Chapter 112: Taming The Old Celestial Master
The Old Celestial Master coldly stared at Jiang Ce, his disgust and killing intent toward Jiang Ce having reached the extreme.
But he was helpless.
Because everything Jiang Ce said was true; if he dared to act, Cao Zheng would definitely intervene.
Not to mention Jiang Ce’s talent, just the mysterious Divine Material he carried—if nothing unexpected happened, Jiang Ce was bound to become a Half-Immortal in the future. A Gatekeeper’s Half-Immortal versus the Celestial Master’s Mansion—which was more important was obvious without thinking.
The Celestial Master’s Mansion might not disappear, but its status would certainly plummet.
He didn’t dare to bet.
After a long silence, the Old Celestial Master finally asked, “You figured it out long ago, yet still participated in the Daoist Grand Ceremony as agreed. Why?”
Jiang Ce shrugged. “I guessed it, but there was no extra evidence. Plus, I underestimated the enemy. I didn’t expect Xue Yuan to be so ruthless. Thinking of playing dumb for once would be good for everyone.”
He paused, then sighed. “But I didn’t expect my sincerity to be met with even worse retaliation. If you’d just cooperated a bit, this matter would’ve been over. But you let me fall into desperation without regard—that’s not right.”
“So now I have to properly enlighten you. Even if the Daoist and Buddhist sects merge, it’ll still depend on the Gatekeeper’s face, and you won’t achieve your ambitions. But you can’t just slack off, right?”
“You really took Ci En for a fool to trick, wanting him to act against me to verify your guess, right?”
“If Ci En gets lectured by Cao Gong and Wei Lao, what good do you think you’ll get? If the Buddhist Sect and Gatekeeper develop a rift, won’t it weaken the overall power of the righteous path?”
“With the Supernatural Revival imminent and the Gluttonous Ghost so powerful, you have to stir up trouble and infight to deplete strength first.”
“Old Celestial Master, not to speak ill of you, but is it possible that your behavior is the truly shortsighted one?”
The Old Celestial Master made no comment, just took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. “What do you want?”
“What do you mean ‘want’? What do you mean ‘want’?”
Jiang Ce leaned back against the backrest, his face full of disdain. “How unpleasant that sounds—like we’re negotiating hush money.”
“What exactly do you want to do?” The Old Celestial Master suppressed his anger and still asked calmly.
“This is negotiation. You’re so old—don’t get so heated, or you’ll get inflamed and impotent.”
Jiang Ce said with a grin. Seeing the Old Celestial Master’s breathing quicken, he restrained himself a bit and said seriously:
“Alright, no more beating around the bush. It’s simple: from now on, for Daoist-Buddhist alliance matters, you call the shots publicly, but privately you tell me everything for my approval. Not too much, right?”
“Not too much?” The Old Celestial Master looked incredulous. He’d thought Jiang Ce would ask for the moon, but it was gluttonous demands.
“Of course not too much. If you drop your ambitions and honestly be the alliance leader, everyone unites outward—that’s not bad. Being Daoist-Buddhist Leader is already much stronger than your current Daoist Sect Leader position. You should be happy.”
“I won’t embarrass you. In front of outsiders, you’re still the Old Celestial Master, I’m the junior. Privately, we’re brothers—let’s discuss it.”
“Anyway, you have two paths now: accept my conditions, pretend nothing happened, and I’ll speak well of you to Cao Gong and Wei Lao, counting it as you abandoning darkness for light. Or go talk to them yourself—then even the public Leader position might not be yours.”
Jiang Ce replied matter-of-factly, his “no deal, I’ll tell the teacher” line sealing off all the Old Celestial Master’s retreat.
But the Old Celestial Master sniffed something else from Jiang Ce’s conditions and said with a sigh, “Didn’t expect you, at just Sixth Rank, to already be scheming these things. When you reach Heaven-Reaching Dharma Master, even Wei Wen Zheng might have to step down.”
