Chapter 607: 君臣·最佳拍档

Maitreya of Western Religion, Guangcheng Zi of Chan Sect, Duobao of Jie Sect, Randeng Daoren of Chan Sect, Chijing Zi of Chan Sect, and a group of zealous Jie Sect followers concerned about Taibai and Yunxiao...

In Taibai Palace, Li Changshou sat quietly in the depths of the main hall, one name or influential group after another flashing through his mind. He was speculating and inferring who was behind the schemes. With so little information available at the moment, Li Changshou couldn't analyze the likelihood of each possibility.

Originally, Li Changshou had held a somewhat lenient attitude towards this matter. The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation was imminent, and the Heavenly Dao's script was already set. The Dao Ancestor's intentions had been made abundantly clear: he, as the central figure of the tribulation, was to diligently follow the Heavenly Dao's instructions and fully appreciate the Heavenly Dao's challenges. He only needed to ensure the Heavenly Court was filled with true gods and that the power of sentient beings across the realms was weakened; other considerations were unnecessary.

In other words, the Great Tribulation wasn't some trivial matter that could be swayed by just any sly smile or casual flirtation. However, his adversaries had chosen to exploit the relationship between him and Yunxiao.

He, a wanderer from Earth, had lived in a rule-of-law society in his previous life during an era of peace, largely free from mortal threats. After a fleeting life, his consciousness was fading when he unexpectedly found himself in this Primordial World, where powerful beings moved mountains and filled seas, and mortals' lives were like blades of grass. The existential and survival crises were dire enough, and now Senior Lang had become a persistent issue, leading to Dao Ancestor's suspicion of him. Had he ever considered opposing the Heavenly Dao? Well, yes, he had... but it was mainly about the issue of the Merit Golden Body. Yet, Li Changshou also knew that in this era of a perfected Heavenly Dao, objective conditions made it utterly impossible to contend with it. The safest path was to achieve his goal and then depart from the Primordial World.

He had finally brought himself to gingerly take one step after another with Yunxiao, a relationship that truly required immense effort to cultivate with a powerful Primordial being. And now, this very affection had become a tool for others to manipulate.

Li Changshou sighed slowly. Were his methods not ruthless enough, or was he not stable enough? He constantly reflected on himself, with 'stability' always etched deep in his Dao heart. The world is inherently unpredictable; true mastery is revealed in the subtle details. This particular scheme, however, had caught him off guard. After all, he wasn't a Saint and couldn't constantly monitor everything across the heavens and earth. Directly targeting the Western Religion would make it easy to miss the true mastermind. Further investigation and more information were required.

A brief analysis of the potential schemers behind this revealed the shallowest layer of the plot: some zealous Jie Sect followers, aiming to safeguard the relationship between him and Yunxiao, while subtly urging him to distance himself from the Moon Palace Immortal. Li Changshou couldn't entirely rule out this possibility. There were too many Jie Sect immortals, their characters too diverse, and each prided themselves on their loyalty and sense of justice. It was entirely possible that some hot-headed but well-intentioned individuals, convinced of their own cleverness, might have caused this. This undoubtedly complicated the investigation. Regardless, even if it truly was the work of Jie Sect immortals, Li Changshou had no intention of letting it go lightly. Sometimes, he could make concessions; a minor setback was acceptable, as long as his core interests remained untouched, it wasn't a big deal. But when it concerned Yunxiao and Ling'e, it was a different matter.

"Chang Geng?"

From outside the palace doors, the Jade Emperor's avatar, Quanjin, hurried in. Li Changshou activated the surrounding arrays and rose to greet him. These two key figures of the Heavenly Court's power sat down in a corner of Taibai Palace, eating skewers and drinking iced jade wine, getting straight to business with a rapid exchange.

The Jade Emperor asked, "This matter involves Immortal Yunxiao. What are your thoughts?"

Li Changshou replied, "Your Majesty, speaking purely from personal sentiment, I wish to escalate this matter. However, doing so might create unforeseen complications for the Heavenly Court."

"What complications could there be?" the Jade Emperor scoffed. "Someone schemed against Bian Zhuang, and even exploited his relationship with Yunxiao. Overtly, they claimed it was to prevent him from getting too close to Heng'e, but what was the reality? This is a veiled accusation that you would show favoritism towards Jie Sect because of Yunxiao, aiming to undermine the very foundation of the Great Tribulation's governance. Why not just frankly tell them we *do* show favoritism? We *do* find Jie Sect immortals agreeable! What can they do about it?"

Li Changshou smiled. "Your Majesty's consideration for this humble servant deeply touches me. However, please allow me to handle this matter. I will surely devise a comprehensive approach that both deters minor offenders and upholds the Heavenly Court's authority. And also get some revenge."

