As Bian Zhuang donned his new, gleaming silver armor and stood at the edge of the tranquil yet vast Heavenly River, awaiting inspection from the Sea God and East Wood Lord, his emotions were incredibly complex.
Initially, he, Bian Zhuang, had come to the Heavenly Court solely for that Immortal Sister. Though he still didn’t know the fair lady’s name and had already given up on that pursuit, his original intention couldn’t be denied.
Yet in this environment, the Heavenly Court had used merits and official positions to instill in him, Bian Zhuang, an ambition to strive upward!
In such a short time, he had risen from the joke position of Heaven Bean Marshal to become the Deputy Commander of the Heavenly River Navy!
In such a short time, the merit power he had accumulated already exceeded several times what his family’s [Sky’s End Pavilion] had accumulated over many years!
Of course, operating such a ‘temporary karma arena’ offered few opportunities to accumulate merit.
Now, when Bian Zhuang walked within the Heavenly Court—within his permitted range—he called the various Heavenly Generals his brothers, and even the Heavenly Soldiers would address him as ‘General’ or ‘Marshal’.
This title of [Marshal] truly made him a thousand times more comfortable than a hundred calls of [Young Master]!
More importantly, when groups of immortal maidens occasionally passed by, most would cast curious, admiring glances at him, rather than looks of disgust and revulsion.
These were just the visible benefits; the others were too numerous to count!
The most notable example—cultivation advancement had become easier, and his previous bottlenecks seemed to have vanished…
He, Bian Zhuang, now sincerely aspired to become an outstanding general within the Heavenly Court!
Therefore, when Bian Zhuang received the transfer order from the Hall of Clarity, he was so excited he nearly suffered Dao Heart failure!
But when he read the line that said [Lead Heavenly Soldiers under the command of the Four Seas God of the Mystic Upper Realm], Bian Zhuang’s vision darkened, and he nearly fled the Heavenly Court that very night!
Why?
The one he feared meeting most now was precisely this Sea God!
Beyond matters of romance, Bian Zhuang was not a foolish person.
How could he not understand that the reason he had received so many rewards from the Heavenly Court was merely because of his drunken slip of the tongue, when he had greatly exaggerated, claiming he had earned the recognition of both the Human Realm’s Great Master of the Mystic Capital and the Sea God.
Fortunately, the Great Master, being such a transcendent existence, hadn’t paid attention to this small matter;
And the Sea God had been quite busy, also not addressing this minor issue.
But now…
Bian Zhuang was no longer the ignorant bean farmer he had been. He fully understood how tremendous the Sea God’s power was in the Heavenly Court.
It was said that East Wood Lord himself had stated that the Sea God now shouldered over eighty percent of the Heavenly Court’s important duties, was the Emperor’s most trusted minister, and beyond East Wood Lord, was the only high official with direct military command authority!
Of course, the Sea God’s strongest backing was naturally being the number three figure of the Human Realm School.
And what was he, Bian Zhuang?
Just someone whose family had some property, nothing significant in the Heavenly Court.
Riding on his boasts and wielding the rake from the Palace of Gathered Essences, he had become a current hot young talent among the Heavenly Generals.
But these were all castles in the air, flowers in a mirror, and moon in the water—with just one word from the Sea God, he would immediately be exposed…
The higher he was elevated now, the more severely he would fall in the next moment!
“This is asking for my life!”
What to do?
Bian Zhuang constantly hesitated, wanting to leave it all behind, yet unable to give up his current ‘glory and riches’.
Finally, Bian Zhuang decided to seek an audience with the Sea God in advance, willing to pay any price to beg the Sea God not to expose the lies he had spread.
But just as Bian Zhuang was about to leave, a squad of Heavenly Soldiers came to hurry him, telling him to immediately go to the Heavenly River to command the troops.
How… how soon was this?
He had only received the Hall of Clarity’s order yesterday, and today he was already taking up his post!
At that moment, Bian Zhuang’s legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed in his mansion’s small courtyard.
Several Heavenly Soldiers immediately came forward to support him, without a word carrying him to this place, setting him in the Deputy Commander’s position.
Seeing those few Heavenly Soldiers’ fawning smiles directed at him, Bian Zhuang truly wanted to banish them to ‘Sky’s End Pavilion – Women’s Refinement Chamber’ to serve those immortal women who enjoyed tormenting others!
What to do now?
What else could be done?
While Bian Zhuang’s heart was in turmoil, his immortal sense detected East Wood Lord and the Sea God approaching on clouds.
In that instant, Bian Zhuang’s left eye played scenes of him drinking and making merry with various Heavenly Generals, being called ‘Marshal Brother’ by numerous immortal maidens.
