[1]

Taiheng was born in the mortal realm, surname Shen, given name Yuan, courtesy name Ziyan.

When he ascended, the Heavenly Court had just been established. Everything was still chaotic. Immortal lords from all sides were fighting and killing, scrambling everywhere for territory.

On the day of ascension, after the lightning tribulation finished striking, he was led to the celestial realm by a beam of light, then floated down to see white clouds all around, vast and desolate with no sign of human presence.

He furrowed his brow, contemplating where this was, where he should go, what he should do after ascending.

As he pondered, he heard clamorous sounds in the distance. Looking up, he saw a female immortal in red robes with an elaborate hairstyle, riding a qilin, leading a group of strange mountain spirits charging wildly in his direction.

The female immortal had bright eyes and white teeth, extraordinarily beautiful. His gaze involuntarily stalled. When the female immortal stopped before him and fiercely demanded “Which way to the Heavenly Palace?”, he hadn’t yet reacted.

He only stared blankly at the female immortal, sighing that indeed, in places with abundant spiritual energy, people grew more beautiful.

Had he known this earlier, he should have ascended sooner rather than conquering all three thousand worlds in the lower realm first.

He stared at the female immortal without speaking. This action was somewhat presumptuous, but the other party wasn’t someone easy to get along with either. Without waiting for his reaction, she raised her hand and delivered a crisp slap across his face, followed by a cold warning: “Look again and this lord will gouge out your eyes!”

Taiheng: “…”

In three thousand years of cultivating the dao, this was the first time he’d been slapped by a young lady.

But he wasn’t angry. He calmly turned back, raised his hand to cover the struck area, and smiled gently: “Is the fairy asking about the Heavenly Palace?”

“That’s right.” Only then did the female immortal notice his appearance. Looking him up and down, her tone softened considerably: “Do you know where it is?”

“I do,” Taiheng’s voice was gentle and steady. He casually pointed in a direction, carefully informing the female immortal: “Go west, then continue forward for a hundred thousand li.”

“A hundred thousand li?!” The female immortal cried out in shock, then turned to ask a turtle carrying a flag behind her, “Steward Turtle, didn’t you say we were almost there?!”

Steward Turtle was also somewhat bewildered, stammering: “N-Nujun, the Heavenly Palace was just built recently. This old servant is also coming here for the first time.”

This was indeed the truth. The female immortal suppressed her emotions with difficulty.

“Fine,” the female immortal encouraged everyone, “A mere hundred thousand li—three more days of running! If you dare deceive me,” saying this, she remembered Taiheng and turned back to glare at him viciously, “I will take your dog life!”

Having delivered her threat, the female immortal said no more, turning west and shouting: “Charge!”

Then a large troop was seen charging west in a mighty procession, raising clouds of dust.

Taiheng curiously watched this group charge out with billowing dust, smiled gently, and sighed with feeling: “The people of the immortal realm are truly full of vitality.”

Saying this, he looked around again, beginning to contemplate—where exactly was this?

What should he do after ascending?

Was there anyone in charge here?

[2]

Taiheng wasn’t exactly a good person.

According to those familiar with him, he could even be called a villain.

He was born into a distinguished family in the mortal realm. Before age four, he was sent to the cultivation world to study at a major sect. The small world he came from placed great importance on cultivating immortals. The Immortal Alliance recruited students annually, with various sects competing for them.

He possessed the ten-thousand-year-rare sword spiritual root. Thus, as soon as the spiritual root test ended, the major sects nearly came to blows over him. Finally, the Immortal Alliance mediated, letting him choose. Four-year-old Taiheng faced the sect masters’ eager pleading gazes, unhurried and calm, hands clasped behind his back, saying in a childish voice: “Why don’t you all tell me what fun things your sects have?”

Everyone thought a four-year-old child knew nothing, so they used every means to introduce their sects’ various spiritual beasts, magical treasures, and relaxed teaching environments…

Until an elderly man in rather shabby dao robes took the stage, speaking somewhat nervously: “I am the sect master of Shangji Sect. Our sect practices dao through combat…”

Hearing this, Taiheng’s eyes brightened slightly. He repeated: “Practice dao through combat? How?”

The elder was somewhat embarrassed: “Just… just fighting…”

“Fighting,” Taiheng drew out his voice, “then your sect doesn’t have many people, does it?”

