Chapter 371: Chapter 34: Visitors from the Celestial Court

In the depths of the Imperial Palace, four young men with dragon horns on their heads were gorging themselves.

"HIC!"

One of the horned young men spoke, his words slurred with drink.

"Ao Guang, I heard from the East Sea that you’re set to inherit the Dragon King’s throne in three hundred years?"

"That’s right." Ao Guang patted his full stomach and smiled. "By the way, Ao Run, what about you in the West Sea?"

The drunken Ao Run waved his hand dismissively.

"That’s still a long way off. My old man says I’m not steady enough, that it’ll take a few thousand more years..."

As he spoke, he sat up straight. Though his eyes were still hazy, his expression grew solemn. He asked in a low voice,

"So, what do the three of you really think of the First Emperor’s proposal?"

"Not much," Ao Shun, the Crown Prince of the North Sea Dragon Palace, said with a pout. "I heard from some Immortals that Ying Zheng seems to have stirred up some trouble at Taishan. Huge trouble... but the specifics are still unclear."

After a pause, he added,

"We should be happy just mooching off them. Actually sign a treaty with the Human Race? Forget it. If my old man found out, he might just strip me of my title as Crown Prince!"

The East Sea Crown Prince, Ao Guang, nodded.

"That may be true, but the terms Ying Zheng offered are genuinely good..."

He trailed off, a look of longing on his face.

"To revitalize the Dragon Race..."

"Oh, give it a rest!" The West Sea Crown Prince, Ao Run, shook his head. "That Ying Zheng probably can’t even protect himself... We eat his food, drink his wine, take his gifts, agree for now, and then just ignore him later. What’s he going to do? Come to the Four Seas Dragon Palace and cause trouble for us?"

"That’s the spirit! That’s the spirit!" The four young men, all with dragon horns and emanating the aura of the Great Grade Realm, burst into laughter.

After another round of feasting, the East Sea Crown Prince, Ao Guang, swept his sleeve, collecting the many treasures the First Emperor had gifted them, and let out a satisfied burp.

"That’s about enough. Time to slip away. It’ll be harder to leave if we wait."

The four horned youths, four Crown Princes from different Dragon Palaces, exchanged a smile. Their bodies transformed into beams of light and they swiftly fled the Qin Palace.

.........

At the same time, in the main hall of the Imperial Palace.

’Venus? The Three Altar Sea Assembly??’

The court officials were silent at first, then their expressions changed. The names of these two Immortals thundered in their ears, especially Venus...

’But they’re here to see Profound Yellow??’

The ministers’ gazes all shot toward the masked young man sitting leisurely on the grand seat.

Ying Zheng’s brow furrowed, then he asked in a low voice,

"Uncle Zhong, what is your opinion?"

"Let them in," Lu Xuan replied with a smile. "Hmm, it’s good to see them, good to see them..."

As he spoke, a strange look came over his face beneath the mask. ’So it’s these two. They’re old friends, in a way. It’s just that they don’t know me yet.’

On the throne, Ying Zheng nodded and said in a deep voice,

"Escort the two Immortal Officials inside."

"Yes!"

A guard hurried away. A short while later, as the court officials watched, an old and a young Immortal walked slowly into the main hall. Immortal Spiritual Qi swirled around them, giving rise to faint, wondrous phenomena.

The ministers fell silent. They were wary and fearful, but also curious, their eyes fixed on these two famous Immortals.

"By the decree of the Celestial Emperor."

Venus and Nezha walked side-by-side to the center of the hall. The latter shrunk back slightly, while the former looked directly at the First Emperor on the throne and said,

"We have come to see Profound Yellow."

After a pause, Venus added with a smile,

"First Emperor, it has been a long time."

A stir went through the assembled officials. ’His Majesty has a relationship with this famous Immortal?’

On the throne, Ying Zheng lowered his gaze and said coolly,

"Hmm, the last time I saw Venus was ten thousand years ago, wasn’t it? I still remember. It was in Yong City, when my foster grandfather held the Sinful Immortals and Buddhas to account."

A look of understanding flashed across Lü Buwei’s face. Venus’s pupils constricted slightly, but he smiled.

"Indeed. At that time, the First Emperor had only been in this world for twenty or thirty years and had not yet inherited the throne. Now, in the blink of an eye, you have unified the world... How unpredictable life is."

He paused, turning to look at the two men on the grand seats. His gaze lingered on the Ancient Daoist for a moment with a hint of confusion before he bowed in salute.

"This humble Immortal, Taibai, greets Fellow Daoist Profound Yellow."

The ministers exchanged glances. The First Emperor on the throne stated calmly,

"Using the Human Dao Fortune, I have ennobled Uncle Zhong as an ’Emperor,’ with the title ’Supreme.’"

"Oh?" Venus’s gaze sharpened, but he kept his cheerful smile. "Supreme Emperor Profound Yellow? A fitting title for your divine might, Fellow Daoist..."

Before he could finish, Nezha, who stood beside him, suddenly trembled, his legs growing weak. Venus keenly sensed that something was wrong but did not ask. He simply looked at Lu Xuan.

