Chapter 270: Old Daoist and Young Man
This was demeanor.
It was a demeanor that young cultivators could not possibly possess.
This kind of demeanor could only be obtained after many years of being in important positions, overlooking the world.
Chen Chao did not even sense this kind of demeanor from the Lord Warden, which was comparable to that academy dean.
"Who are you, senior?"
Chen Chao discreetly took a step back, looking around with a calm expression.
Although he did not know why the person in front of him appeared here, Chen Chao was very clear that if he were to engage in a fight, even as a martial artist, he might not have the upper hand either. He had personally witnessed the various means those cultivators had in that cemetery.
Since this middle-aged daoist in front of him was someone like that, he must have a variety of means.
The middle-aged daoist glanced indifferently at Chen Chao and said calmly, "The immortal medicine in your possession is of no use to you. However, considering that you discovered it first, I can offer something in exchange."
"I'm from the Infatuation Daoist Temple."
These two sentences from the middle-aged daoist, one after the other, contained many implications.
Furrowing his brow, Chen Chao also discerned the implications within. With his profound cultivation and extraordinary background, he could still maintain such a calm and composed demeanor when talking to someone. If it were any other cultivator, they would probably have to admit defeat. However, Chen Chao shook his head and said, "Does senior think that you have anything that can be compared to this?"
It was not that there was nothing that could be compared to the immortal medicine, but rather, even if there were such things, the middle-aged daoist before him probably would not bring it out.
The middle-aged daoist looked at Chen Chao and was not in a hurry to speak. He just looked at Chen Chao calmly.
Chen Chao raised his head and met his gaze, easily discerning the traces of world-weariness in his eyes. It was like an endless lake, but still like stagnant water, devoid of vitality.
This indifference to the world and disregard for all things were common emotions in his eyes.
As a high-ranking figure and with an even higher cultivation realm, the middle-aged daoist's status in the foreign cultivation world was not much different from that of the Great Liang Emperor. Precisely because of this, he had already acquired most of the pursuits of the world. He had no emotional attachment to the world, which was the mark of a true great figure. What they pondered was always beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
Chen Chao saw the endless solitude, but did not get lost in it. Instead, he quickly pulled himself out and stared at that ordinary face, saying, "If Senior has nothing more to say, then this junior will take my leave."
Though Chen Chao said that he was leaving, he did not move.
The middle-aged daoist smiled, though his face showed no sign of amusement.
"Quickly hand over the immortal medicine to Daoist Master! That's not something you should take, why ruin yourself?!"
The black ox spoke, trying to fathom the middle-aged daoist's thoughts and deeming it appropriate to speak up at that moment.
Chen Chao ignored it, merely casting a glance at the black ox.
With just a glance, the black ox let out an angry moo. It was an existence that had lived for many years. With one glance, it could sense that Chen Chao had killed many demons.
The demons under the heavens were of the same race, it was naturally angry.
Chen Chao still ignored it. If it were just this ox, he would have attacked long ago.
"Principles and morality might be something that shameless old scoundrel in the Divine Capital enjoys talking about, but in my presence, he wouldn't dare to speak of them either. As for you, you have even less qualification to speak. If you don't want to live, then don't."
If it were anything else, the middle-aged daoist might not care. But for the immortal medicine in front of him, he would never let go no matter what.
Chen Chao sneered and said, "Indeed, no matter how many years one cultivates, a shameless person will still remain shameless!"
The middle-aged daoist's gaze remained indifferent. He had never heard anyone dare to speak to him like this to his face, from when he started cultivating, all the way until now.
Nevertheless, he would not be angered at this moment either. Having cultivated for many years, his Dao heart was already as still as an ancient well. There would not be any emotional fluctuations because of these few words.
"You still have a choice."
The middle-aged daoist looked at Chen Chao expressionlessly and said, "It's not easy for the Great Liang Dynasty to produce a young man like you. Dying here is not a good thing."
