So Stubborn

Li Xingtian's expression was so certain, as if he had truly been fooled by Cui Hao before.

Cui Hao's thoughts spun rapidly, but he couldn't recall when he had ever tricked Li Xingtian. After all, Second Brother was the most honest of people. Although he didn't look like a good guy, he treated everyone in the sect exceptionally well.

Aside from bearing hardships without complaint, his attitude was also impeccably good.

Given Second Brother's personality towards others, Cui Hao asked himself and knew he wouldn't deceive him; he only occasionally joked with Second Brother, and Second Brother could always tell whether he was joking or not.

Could it be... that he had gotten drunk sometime in the past and let something slip?

Cui Hao couldn't recall any useful information, but at this moment he understood one thing: he shouldn't stay here any longer.

Second Brother might not care about being tricked, but Third Sister would likely seize the chance to vent his anger for him.

It would be better to wait until Second Brother was alone and apologize to him then.

Once Second Brother forgave him, Third Sister wouldn't be able to find trouble with him anymore.

Cui Hao clapped his hands together as if remembering something and hurriedly said,

"I almost forgot! Someone made an appointment with me today to discuss important matters. Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I have to go now. See you later!"

Having said that, without waiting for Li Xingtian and Chen Baiqing to respond, Cui Hao broke into a run.

Chen Baiqing's eyes narrowed slightly at this sight, and she asked Li Xingtian beside her,

"Has Fifth Brother lied to you, Senior Brother?"

She had always thought that although Cui Hao was a bit unreliable and frivolous, he at least had a bottom line. If he really needed Second Brother's help with something, as long as he could bring himself to ask, Second Brother would probably agree.

If Cui Hao could open his mouth to fool such an excellent Second Brother, then Chen Baiqing, as the Third Sister, naturally had to teach him a thing or two about the sect's rules.

Li Xingtian shook his head gently. "No. If he needs something from me, he just puts on a smiling face and praises me for being handsome."

Hearing this, Chen Baiqing could only fall silent.

Li Xingtian naturally knew this was a hard statement to respond to, so he changed the subject and asked,

"What has Cui Hao been busy with lately?"

Chen Baiqing replied, "Probably teaching those noble families how to curse at Teacher Li, right?"

"Huh?" Li Xingtian looked suspicious. "Isn't Cui Hao afraid Luo Yu will beat him up for doing that?"

"If he dares to do it, he naturally isn't afraid," Chen Baiqing chuckled. "We'll just help Luo Yu land a few extra punches later to vent her anger."

Hearing this, Li Xingtian roughly understood that Cui Hao must have a reason for doing this. Otherwise, without even waiting for Luo Yu to act, Chen Baiqing would have already strung Cui Hao up on a tree and whipped him.

So, he slowly nodded.

Without Cui Hao, the two leisurely decided to head back.

As they passed the tea stall from before, a group of people had also started discussing what Cui Hao had said.

Some praised him, and naturally, some cursed him.

Chen Baiqing did not care about these voices. When the general trend surged forward like a tidal wave, those who seized the opportunity to ride the wave would naturally soar, while those who could not see the trend clearly would naturally be smashed into the seabed.

Cui Hao should also understand this principle. It was just that he always cared too much and always hoped to tell them exactly what to do.

Chen Baiqing did not like doing such useless work that brought her no benefit.

Her thoughts settled slightly, and she cast a sidelong glance at Li Xingtian's profile.

Second Brother still had that expressionless, yet fiercely intimidating look.

Chen Baiqing suddenly spoke up:

"Second Brother, you actually were fooled by Cui Hao before, weren't you?"

Li Xingtian looked over, a confused expression on his face.

"Only in your dreams, Second Brother," Chen Baiqing said with certainty. "Besides, when Cui Hao called himself a genius, the reason you laughed was probably also because of the dream, right?"

Li Xingtian sighed helplessly. "I really don't know if it would be better if you were a bit more foolish."

