In just over half a year, Li Changshou sensed that these seven youths… were becoming increasingly difficult to teach.

In the afternoon, while explaining some famous secular texts, he was bombarded with questions that nearly left him stumped. Fortunately, being cautious as always, he had already prepared the lessons thoroughly with Baize, anticipating various questions these little ones might ask.

As the sun set in the west, Li Changshou left Hua You Ming and Xia Ning Shuang to clean the academy before floating back to his residence. This bickering couple had spent the past half-year quarreling, yet their relationship had improved considerably. At least now, when they fought, Ning Shuang no longer targeted You Ming’s weak spots—specifically his ribs.

Shifting his consciousness back to Mount Qiong Minor, Li Changshou followed the conversation he sensed with his immortal perception, riding a cloud toward the lakeside cottage.

“…Master, don’t ask where this fruit came from, just eat it.”

“Could this be something created through evil techniques? It looks exactly like an infant! Ling E, where did you find such an evil object?”

Ling E hurriedly explained, “This isn’t evil at all, Master. If you sense it carefully, you’ll know it’s a Human-Root Fruit. It naturally grows in this shape and can extend one’s lifespan by nearly fifty thousand years!”

“Then your master won’t use it. Keep it for yourself!”

“Master!”

“No, no,” Qi Yuan repeatedly waved his hand, pushing Ling E out of the doorway. “Your master truly doesn’t want such an evil object!”

“Ah, Master!”

Bang!

The wooden door slammed shut forcefully, stirring up some dust.

Ling E held the Human-Root Fruit suspended with immortal power, looking somewhat helpless.

Inside the cottage, Elder Qi Yuan set up several layers of barriers with immortal power before softly sighing, muttering:

“Your master is but a lowly immortal… not worthy…”

Li Changshou frowned slightly—master’s dao heart was truly troublesome.

Ling E stood there pouting, holding the Human-Root Fruit in a daze. Upon noticing Li Changshou’s presence, she immediately returned to her usual lively self, turning to fly toward her senior brother.

“Master says this is evil and won’t take it. What should we do?”

“It’s fine,” Li Changshou smiled. “Master still has plenty of years left. He currently holds a position in the Heavenly Court and has already consumed Pan Peaches. Let’s seal the Human-Root Fruit in a jade bottle for safekeeping.”

“Mm,” Ling E obediently agreed, then whispered, “Why don’t we knock Master unconscious and force it down his throat?”

“That would go against Master’s wishes and he’d find it hard to accept,” Li Changshou whispered back. “Let’s keep that plan as a backup for future consideration.”

“Yes! Following Water God’s orders!”

Ling E gave a graceful salute, then recalled the previous scene, causing her ear tips to flush red.

Li Changshou cleared his throat and said seriously:

“We haven’t formally discussed this before. Today, would you answer your senior brother—what are your aspirations or plans for your future cultivation path?”

Ling E thought seriously before softly responding, “Just cultivating in the mountains… If I could achieve immortality, that would be perfect. As long as Senior Brother doesn’t drive me away.”

“Now that you’re familiar with the outside world after this training experience, if you want to go out, just let me know beforehand.” Li Changshou took out a paper figure from his sleeve and handed it to Ling E. “Human hearts are treacherous and complex. I bring some danger to Mount Qiong Minor, so you must remain vigilant.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Ling E happily accepted the paper figure, wanting to express something more but only managing a soft hum.

“What’s wrong?” Li Changshou asked with rare gentleness.

“Nothing, I’m going back to cultivate.”

Ling E held the paper figure to her chest, lowered her head, and turned around, circling past Li Changshou toward the cottage.

Li Changshou seemed to want to say something more, intending to mention the Stability Scripture matter but then chuckled silently.

Never mind, he would write it himself this time, as a warning too.

It is worth mentioning that those thousand recitations of the Stability Scripture eventually became silent recitations.

After Ling E’s successful return to the mountain, Li Changshou’s worries instantly halved, and his days became increasingly leisurely.

He would handle Heavenly Court affairs in the Heavenly Court, and at the academy, supervise the romance between two Heavenly Court bigwigs’ reincarnated selves.

Several peaceful months passed this way until Eastern Wood Lord came to the Water God Palace looking troubled.

