“Hmm, this should be foolproof now.”

After spending most of the day preparing for his visit to the Moon Palace, Li Changshou looked at the ‘modest’ arrangements on his desk. Taking a sip of the ice-cold special brew from Little Jade Peak from his jade bowl, he nodded with satisfaction.

Ling E’s culinary skills had indeed taken a different path, now specializing in tea and pastries.

What was there to fear about this assignment?

He had weathered great storms before – how could he falter before three hundred swaying willows?

With a sweep of his sleeve, the items before him vanished, urgently dispatched to the Celestial Court by a paper avatar.

Soon after, in the Water God’s Palace…

Once all the ‘magical tools’ were in place, Li Changshou adjusted his loose robes before the mirror and arranged his Daoist crown, making sure each white hair gleamed and flowed smoothly.

Picking up his well-worn horsetail whisk, Li Changshou walked out of his study. Bian Zhuang and Ao Yi, who had received advance notice, immediately stepped forward and bowed.

Li Changshou asked, “Vice Commander Bian?”

Bian Zhuang’s eyes lit up as he responded in a strong, clear voice: “This subordinate stands ready!”

“Take this,” Li Changshou casually tossed over a treasure pouch, “Set it up outside the Water God Palace’s main gate shortly…

Ao Yi, lead a squad of soldiers to the Tayin Star and announce that I have been imperially commanded to be their head instructor, effective immediately.”

Bian Zhuang opened his mouth, but the words of acceptance caught in his throat, leaving only an “Ah.”

Ao Yi smiled and said: “Yes, sir.”

With that, he turned and hurried away, leading a squad of celestial soldiers toward the Tayin Star.

Li Changshou patted Bian Zhuang’s shoulder, gave him a meaningful smile, and floated toward the palace gates with his whisk.

“Uncle Master Changeng?”

A gentle call made Li Changshou pause mid-flight. He turned to look to the side.

Spirit Zhenzhu approached wearing loose robes, making a proper Daoist bow to Li Changshou, and said:

“On your journey to the Moon Palace, would you like this disciple to attend you?”

Spirit Zhenzhu had received secret guidance from either True Lord Taiyi or True Lord Yuding to help ease the awkwardness of Li Changshou’s Moon Palace visit.

Li Changshou smiled and said: “That place is not suitable for you. You should spend more time with the celestial generals and soldiers instead. Don’t worry.”

Spirit Zhenzhu made an elegant fist-and-palm salute and said: “This disciple obeys.”

How thoughtful indeed.

Li Changshou turned and rode away on his cloud, his eyes showing traces of determination.

Remembering the jade message talisman he had received earlier, Spirit Zhenzhu called out with concern:

“What does Uncle Master intend to do there?”

“Teach Chang’e to arrange songs and dances.”

“If Fairy Yunxiao takes offense…”

“Then let Fairy Yunxiao take offense.”

Li Changshou departed on his cloud with his hands behind his back, his bearing relaxed and composed.

From the horizon came what seemed to be a distant shout, transforming into two barely perceptible characters. The celestial soldiers guarding the Water God Palace strained to look and saw they spelled out ‘Kneel’;

The Water God casually swept his whisk, instantly dispersing the characters, while his cloud sped swiftly toward the Moon Palace.

Along this journey:

Past glittering star rivers, witnessing immortal radiance in abundance.

Seeking whispering clouds, hearing a melody’s ripples.

Flying past the Seventh Heaven, heading toward the deep clouds, entering the celestial curtain where the sun, moon, and stars revolve, advancing on clouds at the calculated moment;

Before long, a cold great star gradually enlarged before his eyes.

This was what mortals called the Moon, what poets referred to as the hook or disk, what Daoists named Taiyin, and what lovers called Changuan.

A cassia tree obscured nearly half of the Tayin Star. Its leaves, like pale jade stones, resembled a series of immortal islands supporting numerous pavilions and palaces, where one could almost see the shadows of immortal maidens dancing within the halls.

Li Changshou slowly descended on his cloud, hearing music and laughter from near and far.

This was…

One of the Ten Primordial Spirit Roots?!