Chen Chao remained expressionless and was about to speak when the middle-aged daoist's voice sounded out again.
"Don't think about seeking revenge. Forget about killing you, even if I were to kill one of your Emperor's sons, he might not do anything either."
His voice was cold and indifferent, as if he were speaking about something trivial.
Chen Chao looked at him, his expression changing slightly.
He did not doubt the truth of the statement. Of course, it was not because he believed that the Great Liang Emperor would be indifferent, but because he believed that he was indeed capable of such actions.
Killing a prince would not be a significant concern for him.
"Are you that Infatuation Daoist Temple Master?"
Chen Chao recalled that this daoist mentioned earlier that he came from the Infatuation Daoist Temple. Now with this statement, he naturally thought of that great sage from that sect. Perhaps, if it were indeed him, he would not care about his life or death no matter what.
The middle-aged daoist did not speak, neither confirming nor denying it.
He was the chief enforcer of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, an important figure below the temple master. Nevertheless, when all was said and done, he was still beneath the temple master.
Chen Chao understood and said, "I knew that the Temple Master might still have some dignity. Someone like Senior might not be suitable after all."
As the phrase "might not be suitable" was spoken, a hint of anger finally appeared in the middle-aged daoist's eyes. It was as if someone had dropped a pebble into the stillness of his lake.
Although it caused only limited waves, it still stirred some ripples.
The fact that he could not become the temple master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple was the only flaw in the middle-aged daoist's Dao heart. Having it pointed out by Chen Chao, whether intentional or not, naturally aroused his anger.
He looked at Chen Chao, and a hint of killing intent had already appeared in his eyes.
At this moment, he looked at Chen Chao as if he were looking at a dead object.
He had already developed killing intent toward Chen Chao.
If a great daoist sage wanted to kill someone, then how many people in the world could possibly survive?
If they were outside, Chen Chao felt that he should already be dead now.
But this was not outside.
Therefore, he just had some sweat on his palms and he even smiled.
The black ox had felt the terror of the middle-aged daoist. Seeing Chen Chao still smiling at this moment, it was puzzled and asked, "Why are you smiling?"
Although Chen Chao had ignored the black ox several times before, this time he spoke seriously, "Outside, if he glances at me, I might already be dead. But in here, I might be able to kill him."
The black ox was a little taken aback when it heard this.
It never expected Chen Chao to speak in such a way.
For a moment, it was naturally a bit absentminded.
Just as it was distracted, Chen Chao looked at the middle-aged daoist and laughed loudly, "Bring it on, old daoist!"
When the middle-aged daoist heard this not-so-insulting form of address, the emotions in his eyes changed once again. This kind of feeling was truly unfamiliar to him.
Then he glanced at Chen Chao.
Nothing happened.
Yes, according to Chen Chao, if he were to glance at Chen Chao outside, then Chen Chao would be dead.
But this was not outside. Here, he was no longer a powerful cultivator in the Nepenthe Realm; he was just an old daoist.
He could not just kill the person he wanted to kill with just a look.
But, he was still an old daoist who was not considered ordinary.
Therefore, this glance still had some effect, and Chen Chao's complexion turned pale.
He suddenly felt a tide rising in front of him, rushing towards him.
The tidewater did not physically exist, but it was still very terrifying.
It was not something a cultivator in the Bitter Sea Realm could resist.
But the next moment, Chen Chao also lifted his head and met the tidewater.
At this moment, Chen Chao was like a small boat in the midst of tumultuous waves, rolling with the waves. But no matter how big the waves were, it was not so easy to overturn this small boat.
A wave might submerge it, but what if the wave passed?
Would that small boat capsize?
Even if it did capsize, it would probably still float on the surface of the sea.
The expression of the middle-aged daoist did not change, he just continued to look into Chen Chao's eyes.
Those were the eyes of a youth.
They contained many things he did not have.
The most different of them all was vitality.
Abundant vitality.
He did not have that.