Chapter 448: Water God Breaks into the Moon Palace, Jade Rabbit Nearly Stewed

After spending most of the day preparing for his trip to the Moon Palace, Li Changshou looked at the subtle arrangements on his table. He took a sip of the refreshingly cold special drink from Xiaoqiong Peak, nodded in satisfaction, and then drank from the jade bowl.

Ling'e's culinary skills had indeed begun to diversify, now specializing in teas and pastries.

What was there to fear about taking on this new assignment? Having weathered countless storms, he certainly wouldn't falter before three hundred slender waists.

With a sweep of his sleeve, the items before him vanished, urgently transported to the Heavenly Court by one of his paper effigies.

Shortly after, inside the Water God's Residence.

Once his 'tools' were in place, Li Changshou adjusted his wide robe in front of a mirror, styling his hair into a Daoist bun, ensuring every white strand shone brilliantly and was perfectly smooth. Picking up his whisk, whose bristles were worn from extensive use, Li Changshou stepped out of his study. Bian Zhuang and Ao Yi, who had received prior notice, immediately stepped forward to salute him.

"Deputy Commander Bian?" Li Changshou asked.

Bian Zhuang's eyes lit up. "Your subordinate is present!" he responded with a resounding, vigorous voice.

"This is for you," Li Changshou said, casually tossing over a treasure pouch. "Later, set it up outside the Water God's Residence gate. Ao Yi, take a troop of soldiers to the Lunar Star. Tell them I am coming immediately by imperial decree to be their chief instructor."

Bian Zhuang opened his mouth, but the words of acceptance caught in his throat, leaving only a hesitant "Oh."

Ao Yi replied with a smile, "Understood." With that, he turned and hurried away, leading a troop of Heavenly Soldiers as the first to depart for the Lunar Star.

Li Changshou patted Bian Zhuang's shoulder, smiled meaningfully, and then, holding his whisk, floated towards the Water God's Residence gate.

"Uncle-Master Chang Geng?"

A soft call made Li Changshou stop his cloud and turn to look to the side.

Ling Zhuzi approached, dressed in a loose, long robe. He bowed respectfully to Li Changshou in a proper Daoist manner, saying: "For this trip to the Moon Palace, do you require your disciple to attend you?"

Clearly, Ling Zhuzi had received discreet instructions from True Immortal Taiyi or True Immortal Yuding to help him alleviate the awkwardness of going to the Moon Palace.

Li Changshou smiled. "That place is not suitable for you. You should spend more time playing with the Heavenly Generals and Soldiers. There's no need to worry."

Ling Zhuzi gracefully cupped his hands in salute and said, "Your disciple obeys." It was a thoughtful gesture.

Li Changshou turned and rode his cloud away, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

Ling Zhuzi recalled the communication jade token he had received earlier and couldn't help but feel a little worried again, calling out from behind: "Uncle-Master, what is your purpose in going there?"

"To teach the Chang'e fairies and choreograph their song and dance."

"What if Fairy Yunxiao blames you?"

"Then I will be blamed by Fairy Yunxiao."

Li Changshou, with his hands behind his back, rode his cloud away, his figure remarkably graceful and unhurried.

A faint exclamation seemed to echo from the horizon, forming two large, ethereal characters. The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals guarding the Water God's Residence squinted, only to realize the characters spelled 'Kneel Down'. The Water God casually swept his whisk, and the two characters were instantly swept away. The cloud beneath his feet flew swiftly, heading straight for the Moon Palace.

Along the way:

He traversed a dazzling galaxy, witnessing brilliant immortal light. He sought faint, lingering clouds and heard a ripple of music. He flew past the Seventh Heaven, rushing towards the depths of the clouds, entering the celestial dome where the sun, moon, and stars revolved, and proceeding on his cloud at the precisely calculated moment.

Before long, he saw a cool, large star rapidly growing larger before his eyes. This was the moon to mortals, the hook and disk to poets, the Taiyin to Daoists, and the Chang'e to lovers.

A single osmanthus tree obscured nearly half of the Lunar Star. Its leaves, like pale yellow jade, resembled numerous immortal islands, bearing many pavilions and palaces where the shadows of dancing fairies seemed to flicker within the halls.

Li Changshou slowly descended on his cloud, hearing music and laughter from both near and far. This was... One of the Ten Innate Spirit Roots?!

