Chapter 452: A Little Retaliation

Li Changshou genuinely hadn't expected the Heavenly Courts to fall into disarray less than half a day after he entered the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc.

At that moment, 108 demon soldiers were seated beside the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc, surrounded by a large number of Underworld emissaries.

Li Changshou had originally intended to invite a demon soldier commander, along with seven demon soldiers who had shown the 'best' recovery previously, into the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc to attempt restoring their seven emotions and six desires.

The moment his foot touched the soft soil of Reincarnation Immortal Island, his mind re-established contact with his paper effigies scattered everywhere, and he immediately sensed the disturbance in the Water God Temple of the Heavenly Courts.

Several Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were shouting at the top of their lungs towards his study, urging Li Changshou to come to the High Heavens Palace for an audience.

The Jade Emperor seemed very urgent. Ao Yi had also rushed to the Moon Palace, and Bian Zhuang, who had surprisingly gained 'Water Combat Mastery' after soaking in the Heavenly River for three years, was leading people on a search.

Since Li Changshou had entered the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc earlier and was cut off from external contact, they naturally received no response.

It had been half a month since the matter of Immortal Yun Hua. What was wrong with the Jade Emperor now?

Did holding back for a moment make him angrier the more he thought about it?

Did taking a step back make him feel more wronged the more he dwelled on it?

In the Underworld, Li Changshou bowed to the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc, motioned for the demon soldiers to rest there, then sat down cross-legged himself, his consciousness returning to the Water God Temple in the Heavenly Courts.

He was just an employee, and when the boss called, of course, he had to go quickly.

Moments later, Li Changshou, without pausing his cloud, flew directly into the High Heavens Palace. The white-robed Jade Emperor, who had been pacing back and forth in the palace, raised his hand and activated the numerous restrictions of the High Heavens Palace.

The Jade Emperor, with a slight hint of drunkenness, tried to speak several times but only managed to gasp loudly. Finally, he stomped his foot and cursed:

"I can't stand this! Chang Geng, devise a plan for me to retaliate! Immediately! If not, I'll go to their Spirit Mountain and cause a huge scene. I'll kill a few of his disciples and make him pay for his recklessness! How can a dignified Saint kill mortals? Where is justice? Is there any reason left? Teacher said the Six Saints are the foundation of the Heavenly Dao. Is this the foundation? Are these the Saints?"

"Your Majesty..."

Li Changshou wanted to offer some words of persuasion, but seeing the Jade Emperor in a fit of rage and slightly drunk, he could only wait quietly below.

What was there to be so angry about?

Anyone with a bit of cultivation in this world knew what the Sixth Saint was like. The phrase 'I see your entire family has a karmic connection with our Western Sect' was the ultimate profound meaning of the Western Sect. One should never overestimate the enemy's moral compass.

The Jade Emperor, fueled by alcohol, cursed for almost half an hour. Seeing that Li Changshou remained silent, he found his tirade losing steam and frowned, saying: "Chang Geng, what's with that expression? Do you think I'm wrong to scold?"

"Your Majesty is right to scold, but..."

Li Changshou smiled, "It's fine for Your Majesty to vent in front of your humble servant, but please don't say such things publicly. The six Saint Lords are all Saint Lords. Although their temperaments, characters, and cultivations differ vastly, stepping into the Saint realm means entering an entirely different plane. If you scold a Saint for improper conduct, the other Saint Lords might also feel offended."

The Jade Emperor slowly nodded, frowning, and whispered: "I know this. Senior Brother Taiqing, Senior Brother Yuqing, Senior Brother Shangqing, they are all direct manifestations of Great God Pangu's primordial spirit. Their temperaments are either noble or unrestrained, truly pure currents in the Great Wilderness. And the Holy Mother possesses great virtue and compassion; creating humans and mending the sky were acts of immeasurable merit! Even Senior Brother Jieyin, though deep in thought, would not act so recklessly and shamelessly as a Saint! What about Zhunti? This Zhunti, relying on his status as a Saint, dares to act so brazenly!"

Li Changshou: ...

What was this? It was predictable that there would be more plots involving Saint Zhunti later, as well as the 'Emperor Xin composing lewd poetry in the Holy Mother's temple,' which would truly affect the destiny of heaven and earth.

Li Changshou bowed, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Anger solves nothing."

"I am not angry, I am suffocated here!"

The Jade Emperor gritted his teeth and cursed, "I thought, Chang Geng, that you could retaliate. But now, half a month has passed, and the Great Wilderness is full of slander against you, Chang Geng. The Western Sect is deliberately adding fuel to the fire, claiming that I and Chang Geng deliberately persecuted Immortal Yun Hua for the dignity of the Heavenly Courts. I used my own sister to uphold heavenly authority! Absurd! Ridiculous!"

