The scene was silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What is happening?
Zhang Ye's mind went blank. Instinctively, he crossed his arms over his chest, covering his nipples.
Then.
Under everyone's gaze, his pants slid down.
Embarrassed, incredibly embarrassed.
Daoist Zhang Ye experienced his first major public humiliation, completely stunned, petrified on the spot.
Li Feiyan let out a scream and quickly turned away, covering her eyes.
She couldn't help but spit, her expression one of disbelief and shame, saying angrily, "Daoist, I never imagined you were this kind of person."
From their previous interactions, Zhang Ye's conversation had been elegant, his demeanor graceful, clearly that of a refined master.
Who would have thought that after a satisfying meal, he would reveal such an ugly side, harboring ill intentions and desires towards her.
Indeed, one cannot judge a book by its cover; some people, outwardly gentle and refined, were inwardly wild old perverts!
"I'm not, I didn't."
Zhang Ye felt wronged, unable to defend himself.
Didn't you covet my virgin body and eagerly bring me home, intending to keep me?
Who would have thought there were so many people hidden in this room?
Wuliang Tianzun, a lifetime of good reputation, ruined just like that. How could I face anyone again?
Zhang Ye formed a hand seal, and streaks of immortal light enveloped his body as he hastily redressed.
He looked up at the ceiling at a forty-five-degree angle, his eyes moist, his face burning, utterly ashamed.
Old Celestial Master, your unworthy disciple Zhang Ye has disgraced Longhu Mountain.
So disheartening!
The room was filled with the Li family's three generations, a large family of over ten people.
They hadn't intentionally pranked Zhang Ye. It was because the room housed extremely precious cultural relics that should not be exposed to light for too long, hence the lights were off. They hadn't expected such an incident to occur.
However, the stunned expressions of the Li family members were quickly replaced by awe as they were captivated by the brilliant immortal light emanating from Zhang Ye, their gazes becoming fervent.
No matter the time, the strong always command respect.
"Oh dear, hurry and turn on all the air conditioners, set them to the lowest temperature. Look how hot Master Zhang is, it's a sin."
The Li family patriarch, Old Master Li Tong, spoke, offering Zhang Ye a way out.
At the same time, he took off his thick jacket and cupped his hands in apology to Zhang Ye, blaming himself for poor hospitality and the abruptness towards their distinguished guest.
Li Tong was a shrewd old man, astute and experienced, well-versed in human relations, deliberately helping Zhang Ye regain his composure.
"Grandpa, you're getting senile. It's early winter, the room temperature is only a few degrees, why would you turn on the air conditioning?"
Li Feiyan, straightforward and honest, was full of confusion, unable to understand why her grandfather was telling such blatant lies.
You, with your weak constitution, insisted on taking off your jacket, shivering like a scared child, your words trembling with cold. Is it necessary?
Li Tong glared fiercely at Li Feiyan, his dragon-headed cane almost striking her. This silly girl has no sense of observation; aren't you deliberately embarrassing Daoist Zhang?
He was well-versed in metaphysics and knew that the Li family was about to face great misfortune. He had used his ancestral Bagua to divine that a master would appear on Jiming Mountain, capable of resolving the Li family's crisis.
Therefore, he arranged for Li Feiyan to hold a street racing event on Jiming Mountain, hoping to find and enlist the master's help.
In Li Tong's eyes, Zhang Ye, a celestial being from Longhu Mountain, was the master indicated by the divination, the savior of the Li family, and thus deserved to be treated with utmost respect.
"You silly girl, what do you know? Master Zhang is young and full of vigor, naturally different from us."
Li Tong reprimanded his granddaughter, giving her significant meaningful glances.
The others also understood the old man's intention and chimed in accordingly.
Li Feiyan rolled her eyes, not daring to speak further, but still couldn't help but mutter, "Full of vigor? I think it's a hot temper. This Daoist is clearly not decent."
It was fortunate there were others in the room; otherwise, if it were just a man and a woman, who knew what might have happened. He took off his clothes as soon as he entered; this Zhang fellow is very bad, not like a good person.
"Old Master, please do not speak carelessly. This humble one is merely a junior Daoist from Longhu Mountain."
Zhang Ye hurriedly corrected him.
The title of Celestial Master was not to be called casually. His cultivation was shallow, and he was far from it.
Moreover, with the Old Celestial Master's return, who among them was qualified to be called Celestial Master in his presence?
However, thanks to Li Tong's explanation and respectful attitude, Zhang Ye's mood calmed down considerably.
Otherwise, he had been contemplating using a遁地符 (earth-escaping talisman) to make a swift exit.
"Immortal Master, you are too humble."
