Chapter 311: Heavenly Emperor's Demon-Slaying Sword, Rivers and Lakes Open Divine Power

When Bian Zhuang donned his brand new, shining silver armor and stood by the tranquil yet vast Heavenly River, awaiting inspection by the Sea God and Dong Mu Gong, his heart was incredibly conflicted.

He remembered how he, Bian Zhuang, had first come to the Heavenly Court solely for that fairy sister. Even though her name remained unknown and he had since given up on that pursuit, his original intention was clear. Yet, in this very environment, the Heavenly Court, through merit and official positions, had instilled in Bian Zhuang an ambitious drive for advancement!

In such a short time, he had transformed from the whimsical Heavenly Bean Marshal to the Vice-Commander of the Heavenly River Navy! In this brief period, the merit he had accumulated was several times more than what his family's Tianya Pavilion had gathered over so many years of operation. Of course, running such "temporary places for romantic trials" didn't offer many opportunities to accumulate merit.

Now, as Bian Zhuang walked through the Heavenly Court within his permitted range, he was treated like a brother by the various Heavenly Generals, and even the Heavenly Soldiers greeted him as "General" or "Marshal." That single address of "Marshal" truly made him feel a thousand times more comfortable than a hundred calls of "Young Master"! More importantly, when he occasionally passed groups of fairies, most of them would cast curious, admiring glances his way, rather than expressions of disdain or disgust.

These were merely the visible benefits; countless other advantages were beyond counting! The most significant example was the ease with which his cultivation improved; his previous bottlenecks seemed to have vanished. Bian Zhuang was now sincerely committed to becoming an outstanding general in the Heavenly Court!

Therefore, when Bian Zhuang received the order from Tongming Hall, he was so excited his Dao heart almost seized up! But when he saw the line at the end of the order, instructing him to lead heavenly soldiers to be placed under the command of the Flawless Four Seas God, Bian Zhuang's vision went black, and he almost fled the Heavenly Court that very night!

Why? Because the person he dreaded seeing most right now was precisely this Sea God!

Apart from matters of romance, Bian Zhuang was not a foolish person. He understood perfectly well that the reason he had received so many rewards from the Heavenly Court was purely because of a casual drunken boast he had made, claiming he had gained the appreciation of Grand Master Xuandu of the Human Path and the Sea God. Fortunately, a transcendent being like Grand Master Xuandu hadn't bothered with such a minor incident, and Lord Sea God, being extremely busy, had also paid no attention to it.

But now... Bian Zhuang was no longer the ignorant bean-grower he once was; he fully comprehended the immense power and influence the Sea God wielded in the Heavenly Court. It was reportedly stated by Dong Mu Gong himself that the Sea God currently managed over eighty percent of the Heavenly Court's crucial affairs, was the Jade Emperor's most trusted minister, and was the only high-ranking official, apart from Dong Mu Gong, with direct authority to deploy troops! Of course, the Sea God's strongest backing was naturally his status as the third most important figure in the Human Path.

And Bian Zhuang? He merely had some family property, which amounted to nothing in the Heavenly Court. By leveraging his boast and relying on the rake from Tusita Palace in his possession, he had become the Heavenly Court's current rising star, a 'young general.' But all of this was a castle in the air, a reflection in water; with just a word from the Sea God, he would instantly revert to his true form... In fact, the higher he had been elevated, the harder he would fall!

"This is going to be the end of me!" What should he do?

Bian Zhuang hesitated endlessly. He wanted to leave everything behind, yet he couldn't bear to part with his current 'glory and wealth.' Ultimately, Bian Zhuang decided to go and meet the Sea God in advance. No matter the cost, he would plead with the Sea God not to expose his inflated boasts.

But just as Bian Zhuang was about to leave, a squad of heavenly soldiers arrived, urging him to immediately go to the Heavenly River to rally the troops. How long had it been? He had received the order from Tongming Hall only yesterday, and today he was already expected to take up his post! At that moment, Bian Zhuang's legs went soft, and he almost collapsed in his courtyard. Seeing this, several heavenly soldiers immediately rushed forward to support him. Without a word, they lifted him and carried him to the Heavenly River, placing him in the Vice-Commander's position.

Watching those heavenly soldiers flash fawning smiles at him, Bian Zhuang truly wished he could banish them to 'Tianya Pavilion - Nüshuyuan' to serve those female immortals who enjoyed tormenting people! What could he do? What else *could* he do?

