Inner Demons

Chapter 76: Not Learning Good Things

Actually, the person speaking looked about the same age as Li Yunxin and was dressed similarly.

Although his appearance wasn't as handsome as Li Yunxin's, he was still a delicate-looking young man. He also wore a blue Daoist robe, had a Daoist bun, and a wooden hairpin.

But if one looked closely—the craftsmanship of his Daoist robe was quite different from Li Yunxin's. If one were to turn the blue Daoist robe inside out, one would find the lining was silk. And the seemingly ordinary wooden hairpin in his hair was made of agarwood.

Looking at the person beside him, it was an old man around fifty years old. Dressed similarly to him, he appeared clean and simple, but in reality, it was "low-key luxury."

Those waiting here were all older than the young man. But he had interrupted, and his tone was quite disdainful, yet no one reprimanded him.

Because of the identity of the old man beside him.

Those who frequently moved in and out of Weicheng as Artificers knew that this was indeed an "Intent Realm Artificer." He was a member of the Yu Family in Weicheng, named Yu Mengda, with the Daoist name Xuan Chengzi. And this Yu Family was indeed the same Yu Family as Yu Meng. Although not the main branch, it was still a prominent family in Weicheng.

The young man, seeing everyone looking at him, didn't feel awkward at all. Having followed Xuan Chengzi for a long time and seen much of the world, he naturally possessed a composed and arrogant demeanor.

He then said, "I only know of four Intent Realm Artificers in Weicheng. When did a fifth one appear? Some things are fine to joke about privately. But to say them in an occasion like this is inappropriate."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Old Daoist Liu and nodded slightly, "I'm not targeting you, Daoist friend. It's just that Qionghua Tower is filled with distinguished guests today. Some words spoken would make us a laughingstock and also cause us Artificers of Weicheng to lose face—I trust you can understand?"Xuan Chengzi, beside him, didn't speak, but also didn't leave. He merely looked at Old Daoist Liu with his eyes. It seemed there were some things he found inconvenient to say due to his status, so his quick-witted young Daoist disciple spoke for him.

If the young man spoke without thinking and "went too far," he could just casually scold him a few times.

Given his status, he wouldn't usually bother with someone like Old Daoist Liu. But he had indeed heard before coming... that a fifth "Intent Realm Artificer" was coming today.

It was also because Daoist Priest Pu Nanzi, of the Lingxu Sword Sect, who was on good terms with him, had returned to his sect due to some matter and could not attend, so this invitation was sent to this "Daoist Priest Hunyuanzi." Xuan Chengzi had been trying to establish a connection with Pu Nanzi for quite some time. However, cultivators were often eccentric and unpredictable, so he had put in a lot of effort to gradually build a good impression and meet a few times.

He had originally planned to meet Pu Nanzi again at Qionghua Tower today, with the path already laid out, hoping to deepen their relationship and perhaps ask... if he could obtain some Orthodox Xuanmen Teachings.

Who knew that after cultivating for so long, he suddenly heard that he had returned to his sect.

Cultivators lived long lives, and who knew how long it would be until he returned. And Xuan Chengzi couldn't wait long; it was even more likely that all his plans would fall through, so he was already quite displeased. And when he arrived at the entrance, his Daoist disciple heard what these people were saying and spoke up to teach them a lesson—he just let him go.

Besides, what was Hunyuanzi's status? He had occasionally heard—just a Temple Keeper of a Dragon King Temple.

Seeing these wild Daoist priests flattering each other in front of the building, he already found it amusing. Now, this person was actually going to share a table with him, which was simply absurd. One must know that although Pu Nanzi wasn't coming today, another immortal was—a Grotto-heaven senior disciple rarely seen even by the Emperor!

If someone like Hunyuanzi were at the banquet, wouldn't it be a laughingstock!

Therefore, he didn't even speak after his Daoist disciple asked that last question.

At this moment, Old Daoist Liu's face was not looking good. Shi Kuizi also frowned.

Everyone knew what kind of person Xuan Chengzi was, and the few words spoken by his Daoist disciple could be endured. After the two had spoken and left, these people, though awkward, could joke about it and move on.