When the heavenly general reported this, Li Changshou immediately returned his consciousness to his paper body here and welcomed Wood Lord into the study.

However, after entering the study, Wood Lord seemed to struggle to speak several times, his expression troubled.

Li Changshou smiled, “What’s troubling Wood Lord?”

“Well,” Wood Lord shifted his sitting position and looked at Li Changshou, forcing an awkward smile onto his increasingly benevolent face of recent years.

Wood Lord spoke softly, “Has the Water God heard any rumors these past few days?”

Li Changshou replied seriously, “I haven’t heard anything… Are there slanderous rumors about Wood Lord circulating in the Heavenly Court?”

“Ah, it’s not exactly slander,” Wood Lord smiled bitterly. “What they’re saying is true—after all, I’m just of ordinary human birth. My high position in the Heavenly Court only came from joining early. It was only thanks to your help, Changgeng, coming up with a plan that made His Majesty trust me. Changgeng, I came here just to tell you, and I can even swear a Great Dao oath, that I will never speak ill of or squeeze you out behind your back…”

Li Changshou frowned, “What exactly are these words? Where did they come from?”

Wood Lord said, “Well, they’re saying that you, Changgeng, will eventually replace me, that when His Majesty returns to Heaven, the divine positions will change…”

“These people, after staying quiet for so long, have finally made their move.”

Li Changshou first consoled Wood Lord for a bit, then stood up and paced back and forth.

Wood Lord was indeed currently the most vulnerable high-ranking authority god in the Heavenly Court, especially since he had no power base supporting him, his own influence was quite limited, and his cultivation level…

“We mustn’t be hasty about this.”

Li Changshou said, “Wood Lord, just focus on handling Heavenly Court affairs. Later, you and I will make several inspection rounds together. His Majesty and the Queen have only been in the mortal realm for a dozen years, with many more years to come. The Heavenly Court affairs need Wood Lord to oversee them—don’t let such small matters distract you.”

“Don’t worry, Changgeng. I just feared you might harbor some misgivings,” Wood Lord sighed lightly.

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head again, “We’ve known each other for many years and are already good friends and confidants. It’s just that because we serve before His Majesty, we can’t appear too close. Wood Lord, if anything troubles you and it’s within my power to help, please let me know.”

Wood Lord’s elderly eyes nearly reddened as he sighed, “Thank you for your understanding, Changgeng! Without your help, where would I be today!”

Then, Li Changshou comforted Wood Lord further, providing some psychological guidance.

Wood Lord had arrived worried and troubled but left the Water God Palace with a rosy complexion and head held high as if he had regained his confidence as a male immortal.

“The Demon Clan or the Western Faction?”

Li Changshou sat back at his desk, quietly contemplating countermeasures.

For this kind of situation, there wasn’t any good solution. When others targeted Wood Lord’s mental state, he could only try his best to comfort him.

It was understandable that Wood Lord lacked confidence, but Li Changshou couldn’t exactly take him to pay respects to the Elderly Lord at the Doulu Palace to gain backing.

If he did that, Emperor Jade might become wary of both Wood Lord and himself.

More than this, Li Changshou was more concerned about which immortals had initially spread such news in the Heavenly Court.

He thought of that “Rumor Destruction Machine” Heaven’s Might Stone, but after careful consideration, realized it wouldn’t be wise to make a big deal of this before His Majesty’s return. Otherwise, instability in the Heavenly Court would breed more problems.

Tch, the troubles of being a powerful minister.

Shortly after Wood Lord left, Li Changshou summoned Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang, instructing them to secretly investigate the source of the rumors slandering Wood Lord, and provided them with a strategy.

Several days later, a jade talisman and several Dao titles appeared before Li Changshou, among which four characters particularly caught his attention.

Temple of Immortal Fu Yuan, Master Fu Yuan.

“Brother,” Ao Yi whispered, “Should we bring some Dragon Palace experts to the Heavenly Court?”

The implication was that these experts would only follow Li Changshou’s orders and could move against problematic immortals at any time.

“No,” Li Changshou said, “This matter can only be decided by His Majesty. Neither Wood Lord nor I can overstep our authority. Deputy Commander Bian, deliver this jade talisman to Wood Lord.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou had already written eight characters on it as advice for Wood Lord.