Li Changshou clicked his tongue in wonder. He rode his cloud to the enormous canopy of the osmanthus tree, carefully sensing its spirituality and fluctuations, and heard the rhythmic thudding sound of chopping wood.

At this moment, Li Changshou's immortal consciousness could perceive fairies, one after another, dressed in immortal robes and colorful skirts, gathering towards a palace beneath the tree. That was where the Chang'e fairies usually practiced, and also Li Changshou's assignment location for the next ten years — the Osmanthus Palace.

On the other side of the osmanthus tree was the Guanghan Palace, enveloped by a formation. Inside, palaces were scattered and waterside pavilions stood, but it was quite desolate, with no sign of human activity. That was where Heng'e resided.

Li Changshou did not rush to the palace where the fairies were gathering. Instead, he strolled beneath the osmanthus tree. The soil here was soft; the ground seemed to be a mixture of fine sand and crushed white jade, providing a unique sense of comfort when walked upon.

The trunk of the osmanthus tree was like a towering mountain peak. A somewhat small figure was at the edge of this 'mountain', constantly raising an axe and leaving a thin mark on the osmanthus tree. When he lifted his axe, the mark would instantly heal, becoming perfectly smooth.

A glint of light flashed in Li Changshou's eyes; his thoughts were correct... This man was indeed a master!

The osmanthus tree was one of the Ten Innate Spirit Roots, ranked alongside the Peach of Immortality Tree and the Ginseng Fruit Tree. While it bore no fruit or flowers, its ability was to strengthen itself. Though its spirituality was suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, it absolutely possessed the power of a supreme innate spirit treasure. This Wu Gang on the moon could actually wound the osmanthus tree with an ordinary axe...

Li Changshou took a step, and with the flowing Dao of Qiankun, as if using the technique of shrinking the ground into inches, he appeared behind Wu Gang. From afar, this person's muscles appeared gnarled and tangled. Seemingly without any Dao rhyme or oppressive aura, he nevertheless exuded a feeling of grandeur and indomitability.

"Senior," Li Changshou said, cupping his hands and bowing in a Daoist salute.

Wu Gang, who was chopping the tree, turned his head to glance at Li Changshou, calmly nodded, and continued with his work.

It was widely known in the Primordial World that any man visiting the Moon Palace would consider how to strike up a conversation with Heng'e... ahem, how to strike up a conversation with Wu Gang! Li Changshou had prepared several questions beforehand, and his initiative to seek out Wu Gang was not an impulse. The first step was to ask something Wu Gang couldn't avoid and would certainly answer.

Li Changshou smiled. "Senior, are you from the human race?"

"Mm." Wu Gang replied indifferently, and in the pause between axe swings, glanced at Li Changshou, asking back in a very casual tone: "And you, a paper effigy spirit?"

"This is merely my avatar."

Li Changshou smiled, put away his whisk, and stood by, hands behind his back, watching for a while. Then he asked, "Senior, are you comprehending the Dao?"

"Chopping wood," Wu Gang said, pausing his movements. He looked at the rapidly healing wound on the osmanthus tree and frowned slightly. Soon, Wu Gang looked up at Li Changshou and asked in confusion, "Who are you? Why can you freely enter and exit this place?"

"An ordinary Heavenly Court immortal," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "I was curious, so I took the liberty to disturb you. Senior, please don't take offense. As for those skilled with an axe, your junior has only ever met Emperor Yu the Great. Just now, from afar, when I saw you swing your axe, it resonated with the Great Dao and subtly aligned with Dao rhyme. I was quite surprised."

"You've met Emperor Yu the Great?" A glint of light immediately appeared in Wu Gang's eyes. Leaning on his axe, he turned to face Li Changshou. This was a nine-foot-tall strong man, but his face was not rough; instead, it showed a hint of handsomeness.

Li Changshou spoke as if making small talk. He smiled and said, "Yes, I visited the Human Sages in the Fire Cloud Cave previously."

"Did you see the Fire Sovereign?"

"No," Li Changshou sighed. "The Fire Sovereign has been afflicted by demonic energy and is currently recuperating."

