In the Southern Continent, within the city of Chaoge.

As the heavens turned and night fell, when the first lanterns began to glow under the starlit sky, King Zhou sat upon his precious throne, carried by nine men, wearing a weary expression as he departed from the Great Royal Hall.

Recently, the resistance from the feudal lords had grown increasingly fierce. Though the Great Shang’s military might remain abundant, numerous hidden dangers had emerged.

That one hundred among the eight hundred feudal lords had rebelled was within expectations.

After all, his royal decrees had forced half the feudal lords onto a single path – either continue their allegiance to his Great Shang or rebel and be crushed into submission by his Great Shang.

The Grand Preceptor had advised him to temporarily ease the pressure on the court nobles to reduce the current tensions…

The Grand Preceptor was always too cautious, too conservative.

Reform demands bloodshed;

Innovation requires harsh punishment.

The Great Shang’s foundation had accumulated too many problems and too many burdens. Without swift, decisive action, all efforts would be futile, and the Great Shang would fall into the trap of being held hostage by united feudal lords, leading to the nation’s demise within decades.

Now, the reforms were showing initial success. The Shang territories grew increasingly prosperous, and the common people began to accept and assimilate with the slaves. Though there remained a long road ahead, this level of national strength was already sufficient to intimidate the various powers.

Ji Chang was imprisoned, the Southern Earl was dead, and the Northern Earl had been tamed. All that remained was the leader of the eight hundred feudal lords, the great tree behind his Queen – the Eastern Route, the Jiang family.

This Jiang family… hmph!

Playing the role of royal in-laws, they relied on Lu’s prosperity to secretly support the rebellion of minor feudal lords while maintaining a façade of goodwill toward him, all while basking in their self-perceived prestige.

They wished to be the uncrowned kings outside his Great Shang.

They truly underestimated his ambitions…

“Your Majesty.”

A gentle call from ahead suddenly drew King Zhou from his thoughts.

The carriage had stopped, and not far ahead, a beautifully dressed noblewoman approached with several palace maids in attendance. She gracefully bowed and said softly:

“Your Majesty.”

King Zhou raised his hand in acknowledgment, and the throne was slowly lowered.

Yet he remained motionless in his seat and spoke coolly: “Why is the Queen here?”

The woman was Queen Jiang, who had married him when he was still the crown prince.

Seemingly sensing his coldness, she sighed softly and said in a low voice: “Your Majesty, I have prepared an evening feast and wish to invite you to dine in my palace. You labor daily over state affairs, and I know not what else I can do but try to ease your burdens.”

King Zhou frowned, “I have already made arrangements with the Beauty.”

“Your Majesty, perhaps your favor toward Sister Da Ji has grown excessive,” Queen Jiang sighed, “You are the ruler of a nation, as well as the husband to us sisters. We do not ask for equal attention, but you should consider our marital bonds and not be so distant. The court now buzzes with rumors that Noble Consort Su brings harm to the sovereign. As Queen, I must bring this to Your Majesty’s attention…”

King Zhou slowly leaned back, his imposing figure sinking into the throne. His eyes were like two abysses as he rested his left hand against his cheek, his middle finger touching the edge of his hair ornament. Though his voice was calm, it carried an inexplicable authority.

“Are you teaching me how to be king?”

Queen Jiang trembled slightly and quickly stepped back, bowing her head to King Zhou, “Forgive my offense, Your Majesty!”

“I am the King, and you are merely the Queen.”

King Zhou lifted his finger slightly, and the throne was slowly raised by the nine strongmen, heading toward the inner palace.

Queen Jiang stood silently, slowly closing her eyes, her left hand tightly gripping her right until the knuckles turned white.

Da Ji!

Just you wait!

…

In the Heavenly Court, at the Palace of Venus.

“Senior Brother, tea is ready~”

With a gentle call, Ling E floated over carrying a teacup.

This minor Immortal Maiden had finally spotted Li Changshou out and about today. She immediately applied light makeup, changed into a light green flowing dress with tassels, arranged her hair in an ingenious cloud-like style, and approached with tea, wearing a bright smile.

Thanks to the warning from the Primordial Bell Spirit, she knew her Senior Brother was currently at a crucial moment in arranging the great tribulation, and she shouldn’t trouble him.

