“A Severing Sect (Jie Sect) member, Gongming, wishes to attend the Peach Banquet?”
In the Crystal Palace Hall, the Jade Emperor, dressed in white, sat behind the jade desk on his elevated platform. Upon hearing the report from the elderly immortal Sea God below, he found himself rather puzzled.
The Jade Emperor smiled and said, “Changeng, why did you invite him? Bringing in such a powerful expert – could this be another precaution against the Western Sect?”
Below the platform, Li Changshou responded seriously, “Your Majesty, Senior Gongming has a fondness for… ahem, activity, and has some friendship with this minor deity. Regarding his attendance at the Peach Banquet…”
“Wait, let me guess!”
The young man in white on the high platform pondered for a moment before smiling. “Changeng, you have six objectives with this move, correct?”
Li Changshou: …
Six… six?
How did he guess that?
“Your Majesty is most wise!”
The Jade Emperor smiled and said, “First is considering Heaven’s dignity, second is to intimidate the Dragon Clan, third is to show goodwill to the Jie Sect, fourth is to establish a precedent for interaction between the Three Schools’ experts and the Heavenly Court. Fifth is to guard against the Western Sect, and sixth is to add some Dao School background to the Peach Banquet!”
Forcing it, just forcing connections.
The truth was, that Zhao Gongming was coming to the Heavenly Court simply to consult the Old Man Under the Moon about relationship matters.
His reason for persuading Old Master Zhao to come was merely to help him familiarize himself with the Heavenly Court, making things more convenient for future arrangements…
But seeing the faint smile on His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s face, Li Changshou could only perform a Daoist bow and say:
“Your Majesty’s words encompass all that this minor deity has carefully planned for so long.”
The white-robed Jade Emperor smiled and shook his head, gracefully changing the subject.
As for invitations, naturally, they could provide as many as needed.
Even if Li Changshou hadn’t advised it and had simply brought people up to Heaven that day, no Heavenly General would have dared to stop them. The Jade Emperor would likely have concluded there were ‘eight objectives’ on his own.
With the Peach Banquet approaching, the emperor and his subject discussed many more details before Li Changshou finally took his leave.
In the Crystal Palace Hall, the Jade Emperor stood up and paced, his eyes gleaming with spirit.
In the Jasper Pool Palace, that peerlessly beautiful immortal lady reclined on her phoenix couch, carefully contemplating. Several times she wanted to speak but hesitated, seemingly having some reservations.
Before long, she summoned a court lady from outside the hall and said:
“Go ask His Majesty if I might borrow his beloved official Changeng. Let the Sea God personally inspect the various arrangements for the Jasper Pool Peach Banquet.”
The court lady below respectfully agreed, made a Daoist bow, and turned to leave the hall.
“Such trouble,” the immortal lady softly snorted.
She, who normally maintained perfect dignity and elegance, couldn’t help but purse her lips, momentarily breaking character.
‘That annoying Haotian, always saying everything’s fine, but his heart is as narrow as a needle’s point!’
When footsteps were heard again outside the hall, the immortal lady immediately changed her posture, instantly recovering her presence, and waited with narrowed eyes for the court lady to report on some Jasper Pool matters.
Shortly after, two Heavenly Generals escorted a Jasper Pool immortal maiden to the Sea God’s mansion.
This immortal maiden came forward and reported in a gentle voice. Li Changshou calmly agreed, saying he would report to His Majesty the Jade Emperor and then go pay his respects to the Queen Mother at the Jasper Pool.
There was no helping it – this was a quite necessary procedure.
After all, Li Changshou didn’t know if His Majesty the Jade Emperor would mind such matters, so it was more prudent to file a report…
Thus, even for such a small matter as “the Queen Mother requesting the Sea God’s presence at the Jasper Pool,” two trips were made to the Crystal Palace Hall, with both the Queen Mother and Sea God separately reporting to the Jade Emperor, causing the previously pleased Jade Emperor to fall into contemplation.
What was… going on?
When facing him, his junior sister and Dao companion, his most trusted official – why did they need to be so cautiously meticulous?
As the mighty Emperor of Heaven, could he be dissatisfied over such a small matter?
And what kind of person was his beloved official Changeng? Even if he went to the Jasper Pool, there wouldn’t be any discourteous behavior.
“Hmm?”
His Majesty the Jade Emperor suddenly raised an eyebrow, receiving a message in his heart from his avatar.
