On the second day after the Ancient Demon Court Crown Prince Lu Ya issued his proclamation against Heaven, Heaven soldiers, and generals stood ready at the Five Great Gates of Heaven, with tension permeating everywhere.

The mountain rain was about to come as the wind filled the tower.

Heaven soldiers formed ranks, heaven generals sharpened their blades, and numerous Heaven Court scribes rode clouds to and fro.

The immortal maidens in the Jade Pool also gathered together, guarding its surroundings and sending word to the Hall of Clear Light that although they weren’t part of Heaven Court’s battle formation, they could provide support at any moment.

For a time, both above and below were filled with anxiety, with all the signs of battle beginning tomorrow.

In the Hall of Clear Light, dozens of Heaven Court immortals and deities gathered together, with a round table set in the middle of the great hall.

Eight thrones stood around the round table, with four rows of chairs on each side. All the immortals and deities stood before their chairs, waiting for one True God to arrive.

With the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother having descended to experience mortal tribulation, by rights this should be a time when the immortals were without leadership.

Moreover, the demon forces were mighty, with all the surviving experts of the Ancient Demon Race gathered at the North Continent’s border, their imposing might make people tremble with fear.

If one didn’t count the troops on both sides but only looked at the number of experts, the Demon Race did indeed show an overwhelming advantage over the Heaven Court at this time.

But these immortals and deities weren’t panicked, and even…

Thinking of all the Heaven Court had been through before, they now felt somewhat like laughing.

A heaven general at the door said softly: “Water God has arrived!”

The immortals and deities immediately stopped their private conversations, and East Wood Lord, sitting in the main seat, immediately stood up and walked toward the hall entrance.

Outside the door, an old immortal in white robes with white hair and a white whisk rode a white cloud—it was Li Changshou in his leisurely state.

As soon as he entered the Hall of Clear Light, the group of Heaven Court immortals immediately gathered forward, surrounding him in three inner and three outer layers, making even East Wood Lord somewhat caught between laughter and tears.

East Wood Lord called out: “Water God, you’ve finally come!”

“These demons are so fierce they’re just short of biting people!”

“Water God, when shall we dispatch troops to suppress the demons?”

“Everyone, everyone, don’t be hasty,” Li Changshou raised his hand downward, and the immortals immediately quieted down.

Li Changshou smiled and said:

“You are all important ministers of the Heaven Court. At this time when His Majesty the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother are not in the Heaven Court, we must not panic. The Heaven Court has just begun to show improvement, with everything just getting started. The newly enlisted hundred thousand heaven soldiers haven’t yet been trained, and dozens of newly promoted heaven generals haven’t yet learned the methods of military strategy.

That Ancient Demon Court Crown Prince has precisely seized upon our Heaven Court’s internal weakness to act so recklessly, brazenly defying Heaven’s mandate. If we were to marshal troops to suppress the demons now, wouldn’t that be exactly what the Demon Race wants?”

Half the immortals and deities showed contemplation, half showed confusion.

A True God managing the Lightning Punishment Hall asked: “Water God, now the Demon Race has openly rebelled against Heaven. Although our Heaven Court cannot be called prosperous at this time, we already have the power to suppress the Demon Race. If demons rebel and we don’t send troops, where is Heaven’s authority? How can the righteous way of Heaven and Earth be maintained?”

“This view is mistaken.”

Li Changshou said gently: “Although the Heaven Court can now suppress the Demon Race and the Demon Race is internally divided with factions and uncooperative Demon Kings who can’t unite, if we suppress the Demon Race now, what would be the casualties among our heaven soldiers and generals?”

As he spoke, Li Changshou stepped forward.

The immortals followed closely, listening carefully, afraid to miss half a word.

Li Changshou said: “If we dispatch troops immediately, considering the Demon Race is just a loose gathering, what would be the casualties among our heaven soldiers and generals? If we suffer too many casualties, even if we successfully suppress the demons at the North Continent’s border, the Heaven Court’s true strength would be completely exposed to Heaven and Earth.

Everyone, in the current world, humans are the protagonists, and the Demon Race is merely the defeated dogs of ancient times. If we cannot suppress the Demon Race with thunderous might, it won’t benefit Heaven’s authority or the righteous way of Heaven and Earth—it will only invite mockery from the immortal sects of the Central Divine Continent.

