Chapter 276: Handsome Guy, Who Are You?

The Jade Emperor sat in the High Heavens Pavilion, appointing his avatars to gather celestial immortals. This began with a memorial presented by the Sea God, bringing wrath upon the demonic creatures of the Four Seas. Blame the Western Sect for their arrogance, repeatedly provoking and disrespecting the divine lord. Chang Geng offered a supremely stable plan, using your pawn to repay heavenly grace!

While everyone was adept at using avatars, Li Changshou genuinely couldn't bring himself to personally confer a title upon his own avatar. The High Heavens Pavilion was a scene of large-scale self-division.

General Hua Ri Tian, clad in golden chainmail, a snow-white cloak, and a sculpted golden helmet, his left hand gripping the sword at his waist, swiftly followed Duke Dong Mu.

Arriving before the high platform, under Li Changshou's gaze, Hua Ri Tian's expression was solemn as he knelt on one knee, declaring:"This humble general greets Your Majesty!"

His Majesty the Jade Emperor sat majestically on the high platform, golden light shimmering over his white robes, holding the Heavenly Emperor's Seal, and proclaimed:"Today, I confer upon you the title of Marshal of Demon Extermination. You shall, together with the Sea God, lead a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers to purge the demons of the Four Seas!"

Hua Ri Tian firmly replied, "This humble general accepts the decree!"

Li Changshou was speechless. The conversation between an avatar and the main body could be so expressive and emotional. His Majesty the Jade Emperor must often amuse himself by talking to himself. This was the daily self-amusement of a bored Heavenly Emperor.

Once His Majesty the Jade Emperor personally appointed His Majesty the Jade Emperor as the chief marshal, Li Changshou subtly prompted Duke Mu to volunteer to serve as a supervisor. Though the Jade Emperor was enthusiastic, he couldn't actually let his avatar charge into battle. If word got out, wouldn't the Heavenly Court become a laughingstock among the various powerful figures?

Duke Dong Mu was initially hesitant, thinking that being a supervisor wouldn't be interesting. However, considering that the Sea God never misled him, Duke Mu stepped forward and requested to serve as supervisor. The Jade Emperor agreed without hesitation, appointing Duke Dong Mu as the Heavenly Court's Battle Supervisor Marshal.

Immediately, Hua Ri Tian, Duke Dong Mu, and Li Changshou collectively received the decree, expressed their gratitude, and left the High Heavens Pavilion to proceed to the Tongming Hall to discuss the specific military operations.

Duke Dong Mu looked at Hua Ri Tian's retreating figure with a hint of dissatisfaction, intending to assert his divine authority over him. Fortunately, Li Changshou's voice promptly echoed in Duke Dong Mu's mind: "Duke Mu, ponder this, ponder it carefully."

Duke Dong Mu frowned in thought upon hearing this and quickly realized something. Could it be that His Majesty was testing him, to see if he had any ambition for power or dominance? Immediately, Duke Dong Mu became alert, revealing a gentle smile as he hurried forward to meticulously instruct Hua Ri Tian on matters of troop movement and campaigning.

At this time, there were few Heavenly Generals in the Heavenly Court who had truly commanded troops in battle. Duke Dong Mu had, at least, commanded the battle to reinforce the Dragon Palace. Li Changshou chuckled lightly at this sight. Unlike Old Man Yue, Duke Dong Mu's immortal career had clearly gained a tiny bit of vitality.

Due to incomplete divine positions, the Heavenly Court's decree issuance was agonizingly slow at this time, but its troop deployment was highly efficient; a hundred thousand elite Heavenly Soldiers could be mobilized in three days. Had it not been for the need to train the battle formations of the immortal bean soldiers, they could have marched out in just a few hours.

Although Li Changshou had tried his best to slack off—or rather, to cede credit—he was astonished to find that after everything was finalized, he still held multiple positions. He was responsible for logistics, coordination, providing minor tactics, and even comforting a certain old god with a fragile, sensitive, elderly heart. In addition, Li Changshou had to prepare another batch of paper effigies and a hundred thousand reserve immortal bean soldiers to serve as reinforcements for critical moments. All things considered, it would have been more comfortable to simply be the chief general.