Li Changshou clicked his tongue in amazement. He guided his cloud to the massive canopy of the cassia tree, carefully sensing its spirit and fluctuations while hearing the resonant sounds of woodcutting.

At this moment, Li Changshou’s divine consciousness could see numerous immortal maidens in celestial robes and colorful skirts gathering at a palace beneath the tree. This was where the Chang’e fairies usually rehearsed and would be Li Changshou’s workplace for the next ten years – the Cassia Palace.

On the other side of the cassia tree stood the Vast Cold Palace, encased in formation arrays. Within were scattered palaces and waterside pavilions, though it appeared quite desolate with no sign of inhabitants.

That was Heng E’s residence.

Li Changshou didn’t rush to the palace where the immortal maidens were gathering but instead strolled beneath the cassia tree.

The soil here was soft, seemingly a mixture of fine sand and crushed white jade, giving a unique comfort when walking upon it.

The trunk of the cassia tree stood like a towering mountain peak. At its edge, a somewhat diminutive figure repeatedly raised an axe, leaving thin marks on the cassia tree.

When he raised his axe, the marks would heal themselves, becoming perfectly smooth.

Li Changshou’s eyes flashed with insight – his assumptions were correct…

This man was indeed a master!

The cassia tree was one of the Ten Primordial Spirit Roots, on par with the Peach Tree and the Ginseng Fruit Tree. Though the cassia tree had neither fruit nor flowers, its power lay in self-enhancement. While its spirit was suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, it possessed strength at the level of a supreme primordial treasure.

This Wu Gang of the Moon could wound the cassia tree with an ordinary axe…

Li Changshou took a step forward, the principles of space and time flowing as he used a technique similar to ground-shrinking, appearing behind Wu Gang.

From a distance, this man’s body was covered in intertwined muscles, and while he seemed to lack any dao rhythms or pressure, he gave off a sense of masculine strength and indomitability.

“Senior,” Li Changshou made a Daoist salute with clasped hands.

Wu Gang, who was chopping the tree, turned his head to look at Li Changshou, nodded calmly, and continued with his work.

As everyone in the primordial world knew, when visiting the Moon Palace, any man would consider how to chat with Heng… ahem, how to chat with Wu Gang!

Li Changshou had prepared several questions beforehand, and seeking out Wu Gang was not an impulse.

First step: ask something Wu Gang couldn’t avoid and would have to answer…

Li Changshou smiled and asked: “Senior, are you of the human race?”

“Mm.”

Wu Gang responded flatly, and in between swings of his axe, glanced at Li Changshou again, asking in a casual tone:

“And you? A paper person who gained consciousness?”

“This is merely my junior’s avatar.”

Li Changshou smiled, put away his whisk, and watched for a while with his hands behind his back before asking: “Senior, are you comprehending the Dao?”

“Chopping trees,” Wu Gang paused his movement, looking at the healed wound on the cassia tree with a slight frown.

Soon, Wu Gang looked up at Li Changshou and asked puzzledly: “Who are you? How can you freely enter and exit this place?”

“Just an ordinary celestial immortal,” Li Changshou responded with a smile, “I was curious and came to disturb you without permission. Please don’t take offense, Senior.

Among those skilled with the axe, this junior has only seen Emperor Yu. When I saw Senior wielding the axe from afar, it aligned with the Great Dao and resonated with dao rhythms, which truly amazed me.”

“You’ve seen Emperor Yu?”

A light immediately shone in Wu Gang’s eyes as he leaned on his axe and turned to face Li Changshou.

He was a nine-foot-tall strong man, but his face wasn’t rough – instead, it carried a hint of handsomeness.

Li Changshou spoke as if chatting about everyday matters: “Yes, I previously visited the human ancestors in the Fire Cloud Cave.”

“Did you see the Fire Emperor?”

“No,” Li Changshou sighed, “The Fire Emperor was injured by demonic qi and is recovering.”

“Ah,” Wu Gang’s eyes showed some helplessness as if recalling a magnificent era, and he reminisced for a while.

Soon after, Wu Gang muttered with a smile: “Being alive is good enough.”