His right eye played scenes of him being pinned down by several Heavenly Soldiers, thrown into the Heaven’s Punishment Pool, struck by wild thunder, and reduced to ash and smoke, while those immortal maidens’ gazes were filled with contempt…
He could even imagine what these immortal maidens would say!
‘Ugh, pretending to have the Human Realm School’s mandate to swindle food and drink, and even receiving so many rewards from the Heavenly Court, truly shameless to the extreme.’
‘Scum! Disgraceful!’
‘To think I believed he would become a great marshal in the future.’
No—
All this couldn’t slip away from him; he, Bian Zhuang, must maintain control of his destiny!
“Sea God!”
The veins on Bian Zhuang’s neck bulged, his voice hoarse and roaring, releasing a cry from his Primordial Spirit:
“The Sea God has arrived! It’s the Sea God! Sea God, my lord!”
Behind Bian Zhuang…
A hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers arranged in upper, middle, and lower layers, front, middle, and rear nine armies, all looked at Bian Zhuang with a hundred thousand question marks appearing above their heads.
But Bian Zhuang paid no attention, now with hot tears, riding a white cloud, rushing toward East Wood Lord and Li Changshou.
Still, several hundred li away, Bian Zhuang shouted:
“Sea God! This subordinate Bian Zhuang is your Deputy Commander!”
Several black lines appeared on East Wood Lord’s forehead as he looked questioningly at Li Changshou and said in a low voice:
“Should we find another Deputy Commander? This one seems… not quite normal.”
“It’s fine,” Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, his immortal sense catching Bian Zhuang’s expression and hearing Bian Zhuang’s immortal power-filled shouts, already understanding why Bian Zhuang was acting this way.
Li Changshou was also somewhat puzzled in his heart…
Where was this fellow’s ‘proud bones’ from back then at the Dragon Palace, when he had disregarded everything for Ke Le’er?
However, Li Changshou didn’t want to make things difficult for his future ‘Second Senior Brother’.
Especially seeing how handsome the current Bian Zhuang was, and thinking about the future Second Senior Brother’s appearance…
Hmm, various feelings welled up in Li Changshou’s heart.
Bian Zhuang hurriedly flew before Li Changshou, and whether from excessive excitement or not, his legs buckled, and he directly prostrated himself on the cloud, sliding forward several hundred zhang.
Bang!
With his head buried in the clouds, Bian Zhuang pressed his hands together above his head and shouted:
“This subordinate Bian Zhuang is willing to pursue immortal maidens—no, willing to serve as the Sea God’s humble servant!
Ready to smear my liver and brains on the ground, sparing no sacrifice!”
East Wood Lord frowned at Li Changshou and asked very seriously: “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”
Li Changshou smiled and said: “He is still young now, and with some tempering, he can be of great use in the future.”
Prostrated in the clouds, Bian Zhuang was stunned, slightly raising his head to secretly look at these two powerful officials of the Heavenly Court, frantically analyzing the meaning of the Sea God’s words…
What did those words mean?
The Sea God really… had quite high expectations for him?
Was there some unique quality about him that even he hadn’t discovered, which had attracted the Sea God’s attention?
While Bian Zhuang was still somewhat dazed, Li Changshou had already urged:
“The clouds are cold, Deputy Commander Bian, please rise.
Please return first and have the ranked generals step forward, I have arrangements to deploy later.”
Bian Zhuang’s whole body shuddered, immediately jumping up, his eyes bewildered, his mind blank.
What was happening?
Li Changshou now smiled and said: “Deputy Commander Bian, keep the rake gifted by the Great Master safe, don’t let it be damaged.”
“Yes, yes!”
Bian Zhuang’s lips trembled, and then he came to his senses, shouting several times “This subordinate accepts the command” and “Thank you, Sea God”, then hugging the nine-toothed rake to his chest, he turned and rushed back toward the Heavenly River, hurriedly calling out orders…
“Wood Lord, let us proceed.”
Li Changshou smiled and gestured invitingly, appreciating the magnificent scenery of the Heavenly River with East Wood Lord, chatting as they went toward where the Heavenly Soldiers had gathered.
Li Changshou suddenly thought of how Second Senior Brother’s family still had a chain of immortal gathering places called ‘Sky’s End Pavilion’.
This could be of some use.
…
After East Wood Lord handed over the tiger tally and the hundred thousand Heavenly River soldiers saluted Li Changshou, Li Changshou officially took command of these hundred thousand soldiers.
Without much delay, Li Changshou immediately gathered three hundred generals big and small.