But from another perspective, when people are tired, they’re most likely to grow closer to those around them.

Giving Senior Brother some encouragement and helping him relax was the duty of a Junior Sister who was determined to shed her “little junior sister” label!

In the thatched cottage, Li Changshou looked up and smiled at Ling E before lowering his head to continue watching the bronze mirror.

Ling E curiously moved closer, gathering her dress and keeping her feet together as she settled beside her Senior Brother’s meditation mat, peering at the scene in the bronze mirror.

There was a courtyard where a graceful child wearing short clothes and hair in two buns was slowly stretching.

“Little Nezha has grown so big?”

Ling E exclaimed softly, immediately forgetting her earlier sense of serious purpose.

“It’s only been a few years, but he already looks like a little adult!”

Li Changshou nodded with a smile and asked gently: “Do you prefer boys or girls?”

“Boys, I suppose, they’re so robust and lively, though girls are nice too, you can dress them up in various ways… ah!”

Ling E couldn’t help but bite her lip lightly and complained softly: “How did I start talking about such things? I can still feel embarrassed, you know.”

Li Changshou’s eyes crinkled with laughter as he picked up the cool tea and took a sip, finding it unexpectedly sweet.

“Senior Brother, how is Nezha’s killing energy now?”

“He can now control the killing energy through his emotions and subconscious, and he’s not far from complete mastery,” Li Changshou paused, then shook his head with a slight smile.

Li Changshou continued gently: “If Nezha were to fully release his killing energy now, ordinary Golden Immortals couldn’t restrain him. Thinking carefully, this might have been too rushed, though with the accumulation from his Spirit Zhenzhu phase and the endless spiritual energy I provided during his gestation, I suspect the Heavenly Dao is also pushing things forward.”

Ling E: …

“Can we directly mention the Heavenly Dao now? When did Senior Brother’s personality change?”

“Mm,” Li Changshou smiled, “Before we became immortals, we thought about survival, facing life-threatening crises daily, worried about being accidentally stepped to death by a powerful being – what terrible luck that would be. At that time, being cautious and avoiding any karmic entanglements was the safest path.

Step by step, we gained the ability to establish ourselves, being thorough in everything, accepting Heaven’s mandate from above and extending the Heavenly Court’s authority below, placing ourselves within the rising tide of the Heavenly Court – that was the safest path.

Now, the Heavenly Dao is desperate to drive forward the great tribulation, directly intervening in human sovereign affairs to maintain the original course of the tribulation.

I must understand my position, show appropriate firmness toward the Heavenly Dao in the name of balance, and consolidate human will, protecting you all while ensuring the Heavenly Dao cannot eliminate me – this is now the safest path.

Silly girl, everything is constantly changing. Being either too conservative or too unrestrained leads to death. Only by adapting to the times can we finally leave this chess board.”

Ling E blinked, not quite understanding why.

It must be the realm difference – surely her cultivation realm wasn’t high enough.

“Alright, you watch here,” Li Changshou smiled, “I’ll transfer my consciousness to the paper avatar – this little general is going out to patrol again.”

Ling E laughed softly and took the initiative to hold Li Changshou’s arm.

Taking advantage while Senior Brother’s consciousness was elsewhere to steal a little intimacy – there was no need to feel too shy about it.

In the bronze mirror, just as little Nezha was about to leave, that familiar figure appeared behind him again – none other than the high-ranking servant Wang Chang’an.

The bronze mirror’s surface trembled slightly, transmitting highly faithful dialogue:

“Young Master Three, where do you plan to go today?”

“Just wandering around.”

Little Nezha replied with an air of precocious gravity, stretching as the bronze and gold bracelets on his wrist clinked together melodiously, emanating faint spiritual light.

After speaking, he walked with his hands behind his back, chest puffed out, emanating an imposing and magnificent presence.

Just then, a voice called from the rear courtyard:

“Don’t play too late and come back late!”

Nezha immediately ducked his head and called back: “I know! Mother!”

Then he hurried away, feeling quite embarrassed.

Li Changshou followed behind with a smile, carrying a bag of gold and silver to compensate civilians promptly in case Nezha accidentally demolished any houses or walls.

