Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 1013 Heavenly Demon Methods
If you had a one-time use magic weapon that could only kill one person, guess who Li Gongfeng would most like to send to heaven on the spot?

The answer speaks for itself.

For the first time, Xu Xuan felt that his usual ability to attract hatred had been completely crushed at this moment.

Some people are born with unparalleled talent in this field!
So next, the three people in the room, Xu Xuan and Hui Ren, along with the furious Li Gongfeng, all turned their six eyes, each with a different emotion, toward the nominal "person in charge" of the small room—Prince Liang.

The smugness and arrogance on his face had vanished without a trace, replaced by the distinct expression of "at a loss".

His facial expressions changed so rapidly it was like he was having a seizure, alternating between pale and flushed; his emotions fluctuated so intensely it was like a tangled mess; and his lack of coping strategies made it a scene of epic disaster.

Finally, under immense pressure, I felt a sense of relief and decided to tell the truth.

Of course, this is the "truth" that has been "artistically embellished".

Such humiliating things as deliberately going to Linji Temple to provoke someone, almost getting killed by the steps, and having bird droppings smeared on one's face are absolutely impossible!
He stammered out a story about how he overcame numerous obstacles set up by all the monks of Linji Temple with his unparalleled wisdom and bravery, and finally managed to "invite" Doctor Xu to come.

"That...that Xu guy claims to have a new treatment method, and he seems quite confident! I...I only brought him back because of this matter! Consider it a chance for him to make amends!"

He also emphasized, "Don't worry! If he can't be cured, I, the Crown Prince, will deal with him severely! I will show no leniency!"

After hearing this flawed and absurd "heroic story," Li Gongfeng felt a tightness in his chest and a sweet taste in his throat.

"How the hell is this problem handled?!"

"Or do you think I'm incapable of your underhanded methods, that I can't even kill someone?!"

He roared inwardly, "Just a few days ago, I almost used a ritual to curse and kill that bastard Xu Xuan from across half of Suiyang City! It was your 'wise' father who stopped me! And now you've brought him right to the heart of the matter?!"

The core issue is that you shouldn't have brought any more people in at all, you idiot!
What's even more foolish is that this time, not only did they bring Xu Xuan, but they also brought an abbot from a branch of the Chan (Zen) sect!

Should we invite Taoist masters and Confucian scholars next time to hold a grand forum for diverse schools of thought?

If you're so capable, why don't you go to the city gates and post an imperial edict, holding a nationwide search for the best doctors?!
Li Gongfeng was trembling with rage, and in his mind, he also gave his wise and powerful boss a thorough dressing-down:
“Your Highness! Just a few days ago you were so confident that you would teach this young prince a lesson, and you even flashed a cold glint in your eyes, saying something like ‘give him a good beating’…”

"I really thought you had finally come up with some thunderous measures to teach this good-for-nothing a lesson!"

"That's all?! A few days in a dark room and that's it? Is this the 'good result' you mentioned?! This result is practically rotten!"

As it turns out, even an old Taoist priest who looks very respectable will curse in his heart after his defenses are broken.

Now that things have turned out this way, he's really in a bind.

However, as time passed second by second, the hesitation in his eyes was gradually replaced by determination, and the murderous aura grew stronger.

Between his brows, strands of black silk, representing murderous intent and calamity, began to gather and intertwine.

A dangerous thought began to grow in his mind:
"Perhaps... right here, eliminating these two outsiders is the best way to protect the Prince and that earth-shattering plan! It'll be a clean break!"

As for the consequences that will follow, how will they be covered up...?

"There's always a price to pay."

Fortunately, at this critical moment, Xu Xuan stepped forward and broke the awkward and dangerous situation.

He cleared his throat, his face bearing an inappropriately "fair" expression, and said loudly:
"Ahem, everyone, please calm down. Allow this humble monk... to speak the truth."

This very first "fair statement" implies that what follows will inevitably be an extremely unfair confrontation.

Because the "big boss" who spoke had already planned out all the exciting plot twists in his mind.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Xu Xuan slowly stepped forward and calmly addressed the enraged Li Gongfeng:
"Lord Li, please don't misunderstand. Although the young prince's actions can't be described as great kindness or courage, in my humble opinion, they still amount to a bit of kindness and courage."

Hui Ren, who was listening nearby, suddenly felt a jolt in his brow, completely baffled as to what Zen Master Fa Hai was up to.

"Zen Master... what exactly is your profound insight?"

Li Gongfeng turned to Xu Xuan with eyes as sharp as knives, his anger almost bursting forth: "Spit it out! Stop playing coy!"

Xu Xuan, however, remained calm and quietly activated the White Lotus Dharma Form.