Li Changshou frowned and said, "Your Majesty, please do not act on emotion. Immortal Yun Hua was at fault to begin with, and if the Heavenly Courts did not punish her, it would be difficult to convince the masses. This is the cornerstone of the Heavenly Courts' governance of the Three Realms; it must not be lost. Your humble servant understands Your Majesty's deep frustration at being bullied by that person... If Your Majesty wishes to retaliate, your humble servant has three strategies: superior, middle, and inferior."

The Jade Emperor's eyes lit up. He sat at the highest point of the jade steps, shook his sleeve, and commanded, "Speak!"

"The inferior strategy is the simplest: to investigate the matter of Immortal Fu Yuan all the way through," Li Changshou said calmly. "As long as Your Majesty presides over the Heavenly Courts, enveloping it with the power of the Heavenly Dao, no one will be able to impersonate Heavenly Court immortals and gods afterward. In this way, we can declare white to be black. Your humble servant possesses some evidence of Immortal Fu Yuan's machinations. Other evidence can be fabricated as needed, and if evidence is insufficient, reliable immortals and gods can be found as witnesses. Their statements can be recorded with image-recording orbs to exert pressure on the West. Your humble servant considered this inferior strategy before, but later abandoned it."

The Jade Emperor frowned, "Why did you abandon it?"

"Without the power to slay a Saint, no matter how much we try, we would only cause the Saint to lose a bit of reputation and face," Li Changshou sighed. "That Lord dares to act in such a way precisely because he knows that no matter how low he sinks, he himself will remain unharmed. Conversely, would that Lord even care about such things? Furthermore, what he did would not provoke the other Saint Lords to start a Saint War... Therefore, this strategy would be neither painful nor itchy."

The Jade Emperor had calmed down somewhat by then and continued to ask, "What about the middle strategy?"

"To appeal to the Dao Ancestor Lord... But the Dao Ancestor Lord would only admonish him a few times. What good would that do?"

"The superior strategy, what is it?"

"Wait for the opportune moment, then strike back."

Starlight twinkled in Li Changshou's eyes. He looked up at the Jade Emperor and whispered: "Your humble servant has something to report to Your Majesty. Seven years ago, your humble servant already surmised that Saint Zhunti might have already intervened in the matter of Immortal Yun Hua. Your Majesty still doesn't know that among Immortal Yun Hua's two children, her son Yang Jian possesses great fortune! Your humble servant secretly investigated his cultivation aptitude; it is not unique, but comparable to that of the earliest humans in ancient times. When Yang Jian was born, your humble servant already understood what Saint Zhunti intended. He wants Yang Jian to oppose the Heavenly Courts, then secretly arrange for Yang Jian to cultivate within the Chan Sect, and after Yang Jian achieves success in cultivation, incite him to declare war on the Heavenly Courts! Just yesterday, Yang Jian was discovered by a Chan Sect immortal who 'coincidentally' passed by. Your Majesty, please note, the 'coincidence' here is no true coincidence. Currently, Yang Jian has become a disciple of True Lord Yu Ding. True Lord Yu Ding was previously studying the Eight-Nine Arcane Art bestowed by Empress Houtu, and True Lord Yu Ding himself is a powerful being from the Great Wilderness; your humble servant predicts that within a few hundred years, Yang Jian will become a formidable master!"

The Jade Emperor suddenly understood, "So, that's why you imprisoned Yun Hua? To make Yang Jian bow to the Heavenly Courts using her when the time comes?"

"Your Majesty, how can the hatred of a murdered father and an imprisoned mother be so easily resolved?"

Li Changshou smiled, took out a treasure pouch from his sleeve, and pushed it with immortal power towards the white-robed Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor was somewhat puzzled. He opened the treasure pouch and saw more than ten image-recording orbs inside, labeled 'One, Two, Three, Four' and so on.

The Jade Emperor picked up the first orb, probed it with his immortal sense, and couldn't help but be startled. It was a scene from Muhua Academy: Yang Tianyou, Xia Ning Shuang, and Hua Youming attending class together. Hua Youming even turned around and threw a comic book to Yang Tianyou in the back row.

Black lines appeared on the Jade Emperor's forehead. He whispered: "Chang Geng, why did you record this? Did you even use a magic treasure to record all these back then?"

Li Changshou chuckled awkwardly. He always had to keep some backup plans, so that if the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother blamed him for the Mu Qinghua incident, he would have convincing evidence.