With that, he began swinging his axe again.

Clang… Clang…

“Senior, could you tell this junior about the events of those years?” Li Changshou asked with a smile, “This junior has read many ancient texts, but many matters are unclear…”

“That’s natural.”

Wu Gang’s lips curved slightly as he sighed: “Many of our victories in the great battles weren’t particularly glorious, and sometimes the price we paid was too heavy. Later generations are unwilling to record these things, which is normal.

But overall, it was an era of life and death, where there wasn’t much room for benevolence and morality.”

Clang!

The axe fell and was pulled out again by Wu Gang, who continued swinging while his words gained more force:

“We who slaughtered demons left no names, the human race nurtured this realm for millennia.

The world that our predecessors fought for, you must strive to protect it.”

Li Changshou made a formal Daoist salute to Wu Gang and said seriously: “We will not fail the seniors’ trust, though this junior can only contribute minor efforts.”

“I can see that,” Wu Gang laughed, “You probably… aren’t an ordinary immortal, are you?”

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, just about to take his leave, having already established good relations with Wu Gang today – no need to stay longer.

At this moment, a beam of light flew out from the formation array beside the cassia tree, calling out “General Wu” as it shot straight toward them!

Li Changshou looked closely and saw in the light a well-behaved young girl.

She wore a light white short dress, had a pretty and cute appearance with bright eyes full of spirit, and carried a cloth bag slung across her shoulder, from which peeked the tip of an immortal jade radish.

Most eye-catching were the young girl’s round and slender jade feet – though delicate and fair, they were…

Quite powerful.

The Jade Rabbit?

It must be – after landing, she still wore rabbit ear ornaments in her hair.

The young girl carried a bowl of clear water, flying and jumping without spilling a single drop.

“General Wu… oh, you have a guest.”

The Jade Rabbit girl gave a light laugh, and Wu Gang also paused his work to accept and drink the water.

Wu Gang showed a trace of a kindly smile and asked: “Where are you headed?”

“Ah, the mistress asked me to help out at the Cassia Palace. The steward there has come to hurry us seven or eight times already – it’s truly vexing.”

The Jade Rabbit sighed with some gloom:

“I heard His Majesty the Jade Emperor has appointed a formidable immortal to be punished at the Cassia Palace.

Hmph! They say ‘punishment,’ but these male immortals’ thoughts are all filthy!

They think being the head instructor at the Moon Palace and watching the sisters dance every day would be so delightful, it’s really… many sisters are complaining about this. Everyone used to dress casually, but now they have to be fully clothed wherever they go.”

Wu Gang asked puzzledly: “What formidable immortal?”

“Seems it’s the Water God, the one who manages all water affairs in the Three Realms, I heard from the sisters at the Cassia Palace.”

The young Jade Rabbit tilted her head, and glanced at Li Changshou before looking away, her finger pointing at the corner of her mouth.

“I also heard some sisters say he’s a power god in the Celestial Court, His Majesty’s most trusted person.

They said something about ‘supporting a falling mansion and assisting a weakened Celestial Court,’ and that he’s a disciple of the Orthodox Divine Path’s Sage and the husband of the Three Xiao Fairies of the Severing Sect…”

“Ahem!”

Li Changshou couldn’t help making a sound, and smiled: “I should be just good friends with Fairy Yunxiao, not any husband.”

“Oh my, it’s all the same!”

The young Jade Rabbit waved her hand impatiently: “He must be an old lecher, otherwise why would His Majesty appoint him to be Chang’e’s instructor?

Has there ever been a male Chang’e instructor? Really!”

Li Changshou sighed: “This seems… not to be his wish either…”

“Never mind all that, I’m heading over first, General Wu!”

The young Jade Rabbit waved goodbye, her long legs pushed off, and her figure transformed into a beam of light flying toward the Cassia Palace.

Beside her, Li Changshou couldn’t help but laugh, while Wu Gang suddenly turned his head and spat out a mouthful of water mid-drink, staring at Li Changshou:

“It’s you?”

“It should be me,” Li Changshou wiped the water from his long hair, “I won’t disturb you further, Senior. I should go check on things at the Cassia Palace.”

