Chapter 660: Loyal Advice Is Unpleasant To Hear

Daoist Qingsong's appearance had not changed much from before, but his temperament and overall impression had transformed greatly. With his elegant Daoist robe fluttering and a long sword strapped to his back, a horsetail whisk tucked into his arm like a tassel, and the two heads he carried in his other hand, coupled with his tranquil expression, the soldiers who saw him approaching knew a true master had arrived. Given the time and place, it was highly likely he was from Dazhen.

Before Daoist Qingsong even reached the military camp, Du Changsheng, accompanied by several disciples, was already waiting at the entrance. Soldiers and officers gathered around to watch, and a familiar captain inquired of Du Changsheng, "Grand Tutor, is that a master from our Dazhen approaching?"

Du Changsheng, without much pretense, nodded and smiled, "The approaching figure is certainly a Dazhen master. The objects in his hand are indeed two heads; I just don't know which two demon-like figures from the enemy camp they belong to."

No sooner had Du Changsheng spoken than Daoist Qingsong's voice carried clearly from a distance, "This humble Daoist is new to the northern border, and naturally I do not know who these two scoundrels are. Only Grand Tutor can identify them. I killed them in haste last night and could not question them."

With the lingering echo of his words, Daoist Qingsong moved at a speed slightly beyond ordinary visual perception, as if covering a hundred paces in just a dozen steps, arriving before the encampment. With a flick of his right hand, the two heads landed on the ground with two dull thuds, rolling to one side. Simultaneously, Daoist Qingsong performed a Daoist hand salute to Du Changsheng, slightly different from a common bow.

"This humble Daoist is Qi Xuan, with the Daoist name Qingsong. Having cultivated for many years, I am unfamiliar with worldly affairs. This time, having divined that our Dazhen is engaged in a cosmic struggle with Zuyue, I have come specifically to assist."

Du Changsheng dared not be negligent and returned the salute with his disciples. "I am Du Changsheng, a minor official at court, who enjoys the imperial stipend. Many thanks to Daoist Qingsong for coming to our aid."

As he spoke, Du Changsheng looked at the heads on the ground, then sneered, "These two are both practitioners of heterodox methods, though they did possess some skill. Including the two other heads from this morning, the Four Immortals of Lingshan have truly reunited, hmph hmph, excellent! I apologize for keeping you waiting, Daoist. Please, come inside quickly, let us converse in my tent."

Daoist Qingsong naturally did not decline. His eyes swept over the faces around him, some joyful, some curious. These were the soldiers of Dazhen's Northern Expedition Army. Their weathered faces showed resolve, and their armor, some neat, some slightly damaged, bore bloodstains. Yet, a lingering aura of death clung to them, indicating their grim fate.

Sighing inwardly, Daoist Qingsong then followed Du Changsheng into the tent.

Along the way, a stooped old woman appeared to greet him with a bow, and a man of exaggeratedly robust physique, emanating a demonic aura, also came to pay his respects. Other normal cultivators likewise came to greet him. Daoist Qingsong, though discerning that some of their methods were not entirely orthodox, politely returned their greetings as they were all on the same side.

After meeting everyone, Daoist Qingsong finally entered the tent with Du Changsheng. It was rare for someone who appeared to be a truly great master to arrive, so Du Changsheng received him with great cordiality, ordering tea and refreshments to be served.

Daoist Qingsong accepted everything offered. After drinking some tea and eating some pastries, he suddenly asked, "By the way, Grand Tutor, where is Lady Bai?"

Du Changsheng was slightly taken aback, frowning in confusion, "Lady Bai? Who is that?"

"Uh, Lady Bai hasn't visited the camp? Lady Bai is a female immortal cultivator of profound cultivation. Before entering Qizhou, as this humble Daoist meditated and absorbed starlight at night, Lady Bai appeared and met with me. She, too, came north to assist, and her cultivation is far superior to mine, so she should have arrived much earlier."