"By order of His Majesty the Celestial Emperor, I invite you, Fellow Daoist, to take up a post in the Central Celestial Court. According to His Majesty the Celestial Emperor, you may choose any position you desire, from the lowest Celestial Official to the highest Emperor-level posts and revered statuses."

His words caused another uproar among the officials. Lü Buwei and Li Si stumbled, their eyes wide and their breathing ragged!

’An invitation to serve in the Celestial Court, with a free choice of any position, even an Emperor-level one?!’

This... this... this...

The awe and fear in the officials’ eyes as they looked at Lu Xuan intensified, and any previous dissatisfaction vanished like smoke.

’The Celestial Emperor himself sent an edict of invitation... Who in the world is this man??’

Lu Xuan raised his eyelids, a half-smile on his face.

"Is that so? In that case... are you two here to recruit me?"

"Indeed," Venus said frankly. "Your Divine Techniques are extraordinary, Fellow Daoist. His Majesty cherishes talent and hopes you will accept a celestial post..."

Lu Xuan chuckled but didn’t answer. Instead, he turned his gaze to the trembling Nezha and asked with great interest,

"This must be the great Three Altar Sea Assembly, then? What’s the matter, do you know me?"

Nezha shuddered and forced a smile.

"I witnessed Senior’s power at Taishan..."

"Is that so?" Lu Xuan said cheerfully. "I’ve heard that the great Three Altar Sea Assembly is known for his unbridled rampages. I’m afraid you’ve seen me somewhere other than just Taishan, haven’t you?"

The ministers were bewildered. Venus looked at Nezha with surprise, who managed a smile that was uglier than a grimace.

"Replying to Senior, that is indeed the case."

"Interesting." Lu Xuan rose gracefully and suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, this is the Imperial Palace of Qin, where the Human Dao Fortune covers the sky and sun. Immortals and Gods shouldn’t be able to spy on us, correct?"

Ying Zheng quickly answered,

"Uncle Zhong, not only can those Immortal Gods not spy from the heavens, but even Immortals and Buddhas above the Immortal realm cannot see or hear anything if they are in the Imperial Palace, even if separated by only a single wall."

"Excellent."

Lu Xuan smiled.

"Taibai Upper Immortal just said that I could choose any position in the Celestial Court. If I wanted to establish my own Celestial Court, would that be possible?"

Venus’s expression changed. "No."

"Then if I wanted to be the Celestial Emperor, would that be possible?"

Venus’s face darkened.

"No... Fellow Daoist, your words border on great disrespect. I hope you will be more cautious."

Hearing this, a chill ran down the ministers’ spines. Nezha’s face, however, had turned deathly pale, and he frantically tried to signal Venus with his eyes.

But Lu Xuan was unconcerned, chuckling merrily.

"If that’s the case, then how can you say I can choose from any position, be it a low-ranking Celestial Official or a high-ranking Emperor?"

Venus finally remembered that this was the terrifying being who had obliterated Medicine King Buddha with a single palm. He gave a strained laugh.

"To be precise, you may choose any position or title below the Celestial Emperor, Fellow Daoist."

"Alright."

An idea formed in Lu Xuan’s mind.

"I want the authority to bestow titles on all gods in the Three Realms. How about it?"

"This..." Venus gave a bitter smile. "For example, the gods of the Underworld fall under the jurisdiction of the East Pole Celestial Court. I’m afraid that won’t be possible."

"This is impossible, that is impossible. What exactly can the Celestial Court offer me?" Lu Xuan’s expression grew cold, and the bronze mask on his face glinted. The Ancient Daoist had risen at some point and walked closer, asking in a low voice,

"Junior Brother, shall I execute this Immortal?"

He paused before adding,

"Nezha is a third-generation disciple of the Jade Void Sect and cannot be killed. Taibai, however, can be."

The calm words stirred a tempest in the hall. The ministers were in an uproar, Venus’s face drained of color, and Nezha stumbled back!

A faint wisp of killing intent emanated from Xuandu, hanging over Venus’s head.

Instantly, Venus felt a bone-deep chill, as if he were a candle flickering in the wind, about to be extinguished at any moment.

After a long moment, he bowed, his heart pounding in his chest, and cautiously asked,

"May I ask who this is?"

"My Senior Brother, Luo Hou," Lu Xuan said slowly. "Senior Brother, even in war, envoys are not to be harmed. There is no need."

"Fine." Xuandu, his face expressionless, returned to his seat. Only then did Venus let out a breath of relief, fine beads of sweat popping out on his forehead.

After another long pause, he said with a bitter smile,

"As things stand in the Celestial Court, the highest position we can grant you, Fellow Daoist, is that of an ’Emperor.’ The Nine Nether Gods are under the jurisdiction of the East Pole Celestial Court and cannot be placed under your command. However, the portion of the Human World’s gods belonging to the Central Celestial Court can be assigned to you..."

"Is that so?" Lu Xuan raised his eyelids. "Which ones?"

