Chapter 239: The Smooth-Talking Deceiver
The two men descending the mountain chatted as they walked. Zhao Zhen asked Shang Lu about matters concerning the Taoist temple.
Shang Lu naturally answered, “I once walked out from right here.”
Zhao Zhen didn’t understand at first. But after hearing the explanation, he felt a bit surprised.
“You were a Taoist in the past?”
Shang Lu nodded and said, “A half-committed Taoist. Later, our old Master thought staying on the mountain was wasting our talents. So he drove all my senior and junior siblings and me down the mountain.”
Zhao Zhen frowned upon hearing this and asked, “As far as I know, that Heavenly Path Taoist also came from this Flowing Cloud Temple.”
“That was my martial uncle.”
Shang Lu said, “After our Ancestral Master passed away long ago, both my martial uncles left the mountain. Only my Master stayed behind to become the temple leader. My senior and junior siblings and I were children our Master adopted from the foot of the mountain. The snow that year was truly too heavy. We nearly didn’t survive.”
“But speaking of my martial uncle, he brought this on himself. That Alchemy path was really about deceiving people. In truth, it produced poisonous pills. It was bound to lead to calamity sooner or later.”
Zhao Zhen expressed agreement upon hearing this. “It’s good Brother Lu understands this clearly.” “Yes.”
Shang Lu nodded and then asked, “What about you?”
“Me?”
“You bear the surname Zhao, and travel with so many Shadow Guards. Surely you are no ordinary royal relative. Earlier you also mentioned the Qingbo Marquis. Could you be a marquis?”
Zhao Zhen nodded. “Exactly.”
Shang Lu asked, “Xinglong was also fake, right?”
Zhao Zhen admitted, “Yongding Marquis, Zhao Quan.”
Shang Lu nodded upon hearing this and said, “That makes sense. Rumor says the Yongding Marquis and the Qingbo Marquis have never gotten along. There have been plenty of secret clashes between them too.”
“In your view, it was the Qingbo Marquis who tried to kill you? What deep hatred did he have for you, to actually draw his butcher’s blade? If anyone found out, wouldn’t it be a grave crime?”
“It was because of estate matters.”
Zhao Zhen waved a hand dismissively. “It’s all in the past. Best not to mention it.”
Shang Lu nodded. “Alright.”
As they walked, Zhao Zhen suddenly paused.
“How about you tell me about that man just now?”
“Mr. Chen?”
“Yes.”
Shang Lu thought for a moment and asked, “Why did Brother Zhao come south to this place?”
Zhao Zhen glanced at him and said, “Before he died, the Heavenly Path Taoist spoke of an Immortal of Longevity. He also mentioned Autumn Moon Market, and a certain Mr. Chen.”
“Besides, years ago when punishing the Rebel Army, there was a Sword Immortal with Peach Blossoms who raided the execution ground. Every person he rescued, without exception, was from Autumn Moon Market. On my journey south this time, I saw that painting made by Young Master Wen. So I thought to myself, perhaps right here in this world, such a thing as the so-called Immortal of Longevity truly exists.”
“So Brother Zhao does know of Mr. Chen.”
“Indeed…”
Zhao Zhen looked back at the mountain behind him and said, “Yet after meeting him, I felt somewhat disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” Shang Lu asked.
Zhao Zhen exhaled slowly. “Truth is, I never believed those tales of Ghost Deities and Divination. Though this Mr. Chen did correctly guess what was in my mind, I’ve witnessed too many talented and unusual men over the years. People who can read minds by watching expressions are hardly rare. I don’t believe he truly divined it.”
Shang Lu shook his head upon hearing this. “No harm in disbelieving. Brother Zhao has already missed his chance now. Whatever is said is too late anyway.”
Zhao Zhen asked, “You truly believe he calculated it?”