Young Noble Be Monster Slaying
Chapter 895: The End of the Penglai Supreme Sect? (II)

"Well, you know why. If the people of the Western Regions were displaced, they would be really pitiful," Chu Liang said.

Sitting in the pavilion at the envoys' encampment, Chu Liang solemnly and earnestly informed Yang Shenlong of the terms he had negotiated with the demon race.

Yang Shenlong fell into a long silence.

After that, he replied, "The spiritual veins of our land were dug up and taken away. And now, we are being driven out of our home. Are we not pitiful too?"

Lin Bei interjected, "Well, you see… sometimes those who are pitiful have only themselves to blame..."

"Previously, Daoist Cangsheng aided the demons in releasing the Demon God's life essence. Without that, none of this would have happened. The Penglai Supreme Sect must bear some responsibility," Chu Liang stated. "Even if he had been an insignificant temporary worker… and even though he's dead now, the fact is that he used the Penglai Supreme Sect to commit those bad deeds. Don't you think you should shoulder at least part of the blame?"

Yang Shenlong let out a silent sigh. He had no way to refute it, nor did he have the strength to even try refuting it.

Even if he protested, what would that change? The Penglai Supreme Sect no longer had the power to influence anything. If not for Yang Shenlong's efforts to protect Chu Liang this time, the members of the Penglai Supreme Sect would have already been condemned as traitors of the human race. Once the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten had time to spare, they would surely go to the East Sea to settle accounts with the Penglai Supreme Sect.

There were only two reasons why the Penglai Supreme Sect barely managed to reposition itself on the righteous side: Yang Shenlong's efforts in saving Chu Liang and Daoist Cangsheng's timely death. If the Penglai Supreme Sect still thought it could receive preferential treatment from the Divine Nine, that was just pure fantasy.

A moment later, Yang Shenlong finally yielded. "Then so be it. Without destruction, there is no construction. It may be difficult to find another blessed land, but if we're just finding a place to survive... that shouldn't be too hard."

"You saved my life today. If I just stand by and do nothing, I couldn't live with myself," Chu Liang said, his face twisted in hesitation as if he had made a difficult decision. "Why don't I help you through this rough patch?"

Before Yang Shenlong could respond, Lin Bei asked, "How are you going to help?"

"I'll supply all the resources needed for however many disciples the Penglai Supreme Sect has left!" Chu Liang declared firmly.

"What?" Lin Bei exclaimed in shock. "You're nuts! Do you know how large a sect in the Divine Nine is?? Where are we supposed to find enough resources for them?"

"We'll grit our teeth and manage somehow. This is to repay the debt of saving my life!"

"I don't approve of this! Red Cotton Peak isn't yours alone. Shang Ziliang and the others won't approve it either. How can we justify supporting a Divine Nine sect for free? I urge you to think this through!"

"But to just sit back and watch the former top righteous sect decline like this... I really can't bear it," Chu Liang replied, feigning a pained expression.

"My bottom line is like what we did with the Talisman Sect," Lin Bei stated, turning away. "Unless you fully acquire the Penglai Supreme Sect, forget it."

"Even if we did acquire the Penglai Supreme Sect, what means would its members have to earn a living?" Chu Liang shook his head. "I wouldn't have any way to direct them properly. This isn't what I want. I want to repay my debt of gratitude."

"Brother Yang has done you a favor, and you've done a favor for the Penglai Supreme Sect. It's only right that they help us make money. Don't you think so? And who says the Penglai Supreme Sect doesn't have ways to make money? Don't they still have many disciples? 

"Red Cotton Peak has businesses all across the nine provinces. Our logistics and security departments all need manpower, and ninety percent of the workers are hired hands. Those people are of mixed skill levels and experience, so accidents happen from time to time. We might as well pull back the funding for the hired hands and use it to support the Penglai Supreme Sect's members instead. 

"The Penglai Supreme Sect had that corrupt sect leader Daoist Cangsheng, so the other immortal sects will definitely look down on its members. If we take them in, we can even help them rebuild their reputation."