[Seek stability in all things, wait for completeness.]

After finishing these tasks, Li Changshou pondered quietly for a while, several thoughts surfacing in his mind before being rejected one by one.

He truly couldn’t move against such proper immortals himself. Even with the authority to act first and report later, he must let the Jade Emperor make the decision… moreover, he didn’t even have that authority.

What gave Li Changshou some peace of mind was that after his warning, Wood Lord immediately dispatched an additional guard unit to the Fu Yuan Divine Temple.

This move was clever, containing many meanings when carefully considered.

After this, rumors in the Heavenly Court continued unabated, as if the Wood Lord and the Water God were about to turn against each other at any moment.

Li Changshou merely smiled and continued his work as a ‘little matchmaker.’

The story of Xia Ning Shuang and Hua You Ming grew increasingly interesting as time passed.

Especially after the academy had been running for over a year, Xia Ning Shuang blossomed into an elegant young lady, and Hua You Ming would often steal glances at her during class.

Ning Shuang’s attitude toward You Ming also changed from constant teasing to something slightly gentler.

At this stage, these adolescents were confused and half-understanding, and His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s true nature was quite concerned with saving face, often saying shocking things that would provoke Ning Shuang to launch writing implements at him.

—The kind of attack where she threw brushes and ink at him.

The major development in their relationship came when Hua You Ming’s sister ‘Hua Yun’ was born and the Hua household held a grand feast.

That time, Ning Shuang came in full formal dress, leaving You Ming staring in amazement.

It was also on that day that the General’s Manor and the City Lord’s Manor discussed marriage arrangements. You Ming instinctively wanted to object, but because his mind was filled with images of Ning Shuang, he forgot to speak up.

Ning Shuang, however, calmly agreed and took the initiative to sit with You Ming, establishing an engagement between their well-matched families.

The next day in class, Ning Shuang coldly said to You Ming:

“The engagement was just their decision, which I had already agreed to, regardless of who the groom would be.”

You Ming, who had been too excited to sleep the previous night and had been pondering how to start a conversation with Ning Shuang that day, was immediately doused with cold water.

Afterward came a three-month-long cold war.

Li Changshou observed all this and was… well, not particularly worried.

He secretly guided You Ming several times, telling him that the most subtle treasure in the world was a ‘young lady’s reserve,’ but unfortunately, You Ming only half-understood and failed to grasp its essence.

Until one day…

After class was dismissed, You Ming deliberately stayed behind, standing before Li Changshou in the sunset.

“Teacher, I want to break off the engagement with Ning Shuang.”

“Oh?” Li Changshou, who was soaking his feet in the stream, smiled and asked, “Why?”

“It just feels,” You Ming scratched his head, “not as comfortable as before, when we didn’t have an engagement…”

“An engagement is not child’s play,” Li Changshou smiled. “It’s not something you can just break off, and your relationship has already changed from classroom friends to future life partners. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable at first. Just talk to her more each day, or write her a letter. A man must show his responsibility—she might be feeling anxious about their future days together.”

You Ming pondered and sighed, not saying much more.

However, that night, disaster struck the Hua household.

You Ming’s father died young from illness while campaigning abroad. The Hua household’s world collapsed overnight, their military authority was seized by other commanders, and the General’s Manor was on the verge of collapse.

This was the first family decline that the Jade Emperor’s mortal incarnation would experience.

When Li Changshou next saw You Ming two months later, he appeared in class with sunken eyes and disheveled hair, his eyes having lost much of their luster.

That day, Ning Shuang acted as usual, placing beside You Ming all the texts and mathematical methods Li Changshou had taught during those two months.

The lunch she had prepared over sixty times, waiting for two months, was finally placed before You Ming.

“I made it,” Ning Shuang said softly.

You Ming’s hands trembled, but he remained sitting without moving.

Ning Shuang calmly picked up a piece of crispy meat and placed it directly before You Ming’s mouth.

You Ming’s eyes reddened, and he raised his hand to push away Ning Shuang’s hands before standing up and leaving the school hall.

“Brother Hua!”

Yang Tianyou immediately chased after him, and the other two young men also ran out to stop You Ming.

Li Changshou watched this scene and sighed inwardly, but didn’t intervene…

When the three-year term ended, Li Changshou voluntarily withdrew from Ning Shuang and You Ming’s story.