In the Tongming Hall, Duke Dong Mu and 'Hua Ri Tian' convened over ten Heavenly Generals to begin discussing the specific matters of troop deployment. Li Changshou said, "I'll first contact the Dragon Clan to confirm the date of their deployment." Hua Ri Tian, with the bearing of a grand general, cupped his hands and smiled, "I trouble the Sea God with this task!"

"It's nothing, nothing at all," Li Changshou agreed with a smile, secretly observing the Jade Emperor's avatar. His Majesty the Jade Emperor was clearly in high spirits today; this avatar's eyes constantly sparkled with brilliance. *I wonder how long this avatar of His Majesty the Jade Emperor will remain in the Heavenly Court.*

Controlling this paper effigy to return to the Sea God's Residence in the Heavenly Court, Li Changshou had no time to spare and immediately dispatched another paper effigy to the East Sea Dragon Palace to discuss the Dragon Clan's military involvement.

Li Changshou's strategy was a win-win for both the Heavenly Court and the Dragon Clan. The gathering places of the deep-sea demon race were one in the depths of the South Sea and another in the depths of the West Sea, and most of them were demonic creatures burdened with karma. The Dragon Clan also had several old scores to settle with the great deep-sea demons.

Previously, the Dragon Clan was unable to act, partly because rebels in the Four Seas constantly caused trouble. Secondly, rashly engaging in warfare could easily deplete the Dragon Clan's already weak fortune, potentially leading to more troublesome consequences. Therefore, most of the time, unless absolutely necessary, the Dragon Clan would not easily raise an army.

Today, with the Heavenly Court proactively inviting the Dragon Clan to deploy troops to assist, the Dragon Clan not only didn't have to worry about depleting their fortune but could also use this opportunity to boost it. If such a good opportunity came a hundred times, the Dragon Clan would surely seize it a hundred times!

After Li Changshou's paper effigy arrived at the Dragon Palace, the Dragon Clan again expressed their overwhelming gratitude. Fortunately, the Dragon Clan now knew that Lord Sea God disliked pleasure, was not fond of either female or male beauty, and was almost devoid of desires, apart from taking some valuable materials from the Dragon Clan to pave floors! So, when Li Changshou and the East Sea Dragon King discussed the specific matters of the Dragon Clan's military deployment in private, Ao Yi was in the adjacent side hall, helping his sect leader brother put away batch after batch of their own treasure chests. The little dragon's smile was so radiant, overflowing with satisfaction.

The Dragon Clan's enthusiasm truly made Li Changshou a bit embarrassed not to accept. In merely half an hour, Li Changshou finalized the specific arrangements with the Dragon King.

On the Dragon Clan's side, Ao Yi would serve as the overall commander of their forces, with two Dragon Clan elders as his deputies, deploying three hundred Dragon Clan experts, thirty thousand immortal flood dragon soldiers, and one hundred eighty thousand shrimp and crab soldiers, with full responsibility for reconnaissance and enemy detection. The number of these troops was ultimately decided after careful deliberation by Li Changshou and the Dragon King. They couldn't be too many, to avoid overshadowing the Heavenly Court, nor too few, to avoid seeming insincere on the Dragon Clan's part.

After much thought, Li Changshou still subtly hinted to the Dragon King: "The Heavenly Court's chief marshal this time is no ordinary person. The Dragon Clan's soldiers and generals absolutely must not offend this individual. All must strictly follow orders and obey the Heavenly Court's chief marshal's unified command."

"It shall be so," the Dragon King stroked his beard and nodded, naturally understanding who the chief general was. The East Sea Dragon King had recognized Hua Ri Tian, the Jade Emperor's avatar, during Ao Yi's wedding previously. The Dragon King asked with a smile, "This person... is he truly so concerned about this matter?"

"It's not that he's particularly concerned, but this is the Heavenly Court's proactive external military action, different from the previous reinforcement of the Dragon Clan," Li Changshou replied with a smile, suppressing the thought 'His Majesty is actually quite bored' in his heart.

Li Changshou added, "Dragon King, regarding this military operation against the deep-sea demon race, we must also be careful not to let any information leak."

"Does the Sea God have a clever plan?"