The first thing Li Changshou did was promote two other Deputy Commanders to jointly manage the Heavenly River Army with Bian Zhuang.
Bian Zhuang had no complaints about this, even feeling this was the Sea God’s ‘thoughtful arrangement’ knowing his limited abilities.
From great sorrow to great joy;
Within just one short day, Bian Zhuang had experienced what it meant for life to have its ups and downs.
When Li Changshou dismissed the gathered generals, leaving only the three Deputy Commanders to discuss matters, Bian Zhuang was the first to approach, holding out his years of saved pocket money—two ring-shaped storage treasures.
“Sea God, this is this subordinate’s tribute to you!”
Those two generals exchanged glances, quickly beginning to feel for their money pouches.
“Outrageous!”
Li Changshou suddenly shouted in rebuke, his whole body emanating a shocking authority.
Bian Zhuang’s legs trembled, and he hurriedly knelt on one knee.
Li Changshou raised his whisk and shouted:
“Guards! Take Deputy Commander Bian Zhuang away and give him Heaven Thunder lashes numbering the Great Dipper Stars!
To dare openly attempt to bribe this god, if such practices were to become prevalent, how could that be allowed!”
Bian Zhuang opened his mouth, but before he could speak, several Heavenly Soldiers had already rushed over and carried him away to the side.
Soon after, lightning flashed by the Heavenly River, and Bian Zhuang’s screams echoed back and forth.
The other two Deputy Commanders were also somewhat on edge, but fortunately, Li Changshou did not remain angry and resumed his pleasant demeanor.
When Bian Zhuang returned from his punishment, Li Changshou bestowed healing medicine, and after Bian Zhuang took it, began discussing important matters with the three of them.
These hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers, Li Changshou naturally would not use them to attack the Four Seas rebels.
He arranged three tasks.
First, the training grounds for these hundred thousand soldiers would be located in the South Sea and East Sea, conducting exercises at least twenty times per month right in front of the Dragon Clan. This matter would be handled by the two Deputy Commanders.
Second, select a group of clever Heavenly Generals, led by Bian Zhuang, to go to the South Sea, North Sea, and East Sea Dragon Palaces to collect tributes, with Bian Zhuang speaking from experience about how wonderful the Heavenly Court was.
For this work, Li Changshou would arrange several Sea God Sect divine envoys to guide Bian Zhuang throughout the process.
However, Li Changshou also gave Bian Zhuang a strict order that while eating and drinking with the Dragon Clan was acceptable, he must not touch the sea maidens or dragon maidens, tarnishing the Heavenly Court’s dignity.
“Otherwise, hmph!”
“This subordinate absolutely wouldn’t dare, or else my lord can deal with me as you see fit!”
Li Changshou said calmly: “Let me be clear upfront—if you truly commit such an act, I will strip you of your divine position and duties, and send you to the Mortal Punishment Well to reincarnate with an appearance that makes women flee in fear at the sight of you!”
Bian Zhuang’s legs trembled as he repeatedly said he wouldn’t dare.
During his time in the Heavenly Court, he had come to understand…
What he liked wasn’t any particular woman, but simply beauty itself.
Having made these arrangements, Li Changshou took out a book titled “Small Strategy for Training Troops” and had the three Deputy Commanders study it carefully, with the first Four Seas military exercise to begin within half a month.
The three Deputy Commanders clasped their fists in agreement, respectfully seeing Li Changshou off from the Heavenly River’s edge.
As soon as Li Changshou left, the other two Deputy Commanders simultaneously cupped their hands, with one smiling and saying:
“Elder Brother Bian, I have a quick temper. If I cause any offense in the future, please be understanding.”
Bian Zhuang was first stunned, then, enduring his back pain and straightening his spine, replied with a smile: “No worries, no worries.”
The crisis had temporarily passed.
And Bian Zhuang now understood that he…
Had become the Sea God’s man!
Nicely put, he was part of the inner circle; bluntly put, he was a trusted confidant!
This happiness had come so suddenly that he was somewhat unprepared, and felt an urgent need to send some local specialties from his hometown to the great Sea God.
…
After leaving the Heavenly River’s edge, Li Changshou rode his cloud toward the Lingxiao Treasure Palace.
Having the Heavenly River soldiers descend to train in the sea was just one part of his subsequent plans.
For later matters, he still needed to report to the Jade Emperor in advance and borrow the Heavenly Court’s power.
Arriving at the Lingxiao Palace, the gate-guarding Heavenly Soldiers dared not obstruct him, and the palace guards hurriedly bowed.
Li Changshou landed his cloud directly before the palace doors and, holding his whisk in his white robes, entered the Lingxiao Treasure Palace.