"Alas," Wu Gang sighed, a hint of helplessness appearing in his eyes. He seemed to recall a grand era, reminiscing for a while. Before long, Wu Gang chuckled and muttered, "It's good enough to be alive." With that said, the axe in his hand began to swing again. Thud... Thud...

"Senior, could you tell your junior about the events of those years?" Li Changshou asked with a smile. "Your junior has also read many ancient texts, but many events are ambiguously described..."

"Of course." Wu Gang's lips curled slightly as he sighed. "Many battles we won were not glorious, and the price paid was sometimes too heavy. It's normal for later generations to be unwilling to record these. But all in all, it was a world where it was either you die or I die, and there was no talk of benevolence or morality."

The axe fell and was pulled out by Wu Gang again. He continued to swing his axe, his words gaining a bit more force: "Our generation slaughters our enemies without seeking recognition; the human race has nurtured this land for millennia. You must strive to guard this world forged by our predecessors."

Li Changshou bowed to Wu Gang in a Daoist salute and said earnestly, "I will certainly not fail your trust, although your junior can only exert a meager effort."

"I can see that," Wu Gang chuckled. "You're probably not an ordinary immortal, are you?"

Li Changshou smiled without speaking. He was about to bid farewell and leave, as he had already formed a good connection with Wu Gang today and saw no need to stay longer. Just then, a streak of light flew out from the large formation beside the osmanthus tree, shouting "General Wu," and rushed directly towards this spot!

Li Changshou looked closely and saw that within the streak of light was a well-behaved young girl. She was wearing a light white short skirt, her appearance pretty and cute, with large, lively eyes. A cloth bag was slung across her shoulder, and from its end, the tip of a celestial jade radish was peeking out. What was most striking were the young girl's plump, long jade feet. Though slender and fair, they clearly looked... quite strong.

The Jade Rabbit? It must be; after she landed, she was still wearing a rabbit ear hair accessory on her head. The young girl held a bowl of clear water in her hand, flying and jumping without a single drop of water spilling.

"General Wu... Uh, you have a guest here."

The young Jade Rabbit chuckled softly. Wu Gang also stopped his movements, took the clear water, and took a sip. Wu Gang showed a slightly benevolent smile and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Oh dear, my master told me to go assist at the Osmanthus Palace. The steward has been urging me seven or eight times already; it's truly bothersome." The Jade Rabbit sighed, a little dejected: "It's said that His Majesty the Jade Emperor has appointed a formidable immortal to be punished here in the Osmanthus Palace. Hmph, they say it's punishment, but the thoughts of those male immortals are very dirty! They think coming to the Moon Palace to be a chief instructor and watching those elder sisters dance every day will bring them great joy. It's really... many sisters complain about this. Usually, everyone is used to being casual, but this time, no matter where they go, they have to dress properly."

"What formidable immortal?" Wu Gang asked in puzzlement.

"It seems to be the Water God, the one in charge of water affairs in the Three Realms. I heard it from the sisters in the Osmanthus Palace." The young Jade Rabbit tilted her head, glanced at Li Changshou, then shifted her gaze away, tapping her finger to the corner of her mouth. "I also heard from a few sisters that this person is a powerful deity in the Heavenly Court, the most trusted by His Majesty the Jade Emperor. They said something like, 'propping up a collapsing building and assisting the Heavenly Court in its weakness.' They also said he's a Saint's disciple from the Dao Sect's Human School, the husband of the Three Goddesses of Jiejiao..."

"Cough!" Li Changshou couldn't help but make a sound. He chuckled, "It should be that I'm on good terms with Fairy Yunxiao, not a husband."

"Oh, it's all about the same!" The Jade Rabbit girl waved her hand a little impatiently. "He must be an old lecher; otherwise, why would His Majesty the Jade Emperor appoint him to be a Chang'e instructor? Have Chang'e instructors ever had men? Honestly!"

Li Changshou sighed. "It seems this isn't his wish either..."

"Never mind all that, I'm going over there first, General Wu!" The Jade Rabbit girl waved her hand, kicked off with her long legs, and her figure transformed into a streak of light flying towards the Osmanthus Palace.

Beside him, Li Changshou burst into a helpless laugh. Wu Gang, who was drinking water, suddenly turned his head and spat out a mouthful, staring at Li Changshou: "It's you?"

"It should be me," Li Changshou said, wiping the water droplets from his long hair. "I won't disturb Senior any further. I should also go to the Osmanthus Palace to see the situation."