A smile appeared on Chen Baiqing's face:

"If Second Brother needs me to be, it wouldn't hurt for me to act a bit more foolish in front of you."

"That won't be necessary." Li Xingtian shook his head. "The current Junior Sister is just fine. After all, even if Junior Sister were a little more foolish, she would still be smarter than me."

"That's not necessarily true." Chen Baiqing reached out and pinched her fingers slightly. "I'm only this tiny bit smarter than Second Brother."

Li Xingtian smiled and nodded, smoothly following up:

"As long as Third Sister doesn't try to fool her Senior Brother."

Hearing this, Chen Baiqing put her hands behind her back, her footsteps suddenly becoming a bit lighter and brisker, losing their previous steadiness.

When she was a child, although her Master took her out shopping more often, her Master was always busy at times. Eldest Sister was always rushing about, and Second Brother was always cultivating.

But as long as Chen Baiqing knocked on Second Brother's door, she would always get a response.

Back then, Second Brother was just like now, walking by her side, taking her shopping. He didn't speak much, but whenever she took a second glance at something, Second Brother would consciously go and buy it for her.

Perhaps everyone is self-interested.

Wanting the benefits of growing up, while not wanting to inherit the helplessness of childhood.

Chen Baiqing looked at Second Brother's expression, which was exactly the same as in the beginning, reflecting the unchanging profile from her childhood. She asked,

"Second Brother, have you been having dreams lately?"

Li Xingtian sighed slowly and said,

"No. It's better not to have that kind of dream."

Chen Baiqing didn't say anything more upon hearing this. She just walked forward a few steps, then suddenly turned her steps, her gaze looking toward the city gates that were already somewhat distant.

Li Xingtian also stopped walking. Somehow, his hand subconsciously reached for his money pouch, and his gaze followed hers.

Only to see at the city gate.

A group of monks draped in kasayas, led by one with Golden Core cultivation, entered the city. They came bearing banners and precious umbrellas, chanting something under their breath, with specks of golden light swirling around them.

Li Xingtian looked at the words written on the left and right banners.

[The vast sea has its bounds, but suffering is boundless]

[Hinayana Buddhism delivers all sentient beings]

Li Xingtian naturally understood the situation and said softly, "They're here."

Chen Baiqing's eyes were calm as she spoke matter-of-factly,

"Let's go back first. Use the jade token to contact Eldest Sister and understand the situation. If everything is correct, we'll make preparations. Right now, there is still plenty of time before the general trend truly begins."

Li Xingtian nodded in agreement.

Above the Imperial City of the Black Tortoise Nation.

Lin Luoyu looked calmly at the highly conspicuous monks, who deliberately took a detour through the dense crowds before heading toward the Buddhist temple in the capital.

Zhao Xuan hurried over with hasty steps, his gaze also following them, and he said with a somewhat nervous tone,

"Have they arrived? Are there any Buddhist Buddhas following them?"

Hearing this, Lin Luoyu gave Zhao Xuan a rather helpless look and said,

"The one leading them into the city this time is just a monk with Golden Core cultivation. The Buddhist sect hasn't sent any Buddhas to participate in this sort of thing. The focus of the entire Southern Jambudvipa isn't here; this place is just a passing stop. We've made all the arrangements."

Zhao Xuan breathed a sigh of relief at her words, nodding repeatedly in agreement. Then, he changed the subject and asked,

"Yes, yes, yes... So how are State Preceptor Li's preparations going? Is her book finished?"

Lin Luoyu said in a calm tone, "It should be soon. Also, don't be nervous. It's not like the Buddhist sect has to successfully spread their teachings in every single place. Even if they fail, no Buddha will descend from the heavens to force it to happen."

"I'm not nervous..."

Lin Luoyu looked at Zhao Xuan's standing arm hairs and could only helplessly nod her head.

As expected of an emperor, his mouth is truly stubborn.