Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 1014 Honest Man

But... that won't work.

At this moment, a subtle yet resolute shift had occurred in Prince Liang's heart:

"...Actually, Xu Xuan...is a decent person. Although we had some past conflicts, at least...he has good judgment and can see my strengths. He's also very honest and speaks his mind."

This cannot be entirely blamed on his rapid change of stance.

Xu Xuan's mouth, combined with the subtle influence of the White Lotus Dharma Image, can be described as a first-rate divine power of the Heavenly Demon!
Even PUAs are well-versed in methods and techniques, and are extremely skilled.

They didn't resort to low-level flattery or empty praise, because even someone like Prince Liang would subconsciously sense something was amiss.

This is similar to how people often refer to themselves as "handsome" or "cool" in real life. But if someone you don't get along with suddenly comes up to you and earnestly explains why you are handsome and how perfect your features are, anyone would immediately become wary and think that the other person is either crazy or is being sarcastic.

Therefore, Xu Xuan used a technique that was "half-truth, half-sound, with hidden barbs."

They concocted a few barely passable "highlights" from the Crown Prince's recklessness, stupidity, and stubbornness, and then cleverly used information asymmetry to create "misunderstandings."

This technique, which combines reality and illusion with praise and criticism, produces a highly targeted hallucinogenic effect, precisely hitting the part of the crown prince's heart that he most desires to be "seen".

It's worth noting that this seemingly objective recognition from the "enemy" is a classic source of satisfaction.

More satisfying to vanity and more convincing to believe than endless praise from allies.

Even many famous heroes in history have found it difficult to completely resist this "sigh of nemesis," let alone a person of Liang Shizi's temperament.
The white lotus enlightens the ignorant, and a thousand illusions arise. All are driven by the human heart.

The essence of murals is not just about crudely creating fantasy, but about weaving it together.

How could a mere spoiled prince of Liang, who was desperately eager to prove himself, resist such a profound and insightful "enlightenment"?
When Xu Xuan saw that the young man's face was almost contorted with laughter, a mixture of gratitude for being "understood" and the secret joy of having his vanity satisfied, he knew that today's matter was settled.

Even if I demolish this courtyard right now, this prince will still have to find a way to ensure my safe exit!

Otherwise, wouldn't he be destroying the "only" confidant who understood him and recognized his "strengths" with his own hands?
What seems like an objective sense of recognition is a fatal blow to a second-generation heir who has long been suppressed by his father and lacks opportunities to prove himself!

Seeing the Crown Prince's almost completely fooled appearance, Li Gongfeng felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that he might be in big trouble today.

Immediately turning their anger towards Xu Xuan, they attempted to salvage the situation:
"You treacherous villain! How dare you use slanderous words to bewitch the Crown Prince, hoping to save your own life! His Highness is of noble birth, wise and powerful, how dare you, a lowly person, presume to judge him?! He is not as you say... as you say... as you say..."

I got stuck here, and cold sweat instantly broke out on my forehead.

He dared not continue! He couldn't very well say to the prince's face, "The prince is a worthless piece of trash who has no redeeming qualities and is more of a hindrance than a help," could he?
This mansion ultimately belongs to the Sima family, not to Li Gongfeng!

But the words that were only half spoken had already caused harm.

Liang Shizi's face instantly darkened and became extremely ugly.

Given his usual domineering nature and his petty, vindictive nature, how could he possibly pretend not to hear it?

The awkward look on Li Gongfeng's face, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't, and as if he was trying his best to find his merits, deeply stung him!

Xu Xuan's eyes lit up, and he thought to himself, "You old man, you're a perfect straight man, a gift from heaven!"

So he immediately gave a cold laugh, striking a perfect pose, and retorted righteously and sternly:

"Hmph! I am a dignified top scholar from Yangzhou, educated in the classics. How could I be such a sycophantic and obsequious person?! What I just said was merely stating the truth objectively! Li Gongfeng, please don't misunderstand!"

The identity of "Yangzhou Jieyuan" was deliberately highlighted.

In this era, the social status and reputation of renowned scholars were naturally superior to those of Li Gongfeng, a princely retainer who was somewhat shady and dependent on powerful figures.

This gesture and tone were extremely effective, making him appear even more "objective and impartial," and unbiased.

Li Gongfeng was so angry he almost vomited blood, feeling that this scholar who bore the title of monk was actually a real monk.

This ability to speak so eloquently and distort the truth is truly remarkable!
Knowing that he had lost in both reason and momentum, he hurriedly invoked his strongest backer, attempting to intimidate the other party with his power:
"You ignorant scholar! Your medical skills are incompetent; the last treatment was a complete failure, that's a settled matter! The Prince was magnanimous and let you off the hook, but instead of repenting, you dare to come here and swindle! This disease is an incurable illness, how dare you speak so recklessly?!"

Unexpectedly, this was exactly what Xu Xuan had been waiting for!

Upon hearing the other party question his area of ​​expertise, he instantly straightened his back, and the sense of superiority and contempt that belonged to a "professional" was almost undisguisedly revealed in his eyes.

With her chin slightly raised, she fired off a barrage of questions in an almost sarcastic tone:

Which sect do you belong to?

"What kind of practice are you cultivating? What kind of path are you seeking?"

"Do you possess an imperial edict from the Heavenly Court or the Daoist court? Do you have a registered name and inscription on your altar? Do you have the backing of a sect with a thousand-year-old lineage?"

