artifact, wouldn't you be at a loss?"
He asked again tentatively, which made Li Shaojun shake his head repeatedly.
"This old Daoist is now old and frail, and my cultivation is declining day by day. If you wish to reward me in the future, please give me some elixirs for refining longevity pills," Li Shaojun said. "As for how much to give, that's up to you. Give as much as you think your life is worth. It all depends on fate. I'll accept more if it's too much, and I won't blame you if it's too little!"
"That's interesting!"
The new emperor nodded, indicating that he had remembered Li Shaojun's words.
He looked at the cloth Law Artifact in his hand. When he opened it, he saw that the cloth was shaped like a triangular flag with yellow spots on it, as if it were embroidered with a lotus flower.
Seemingly having suffered multiple blows, this Law Artifact is ancient and dilapidated, with almost no remaining power.
This kind of worthless Law Treasure has some value in terms of its worthlessness, but it's worthless because it's difficult to use Law Treasure.
The new emperor had some expectations for Li Shaojun, after all, he was someone who could refine great elixirs.
However, the other party clashed with him upon meeting and even mentioned that he was facing a "great calamity," which made the new emperor want to see what kind of great calamity he was facing in Chang'an City.
He looked at the tattered cloth, examined it carefully again, and then put the old Law Treasure away.
If Li Shaojun is spouting nonsense, then there's no need for such a person to come to the imperial court.