I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 456 Turning the Tables, Xu Qing's Connections

The angels of the upper realm love those who are self-disciplined and polite. Such people respect their teachers and are not rebellious, making them the easiest to control.

On the contrary, those demons with fur and horns, especially those with the face of the Thunder God, do not know the difference between ruler and subject, nor do they know the principles of heaven and earth.

Even if you kindly help such a demon to obtain an official position, he will turn around and betray you, making you lose face in front of the emperor, his ministers, and his colleagues, leaving you in a difficult position.

Taibai Xingjun stroked his beard and nodded, clearly very satisfied with Xu Qing's impeccable manners.

"Master Xu, there is no need for such formalities. I am bound by my duties and cannot linger. Please feel free to speak your mind, but when it comes to my questions, I hope you will answer them without reservation."

“This is nothing to worry about, Angel.” Xu Qing, holding Jin Xing’s arm, smiled and invited him to the table.

Taibai glanced at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who was standing alone not far away, and couldn't help but invite him, "Bodhisattva, why don't you also take a seat at the banquet?"

Just as Ksitigarbha was about to take a step, he heard Xu Qing say mercilessly:

“This is my table, and these chairs and benches are also mine. How can I allow a treacherous villain who associates with demons to sit here?”

"To be honest, Star Lord, I have studied the classics since I was a child. What I hate most are traitors and turncoats. These people are shameless, inhuman, and do not know what righteousness is. They are the most selfish people."

"It seems that the Star Lord refrained from taking drastic measures because of the Bodhisattva's past righteous deeds. If you ask me, the Star Lord is too kind-hearted. People like this who have fallen into demonic ways are often more terrifying than real demons. Who knows what kind of evil they might commit in the future."

"."

Jin Xing coughed several times, fearing that the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, whose face was even darker than the soles of his shoes, would overturn the table on the spot.

"Didn't Master Xu have something to ask you? Let's focus on official business first. As for other external matters, we can discuss them later."

Xu Qing, still feeling unsatisfied, changed the subject and said, "It's nothing major. I just wanted to ask, I eliminated a great scourge for the Three Realms, brought Kong Ren, who destroyed the Heavenly Pillar, to justice, and during that time, I mobilized the entire power of my sect to activate the Demon Refining Array, expel the turbid air, and give back to the mortal world."

"Even if these merits, big and small, don't fill a whole cart, they're certainly in the basket. Of course, I'm not saying this to seek credit or reward, but my family is large and prosperous, so if I can secure some benefits for the disciples in the sect, that would be a good deed."

Xu Qing moved a stool closer to Jin Xing, showing his intimacy, and said, "I am a person who cultivates in seclusion, and I do not covet official positions. If the angel can bring some peaches of immortality or magical artifacts as a reward, I will be content."

"."

Jin Xing's eyelids twitched. This person had defied the Heavenly Emperor and committed many crimes, which was bad enough, but how dare he take advantage of him and ask for a reward?

"Master Xu, as far as I know, Kong Ren destroyed the Heavenly Pillar because Nüba trespassed into the Zhuoshui Dojo first. If this hadn't happened, Kong Ren might not have destroyed the Heavenly Pillar. Furthermore, Master Xu, you have already committed a serious crime by allowing your disciples to subdue the Yinhe Sect Leader without permission. It would be difficult to even reduce the punishment from the Heavenly Laws, so how could you possibly ask the Heavenly Venerable for benefits?"

Xu Qing's eyes widened, and she immediately objected!
"Isn't this bullying honest people! The leader of the Yinhe Sect has brought calamity to the mortal world, causing countless natural and man-made disasters. Do you think I'm guilty for risking my life to save all living beings from suffering?"

"How can such a thing be true?"

Xu Qing slammed his fist on the table and stood up, filled with indignation, saying, "All living things revere Heaven and Earth with such piety. They worship immortals and Buddhas, which is why we have the faith in gods and the incense burning everywhere. Angels are angels of Heaven and angels of Earth, and are revered by all people. Can the angels bear to watch the human world be affected by the demons of the Yin River and suffer endless suffering?"