As Bian Zhuang's mind reeled with frustration, his immortal sense caught sight of Dong Mu Gong and the Sea God approaching on clouds. In that instant, Bian Zhuang's left eye replayed scenes of him drinking and carousing with numerous heavenly generals, being called "Marshal Brother" by countless fairies. His right eye, however, showed him being pinned to the ground by several heavenly soldiers, thrown into the Heavenly Punishment Pool, struck by wild lightning until he was reduced to ashes, and the fairies' gazes filled with contempt... He could even imagine what those fairies were saying!

*'Ugh, he dared to impersonate a Human Path decree to cheat and eat, and even got so many wounds from the Heavenly Court, truly shameless to the extreme.'**'Scum! Shameless!'**'I even thought he would be a Grand Marshal in the future.'*

No—all of this could not simply leave him. He, Bian Zhuang, had to grasp his own destiny!

"Sea God!" Bian Zhuang's neck veins bulged, his voice hoarse, a raw, primal scream from his very spirit: "The Sea God is here! It's the Sea God! Lord Sea God!"

Behind Bian Zhuang, the one hundred thousand heavenly soldiers, arranged in three layers (upper, middle, lower) and nine armies (front, middle, rear), all simultaneously looked at Bian Zhuang, ten thousand question marks appearing above their heads. But Bian Zhuang paid them no mind. With tears in his eyes, he mounted a white cloud and charged towards Dong Mu Gong and Li Changshou.

Still several hundred miles away, Bian Zhuang shouted at the top of his lungs: "Sea God! Your humble subordinate Bian Zhuang is your Vice-Commander!"

Dong Mu Gong's forehead creased with a few dark lines. He looked at Li Changshou with some doubt and whispered, "Should we find another Vice-Commander? This one... doesn't seem very normal."

"It's fine," Li Changshou said with a slight smile, his immortal sense capturing Bian Zhuang's expression and hearing his impassioned shout imbued with immortal power. He already understood why Bian Zhuang was acting this way. Li Changshou felt a little perplexed himself... Where was the "arrogant spirit" this fellow displayed before the Dragon Palace back then, when he disregarded everything for Keler? However, Li Changshou had no intention of making things difficult for his future 'second senior brother.' Especially after seeing how handsome Bian Zhuang looked now, and then picturing his future appearance... A wave of emotions surged in Li Changshou's heart.

Bian Zhuang hurried to Li Changshou's front. Perhaps from excessive excitement, his legs buckled, and he prostrated himself completely on the cloud, sliding several hundred feet forward while still prone. With his head buried in the cloud, hands clasped above his head, Bian Zhuang loudly declared, "Your humble subordinate Bian Zhuang, willing to serve the Sea God in pursuing fairies—no, willing to serve the Sea God like a dog or horse! I will serve with all my being, even if it means dying in the process!"

Dong Mu Gong frowned, looking at Li Changshou. He asked very seriously, "Is he really alright?"

Li Changshou smiled, "He is still young now. With a little tempering, he will be of great use in the future."

Bian Zhuang, still lying in the cloud, paused, then subtly lifted his head, secretly peeking at the two powerful Heavenly Court officials before him. He furiously mulled over the Sea God's words... What did that mean? The Sea God actually thought highly of him? Did he possess some unique quality, even one he hadn't discovered himself, that had attracted the Sea God's attention?

Bian Zhuang was still somewhat dazed when Li Changshou urged, "It's cold on the cloud, Vice-Commander Bian. Please get up quickly. And please return first and have the ranked generals stand forth. I have arrangements to make shortly."

Bian Zhuang trembled all over, then immediately jumped up, his eyes dazed, his mind a blank. What was happening?

At that moment, Li Changshou smiled again and added, "Vice-Commander Bian, be sure to keep the rake that Grand Master Xuandu gifted you safe. Don't let it get damaged."

"Ah, ah!" Bian Zhuang's lips trembled, then he quickly came to his senses. He shouted a few "Your humble subordinate obeys!" and "Thank you, Sea God!", hugged the Nine-Toothed Rake to his chest, turned, and rushed towards the Heavenly River, urgently calling out orders...

"Mu Gong, let us proceed." Li Changshou offered with a smile. He and Dong Mu Gong admired the magnificent scenery of the Heavenly River, chatting as they headed towards where the heavenly soldiers were assembled.

Li Changshou suddenly recalled that his second senior brother's family seemed to own a chain of immortal pleasure houses called 'Tianya Pavilion.' That, too, held some potential value.

After Dong Mu Gong entrusted the tiger tally and the one hundred thousand Heavenly River soldiers saluted Li Changshou, he officially took command of the troops. Without further delay, Li Changshou immediately summoned all three hundred generals, big and small.

