NOVEL NEXT Chapter 321: Recognition of Kin
Chaotian Temple, Three Pure Ones Hall.
Xu Qing entered the hall, but did not see the Temple Master, instead seeing a handsome young Taoist.
"Heavenly Master?" Xu Qing recognized the other at once.
Though he knew the old friend he was to meet was the old Heavenly Master, he didn't expect the other to appear as a youth.
Because the old Heavenly Master had only been reincarnated a few years ago.
However, Xu Qing thought again; the other was a Ghost Immortal, had broken the mysteries of the womb, and been assisted by Secret Techniques and Elixirs. Rapid growth and development were not incomprehensible.
Moreover, this controlled growth could actively enhance certain talents and compensate for innate deficiencies in the womb.
Yet, this did not quite align with the subtlety of the Daoist Law of Nature.
"I couldn't wait, so I took this action."
"Hm, what does the Heavenly Master want from me?" Xu Qing knew that the other was eager to cultivate the Golden Core Right Method. The first step of the Purple Palace Golden Core method is Foundation Establishment of the physical body.
Making an old man wait tens of years is indeed torment.
Thus using some means is reasonable.
"Ahem, there is something I need Gongming's help with." The old Heavenly Master showed an embarrassed smile.
He then explained the entire story.
It turned out that after the old Heavenly Master reincarnated, Yu Xuan found the reincarnated body and invited him back to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Heavenly Master Mansion. His body had just developed to a youthful stage when he began the Foundation Establishment process.
The item to retrieve was an Immortal Pill.
To be precise, an Immortal Pill refined from the old Heavenly Master's previous life's physical body.
To say the old Heavenly Master was ruthless, he could even use his own body for alchemy.
Precisely because of this, this Elixir is even more powerful than the Xuantian Ascending Dragon Pill, and since it was refined from his own body's previous form, there is naturally no difficulty in absorption.
But the Immortal Pill is in the Alchemy Well on Dragon Tiger Mountain.
The seal there can only be opened by a peerless expert.
And in the world today, apart from Xu Qing, the old Heavenly Master trusts no one else to open this seal and not be tempted.
Xu Qing laughed, "You really trust me, aren't you afraid I'll be tempted?"
"If even you, Xu Gongming, are not trustworthy, then there is no master in this world worth trusting." The old Heavenly Master said leisurely.
He trusts Xu Qing not just because of past experiences, but also because Xu Qing never usurped power.
Although Xu Qing's actual power was no different from the Emperor's, Xu Qing held back from usurping, showing how solid his character is.
Character is reflected in one's actions.
Undoubtedly, Xu Qing's political credibility is unmatched in the current world.
Even Xu Qing's enemies must admit that whatever Xu Gongming promises, even if it's not achievable, he will provide greater benefits.
Moreover, with the old Black Mountain demon gone, Xu Gongming is considered the world's top master; he wouldn't ruin his reputation for a mere Elixir.
Furthermore, the old Heavenly Master also aims to use this matter to strengthen ties between Dragon Tiger Mountain and Xu Qing.
At times, deepening relationships doesn't mean merely giving gifts or asking for favors; instead, asking the other for a small favor can draw both sides closer.
Once someone helps you, it's likely they'll help you a second time...
In this process, as favors are returned, the interchanges will naturally increase.
This is also the old Heavenly Master's consideration for Dragon Tiger Mountain's thousand-year heritage.
…
…
Xu Qing took a trip to Dragon Tiger Mountain and easily dealt with the old Heavenly Master's matter. However, upon returning to the Capital, he encountered a small trouble.
"Zhang Kun, besides Zhao Bao, does anyone else know about this matter?"
"Reporting to the Young Protector, since this matter is of great importance, after receiving the news, I personally captured the person and ensured no one had contact with them. As for whether he told others before, I haven't been able to find out yet." Zhang Kun is now in charge of Inner Factory affairs.
He has a close relationship with Xu Qing, so Xu Qing trusts him.
Zhao Bao is actually Zhao Bao, Xu Qing's old adversary from his early days. But since King Lin vouched for him back then, Xu Qing spared his life.
Given Xu Qing's current standing, he wouldn't be petty enough to hunt someone to extinction.
Yet, Zhao Bao suddenly emerged, not for revenge.
Now a eunuch and with the Zhao family exterminated, his sole pursuit in life is power.
This time he emerged because he holds clues about Xu Qing's lineage.
Xu Qing went to the Heavenly Prison.
After dismissing everyone else, leaving only Zhang Kun, in front of him was the imprisoned Zhao Bao.
"Zhao Bao, we are from the same hometown. I spared you once because of King Lin's influence. I told you before, if you dare think of revenge, I would make sure you die without a grave. Over all these years, you didn't seek me out, and I ignored you. This time using my lineage as a ploy, do you wish to end your life?"
"Xu Gongming, with your prudence, had I made even a small move against you, you would've killed me long ago, but I'm alive today because I understand this. Hence, you should know this time, I harbor no malice."
"Investigating my lineage is as easy as pie for me, it's not up to you." Xu Qing shook his head.
Zhao Bao sighed, "I merely want to use this to earn some merit from you; otherwise, I'll spend my life sweeping the Cold Palace, and I'm not content."
He was assigned to Prince Yu's Mansion, but after Prince Yu's death, he was inexplicably sent to the Cold Palace.
Zhao Bao was naturally discontent.
Hence, he played this card to gain Xu Qing's attention.
This card involved the truth about Xu Qing's real lineage.