Moreover, if all the ancient great demons of the Demon Race take action and we suffer one defeat… Heaven’s authority would be completely lost!”

The dozens of immortals and deities in the Hall of Clear Light nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

The Water God spoke reasonably.

When the Heaven Court sends troops, they must not only win but win beautifully—they must achieve complete victory to demonstrate their might.

That True God in charge of the Lightning Punishment Hall cupped his hands and said: “This minor deity was rash and didn’t think things through. Please punish me, Water God.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “We all think for the Heaven Court’s benefit, and you and I serve in the same hall—what punishment is there to speak of?”

East Wood Lord sighed beside him:

“Say what we will, in the end, it’s because our Heaven Court’s current strength is still insufficient to intimidate such petty characters. Everyone, please be seated! Before His Majesty the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother descended to experience mortal tribulation, they entrusted Heaven Court affairs to the Water God and me. Today we’ve gathered everyone to discuss how to respond to the Demon Race’s provocation.”

At this, East Wood Lord made a gesture of invitation, and all the immortals and deities in the hall took their seats.

At the central round table, East Wood Lord and Li Changshou sat in the main seats, with the marshals guarding the Five Gates of Heaven accompanying them, but one seat remained empty.

East Wood Lord looked at the empty seat and said: “Water God, why don’t we invite Princess Long Ji to join us?”

“Wood Lord,” Li Changshou frowned and said, “Although inviting Princess Long Ji would be reasonable, I fear… His Majesty wouldn’t like Princess Long Ji participating in these matters.”

East Wood Lord was startled and hurriedly said: “Then according to Water God’s view, please let Water God arrange it.”

“Let’s invite the Old Man Under the Moon to be seated,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Today there are important matters that require the Old Man Under the Moon’s assistance.”

Eh?

The Old Man Under the Moon, who was in a corner of the Hall of Clear Light, was stunned—what did these Heaven Court military matters have to do with him?

However, with the Water God’s words, the Old Man Under the Moon dared not be negligent. He stood up, lowered his head as he walked forward, and somewhat nervously sat at the last position at the round table under some pressure.

The entire Hall of Clear Light gained some color from his bright red wedding robes.

East Wood Lord cleared his throat and brought up the topic.

A Heaven Court general read out the Demon Race’s proclamation against Heaven without emotion, and the immortals and deities all showed righteous indignation.

East Wood Lord smiled and asked: “Water God, how should we respond?”

Li Changshou said: “This proclamation is well-written indeed, one could say it’s moving to tears, speaking of how our Heaven Court bullied their kind and gentle Demon Race, how they’ve retreated everywhere and shown forbearance in every way, and now that they can’t endure it anymore, they announce they won’t respect Heaven Court’s orders.

But thinking carefully, this proclamation has no substance and is quite shameless. They speak as if the Demon Race truly followed Heaven Court’s orders before.”

The immortals and deities each showed slight smiles, and the atmosphere in the entire hall became much livelier.

East Wood Lord smiled and said: “These demons are quite particular, able to turn and bite us like this.”

“Everyone should note that the Demon Race is now speaking of resisting Heaven rather than rebelling against Heaven,” Li Changshou said. “They’ve left themselves a slight escape route.

The Demon Court Crown Prince Lu Ya and the surviving ancient experts of the Demon Race are the real trouble. However, what we need to do now is issue another proclamation.”

East Wood Lord frowned and said: “Another proclamation? To respond to the Demon Race’s proclamation?”

“First take hold of righteousness,” Li Changshou smiled and said. “We won’t respond to any of what they wrote in their proclamation, but instead list the crimes of the Ancient Demon Court’s remnants.

This matter shouldn’t involve humans—we’ll speak only of how these ancient demons are bloodthirsty by nature, harm myriad beings, and don’t recognize Heaven’s will. They train demon soldiers, forge evil treasures, exploit Heaven and Earth’s essence and spirit, and plot maliciously.

This second proclamation needs to point out that the Heaven Court was established by the Ancestral Master of Dao and the various Sage Lords of the Dao Gates, and exists to protect all living beings and maintain the operation of Heaven’s way, not to rule over all races.

The ancient ways no longer work—every living being has the right to choose whether they want to be called part of the Demon Race.”

