This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 455 - 453 Shen Nong’s Teaching

At the border of the Human Domain, troops of Immortal Soldiers were clad in bright armor.

On a cloud, Xiao Jian Daoist, wearing a pale-yellow robe and with three swords strapped to his back, gazed at the northern skies.

Not far behind Xiao Jian Daoist, Liu Baiyi and Feng Zhizi were seated on a couch formed from condensed white clouds, playing chess and conversing.

Suddenly, Liu Baiyi, who had recently grown a beard that made him appear much more weathered, said in a low voice, "Why did Emperor Shun just run away?"

"How so?"

Feng Zhizi laughed. "Could it be that my friend is still displeased with the current state of affairs?"

"Of course, I wouldn’t dare be dissatisfied," Liu Baiyi replied with a smile. "It just feels somewhat surreal. Three years ago, His Majesty suddenly went out for a trip, and upon his return, he announced the birth of the Heavenly Dao and a change in order. Look, I’ve always said Wu Wang is competent and capable; without any fanfare, he managed to take care of the greatest enemy of our Human Domain."

Feng Zhizi pondered for a moment and sighed, "Indeed, it was resolved too quickly. There are too many things about this that we don’t understand."

"This isn’t entirely a good thing, though."

Liu Baiyi placed a black piece down and said indifferently, "The goal that the Human Domain has always pursued suddenly vanished, and everything quickly became lax. Those prominent clans have shifted their focus onto each other. The only thing we at the Human Emperor Pavilion are now considering is—when a fire starts, how do we put it out?"

"Compared to a dark upheaval, such disasters are trivial."

Feng Zhizi shook his head with a smile. As a white piece landed, the situation on the chessboard changed dramatically.

Liu Baiyi said in confusion, "I still can’t understand how Wu Wang did it."

"Remember to call him the Eastern Emperor. It’s best to avoid addressing him directly by name, even in private," Feng Zhizi softly reminded. "The Eastern Emperor’s first stop on his tour is the Human Domain, and he will also confer an important Celestial Court Divine Position here. This is already the most the Eastern Emperor can do for the Human Domain."

"But if you ask me, it’s still too cautious."

Liu Baiyi shook his head and huffed, "Isn’t it clear? The strength of our Human Domain far exceeds that of the Hundred Races, yet His Majesty still restrains us, not allowing us to launch external campaigns. Think about it, those Hundred Races previously tagged along behind the Heaven Palace, causing us so much trouble! Haven’t the experts from the Hundred Races killed enough of our Human race? They deserve a reckoning!"

"Ah," Feng Zhizi said, "the world doesn’t just consist of our Human race. Although we are stronger now, who knows what the future holds? The Celestial Court is founded on all living beings, and all beings in the world are pillars of the Heavenly Dao. I, for one, understand the Eastern Emperor’s actions. In fact, there’s no need for the Heavenly Dao to choose to favor any particular race. Our Human race is already ahead of all others. The Heavenly Dao not only doesn’t restrict cultivation but also accepts Cultivators from the Human Domain, giving Human Domain cultivators the opportunity to approach the Great Dao. Isn’t that enough? Or, do you think it only counts as caring for the Human race if ’Human Race’ is carved on the outside of the Celestial Court?"

"Hehe, well, that’s not impossible... Five in a row! Didn’t see that coming, did you? Haha! The game the Eastern Emperor taught us back then is really good!"

"Hmph." Feng Zhizi’s lean face suddenly darkened a shade.

He was about to suggest another game when Liu Baiyi had already risen to his feet, looking out at the northern sky.

"He’s almost here," Liu Baiyi called out. "Everyone, liven up! Let’s not lose face in front of the Celestial Court!"

Immediately, figures scurried along the boundary line, as numerous gazes turned towards the northern sky.

There, a golden auspicious cloud was tumbling toward them, the sound of a horn piercing through the entire world.

...

"Ahahaha! Human Emperor, how have you been? Still as vigorous as ever, I see!"

"Hahaha! Eastern Emperor, how have you been of late? Still as splendid as ever, I see."

Amidst the clear skies and white clouds above the Human Emperor Pavilion, the two figures met in public, warmly exchanging pleasantries, surrounded by a throng of Human Domain experts and Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals.

Wu Wang, dressed in a black robe, greeted Human Emperor Shen Nong with a clasped-hand bow, displaying his usual humble demeanor.

Shen Nong, clad in his straw cloak and holding a wooden staff, greeted Wu Wang with a smile, exuding the air of an elder.

This made many of the experts, who knew how these two really got along in private, barely suppress their smirks, some even rolling their eyes.

Shen Nong made an inviting gesture and spoke in a gentle voice, "Please, Eastern Emperor. I’ve ordered a wine banquet prepared. Today, we mustn’t leave until we’re thoroughly drunk."

Wu Wang replied with a smile, "As long as it’s not that Daoist liquor of yours, Senior, I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."

"The Eastern Emperor jests," Shen Nong said warmly. "The Human Domain will certainly offer its finest wines to entertain the leader of the Heavenly Dao. Daoist liquor is indeed a treasured gem of our winemaking craft."