[Two Heavenly Generals at the Western Heaven Gate were discussing Princess Long ji’s marriage prospects]
‘Hmph, neglecting such important duties as guarding Heaven to chat and joke – dock six hundred years of merit from each!’
Now, where was he in his thoughts?
Ah yes, beloved official Changeng certainly wouldn’t be discourteous.
…
When one of Li Changshou’s paper avatars hurried to the Jasper Pool, another paper avatar had just set down his brush and ink, saying:
“Longji? Does the Queen Mother have anything that displeases her?”
Princess Longji, who had been meditating at the boat’s stern, immediately opened her eyes. First analyzing the Sea God’s question, she then replied, “Mother is usually very gentle and quite tolerant of others. Sea God, are you going to see Mother?”
“Yes, the Queen Mother has summoned me.”
Li Changshou swept his divine consciousness over the great river below, glancing at this final nearly-completed waterway chart, and smiled, “She says it’s to help arrange the Peach Banquet – probably just moving tables and wiping plates.”
Longji burst into giggles, and the three dragon-headed elders hiding around the small boat also let out several hearty laughs.
Though the laughter was very cheerful, the scene was indeed somewhat… peculiar.
Li Changshou looked at Longji, stood up, and said seriously, “You’ve been watching at the side for over ten years, and this is the last great river. There are still eleven days until the Peach Banquet. Why don’t you try, following what I’ve done before, to properly organize this river’s waterways? This way, your journey won’t have been for nothing.”
“Can… can I?”
Longji was momentarily stunned.
“Come,” Li Changshou held out the immortal brush, “It will give you some sense of participation.”
“Thank you for the opportunity, Sea God!”
Longji clasped her hands in a Daoist bow, her small face bearing traces of excitement as she quickly walked forward.
How could she not know that the Sea God was sharing some merit with her, allowing her name to be recorded in Heaven’s merit book?
At present, Longji held her breath and concentrated, carefully considering each stroke, her delicate small characters appearing gracefully on the silk.
Li Changshou stood outside the cabin, looking up at the space between Heaven and Earth, his eyes full of tranquility, with most of his divine consciousness returning to the Heavenly Court, where his paper avatar had already arrived near the Jasper Pool.
The so-called Jasper Pool was formed by sixteen immortal mountains pieced together.
Such immortal mountains were common throughout the Heavenly Court, with most lying vacant, waiting for the number of immortal officials to increase before being developed into immortal residences.
Looking at the Jasper Pool from afar, the sixteen immortal mountains undulated continuously, encircling to form a complete circle, within which was an immortal lake – that was the ‘original Jasper Pool.’
The immortal lake was like a precious mirror, reflecting the white clouds and light blue sky, with numerous immortal islands floating upon it. The islands had magnificent scenery and varied layouts, with just a few elegant pavilions.
On the immortal mountains beside the Jasper Pool, jade towers and golden halls stretched endlessly, with figures moving about everywhere, their joyous voices like hundreds of birds singing.
In the more distant halls and pavilions, immortal maidens played and laughed – those should be the Jasper Pool immortals’ resting places.
In the halls closer to the lake, groups of immortal maidens could be seen meditating in the misty spiritual energy, the atmosphere much more solemn and respectful.
As for those immortal islands on the lake’s surface, most only had sounds of music, birds, and flowing water, with few human voices.
Li Changshou was led by an immortal maiden directly toward the central island.
Drawing closer, he also saw the venue for this Peach Banquet – a certain immortal mountain at a corner by the lake.
There, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s thrones had already been set up, along with hundreds of low tables for guests, and many immortal maidens were flying about, hanging various exquisite decorations.
Wasn’t everything already arranged?
Li Changshou felt somewhat puzzled in his heart, not knowing exactly why the Queen Mother had called him over, but he remained mentally alert with utmost caution.
To be safe, Li Changshou’s true body at Small Jade Peak had already taken out his latest work “Hundred Beauties Iron-Willed Matron Illustrations” and carefully studied it once, putting himself in a ‘detached from fame and fortune’ mode.
He was led by several immortal maidens to a great hall to pay respects to the Queen Mother, his peripheral vision catching sight of that incomparably beautiful woman in a green long dress seated on the throne.
Heh, nothing but an iron skeleton.
“This minor deity pays respects to the Queen Mother!”