The immortals and deities carefully savored these words. Those with sufficient wisdom understood the weight of Li Changshou’s words upon hearing them;

those lacking in wisdom still felt the Water God’s words made sense.

Of course, there were always some simple-minded ones.

A military general asked in confusion: “Our Heaven Court in the future… won’t rule over all races?”

Pairs of eyes immediately glared at him, making the general instinctively shrink his neck, wishing he could squeeze himself into the wall cracks.

Li Changshou said seriously: “Our Heaven Court exists to protect the Way, not to rule over all races. Everyone must remember this well.”

All the immortals praised this view.

Another immortal worriedly asked: “After this proclamation is issued, what if the Demon Race attacks the Heaven Court in anger?”

Li Changshou said calmly: “Then all those demon experts will instantly die without leaving even ashes behind.”

The immortals and deities immediately felt reassured, knowing that for the Water God to speak thus, he must have made thorough preparations.

East Wood Lord beside him was lost in thought…

Why was it that although he had the same confidence and could say the same words, he couldn’t achieve the Water God’s casual yet elegant manner…

After setting the main content of the second proclamation and its release time, Li Changshou began arranging subsequent matters.

Half of the Heaven Court’s soldiers would guard the Heaven Gates while the other half rested and trained, rotating with each other;

Orders were also issued to the Dragon Clans of the Four Seas, commanding them to prepare a group of experts to aid the Heaven Court at any time.

Furthermore, after the second proclamation was issued, the Heaven Court would slightly lower the requirements for recruiting heaven soldiers under the banner of suppressing demons, calling for the human-dominated immortal sects of the Central Divine Continent to march north against the demons.

These were just the initial responses, reasonable reactions from the Heaven Court.

Subsequently, the Heaven Court had several trump cards available, such as requesting aid from the Three Schools, asking the Lord of the Douzhuai Palace to step forward, recreating the Great Spirit Explosion of Demon-Rising Mountain, and so on.

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Everyone must keep calm and delay gradually, letting the Demon Race create their own chaos. Now that His Majesty the Jade Emperor isn’t in the Heaven Court, we can completely use this excuse as a reason to avoid war while occupying the moral high ground to crusade against the Demon Race.

The Demon Race is now at its peak with newly gathered demons, but if we delay for three years, their momentum will decline;

Delay for ten years, their momentum will fail;

Delay for twenty or thirty years, the Demon Race will either scatter like loose sand or Lu Ya and his kind will overestimate themselves and actively attack Heaven.

During this time, we can relax, each attending to our duties, strengthening the defenses at the Heaven Gates, stockpiling troops at the Middle Heaven Gate for support, and the overall situation will be secure.

Best of all, we can delay until His Majesty returns from his tribulation. By then our Heaven Court will be fully prepared, and with just one command from His Majesty, our armies can march forth to eliminate demons. Our Heaven soldiers won’t need to suffer many casualties to demonstrate Heaven’s authority and promote righteousness. Isn’t this a beautiful thing? How could His Majesty be stingy with rewards?”

The immortals and deities’ eyes brightened, and they all nodded in agreement.

East Wood Lord also smiled and said: “During this time, if those demon types curse at us in the lower realm, we needn’t mind.”

“We should mind this,” Li Changshou said. “Find some heaven generals who are good at arguing and cursing. If demons curse at us, curse right back at them, best if we can curse them until they can’t help but rise to attack Heaven.

However, be careful not to use vulgar language that would tarnish our Heaven Court’s reputation.

Currently, these demons are riding a tiger, attempting to intimidate with borrowed might. Let’s make it hard for them to dismount and see who panics in the end.”

A heaven general asked: “Water God if during this period the morale of our heaven soldiers is affected, how should we comfort them?”

“A small matter,” Li Changshou smiled and said. “Today we can tell all divisions of heaven soldiers that Wood Lord and I have decided to annihilate this batch of demons, but currently the Heaven Court’s strength is still insufficient, so we must wait for some time.

Let them be patient while we continue recruiting troops, ensuring we can overwhelm the North Continent’s border with crushing force, achieving complete victory in one battle!”

Many heaven generals smiled broadly, finally feeling at ease.

Li Changshou pondered briefly, then added: “Besides this, rename one or two of the formations that the heaven soldiers regularly train in as Demon-Elimination Great Formation, to demonstrate our Heaven Court’s determination.”

“Yes!”