Du Changsheng shook his head. "I have truly not seen her. Perhaps she doesn't wish to reveal herself yet."

"Perhaps." Daoist Qingsong pondered, then his gaze returned to Du Changsheng. That look made Du Changsheng slightly uncomfortable. He had noticed Daoist Qingsong observing him intently from time to time earlier, initially thinking it was curiosity, but why was it still happening? Could it be that this Daoist Qingsong also had a "cut sleeve" preference? Even the current Du Changsheng couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

"Uh, Daoist Qingsong, is there something amiss about me?"

"Ah, oh, oh, Grand Tutor worries too much!" Daoist Qingsong was momentarily startled, then quickly reacted and hastily explained, "This humble Daoist is just suffering from an old habit. Whenever I see a peculiar face or an aura of destiny, I always can't help but want to divine a reading for them. Grand Tutor's immortal-like demeanor and outstanding complexion make me itch to use my skills."

Du Changsheng, hearing the underlying meaning, naturally understood what Daoist Qingsong intended. He estimated it was flattery disguised as fortune-telling. After all, this was a struggle for destiny, and Dazhen's victory would bring immense benefits. As Grand Tutor, officially leading Dazhen's cultivation rituals, he was the spokesman for the court's destiny among cultivators. Many sought to curry favor with him. Though Daoist Qingsong was a master, since he had intervened in Dazhen's affairs, his cultivation destiny would inevitably be entwined. Maintaining a good relationship with the Grand Tutor of Dazhen would be very beneficial.

And Du Changsheng himself wanted to foster a closer relationship with Daoist Qingsong, as this newly arrived Daoist was the most agreeable person he had met in the camp so far.

"Very well, then I shall trouble Daoist Qingsong to divine a reading for me. Speaking of which, since embarking on cultivation, I have never again divined my own fate or卦象, heh heh heh."

"Hahaha, excellent then! This humble Daoist shall divine for the Grand Tutor. Please, Grand Tutor, do not use too much magical power to disturb the qi-forms, for only then can the reading be accurate!"

"That is natural."

The two were polite and harmonious. Du Changsheng also reined in his magical power, adopting a serene expression, sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion like a true immortal clothed in silken robes.

Daoist Qingsong's face beamed with joy. Of course, there were unique faces among common folk, but they were not numerous. The area around Cloud Mountain had long ceased to satisfy him. This time, coming to the northern border to assist the Northern Expedition Army, he could actually divine for the Grand Tutor of Dazhen! What a worthwhile trip, absolutely worthwhile! Come to think of it, how could the fortunes of ordinary people be as unusual as those of cultivators? "Good, good, wonderful, wonderful!"

Du Changsheng watched as Daoist Qingsong neither performed hand seals nor used any objects to divine. He didn't even raise his magical power; he simply looked, exclaiming "Good, good!" and "Wonderful, wonderful!"

"Uh, Daoist Qingsong, what is good about it, and what is wonderful?"

"Hahaha, naturally, it is good because of the goodness of a cultivator's face, and wonderful because of the wonder of a cultivator's face! Looking at the Grand Tutor's face, you and I are indeed fellow practitioners. You must have been beaten by mortals many times too, hahaha! To be honest, Grand Tutor, this humble Daoist almost had his legs broken back then!"

Du Changsheng's serene expression immediately stiffened. "Heh heh, Daoist, you jest. I have never had such an experience."

"Ah, I understand. This humble Daoist will certainly not spread rumors." Daoist Qingsong's expression turned slightly serious, realizing he had been a little improper, and quickly continued, "Let's talk about the Grand Tutor's destiny. The Grand Tutor is truly gifted with celestial talent. The further you progress, the more profound and unclear your destiny becomes, indicating infinite variations in your cultivation!"

"Oh?" Du Changsheng's smile returned once more, temporarily pushing aside his earlier discomfort, and stroking his beard, he inquired, "I would like to hear the details."