Wu Gang hurriedly said: “Ah, this child lacks some spiritual awareness, don’t take offense at her words.”

“I won’t, don’t worry, Senior. I also have a junior sister at home who often causes trouble.”

Li Changshou made a Daoist salute, and Wu Gang put down his jade bowl, returning the salute with clasped hands, watching as Li Changshou departed on his cloud.

Water God? Sage’s disciple? Has met the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?

Wu Gang was lost in thought for a moment, but soon smiled and shook his head, continuing to swing his great axe, making clanging sounds as he chopped at the divine cassia tree.

“Ah, the younger generation is truly formidable.”

…

Meanwhile, when the young Jade Rabbit arrived at the Cassia Palace, many fairies gathered around her, asking if Heng E would come.

The Jade Rabbit kept shaking her head, disappointing many of the fairies.

The young Jade Rabbit was very familiar with these Chang’e fairies, showing something of a ‘moon pet’ quality.

When some fairies brought up matters concerning the Water God, the Jade Rabbit listened quietly on the side.

She usually stayed in the Vast Cold Palace accompanying her mistress, rarely venturing out. She had inquired about the Water God earlier but hadn’t paid much attention…

Now listening to these sisters talk about how the Water God was wise and resourceful, good at calculations and fighting, and also exceptionally valiant, she became quite engrossed.

What kind of male immortal was he?

When other fairies spoke of the Water God’s appearance, the young Jade Rabbit tilted her head, and bubbles appeared on her rabbit ear ornaments. In the highest bubble appeared the image of an elderly man with white hair and eyebrows, and a kind, benevolent face.

“Seems like I’ve seen him somewhere…”

The Jade Rabbit muttered softly.

“Nonsense,” a fairy laughed lightly, “This is Water God’s first visit to our Cassia Palace, how could you have seen him before?”

The Jade Rabbit stood on tiptoe and raised her hand, trying hard to gesture: “Isn’t he about this tall? This thin?”

Just then, a figure floated in on white clouds from the palace gates.

Ao Yi, standing at the gates, immediately announced in a clear voice:

“The Water God arrives!”

The fairies hurried to take their positions with quick steps.

The Cassia Palace’s main hall had a unique structure, with steps both inside and outside the gates. Inside was a square, sunken ‘stage’ surrounded by jade trees and silver flowers, with layers of steps that could serve as seats around the perimeter.

As Ao Yi’s announcement fell, the three hundred Chang’e fairies below had already taken their dance positions.

The scene was truly…

A perfect blend of graceful beauties in all their finery.

Li Changshou rode his cloud straight past the side to the low table at the main seat in the hall, settling down steadily.

The young Jade Rabbit stood outside the crowd, in the most conspicuous position.

At this moment, she was completely stunned, her pink eyes fixed on Li Changshou’s figure, not knowing how to react…

Old lecher… Water God…

The Chang’e fairies turned with small steps, all bowing together, their deliberately practiced calls nearly making Li Changshou’s paper avatar melt there.

“Greetings to the Water God~”

Li Changshou: …

Even Lord Mu couldn’t experience the joy of being a power god.

“Please, no need for formalities,” Li Changshou smiled, “His Majesty has sent me here to teach for ten years, and I hope for everyone’s cooperation in the future.

I am the Celestial Court’s Water God, managing all water affairs in the Three Realms, and only know some music theory. I’m just an amateur in the way of song and dance. Please continue your regular training.

Ao Yi, bring up my things.”

“Yes!”

Ao Yi held back his smile and immediately called out;

Two celestial soldiers carried a barbecue rack and placed it in front of Li Changshou, then bowed and hurriedly retreated.

Though the two celestial soldiers kept reminding themselves not to look to the side, they couldn’t help but take a glance…

Three hundred celestial fairies, carefully selected beauties from the Celestial Court, wearing rainbow clothes and gauze skirts standing together, made their dao hearts suddenly shake, their faces flushing, gradually becoming dazed.

They probably wouldn’t have any breakthrough possibilities for the next two hundred years.