The first thing Li Changshou did was to promote two other Vice-Commanders, instructing them to jointly oversee the Heavenly River Navy with Bian Zhuang. Bian Zhuang had no complaints about this; in fact, he even thought it was the Sea God's "thoughtful arrangement," knowing his limited abilities. From immense sorrow to immense joy, Bian Zhuang had experienced the ebb and flow of life within a single day.

When Li Changshou dismissed the generals, keeping only the three Vice-Commanders for discussion, Bian Zhuang was the first to approach. He held out his accumulated pocket money from years of saving—two ring-shaped storage artifacts. "Sea God, this is a humble offering from your subordinate!"

The other two generals exchanged glances and quickly began to pat their own money pouches.

"Impudence!" Li Changshou suddenly roared, exuding an astonishing aura of authority.

Bian Zhuang's legs trembled, and he quickly dropped to one knee. Li Changshou raised his whisk and commanded, "Guards! Take Vice-Commander Bian Zhuang away and lash him with the Heavenly Thunder Whip the number of a Heavenly Star! How dare he brazenly bribe me? If such a practice were to spread, what would become of order!"

Bian Zhuang opened his mouth, but before he could speak, several heavenly soldiers rushed forward, seized Bian Zhuang, and pulled him to the side. Soon after, lightning flashed by the Heavenly River, and Bian Zhuang's miserable screams echoed back and forth. The other two Vice-Commanders were also quite nervous, but thankfully, Li Changshou did not get angry again and returned to his amiable demeanor.

When Bian Zhuang returned after his punishment, Li Changshou bestowed healing pills upon him. After Bian Zhuang took them, Li Changshou began discussing important matters with the three Vice-Commanders. Li Changshou naturally would not use these one hundred thousand heavenly soldiers to attack the rebel forces of the Four Seas. He assigned three tasks.

Firstly, the training ground for these one hundred thousand heavenly soldiers would be in the South and East Seas. They were to conduct at least twenty drills each month directly in front of the Dragon Race. This task would be handled by the two other Vice-Commanders.

Secondly, a group of intelligent heavenly generals would be selected and led by Bian Zhuang to visit the Dragon Palaces in the South, North, and East Seas, one by one, to seek support. Bian Zhuang would personally explain how wonderful the Heavenly Court was. For this task, Li Changshou would arrange for several Sea God Cult emissaries to guide Bian Zhuang throughout the process. However, Li Changshou also issued a strict order to Bian Zhuang: while it was fine to eat and drink with the Dragon Race, he was absolutely forbidden from getting involved with mermaids or dragon women, as this would tarnish the Heavenly Court's dignity.

"Otherwise, hmph!"

"Your humble subordinate absolutely would not dare, or you may punish me as you see fit!"

Li Changshou calmly stated, "I am warning you beforehand. If you truly commit this offense, I will strip you of your divine position and heavenly duty, cast you into the Heavenly Punishment Well to the mortal realm, and transform you into a form that any woman would dread seeing!"

Bian Zhuang's legs trembled, and he repeatedly swore he wouldn't dare. During his time in the Heavenly Court, he had actually come to understand that he didn't truly love any particular woman; he simply appreciated beauty itself.

Having made these arrangements, Li Changshou took out a copy of "Small Strategy for Training Troops" and instructed the three Vice-Commanders to study it carefully, with the first Four Seas exercise scheduled to begin within half a month. The three Vice-Commanders bowed in acceptance and respectfully saw Li Changshou off from the Heavenly River.

As soon as Li Changshou left, the other two Vice-Commanders simultaneously bowed. One of them chuckled, "Brother Bian, I'm a bit impatient, so please bear with me if I offend you in the future." Bian Zhuang paused, then, enduring the pain in his back, straightened his posture and replied with a smile, "No problem, no problem at all." The crisis was, for now, averted.

And Bian Zhuang now understood that he had become the Sea God's man! To put it nicely, he was a direct subordinate; to put it bluntly, he was a trusted confidant! This happiness had come far too quickly, catching him off guard, and he now urgently wished to send some local specialties from his hometown to Lord Sea God.

After leaving the Heavenly River, Li Changshou rode his cloud towards the Lingxiao Palace. Having the Heavenly River soldiers train in the sea was merely one part of his subsequent plan. The next steps required him to report to His Majesty the Jade Emperor in advance and leverage the power of the Heavenly Court.

Upon arriving at Lingxiao Palace, the gate-keeping heavenly soldiers dared not obstruct him, and the generals at the entrance hurriedly saluted. Li Changshou landed his cloud directly in front of the palace gates, then, holding his whisk and clad in white, he entered the Lingxiao Palace.