Without waiting for a reply, he gave a stern conclusion, his tone full of disdain:
"You ignorant, unorthodox mountain hermit, how dare you presume to talk about healing and saving lives?! You're utterly absurd!"

Li Gongfeng felt a tremor in his soul. His identity as a traitor to the Northern Emperor's faction... was actually quite "secret," and he could never reveal it even if he were beaten to death.

This breath stuck in my chest, it was truly like my three corpses were raging and smoke was billowing from my seven orifices!
Xu Xuan, however, was not about to let this opportunity to kick a man when he was down slippery, and naturally pursued him relentlessly.

His tone was arrogant, carrying the sense of superiority unique to disciples of major Buddhist sects:

"When it comes to healing the sick and saving lives, to universally deliver all sentient beings... don't we, the Pure Land School, understand it better than you?!" "Don't Abbot Huiren's Chan School understand it better than you?!"

"Do you know the image of Guanyin, who dispels calamities and prolongs life? Do you know the Medicine Buddha, who saves people from suffering?!"

He stepped forward, his imposing presence overwhelming:

"For me, a member of the orthodox Buddhist sect, to speak to a rogue cultivator of unknown origin like this is already showing you considerable respect! Don't be ungrateful!"

The arrogant face of the Buddhist prodigy and the top scholar in the humanities made Prince Liang feel proud, while it made Li Gongfeng so angry that he almost vomited blood.

The old man was so angry that his fingers were trembling and his mouth was twitching, making him look like he had suffered the aftereffects of a stroke.

Xu Xuan continued to unleash his attacks, relentlessly slaughtering his enemies.

He suddenly seemed to realize something, and drawled out his words:

"Oh~~~~"

"I think I've figured it out—"

His gaze swept back and forth between Li Gongfeng and Liang Shizi, finally settling on Li Gongfeng, and his tone became meaningful:

"So all those rumors about the young prince outside... what 'ignorant and incompetent,' what 'jealous of the talented,' what 'utterly incompetent'... were all your doing behind the scenes, weren't they?"

"So there are bad people around the prince!"

"Hmph! Although I am an honest person and speak my mind, I am not someone to be bullied."

Smear campaigns, sowing discord, double standards—human evil is running rampant, and the entire palace is their stage.

A white lotus is blooming in the mud!

The victim, Li Gongfeng, remained silent.

Everything went black before my eyes, and I felt a rush of blood rushing to the top of my head.

Are you easy to bully? Are you honest? Are you straightforward?
You're about to poop and pee on my face!
Are all the monks outside this kind of person now? Is Pure Land Buddhism a den of demons?

And what do Confucian scholars even learn? Hmm. Although all scholars in the imperial court are like this, you're still young, how come you know all those tricks?!

After getting carried away by emotions!

He suddenly formed hand seals in his sleeves, and his magical power began to surge violently—he was preparing to activate the hidden magic array in the courtyard immediately!
Today, I'm going to train you first, you bald monk who spouts nothing but nonsense!
To rid the world of a great scourge!

However, at that very moment when the killing intent was about to erupt.

Liang Shizi silently moved two steps to the side, blocking Li Gongfeng and Xu Xuan. Although he seemed to want to say something to defend himself, he couldn't say it, but his protective stance was clear!

After that, as if possessed, he began to subtly target Li Gongfeng, trying to demonstrate his "magnanimity" and "discernment" as a "little prince".

On one side is Gongfeng, who looks down on him but tries to pretend to be a good person. On the other side is Xu Xuan, who is a genuinely good but honest person and respects him.

This multiple-choice question is easy to answer, right?

So he personally "escorted" but actually escorted Xu Xuan and Hui Ren out of the palace in a grand manner.

Even the most crucial matter of treating and saving lives has been overlooked; no one cares about the safety of a very familiar patient.

After all, everyone's emotions were running high.

At this moment, this person, who possessed the "treasure of the Liang Prince's Mansion," exuded an extremely powerful aura, even more arrogant than when he arrived.

He stopped at the main gate of the Prince's mansion and spoke to Xu Xuan with a fierce but weak tone:
"Xu Xuan! This time... I'll let you off the hook!"

"But you remember this for me! What happens inside the Prince's manor is not to be spread outside! Otherwise... I will never let you off the hook!"

After saying that, the young prince turned around abruptly and strode back into the mansion, afraid that if he walked too slowly, he would not be able to suppress his joyful smile in front of Xu Xuan, who "understood him".

Meanwhile, Li Gongfeng returned to his quiet room in a daze, looking completely lost.

Quietly recite the Yellow Court Classic?

Silent chanting my ass!
All he wants now is to silently recite the murder curse!

He had already made a solemn vow in his heart: as soon as this storm passed and he could explain things to the prince, he would immediately, without hesitation or expense, set up an altar and perform a ritual to remotely curse and kill Xu Xuan!
Only in this way can the hatred in my heart be quelled!

"So what if you're a sect's prodigy? So what if you're a top scholar?" His face twisted in rage. "I'll show you what it means to be easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark!"

Little did he know that as soon as Xu Xuan returned to Linji Temple at top speed, he immediately began to "call for help"!
The one being shaken is the strongest, most impressive, and best-looking character among those who have appeared so far!
"You don't necessarily have to get a perfect score when solving a problem. It's okay if the process is a bit complicated, as long as the final answer is correct... it's not unacceptable."

"Let's start causing a huge ruckus!"

"For—justice!"

(End of this chapter)