Chapter 462: Plague God Drunkenly Boasts of Heroes

During this outing, the Jade Emperor’s third avatar struck Li Changshou as somewhat different. He seemed much calmer than before. Whether Bian Zhuang spoke out of turn or Lü Yue was disrespectful, Qin Tianzhu merely smiled, shook his head, and let it pass. While he was likely still making mental notes, he was undeniably far more relaxed and composed than before.

Could this be the truly magnanimous Qin Tianzhu? Li Changshou mused to himself, but knew he couldn't directly inquire. His immediate priority was to ascertain Lü Yue's origins. He recalled that, in the original Investiture of the Gods narrative, Lü Yue met a rather tragic end. He was severely beaten by the third-generation Chan Sect disciples. On his first descent, he lost four apprentices, and on his second, he was incinerated by Yang Ren, who possessed minimal cultivation, wielding the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan. Along with Lü Yue, two of his junior brothers were also destroyed by the Five-Fire Seven-Fowl Fan. Thus, one master, two martial uncles, and four disciples formed the core of the Plague Department within the Heavenly Court's Eight Divisions of Righteous Gods.

Judging from this, the likelihood of Lü Yue having any connection to the Western Church seemed quite low. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry, and with the Great Tribulation having undergone so many changes, Li Changshou wasn't prepared to draw any definitive conclusions. Li Changshou had previously heard Lü Yue's name mentioned by Elder Wan Linjun. Elder Wan had once read a partial scripture on poisons authored by Lü Yue and held immense admiration for the poison arts mastery of Lü Yue, a Jie Sect cultivator. The Golden Immortal Poison Pills and 'Poison of the Dao' that Elder Wan had conceptualized already existed as finished products crafted by Lü Yue and circulated in the Primordial World, though they were exceedingly rare.

After careful consideration, Li Changshou cautiously chose a topic he knew would pique Lü Yue's interest, and inquired, “Brother Lü Yue, you mentioned an alchemy mishap earlier. What exactly happened?”

“Oh,” Lü Yue said, a hint of dejection crossing his somewhat aged face. “It’s ancient history! Best not to bring it up, best not to bring it up.”

His desire to confide was palpable. Li Changshou earnestly replied, “Brother Lü Yue, to be frank, I too have a strong affinity for alchemy and have dabbled extensively in crafting various poison pills. Please, take a look…”

As he spoke, Li Changshou produced two bottles of pills. He handed one to Qin Tianzhu first, then used immortal power to slide the other into Lü Yue's hand. Lü Yue uncorked the bottle, glanced inside, then brought it to his nose for a sniff, and chuckled, “Not bad, these poison pills are well-made; they’re just about potent enough to fell a few Celestial Immortals.” He added, “Here, junior brother, take a look at mine.”

With that, Lü Yue pulled two more bottles from his sleeve. He glanced at Qin Tianzhu before using immortal power to send one of the bottles his way. Before Li Changshou could offer a warning, Qin Tianzhu, with a swift hand, had already uncorked the jade bottle. Immediately, the Jade Emperor's avatar’s vision went dark, his body swayed, and he quickly unleashed immortal power around him to firmly reseal the jade bottle.

“Cough, cough cough!” Qin Tianzhu coughed a few times to mask his embarrassment, then praised, “What a formidable poison pill! Even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal would likely suffer damage to their primordial spirit from this.”

Lü Yue smiled calmly, then lightly tapped his finger, gathering stray wisps of poisonous mist back to his fingertips. He said nonchalantly, “Let’s not accidentally harm the ladies here; their cultivation levels aren’t particularly high.”

Li Changshou, however, didn't open the jade bottle in his hand. Just as he was about to return it, Lü Yue dismissively waved a hand. “Keep it for self-defense. After all, you’ve called me ‘senior brother’; what’s given can’t be taken back, can it?”

“Thank you, senior brother.” Li Changshou smiled, carefully stowing the jade bottle in a treasure pouch, keeping it close to his person.

Lü Yue’s eyes crinkled with a smile. He then sighed softly and advised, “Poison pills are merely a branch of alchemy; they can harm, but also heal, though the world often casts them in a negative light. Junior Brother Chang Geng, remember, you are the Water God of the Heavenly Court, and one of only two second-generation disciples of the Human Sect. Unless you face an insurmountable foe or find yourself in true peril, refrain from displaying these elixirs. We wouldn’t want anyone to accuse us of using underhanded tactics, which would tarnish our Great Martial Uncle’s reputation.”