The elder’s face reddened at the question, stammering: “Indeed…”

“How pitiful,” Taiheng showed compassion. Just as everyone was preparing to make this unknown small sect leave so this genius could talk with them, they heard Taiheng sigh: “Then I’ll go to your sect.”

Everyone thought Taiheng decided to go to Shangji Sect because he was too kind-hearted.

But not long after Taiheng went to Shangji Sect, everyone discovered they were wrong.

He wasn’t kind-hearted—he was too suited for this lineage!

He loved fighting, loved excitement. The reason was simply that all his senses were relatively dull—from emotions to sensations, he rarely felt any fluctuation. Only during fights or some extremely intense life-and-death encounters could he vaguely experience states different from “calm.”

Whether pain or excitement, fear or tension—to him, they were all a kind of joy.

This personality was inherently abnormal. What was even more abnormal was that despite such a battle-loving temperament, he was born with the refined face of a scholar, looking like the epitome of a gentleman, upright beyond reproach.

Many people fell for his appearance, thinking he was a good person.

Perhaps thinking him easy to bully, perhaps thinking him reliable, perhaps thinking him soft-hearted.

Only when he drew his sword, when they saw him leave callously, when they knew his heart was like iron and stone, would they realize in shock—this was a lunatic.

In his youth, he fought within Shangji Sect. When older, he fought throughout the cultivation world. In less than a hundred years, he dominated the cultivation realm. Seeing ascension approaching, he found it meaningless. Going to the immortal realm and then descending again was extremely difficult. Not wanting to ascend early, he decided to break through barriers and fight in other small worlds.

Fighting his way through three thousand small worlds, honing himself for several thousand years, when fighting became dull, he finally remembered the only place he hadn’t been—the immortal realm.

So he no longer suppressed his cultivation, allowing the heavenly lightning to strike him. Standing there to let the lightning finish, he followed the light upward and ascended.

He had originally thought that after ascending, it would be another new world. He’d heard celestial beings dwelled above. In his imagination, it should be extraordinarily magnificent—he could have a great battle there. Unexpectedly, upon arrival, he saw only wasteland. Then someone slapped him.

This was truly an unexpectedly novel experience.

He suddenly realized there seemed to be a new way to play here. In the past, he’d always been heaven’s favored child. This time, he wanted to be an ordinary immortal—what would that feel like?

[3]

Holding the conviction to be an ordinary immortal, Taiheng flew his sword around the immortal realm, wandering everywhere for a month. Finally understanding the immortal realm’s situation, he also found a job as a gatekeeper.

This job was as a guard before the South Heavenly Gate. The South Heavenly Gate was where he’d ascended and received that slap. At that time it hadn’t been built yet. A month later, the gate frame was completed and needed a guard. As soon as the notice was posted, he volunteered. Finally settling in the immortal realm, he could be considered to have proper employment.

He had a partner named Nanyi. Nanyi was talkative. Knowing he was a newly ascended deity, Nanyi actively introduced him to the immortal realm.

He said that when heaven and earth first divided, they transformed into three thousand small worlds. Above the three thousand small worlds, where spiritual energy intertwined, was the immortal realm. One day in the immortal realm equaled one year in the mortal world. Thus, while the mortal small worlds had already experienced ten thousand years, the immortal realm hadn’t even finished dividing territories.

With great difficulty, everyone fought for territories and elected Father God’s son as Heavenly Emperor, establishing the Heavenly Court. But the Heavenly Court hadn’t completely organized its personnel structure. Even the Heavenly Palace was still under construction, appearing quite shabby. There were also some remote troublemakers who refused to submit to Heavenly Court authority, occasionally coming up to cause trouble. For example, the female immortal he’d encountered days ago was Nujun of Jishan, Shangsui. Because she was dissatisfied with the Heavenly Court demanding she pay annual taxes, a month ago she’d led people past the Heavenly Court’s entrance in protest.

“I heard she’s just trying to scare the Heavenly Emperor,” Nanyi leaned against the gate, speaking mysteriously, “She doesn’t dare actually act.”

