Volume 5 Chapter 174: Convincing the Mosquito Daoist

Book 5: Chapter 174: Convincing the Mosquito Daoist

Buzz!

Many mosquitoes surrounded the Mosquito Daoist. At this moment, he faced Gu Hai as if confronting a powerful enemy.

Ao Shun raised his guard. Yehua's and Yanxuan's expressions changed. The chameleon spirit felt so depressed that he wanted to vomit blood.

"Mosquito Daoist, you are a senior. My cultivation cannot compare to yours. Why are you so nervous?" Gu Hai asked with a smile.

Gu Hai smiled warmly, but his hands were damp with cold sweat.

"Gu Hai, you might be able to fool others, but you can't fool me. I know that I am not comparable to you. However, I do not fear you. You managed to find me today, but I'll return another day. Humph!" the Mosquito Daoist snorted coldly, making to leave.

"Wait!" Gu Hai immediately called out.

"Huh?" The Mosquito Daoist gave Gu Hai a wary look.

"Mister Mosquito Daoist, you have put in a lot of effort to deal with me along the way. However, have you noticed that there are no grudges between us? Why do you have to push things to the extreme?" Gu Hai said with a bitter smile.

The Mosquito Daoist narrowed his eyes slightly. "We might not have grudges, but are you willing to hand Chang Ming to me?"

"Let me put it this way. You can't find Chang Ming. What if I died and Chang Ming still hid from you? What could you do?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

"Huh?" The Mosquito Daoist suddenly paused.

All along, he thought that Gu Hai had been blocking him. Now that Gu Hai said this, he realized that he did not benefit even if Gu Hai was not around.

"There are no grudges between us, so why fight? You don't want to be enemies with me, and I don't want to make a powerful enemy. Can't we talk it out between us?" Gu Hai said seriously.

The Mosquito Daoist's eyelids twitched wildly as he remained silent.

"Talk? Talk about what? There is nothing to talk about," the Mosquito Daoist said sullenly.

"There is a solution to everything. Isn't that so? What do you seek? How about you tell me? Perhaps I can help you. We might be able to form friendly ties," Gu Hai said with a smile.

"Friendly ties? This Daoist lord does not need friendly ties!" The Mosquito Daoist glared.

"Mister Mosquito Daoist, I know that you are very capable. You have eaten Sect Master Heavenly Access's disciples in the Myriad Age Daoist Sect and three petals of the Spirit Mountain Holy Land's golden lotus. Your combat skills are remarkable. However, do you truly lack desires? Can you resolve all things? Aren't you being pursued by two of the holy lands? Even the strongest person in the world, Long Zhanguo, had something to ask of Jiang Lianshan. Can you really have no desires? If you have no desires, why avoid me?" Gu Hai said.

"Humph! What are you trying to say?" The Mosquito Daoist glared at Gu Hai.

"Let's resolve your preoccupation with me," Gu Hai said.

"Oh? Resolve my preoccupation with you? Just hand Chang Ming to me, and it will be resolved. Are you willing to do that?" the Mosquito Daoist sneered.

Gu Hai shook his head. "Chang Ming is my official. Naturally, I cannot put him in a spot. However, if you want to resolve the problem, I at least need to know what the problem is. Chang Ming does not seem qualified to offend you, right? You had not appeared for one thousand years. Chang Ming is not even one thousand years old yet."

The Mosquito Daoist stared at Gu Hai for a while. "Chang Ming took something of mine."

"Oh? That's all?" Gu Hai felt slightly startled.

"Humph! What do you know? That's all?" the Mosquito Daoist said in disdain.

"No matter what it is, as long as it is an item, it has a price. Anything with a price can be negotiated. Isn't that right?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

"Negotiated?" The Mosquito Daoist frowned at Gu Hai.

"Yes, negotiated. I don't just want to resolve your preoccupation with me but also with Chang Ming. After all, he is my official!" Gu Hai said.

The Mosquito Daoist stared at Gu Hai for a while. Then, he said, "A price? Some things are priceless."

"That would depend on the person. If you don't tell me, how would I know if it is priceless?" Gu Hai shook his head.

The Mosquito Daoist remained silent for a while before saying, "The Primal Essence Pearl. Do you think that it has a price? Are you willing to make Chang Ming give it to me? Is he willing to give it to me?"

"The Primal Essence Pearl?" Gu Hai narrowed his eyes.

"The sixteenth of the top sixteen ancient treasures, the Primal Essence Pearl?" Ao Shun goggled.

"Indeed. The Primal Essence Pearl is in Chang Ming's hands. You did not know that, right? Hahahaha! Now, you want to get the Primal Essence Pearl even more than I do, right?" The Mosquito Daoist looked at Gu Hai in disdain.

Gu Hai smiled faintly and shook his head. "The Primal Essence Pearl? Do you think that I would fall out with Chang Ming over the Primal Essence Pearl?"