Before Venus could answer, Xu Qing suddenly softened his expression and said, "Angels are definitely not like that, incapable of distinguishing right from wrong, good from evil, and certainly not immoral gods who are high above, enjoying incense offerings alone, but not thinking of fulfilling even a fraction of their divine duties."

"."

Since you've already said that, what else can I say?
Even the mighty Venus, the morning star in the heavens, dared not respond to Xu Qing's words.

It doesn't seem like a good thing for someone to be too knowledgeable about morality and ethics.

"Master Xu is truly a man of great character." Jin Xing chuckled and quickly changed the subject, saying, "When I return to the Upper Realm, I will relay Master Xu's benevolent heart to the Heavenly Emperor. Although there may not be a reward, considering Master Xu's concern for all living beings, perhaps there will be other opportunities in this matter."

Faced with this calamity, Venus dared not make any promises lightly, and her words were always hesitant and evasive!
Xu Qing chuckled lightly, seemingly unconcerned.

He took the lead in proclaiming his achievements in order to turn the tables and occupy the moral high ground.

In any case, today's negotiations are destined to be watched by all parties. As long as he raises the banner of the Great Luo Sect to save the world and overcome tribulations, he has already achieved his goal.

Jin Xing picked up her teacup and, while sipping her tea, inadvertently glanced at the former celestial maiden dressed in her wedding gown. Then she looked away and glanced at Xu Qing, whose manners and speech seemed unruly but were actually quite disciplined.

It must be said that these two are truly a perfect match, no wonder the all-seeing and all-hearing people said they were having an affair.
Jin Xing, mindful of the Heavenly Maiden's past achievements and considering Xu Qing's reliance on her as a backer, was happy to play dumb and bestow upon her a reputation for benevolence.

"Does Master Xu have anything else to say?"

Seeing that Xu Qing sat up straight and was about to speak the truth again, Jin Xing quickly said, "I am busy with official business. Since Master Xu has said enough, let me ask Master Xu a few small questions."

"May I ask who Master Xu's teachers are? Does your sect have an official edict from Heaven and Earth, and does it have a legitimate name?"

Just as Xu Qing was about to answer, he heard shouts coming from the surging Sanzu River not far away.

"As the saying goes, you can't earn money by doing odd jobs, you can only fill your stomach. These magical treasures are what I painstakingly retrieved from the river. If you want them, you'll have to exchange them for something in return. If that's not possible, at least let me have a good meal. Otherwise, I can't just give them away so easily!"

"You scoundrel, we were once colleagues, how come you're taking advantage of our misfortune to demand benefits from us after obtaining weapons and magical treasures?"

The fat, ugly man in a brocade robe said shamelessly, "As the saying goes, those on horseback don't know the hardships of those on foot, and the well-fed don't know the hunger of the starving. You all enjoy yourselves in heaven, while I have to go down to the water and be soaked in this River of Three Poisons. I've been working hard and am already parched. Instead of giving you some nectar to quench your thirst, you're just thinking about taking advantage of me. How shameless!"

"Now I'll put it this way: if you want magical weapons and treasures, bring melons and other offerings to my Pure Altar Temple. Otherwise, I'll use these spears and halberds to burn in the stove. As for the magical weapons and treasures, take them to my senior brother and sell them to those monkeys and their offspring. You can also exchange them for some seasonal fruits."

"If you're not satisfied, go to the Water Curtain Cave and ask my brother for it. If you can get it, that's your skill, and I won't say a word!"

The immortals and gods dared not speak out against their anger. Those who carried valuable items could only offer some benefits to the ugly man. However, the ugly man was eccentric and had no sense of propriety. If you asked him for a spear or halberd, he would insist on asking whether the spear or halberd that fell into the river was a gold or silver spear, or an unclaimed iron spear that had rusted in the Zhuoshui Dojo.

The banks of the Sanzu River were bustling with noise, as if a group of immortals and gods had come to a vegetable market. The ugly-faced giant was the vegetable vendor, and the immortals and gods were the old ladies buying vegetables. Everyone was bargaining, making quite a scene!

Seeing this, Venus shook her head helplessly.

However, just as he came to his senses and was about to continue listening to Xu Qing's answer, he noticed that a monkey with a thunder god's face had appeared beside him at some point.