The heaven generals responded in unison.

Li Changshou glanced at East Wood Lord, who smiled and made a gesture of invitation, saying: “Let Water God arrange it.”

“Then I’ll say a few more words.”

Li Changshou cleared his throat and sat more comfortably relaxed on his throne, continuing: “To deal with the Demon Race, military force is the last step. We are Heaven Court immortals and deities, serving the Heaven Court and the Heavenly Way. The Demon Race’s disrespect for the Heaven Court is disrespect for the Heavenly Way—how can we not use the power of the Heavenly Way to strip a few layers of skin from their Demon Race first?

Where is the Old Man Under the Moon?”

“This minor deity is here!” The Old Man Under the Moon stood to receive orders.

Li Changshou said: “Wood Lord and I temporarily handle Heaven Court affairs on behalf of Queen Mother. Today we issue orders in Queen Mother’s name.

Your Marriage Hall should seek out those demons who are rebelling against Heaven. For any demon of True Immortal realm or above, if they have predestined marriages, disturb them; if they don’t, create some for them.”

The Old Man Under the Moon hurriedly asked: “Water God, how should we disturb their marriages?”

Li Changshou gave an example: “For instance, if male Demon King A has a marriage fate with his wife, you can introduce male Demon King B’s red string, making A and B fight each other. Apply this pattern in batches.”

The Old Man Under the Moon suddenly understood and began to carefully consider the implications.

The immortals and deities looked at each other—this move was indeed something they hadn’t thought of.

Don’t ask, it was simply beyond their experience.

Li Changshou continued leisurely:

“Besides the Marriage Hall, the Lightning Punishment Hall can continuously send lightning punishment to those demons with karmic obstacles—even just frightening them is good.

The Divine Might Hall should send dreams, targeting demon experts with insufficient dao hearts to break their determination.

Although most positions in the Plague Department are vacant, the immortals temporarily managing it can create some small troubles for the demon soldiers.

The True God temporarily managing the Finance Department should create some financial losses for them, best to follow the Marriage Hall’s approach, making them die for wealth like demons and birds…

Everyone, if anyone else manages divine halls that can affect the Demon Race, feel free to speak up, and we can discuss it here.”

An immortal immediately stood up and shouted:

“This minor deity manages the Wind Department and can make their gathering places windy every day, blocking out the sun!”

“This minor deity manages the Four Seasons and can make their gathering places snow heavily every night and burn with heat during the day!”

“This minor deity manages the dusk and sunset glow, and can write words like ‘Demon Race Must Fail’ in the sky daily to disturb their military morale!”

“This minor deity manages the Latrine God Hall and will ensure their toilet visits result in explosive disasters, completely disrupting their formation!”

The entire Hall of Clear Light instantly fell so silent you could hear a pin drop, the previously heated atmosphere suddenly freezing.

All gazes turned toward the immortal who had spoken, and he nervously shrank his neck, “This minor deity… can only do this much…”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Count it as a merit.”

Laughter erupted throughout the Hall of Clear Light, and all the immortals and heaven generals were full of spirit, having never before imagined that their Heaven Court had so many ‘convenient’ ways to deal with enemies.

As the great meeting in the Hall of Clear Light concluded, each department of the Heaven Court immediately began operating.

Those demons gathering troops at the North Continent’s border had no idea what they were about to face.

Overnight, many new legends about the Water God spread through the Heaven Court…

Previously, when people said the Heaven Court’s Water God had a black heart and cruel hands, most immortals didn’t believe it, thinking the Water God’s rise mostly relied on his identity as a Human School disciple.

But after today, when Heaven Court immortals spoke of the Water God, they couldn’t help but give a thumbs up.

To roughly summarize what the immortals all said:

[Dirty—the Water God’s heart is truly dirty. We are far inferior and deeply admire the Water God, willing to follow behind him to serve His Majesty the Jade Emperor like dogs and horses.]

Meanwhile, at the height of the atmosphere in the Hall of Clear Light, in the back courtyard of Douzhuai Palace, the Grand Master of the Mysterious Capital listened to Li Changshou’s strategy of ‘using Heaven’s way to torment the Demon Race’ and was also moved to great laughter.

As the Grand Master contained his laughter and made some calculations with his fingers, his figure gradually became faint.

“How can my junior brother be without weapons that excel in battle.”