Chapter 389: Chapter 44: A Treacherous Banquet, Tear Down the Celestial Palace

「The Central Celestial Court, Milo Celestial Palace.」

The Peach of Immortality Banquet was held once every ten thousand years. A rare and grand occasion in the Celestial Realm, it was hosted by the Queen Mother, who invited all manner of gods and immortals. Each banquet lasted for ten full days.

The vast Celestial Palace was already arrayed for the grand feast. The guests were all Immortal Gods, laughing and conversing; no mortal was to be seen among them.

Guests had arrived from the Three Extremes Celestial Court and the West Pole Celestial Palace. Shakyamuni Buddha himself was an honored guest. Even Gouchen God, who was being punished in Hell, was temporarily released from his sentence to attend the Peach of Immortality Banquet before returning to his punishment.

The seat of honor was occupied by the current Celestial Emperor. Beside him sat the Queen Mother of the Jade Pool and the Four Extremes Emperors. Shakyamuni Buddha was seated at the head of the guest section, his position second only to the Celestial Emperor.

However, amidst this grand banquet, one person seemed utterly out of place. He sat alone at the lowest-ranked guest seat, completely ignored.

Ying Zheng, however, was content with the solitude. As he sipped the so-called Jade Dew, he watched the Immortals and Buddhas exchange toasts, a cold glint in his eye. He silently shook his head.

’These so-called Immortals who live forever by subsisting on qi... How are they any different from the mortals of the world?’

Cups and goblets crisscrossed as everyone wore false smiles. Little Immortal Gods toasted the great ones, while the great ones put on their own smiles for even greater Immortals...

Ying Zheng scoffed.

"You must be Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng?"

The question was accompanied by a goofy laugh. Ying Zheng frowned and glanced to his side, where a portly general stood with a wide smile plastered on his face.

"And you are?"

The portly general gave a cough and introduced himself.

"I am Marshal Tianpeng of the Central Celestial Court, commander of the Celestial River Navy. I’m also in charge of the Spirit Mountain Purification Altar... ah, no, I misspoke."

The portly general ducked his head, then plopped down next to Ying Zheng as if they were old friends, his eyes shining.

"I... This humble general has long admired the great name of the First Emperor! To finally meet you today, I am filled with awe!"

Ying Zheng’s frown deepened. ’This supposed commander of a Celestial Court army is... a bit too oily, isn’t he?’

He discreetly scooted aside and said coolly,

"Ah, Marshal Tianpeng. I have no desire to converse. Please find company elsewhere."

"There’s no harm in getting to know each other!"

Zhu Wuneng sized up the man who would one day become the renowned First Emperor, and said with a chuckle,

"I’m a friend to the Human Race, you know! I’ve never done anything wicked!"

Ying Zheng glanced at him. Ultimately, one does not strike a smiling Immortal, so he gave the man a slight nod.

"Very well."

Having been thoroughly rebuffed, Zhu Wuneng didn’t seem to mind. After muttering an apology, he picked up his wine cup and headed toward the Celestial Maidens and Fairies in the distance.

’The heavens have mercy. God knows how long it’s been since I’ve had a taste of a Celestial Maiden!’

’And after all the trouble I went through to get back here...’

Zhu Wuneng chortled and patted his stomach, making sure that Marshal Tianpeng—his Self from this era—was still firmly suppressed within his gut. Then, he plunged headfirst into a group of Celestial Maidens, eliciting a flurry of surprised yelps.

However, none of the Celestial Maidens or Fairies seemed disgusted. In fact, some of them proactively gathered around Zhu Wuneng.

Each one was sweet and delicate, cooing "Marshal" and charming Old Zhu until he was utterly mesmerized.

Even Chang’e of the Moon Palace did not shy away, sharing a cup of wine with Zhu Wuneng.

Who in the Celestial Realm didn’t know that this Marshal Tianpeng’s cultivation had progressed at a divine speed? In just thirty years, he had advanced from a mere Grand Grade to the Immortal Level, and was even considered a powerhouse among the Immortals.

Although his advancement was strangely rapid, as if his innate talent had undergone a massive breakthrough, getting on his good side could only be beneficial.

While Old Zhu lingered among the Celestial Maidens, flirting with Chang’e of the Moon Palace and reveling in treatment he had never before received, he was also using the Jade Void Primordial Secret Technique to secretly communicate with Yang Jian.

’Old Yang, why do you think the Queen Mother invited Ying Zheng here?’

’I’m afraid there’s more to this banquet than meets the eye,’ Yang Jian replied silently. ’Be careful with our transmissions. There are those with the Dao Fruit present. This Secret Skill might not be able to block their perception.’

’It’s fine,’ Old Zhu transmitted, appearing quite calm as he drank with Chang’e. ’The only one here with a Dao Fruit is His Majesty the Celestial Emperor, and it’s not like he doesn’t already know we fell back to this timeline from the [Current World]...’

As he sent the thought, both of them glanced toward the Celestial Emperor, only to find him looking right back at them with an enigmatic smile.

Old Zhu ducked his head. He knew they hadn’t fooled the Celestial Emperor. Deciding there was no point in being discreet, he continued his transmission.

’By the way, Old Yang, where did you suppress Xiaoyang?’

’In my Acupoint Heaven and Earth,’ Yang Jian replied silently. ’Also, after the banquet, find a chance to lure Venus out of the Celestial Court so we can suppress him together. Old Li is in this era too. I just ran into him a few days ago.’

’No problem.’

As the two Immortals communicated, the Queen Mother of the Jade Pool, seated in her high place, suddenly rose. She did not consult the Celestial Emperor, ignoring him completely. Instead, she first nodded respectfully to Shakyamuni Buddha.

Then, the Queen Mother pressed her hands downward, and the boisterous Celestial Palace instantly fell silent.

The Queen Mother said coolly,

"Traditionally, the Peach of Immortality Banquet is a gathering for Immortals and Buddhas alone. Today, however, we have an unusual guest."

Her clear, cold, and majestic voice echoed through the vast Celestial Palace. The assembled immortals and gods instinctively turned their gazes toward the Human Emperor sitting in the lowest-ranked seat.

His expression tightened slightly, but he remained silent.

One of the Great Immortal Officials cleared his throat and announced loudly,

"Human King Ying Zheng, why do you not pay respects to the Queen Mother?"

Ying Zheng silently took a sip of Immortal Wine and said calmly,

"I am the First Emperor. I temporarily hold the station of Lord of humanity, a position equal to Heaven and Earth. Unless one who has attained the Dao Fruit stands before me, why should I bow to anyone else?"

The faces of most of the Immortals and Buddhas darkened. The Four Extremes Emperors also turned their gazes upon him. Before the Queen Mother could speak,

Emperor Gouchen, his body still bearing the marks of his punishment, spoke with cold indifference.

"I recognize you. You once followed in the shadow of Supreme Profound Clarity. But Supreme Profound Clarity is no longer of this world. You are a mere mortal. When you see Immortal Gods, you show no respect. Who gave you the audacity?"