Jiang Ce keenly detected the trap in the Old Celestial Master’s words and immediately denied it. “You can eat carelessly, but words can’t be spoken carelessly. I’m the Gatekeeper’s loyal minister—my relationship with Cao Gong and Wei Lao is solid. Don’t try to drive a wedge.”
“It’s just up to you whether I bring you back reformed for big merit or report your conspiracy for small merit. No big difference to me.”
“At most, I’ll be in charge of direct contact with you, giving me a Daoist-Buddhist network for future help.”
Seeing Jiang Ce’s clear conscience expression, the Old Celestial Master couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
Everything he should and shouldn’t say was exposed to me, just like that, so openly?
Could he really have no ideas at all?
Suddenly, the Old Celestial Master thought of a possibility: was Jiang Ce’s confidence from Cao Zheng’s instructions?
Perhaps Cao Zheng, considering past ties, used Jiang Ce as a mouthpiece, giving him two choices: maintain the old relationship and public friendliness, or tear faces and break completely?
Recalling Jiang Ce’s previous carefree attitude, he increasingly felt it possible. On Jiang Ce’s own, the Old Celestial Master didn’t think he had the guts.
Thinking of this, his heart filled with bitterness.
Though Ci En proposed it first, he admitted that in that moment, he was indeed tempted, full of ambition for the future.
If he’d never had such ideas, he probably wouldn’t have agreed.
But in the end, he’d unwittingly worked for the Gatekeeper.
“Alright.” The Old Celestial Master’s already weathered face suddenly aged even more. “We’ll do as you say. The Daoist Sect side is fine—I call the shots. But Ci En’s side isn’t easy to fool. I can’t guarantee if you have excessive ideas, they’ll comply.”
Jiang Ce smiled. “That’s fine. I won’t use your authority for trivial matters. Do what you normally do. Don’t worry about the Buddhist Sect’s ideas—freely align with them, then tell me afterward, and I’ll relay to Cao Gong and Wei Lao. Good for everyone.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll pay lip service but act otherwise?” the Old Celestial Master probed.
Jiang Ce waved grandly. “Not afraid! I trust you absolutely.”
The Old Celestial Master was surprised, but before he could say polite words, Jiang Ce continued, “So you must repay my trust with actions. Ugly words upfront: if something happens, the Celestial Master’s Mansion will be the first I label as traitor.”
“Meaning, you can’t be hands-off. You must know every detail of any movement. Even if not your fault, you’ll bear the consequences. Very humane, right?”
“You…” The Old Celestial Master was speechless, inwardly cursing Jiang Ce as a villain.
But he was helpless—handle in hand, even facing this ant-like figure now, he had to endure.
Next moment, Jiang Ce tossed a paper over. The Old Celestial Master puzzledly picked it up. “This is…”
“Work Wei Lao assigned me. Originally to lobby these sects: either align with the Gatekeeper against the Gluttonous Ghost, or provide enough resources. If no strength to contribute, must contribute money. Can’t let them reap without sowing.”
Jiang Ce yawned. “Rare chance to perform. I give it to you—hope you complete it beautifully, don’t betray my trust.”
Looking at those dozens of sects, the Old Celestial Master’s eyes turned green. “Aren’t you bullying too much?”
“Hahaha, that’s nothing?”
Jiang Ce pulled out another paper and handed it to the Old Celestial Master. “That was just a performance chance, testing your ability. Not yet testing your sincerity.”
The Old Celestial Master took the paper, saw the content, and paled in shock. “You really want to wipe them out?”
“Old Celestial Master exaggerates. Just a simple little test. Find a way to prove Lu Shan Sect connects to the Gluttonous Ghost, then we take them down together—we’ll truly be family. No oaths beat being grasshoppers on a rope from doing Bad Things together.”
Jiang Ce grinned mischievously:
“Don’t say bullying too much. You were unrighteous first. In this world, own your mistakes, stand straight for punishment—that’s the Rules. Since you’re caught, act like it. Understand?”
