Inside Shangqing Palace, upon sensing Taishang's arrival, Tongtian's eyes narrowed, lost in thought.
As Taishang entered Shangqing Palace and saw Tongtian seated regally, he was startled. Something was amiss, very amiss indeed!
As if to confirm Taishang's feeling, Tongtian immediately spoke with a sarcastic tone upon seeing him:
"Well, well! A rare visitor! What brings the Sage of Taiqing to my Shangqing Palace?"
Taishang's smile froze on his face! He shook his head with a wry smile.
"Third Brother, surely you aren't that petty? It's been so long!"
Taishang knew Tongtian was retaliating for his actions in Yuqing Palace and had to speak soothingly.
Tongtian chuckled at his words.
"Ah, we are indeed petty, unlike the Grand Sage of Taiqing with his magnanimity."
Duobao watched his master's sarcastic demeanor and knew he must have been bullied by their eldest martial brother.
Duobao wished he could escape this place quickly. It was too stifling, and more importantly, he couldn't show it. Heavens, someone save him!
However, he couldn't afford to offend either of these two mighty figures. He decided to pretend he saw nothing. He had no right to interfere in their sibling matters.
Seeing Tongtian's continued sarcasm, Taishang realized that when he had acted in Yuqing Palace, he had anticipated Tongtian wouldn't let it go, but he hadn't expected him to use this method.
Helpless, Taishang couldn't help but speak:
"Third Brother, Elder Brother genuinely has important matters to discuss with you!"
Tongtian ignored Taishang and instead reprimanded Duobao, who was standing nearby:
"Duobao, how can you be so unobservant? With Sage Taiqing here, you didn't even prepare tea? Are we to be called rude?"
Duobao's heart immediately relaxed upon hearing this.
"Master is right, your disciple will go now!"
After bowing to Tongtian and Taishang, Duobao quickly left Shangqing Palace. Once outside the palace gates, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Prepare tea? Prepare what! It was suffocating in there!"
Duobao decided it was best to wait until his senior martial uncle Taishang had appeased his master before returning.
After Duobao left, Taishang immediately softened his stance towards Tongtian.
"Third Brother, Elder Brother was wrong. I shouldn't have thrown you down from Yuqing Palace. Can Elder Brother apologize? I truly have important matters to discuss!"
Tongtian became even angrier upon hearing this. So, his meaning was that if he had something to discuss, he could just casually toss him around?
"Important matters? Sage Taiqing thinks too highly of this humble one! What important matters could I possibly handle? Sage Taiqing should go discuss with Sage Yuqing!"
Taishang: ...
Taishang knew Tongtian was deliberately provoking him. His brows furrowed, but in an instant, he devised a counter-strategy. His brows slowly relaxed.
It's just about provoking people, isn't it? You're not the only one who can do it! I can too!
With his mind made up, Taishang no longer tried to appease Tongtian. Looking around to ensure no one else was present, he sealed the grand doors of Shangqing Palace.
Seeing Taishang do this, a flicker of doubt crossed Tongtian's eyes. What was he planning? A sense of foreboding suddenly washed over Tongtian.
After sealing the doors, Taishang looked at Tongtian with ill intentions.
"Oh? Our little Tiantian is angry now!"
Hearing this, Tongtian suddenly jumped from his spot! Goosebumps erupted all over him!
As Taishang approached, Tongtian retreated step by step, speaking with a trembling voice.
"You! You! What do you want to do?"
Seeing the effect was good, Taishang chuckled wickedly.
"What do I want to do? Naturally, I want to dote on my dear Third Brother!"
As he spoke, Taishang suddenly moved next to Tongtian.
Tongtian's hairs stood on end. After evading Taishang with a flash, he saw Taishang preparing to make another move and quickly pleaded:
"Big Brother! Big Brother! I was wrong, I truly was wrong! Tell me whatever you need to, but can we be a bit more normal?"
Taishang chuckled, looking at the terrified Tongtian.
"Wrong? Where were you wrong? Third Brother is always right, how could you be wrong? Come! Let Elder Brother dote on you properly!"
Tongtian cried out in terror!
"Brother! You are my biological brother! I was truly wrong, let's just be normal!"
Seeing Tongtian's state, Taishang found it quite amusing.
"Really wrong? No more sarcastic remarks? You won't resent me for throwing you down from Yuqing Peak?"
Tongtian nodded repeatedly.
"Wrong! Brother! I was wrong! That was your love for me! I was too foolish to realize it until now! Truly, these are the words from the bottom of my heart!"
Seeing that Tongtian was genuinely scared, Taishang finally returned to normal, smiling inwardly.
"Little brat! I still can't deal with you!"
Taishang looked at Tongtian and asked as if nothing had happened.
"By the way, Third Brother, what was I looking for you for earlier?"
Tongtian finally breathed a sigh of relief, seeing Taishang back to his normal self. The Taishang from moments ago was terrifying, more so than Hongjun and Luohu combined!
Seeing Taishang inquire, Tongtian quickly replied.
"Big Brother said you had important matters to discuss!"
Taishang slapped his forehead, feigning amnesia.
"Right, right, I remember now. As one gets older, one's memory isn't as good."
Tongtian's mouth twitched at Taishang's excuse. Though he harbored countless grievances, he dared not show them. He quickly offered the main seat to Taishang and found a random spot to sit.
Seeing Tongtian behave himself, Taishang began to ask.
"Third Brother, Shennong Shi is about to hold a grand wedding. What gift do you think we three, as the Human Ancestors, should give?"
Tongtian hadn't expected this to be the "important matter" Taishang spoke of.
Tongtian couldn't help but ask.
"Big Brother! This is the important matter you mentioned? Then, with so many humans, do we need to send gifts to each of them?"
Taishang was speechless at Tongtian's question. Although Tongtian had become serious, it seemed to be only that.
Taishang couldn't help but explain.
"Third Brother, this isn't an ordinary wedding, but a wedding of the Earth!"
Tongtian also realized that his elder brother wouldn't care about an ordinary wedding.
Tongtian thought for a moment and said to Taishang.
"Big Brother, you must have accumulated quite a stock of Huang Zhong Lǐ by now. Why not give a few Huang Zhong Lǐ?"
Taishang had actually considered Huang Zhong Lǐ, but he felt it wasn't entirely appropriate, which is why he came to ask Tongtian.
However, Tongtian's answer seemed redundant.
Taishang thought about it and felt that his second brother was more reliable. This third brother was out.
So, Taishang left Shangqing Palace and headed for Yuqing Palace.
Duobao watched from a distance as Taishang left. Then, he slowly returned to Tongtian's side.
Seeing Duobao, Tongtian was furious. If Duobao had been there, his brother wouldn't have shamelessly bullied him!
Taishang's actions of observing and then closing the door were something Tongtian hadn't reacted to initially. Now, it seemed his brother still cared about appearances.
If Duobao had been present, he wouldn't have had to yield.
Duobao had initially thought Taishang had appeased his master. He never expected to feel a chill shoot up from his toes the moment he entered.