Beside them, Qin Tianzhu handed his jade bottle to Li Changshou, saying with a smile, “This one might also be useful for Lord Water God. Should you encounter a formidable adversary, it could offer an additional means of defense.”

Lü Yue chuckled, “Your subordinate is quite astute.”

Li Changshou inwardly thought: *Oh, please don't say another word, venerable one. Given your disposition, it seems in this version of the Great Tribulation of the Gods, you won't escape serving in the Heavenly Court under this 'subordinate.' You'll literally become this 'subordinate's' subordinate…*

“Yes, thank you for the reminder, senior brother.” Li Changshou chuckled in response, taking the jade bottle seemingly casually, without betraying any hint of his thoughts.

Then, Li Changshou skillfully steered the conversation back to the original topic. “Brother Lü Yue, I confess my own skill in refining poisons pales significantly in comparison to yours. Indeed, I believe you are unparalleled in the Three Daoist Sects when it comes to the art of poisons. Was your alchemy mishap back then related to crafting poison pills?”

“Alas…” Lü Yue sighed deeply, glancing at the teacup left by Old Madam Bian next to him. Bian Zhuang immediately called for fresh tea. Truly the scion of the leading matchmaking service; his quick wit was entirely dedicated to such matters.

Lü Yue spoke slowly, “That was in ancient times. There was a pair of Daoist companions in our sect then, ancient exotic beasts who had taken human form and cultivated to the rank of Immortal. Their deepest desire was to have a child. However, one was originally a three-legged golden toad, and the other a spiritual feathered sky bird. Both had already achieved Golden Immortal status, so conceiving offspring was indeed an immense challenge…”

Li Changshou chuckled, “Surely that didn’t pose a challenge for you, senior brother?”

“Don’t mention it; just hearing about it makes my legs go weak,” Lü Yue retorted with a laugh. “I dread being flattered; once I am, I tend to lose my bearings. Back then, I foolishly agreed to it. Upon returning, I spent countless hours pondering and gathering numerous innate rare materials. Full of ambition, I opened my alchemy furnace, but at the very last moment before the elixir was complete…”

Li Changshou asked with concern, “What happened then?”

“The furnace exploded,” Lü Yue said, covering his face with his hand. “Ever since, a wicked energy has tainted my primordial spirit. It’s a blessing that places like Tianya Pavilion exist; otherwise, I truly would have fallen into depravity, and who knows how many wrongs I would have committed!”

Qin Tianzhu, observing, added with a smile, “Even so, Daoist friend, you ought to exercise some restraint. If my perception is correct, you’ve already sustained a loss to your very essence. For a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to experience such a depletion of their origin is truly a rarity.”

“It’s fine,” Lü Yue calmly waved a hand. “Combat isn't solely about cultivation level. When it comes to instantly slaying thousands of Immortals, I daresay even Senior Sister Yun Xiao or Senior Brother Duobao couldn’t match my swiftness.”

Li Changshou smiled, skillfully guiding the conversation back. “Setting aside romantic matters, Senior Brother, I truly admire your mastery of poisons.”

Lü Yue shook his head briefly, then looked at Li Changshou and chuckled, “However, that incident also brought me a unique joy, a silver lining if you will. It has a surprising similarity to the Yin and Yang path you cultivate, junior brother.”

Li Changshou thought: *Excuse me, but our Grand Pure Dao practices the authentic Grand Dao of Yin and Yang!*

“Simply chatting like this feels a bit lacking.” Li Changshou looked at Bian Zhuang, who was standing nearby, and chuckled, “Xiao Zhuang, have a banquet prepared. I’d like to share a few drinks with Senior Brother Lü Yue.”

Bian Zhuang quickly replied, “It’s already prepared. I’ll have them come in now.”

“Wait,” Lü Yue raised a hand, calmly producing his 'Great Power Jade Talisman'. “This one’s on me.”

“Well…” Bian Zhuang seemed hesitant and instinctively looked to Li Changshou. Having just heard Li Changshou lavish praise on Lü Yue’s poison pills, Bian Zhuang felt a slight apprehension.

Li Changshou chuckled, “How could I let Senior Brother bear the expense? Your genuine sincerity toward me today, particularly your willingness to help conceal my presence here, deeply moves me. Xiao Zhuang, return the jade talisman to Senior Brother Lü Yue. You understand what happens next, don't you?”

“Understood, understood,” Bian Zhuang replied, accepting the talisman back with both hands and smiling. “From this day forward, Senior Lü Yue will be an honored guest of Tianya Pavilion. The ladies who are on good terms with Senior Lü Yue will never suffer any slight. Furthermore, all future expenses incurred by Senior Lü Yue at Tianya Pavilion will be covered by the pavilion.”