“Why wouldn’t she dare?” Taiheng showed a curious expression. Nanyi scoffed: “If she dared, when she reached the South Heavenly Gate entrance, why didn’t she charge straight in? Instead she ran wildly toward Western Heaven Buddha Lord’s territory for nearly fifty thousand li before turning back. Then, claiming excessive fatigue, she returned home. She said she got lost—do you believe that excuse?”

“Mm…” Taiheng contemplated for a while, then shook his head: “I don’t believe it.”

“Exactly.” Nanyi was confident: “The Heavenly Emperor is the most powerful. Even if you gave Nujun of Jishan the courage, she wouldn’t dare come!”

Taiheng didn’t believe Nanyi’s words, but he hadn’t expected to be proven wrong so quickly.

That very night, as he and Nanyi were guarding the South Heavenly Gate, he saw a flash of red “whoosh” past overhead and straight inside. He leaned against the gate looking up, hesitating between reporting and not reporting. Finally, looking at wide-eyed, imposing Nanyi beside him, he understood—an ordinary guard shouldn’t be able to see Nujun of Jishan’s level of skill.

So he couldn’t see it.

But though he let Shangsui go, Shangsui didn’t let him go.

At dawn, he returned to sleep after changing shifts with colleagues. Just as he entered the bedroom, someone pressed a spell against his throat.

The other party’s tone was cold: “Make one sound and I’ll kill you!”

Call out, or not?

Fight back, or not?

Kill, or not kill?

Taiheng looked at Shangsui and blinked. After hesitating a long time, he dutifully played an ordinary guard.

As if he knew nothing, he smiled: “Fairy, we meet again?”

Hearing this reminder, Shangsui suddenly realized who this person was!

Without hesitation, she grabbed Taiheng’s head and “bang”—smashed it through the table beside them. Then she yanked him back up, vicious and fierce: “Do you know how much face I lost because your random directions made me run fifty thousand li?! You actually dare appear before me?! Are you seeking death?!”

“Fairy, you’re mistaken.”

Blood flowed down from Taiheng’s head. He maintained his smile, light as clouds and wind: “It was you who appeared before me.”

“You…”

“Search!”

Shangsui was about to curse, but before the words left her mouth, the voices of heavenly soldiers and generals came from nearby. Shangsui’s expression turned stern. She raised her hand and struck Taiheng’s body with a palm, pouring spiritual power into him. Shangsui threatened viciously: “Say anything and I’ll kill you immediately.”

Having spoken, she jumped onto Taiheng’s bed and curled up under the covers.

Knocking sounds immediately followed. Taiheng opened the door to see his usual shift partner glance into the inner room, only asking: “Ziyan, did you see an injured female immortal?”

“Female immortal?”

Taiheng showed a bewildered expression. The other person understood, waving his hand: “You sleep first. We’ll continue searching.”

“Thank you for your hard work.” Taiheng smiled. The other person said no more and turned to leave.

After the person left, Taiheng closed the door, thinking that with this female immortal’s temperament, she should give him some orders. But after waiting a moment without hearing any sound, he asked quietly: “Fairy?”

No response.

Taiheng hesitated, walked to the bedside, and asked again: “Fairy?”

Still no reply.

Taiheng sat on the bedside. Just as he was about to ask a third time, he heard an extremely shallow, small, somewhat cute… snoring sound.

Taiheng froze. He hesitantly pulled open the bed curtain to see this female immortal curled up on his bed, sleeping soundly.

Her body was covered in wounds, blood soaking his bed. He furrowed his brow, somewhat disgusted, but moving his gaze to this young lady’s face…

Beautiful—never mind then.

Taiheng rarely found anyone pleasing to the eye. He cherished this, sitting down to channel spiritual power to her, first stabilizing her internal injuries, then fetching medicine to apply.

Having lived in the lower realm for several thousand years, he could do anything. He’d often pretended to be a good person helping companions bandage wounds—he was quite skilled.

He efficiently bandaged her wounds, gently lifted her up, pulled the bedsheet, quickly changed it, then looked at the female immortal sleeping so sweetly on the inner side. He began contemplating one final question.

Tonight, where would he sleep?

A moment later, he made his decision—

This was his bed.

Let Shangsui sleep on the floor. He’d carry her back before dawn.

[4]

When Shangsui woke the next day, she felt sore in her waist and back, as if she’d slept on the floor all night.

