The Quest for Immortality

”According to common sense, given the Xiao family’s rank and status, we are certainly unworthy of forming an alliance through marriage with the Xia family. However, your situation with Master Xia is quite special...”

”You have good Spiritual Roots, excellent talent, and unlimited prospects. Most importantly, you are very young.”

”Master Xia is also not bad, in appearance and Spiritual Roots, all top-notch, with nothing to criticize. But, he’s only old, and has served in the Taoist Court for many years, cold and distant, with a bad temper.”

”With Master Xia’s qualities, seeking an alliance from above, or even marriage, is somewhat difficult. But you are still young, and with your promising future, you make up for the shortcomings of family background.”

”In this way, you two actually become well-matched.”

Master Xiao’s gaze darkened slightly, glancing at Xiao Tianquan, ”I heard... that the Xia family’s Master Xia has already personally met with you and is quite satisfied with you?”

Xiao Tianquan respectfully said, ”All thanks to Master Xia’s favor.”

Master Xiao sneered, sighed, and said coldly:

”Everyone’s playing a good game... You two marrying, the Xia family gets a rope to tie the Xiao family, and the Xiao family gets a ladder to climb up. Good, good...”

But he, this old dog selling his life, was sold out.

If he doesn’t bark, he might still breathe a few times. If he barks, there wouldn’t even be bones left.

Xiao Tianquan also sighed a little, expressing sincerely:

”Uncle, your kindness is something I will never forget. These schemes are made by the Ancestors. I really have no right to interfere... But Uncle, rest assured, when I become the Court Leader someday, I will surely appoint you to an important position. In the future, even if you don’t become the Court Leader, at least the position of Deputy Court Leader will be yours without a doubt.”

Master Xiao nodded, ”Not bad, at least in drawing circles for others to sell their lives, your way with words isn’t bad. With this skill, taking on the Court Leader position shouldn’t be a problem...”

Xiao Tianquan said, ”Uncle...”

Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, ”I’ve treated you well, don’t take me for a fool.”

Xiao Tianquan fell silent.

Master Xiao gave Xiao Tianquan one last deep look, ”Considering that I bear the surname Xiao, and that you are the Heaven’s Chosen Son in whom the Xiao family has high hopes, the backbone of the Xiao family’s future... For this sentiment, I will ensure you leave this Dragon King Temple safely.”

”But once you leave, this identity of a Supervisor, I don’t want it anymore. The name ’Xiao,’ I’ll also give up. You and I will no longer have any ties. Live or die, it’s none of my concern...”

With these words, Master Xiao left indifferently, sweeping his sleeves as he went.

Xiao Tianquan showed a hint of loss in his expression, seemingly still grateful for Master Xiao’s care over these days, but it quickly faded.

He is the Heaven’s Chosen Son, different from Master Xiao. Parting ways now is ultimately a good thing.

Xiao Tianquan offered a distant salute to Master Xiao’s retreating figure, then turned and left as well.

After they left, Mo Hua let out a slight sigh of relief, retrieved his silver needles, tucked away the wire, concealed himself, and quietly returned to the resting place, slipping back under his blanket.

The ”blanket person” turned back into Mo Hua.

Gu Changhuai, sensing the commotion, looked around and asked in a low voice, ”What did you hear?”

Master Xia also looked over curiously.

Mo Hua recalled the conversation just now, shocked.

He heard something incredible!

Got a shocking piece of gossip!

This gossip is too big, he can’t swallow it all in one bite.

The Xiao and Xia families are planning to pair the Howling Celestial Dog with Master Xia!

Mo Hua opened his mouth to speak but stopped, glancing at Master Xia.

Does Sister Xia even know about this?

If she doesn’t know, even if I tell her, it seems... it’s of no use?

You can’t twist an arm into a thigh, Sister Xia may be a Golden Core, but the Xia family is in the Central Dao Court, a great family in the Taoist State at the heart of the Nine State. ṘÁ𝐍ŎBËṥ

Even if she disagrees, what can she do?

And if she already knows, wouldn’t I be, in effect, gossiping in front of the involved party?

After all, this kind of private marriage talk isn’t great to say out loud.

Sister Xia likely doesn’t want others to know, nor would she like it being discussed.

As for Uncle Gu.

This idiot, he may not even get it. With his current relationship with Sister Xia, even if you tell him, he may not be aware of anything.

Mo Hua silently swallowed this big gossip.

Having gossip and not being able to share it is very uncomfortable.

Gu Changhuai saw Mo Hua hesitating and said puzzled, ”Speak up, what’s there to hesitate about.”

Mo Hua looked at Gu Changhuai, then at Master Xia, sighed internally, and picked another matter to speak of:

”I just heard a big secret... that Water Yama’s skills were taught by the Grinning Tiger!”

Gu Changhuai’s expression was shocked.

Master Xia was somewhat taken aback, ”Grinning Tiger?”

Gu Changhuai explained helplessly, ”Master Xiao... it’s a nickname Mo Hua gave him, calling him the Grinning Tiger.”

”I see...”

Master Xia nodded, recalling Master Xiao’s fake smiling but not smiling face, had to admit, the child Mo Hua’s nickname was indeed quite apt.

Seeing this, Mo Hua followed up, ”I gave Xiao Tianquan a nickname too, calling him ’Howling Celestial Dog’.”

”Howling Celestial Dog?”

Master Xia was taken aback, then his expression remained usual but his lips slightly pursed, evidently amused but trying hard to hold it in.

Gu Changhuai sighed, ”Speak of the important matters.”

Mo Hua responded with an ”oh,” pondered briefly, then summarized the Grinning Tiger and Water Yama’s conversation just now.

Of course, he left out the part about the Water Prison Forbidden Box in his possession.

He also mentioned Xiao Tianquan’s matters.

”That Grinning Tiger took the ’Howling Celestial Dog’ to the Rouge Boat, said to find women for his pleasure, and also said to introduce the ’Howling Celestial Dog’ to the ’Young Masters’ Pavilion,’ for the sake of expanding his network...”