Wu Wang blinked, looking as if he might turn and flee, but Shen Nong grabbed his arm and, with great warmth, pulled him towards the grand pavilion below, which looked as if it had recently undergone a complete renovation.

Following the two emperors, a group of experts greeted and bowed to each other.

Liu Baiyi and Feng Zhizi led the Pavilion Masters of the Human Emperor’s Eight Pavilions and several commanders of the Imperial Guards to welcome the twelve Divine Spirits from the Celestial Court.

They paired off, each host responsible for one guest, with a particular focus on Yun Zhongjun and the God of Flowing Light. Liu Baiyi had previously issued an ultimatum: if Yun Zhongjun and the God of Flowing Light left the Human Domain sober, those responsible for their entertainment would be sentenced to marinate in a vat of liquor for three years.

Thus, the atmosphere of the wine banquet quickly grew boisterous, with calls to drink echoing from all sides.

The twelve accompanying Gods had no inkling of what they were about to face.

Atop the high platform, Wu Wang looked at the clear, sweet liquor before him and breathed an inward sigh of relief.

The old senior has indeed shown mercy. While it’s still Daoist liquor, he only brought out the thousand-year-old brews, not the batches tens of thousands of years old that I’ve tasted a few times before. The latter has essentially transcended the category of liquor; it’s more like the Dao itself, with just a hint of liquid mixed in.

"How long will you stay in the Human Domain this time?" Shen Nong asked via voice transmission.

The two maintained a ’warm’ facade of toasting and conversing, but their private exchange was devoid of any pleasantries.

Wu Wang responded, "A few days. I’ll visit some places in the Human Domain to keep up appearances before heading to the Western Wilderness. From there, I’ll enter the Kunlun Ruins, then move on to the Northern Wilderness, the Eastern Wilderness, and finally, east of the East Sea."

Shen Nong was somewhat surprised. "Are you in such a hurry to resolve these two major issues?"

"Yes, the sooner, the better," Wu Wang’s voice grew slightly deeper.

On the surface, Shen Nong laughed and raised his cup. The two of them clinked glasses with a smile, setting an example for the officials below.

In reality, they had already begun to ’transmit messages’ quite openly, their movements minimal, merely maintaining their smiles.

Shen Nong advised via voice transmission, "Don’t take such large strides. The Celestial Court has only been established for a few years. The various things you’ve done during these years have already surpassed the reforms of the Heaven Palace over tens of thousands of years, in both scope and depth."

"That’s just a matter of differing philosophies, nothing to be particularly proud of," Wu Wang replied with a chuckle via voice transmission. "What I’ve done is based on my understanding and my sense of right and wrong. Another person with circumstances similar to mine wouldn’t find it too difficult to achieve the same. According to my treasured artifact, I’ve endured all my hardships elsewhere; this life is meant for me to enjoy."

"I won’t ask about your treasured artifact," Shen Nong replied calmly, his fingers tapping his knee as if he were calculating something. He continued, "I’m not too worried about the matter in the Eastern Wilderness. You have the Heavenly Dao at your disposal; dealing with those remnants of defeated forces is a trivial effort for you."

"This trip to the Eastern Wilderness is to offer amnesty and give those Divine Spirits a chance," Wu Wang said. "If they don’t recognize the opportune moment, only then will I resort to force against them."

"You have your own plans; no need to tell me," Shen Nong advised via voice transmission. "But you should be more cautious regarding the Kunlun Ruins. If you can avoid going, then don’t. I’ve visited the Kunlun Ruins. Although I never encountered those old gods, I felt that the place was thoroughly permeated with a sinister aura. These old gods, constantly hiding behind the order of heaven and earth, use their many tendrils to influence this world and possess countless secrets. You are still young. You should think and observe more in all matters and not make promises rashly."

Wu Wang pondered for a moment. "Senior, what conditions do you think those old gods might propose for them to be willing to share the Great Daos they command?"

Shen Nong considered for a while, tapping his fingers gently on his knees, and slightly shook his head. "They are much older than I; I shouldn’t guess, lest I mislead you. However, when it comes to negotiations, it always boils down to a few viable strategies: focus on the trivial and skirt the important, create deliberate confusion, use both carrot and stick, and advance by retreating. If they make outrageous demands, just turn around and leave. The initiative is in your hands. The Heavenly Dao now possesses boundless Power of Merit. If things don’t go well, just flatten the Kunlun Ruins and send those old gods on their way."

Wu Wang: ...

The old Human Emperor has such a murderous aura.

It must be a transference of the resentment he previously held for Emperor Shun onto these old gods.

Wu Wang agreed solemnly, raised his cup to toast the Human Emperor, and laughed. "May my journey yield fruitful results."

"Naturally," Shen Nong squinted in a smile, clinked cups with Wu Wang. Then, both, with a show of decorum, held their cups and wide sleeves, tilted their heads back, and drained their drinks in one gulp.

Seeing this, the ministers on both sides below redoubled their efforts in toasting and urging others to drink.

The twelve Gods of the Celestial Court sounded the horn for a counterattack.

Meanwhile, Wu Wang and Shen Nong enjoyed the spectacle and conversed via voice transmission, quite at ease.