"Huh?" The Mosquito Daoist raised his eyebrows. Then, he continued mocking, "Humph! What is the point of pretending before me? Everyone in the world desires the top sixteen ancient treasures in the world. Aren't you tempted at all? Do you think that I will believe that?"

"Hah! Everyone desires different things. How would you know what I am thinking?" Gu Hai retorted with a cold smile.

"Humph! Keep denying it. I don't believe it," the Mosquito Daoist sneered.

"Let me put it this way. What does Mosquito Daoist want the Primal Essence Pearl for? Can you tell me? Rather, why would I want the Primal Essence Pearl?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

"The Primal Essence Pearl is one of the top sixteen ancient treasures. Who would not desire it? By obtaining the Primal Essence Pearl, one can protect oneself, defeat one's enemies, go anywhere in the world unfettered. Don't you want that?" the Mosquito Daoist scoffed.

"What you said makes sense. However, why does it have to be in my hands?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

"Huh?" The Mosquito Daoist looked at Gu Hai in confusion.

It is such a good treasure. Yet, you don't want it in your hands, letting others have it?

"If the Primal Essence Pearl were in my hands, I would only have the Primal Essence Pearl. However, the Primal Essence Pearl is in Chang Ming's hands, and Chang Ming is my official. I can likewise make use of the Primal Essence Pearl. I can even use the Primal Essence Pearl to do something else separately from me. Defeat my enemies? I have Chang Ming to do it for me. Protect myself? Chang Ming will naturally protect me. Why do I need the Primal Essence Pearl in my hands?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

"Huh?" The Mosquito Daoist could not find anything to rebut with.

This was a treasure that he yearned for, was willing to risk his life for. However, Gu Hai spoke of it so casually. Moreover, his arguments seemed logical. The Mosquito Daoist did not know how to refute him.

"Humph! What if Chang Ming does not listen?" the Mosquito Daoist asked.

"You amass treasures while I build a nation. With the nation around, Chang Ming won't leave. You are all alone. That's why you can only flee when facing the Myriad Age Daoist Sect. That's why you can only flee when facing the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. What if the Qian Heavenly Dynasty pursues you with everything it has? You can only flee, right? However, I don't. I have a nation. I have many officials. I will only grow stronger. The sea encompasses many rivers. All the talents in the world can be used for my betterment. My strength will multiply easily. As for you, you can only grow stronger alone at a slow pace. Isn't that right?" Gu Hai smiled.

The Mosquito Daoist showed a sullen expression.

"To those who cultivate blessings, all external items are auxiliary. It is just like Long Zhanguo's Heaven Splitting Ax. He is willing to lend it out multiple times. Do you dare to lend out your treasure? Long Zhanguo does not even feel interested in the Heaven Splitting Ax. What is the sixteenth of the top sixteen ancient treasures in comparison? The Primal Essence Pearl is really nothing to us who establish nations. It is just you who thinks the world of it," Gu Hai said while shaking his head.

The Mosquito Daoist felt unbearably stifled.

Is he mocking me?

"Then, will you give me the Primal Essence Pearl?" the Mosquito Daoist said.

"If you promise me one thing, I can immediately get Chang Ming to give you the Primal Essence Pearl. How about that?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

"Huh? Really? What...?" The Mosquito Daoist showed a look of incredulity.

"It is just like I said earlier. The Primal Essence Pearl doesn't have to be in my hand. Having it in my circle of influence is sufficient. If you join the Han Royal Dynasty, I'll give the Primal Essence Pearl to you," Gu Hai said.

"What a joke! To think that you dare to make me one of your officials! Humph! Furthermore, would Chang Ming even agree? It is one of the top sixteen ancient treasures. Is he going to just give it up?" the Mosquito Daoist said while glaring.

"Of course, Chang Ming will not agree." Gu Hai shook his head.

"Then, why did you say..." The Mosquito Daoist narrowed his eyes at Gu Hai.

"It is not like the Primal Essence Pearl cannot be replaced," Gu Hai said indifferently.

"Huh?"

"The Primal Essence Pearl is only the sixteenth. There are fifteen other stronger treasures ahead of it. If I take the Primal Essence Pearl, I just have to replace it with something better, right? I'm sure Chang Ming would be willing," Gu Hai said.

The Mosquito Daoist: "..."

"Talk is easy. Do you think the top sixteen ancient treasures are easy to obtain?" The Mosquito Daoist glared.

"Is it that difficult?" Gu Hai looked at the Mosquito Daoist.

The Mosquito Daoist: "..."

"For an example, I helped Long Zhanguo obtain two path of reincarnation secret realms. With the favor from obtaining just one, I can ask him to help me snatch the Supreme Genesis's Cross Annihilation. Do you think Long Zhanguo can do that? Furthermore, all I have to do is use words," Gu Hai said with a smile.

The Mosquito Daoist: "..."

It is indeed too easy. However, why do I find it strange?

"Many things only seem difficult when you think about it. However, when you try to do it, it is actually very easy. Mosquito Daoist, what do you think?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

Indeed. It seems easy. However, is it really that easy?