But today, after the young Daoist disciple asked, "I trust you can understand?" he lifted his chin slightly and did not leave.

He was... waiting for Old Daoist Liu to respond.

To be lectured by a teenager in front of so many people, and now to have to agree... anyone would find it difficult. If he truly said "I understand, I understand" today, it would truly become a joke afterwards. But if he stood his ground and refused to acknowledge it, causing Xuan Chengzi to lose face in such a setting... the consequences would likely be far more terrifying.

Old Daoist Liu's gaze quickly swept over Shi Kuizi, his face flushed red.

The group of wild Daoist priests behind him fell silent. Even those unfamiliar with Old Daoist Liu felt a sense of shared sorrow.

In that one or two seconds, the atmosphere became extremely awkward.

But, just as the young Daoist disciple had suddenly interrupted, another equally young voice rang out—

"What a bad thing to learn at such a young age."

"Learning to show off."

Everyone's reaction was almost a stunned pause, followed by glances of "Are you crazy?" towards "Yun Xinzi," the disciple beside Old Daoist Liu who had stood up for his master.

But they didn't know what the background of this handsome young Daoist priest was—in the gaze of so many people, facing Xuan Chengzi's suddenly gloomy face, he remained calm and composed, and even—was it an illusion?—there was a relaxed and cheerful smile on his lips!

The young Daoist disciple first froze, then gasped, and said in an incredulous voice, "Are you—talking to me? How dare you!"

Li Yunxin sighed, "I say, child, why are you so troublesome?"

"Here, look, isn't everyone older than you? A group of elders are talking here, and you just have to butt in. If no one pays attention to you after you butt in, then just leave—why do you insist on standing here, waiting for someone to respond?"

"So many people coming and going, all seeing a child like you, without adult supervision, throwing a tantrum here. You say you're afraid of being a laughingstock today—do you think this counts as being a laughingstock? Everyone knows that the young Daoist disciple next to Grand Artificer Xuan Chengzi of Weicheng is ill-mannered, disrespectful to elders, and having a full-blown chuunibyo attack in broad daylight..."

"I simply can't bear to watch."

Li Yunxin spoke with great emotion, finally delivering an expression of "can't bear to look."

The young Daoist disciple was dumbfounded by his words—he was speechless, but more than that, he was astonished.

This person dared to speak to him like that?!

He gritted his teeth, snorted with rising anger, and was about to retort, but then he saw Li Yunxin nod towards Xuan Chengzi—

"I'll help you discipline him. I trust you can understand?"

Just as he had expected.

Xuan Chengzi... looked at him without a word. Then the gloomy expression on his face suddenly disappeared, and he instead nodded slightly to the manager, "Take good care of Daoist Hunyuanzi, don't neglect him. After all, he is a distinguished guest."

Then he nodded to Old Daoist Liu, "Daoist friend, I'll see you upstairs."

After speaking, he flicked his sleeve and strode through the door.

The young Daoist disciple then had nothing to say, glared fiercely at Li Yunxin, and quickly followed.

A person of Xuan Chengzi's status... of course wouldn't argue or quarrel with an "ignorant child" like himself here, in public. Because he hadn't expected anyone to dare to disrespect him here.

Old Daoist Liu, seeing them leave, quickly pulled Li Yunxin aside and whispered, "Brother Xin... why was that?"

He knew that Li Yunxin also had a clever mind. He also knew that Li Yunxin had originally planned to live in seclusion in Weicheng and did not want to cause too much trouble. But today, provoking Xuan Chengzi in this setting—Old Daoist Liu was not worried about whether Brother Xin had a way to solve the problem, but only feared that he had caused this trouble solely for himself.

The people behind him saw the old Daoist pull his disciple aside to speak in low voices, assuming he was disciplining him—it was indeed a temporary display of verbal wit and a release of anger. But everyone had seen Xuan Chengzi's reaction...

He was certainly going to give Old Daoist Liu a "huge embarrassment" upstairs.

But Li Yunxin just smiled faintly, "Don't panic. I'm playing a very big game. It just so happens he came over asking for a beating."

"Besides, if no one steps on me upstairs... how will I have fun showing off?"