Outside the pavilion, a grand feast for ten thousand immortals was underway. White-haired elders from the Human Domain gathered here, attending the banquet of the Human Emperor and the Eastern Emperor.

Auspicious immortal music filled the air, and countless Cultivators who had come to pay their respects were now gathered in groups, drinking and chatting, creating a most lively scene.

By the midpoint of the feast, four of the Divine Spirits accompanying the Celestial Court entourage had drunk themselves under the table.

Wu Wang, the Eastern Emperor, was also plied with toasts by several ministers in turn. The Human Emperor, with a grand wave of his hand, had a dozen cups of Daoist liquor brought to the table before himself and Wu Wang.

Liu Baiyi, leading the Human Domain’s Fish Breeding Team, and Yun Zhongjun, heading the Celestial Court’s Whale Breeding Team, respectively, continued to earnestly ply each other with drinks, careful not to let the ’battle’ spill over to the two emperors.

The two emperors conversed via voice transmission about many affairs of heaven and earth.

During this casual chat, they decided the extent of the Human Domain’s future involvement with the Celestial Court and the process of the Heavenly Dao’s direct intervention in the Human Domain.

As they talked, Shen Nong inquired about the situation in the Outer Sky.

"According to the divinations, your mother and my son are both safe and sound; you need not worry too much. When do you plan to wage war against the Outer Sky?"

"I haven’t decided whether to go to war yet," Wu Wang said in a low voice. "If war breaks out, it will inevitably deplete the world’s combat power. If I can find a solution for the Outer Sky, similar to how I solved the Heaven Palace problem, that would be the best outcome."

"It’s impossible to achieve that without bloodshed," Shen Nong frowned, looking at Wu Wang. "Why do I feel like you’re becoming obsessed with achieving perfection?"

Wu Wang thought carefully.

He actually had the same question for Zhong, but Zhong was always evasive in his answers. Lately, Zhong’s communications with him had become increasingly sparse, as if he were avoiding him.

Although Wu Wang did not know the specifics, he could still summarize one sentence from the information Zhong had revealed: "Because it is not perfect, it cannot survive."

"Oh?"

Shen Nong frowned, watching Wu Wang closely.

Wu Wang shook his head slightly and said in a slow voice, "Senior, there’s no need to ask me further; I don’t know how to answer this matter."

"How can you proceed in such a confused state?" Shen Nong sighed. "Look down."

Wu Wang looked down between his legs, somewhat puzzled.

"I mean, look at these gods and spirits who follow you and me!" Shen Nong couldn’t help but curse, "Are you drunk? Why are you so muddled? Wu Wang, I don’t know what you’re relying on, but I can roughly sense that you seem to possess the ability to manipulate time. But Wu Wang, you are not alone now. The Heaven Palace problem might be seen as something you resolved single-handedly. But without the Ice God’s consistent pressure on Emperor Shun, without the Cloud Dream God’s silent support behind you, and—if I may be so bold—without my sudden appearance that day to suppress Emperor Shun, could you have achieved your goals so smoothly?"

Wu Wang shook his head honestly.

Shen Nong said in a gentle voice, "What you now carry on your shoulders are all living beings of heaven and earth, all sentient life, these subjects who trust you! You lack that killing aura tempered by blood and fire! Can this matter be left ambiguous? The Cloud Dream God asks you once, you respond vaguely. She asks you twice, and you use the excuse of ’future calamities’ to brush her off, yet you cannot say what the actual calamity is or when it will occur. This will gradually cause you to lose credibility. No matter how perfect the Heavenly Dao you’ve planned or how stable the order you’ve constructed, if you lose their trust in you, it will ultimately be nothing more than a castle in the air. All order relies on people to support it. At the very least, you must be clear in your own mind and make them feel that you are clear in your mind, even if it means deceiving them—though, naturally, deception is the worst resort."

"Alas..." Wu Wang raised his hand and rubbed his brow, sighing. "I have learned my lesson, Senior."

"Come, drink," Shen Nong picked up two cups of wine and handed one to Wu Wang. "Remember to let me know once you’ve figured things out."

Wu Wang smiled and drained the wine in one gulp.

He asked, "Is the conferment of the Fire God arranged for tomorrow?"

"Yes, today is just for drinking."

"Then arrange a quiet chamber for me," Wu Wang stood up, his eyes sparkling with determination. "I’m not holding my liquor very well. My apologies, my apologies."

Shen Nong rose with a smile. "Look at this, you couldn’t even drink to your heart’s content! Attendants, escort His Majesty the Eastern Emperor to the rear hall to rest!"

Wu Wang smiled at Yun Zhongjun. "Everyone, please keep His Majesty the Human Emperor company on my behalf."

The few Celestial Court Divine Spirits who were still awake quickly agreed.

After a moment, in the empty rear hall, rich Heavenly Dao power enveloped the area.

Wu Wang sat there pondering for a long time and said in a low voice, "Zhong, it’s indeed time for us to have a serious talk."

CLANG—

Faint clouds and mist drifted from all around, and a profound Daoist charm flowed out from Wu Wang, enveloping an area roughly thirty feet in radius.