Wu Gang hurriedly said, "Alas, this child is a bit naive; don't take her seriously."

"No, no, Senior, no need to worry. I also have a junior sister at home who often causes trouble."

Li Changshou bowed in a Daoist salute. Wu Gang put down the jade bowl, also cupped his hands to Li Changshou, and watched Li Changshou ride his cloud away. The Water God? A Saint's disciple? And had he met the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors? Wu Gang was in a daze for a moment, then soon chuckled and shook his head, continuing to swing his large axe, chopping the divine osmanthus wood with rhythmic thuds. "Alas, the future generations are formidable."

Meanwhile, when the young Jade Rabbit arrived at the Osmanthus Palace, many fairies gathered around her, asking if Heng'e would come. The Jade Rabbit repeatedly shook her head, and the fairies were all a little disappointed. Clearly, the young Jade Rabbit was very familiar with these Chang'e fairies, somewhat like a 'Moon pet'.

As some fairies started talking about the Water God, the Jade Rabbit listened attentively beside them. She usually stayed in Guanghan Palace with her master, rarely going out and about. Although she had previously inquired about the Water God, she hadn't paid much attention... Now, listening to these elder sisters talk about how wise and resourceful the Water God was, skilled in strategy and combat, and exceptionally brave, she was captivated. What kind of male immortal was he?

Another fairy spoke of the Water God's appearance. The young Jade Rabbit tilted her head, and bubbles popped up one after another on her rabbit ear hair accessory. In the highest bubble, the image of a white-haired, white-browed, kind-faced old man appeared.

"I think I've seen him somewhere..." the Jade Rabbit whispered.

"Nonsense," a fairy chuckled softly. "This is Lord Water God's first time visiting our Osmanthus Palace. Where could you have seen him?"

The Jade Rabbit stood on tiptoe and raised her hand, trying hard to gesture, "Is he this tall? And this thin?"

Just then, a figure floated in from the palace gate, riding a white cloud. Ao Yi, standing at the palace gate, immediately announced loudly: "Lord Water God has arrived!"

The fairies took hurried steps and quickly lined up. The main hall of the Osmanthus Palace had a rather unique structure. There were stairs both inside and outside the palace gate, and within was a square, sunken 'stage' adorned with jade trees and silver flowers. The outer perimeter consisted of tiers of steps that could serve as seats.

As Ao Yi's announcement fell, the three hundred Chang'e fairies below had already taken their positions for the dance. This scene was truly... a harmonious blend of vibrant beauty and graceful charm, everywhere pleasant and fitting.

Li Changshou floated directly past them on his cloud and settled down securely behind the low table at the main seat inside the hall. The Jade Rabbit girl stood outside the crowd, still in the most conspicuous position. At this moment, her entire rabbit self was bewildered. Her pink eyes stared at Li Changshou's figure; for a moment, she didn't know how to react... An old lecher... the Water God...

The Chang'e fairies turned with light, quick steps, all bowing together. Their meticulously refined calls almost made Li Changshou's paper effigy collapse.

"Greetings, Lord Water God!"

Li Changshou: ... The joy of being a powerful deity was something even Duke Mu couldn't experience.

"No need for such formality, everyone," Li Changshou said with a smile. "His Majesty the Jade Emperor has sent me here to teach for ten years, and I hope you will all cooperate greatly in the future. I am the Heavenly Water God, in charge of water affairs in the Three Realms. I merely have some knowledge of music and am an amateur in the art of song and dance. You can all just train as usual. Ao Yi, bring up my things."

"Yes!" Ao Yi suppressed his laughter and immediately gave a command. Two Heavenly Soldiers carried a barbecue grill and placed it in front of Li Changshou, then quickly retreated with their heads bowed. Although the two Heavenly Soldiers kept reminding themselves not to look to the side, they still couldn't help but glance... Three hundred exquisite fairies, handpicked from the Heavenly Court, dressed in shimmering robes and sheer skirts, stood together, making their Dao heart tremble violently. Their faces flushed as they gradually became infatuated. It's estimated there's no possibility of breakthrough for them in the next two hundred years.