With that, Bian Zhuang performed a Daoist bow and turned to leave.

“Hm? Humph!” *Thump!* Lü Yue slammed the table, glaring as he exclaimed, “Who are you looking down upon? Do you think I, this humble Daoist, am destitute?”

Bian Zhuang was utterly bewildered.

Lü Yue was genuinely indignant and snapped, “Are the spirit stones and treasures I provide for your Tianya Pavilion? No! They are for those ladies! They live under others’ roofs, accommodating guests, and must endure the sight of an unkempt old Daoist like myself. Their lives are already incredibly difficult; how can you cut off their source of income?! This is what they deserve!”

Li Changshou and Qin Tianzhu exchanged glances, both inexplicably feeling… that his logic was surprisingly sound. Such activities were inherently undesirable and detrimental to the moral climate of the Primordial World, offering no benefit whatsoever. Yet, to articulate it with such righteous conviction was truly unparalleled.

Li Changshou chuckled, “Senior Brother, don’t alarm Xiao Zhuang; his intentions weren’t malicious. How about this: from now on, the Immortal Maidens who share a good relationship with you, Senior Brother Lü Yue, shall only associate with you and not meet with anyone else. Whether you are present or not, these Immortal Maidens will receive a portion of spirit stones and treasures for their leisure and cultivation, all borne by Tianya Pavilion. What do you think of this arrangement, Senior Brother?”

This time, Lü Yue did not object; he appeared to be deep in thought. Li Changshou waved a hand, and Bian Zhuang bowed and withdrew.

Watching Bian Zhuang’s retreating figure, Lü Yue asked curiously, “Who was that subordinate of yours? It seemed someone called him ‘Young Pavilion Master’ when you entered the grand formation just now…”

Li Changshou smiled, “He is the only grandson of the Tianya Pavilion Master and currently serves in the Heavenly Court. To be perfectly frank, I also came to Tianya Pavilion this time to inquire if it would be willing to serve the Heavenly Court.”

Lü Yue asked, puzzled, “Does the Heavenly Court have a shortage of Immortal Maidens?”

“Ahem!” Qin Tianzhu interjected, explaining, “Not at all. The Water God merely intends to use Tianya Pavilion as a foundation to establish a force within the Three Thousand Worlds, to contend with the Western Church. How could the Heavenly Court lack Immortal Maidens? Even if it did, it certainly wouldn’t come here to recruit them.”

Li Changshou’s mouth fell open, and he stared at Qin Tianzhu with a wry, speechless expression. *Your Majesty, we haven't even ascertained Lü Yue’s true background yet, so why reveal the overt plan directly? If we have a few more drinks later, will the secrets of the Lintian Hall also be compromised?*

Qin Tianzhu realized he had said a bit too much. He offered Li Changshou a small smile, then quietly lowered his head and sipped his tea.

Li Changshou: *…This Heavenly Emperor is truly a handful!*

Soon after Bian Zhuang left, Immortal Maidens in vibrant robes gracefully entered, carrying trays laden with exquisite dishes at their slender waists, a subtle mist swirling around them. In short order, a round table was laden with thirty or forty rare and delicious dishes. Immortal Maidens stood ready with jade chopsticks and wine, prepared to serve food and replenish drinks, but Lü Yue waved them away.

“My Junior Brother Chang Geng isn’t suited for such pomp,” Lü Yue declared. “All of you may leave. Are we incapable of serving ourselves?”

Qin Tianzhu also invited Bian Zhuang to join them. Bian Zhuang initially demurred, but after a glance from Li Changshou, he quickly lowered his head, took a seat, and began pouring wine for Lü Yue beside him. Lü Yue also altered his appearance to look younger, taking on a middle-aged form, and proactively moved closer to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou, acting as host, prompted them to raise their goblets and drink three times, marking the start of individual toasts.

After a few cups of wine, Lü Yue proactively asked, “Junior Brother Chang Geng, you mentioned you intended to confront the Western Church? Would you like me to prepare some more poison pills for you?”

Li Changshou’s heart stirred, but he merely shook his head with a smile. “It’s merely a clandestine game of chess with the Western Church across the Three Thousand Worlds. If I were to intervene directly, matters would only become complicated.”

