Why…

It should have been me first…

Near the Lingxiao Palace, on a cloud path, Deputy Commander Bian Zhuang of the Celestial River Navy stood leaning on his nine-toothed rake, gazing at two distant figures departing on clouds.

He even caught snippets of their conversation carried by the wind…

“Water God, how do you find my attire?”

That unfamiliar Celestial General, wearing purple armor, smiled broadly as he spread his arms and did a small turn on the cloud.

Water God smiled and nodded, saying: “General, your bearing remains as impressive as ever.”

“Hahaha!”

That… that smug laughter…

Bian Zhuang felt infinite grief, his whole body trembling, hands and feet turning cold as tears streamed down his face. He truly wanted to rush forward and shout:

‘Can’t we brown-nose the Water God together!’

A voice called from behind:

“Deputy Commander Bian? His Majesty has summoned us.”

“Coming!”

Bian Zhuang ducked his head, strapped the nine-toothed rake to his back like a greatsword, and hurried over to join more than ten other Celestial Army commanders and deputy commanders as they rushed into Lingxiao Palace.

According to orders previously transmitted from Tongming Palace, the Twelve Divisions of the Celestial Army would soon begin recruiting a new batch of celestial soldiers and generals.

This audience with the Jade Emperor must be about that matter…

Li Changshou’s divine sense captured this scene as he discussed the details of army expansion with the Jade Emperor’s second avatar, Zhao Dezhu.

Currently in the Celestial Court, when recruiting celestial soldiers, they would simply persuade them to join and directly assign them to various divisions, where the commanding generals would train them themselves.

The reforms Li Changshou proposed weren’t radical, merely adding one “process” to the current system:

[Establish the Reserve Corps Palace. All recruits entering the Celestial Court shall receive unified training at the Reserve Corps Palace. After mastering formation techniques, they will be selected by generals of various divisions and assigned to the Twelve Divisions’ ranks.]

This would greatly reduce the time needed for recruits to become battle-ready, while also balancing the strength between divisions…

The Jade Emperor’s avatar Zhao Dezhu transmitted:

“Minister Changgen, I have long pondered the recruitment issue you previously raised. Indeed, relying solely on the Celestial Race from the Lower Three Heavens makes it difficult to recruit enough soldiers in such a short time.

As you mentioned last time, there is little difference between scattered cultivators from the Five Continents and those from the Three Thousand Worlds.

However, judging one’s character purely by merits and karmic obstacles remains insufficient.

Though celestial soldiers are numerous and don’t receive divine positions, the Celestial Court is a place of harmony. We must select those of excellent character…”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Why doesn’t Your Majesty recruit disciples from immortal sects to serve in the Celestial Court?”

“We tried before, but few responded,” Zhao Dezhu said helplessly. “Though the Celestial Court is established, few know of it.”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment before continuing: “If we rely on material incentives like merit treasures, it’s hard to guarantee the recruited soldiers will be truly loyal to the Celestial Court. When facing difficult battles, they might scatter and flee…”

“Does the Minister have any clever solutions?”

“I have three approaches – fast, medium, and slow strategies.”

Li Changshou took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Dezhu.

The latter solemnly opened the scroll.

“Collective oath-taking for celestial soldiers… Super Celestial Soldier Project… Three Thousand Worlds Training Base…

Minister, brilliant!”

Li Changshou transmitted: “This humble official pondered long over these. Your Majesty can review them on the way. If there’s anything unsatisfactory or overlooked, please point it out and I’ll revise it immediately.”

A truly collaborative memorial.

Zhao Dezhu repeatedly praised it, finding nothing inappropriate, and carefully read while holding the scroll. But he soon put it away…

There was no choice, as they had arrived at the Water God Manor.

A certain Princess who had been waiting jumped onto the cloud, curtseyed to Li Changshou, and blinked, asking somewhat uncertainly:

“Water God… can I go this time?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou smiled. “General Zhao and I are going to the Netherworld on official business and might head to North Uluru afterward. Would you like to come along?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Longi’s eyes lit up as she nodded repeatedly.

Li Changshou instructed: “Your Highness will need to conceal your identity later. Just call me Senior Brother for now, and don’t reveal your background to others.

General Zhao is His Majesty’s trusted general, so maintain proper etiquette.”

“Longi pays respects to General Zhao!”

“Mm,” Zhao Dezhu nodded calmly, wanted to say something but felt somewhat awkward, and could only look at the smiling Li Changshou beside him before sighing:

“Water God, shall we depart?”

“Very well.”

Li Changshou swished his whisk, leading the father-daughter pair toward the East Heaven Gate.

Currently, the Netherworld had not yet been incorporated into the Celestial Court’s jurisdiction, so there was no direct path. They had to detour through the outer East Sea to reach the Underworld.

Perhaps due to having an additional mortal present, Longi was quieter than before, her dress and long hair floating gracefully as she emanated an elegant, refined air…

Li Changshou transmitted to Zhao Dezhu with a smile:

“The Princess is beautiful and brilliant, though young now, she will surely help ease Your Majesty’s burdens in the future.