Li Tong changed his address and continued with a torrent of praise, showering him with compliments.
Of course, most of the praise was heartfelt. For Zhang Ye's age, possessing such cultivation far surpassed those so-called chosen ones. In ancient times, he would have been a dragon among men, let alone in modern times.
After some exchange, the awkward atmosphere finally dissipated, and Li Tong got down to business.
"Immortal Master, my Li family possesses an ancient painting. We humbly request your discerning eye."
Li Tong opened a hidden compartment, revealing an antique scroll of calligraphy and painting.
Zhang Ye's eyes lit up as he looked closely, exclaiming, "Could this be the legendary Tuibei Tu!"
The Tuibei Tu, jointly authored by Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, was a mystical book that integrated the study of the I Ching, astronomy, riddles, and illustrations.
In simpler terms, it was a book of prophecies.
This book contained sixty illustrations in total. History had proven that the predictions in the first forty-seven images had almost all come true.
Later, due to war, the remaining thirteen images of the Tuibei Tu were lost and their whereabouts unknown. Who would have thought the Li family possessed one of them.
This painting was extremely minimalist: a dark sky, a blood-red comet streaking across, and a scorched, devastated earth.
On the ground, various animal skeletons could be faintly seen, depicting a scene of doomsday.
The entire painting conveyed a sense of despair and bleakness.
Zhang Ye leaned closer, marveling, and began to examine it carefully.
"Pretending to be knowledgeable, but probably doesn't understand anything."
Li Feiyan couldn't help but retort, questioning Zhang Ye's ability, as he was too young to understand antiques.
Old Master Li could no longer stand it and directly lectured her with his dragon-headed cane, "To be a monk, one only needs to shave their head and beat a wooden fish. But to become a true Daoist is not that simple, especially for a Daoist of Longhu Mountain, the standards are even stricter. One must know astronomy, understand geography, recognize Chinese classics, and be proficient in Daoist scriptures..."
Just as Li Tong was about to enlighten Li Feiyan, Zhang Ye let out a sigh, "The painting is ancient, very old, and by a master's hand. However, it is not the genuine Tuibei Tu. What a pity."
Li Feiyan couldn't help but retort, "You're talking nonsense. This is my family's heirloom calligraphy and painting; how could it be fake?"
Clearly, she was unconvinced by Zhang Ye's statement, believing he was feigning knowledge.
Most of the other Li family members held the same opinion as Li Feiyan, but only Li Tong's brows subtly curved into a smile, and he nodded slightly.
"Seniors Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang were both practitioners of our Daoist sect, their mastery of metaphysics unfathomable. Every stroke and dot in their work would naturally contain the profound principles of heaven and earth. Although this painting also contains Daoist charm and is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, it ultimately lacks that certain essence."
Zhang Ye revealed the crucial point: the "intent" in calligraphy and painting was the most important. Other masters and experts might not see through it, but with his current realm, he could discern the genuine from the fake at a glance.
Li Tong laughed heartily, "Immortal Master Zhang indeed has a discerning eye. This painting is indeed a fake, but outsiders have always insisted it is genuine, repeatedly causing trouble for my Li family, which has become tiresome. I have decided to choose an auspicious date in a few days to hold a press conference and donate this ancient painting to a museum. At that time, I will trouble Immortal Master to clarify a few things for my Li family, so that those ill-intentioned individuals will stop harassing my Li family."
"Ah, to a museum?"
Zhang Ye was shocked. Although this painting was not the real one, it was undoubtedly a national treasure-level artifact, likely worth hundreds of millions.
Why don't you give it to me? With this painting, I could buy back half of Longhu Mountain, which has been designated a scenic area.
However, as a Daoist, Zhang Ye was ultimately too thin-skinned to ask for it.
"Alas, it's good to ward off disaster with wealth."
The other Li family members had no objections and agreed with Li Tong's decision.
Only Li Feiyan was indignant. If the Li family had a strong supporter, would they even have to part with their ancestral painting?
This wasn't about money; it was about dignity.
She couldn't help but look at Zhang Ye, thinking that this Daoist was good in every way, but why was he so indecent? Otherwise, he would have been a suitable match.
However, upon reflection, wasn't a man supposed to be lustful?
Thus, her gaze towards Zhang Ye softened.
Li Tong earnestly requested Zhang Ye to stay at the Li family residence and ordered Li Feiyan to arrange accommodations and entertain him well.
On the way to the guest room with Li Feiyan, Zhang Ye, for some unknown reason, his eyes gleamed, he kicked open a door with great force, and pounced inside.
Li Feiyan's face turned pale with fright, and she shouted, "Bastard, your wicked intentions haven't changed! What are you doing? That's the women's bathhouse..."