Even under the oppressive influence of the Prince's mansion's abundant human aura, the mysterious, bewitching power still began to spread like a gentle stream. He paced calmly, his voice peaceful yet possessing a strange, penetrating power:

"In my humble opinion, this good and brave man has three aspects."

"Firstly, although he harbors resentment, he knows how to compromise."

His gaze swept over Prince Liang, his tone carrying an almost absurd "understanding":
“This humble monk knows that this young prince has been hostile towards me ever since the last incident. As for this humble monk... to be honest, I do indeed look down on some of his ways.”

"But when the patient's life was at stake, the young prince was able to temporarily set aside his personal grievances and personally go to Linji Temple to invite this poor monk. Isn't this exactly what Zhuangzi meant by 'forget your anger and forget your enemies'?"

He nodded slightly and gave his final assessment: "Hmm, you've got something."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked!

Hui Ren subconsciously touched his bald head, his lips moved, but he found that he could not agree with a single word. He felt that the Zen master's reasoning was... too roundabout!
Li Gongfeng was so angry that he raised his trembling finger and pointed it directly at Xu Xuan, his eyes wide like copper bells.

You...you've gone mad from practicing Buddhism! Or do you have a congenital eye condition?!
He's not putting aside his grudges! He's just luring you home so he can kill you behind closed doors!

You...you monk, do you even know how to read people's expressions?!
Only Prince Liang, who was at the center of the storm, remained standing still, looking somewhat bewildered.

He carefully considered Xu Xuan's words.

Although this guy surnamed Xu still seemed to look down on me in his words... but... he also seemed to have praised me a couple of times?
Moreover, he actually misunderstood my malicious intention of bringing him back for revenge as "compromising" and "putting the greater good first".
This...this is getting interesting.

Xu Xuan ignored the diverse reactions of the crowd; the essence of PUA was only just beginning to unfold.

With a compassionate smile, he continued to speak in a gentle and persuasive manner:
"Secondly, like a slow horse that can travel ten times the distance, even without quick talent, it can eventually become useful through perseverance... Well, not necessarily."

The author deliberately pauses here, leaving a subtle hint of negation.

"A thoroughbred horse can easily overcome the many obstacles designed by Linji Temple with its talent. But even a slow horse has its own methods." He glanced meaningfully at the prince, "The young prince actually thought of using himself as bait to force the head monk Huixin to intervene. This determination to achieve his goal and persevere..."

He paused again, as if carefully considering his words, and finally gave a seemingly reluctant but actually precise comment:

"Hmm...it's alright."

Li Gongfeng's forehead veins bulged as he listened, his mind screaming, "...What the hell are you talking about?! 'A worn-out horse,' 'using one's own body as bait'?"
Isn't that basically saying he's so stupid he almost died out there?!
Are so many seemingly positive but actually sarcastic words really appropriate to use to describe this little brat?!
Don't you monks practice the precepts of speech?! That's even harsher than insulting someone!

Meanwhile, Prince Liang turned slightly to the side and lowered his head.

It automatically filtered out the less pleasant words and only captured the keywords "perseverance," "determination," and "not bad."

An inexplicable and indescribable emotion began to grow in his heart.

He seems to... understand me a little?
Did you see my unseen persistence?
The White Lotus Demon King, on the other hand, showed no joy or sorrow, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Knowing full well that if one does not first "see clearly" a person, does not first "understand" a person, how can one accurately find the cracks in their mind and drag them step by step into the abyss of one's own preconceived notions?
Then he slowly opened his mouth and threw out the third, and most "heart-piercing" one:
"Thirdly, he acted rashly and recklessly, underestimating the enemy, but... his courage is commendable."

"I see that everyone in the Prince's mansion, from the highest-ranking official Li to the ordinary guards, is not very welcoming of our arrival, and may even be strongly opposed to it."

"But the young prince was able to withstand such pressure, defy public opinion, and resolutely come to Linji Temple to 'invite' me here. This courage to go against the will of the people and act arbitrarily is... beyond ordinary people."

He concluded by stating a fact in a flat tone:
"There's nothing to say about that."

Li Gongfeng was enraged and could barely control the surging magical power around him.

"You liar spouting nonsense! What rubbish are you talking about! What time is it, and you're still..."

Then his heart skipped a beat, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head.

Because I saw Liang Shizi's eyes... something was off about them!
Gone was the anger and confusion of before; instead, a strange gleam of...being understood, even "appreciated" shone through? A faint, unconscious smile even curved the corners of her lips!

What...what are you laughing at?! He didn't compliment you!!!
Li Gongfeng cried out silently in his heart.

If people from later generations were here, they would definitely grab the prince's shoulders and shake him wildly, yelling, "Wake up! He's manipulating you!"

(End of this chapter)