“Beloved Official Changeng,” the Queen Mother spoke slowly, “I hear His Majesty has commanded you to handle the matter of receiving dragons at this Peach Banquet. I’ve called you here today to inspect how they have arranged everything. You may decide rewards and punishments as you see fit.”
“This minor deity accepts the command,” Li Changshou very properly made a Daoist bow, and just as he was about to withdraw and turn around, the Queen Mother continued speaking.
The Queen Mother said:
“I have long resided in the Jasper Pool, busy with cultivation, often feeling guilty for not being able to share His Majesty’s burdens. Fortunately, with Beloved Official Changeng serving in the Heavenly Court, various matters have gradually gotten on the right track. The Heavenly Court’s current situation owes much to Beloved Official Changeng’s contributions.”
“This minor deity dares not claim credit,” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “Everything is due to Your Majesty’s proper control, Your Majesty’s great talent and diligence, and concern for all beings in the Three Realms – truly inspiring this minor deity’s admiration.”
The Queen Mother couldn’t help but laugh lightly, her laughter like the warbling of a hundred orioles, quite enchanting.
Hmm, but merely the noise of iron skeleton bones grinding against each other.
“Later I will have someone send rewards to your mansion – don’t refuse or dislike them. Beloved Official Changeng, I am not very clear about the great trends of Heaven and Earth, and have some doubts. Might I ask you to explain a few things?”
“Please ask, Your Majesty,” Li Changshou bowed with clasped hands, “This minor deity will consider carefully in answering.”
“I hear that it was the Western Sect who first plotted against the Dragon Clan, but you submitted a memorial to His Majesty explaining the advantages and disadvantages of this matter, and then requested His Majesty’s permission to assist the dragons in ascending to Heaven. In just a few short years, things have reached the current situation, with the Western Sect seemingly defeated… How did Beloved Official Changeng accomplish this?”
Li Changshou: Well, this starts with a Golden Cicada taking an oath at his Sea God Temple…
“Your Majesty may not know,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “The Western Sect is one of the greatest schools in Heaven and Earth, with two Venerable Sages. They desire to control the Dragon Clan firstly to wield them as a weapon, and secondly to seize the Dragon Clan’s countless years of accumulated wealth. Should the Western Sect obtain the dragons’ wealth, it would provide them with even more foundation for their rise to power.
The great sect treated the Dragon Clan with contempt, wanting their allegiance while unwilling to offer benefits. Thus, they used brutal methods and sent fierce beasts, causing many dragon casualties and endless suffering.
Our Heavenly Court accepts the Dragon Clan to establish heavenly authority, and dignity, and increase Heaven’s power while offering them many benefits and resolving their karmic burdens. As one side wanes and the other waxes, we need only grasp the greater trend – there’s no need for excessive scheming, as the Dragon Clan will naturally pledge their loyalty.”
The Queen Mother slowly nodded upon hearing this and smiled, “Though Beloved Official Changeng makes it sound easy, the difficulties involved are likely hard for others to understand. But in this case, how could the Western Sect be content? Might they have some scheme planned for this Peach Banquet?”
“They do,” Li Changshou said, “According to this minor deity’s calculations, some Western Sect disciples of the Sages may arrive uninvited later, but this minor deity has already advised His Majesty, and His Majesty has arranged countermeasures.”
“That’s good then,” the Queen Mother nodded slowly and said, “Since His Majesty is already prepared, I can rest assured.”
The Queen Mother didn’t inquire further about this matter but proceeded to ask Li Changshou several innocuous questions.
For instance, whether Li Changshou currently had a Dao companion, or if he had any opinions about the current heavenly laws, and so on.
Li Changshou carefully considered his answers and responded cautiously, never making any mistakes from start to finish, nor did he actively raise his head to look at the Queen Mother even once.
Even after Li Changshou left the Queen Mother’s hall and went to supervise the preparations at the Peach Banquet venue, when he saw those graceful figures of immortal maidens in groups, he couldn’t help but mentally…
Encase them in layers of iron shells.
Hiss—
This latest illustration’s aftereffects were truly too powerful!
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, with Li Changshou operating on three fronts, rushing back and forth, extremely busy.
Half a day before the Peach Banquet, one of Li Changshou’s paper avatars appeared in the East Sea Dragon Palace, heading toward the Central Heaven Gate together with the East Sea Dragon King, the East Sea Dragon Palace Crown Prince, two Dragon Princesses, and more than ten Dragon Clan elders and generals.