But Your Majesty, why haven’t you granted Longi any titles yet?”

Zhao Dezhu shook his head with a light laugh, transmitting back: “We’ll discuss that after the Celestial Court is established. The Court isn’t stable yet, and her cultivation is still low, so there’s no rush.

But Minister, do you truly have no intention of taking her as a disciple?”

Li Changshou sighed and said: “Your Majesty, to be frank, this humble official has only been cultivated for a few hundred years. Princess Longi…”

“Why should cultivators be bound by age?”

Zhao Dezhu smiled. “You said yourself that Longi is brilliant, and she deeply admires you. According to her mother, she talks about the Water God all day, even murmuring about you in her sleep.

Though I am the Heavenly Emperor, I cannot force you. This must be your own decision…

I think if discipleship doesn’t work out, an imperial marriage wouldn’t be bad either. Three thousand years’ age difference isn’t too much.”

Granted!

Li Changshou was struck speechless.

A feudal patriarch arbitrarily deciding his daughter’s romantic fate – in his previous life, this behavior would have gotten someone beaten up by protestors!

He glanced at Zhao Dezhu, then turned to look at Longi and smiled:

“Longi, would you still like to call me Teacher?”

Longi, who had been secretly imagining ‘Water God and Zhao Dezhu’ drama scenarios, was startled. Her face reddened as she leaned forward, rising onto her tiptoes.

“Yes! Longi would like that a hundred times over!”

“I cannot guide your cultivation, only teach you strategies and calculations,” Li Changshou took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and smiled, “This is a military treatise compiled by Ao Yi, consider it your initiation gift.”

Longi was overjoyed, clutching the jade talisman lovingly before bowing deeply three times to Li Changshou. When she straightened, she softly called out:

“Teacher…”

“Mm, study this military treatise first. Ask if there’s anything you don’t understand.”

Li Changshou said warmly before turning to look at Zhao Dezhu.

Zhao Dezhu shook his head slightly, his eyes showing traces of disappointment…

Disappointment?

Was this Emperor so eager to marry off Longi?

Was the reason the same as ‘Bear Lingli getting knocked out’?

She’s still a child! A child who won’t even reach adolescence for thousands of years!

Of course, while internally complaining, Li Changshou still had to continue transmitting and chatting pleasantly with Zhao Dezhu.

As an ordinary court official, one must maintain professional standards – deceiving superiors, ahem, using certain rhetoric to keep the Heavenly Emperor content and at ease. Naturally, merits would follow.

Just as they exited the East Heaven Gate, they encountered Ao Yi leading a large contingent of dragon warriors rushing to present a tribute to the Celestial Court. The East Sea Dragon Palace’s efficiency was quite impressive.

Upon seeing Li Changshou, Ao Yi’s previously dim eyes instantly lit up. He called out “Elder Brother Sect Leader” in a somewhat hoarse voice.

Li Changshou went forward to meet him, gave Ao Yi a spirit-nourishing pill, and without mentioning the dragon race’s calamity, simply asked:

“Has your mood improved somewhat?”

Ao Yi forced a smile and nodded in response, then stepped back half a step, bowed to Li Changshou, and didn’t say any words of thanks.

Li Changshou said: “Let others handle the tribute presentation. Come with me on a trip outside to clear your mind.”

“Brother,” Ao Yi didn’t immediately agree, instead saying softly, “Most of our clansmen aren’t settled yet, and I want to stay with them now. There are still scattered battles in the Four Seas…”

“It will only take half a day,” Li Changshou gently persuaded, “If you can’t raise your spirits, how can you comfort others?”

Longi spoke up from the side: “Fellow Daoist, don’t force yourself. You need consolation too.”

Ao Yi let out a light sigh, bowed to Longi with a “Your Highness,” and agreed to go along to clear his mind, letting the dragon warriors delivering tribute enter the East Heaven Gate on their own.

Li Changshou added: “Before we leave, kowtow toward Lingxiao Palace in gratitude, don’t ask why.”

“Yes,” Ao Yi didn’t question further, lifting his battle skirt to kowtow three times toward Lingxiao Palace.

Beside them, Zhao Dezhu nodded with a smile, then looked down at his current avatar, his eyes showing a hint of frustration.

Never mind.

Being a Heavenly Emperor revered by living beings wasn’t bad either.

…

Three hours later, at the eastern fortress outside Fengdu City in the Netherworld.

At the top of the cliff beside this ‘Single-File Pass’, two well-fed strong men lay against a large rock holding their masks.

They hummed contentedly, smacked their lips savoring the lingering taste, and took deep sniffs, all expressing satisfaction…

“Horse, when should we go find the Water God again?

Wandering around with the Water God is way more comfortable than being cooped up here, moo~”

“Don’t make animal sounds without your mask on!

The Western religions did a number on the Dragon Race this time. As expected of the two Sage Lords’ great teaching, their ruthlessness surpasses even those ancient monster ancestors.”