On the high platform, the white-robed Jade Emperor put down the book he was reading and smiled, "Changgeng, have you devised another brilliant plan?"

Li Changshou first bowed, then detailed part of his plan. When the Jade Emperor heard...

"Your Majesty, your decree has been issued; the Peach Blossom Banquet will determine the survival of the Dragon Race. Your humble servant will proceed based on this to bring the dragons into submission. Your humble servant believes it is still possible to achieve the best outcome, by having the Dragon Race voluntarily pledge their allegiance, thereby fully displaying the Heavenly Court's might."

The Jade Emperor smiled, "If Changgeng feels the time is too short, the Peach Blossom Banquet can be postponed."

"Your Majesty must not do so!" Li Changshou said solemnly, "Your Majesty, constant changes in decrees are a grave taboo. A single decree from Your Majesty influences the very operation of the Heavenly Dao, affecting countless beings across heaven and earth. If it is changed lightly, would it not lead to great chaos? Your Majesty, please rest assured, your humble servant will merely exert his utmost effort to try. If it succeeds, that would be wonderful; if not, it can still reduce some resistance for the Heavenly Court after subduing the Dragon Race."

"Excellent!" The white-robed Jade Emperor sighed with emotion, "With Changgeng, what worries do I have? Is there anything the Heavenly Court can assist with?"

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments, then said, "Your humble servant boldly requests three items."

The Jade Emperor's spirits immediately lifted. "Tell me!"

Li Changshou said, "Your humble servant requires a blank handwritten decree from Your Majesty. There's no need for the Heavenly Emperor's imperial seal; just a wisp of Your Majesty's Dao rhythm on it will suffice."

"Good."

"Your humble servant requires a few Flat Peaches. Later, I will visit the Sages' sects, Jade Pure Palace and Golden Ao Island, to meet the individuals in charge of managing the teaching affairs of the Chan and Jie schools. I will use the Heavenly Court's intention to bring the Dragon Race into Heaven as a reason to ask for support from their experts to exert pressure on the Dragon Race."

"Excellent!"

"Your humble servant also needs some merit, and an order from Your Majesty." Li Changshou took a scroll from his sleeve; it was the Map of Great Yu's Water Control. He spoke unhurriedly, "When your humble servant visited the Fire Cloud Cave, Emperor Yu of Great Yu bestowed this item upon me. It marks the rivers, lakes, and marshes of Nanzhanbuzhou. For the next twelve years, your humble servant volunteers to travel Nanzhanbuzhou with this map. Your Majesty, though the Four Seas are vast, divine positions are limited. The rivers, lakes, and marshes within Nanzhanbuzhou can all be conferred with low-level water god positions; and these regional water god positions can be assigned with term limits—a thousand years or a hundred years, both are acceptable. In this way, these divine positions can quickly cleanse the Dragon Race of their karma. How could the Dragon Race not be tempted? With pressure, benevolence, and then the hope given to the Dragon Race, your humble servant is not afraid that the Dragon Race will not actively petition to join. Furthermore, bringing the water affairs of Nanzhanbuzhou under direct Heavenly Court management can also fill the existing vacancies in Heavenly Court divine positions."

"Marvelous, simply marvelous!" The Jade Emperor clapped his hands and burst into laughter. He rose from behind his imperial desk, his eyes shining as he looked at Li Changshou. "Changgeng, how many more surprises can you give me?! Using the Map of Great Yu's Water Control to open up divine positions for the rivers, lakes, and marshes of Nanzhanbuzhou, and entrusting these divine positions with term limits—how can we worry about not attracting the Dragon Race to voluntarily pledge allegiance? Such a brilliant plan could only come from Changgeng! Changgeng, quickly heed my command!"

Li Changshou bowed with a Daoist salute and affirmed, "Your humble servant is present."

The Jade Emperor paced back and forth behind his imperial desk, his spirit renewed, his eyes glowing! He then invoked the power of the Heavenly Dao and spoke as the Heavenly Emperor: "Today, I command Sea God Changgeng, bearing the Map of Great Yu's Water Control and wielding the Demon-Slaying Sword, to inspect all water benefits in Nanzhanbuzhou and establish divine positions for rivers, lakes, and marshes!"

"Your humble servant accepts the command!" As Li Changshou's words fell, golden light shimmered throughout Lingxiao Palace. Streaks of merit converged on the treasure map held in Li Changshou's hand, almost instantly rendering the map golden. Simultaneously, a sheathed treasure sword slowly materialized before Li Changshou. It was enveloped in dense Heavenly Dao power and possessed a sharpness comparable to a prime acquired merit spiritual treasure—the Heavenly Emperor's Demon-Slaying Sword!