"You old man, you're always trying to fool people. I fell for your tricks back then, so why are you trying to deceive my brother now?"

"Brother? What do you mean by that, Great Sage?" Venus hurriedly got up to greet him, but when he saw what the other man said, his heart skipped a beat.

When Xu Qing saw the monkey in front of him who looked exactly like the master of the Little Water Curtain Cave, he immediately understood and said, "It has been a long time since we last met. I wonder how you have been, brother?"

The master of the Little Water Curtain Cave and Xu Qing had a long history of interaction. Their supernatural abilities came from the same school, and they both knew each other's identities, but they could not reveal them or address each other as fellow disciples.

Upon hearing the monkey address him as "brother" first, he understood the monkey's intention.

"It's not good. My master is a troublesome person. In this time of great calamity, he insisted on reincarnating into the world to seek a way to resolve the calamity. I searched for a long time, but I still couldn't find his whereabouts. It's really annoying."

Xu Qing's heart stirred slightly, and he suddenly thought of someone, but whether it was him or not, he would have to ask the mad monk to find out.

Taibai Xingjun couldn't help but interject, "How did Master Xu come to know Shengfo?"

Xu Qing chuckled and said, "The angel's words are strange. My brother and I have always been half-brothers. You could say we've known each other since we first met. The celestial maiden knows this too."

"Furthermore, the people I know are not Shengfo; the people I know have always been my own brothers."

Venus turned to look at Nüba, her eyes asking a question.

"."

Nuba raised her eyes and glanced at Xu Qing, then chose to remain silent.

At the gates of hell, Ksitigarbha, who was hesitant to proceed, also frowned and glanced at Di Ting.

This information is far more important than the celestial maiden's scandalous affair. Di Ting was completely bewildered; it truly knew nothing about this!

Jin Xing shook his head helplessly, and finally had to skip the question for the time being. He spoke again, "Sect Leader Xu has not yet explained the origins of the Great Luo Sect."

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Although the Great Luo Sect is not officially recognized by Heaven and Earth, it has been officially recognized by the emperors of the mortal world. It is a legitimate temple, not some wild shrine or licentious shrine."

"Among my disciples, there are also true disciples of the Five Elders of the Five Directions, disciples of Lu Zu Chunyang True Immortal, disciples of the Celestial Master of the Righteous Path, and disciples of Buddhism who save the world."

Venus fell silent again.

Beside him, the Victorious Fighting Buddha said with a smile, "The Five Elders of the Five Directions? Those are my old brothers. I have always been on good terms with them. Now that I have taken in the disciples and successors of the Five Elders, it is a kind of fate. When I have some free time in the future, I will take you to meet my old brothers. We can drink and have a good time together then. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Jin Xing felt a headache coming on. He had initially thought he had met a 'commoner' cultivator who knew how to advance and retreat and understood the difference between ruler and subject, but he never expected that this person was actually his former brother who was a horse herder.

Not a family, do not enter the door.

Once this identity was revealed, Venus knew that the matter in the lower realm would not end so simply.

Just as Venus was frowning in worry, the Cleansing Altar Messenger, who was retrieving magical treasures, pulled out a Hun Tian Ling (a magical ribbon) and a Bodhi Sword.

The Clean Altar Messenger, carrying the Bodhi Sword, asked whose treasure it was. When no one answered, he was overcome with greed and wanted to take the sword for himself.

From a distance, Xu Qing recognized it as his own Bodhi Sword and quickly said to his senior brother, "Brother, that Bodhi Sword is my magic weapon. It accidentally fell into the river during my battle with the Lord of War."

"Since it is a brother's treasure, it should be retrieved!"

As he spoke, the Great Sage flashed to the Clean Altar Messenger, wanting him to hand over the sword.

"Senior brother, how unreasonable! I picked up this sword, why should I hand it over to you?"

"Fool, shut up! This sword is my brother's magic weapon. The execution of the Yinhe Sect leader this time is all thanks to my brother. It's one thing for you to be unruly on ordinary days, but how dare you try to covet your own family's treasure today?"