Ox Head snorted with a laugh: “Wasn’t it all broken by the Water God?

So what if the sea eye was breached? Wasn’t it plugged up?

Speaking of which, the Water God is so powerful, even able to plug up tainted springs.”

Horse Face patted his belly and muttered: “It’s probably just stabilized, there must still be hidden dangers… *burp*.”

Just then, a transmitted voice reached their ears:

“Fellow Daoists…”

Ox Head and Horse Face’s eyes widened as they hurriedly jumped up and fumbled to put on their masks.

“Water God!”

“It’s me. A few days since we last met, are you two well?”

Ox Head and Horse Face nodded vigorously, looking eastward, and soon…

Remember that their divine sense wasn’t very strong, with limited detection range.

Currently Ox Head and Horse Face could only see large numbers of souls and true spirits floating in from afar overhead, while below the cliff were several cultivators riding clouds – living beings coming to the Underworld on business…

Li Changshou’s transmission came again, carrying traces of amusement:

“You two, I’m still ten thousand miles away, bringing a great general from the Celestial Court.

This general’s background is extraordinary, coming to the Netherworld to inspect its condition. One word from him to the Jade Emperor carries more weight than ten from me.

If the Netherworld wishes to join the Celestial Court’s jurisdiction and receive the Heavenly Emperor’s protection, you’ll need to perform well and handle this carefully.”

Hearing this, Ox Head and Horse Face’s spirits lifted. The brothers exchanged glances, their eyes full of joy.

Ox Head shouted: “Quick! Horse, go notify the Great Shaman, and liven up the city’s atmosphere! Moo!”

“Neigh!”

Horse Face turned and dashed away, leaping hundreds of yards in a single bound, sprinting along the clifftop while taking out a stone comb to groom his flowing mane.

Ox Head rubbed his hands together, jumped down to the checkpoint, and bellowed a few shouts, getting the several hundred shamans guarding this place busy, and also frightening the few cultivators who were about to pass through.

When Li Changshou’s cloud arrived carrying Zhao Dezhu, Longi, and Ao Yi within a thousand miles, and Ox Head spotted their traces, he turned and shouted:

“Drums!”

Several strong shamanic men carried forward a worn great drum, and Ox Head took up the drumsticks, beating out a shamanic war drum rhythm.

Boom boom boom…

Drum sounds echoed throughout Fengdu City, shaking nearly half the Netherworld.

Li Changshou saw this from afar and showed a faint smile.

Zhao Dezhu transmitted with a laugh: “Changgen, it seems you’ve made quite a few arrangements in the Netherworld.”

“Your Majesty misunderstands, this humble official has done nothing,” Li Changshou transmitted back. “The Netherworld heard that the Dragon Race submitted to the Celestial Court, and knowing the Heavenly Emperor’s benevolence, wishes to join of their own accord.”

Zhao Dezhu’s eyes crinkled in a smile, but he… misunderstood even more deeply.

Behind them, Longi glanced at Ao Yi and muttered softly:

“Teacher has been transmitting the whole way.”

Ao Yi nodded without responding, his delicate features showing traces of contemplation.

As they flew to the Single-File Pass, just as Li Changshou descended from his cloud, dozens of shamans broke into a chaotic chorus of “Ula Uwa.”

The shamans stripped off their Netherworld officials’ cloth armor, wrapped themselves in beast hides, contained their blood qi, and accompanied by drumbeats, began dancing, presenting a powerful group dance.

After the shamans finished and withdrew, Zhao Dezhu nodded in approval, quite pleased.

“Moo! Make way! Show the calligraphy!”

At Ox Head’s call, all the Netherworld officials guarding the checkpoint turned in unison, raising ten large stones on either side. Written on them in what appeared to be blood were ten large characters:

Welcome to the Netherworld!

No problem with reincarnation!

“Pfft!” Longi couldn’t help covering her mouth and laughing, while Ao Yi also showed a faint smile.

Zhao Dezhu also revealed a gentle smile, moving forward with Li Changshou to sit in the… ox cart prepared by the Netherworld.

This time, Ox Head personally led the ox in front, and before they had even left the Single-File Pass area, he enthusiastically began introducing the Netherworld’s “tourist attractions.”

Li Changshou smiled and asked: “How come we don’t see Fellow Daoist Horse Face?”

“He went ahead to prepare! Moo!”

Ox Head casually replied as he led the ox cart out of Single-File Pass, leaving the formation’s barriers.

Just then, a gust of yin wind blew in from the front, accompanied by eerie ‘giggles’ echoing from all around;

Then mournful music began playing in the distance, and along with these desolate melodies, graceful silhouettes flew in from all directions.

Here they came, here they came, they arrived with stiff smiles and chilling yin energy!

They held flower baskets, scattering petals of spider lilies…

They hummed folk tunes that sounded like soul-collecting ballads…

“Water God, how’s that?”

Ox Head grinned proudly, “This is our Netherworld’s highest level of reception. If it’s not enough, we can find more! We have plenty!”