"We can arrange for a group of marine rebels to flee to the deep-sea demon gathering place. The Dragon Clan will outwardly send troops in hot pursuit, then at the appropriate moment, turn their swords to eliminate the great marine demons."

"Excellent," the East Sea Dragon King nodded with a smile, "We shall follow the Sea God's plan." He was unexpectedly easy to talk to.

Having agreed with the Dragon Palace to deploy troops three days later, Li Changshou ordered Ao Yi to proceed to the Heavenly Court ahead of time, to represent the Dragon Clan and await orders from the Heavenly Court's Marshal of Demon Extermination. Every small step he took actually held profound meaning. With this slight calculation, Li Changshou single-handedly hammered a crystal coffin for the deep-sea demon race. This was a punitive expedition by the Heavenly Court, with most of the karma being borne by the Heavenly Court, and the Heavenly Court's great fortune was not something that mere remnants of two demon races could shake.

"I just don't know how the Western Sect will react. This matter should be resolved quickly."

Li Changshou's main body murmured, continuing to plan and strategize. To be safe, he arranged for his paper effigies to be out, while his main body took the opportunity to slip back to Little Qiong Peak. Although the current thinly lubricated mountain-protecting array of the Immortal Du Sect could be broken by his single palm, within the immortal sect, he felt an indescribable sense of security. Perhaps it was because he was a little closer to the Saint Lord.

On the second day of the Heavenly Court and Dragon Palace's covert troop mobilization, Li Changshou finalized several backup plans, which Ao Yi then handed over to Duke Dong Mu. His Majesty the Jade Emperor was, in a disguised form, personally leading the expedition. Li Changshou's paper effigy in the Heavenly Court would also accompany the expedition. A pair of avatar lord and minister, it was quite an interesting affair.

With the 'small' war imminent, Li Changshou actually wanted to formulate more emergency plans, to prevent the Heavenly Court and Dragon Clan army from falling victim to Western schemes. But before he could fully develop his thoughts, Ling'e rushed in, calling him to Mount Potian to observe a ceremony. Li Changshou dared not delay. His true body appeared, and he hurried with Ling'e to Mount Potian. While he was busy running around outside, the matter of his martial uncle's reincarnated self becoming a disciple had already been settled.

Venerable Forgetting-Emotion accepted her as a disciple and bestowed upon her the Daoist name 'Jiu Shi'. To differentiate her from Jiu Shi (Wine Dispenser), everyone usually called her 'Jiu Yu Shi' (Wine Rain Poem). Once this matter was decided, it was naturally time for a formal apprenticeship ceremony.

Jiang Lin'er bustled about, making thorough arrangements. Several elders and grand elders from the Forgetting-Emotion Residence arrived, and even the sect master, who had been in seclusion recuperating, came to join the festivities upon hearing the news. The Nine Immortals of the 'Jiu' character all arrived, each greeting their newly inducted junior sister, and most were aware of the matter concerning Wan Jiangyu. Jiu Jiu was especially thrilled, pulling Jiu Yu Shi close and telling everyone she met that this was her junior sister.

As Li Changshou and Ling'e just arrived on clouds in front of the Forgetting-Emotion Residence, Jiu Jiu, pulling Jiu Yu Shi, sprang out, holding her head high and lightly calling out: "Hey! You two youngsters, quickly come and pay your respects to your junior martial aunt!"

Ling'e immediately burst into laughter, bending forward in a bow. Li Changshou also properly performed a Daoist bow, solemnly calling out, "Disciple Li Changshou pays respects to martial aunt."

Jiu Jiu inexplicably felt a bit guilty, while the young girl who had just received her Daoist name quickly stepped forward, bowing to Li Changshou in return, unsure of what to say.

Li Changshou smiled, took out three bottles of pills from his robe, and said, "Congratulations, Martial Aunt, on becoming a disciple of a Golden Immortal within the sect. Please continue to look after me in the future. These are hunger-suppressing pills. Life on the mountain is not like the mortal world, so don't let yourself get hungry."

Ling'e, from the side, laughed, "Brother, you don't know yet! Martial Aunt Yushi will cultivate on our Little Qiong Peak, and Martial Aunt Jiu will teach on behalf of master, so Martial Aunt Yushi won't get hungry!"