Riding the wind freely, Li Changshou repeatedly reminded the Dragon Clan leaders of various details.
The Dragon Clan knew they were going to Heaven to pledge allegiance, and the East Sea Dragon King had changed out of his golden robes.
Just as they arrived at the Central Heaven Gate, dozens of azure dragons came threading through clouds and mist from the West, South, and North, flying in from the primordial earth and transforming into human form before the gate.
Li Changshou glanced at the West Sea Dragon King and those Dragon Clan elders and generals behind him with unusual expressions and smiled inwardly.
The timing of the Peach Banquet and the invitation to the Dragon Clan naturally couldn’t be kept from the Western Sect – it could be calculated with just a bit of deduction.
But for over ten years, Li Changshou had been maintaining detailed operations, first keeping the West Sea Dragon Palace in suspense, continuously releasing waves of true and false information.
Only yesterday did he have the East Sea Dragon King write a personal letter to the West Sea Dragon King, telling him to select his most trustworthy people to meet here at this time today.
There were certainly many traitors among the Western Sea group, and if they caused trouble at the Peach Banquet, Li Changshou could implement his backup plan.
The Peach Banquet’s acceptance of dragons was already an open strategy, played with cards face-up;
Regardless of whether the West Sea Dragon Palace was controlled by the Western Sect, nominally, they must submit to the Heavenly Court.
This was the greater trend.
“Everyone,” Li Changshou extended his right hand, “Please.”
The Four Seas Dragon Kings rode clouds at the front, Li Changshou accompanied at the side, and the various Dragon Clan generals, dragon sons, and elders followed together behind, most with some longing and anticipation, while a few…
Seemed to be suffering from dragon indigestion.
At the Central Heaven Gate, sixty thousand elite Heavenly troops stood ready with weapons, and nine Heavenly generals of the Golden Immortal realm stood silently.
Meanwhile, at the Great Temple of the Sea God Sect in the South Sea.
Li Changshou woke up Zhao Gongming, who had been drunk for the past few days, while Ao Yi, who had been waiting for a long time at the side, hurriedly came forward to bow.
Li Changshou smiled and said, “The Heavenly Court’s Peach Banquet is about to begin. My avatar is waiting at the Central Heaven Gate. Brother, you and Ao Yi go up to Heaven together, and we’ll meet at the Central Heaven Gate.”
“Alright!”
Zhao Gongming yawned and asked, “Should I bring a gift for the Old Man Under the Moon?”
Li Changshou took out a jar of immortal wine from his sleeve and smiled, “I’ve already prepared one. This is the fruit wine the Old Man Under the Moon likes best. It’s not anything precious, just right to count as a token of friendship.”
“Perfect!” Zhao Gongming immediately stroked his beard and laughed heartily, taking Ao Yi and riding away on clouds.
On that small boat at the northwest corner of the Southern Continent.
Princess Longji wiped the fragrant sweat from her brow and stood up, looking at the completed waterway chart before her, only now realizing how much the Sea God had accomplished in these twelve years.
If it were her, she feared it would take a hundred years to complete.
“Good,” Li Changshou smiled and took out two treasure pouches from his sleeve to give to Longji, “My other avatar is waiting at the Central Heaven Gate. Take these waterway charts and meet up with me there.”
The three ancient Dragon Clan elders around them revealed their forms.
Longji hurriedly asked, “Sea God, aren’t you coming back with me?”
“Mm,” Li Changshou nodded, “Avatar meeting avatar, all with the same white-haired, white-bearded old face – I don’t mind it myself, but I fear it might disturb the Heavenly soldiers and generals standing guard there.”
Longji couldn’t help but laugh lightly, holding the treasure pouches containing the waterway charts that Li Changshou had painstakingly drawn for twelve years close to her chest as she rode clouds toward the Central Heaven Gate.
And this wooden boat treasure was conveniently appropriated by Li Changshou.
“Ah…”
This paper avatar of Li Changshou stood on the wooden boat, listening to the surging currents of the great river below, feeling the abundant water spirits between Heaven and Earth, yet feeling nothing particular in his heart.
The curtain rises, and there’s no turning back.
This Heaven and Earth…
“Hmm?”
Li Changshou couldn’t help but pause his contemplation, as his true body sitting by the lakeside grass house on Small Jade Peak turned his head to look next door.
About to wake up? This timing is something.