The ugly man immediately said with annoyance, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Since it's a brother's treasure, I should return it. Coincidentally, I also found a red cloth strip here, but no one has come to claim it. It must be an unclaimed item. I might as well give it to you as a small gift."

The Great Sage looked at the red cloth strip and it seemed strangely familiar.

Just as the two brothers were chatting idly as if no one else was around, a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth suddenly descended to the mortal realm from the Heavenly Gate.

Upon arriving above the Sanzu River, the boy immediately spotted the treasure he had left behind.

"You scoundrel, it's only been a few days, how come you don't recognize the magic treasures of your former colleagues? If I hadn't been guarding the Haotian Mirror and watching over the mortal realm, would you have dared to steal my magic treasures?"

"There are plenty of red ribbons in the world, who knows which one is yours?" The Clean Altar Messenger chuckled and tossed the red ribbon over.

The Clean Altar Messenger was very generous to the Great God of the Sea Assembly. He didn't ask for any favors, but only suggested that the Great God come to his temple for a banquet another day so that they could reminisce about their old friendship.

A Buddhist disciple who constantly talks about eating wine and meat can only be described as someone who shares the same lineage as the Monkey King.

He had no objection to meeting the Great God of the Sea, but in the brief moment before returning to the Upper Realm, he turned back and came to Xu Qing's side.

"You sure know how to cause trouble!"

Haihui Dashen looked Xu Qing up and down, but he wasn't too surprised.

When Xu Qing and a group of immortals from the Cat Immortal Hall took turns seeking him as their master, he could tell that the other party was not a peaceful person.

Now it seems that the other party is not only cunning, but also incredibly bold!

Xu Qing said modestly, "I am not as good as my senior brother and fellow Daoist, I am truly ashamed."

"."

Taibai Xingjun's vision went black. Was this spoken in human language?

It is said that one becomes like the company one keeps.

No wonder Xu Xuan was able to do something that caused damage to the Heavenly Road Barrier; he was fundamentally unreliable!
Haihui Dashen curled his lip, too lazy to argue with Xu Qing.

He casually asked, "How is my apprentice doing these days?"

Xu Qing truthfully replied, "Shi Yue has now cultivated for a thousand years, and she has learned all the supernatural powers that you taught her. With continued practice, she will be able to advance further."

When Haihui Dashen heard Xu Qing talk about Shiyue's progress, he felt very relieved.

"When you travel around in the future, you can take her with you. Don't always be in seclusion to cultivate. Back in my day, I..."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Haihui swallowed them back.

His experiences are really not suitable for educating his disciples.

"Never mind, when I have some free time, I'll take her to meet her grandmaster. Perhaps it will be of some benefit to her."

After a few brief pleasantries, the Great God of the Sea Association planned to return to the Upper Realm.

Seeing this, Xu Qing quickly stopped him, saying, "Brother, wait! I have another question to ask you."

At that moment, Xu Qing told him that he wanted to see the True Lord Miaodao.

"What do you want to see my second brother for?"

Xu Qing looked around, and finally his gaze fell on Di Ting.

Haihui Dashen raised an eyebrow and unconsciously placed his hand on the steel ring in front of him.

Beside him, the Victorious Fighting Buddha also narrowed his eyes and looked at Di Ting.

"."

Di Ting, who was eavesdropping with his ears perked up, trembled all over and quickly closed his ears, pretending to be deaf.

Xu Qing approached the Great God of the Sea Alliance and whispered a few words to him. The latter nodded in response.

"I will relay your message to my second brother."

As Venus watched the Great God of the Sea depart, taking in everything, she was filled with worry.

He always felt that the consequences of the Great Luo Sect Master associating with these people would be far more serious than the destruction of the Heavenly Road Barrier or the invasion of the Three Crossings River into the Three Realms.

But when Jin Xing saw the level of skill Xu Qing displayed, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Where in this world are there so many rebellious people with extraordinary abilities?

However, when Jin Xing caught a glimpse of Nüba in her bright red wedding dress, he felt that Xu Qing's matter could not be ignored.

One Xu Qing is not a big deal, but adding a Nüba who is no longer self-restrained might really bring trouble!

(End of this chapter)