"Your Majesty, please continue to watch."

The Jade Emperor picked up the 'Two' orb, which showed Li Changshou bringing Immortal Yun Hua back to the Heavenly Courts, including her farewell greetings to Yang Tianyou. In the 'Three' orb, captured by Long Ji, there were scenes of her and Immortal Yun Hua sightseeing and enjoying themselves in the Heavenly Courts. The 'Four' orb showed Immortal Yun Hua coming to the Moon Palace and telling Li Changshou about her desire to descend to the mortal realm. Li Changshou reminded her that this was against Heavenly Courts rules.

As he watched each orb, the content seemed unrelated, but when pieced together, it formed the story of Immortal Yun Hua and Yang Tianyou.

The two most crucial orbs: one was in the High Heavens Palace, where the Jade Emperor ordered Immortal Yun Hua's family to be brought back to the Heavenly Courts; the other was the scene inside the Yang residence, the startling change filmed from a corner of the Hua residence, showing Li Changshou protecting Immortal Yun Hua, and also the sudden golden light bursting from the eyes of those Heavenly Soldiers.

The second to last orb showed Li Changshou repeatedly asking Immortal Yun Hua if she admitted her guilt in the High Heavens Palace, and Immortal Yun Hua kneeling down to beg the Heavenly Courts to spare Yang Jian and Yang Chan. The last orb depicted the long, dark night, with the two young children huddled together in a tattered blanket, sleeping at a street corner.

"This..."

The Jade Emperor remained silent for a long time after watching. He placed the orbs back into the treasure pouch, holding it and pondering for a while.

Li Changshou then continued: "At this point, we only need to wait a few hundred years. The moment Yang Jian gains the power to tear apart Golden Immortals, he will become a sharp blade in the Western Sect's scheme against the Heavenly Courts. As long as the Western Sect continues to push this plan, we will counter their scheme. Naturally, your humble servant will continue to interfere to prevent True Lord Yu Ding from revealing the truth to Yang Jian. Your humble servant dares to speak a few more words from the heart to Your Majesty. After seeing Yang Jian's aptitude and fortune, your humble servant had already calculated against the Western Sect, using their hands to plant an obsession in Yang Jian's heart. This is how Yang Jian could cultivate to the Golden Immortal realm within a few hundred years. Although obsession and hatred are dangerous, in ancient times, the human race used them to forge demon soldiers and defeat the Demon Court. Therefore, your humble servant did not make complete arrangements at the Yang residence. I had already foreseen the deaths of Yang Tianyou and Yang Jiao, but merely, out of my brief acquaintance with Yang Tianyou, tried to save them. I did my best, but did not force it. When Yang Jian rises and attacks the Heavenly Courts, Your Majesty only needs to arrange for the immortal bean soldiers to meet him, first to dissipate his initial fervor. Then, your humble servant will step forward to lead him to Immortal Yun Hua, bringing him before her. Your Majesty, please keep the image-recording orbs in your possession safe, in case Yang Jian decides to cause trouble at the High Heavens Palace first. Your humble servant has already made seven sets of these orbs. Later, I will also set up a small formation around Immortal Yun Hua that can transform the scenes from the orbs into illusions. At that time, when Yang Jian bursts into Immortal Yun Hua's place of detention and finishes watching these contents, he will see Immortal Yun Hua standing in her cage. Even if Yang Jian's Dao heart is resolute and his obsession deep, it should be shaken. If Yang Jian still hates the Heavenly Courts, your humble servant still has a last resort. By then, if Your Majesty wishes to counterattack the Western Sect, you can let Yang Jian cause trouble at Spirit Mountain. Your humble servant will leverage the power of the Dao Sect to intimidate the West! If Your Majesty wishes to securely protect Yang Jian, then persuade him, let him know who his true enemy is, and then bestow rewards upon Yang Jian and his mother. This, Your Majesty, is the superior strategy your humble servant has devised."

As Li Changshou's voice faded, the Jade Emperor on the jade steps held the treasure pouch and gently exhaled. The Jade Emperor held the pouch, wanting to laugh but unable to, his expression a mix of complication and relief.

"Chang Geng, how could you... conceive of such things?"

Li Changshou gave a helpless smile and sighed, "Actually, your humble servant is also a schemer behind the scenes. But the Western Sect schemes against the Chan Sect, the Heavenly Courts, and the grand destiny itself. Your humble servant schemes to gain another fierce general for the Heavenly Courts. It's truly a bit... undignified for your humble servant, a civil official, to always have to step forward during conflicts."

