Yuxu sipped his tea for the first time with a lowered head, almost wanting to splash the tea on this fellow's face. To still be so shameless after having climbed to such a status, he must be the first of his kind in history. Oh well, at least he had the decency to admit his own lechery and shamelessness...

On second thought, Zhao Changhe's remark has an interesting background... That is to say, if Zhao Changhe hadn't passed through Xiangyang and hadn't timely resolved the provocation, the news that would have reached Central Pass would be that both the Four Symbols Sect and Blood God Sect were pushing others out, not allowing anyone else to preach. Once he, Yuxu, knew about it, there would be no other choice left... These people's chess game is laid out so extensively... But the more extensive the layout, the more Yuxu feels that he's been fucked over. Does he look like a foolish old Daoist?

Actually, what this amounts to is Zhao Changhe sincerely inviting the Taoist to preach in Great Han. Or rather, he's ensuring that once Great Han unifies Guanglong, the status of the Taoist won't be diminished in any way. With people like Gui Chen gaining momentum, his words carry a lot of weight. And since there are people like Gui Chen preaching, he, Yuxu, could simply retire to his own Cloud and Water Hut with three rooms and brew his own rice wine. Since he's clearly an eminent hermit, why bother muddling in the troubles of the world?

After pondering for a while, Yuxu slowly said, "In fact, as for how Master Kong Shi wants to compete, I don't really care. Because no matter what he does, I will do my utmost to suppress the Buddhist sect in Chang'an."

"Oh?" Zhao Changhe was startled, "The Venerable doesn't seem like the type to be so ruthless, to not give others a bite to eat."

"Haha..." Yuxu held his tea and spoke leisurely, "Only by introducing the power of both Buddhist and Taoist was Li Boping able to avoid being treated like a grandchild by the barbarians. And it's by pitting Buddhist against Taoist that he avoids being subjugated by either myself or the Buddhists. This balance he controls may be very skillful, but unfortunately, not everyone is willing to play this game by the rules. As for what Kong Shi thinks, I don't know, but as far as I'm concerned, as long as I suppress the Buddhists, and Yuxu stands alone unchallenged, I can then lay my cards on the table with Li Boping—either break ties with the barbarians, and I will support you in your quest for hegemony; or you can play lackey to the barbarians, and I'll stand aside, your call."

Zhao Changhe started to laugh, "It seems that the one who initially stirred others into ostracizing Yuan Cheng, saying he would become the second Gui Chen, was indeed the Venerable pulling the strings behind the scenes, expelling the Buddhists without drawing blood."

Yuxu spoke languidly, "Even though I used some rather unsavory tactics, it's the best option if it avoids a bloody conflict. What's unfortunate is that Kong Shi has jumped out..."

Zhao Changhe laughed, "Isn't that rather simple? The Venerable is the foremost in the Divine Continent now, just beat them down."

Yuxu said, "I do have a reputation now, but reputation is a double-edged sword. For example, I couldn't possibly do something like Kong Shi, seeking out someone's doorstep and overtly bullying them with force, that would be too ugly a sight."

"It's just that the Venerable cares about his face... Ask Xia Longyuan, ask Tie Muer, they're truly the foremost on the Heavenly List. When they want to beat someone up, do they have such scruples?"

Yuxu merely smiled faintly, offering no answer.

A difference in approach is all. If a reverent Taoist practitioner were to act in such a way, it would be tantamount to descending onto the Demon Path, which might even interfere with cultivation. Moreover, such a way of handling affairs, the Tao Venerable might quite enjoy, as it is fast... but what the Tao Venerable enjoys, Yuxu doesn't necessarily like.

Furthermore... Kong Shi hadn't truly shown his hand today, and if he was hiding a powerful Demon Skill, it might not be me beating him up if I were to confront him; instead, I might be the butt of the joke if I were to fall on the spot.

Zhao Changhe laughed, "Since the Venerable cares about his face, we could help out with the things the Venerable feels inappropriate to do..."

A smile appeared in Yuxu's eyes as well, eagerly anticipating what Zhao Changhe might do, "How could your Excellency assist?"

Zhao Changhe said, "Isn't offering advice a form of help? Just like today, the Venerable could have someone work overtime to produce a batch of shiny bald-headed spinning tops to sell in the market. It's not about humiliation; it's about creating a meme. Just like if a woman wants to scorn a man for being fickle, not many might care, but once she mocks his size comparable to a toothpick, his endurance less than half a cup of tea, I fear within two days everybody in Chang'an would know, and the man couldn't show his face in public."

Yuxu: "..."

Dai Qingge: "..." How do you know I don't last half a cup of tea... uh, no, this Zhao brother is damn vicious!

Previously, when the bald-headed spinning tops were mentioned in passing, nobody thought much about it. Now, prompted by this discussion, they realized pushing this could mean the Buddhists would really struggle in Chang'an. Who wouldn't fear being the butt of the joke, looking like a spinning top? This is a bloodless assassination indeed.

Even Yuxu found it hard to keep his composure, shaking his head, "We don't have a workshop to make these, even for various ceremonial supplies, we order from others."

Dai Qingge appeared hesitant.

The gaze of both Yuxu and Zhao Changhe fell upon him, and Dai Qingge reluctantly said, "My family does have a workshop, actually a big one. Creating a mold for this kind of spinning top would be quick, and if we rush the work today, we could have it on the market by tomorrow night at the latest... but, Venerable, if my family were to take sides like this..."

Yuxu smiled slightly, "The fact that I prefer not to coerce people with force does not mean that my third place on the Heavenly List is merely for show. If the young master helps me out, whoever dares to touch the Dai Family will be picking a fight with me and Kunlun's Yuxu Palace."

With those words laid out, Dai Qingge completely eased his worries. After all, listening to the Buddhist or the Taoist, for the various families, is merely a tactical stance, and what allegiance could be better than an assurance from the third on the Heavenly List himself? This leg was now firmly tied. As long as the matter was handled well, the rise of the Dai Family was guaranteed, and his father would praise him, definitely no objections.

Moreover, this Brother Qin... I might have met him before... Damn it, why is it you...

This was also an unexpected alignment, and since it wasn't openly declared, considering it in secret didn't seem out of the question. Dai Qingge looked at Zhao Changhe with a mix of inevitability and sigh, "Fine, in that case, I'll take my leave now to see to the matter. We need to move quickly with the molding, or we might run out of time."

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