Venus hesitated for a moment, then decided to be frank.

"The Dragon Palaces of the Four Seas, the Dragon Kings and Water Gods of the various rivers, the Mountain Gods of the various mountains, and the Land Dukes of the four wilds are all under the Central Celestial Court’s jurisdiction. As for Fu Lucai, the City God’s Underworld Department, the Night and Day Wandering Gods, and so on, they belong to other Celestial Courts."

"Acceptable."

Lu Xuan nodded.

"Then I will take this position. However, I will not report for duty at the Celestial Court. In return, I can guarantee that I will not actively provoke the Central Celestial Court for ten thousand years. The Central Celestial Court must likewise guarantee fair winds and favorable rains in the Human World for ten thousand years."

He slowly walked forward and stopped in front of Venus, saying with a smile,

"Furthermore, if you are to grant me an Emperor’s title from the Celestial Court, then let it be simply ’Profound Yellow.’ Well? Do you agree, or not?"

Venus hesitated, smiling bitterly.

"The other terms are negotiable, but not reporting for duty at the Celestial Court, and only guaranteeing ten thousand years of non-aggression..."

"I’m asking you, do you agree, or not?" Lu Xuan frowned. The Ancient Daoist raised his eyelids, and a murderous aura enveloped Venus, making him feel as if he had been plunged into an icy cellar.

"I agree! I agree!!" Feeling a sharp pain as if his skin were being sliced, Venus’s sweat poured down like rain. He gritted his teeth and said, "It shall be as you say, Fellow Daoist! We will first return to the Celestial Court to report. We will give you a definite answer within three months!"

"Excellent!"

Lu Xuan nodded.

"Then I must ask Taibai Upper Immortal to return to the Celestial Court and report. Oh, and the Three Altar Sea Assembly will stay behind."

Venus was taken aback.

"And why is that?"

Lu Xuan didn’t answer, merely flicking his sleeve and turning away.

"See our guest out!"

Under the terrified or numb gazes of the officials, the renowned Venus scurried away from the Imperial Palace Hall.

After a long, dead silence, the ministers turned their gazes simultaneously to the First Emperor’s Uncle Zhong, their expressions a mixture of shock, fear, reverence, and awe.

As for the three national policies he had just established... no one dared to question them any longer.

"In that case,"

After some time, Ying Zheng spoke with a broad smile.

"If there are no further memorials, we shall end here for today. Court is dismissed."

The ministers bowed and quietly departed the hall in an orderly fashion, leaving only Ying Zheng, Lu Xuan, Xuandu, and the obediently standing Nezha in the vast main hall.

"Uncle Zhong..." Ying Zheng came forward, but Lu Xuan simply waved his hand with a smile. He suddenly turned his head to look at Nezha, who was keeping his head down and trying to be invisible.

"Li Nezha!"

"Ah, here!" Nezha jumped, his face a mask of misery as he bowed. "Greetings, Senior..."

Lu Xuan studied him for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Do you know of a Gouxian Town?"

Ying Zheng and Xuandu were confused, but Nezha’s mind went blank with a BUZZ. He stumbled back three steps, the hairs on his body standing on end!

"You, how do you know..." He was utterly dumbfounded, a chill running down his back as he shuddered from his spine to the tips of his hair!!

Lu Xuan now understood. This was indeed the Nezha who had returned with him to this era of Years. He immediately burst out laughing.

"You will find out."

With that, he turned to the bewildered Ying Zheng, his expression growing solemn.

"Zheng’er, you must see to the matter of the three hundred and sixty-five Heaven-Reaching Platforms and the Divine Registry. In addition, there are three more things I need you to do, and do them quietly."

Lu Xuan conveyed his instructions via voice transmission. Ying Zheng’s expression gradually grew grave, then shocked.

He was about to ask a stunned question when the Chief Eunuch, Zhao Gao, rushed in to report, sweat pouring down his face.

"Your Majesty, those four Dragon Palace Crown Princes, they’ve all fled!"

Ying Zheng’s expression sank.

Lu Xuan raised his eyelids and also frowned, asking,

"What happened?"

.........

「In a tavern in Xianyang City.」

"A farmer’s son in the morn, in the Celestial Son’s hall by eve..."

Zhang Liang held a Daoist Scripture, yawning as he flipped through it and muttered to himself,

"I’ve already done this whole ’advising the state’ thing. It ended with me getting beheaded. I wasn’t the Ghost Valley Master for more than a few years before being trapped for a hundred thousand Years..."

"In this life, what should I do?"

He raised a cup of cheap wine and took a sip. His eyes shifted to the side, and he froze slightly.

"Interesting."

Zhang Liang put down his wine cup, his eyes shining brightly as he chuckled to himself.

’How are these two people here, in this time and this world?’

He stared at Wang Zhiyao and Zhang Jifeng strolling down the long street outside the tavern, his expression gradually deepening.

’I definitely saw those two in that Little World, inside the Hall of the Hundred Schools.’

’People from a hundred thousand years in the future.’