Li Changshou warmed his hands over the barbecue grill. He chuckled, "Consider this a vacation granted to me by His Majesty. You all don't need to pay much attention to me." The three hundred Chang'e fairies curiously watched Li Changshou, naturally understanding that the Water God was telling them he wasn't there for feminine beauty.

All the fairies bowed in unison: "Yes."

The Jade Rabbit was panicked, very panicked. Why did this Water God go to General Wu's place for no reason? And even chatted so happily with General Wu! None of that matters! What matters is! She, this little rabbit spirit, merely a Heavenly Immortal-level rabbit spirit, had cursed the Water God as an old lecher right to his face! Could her master save her? Her master was merely a nominal figure in the Heavenly Court, but this Water God was a powerful minister; he sounded like a ruthless individual! Wh-what to do?

Sensing the nervous gaze of the Jade Rabbit girl, Li Changshou calmly took out a book from his sleeve, opened it, and began reading it with great relish. It was titled "On One Hundred Ways to Cook Rabbit Meat."

"*Whimper!*" The Jade Rabbit girl's vision went black; she convulsed and could only tremble. Her rabbit courage, a mere speck.

Many fairies also noticed the book in Li Changshou's hand, and many clever ones immediately understood the Water God's intention, chuckling softly and covering their mouths.

"By the way," Li Changshou asked, "why isn't Heng'e here?"

A managing fairy stepped forward and bowed, reporting, "Fairy Heng'e's immortal body is unwell; she has taken sick leave..."

"Oh?" Li Changshou's expression gradually turned cold, and he said indifferently, "It seems this deity has no face to show." (This was to clearly distance himself from Heng'e, establishing a stance of opposition.)

"Lord Water God," the fairy hurriedly said, "Fairy Heng'e has sent her personal maid, and Fairy Heng'e's temperament is cold and aloof; she rarely leaves Guanghan Palace. Please forgive her."

Many fairies bowed in unison: "Please forgive her, Lord Water God!"

"Where is that maid?" Li Changshou asked in puzzlement.

More than ten fairies turned to the side, exposing the young girl who was squatting on the ground, trying to sneak away.

Li Changshou frowned slightly, a faint divine light flickering in his eyes. His original intention was to give Heng'e a warning, so he naturally wouldn't genuinely pick on the Jade Rabbit. But the Jade Rabbit's body trembled, and she promptly knelt there. Her large eyes blinked repeatedly, and tears streamed down her face... "Lord Water God, please spare me!"

Before Li Changshou could speak, the Jade Rabbit had already collapsed onto the ground, her pink eyes losing their luster as she mumbled: "C-can you... please kill me first before cooking me? I've lived for over ten thousand years... actually, my meat, my meat is all old..."

Li Changshou: ...

The surrounding fairies were a little confused, but at this moment, they all spoke up to plead for the Jade Rabbit.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly. Never mind; if the first plan failed, then it failed. Why bother arguing with a little rabbit?

He cleared his throat, calmly produced a bronze mirror, placed it in front of him, and said to the mirror: "Can you hear me over there?"

The surface of the bronze mirror vibrated, and a noisy chorus of voices came through: "We hear you! Lord Water God, we hear you here!"

"Wow, we can see the image now! Is this the Moon Palace? The decorations, the curtains... it doesn't seem much different."

"Lord Water God went to the Moon Palace and didn't forget to open the Cloud Mirror for us. Truly! A Water God who loves his soldiers like his own children!"

Li Changshou smiled slightly and said: "For these ten years, I will transmit my every action in the Moon Palace through these two mirrors. I want to tell everyone that the Moon Palace is not some mysterious place, nor is it a place male immortals yearn for. The Chang'e fairies, in order to complete their song and dance tasks, are training arduously day and night. Every sentient being has their own responsibilities, and doing one's job well is a meaning of existence."

Below, a group of fairies showed touched expressions...

In front of the Water God's Residence, the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals gathered before the large bronze mirror nodded in unison, and then each tried to adjust their angle, hoping to see more of the scene.

Li Changshou smiled calmly, took out some ingredients, seasonings, and fine wine from his sleeve, and began his leisurely day. Nothing could prove his innocence more than a live broadcast lasting ten years. It's just... he couldn't shout outrageous remarks like 'Brothers, write 'steadfast' on the walls of the Water God's Residence'; this debut live broadcast in the Primordial World lacked a little bit of soul.