“Precisely. With the Great Tribulation now upon us, caution is paramount.” Lü Yue sighed. “Those two martial uncles of the Western Church are entirely different from our Daoist Saints. They are utterly ruthless and operate without a shred of restraint. I heard from Senior Brother Duobao that in ancient times, these two schemed against countless powerful figures. Take Old Ancestor Hongyun, for instance. Why did he surrender his seat in Zixiao Palace back then? Wasn’t it because those two bamboozled him? Hongyun was originally seated beside Kunpeng. If Hongyun hadn't stood up, Kunpeng could have leveraged that to avoid yielding his seat to those two. But once Hongyun rose and Kunpeng couldn't resist their threats, how could he not resent Hongyun? Ultimately, it was those two from the West who seized Kunpeng's fortuitous encounter. Kunpeng, fearing the great Western Saints, dared not seek retribution, so he could only vent his frustration on Hongyun.”

Qin Tianzhu, beside him, nodded in profound agreement. “That’s exactly how it was.”

Lü Yue chuckled, “You speak as though you were there yourself?”

Li Changshou: *…He truly was there, and held one of the most esteemed front-row seats for listening to the Dao in Zixiao Palace, right beside the Dao Ancestor’s left hand at the time.*

Lü Yue then spoke earnestly, “Junior Brother Chang Geng, my advice to you is to be wary of those two from the West. The Western Church conceals many ploys. I even heard a fellow Daoist mention that they possess a cultivation method that allows one to achieve Golden Immortal status purely through accumulated merit.”

Li Changshou seized the opportunity, saying, “Let’s not discuss the Saint Masters at the table, but rather their disciples. Senior Brother, among the Western Church’s disciples, who do you find the most troublesome? Consider this guidance for your junior brother. Senior Brother, I’ll toast you first…”

“Oh, it’s nothing, nothing at all. Just a chat between brothers; no need for any ‘guidance’ talk.” Lü Yue raised his wine goblet, lightly clinked it against Li Changshou’s, took a satisfying sip, and chuckled, “Western Saint disciples can be discussed in two categories. The Western Church doesn't differentiate between registered and formal disciples; instead, they distinguish between those accepted before the Saints achieved sainthood and those accepted later to entice powerful cultivators into joining the Western Church. There’s a clear disparity between these two groups of disciples. From what I understand, most of these early disciples, though not widely renowned, possess extraordinary power, and you must handle them with caution. Figures like Xubodhi, Ksitigarbha, Duomu Neng—I’ve only heard their names mentioned and don't know their specific titles. However, there’s no need for excessive worry; ultimately, their power is still a notch below that of the head disciples of our Daoist Three Sects.”

By this point, Li Changshou was reasonably certain that Lü Yue had no connection to the Western Church. Nevertheless, to be absolutely certain, Li Changshou continued to offer toasts. As the wine flowed and the atmosphere grew more relaxed, he pressed on with his inquiries, “Then, Senior Brother, what are your thoughts on the various senior brothers and sisters within the Chan Sect?”

“For tens of thousands of years, there has been constant friction between them and our Jie Sect,” Lü Yue sighed. “Ultimately, it boils down to the differing philosophies of Second Martial Uncle and Master. However, there are indeed a few individuals within the Chan Sect who are truly exasperating. Take Deputy Sect Master Randeng, for instance: he’s insidious, cunning, and a master of stirring up trouble. He throws his weight around, relying on his seniority to provoke everyone, often angering me enough to want to hurl a handful of poison pills at him. The Chan Sect… *hehe*, they are fundamentally disunited.”

Li Changshou asked with a smile, “And among the Chan Sect’s senior brothers and sisters, who do you admire the most, Senior Brother?”

“Tsk, that’s hard to say,” Lü Yue shook his head. “In this world, while there are many Saint disciples, truly heroic figures of the Primordial World are few and far between.”

Qin Tianzhu interjected, “The Chan Sect boasts the renowned Twelve Golden Immortals of the Primordial World. Could Guangchengzi, their leader, be considered a hero?”

Lü Yue replied, “Senior Brother Guangchengzi possesses profound cultivation and numerous magical treasures, and his Fantian Seal is renowned. However, he is overly calculating and deep-minded, lacking a sense of responsibility, having repeatedly shirked his duties onto others. He is no hero.”

Li Changshou glanced around the grand formation, silently crushed the recording orb in his sleeve, and asked with a smile, “Then, Senior Brother, do you believe Senior Brother Yun Zhongzi, the Chan Sect’s Golden Immortal of Fortune and Virtue, can be considered a hero?”

“While Yun Zhongzi is skilled in artifact refining and possesses excellent methods, the treasures he crafts are merely imitations of numerous existing innate spirit treasures. He is, in essence, the progenitor of counterfeit artifacts, not a hero of the Primordial World.”