But turning her head, she discovered she was sleeping on a soft bed. Instead, the youth she’d threatened last night sat in a chair, supporting his head with one hand, eyes closed in meditation.

Dawn light had just broken. Sunlight fell on the youth. Already handsome, bathed in white light, he gained several points of sacred meaning.

Shangsui quietly observed the youth, her heartbeat quickening slightly.

She knew the youth was good-looking, but carefully examining him today, she realized he was this handsome.

Though not martial enough, like a scholar, not the type of ideal man in her heart—somehow he was pleasing to the eye, making one feel joyful.

She secretly watched for a while. Her gaze was naturally detected by Taiheng’s divine sense, but he didn’t speak, only supporting his head in fake sleep. After a long time, feeling Shangsui’s gaze lingering too long, he slowly opened his eyes.

Their four eyes met. Shangsui was like a cat caught stealing fish, suddenly feeling guilty: “What are you opening your eyes for? Did I tell you to open your eyes?!”

“Then…” Taiheng hesitated, “Should I close them?”

“Never mind,” Shangsui didn’t plan to torment him. She sat up, sitting cross-legged on the bed, speaking sullenly: “I still have matters to instruct you.”

“Please speak, Fairy.”

Taiheng’s attitude was incredibly good. Shangsui stiffened, unable to release her threatening words. She didn’t know what to say for a moment. After holding it in a long time, she said: “Why aren’t you afraid of me at all?”

“Oh,” Taiheng poured himself tea, “I’m very afraid. I’m just pretending to be calm.”

“Really?” Shangsui frowned, always feeling something was off.

Taiheng nodded seriously, eyes full of worship: “Yes, you dared assassinate the Heavenly Emperor. You’re so frightening.”

“Hah, this is nothing? How ignorant.”

Hearing his words, Shangsui felt rather pleased, only saying: “I won’t beat around the bush with you. Last night I fought that old thief Shanghao and got slightly injured. I can’t leave temporarily and need to recuperate at your place for a while. Last night I left a trace of divine sense in your body. If you dare disobey me, killing you will be as easy as turning my hand. Understand?”

Last night she’d just randomly poured some spiritual power. This claim could fool minor immortals, but fooling Taiheng, this old monster who’d walked through three thousand worlds—it was still too naive.

But Taiheng still nodded, showing some alarm: “I will definitely obey you.”

“Good,” Shangsui cleared her throat, “then get me a roast chicken. I’m hungry.”

“Alright.”

Taiheng nodded. His obedient appearance made Shangsui feel like a bully. Looking at his beautiful face and gentle smile, Shangsui finally felt somewhat embarrassed: “After you serve me for this period, I’ll forgive you for giving me wrong directions before.”

“I didn’t mean to. I also heard from others…” Taiheng apologized quietly. Shangsui felt even more like she was being petty. She waved her hand: “Forget it, not important. Go find me roast chicken.”

The Heavenly Court’s food was all standardized. Getting a roast chicken on short notice wasn’t easy. But this was Taiheng’s first time keeping a young lady. He found it very novel and decided to spare no effort. He used ground-shrinking magic to go to the forest, caught a chicken, returned, secretly roasted it well, and brought it to Shangsui.

His cooking skills were excellent. The moment Shangsui smelled the roast chicken, she jumped up. After one bite, she was completely stunned.

She’d never eaten anything so delicious!

She quickly ate the roast chicken, then turned to look at the person beside her gently watching her eat, her gaze burning.

Taiheng felt inexplicably flustered under her gaze but still pretended to be calm: “Why is the fairy looking at me?”

“Where did this roast chicken come from?”

Shangsui stared at him. Taiheng was bewildered: “I roasted it.”

“You roasted it?” Shangsui furrowed her brow, seemingly contemplating. A moment later, she made a major decision: “When my injuries heal, come with me.”

Taiheng hadn’t expected Shangsui to make this request. He thought about it: “Isn’t this decision too hasty?”

“Think again.”

Shangsui gnawed on the bone: “Come cook for me. I won’t treat you poorly.”

Won over by a single meal, Shangsui became very reasonable. During the day, Taiheng went to guard the gate. At night, he brought some wine and roast rabbit back. The two sat in the room chatting.