"Oh?" Li Changshou chuckled instantly. In that case, Master would also have more opportunities. Speaking of which, where was Master? At such an important moment, Master should logically be here.

Li Changshou handed over the pills, and the young girl Yushi's pretty face flushed as she carefully took them. Jiu Jiu, curious, leaned over, opened a bottle of pills and glanced inside, then her pretty face was covered with black lines. Spirit... Spirit-level hunger-suppressing pills?

Li Changshou smiled slightly, stepped into the Forgetting-Emotion Residence, bowed to the various senior members of the sect, and then quietly stood in a corner. Ling'e stayed behind on her own to accompany Jiu Jiu and Jiu Yu Shi in receiving guests there.

*After the Dragon Clan matter is settled, should I persuade some Immortal Du Sect members to go to the Heavenly Court?* Li Changshou pondered this in his heart. He had long ago calculated that besides the main battlefield in Nanshan Continent during the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe, the three great immortal sects should also face a major calamity, and the Immortal Du Sect would not be safe during the tribulation. If he could bring his relatives and friends to the Heavenly Court beforehand, they could largely avoid such a disaster. Would this count as 'when one attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven'? Probably not, he certainly wouldn't arrange for Immortal Du Sect members to be under his Sea God's command; there were so many vacant divine positions in the Heavenly Court...

"Changshou, *cough*, you've arrived."

Suddenly hearing a somewhat unfamiliar voice beside him, Li Changshou turned his head to look, couldn't help but feel a surge in his breath, and lowered his head to cough twice. He saw a silver-haired young man stepping towards him from another corner. He was dressed in a silk-faced blue long robe, with a pair of black cloth boots on his feet, a golden jade ring cinched at his waist. His face was fair, his posture upright, and his eyes were bright and full of spirit. He could truly be called a handsome man with sword-like brows and starry eyes, a graceful gentleman. Had it not been for a wisp of turbid immortal aura on this person, an aura incredibly familiar to Li Changshou, he would genuinely have had to ask: *Handsome sir, who are you?*

Qi Yuan, this was his own master, Old Daoist Qi Yuan! Heavens...

"Master, you!"

"What is it?" Qi Yuan asked nervously, "Is this attire... a bit strange?"

"No, no, not at all," Li Changshou gave a thumbs up, "Master is handsome and dashing, this disciple knew that all along. It's just that I'm not quite used to seeing it at the moment."

Li Changshou thought for a moment and still sent a voice transmission to remind his master: "It's just, Master, although reincarnation involves the same true spirit, they are no longer the person of old. Some matters are best left to nature."

"This master knows, this master knows," Qi Yuan nodded repeatedly, standing beside Li Changshou, and replied with a smile via voice transmission, "This master is only dressed like this today because I wished to see her formally re-enter the sect. This master has but ten thousand years left in this life, and I dare not dwell on matters concerning senior martial sister. In this life of senior martial sister, this master wishes to stay by her side, protect her, and once she attains immortality and the Dao, this master will have no more worries."

Li Changshou nodded with a gentle smile, sighing softly in his heart. A turbid immortal... the Earth Immortal Dao...

"Master," Li Changshou transmitted, "There is a great power known as the Ancestor of Earth Immortals. If this disciple has the opportunity, I will pay him a visit and inquire about the methods of cultivation for Earth Immortals. Moreover, if Master takes a position in the Heavenly Court, your lifespan can be extended several times."

"No need to trouble yourself so much," Qi Yuan sighed softly via voice transmission, "Changshou, this master will cultivate diligently in the future, to quickly achieve true immortality. This master knows you have already stepped out of the Immortal Du Sect and have the prospect of attaining the Fruit of Longevity. Do not be distracted by worrying about me; just take good care of your junior sister."

As he spoke, Old Daoist Qi Yuan secretly glanced outside the door, saw the shyly smiling beautiful young girl, then withdrew his gaze, his eyes filled with peace.

"Disciple?"

"This disciple is here."

"Thank you."

Li Changshou was speechless. *Master, if you keep being so unnecessarily polite, this disciple will go ahead and start arranging that customized VIP reincarnation package in the Underworld for you!*