Li Changshou warmed his hands over the barbecue rack and smiled: “Consider this as His Majesty giving me a vacation. Please don’t mind me.”

The three hundred Chang’e fairies curiously watched Li Changshou, knowing that this was the Water God telling them he hadn’t come for feminine charms.

The fairies all bowed together.

“Yes~”

Jade Rabbit: Panicked, very panicked.

Why did the Water God go to General Wu’s place for no reason? And chatted so happily with General Wu!

But these weren’t important, what was important was!

She, a little rabbit spirit, just a little rabbit with Celestial Immortal cultivation, had called the Water God an old lecher to his face!

Could her mistress save her?

Her mistress only held a nominal position in the Celestial Court, while this Water God was a power official, clearly a fierce character!

What… what should she do?

Sensing the nervous gaze from the young Jade Rabbit, Li Changshou calmly took out a book from his sleeve, opened it, and read with great interest.

“One Hundred Ways to Cook Rabbit Meat”

“Eek!”

The young Jade Rabbit’s vision went dark, and she nearly fainted, trembling all over.

Her rabbit courage was tiny indeed.

Many fairies also noticed the book in Li Changshou’s hand, and the clever ones immediately understood the Water God’s intention, covering their mouths to laugh softly.

Li Changshou asked: “By the way, why isn’t Heng E here?”

A female fairy in charge stepped forward and bowed, reporting: “Fairy Heng E is unwell and has taken sick leave…”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou’s expression gradually cooled as he said calmly: “It seems I don’t have enough face value.”

—Clearing his relationship with Heng E, showing mutual opposition.

“Water God,” the fairy hurriedly said, “Fairy Heng E has sent her maid, and Fairy Heng E is naturally aloof, rarely leaving the Vast Cold Palace. Please forgive her, Water God.”

Many fairies bowed together: “Please forgive her, Water God!”

Li Changshou asked puzzledly: “Where is this maid?”

More than ten fairies stepped aside, exposing the young girl who was trying to sneak away while crouching.

Li Changshou frowned, his eyes flashing with divine light.

He intended to give Heng E a show of authority, and naturally wouldn’t make things difficult for the Jade Rabbit;

But the Jade Rabbit’s body shuddered, and she fell to her knees, her big eyes blinking as tears rolled down…

“Water God, please spare me!”

Before Li Changshou could speak, the Jade Rabbit had already collapsed on the ground, her pink eyes losing their spirit as she mumbled:

“Could you… kill me before putting me in the pot… I’ve lived for over ten thousand years… my meat is… tough…”

Li Changshou: …

The surrounding fairies were somewhat puzzled, but all began pleading for the Jade Rabbit.

Li Changshou secretly sighed.

Fine, if the first plan failed then it failed. Why bother with a little rabbit?

He cleared his throat, calmly took out a bronze mirror and placed it in front of himself, speaking to the mirror:

“Can you hear me over there?”

The mirror’s surface vibrated, transmitting a burst of noisy voices:

“We hear you! Water God, we can hear you over here!”

“Wow, we can see the image now, is this the Moon Palace? The decorations, these curtains… doesn’t seem that different.”

“Water God went to the Moon Palace but didn’t forget to open the cloud mirror for us, truly! A true Water God who loves his soldiers like sons!”

Li Changshou smiled slightly and said:

“For these ten years, I will transmit my every move in the Moon Palace through these two mirrors.

I want to tell everyone that the Moon Palace is not some mysterious place, nor is it a place male immortals should yearn for.

The Chang’e fairies train hard day and night to complete their song and dance tasks. Every living being has their duties, and doing one’s duty well is the meaning of existence.”

Below, the group of fairies showed moved expressions…

In front of the Water God Palace, the gathered celestial soldiers all nodded at the large bronze mirror, then tried to adjust their angles to see more of the image.

Li Changshou smiled calmly, took out some ingredients, seasonings, and fine wine from his sleeve, and began today’s leisure.

Nothing could better prove his innocence than a ten-year-long live broadcast.

Just… he couldn’t shout things like ‘Brothers, write the word steady on the walls of the Water God Palace’ – this primordial world’s first live broadcast debut was missing a bit of soul.