“I am Nujun of Jishan, dao name Shangsui, mortal name Qin Suinian. I’m nearly six hundred years old this year. What about you?” Shangsui ate the rabbit leg, introducing herself to Taiheng.

Taiheng poured wine for her, smiling faintly: “My dao name is Taiheng, mortal name Shen Yuan, courtesy name Ziyan. Just call me Ziyan.”

“Just ascended?”

“Ascended a month ago.”

“How old?”

Shangsui asked casually. Taiheng hesitated. Actually, he should have ascended at just over a hundred, but he was unwilling. Fortunately, no one above cared. But according to the Heavenly Register, he should now be…

“One hundred seventy-three years old.”

Hearing this, Shangsui laughed, only saying: “Then you must call me senior.”

Taiheng nodded, obediently calling: “Senior.”

“Your cooking is so delicious—calling me senior is too formal. Call me sister.”

Shangsui waved her hand. Though Taiheng felt these two sentences had logical problems, he still followed her words and called: “Sister.”

Shangsui was delighted. Taiheng sat to one side, smiling as he poured himself wine, experiencing this novel feeling. He found it extremely interesting.

As they ate and chatted, Shangsui’s mouth ran like the wind, saying everything.

“Our Jishan is remote with scarce resources. Immortal realm resources all depend on fighting and seizing! My father was unambitious. Before, people always robbed us. Jishan had three spiritual veins—all were taken. Now that I’ve taken over Jishan, I have a whole mountain of people to support. Shouldn’t I take back what’s mine?”

“Yes.”

Taiheng nodded, pouring wine for her: “Exactly right.”

“I’m avenging Jishan, upholding justice! But now they want to establish some broken Heavenly Court and tell me ‘when will the cycle of vengeance end?’ Why didn’t they say that when robbing Jishan before? They talk about the immortal realm needing order and peace—bullshit!”

“You’re right.”

“This Shanghao wants to put on airs with me. Just wait and see who’s more powerful. I’m telling you, if he hadn’t called for help this time, I would’ve strung him up and beaten him!”

“Nujun is mighty!”

Taiheng flattered her. Shangsui was very pleased.

Late in the night, both had drunk too much. When Shangsui saw Taiheng about to sleep on the floor, her conscience suddenly stirred. She beckoned Taiheng: “Come up. Let’s sleep together.”

Hearing this, Taiheng chuckled softly: “Wouldn’t that be improper?”

“What’s improper about it?” Shangsui raised an eyebrow. “It’s just a bed. Come up!”

Taiheng was only putting on a show. He didn’t want to sleep on the floor at all. Since Shangsui didn’t mind, he minded even less. So he lay on the bed, not forgetting to thank her: “Thank you, Nujun.”

“Small matter,” Shangsui was very generous. She patted Taiheng’s shoulder: “Cook well, and I’ll cover you from now on.”

[5]

From that day on, the two began living life sharing a bed. Every day Taiheng cooked for her and kept her company drinking. Shangsui stayed in his room, waiting for her injuries to heal so she could escape.

People seemingly couldn’t get along too closely. Somehow, they began growing accustomed to this life of being together every day.

Every day Shangsui waited for Taiheng to come back and feed her. With nothing to do, she began reading storybooks.

She liked the kind of strange tales involving killing, seizing treasures, and fighting monsters—watching all the action was quite lively.

But after half a month, these types became fewer and fewer. Reluctantly, she began reading romantic love stories.

One rainy night, Taiheng had the night shift and wouldn’t return until late. He left snacks for Shangsui. She ate snacks while reading.

This story was very exciting—about a woman neglected by her husband who fell in love with a young man when her heart turned cold. This story was quite scandalous, with many blood-pumping scenes. Shangsui watched in amazement. As she read, she felt Taiheng’s scent lingering around her nose.

Only then did she realize—this was Taiheng’s bed.

Thinking of Taiheng, she thought of his face. Thinking of his face, she thought of the little storybook…

Shangsui suddenly realized what she’d thought of, embarrassed enough to bury her face in the pillow. She didn’t want to read anymore.

But after a while, she felt the book had a magical allure. She took it out to read again.

As she read, she heard footsteps at the door. She hastily stuffed the book away, watching Taiheng push open the door.

Like a thief, Shangsui closed her eyes, pretending to sleep. Taiheng entered, washed up briefly, then got into bed.