His previous method of lavishly spending gold and silver had been strictly forbidden by the Yin family, though at the time Li Changshou had wanted to say…

It’s not even your General’s Manor’s money!

Stay calm, stay calm – the Yin family just worried about Nezha developing bad habits.

Shortly after leaving, calls of “Young Master Three” could be heard from all directions. Little Nezha nodded rather maturely, walking with the gait of a Chen Tang Pass veteran cadre, moving through the admiring gazes of the crowd.

The city’s commoners now viewed Little Nezha as a lucky star, practically wanting to embrace him on sight.

It wasn’t for the gold and silver – they mainly wanted to receive some of his good fortune.

Reaching the East Market, Nezha waved his little hand, and Li Changshou tossed some gold and silver to the teahouse Nezha frequently visited. The attendant would then call out that Young Master Three was treating everyone to tea today!

At the West Market, two rows of young people stood at attention along the street, receiving Nezha’s inspection.

These formerly idle youths had all been transformed by Nezha into a reserve force for Chen Tang Pass’s military.

Some women called for Nezha to come to eat preserved fruits, while elderly men smiled and offered to teach him poetry. Little Nezha would run over with a smile, not saying much but never making anyone feel disrespected.

As they wandered, Nezha left through Chen Tang Pass’s East Gate, stretched and limbered up, muttering quietly:

“Uncle Chang’an, I’m going to find a place to play. I’ll be back before dark. Don’t tell Mother I left the city!”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Alright, go ahead. As long as you don’t fight with anyone, I’ll explain things to Madam.”

“Mm!”

Little Nezha gave a thumbs up, then kicked off with his little legs, his form shooting up like an arrow leaving the bowstring. In a few bounds, he had jumped into the continuous mountain forest.

Who knew whether he’d bring back a bear or drag back a serpent today?

Li Changshou familiarly greeted the soldiers guarding the city gate, then walked to his usual spot. Amid the fawning smiles of several guards, he sat in a reclining chair in the shade and picked up the purple clay teapot they brought over.

As a deity, he’d become an unremarkable second emperor in others’ eyes;

As a servant, he naturally became an unremarkable second master in others’ eyes.

What were Chen Tang Pass’s evil forces?

“Pft- cough! Cough cough!”

Li Changshou suddenly choked on his tea because his divine consciousness had detected a figure flying out of the waves at the edge of the East Sea, wearing a faint smile, walking toward the nearby forest, searching for today’s ‘prey’.

This?

Could someone truly be so incorrigible?

Just last month he was caught in the act and beaten for the seventh time by Little Nezha, yet now he was still refusing to change his ways.

The Southern Continent’s eastern coastline was so long and vast – was this dragon’s brain made of porridge? Didn’t he know to pick a different place for his flower-picking?

If the Heavenly Dao wasn’t pushing things behind the scenes, Li Changshou wouldn’t believe it even if you killed Maitreya!

Meanwhile, Ao Bing was strolling through the mountains, his divine consciousness sweeping through various villages, then turning his gaze toward where monsters gathered, thinking of experiencing life among the monster tribes.

Though seafood was fresh, mountain delicacies were also delicious.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t enter the bustling human markets, where the young ladies were really…

“Serpent! You dare come again!”

A cold shout suddenly came from beside his ear. Ao Bing instinctively shuddered and turned toward the sound’s source. His already fair and handsome face instantly turned pale.

In the forest, atop a tree branch, Little Nezha stood on a leaf with his arms crossed, a crimson silk ribbon floating around him, his face filled with anger.

“You again!”

Ao Bing gnashed his teeth and cursed: “You impudent child, how dare you repeatedly humiliate this prince!”

Nezha tilted his head: “You steal other people’s wives.”

“You’re the one stealing wives! I only seek out single women.”

“You steal future wives.”

“Pah! Get lost! This prince can’t explain it clearly to you!”

Ao Bing waved his hand, sending a whirlwind toward Nezha.

Nezha’s mouth curled as his delicate finger pointed at Ao Bing. The Sky Mixing Silk behind him shot through the air, transforming into rainbow light that streaked toward Ao Bing, directly cutting through the whirlwind!

Seeing this, Ao Bing turned tail and fled, having experienced the Sky Mixing Silk’s power several times before.