The year they turned sixteen, following the instructions Li Changshou had left in a secret plan before departing, You Ming set aside his identity as the young master of the General’s Manor, left a letter, and joined the military in the neighboring great city.

He was brave and skilled in warfare, well-versed in military strategy, and extremely righteous. His reputation in the army continuously rose, and by age eighteen, he had become a renowned young commander.

But soon after, You Ming was targeted by mundane forces unwilling to see the Hua household rise again. Forced to leave the military, he returned home dispirited.

When You Ming returned home, he found it in chaos, most of the slaves and servants gone, the General’s Manor having become desolate.

Just as he dismounted and was about to enter the manor, a somewhat unfamiliar call came from the side.

Ning Shuang approached leisurely, wearing a veil, seemingly unchanged from two years ago, and said to You Ming:

“You’re back?”

You Ming nodded with a smile: “Yes, thank you for your concern, Lady Xia.”

Ning Shuang adjusted her hair and softly asked: “When do you plan to marry me?”

“Our engagement…”

“Still stands, as I agreed back then.”

“That won’t be necessary,” You Ming shook his head and turned away. No longer the youth he once was, he didn’t look back.

“I, Hua You Ming, am no longer worthy of you.”

Ning Shuang didn’t say much, standing before the General’s Manor for a long time.

Amidst the lush grass, her graceful figure gradually faded until nightfall, leaving only a lingering fragrance.

Perhaps You Ming’s fate was too strong, able to influence countless lives’ destinies. Just as Li Changshou was considering how to let You Ming know of Ning Shuang’s lovesickness, disaster struck again…

Tribal cavalry charged through, breaking through dozens of cities, threatening ‘Que Zhou City’ where You Ming and Ning Shuang lived.

The city was in a panic, nobles fled with their families, and military defenses crumbled before battle.

After settling his mother and little sister, You Ming donned his father’s battle robes, rode into the city’s military camp, and with rope techniques and a light sword, cut down several commanders who intended to flee without fighting or showing negligence.

With one rallying cry, his father’s old subordinates responded, and Que Zhou City prepared for battle with all its might.

On the day the great army approached the city, You Ming had a brilliant strategy. Taking advantage of the enemy’s instability, he led light troops out of the city for a bloody battle.

That day, Ning Shuang wore a bright red dress and led several hundred guards from the City Lord’s Manor to the city walls, but arrived too late—You Ming had already charged out the city gates, leading troops to attack.

Though a general may survive a hundred battles, on the city walls a beauty beat the war drums.

The city held, the enemy army retreated in defeat, and You Ming collapsed before the city gates covered in wounds, being carried back to the City Lord’s Manor.

Later came a night of passion with hearts ablaze…

Thus the Jade Emperor’s reincarnation effectively became a son-in-law marrying into his wife’s family.

That year, they were nineteen, and Li Changshou withdrew successfully, his paper body hiding in the shadows for protection without further intervention.

It was quite good that the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother could have this lifetime—it made up for the emotional deficiencies in these two primordial beings.

Looking now at the script the Queen Mother had arranged back then…

She too, it seemed, wanted to make up for these deficiencies with the Jade Emperor.

Then, what about Fairy Yun Xiao?

Li Changshou couldn’t help but fall into contemplation…

Without warning, his eyelids twitched slightly twice.

Li Changshou calculated with his fingers, quickly giving up as usual… then carefully sensed for half a day, truly feeling something slightly unusual in his primordial spirit.

At his level of cultivation, though not quite a great power or master of great divine abilities, such sensations were not groundless—something must be happening.

Was a great tribulation approaching?

For this, Li Changshou immediately went to find Baize, holding Baize’s long feather and letting him sense carefully for a while. The conclusion given was:

[All is normal, Water God himself faces no disaster.]

Li Changshou asked: “Can you calculate if there are signs of great tribulation?”

“Very well,” Baize agreed with a smile and slowly closed his eyes.

Soon after, Baize frowned as a hair-thin purple lightning bolt appeared from nowhere, striking before him.

Baize’s forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat as he opened his eyes to look at Li Changshou.

“What happened?”

“The heavenly mechanisms… suddenly became chaotic.”