His body carried the coolness of night rain. Shangsui suddenly realized he was a gatekeeper—he must have stood in the rain all night. Thinking this, she inexplicably felt some heartache.

But this heartache only flashed by. Somehow, her mind was full of content from the little storybook.

Taiheng sensed her restless thoughts. He turned over, looking up at her: “Does the fairy have troubles?”

Shangsui didn’t speak. She just looked at Taiheng. She suddenly felt Taiheng was like a demon spirit—beautiful to the point that everything was temptation.

Seeing her long silence, Taiheng asked in confusion: “Fairy?”

“I… I read a book today.”

As if possessed, Shangsui spoke: “My thoughts are restless.”

“Oh?” Taiheng was quite curious: “Restless about what?”

“The book described something. I’m very curious.”

Shangsui spoke truthfully. Taiheng propped his head on one side, hair cascading down: “What did it describe? Tell me.”

“It described… a man and woman, they… they kissed.”

Shangsui stammered. Taiheng looked at her, smiling without speaking.

Shangsui felt inexplicably awkward for a moment. Just as she was about to say they should sleep, she suddenly heard Taiheng speak: “Then want to try?”

Shangsui froze. Taiheng’s face was open and candid: “Since you’re curious, I’ll help the Nujun. How about it?”

Shangsui’s heart beat wildly, but she had to maintain face, only saying: “Al-alright. I’m just trying.”

Taiheng chuckled softly. He propped up half his body, leaning over.

Black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, isolating their surroundings.

He lowered his head and kissed her soft lips.

Truthfully, he also wanted to know what this felt like.

Initially it was just exploratory curiosity, but once he actually did this, he immediately understood the wonder and intricacies involved.

He couldn’t help but extend his hand, press her down, and deepen the kiss.

Night rain pattered. Like chaos first opening, first understanding heaven and earth, after one kiss, Taiheng restrained all impulses. As if completely unaffected, he smiled and asked: “How was it?”

Shangsui didn’t speak. She stared blankly at the bed canopy, recalling that wondrous feeling from moments ago.

A moment later, she recovered, raised her hand and slapped the bed, excited: “Very good!”

Taiheng froze, then heard Shangsui say earnestly: “Once more, alright?”

[6]

Having tasted sweetness, Shangsui finally understood what those books described.

But she wasn’t too anxious. Having kissed Taiheng tonight, she was satisfied, planning to proceed gradually in the future to avoid frightening such a gentle man as Taiheng.

But before she could slowly win over Taiheng, she received an urgent summons from her father: “Suisui, come back quickly. I heard that brat Shanghao got a magical treasure to track you down. He’ll soon find where you are.”

Hearing this, Shangsui stumbled in fright.

She wasn’t afraid of being caught by Shanghao, but didn’t want to implicate Taiheng. She wasn’t confident she could escape with Taiheng. Thinking it over, she could only leave first. As for later…

Later she’d figure it out.

She wasn’t an indecisive person. To avoid causing trouble for Taiheng, she eliminated all traces of her presence completely, shouldered the things she’d used, and directly fled.

That day Taiheng was in an excellent mood. He’d specially made her favorite roast chicken. But when he returned to the room, he saw only emptiness.

He froze, somewhat incredulous. He sat in the room waiting all night. The roast chicken grew completely cold before he confirmed she was gone.

For an instant he felt some anger, then some bewilderment. After calming down, he couldn’t help but find it laughable.

They’d met by chance, merely finding each other interesting and playing around. How had he taken it to heart?

He’d actually taken it to heart?

Taiheng found it surprising, but he didn’t make any quick decisions. He sat in the room drinking a pot of cold tea, then went to guard the gate as usual.

He continued like this for three days. During these three days, every night lying in bed, he couldn’t fall asleep. Closing his eyes, he felt Shangsui’s scent lingering around his nose.

On the third day, he carried his sword and left the Heavenly Palace. Just as he exited, Nanyi grabbed him, excited: “Taiheng, did you hear?”

“Mm?”

Taiheng was curious: “Hear what?”

“Nujun of Jishan, Shangsui, is preparing to make peace with the Heavenly Court. She says she wants to marry into the Heavenly Court and is recruiting a husband!”