"Your unwillingness to endure this now deeply pleases me," the Jade Emperor said with a smile. "You have done so much for the Heavenly Court; it's time the Heavenly Court did something for you. Tell me, what's your plan? When you handle things, I am at ease."

"Escalate the situation as much as possible," Li Changshou stated. "First, let the other party feel Heavenly Retribution hanging over their heads. This will require Your Majesty's intervention."

"A minor matter," the Jade Emperor's avatar said. "Just write a memorial, and I'll read it verbatim."

"Your Majesty, if we do that, people will easily accuse this humble servant of controlling the Heavenly Emperor. Perhaps you could improvise a bit..."

The Jade Emperor's avatar said sternly, "Beloved Minister Chang Geng, you're getting lazy!"

Li Changshou put down the skewer in his hand, bowed his head, clasped his hands, and whispered, "Ah, yes, this humble servant will consider what extent of disruption Your Majesty can accept."

"Without causing the Dao Ancestor to appear."

Li Changshou paused, speechless. Was he truly not ruthless enough? Just moments ago, he had fiercely outlined a follow-up revenge plan, with the limit being not to provoke a Saint's intervention. As soon as the Jade Emperor spoke, his benchmark was directly not to make the Dao Ancestor appear. And now, in this vast world, only one event could cause the Dao Ancestor to manifest: a great war among Saints that threatened to destroy the Primordial World. Did it feel as though His Majesty the Jade Emperor simply wanted to seize the opportunity to stir up some commotion and assert his own presence?

Li Changshou deliberated for a while, then requested His Majesty the Jade Emperor to take over the skewers. He rose and walked to a nearby low table, where he drafted an unofficial memorial. Investigating whether the suddenly appearing immortal mountain on the East Sea coast was Flower Fruit Mountain was not urgent; it was merely an act to satisfy his curiosity. Although it seemed highly likely that his role as Taibai Jinxing would lead to a complex, intertwined relationship with the monkey. However, priorities shifted. The most important task now was to destroy— *ahem*— to uncover who was behind the schemes against him and Yunxiao.

False affection: Like Bian Zhuang, constantly speaking of love and beauty, proclaiming his search for his destined goddess, only to fall for every pretty face he encountered, thinking each was "not bad at all." True affection: If they dared to use this as a threat, then they shouldn't blame him for abandoning all restraint.

Thus, half a day later.

*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!*

In the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, all immortals of the Heavenly Court gathered. Every immortal and deity of rank was summoned to witness the usually serene Jade Emperor suddenly kick his desk over. Below the elevated platform, Bian Zhuang, clad in "prison attire" and with a tear-stained face, knelt with his head bowed. Beside Bian Zhuang lay the Chang'e, faintly breathing, her body devoid of any wounds, as if having ingested a poison pill. Of course, her life was not in danger. The poison pill had been administered by Li Changshou as a form of punishment; the antidote would be given to her shortly, ensuring her silence throughout the proceedings.

The first step in escalating the matter: demonize its nature.

"Rebellion! This is utter rebellion!" The Jade Emperor ranted and raved, his white robes fluttering as he paced back and forth behind the overturned jade desk. "First, the deputy commander of the Heavenly River Navy was subjected to a malicious scheme, and the instigator was none other than the supposedly pure and unsullied Chang'e of the Moon Palace. Now! In just half a day! This Chang'e has been held in the Heavenly Punishment Hall for mere hours, and already someone seeks to assassinate her! An assassination! A blatant attempt to silence her! This is in the Heavenly Court! In the Heavenly Court, designated by the Heavenly Dao to oversee the order of the Three Realms! Utterly audacious and lawless! The schemer behind this must have swallowed a celestial gall! Who will tell me, what use is this Heavenly Court anymore? Who will tell me, what use is this Heavenly Emperor anymore! Dong Mugong!"

"This old minister is here!" Mugong shouted, hastily stepping forward two paces and kneeling before the elevated platform.

"Investigate! Investigate this thoroughly! From today onwards, the Heavenly Court will suspend all non-essential matters. No immortal or deity is permitted to take shifts off. The Heavenly Court will conduct a thorough internal investigation! If no issues are uncovered this time, then *you* will become the issue!"

Dong Mugong bowed his head and exclaimed, "This old minister obeys the decree!"

The celestial officials in the front rows bowed in unison, many also wearing expressions of fury, and chanted, "Your ministers obey the decree!"

The Jade Emperor's expression softened slightly, and he coldly commanded, "Bian Zhuang's residence is to be heavily guarded. Send this immortaless to the Jade Pool, to be personally overseen by Longji; no one is permitted to approach her! And where is Beloved Minister Chang Geng?"

