Chapter 839: Standing in the Snow
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The entire continent knew that even the Heavenly Sea Saint Empress had shown considerable respect to Old Master Tang back in the day.
Chen Changsheng had learned from Tang Thirty-Six that Old Master Tang cursed the Heavenly Sea family daily in the old manor, but rarely involved the Empress herself.
When the Heavenly Sea Saint Empress decreed that Old Master Tang come to the capital, he refused to accept the edict. This seemed stubborn, but it also hinted at certain issues.
Old Master Tang disliked the Heavenly Sea Saint Empress; in his eyes, she was nothing but a demoness.
Yet the Heavenly Sea Saint Empress had always made him wary, and in some respects, even earned his admiration.
Chen Changsheng said, “I’d like to use this cup of tea to ask you to listen to two sentences from me.”
If he had entered the old manor from the start and blurted out those two sentences on his own, Old Master Tang would naturally have heard them.
But hearing doesn’t mean taking them to heart.
He wanted Old Master Tang to seriously listen to these two sentences, to truly absorb them.
To hear them with his ears, and take them into his heart.
Old Master Tang still said nothing, perhaps signifying silent consent.
“The eldest master of the Tang family isn’t ill; he’s been poisoned.”
That was Chen Changsheng’s first sentence.
Old Master Tang’s expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t heard.
“The second master of the Tang family has colluded with the demon race.”
That was Chen Changsheng’s second sentence.
Old Master Tang narrowed his eyes slightly, then very slowly set his teacup back on the table.
He looked at Chen Changsheng and said, with no emotion in his voice, “His Holiness the Pope’s sword is indeed sharp, and its trajectory is very clear, but you shouldn’t have drawn it today.”
These two sentences were indeed swords.
They were two wisdom swords that Chen Changsheng had prepared for a long time.
This was a sword technique he had learned from Su Li.
Old Master Tang had known Su Li for many years, and their relationship was close—how could he not see through it?
And so, the title “His Holiness the Pope” was spoken from the old master’s lips for the first time.
From this moment on, there was no longer any elder and junior, no plain porridge and small tea, no pouring and drinking, no card-playing friends or old acquaintances.
“I didn’t draw the sword proactively; I was defending myself.”
Chen Changsheng didn’t react to the change in Old Master Tang’s attitude. He said calmly, “That night at Snow Ridge, the Tang family drew the sword first. Later in Hanqiu City, and last night, people tried to kill me. Since that’s the case, I have no reason not to respond.”
Old Master Tang said two words succinctly: “Evidence.”
Even if Chen Changsheng was the Pope, without evidence, he couldn’t casually accuse the Tang family of anything.
This was the Tang family’s old manor, not the Songshan Military Prefecture. His opponent wasn’t some prince or divine general in the court, but Old Master Tang.
“I have no evidence.” Chen Changsheng didn’t wait for Old Master Tang to respond, continuing, “Aside from a single sentence from the Demon Lord, I have no evidence at all, and the Demon Lord’s words could, of course, be sowing discord. But I have a witness—the demon princess, Nanke. She’s somewhat addled now and even less likely to lie.”
Old Master Tang’s eyes narrowed even more, not like an old fox, but like a sheet of rock weathered by wind and rain in the mountains for years, heavily eroded.
“Then what does His Holiness the Pope want me to agree to?”
“I need one hour.”
“Time belongs to oneself.”
“I need one hour in Wenshui City.”
Chen Changsheng looked at Old Master Tang and said, “Within that hour, I will find that monster from the Longevity Sect, and that will be the evidence.”
What did “one hour in Wenshui City” mean? He didn’t spell it out, but the meaning was clear: during that hour, he hoped the Tang family would hand over control of Wenshui City to the National Church. When the National Church conducted searches or even pursuits, the Tang family would not interfere.
Undoubtedly, this was a very fanciful, even absurd idea.
For countless years, neither His Majesty the Tai Emperor nor the Heavenly Sea Saint Empress had ever truly controlled Wenshui City.
Now Chen Changsheng wanted to achieve this, even if only for a brief hour—it was absolutely unacceptable to the Tang family.
The outcome of the negotiation seemed doomed from the start.
But Chen Changsheng still brought it up, because he hoped that that senior had already changed some of Old Master Tang’s thoughts.
Regrettably, what he hoped to see did not happen.
“Three days ago, he sat where you are now and said roughly the same thing. I didn’t agree.”
Old Master Tang looked at him expressionlessly and said, “Unless His Holiness the Pope can persuade him to change his surname, there’s no need to discuss this matter.”
Chen Changsheng was silent for a moment before saying, “Even if you clearly know there are problems within the Tang family, and clearly know the evidence is in Wenshui City?”
“Do you think I care about these things? Your Holiness, you’re still too young. You don’t know how much darkness, even foulness, we old folks have seen. If I don’t want to believe something, I won’t. If you want to change my mind, you’ll have to pay the corresponding price.”
Old Master Tang glanced at the old umbrella outside the door and said, “Just making me nostalgic is far from enough.”
Chen Changsheng was silent for a while, then said, “I hope you’ll reconsider.”
Old Master Tang said, “I’ve already made my decision.”
Chen Changsheng said, “There’s no rush. I can wait.”
Old Master Tang said, “I don’t like having outsiders in my manor.”
Chen Changsheng said, “I can wait outside the old manor.”
Old Master Tang said, “As you wish.”
Chen Changsheng stood up and walked toward the door, stepped over the threshold, picked up the old umbrella, and walked into the courtyard.
During his conversation with Old Master Tang, the snow had fallen heavier and heavier, piling up thickly on the bluestone ground. It felt soft and pleasant underfoot.
Chen Changsheng opened the old umbrella and, led by the old attendant, walked out of the old manor.
Linghai Zhiwang and the others came forward to meet him.
Chen Changsheng shook his head.
Linghai Zhiwang and the others showed no change in expression, because they had anticipated that Old Master Tang wouldn’t agree to that request.
His Holiness the Pope’s request, while logically the best way to tear open the black curtain and find the mastermind, was…
What if the mastermind was Old Master Tang himself? Even if not, Wenshui City was the Tang family, and the Tang family was Old Master Tang. For His Holiness to try to lift the heavy curtains over Wenshui City was like trying to lift Old Master Tang’s clothes and peek inside—how could Old Master Tang possibly agree?
Linghai Zhiwang and the others prepared to escort Chen Changsheng back to the carriage and discuss matters further at the Dao Hall.
Chen Changsheng shook his head again, turned to face the Tang family’s old manor, and stood there in the snow.
Countless eyes fell on him, first in confusion, then quickly turning to shock.
Was His Holiness the Pope planning to stand in the snow like this, waiting for Old Master Tang to change his mind?
…
…
(The chapter titles of these two chapters combined become “Cup Snow,” don’t they? I’ve almost forgotten the content entirely—when should I reread it?)
[It’s almost 515. I hope to keep pushing for the 515 Red Envelope Rankings. By May 15th, the red envelope rain will give back to readers and promote the work. Even a single piece is love. I’ll definitely keep updating well!]