The white-robed Jade Emperor on the high platform put down the scroll in his hand and smiled:
“Changgeng, have you come up with another brilliant plan?”
Li Changshou first paid his respects, then detailed part of his plan.
When the Jade Emperor heard…
“Your Majesty, your decree has been issued—the Peach Banquet will be the time to determine the Dragon Clan’s fate. This humble god will use this as the deadline to handle the matter of subduing the dragons.
This humble god feels there is still a possibility to achieve the best outcome, having the Dragon Clan actively pledge allegiance, thus fully displaying the Heavenly Court’s might.”
The Jade Emperor smiled: “If Changgeng feels the time is too pressing, the Peach Banquet can be postponed.”
“Your Majesty must not do so!”
Li Changshou said seriously: “Your Majesty, changing orders from dawn to dusk is a great taboo. Your Majesty’s single decree influences even the operation of the Heavenly Dao, affecting countless beings between Heaven and Earth. If changed easily, wouldn’t that cause chaos in Heaven and Earth?
Please rest assured, Your Majesty, this humble god is merely trying his utmost. If it succeeds, that would be best; if it fails, it can still reduce some resistance after the Heavenly Court subdues the Dragon Clan.”
“Excellent!”
The white-robed Jade Emperor sighed in appreciation: “With Changgeng, what need have I for worry? Is there anything the Heavenly Court can help with?”
Li Changshou pondered for a moment and said: “This humble god boldly requires three things.”
The Jade Emperor immediately became energized, “Speak!”
Li Changshou said: “This humble god needs a blank handwritten letter from Your Majesty, no need for the Heaven Emperor’s seal, just a trace of Your Majesty’s Dao essence upon it.”
“Good.”
“This humble god needs some Immortal Peaches, as I will later visit the Jade Void Palace and Golden Turtle Island under the Sages to meet with those managing affairs in the Orthodox and Severance Schools.
Regarding the Heavenly Court’s intention to bring the Dragon Clan into Heaven, I wish to request high-level experts from both schools to speak out in support, putting pressure on the Dragon Clan.”
“Good!”
“This humble god also needs some merit power and an order from Your Majesty.”
Li Changshou took out a scroll from his sleeve, which was the Great Yu’s Flood Control Map, and said unhurriedly:
“When this humble god visited the Fire Cloud Cave, Emperor Yu bestowed this item, which marks the rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes of the South Jambudvipa Continent.
For the next twelve years, this humble god requests to travel the South Jambudvipa Continent with this map.
Your Majesty, though the Four Seas are vast, divine positions are limited.
The rivers and lakes within South Jambudvipa can all be assigned lower-ranking water deities;
These allocated local water deities can be given term limits of a thousand years or a hundred years.
Thus, these divine positions can allow the Dragon Clan to quickly cleanse their karmic obstacles—how could the Dragon Clan not be moved?
With pressure and grace, giving hope to the Dragon Clan, this humble god fears not that they won’t actively request appointments.
Moreover, bringing South Jambudvipa’s water affairs under the Heavenly Court’s direct management can also supplement the shortage of divine positions.”
“Brilliant, brilliant!”
The Jade Emperor clapped and laughed heartily, standing up from behind his jade desk and looking at Li Changshou with burning eyes.
“Changgeng, how many more surprises can you give me!?
Using Great Yu’s Flood Control Map to develop divine positions for South Jambudvipa’s rivers and lakes, assigning term limits to these positions—how could we not attract the Dragon Clan’s willing allegiance?
Such a brilliant plan could only come from Changgeng!
Changgeng, quickly receive your orders!”
Li Changshou bowed and said: “This humble god is present.”
The Jade Emperor paced back and forth behind his jade desk, spirit radiating and eyes gleaming!
Then, drawing upon the power of the Heavenly Dao, he opened his mouth as Heaven Emperor:
“Now, I command Sea God Changgeng to hold the Great Yu’s Flood Control Map and wield the Demon-Slaying Sword to inspect the water systems throughout South Jambudvipa and establish divine positions for rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes!”
“This humble god accepts the command!”
As Li Changshou’s words fell, golden light flickered throughout the Lingxiao Treasure Palace, and streams of merit power flowed toward the treasure map in Li Changshou’s raised hand, almost instantly dyeing it golden.
Following this, a sheathed sword slowly materialized before Li Changshou, wrapped in dense Heavenly Dao power, with sharpness comparable to a post-heaven supreme-grade merit spiritual treasure!
The Heaven Emperor’s Demon-Slaying Sword!
Hmm… though basically not of much use, it did look quite good when held.