"How could that be right? I'm helping Brother Yang. How could I turn around and make demands of him?"

"You're just thin-skinned. Do you think Brother Yang is thick-skinned? There's no way he'd accept your kindness for free. If you ask me, this is a good arrangement."

"No, no, this isn't good at all," Chu Liang said, waving his hands repeatedly.

"It has to be this way," Lin Bei replied firmly.

"It really isn't good. I don't have the right to decide anyway. Let's leave it to Brother Yang."

Lin Bei quickly remarked, "If Brother Yang has thick skin, then of course, he'll say it's not a good arrangement. But if he's someone who cares about face, he'll undoubtedly agree that it's good."

The two of them turned to look at Yang Shenlong together and said, "Brother Yang, tell us. Is the arrangement good or not?"

Yang Shenlong stared at the two of them, totally speechless.

Is it good or not?

Do I even have a choice in this matter?

…

When it came to matters concerning the Penglai Supreme Sect, Yang Shenlong could not make decisions on his own. He held considerable authority within the sect, but there were still many elders above him, so his authority remained limited. However, after everything that had happened, it was hard to say how many of those Eminent Ones were still willing to stay and protect the Penglai Supreme Sect.

Yang Shenlong left with CEO Chu's goodwill, but anything else would have to wait until he had discussed with his sect elders. The Penglai Supreme Sect was already teetering on the edge of collapse, so working under Chu Liang might not be such a bad ending after all.

Meanwhile, the demons' worship ceremony at the Mountain Range of the Seven Kings had already begun. Countless demonic creatures surrounded the Demon God Temple, kowtowing to the Demon God in succession. Little Tuntun looked quite ill at ease as she sat on the throne on the altar.

Chu Liang had sent word back to Mount Shu that he would be bringing the Demon God there. The higher-ups of the Mount Shu Sect felt both joy and concern upon hearing the news.

They were pleased that, even after so many years, it was the Mount Shu Sect that had once again managed to restrain the Demon God. However, they were concerned because this Demon God was full of vitality.

Moreover, there was the rather troubling matter of how they should educate Tuntun, who was just a child. It was a complicated problem, but the first rule everyone unanimously agreed upon was that Di Nufeng had to be kept far away from Tuntun.

It was hard to learn good habits, but it would take just a moment to pick up her bad ones. If Tuntun spent too much time with Di Nufeng… they would basically end up with a ninth-realm Di Nufeng. That was not a possibility anyone even dared to imagine. If that were to happen, then it would probably have been better to let Evil God Jiuli resurrect instead—at least he might have been a little kinder.

Chu Liang waited at the envoys' encampment. After night fell, he entered a meditative state and sank his divine sense into the White Pagoda. 

Seeing the imprint of the White King Xiao floating inside an iron cell, Chu Liang could not help but feel his heart surge with excitement.

Based on his past experiences, the Large-Headed Doll provided benefits that allowed him to surpass his peers. He wondered what the new doll would be capable of.

Nearby, several Large-Headed Dolls circulated qi wildly with haze clouds surging around them. Everything Chu Liang had today was thanks to the foundation built by those Large-Headed Dolls. Every time he gained a new Large-Headed Doll, it marked the start of another drastic rise in his strength.

Brimming with anticipation, Chu Liang stepped forward and pressed "Refine."

Boom!

There was a familiar flash of red light, and a doll enveloped in white radiance flew out.

[Great Dao Puppet: This puppet can assist its host in collecting Dao essence and ultimately controlling a Great Dao. It will not conflict with the Great Dao that the host is currently controlling, allowing the host to have simultaneous control of two Great Daos.

Note: This puppet is solely for assisting in cultivation. Any other uses may cause damage.]

As the item information flooded his divine sense, Chu Liang's hands trembled with immense excitement.

He had guessed the doll might have this effect, but he had not dared to hope for it to be true.

I'm not holding a mere Large-Headed Doll! This is clearly a future venerable eighth-realm Dao Master!