But he moved too slowly. Just as he was about to transform into dragon form, the Sky Mixing Silk caught up, swiftly binding him like a dumpling and dragging him back before Nezha, hanging him upside down above the tree canopy.

Nezha crossed his arms, raising his little face proudly.

“You- you!”

Ao Bing trembled with rage and burst out cursing: “You just rely on this treasure to bully others! Let me tell you! Don’t think I don’t know your background, you’re just counting on Venus Star backing you! Today this prince will tell you directly – my father is the East Sea Dragon King!”

Nezha blinked, as if asking who the East Sea Dragon King was and who Venus Star was, then curled his little mouth, his eyes carrying a hint of pride.

“Chen Tang Pass is my territory. My mother said you can only take one wife in the future.”

“My father is the East Sea Dragon King!”

Little Nezha crossed his arms and slowly raised his right foot, his eyes gleaming.

Ao Bing glared at Nezha, remembering the consequences of being kicked away in previous encounters. His gaze grew panicked, though he still tried to maintain a fierce exterior while shouting: “My father is the East-!”

Bang!

The moment Nezha’s foot struck Ao Bing’s abdomen, the Sky Mixing Silk coincidentally released its bindings. With a muffled grunt, Ao Bing’s form became a shooting star on the horizon…

“Hmph hmph,” Little Nezha dusted off his hands, then jumped away with his hands behind his back, his eyes carrying a trace of satisfaction.

Maintaining Chen Tang Pass’s security, and sweeping away perverts and hooligans – the General’s Manor’s Young Master Three took up the responsibility without hesitation!

His father, the old tyrant of Chen Tang!

“Hm?”

In the Li Manor’s rear courtyard, Li Jing, who had just returned, rubbed his nose, resisting the urge to sneeze. Seeing the manor quite peaceful, he knew Nezha wasn’t home.

He swept his divine consciousness around and found the high-ranking servant resting at the city tower, putting his mind at ease. He didn’t pay much attention to Nezha’s whereabouts.

…

“This infuriates me! Cough, cough cough! This infuriates me!”

In the East Sea Dragon Palace, in a rather secluded hall, Ao Bing was jumping with rage, while several guards and two rows of sea maidens kept their heads down, not daring to speak for fear of becoming targets for venting anger.

What logic was this?

Had the dragon race’s prestige fallen so far?

That damned Nezha, relying on being True Lord Taiji’s disciple and having Venus Star as his godfather, was so domineering! Controlling everything!

Had half a scale on his dragon body violated Heaven’s laws?

Pah!

Little hero? Just a little brat!

If only the Dragon King bloodline in this Dragon King’s Third Prince’s body wasn’t so diluted, how could he let this Nezha be so smug?

“Your Highness,” a guard carefully asked, “Your injuries…”

“Do I look injured?”

Ao Bing stood straight and raised his head, enduring the soreness where he’d been kicked, and cursed, “This prince just let that little brat have a few moves! If I showed my true form, would I fear him?

Hmph! A child relying on his father’s shelter, acting wildly and unreasonably!

Truly hateful! Damnable!”

A guard said softly: “Your Highness, why not report this matter to His Majesty…”

Hearing this, Ao Bing instantly calmed down, gave a few awkward laughs, and turned to walk toward his shell-shaped bed.

Father had no eyes for him.

Even to this day, despite his wild behavior, he couldn’t draw even a word of rebuke.

In Father’s heart, only Second Brother, that Heavenly Court general, was his true offspring.

On the soft couch, Ao Bing closed his eyes with a cold face, impatiently waving his sleeve. The two rows of sea maidens and guards bowed and withdrew.

Why did Nezha have so many treasures and so much protection?

Discipleship in the Enlightenment School, backing from Venus Palace, human race connections – just pressing a Dragon King prince until he couldn’t breathe.

Why…

Why?

WHY!

Ao Bing opened his eyes, two flames suddenly burning within them.

He sat up, hands buried in his long hair, touching a pair of slowly growing horns, the light in his eyes now utterly cold.

Got it.

Father, let your child show you – even if his bloodline power is far inferior to Second Brother’s, he can still stand on his own!

“Guards! Summon the Night Patrol Yaksha for me!”