"Taibai Xingjun has already led troops to that Chang'e's home to rescue the captured hostages," Dong Mugong promptly replied.

The Jade Emperor nodded slowly, then cursed again, "Coercing Chang'e, scheming against a Heavenly General, and threatening my most trusted Heavenly Court minister! No matter who the schemer behind this is, I will definitely not spare them this time! Issue an order to the Jade Pool! Send envoys to Sanshan Island with treasures, to offer an apology to Immortal Yunxiao on behalf of Beloved Minister Chang Geng and the Heavenly Court! The Heavenly Court is in the wrong regarding this matter. Immortal Yunxiao is such a gentle and virtuous immortaless. Chang Geng, in his effort to fairly preside over the Great Tribulation, suffered decades of lovesickness just to meet Immortal Yunxiao once, only to be subjected to such suspicion! Today, I declare clearly to all my beloved ministers: this Investiture of the Gods Tribulation still has a final wave of fatal tribulation yet to descend; all grand disciples of the various sects are aware of this! But I had long ago issued a decree to Beloved Minister Chang Geng, specifically exempting Yunxiao from the tribulation itself. This is the Heavenly Court's repayment to Chang Geng, as the Heavenly Court's current stability is primarily due to Chang Geng's efforts! Beloved Minister Chang Geng does not need to let personal feelings influence the direction of the Great Tribulation. Those who only dare to hide in the shadows and launch sneak attacks—their character is unfit to be a true deity of the Heavenly Court! Their very existence is unworthy of remaining in Heaven and Earth! Hmph!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, the Jade Emperor turned and departed, vanishing from the elevated platform, leaving behind a group of Heavenly Court immortals and deities either exchanging bewildered glances or seething with righteous indignation.

Dong Mugong stood up, his face also stern with anger as he turned. "What are you still standing there for? On-duty immortals and deities, return to your posts to maintain peace and order throughout Heaven and Earth! All other immortals and deities are to assemble before the hall and search every corner of the Heavenly Court!"

The 'Jade Emperor's Fury in the Lingxiao Palace' spectacle concluded smoothly. Propelled by Li Changshou behind the scenes, the flames of public opinion throughout the Primordial World ignited fiercely. The Heavenly Court's anger, in the shortest possible time, reached the ears of the vast majority of cultivators.

It was just that... the Jade Emperor had overplayed his role too much. While, upon closer inspection, these additions were all beneficial to him, the Jade Emperor hadn't given him any prior notice. Still, this was the biggest star on set; even the director had to defer to him.

In Taibai Palace, Li Changshou's main body moved out from Xiaoqiong Peak. Paper clones bustled about, and jade talismans zipped through the air.

On Kunlun Mountain, True Person Du'e brought Zheng Lun to another feast. This time, however, he wore a somber expression, proactively gathered information, and then subtly disseminated the news he had fortuitously acquired. In various towns and markets across Central Divine Continent, the Heavenly Court's secretly trained "information spreaders" began frequenting teahouses and philosophical discussion venues. Within the Three Thousand Worlds, in areas controlled by the Immortal Alliance, each Great Thousand World saw the arrival of several additional immortals and deities, who openly discussed the recent major events. A Heavenly Court general had been schemed against. Chang'e's family had been coerced. An assassination attempt by poisoning had occurred. The Jade Emperor raged in the Lingxiao Hall. This incident had now completely escaped the control of its hidden schemers. After all, the Heavenly Court of today was no longer what it once was; its deterrent power rivaled that of the Six Saints, and its influence was even greater.

A paper clone of Li Changshou led a detachment of soldiers, ostentatiously rushing to that Chang'e's home. Moving with great fanfare and utmost speed, they aimed to demonstrate the Heavenly Court's compassionate concern for every immortal and deity. Most of the Heavenly Court's Chang'es were, in fact, selected from the Three Thousand Worlds, serving to some extent as the public face of the Heavenly Court. This particular Chang'e's home was quite far from the Primordial World; Heavenly Soldiers flying there would normally take at least two months. However, the news of their plight spread rapidly, reaching the halfway point in just half a month. The incident was already rife with speculation throughout the Primordial World when grim news arrived from the Immortal Alliance. That Chang'e's younger sister's family, along with all her other relatives, had been secretly silenced by the schemers. The Immortal Alliance searched every conceivable hiding spot in that Great Thousand World, finally uncovering faint traces that led them to a valley. But by the time several Immortal Alliance experts arrived, the bodies of the family members had already turned to ash, with only faint spiritual energy fluctuations lingering in the air. Had it not been for faint, unformed wisps of lingering souls nearby, it would have been impossible to discern that anyone had been killed there.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly. Jin Peng had still arrived a step too late. According to his previous plan, he had already secretly informed Jin Peng of that Great Thousand World's location. Jin Peng possessed extreme speed, so as long as the culprits didn't receive information as swiftly, the chances of rescue were still considerable. Unfortunately, Jin Peng's extreme speed couldn't save those people. The reason he had instructed Jin Peng to destroy any evidence if rescue was impossible was, in fact, to exacerbate the culprits' perceived transgressions and to draw more attention to the incident. At that moment, Li Changshou had already formulated a series of subsequent schemes.