The Mosquito Daoist found himself running out of brainpower to keep up.

"Mister Mosquito Daoist, join my Han Royal Dynasty, and I will give you the Primal Essence Pearl. What do you think? It might take some time, but that is nothing difficult. It is something easy to solve. Why do we have to fight to the death?" Gu Hai asked with a smile.

The Mosquito Daoist appeared depressed. He felt like his pride had received a slap from Gu Hai. Damn it! Is my past understanding all wrong?

"Humph! This Daoist lord never submits to anyone. You can forget about me joining the Han Royal Dynasty!" the Mosquito Daoist said ferociously.

If he could not obtain the Primal Essence Pearl now, he could think of other ideas in the future. He was unwilling to submit to another. Angered, he now wanted to leave and deal with his depression.

"If you don't want to join the Han Royal Dynasty, then so be it. Mister Mosquito Daoist, there is no need to get angry over that, right? Furthermore, that's not the only way to get the Primal Essence Pearl," Gu Hai said indifferently.

"Huh? What did you say?" The Mosquito Daoist glared at Gu Hai.

"How about this? Let's make a deal. I can't give you the Primal Essence Pearl for nothing. There needs to be an exchange," Gu Hai said indifferently.

"A deal? What deal? I'll say this first. I will not submit to you!" the Mosquito Daoist said coldly. However, there was a trace of anticipation in his eyes.

"Of course, you don't have to. You are you, and I am I. After the deal, we don't owe each other anything. Do you need to act like you are facing a powerful enemy? We are having a discussion. Even if a deal falls through, there's still friendship, right?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

The Mosquito Daoist looked strangely at Gu Hai. Then, he waved, making all the mosquitoes disappear.

"Speak," the Mosquito Daoist said.

"I will give you the Primal Essence Pearl, but you have to promise me three things and help me find one of the top fifteen ancient treasures as a replacement for Chang Ming. How about that?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

"Help you find one of the top fifteen ancient treasures? Do you think that it is that easy?" The Mosquito Daoist glared.

Gu Hai smiled at the Mosquito Daoist.

The Mosquito Daoist's glare slowly eased, eventually becoming a depressed moue.

Exchange? Naturally, there needs to be something. It would be impossible to obtain something for nothing. Since Gu Hai already put it this way, it seems he is sincere about helping to mediate.

"Humph! What if I cannot find one?" the Mosquito Daoist said.

"If you simply cannot obtain any of the top fifteen ancient treasures within fifty-six years, I will take charge and hand the Primal Essence Pearl to you," Gu Hai said.

"Fifty-six years?" The Mosquito Daoist felt slightly startled.

Fifty-six years was not very long for the Mosquito Daoist.

From Gu Hai's perspective, the Six Paths Immortal would fully awaken fifty-six years later. If the Six Paths Immortal did not die, Gu Hai would not survive anyway, so it would not matter.

"Humph! Fifty-six years is fine. However, what about the three things? If you want me to die, would I have to agree?" the Mosquito Daoist said.

"The three things will be things within your capabilities, do not restrict your freedom, and respect your integrity. What do you think?" Gu Hai said.

"Within my capabilities? Do not restrict my freedom? Respect my integrity?" The Mosquito Daoist looked at Gu Hai.

"That's right. They are things that I don't want to do but are easy to accomplish. They won't be things that repulse you. You won't reject doing just three things, right?" Gu Hai said with a smile.

The Mosquito Daoist showed a strange expression. After he thought it over for a while, there did not seem to be any problem.

"Alright. I can agree to that. However, what guarantee do I have that what you say is true?" the Mosquito Daoist asked seriously.

"I am the master of a nation. A sovereign always keeps his word. Have you ever seen me go back on something I declared?" Gu Hai replied, smiling.

The Mosquito Daoist still seemed somewhat skeptical.

"How about I issue a decree and announce it to the world? Going back on my word would destabilize the nation's blessings, something of dire consequences," Gu Hai added.

The Mosquito Daoist remained silent for a while before eventually nodding. "Alright."

"Alright? Since that is the case, there is no need for us to point swords at each other, right, Mister Mosquito Daoist? How about you come aboard, and we have a drink?" Gu Hai suggested with a smile.

The Mosquito Daoist looked uncertainly at Gu Hai.

Eventually, the Mosquito Daoist landed on the deck of Gu Hai's flying ship.

The chameleon spirit, Ao Shun, Yehua, and Yanxuan goggled. This Gu Hai is too uncanny. He was in conflict with the Mosquito Daoist just a while ago, yet he managed to subdue the Mosquito Daoist with a few words? No, it was not "subdue" but "convince"?

"Ao Shun, get the chameleon spirit to bring us to Xuan En. I'll have a few drinks with Mister Mosquito Daoist," Gu Hai said with a smile.

Ao Shun glanced at the Mosquito Daoist with a strange expression. "Huh? Ah! Oh! Alright!" Then, he nodded.

Chapters for August: 09 / 30