"Hmm, Grand Tutor Du is a pillar of Dazhen's court, linking the nation's destiny and the country's cultivation lineages. The Grand Tutor's role is not small. Hmm, there are some things I must say, Grand Tutor, please do not get angry."

Du Changsheng raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Speak freely."

"Grand Tutor, you must not get angry!"

"Could my words be false? We are both cultivators. Do you want me to swear an oath?" Du Changsheng was amused by this Daoist; his earlier slight annoyance dissipated. This man was quite sincere.

"Oh, oh, Grand Tutor, you exaggerate, there's no need for that." Daoist Qingsong felt relieved, but after a moment's thought, he secretly formed an "Immovable Mountain Seal" within his sleeve, a visualization technique from the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth, just in case. The advantage of this seal was that it couldn't be seen, but it would activate as quickly as his thought. Then, Daoist Qingsong spoke, "When I said the Grand Tutor's cultivation is mysterious, unclear, and infinitely variable, what I actually meant was that your potential is extremely high, but your pitfalls are equally deep. Maintaining your resolve while in court is crucial."

Du Changsheng nodded in agreement, stroking his beard, "Precisely. An elder master once warned me of this. Daoist, you see clearly. That is why for many years I have cultivated myself, reined in my thoughts and desires, and maintained unwavering resolve, feeling as though I reside in a tranquil mountain forest even within the court."

Daoist Qingsong had been listening intently, but at this point, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "Oh, Grand Tutor, your 'unwavering resolve' and 'reining in thoughts' isn't doing so well! Luckily, I'm not that elder of yours, otherwise, for saying that, you'd get a slap across the face!"

"You—" Du Changsheng's finger pointed, nearly losing composure, feeling his blood rush. Daoist Qingsong quickly interjected, "Cultivate virtue, cultivate virtue!"

Du Changsheng took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Heh heh, you are right, Daoist, one must cultivate virtue. I think we should discuss the front-line battle instead."

"Ah, Grand Tutor, that is incorrect! This humble Daoist hasn't finished divining yet! Your destiny has great potential, so much to discuss!"

Du Changsheng's brow twitched. "But I don't want to listen anymore."

"See, Grand Tutor? What did this humble Daoist just say? You still have a long way to go. Here you are, after just a few words, you don't want to listen anymore. Since I've already started, I'll be bursting if I don't finish! If I finish, Grand Tutor can hit me, and this humble Daoist will absolutely not resist!"

Du Changsheng was genuinely exasperated, yet he found the Daoist's earnestness absurd. Was this Daoist serious?

Half an hour later, Du Changsheng emerged from the tent with a grim expression, striding quickly to the training ground, breathing deeply at the sky, barely managing to keep his temper in check.

Du Changsheng could feel that Daoist Qingsong was very sincere; every word was genuine, making it impossible to hate him. But this had nothing to do with whether or not he was infuriating. He truly almost lost his temper just now, barely holding back.

Daoist Qingsong, feeling some words were unpleasant, had blurted them all out in one go. Seeing Daoist Qingsong's refreshed expression afterward only made Du Changsheng angrier.

But after more than a dozen deep breaths, Du Changsheng couldn't help but ponder Daoist Qingsong's words. Why was he angry? Was it not because some of his shortcomings, even embarrassing flaws, had been pointed out so incisively, without any reservation or tact?

"Hoooh." Du Changsheng let out a long breath, temporarily calming himself. At that moment, Daoist Qingsong's voice carried from afar, "Grand Tutor, this humble Daoist said you could hit me. Are you going to? If not, this humble Daoist will go rest."

A "Get lost!" almost burst from his throat. Du Changsheng's face stiffened as he faced the distant tent and transmitted, "Daoist, please go and rest as you wish."

Daoist Qingsong walked out of Du Changsheng's tent, shaking his head and muttering, "Truth hurts."