Qin Tianzhu then asked, “What about True Person Taiyi?”

“Taiyi always speaks with a sarcastic tone, and several times, conflicts nearly erupted between the two sides because of him. He disregards others’ feelings, shows no understanding of proper decorum, and only seeks to satisfy his own desire for sharp-tongued remarks. He is no hero of the Primordial World.”

Qin Tianzhu inquired, “And True Person Huanglong?”

“Alas,” Lü Yue sighed. “Senior Brother Huanglong is far too guileless. He takes whatever others say as truth, utterly lacking his own judgment. He is no hero of the Primordial World.”

The more Li Changshou listened, the more he realized how easily this conversation could incite conflict if leaked. He quickly changed the subject. “Senior Brother Lü Yue, what are your thoughts on the various senior brothers and sisters of the Jie Sect?”

“Well…” Lü Yue chuckled. “I, this humble Daoist, believe that among my Jie Sect, there are indeed many who exemplify profound righteousness. Of course, you can exclude me; I no longer concern myself with reputation. If we are to speak of heroes of the Primordial World, I would undoubtedly put forward Senior Brother Gongming and Senior Sister Jinling. The rest of our fellow disciples, though commendable, fall somewhat short.”

Qin Tianzhu glanced at Li Changshou, then smiled, “And what about Fairy Yunxiao?”

Lü Yue chuckled, “Senior Sister Yunxiao is gentle and non-contentious by nature. However, her cultivation is profound, her spiritual pressure is immense, and she can be quite stubborn. In ancient times, she often left Master speechless with her inquiries. Even a soft rebuke from Senior Sister Yun Xiao would cause dozens of disciples in our sect, who regularly attend Master’s lectures, to tremble in their Dao hearts. Her majesty is simply too overwhelming; she is no hero.”

Qin Tianzhu immediately cast a knowing glance at Li Changshou, who… pretended to have neither heard nor seen a thing.

For a time, laughter and lively chatter filled the Yingfeng Pavilion. The group conversed freely, enjoying themselves immensely. However, they had barely been drinking for half a day when a middle-aged Immortal Maiden arrived in a hurry. She entered the grand formation, stood outside the door, privately conveyed a few words to Bian Zhuang, then turned and left.

Bian Zhuang's brows furrowed, and he murmured, “Lord Water God, my grandmother is facing some trouble.”

“Oh?” Li Changshou chuckled. “Could it be that some Western Church experts have sent letters, perhaps threatening Tianya Pavilion not to meddle, promising immunity from disaster if it remains neutral?”

“Well…” Bian Zhuang asked, surprised, “How did you know?”

Li Changshou took a sip from his wine cup. “Old rivals tend to understand each other’s tactics. By now, Western-controlled forces are likely mobilizing to exert pressure on Tianya Pavilion.”

Qin Tianzhu’s eyes gleamed sharply, his expression turning stern. He was about to calmly utter some stern words… when a strong, weathered hand slapped the table. The slightly tipsy old Daoist Lü Yue snorted coldly and declared nonchalantly, “Send them a reply. Tell them to bring it on, and preferably send more people. Anything less than a million troops isn’t worth my time to even wave a sleeve. Xiao Zhuang, tell them plainly: if they dare to frighten any of the ladies here, even if all their Western Saint disciples come, I will ensure they lose half their lives!”

Li Changshou interjected, “Senior Brother, there’s no need to act so hastily. After all, this concerns the Jie Sect’s stance…”

“I am not merely a Jie Sect disciple here,” Lü Yue declared magnanimously, his eyes twinkling. “I am but a weary bird that has found its nest, a familiar patron of this Tianya Pavilion. How can I tolerate them disturbing my cultivation and tribulation? Send them that reply.”

Bian Zhuang bowed his head in assent and quickly departed.

Li Changshou held his wine cup, chuckling, “Setting aside romantic matters, Senior Brother, you are indeed a hero.”

“Oh, Junior Brother, you flatter me, you flatter me.”

“However, Senior Brother,” Li Changshou’s tone shifted, and he leaned forward, “When using poisons, we should also employ some cunning techniques. If we act too overtly, they’ll always find a way to evade it, and harming mere immortal soldiers is simply a waste of precious materials.”

Lü Yue’s eyes lit up. “Chang Geng, do you have any advice?”

“I wouldn’t call it advice,” Li Changshou said, taking several treasure pouches from his robe. “Just a few minor tricks—feints and unexpected stratagems, that’s all.”