The Jade Emperor paused, then clapped his hands and burst into laughter.

Li Changshou showed a hesitant expression, carefully considering and deliberating. Ultimately, he decided to reveal the other parts of his calculations as well. The timing was just right.

Li Changshou smiled, "Your Majesty wouldn't think that your humble servant's schemes end here, would you?"

The Jade Emperor was also surprised, "Chang Geng, what other schemes could you possibly have?"

"Your Majesty," Li Changshou pointed to the air and then made a shushing gesture.

The Jade Emperor understood. He waved his sleeve, and an incredibly dense power of the Heavenly Dao enveloped the High Heavens Palace. "Speak freely then."

"Your Majesty, do not forget the discussion of the Investiture of the Gods in the Zixiao Palace ninety years from now."

"Oh?"

"Your humble servant pondered for a long time while recovering from injuries. There is one thing Your Majesty must contend for."

"What?"

The Investiture of the Gods!

Of course, he couldn't say it aloud. Li Changshou could only say, "The power to preside over the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods!"

The Jade Emperor pondered, slowly nodding, "Explain in more detail."

"Whoever holds the right to preside over the Investiture of the Gods will be better able to plan this great tribulation," Li Changshou said. "If this right to preside is taken by any of the Saint Lords of the Three Sects, the Heavenly Courts will surely be constrained, and that Saint will not allow too many of their disciples to enter the Heavenly Courts. Originally, your humble servant intended for Your Majesty to contend for this right from two angles: 'This is the Investiture of the Gods for the Heavenly Courts, so it should be decided by the Heavenly Courts who enters the divine ranks,' and 'If it is presided over by a Saint from any of the Three Sects, it will be unfair.' Your humble servant even prepared a backup plan: if Your Majesty cannot secure this right, your humble servant would, in front of the Six Saints and Dao Ancestor Lord... suggest that Teacher Taiqing take this right to preside. Now, the West has given us a perfect reason."

"What reason?"

"There is a Saint who has lost virtue," Li Changshou said. "When the time comes, Your Majesty will bring up the matter of Immortal Yun Hua, take out the image-recording orbs your humble servant gave you, and bring the hidden rules to the forefront, but do not directly name Saint Zhunti. Your Majesty should simply say that there has already been a Saint who possesses the Dao but lacks virtue; how can such a one act on behalf of the Heavenly Dao to invest gods?"

The Jade Emperor puzzled, "Why not name him directly? Wouldn't it be satisfying to just scold him?"

Li Changshou couldn't help but feel a headache. Ever since he came to the Heavenly Courts, the Jade Emperor's way of thinking about problems had indeed become increasingly simple.

Li Changshou smiled: "If you name him, Your Majesty's action would be to compare the other Saints with this virtuous Saint, and the other Saints might not like it. If Your Majesty stops just short of naming him, it will both save face for the other Saints and cause them to be displeased with the Sixth Saint. Saints do not enter the tribulation and fear no great tribulation; this is that Saint's confidence. But what the Heavenly Dao gives has always had a clear price. Now that the tribulation is upon us, the Saints' calculations are being interfered with. That Saint directly attacked the Heavenly Courts; this move was indeed clever and unexpected, but not unresolvable. And his very act of attacking has already left hidden dangers. He is not subject to the tribulation, but what about his sect, his Dao, his disciples? Your Majesty! Your humble servant requests Your Majesty's permission! Once we secure this right to preside, no disciples of the Western Saints shall be allowed into the ranks of the Heavenly Courts' true gods! Your humble servant predicts that when the great tribulation concludes, if one dies within it, becoming a god in the Heavenly Courts will be the last way to survive; as for the West... let them bear the burden themselves."

"Excellent! Let it be so!"

The Jade Emperor stood up. Originally furious, he was now elated, wishing decades would pass in an instant.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly. Easier said than done. All these plans required step-by-step detailing, and some things that could be said here could not be said outside. He couldn't even discuss them with Mr. Bai.

And so, ninety breaths later.

Li Changshou left the High Heavens Palace and returned to the Water God Temple to meditate. His avatar in the Moon Palace also assumed a cross-legged posture. His consciousness returned to the Underworld, and he began leading demon soldiers into the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc to study how to restore their normal emotions.

However, unknown to Li Changshou, a distinguished guest arrived at the Moon Palace just as he entered the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc and lost contact with the outside world. This guest, after several attempts to bow to and call out to Li Changshou, was ignored. Annoyed, the guest finally flicked their sleeves and left, becoming a strange tale circulated in the Heavenly Courts.