Meanwhile, the paper clone, leading Heavenly Soldiers, continued rushing to that Great Thousand World, and the news was relayed back to the Five Continents. In the Lingxiao Hall, the Jade Emperor raged once more, and the entire Heavenly Court's fury had been ignited. This anger could erupt like a volcano or transform into a torrent, engulfing an entire faction. By this point, the incident had been fully defined as a severe provocation to the Heavenly Court, a blatant disregard for the Heavenly Dao, and a rejection of the new Primordial order established by the Heavenly Dao. And such beings or forces usually met a grim end.

In Taibai Palace, Li Changshou fell into deep thought. The trail had gone completely cold. The Heavenly Court's fury was ablaze, and the hidden schemer could hardly come to the Heavenly Court to confess; they would only conceal themselves more thoroughly. As for direct clues, he could only see what good news Jin Peng could bring back. For indirect clues, he could later visit the Reincarnation Pagoda. Although Ksitigarbha had sealed it, Li Changshou, by sending his main body and leveraging the Heavenly Dao's suppressing power, could still force his way inside. But this... was still not enough.

His eyes gleamed with insight; as his sleeves billowed, a vast net seemed to unfold before him. The Jade Pool Fairies of the Heavenly Court going to Sanshan Island to deliver gifts was, in fact, arranged by Li Changshou. The subsequent events unfolded quite smoothly, and the entire Jie Sect began to take notice. Li Changshou did not wish to scheme against the Jie Sect, but this matter had already implicated them, and the Jie Sect was inextricably entangled. If it truly was the work of some naive individual within the Jie Sect, the scenario where "disciples were 'sold' off to weaken Jie Sect" might play out once more. If someone was leveraging this to scheme against Jie Sect, intending to sour Li Changshou's strong relationship with them, Jie Sect would incur even greater losses and be left isolated and helpless during the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.

The Jade Emperor had officially announced the "final wave of tribulation" in the Lingxiao Hall, creating pressure on Jie Sect. The Jade Pool Fairies went to Sanshan Island to deliver gifts, apologizing to Immortal Yunxiao on behalf of the Heavenly Court, thereby drawing the attention of the Jie Sect immortals. Li Changshou sent a jade talisman to Luofu Cave, where Zhao Gongming judiciously expressed his outrage. Soon, the Jie Sect immortals were incensed with righteous indignation. They initiated an internal investigation into the matter, with several grand disciples visiting various Daoist venues and covertly investigating all suspicious individuals. To clear their name, they were determined to unearth the hidden schemer.

This was the second major force Li Changshou could mobilize: the Heavenly Court, the Jie Sect, the Dao Ancestor's deterrence, the Tongtian Sect Master's sword... still not enough.

Timing his move precisely, Li Changshou's main body left Taibai Palace. He first went to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall to meet His Majesty the Jade Emperor and deliberate on the current predicament with numerous immortals and deities. With no clues, and unable to simply fabricate evidence, all the celestial officials were mired in immense perplexity. Li Changshou, naturally, came prepared. After deliberating with everyone for half a day, he sighed, "Your Majesty! I am incompetent and have disgraced you. But this matter has garnered widespread attention across the Primordial Three Realms. If it remains unaddressed, the Heavenly Court's authority will be completely undermined. I humbly dare to ask Your Majesty to grant two requests!"

"Beloved Minister, speak," the Jade Emperor said gently, his tone softening for the first time in a while.

Li Changshou stated firmly, "First, I ask Your Majesty to dispatch someone to Fire Cloud Cave to seek assistance from the unrivaled diviner, the human sage Fuxi, to see if he can divine any clues using the River Map and Luoshu. Second, I will simultaneously go to the Nine Heavens' Grand Pure Temple to inquire of my master regarding the principal schemer in this matter!"

The Jade Emperor, who had seen the script, naturally knew what to say at this moment. He asked, "Beloved Minister Chang Geng, why not directly ask Senior Brother Taiqing?"

Li Changshou explained, "Firstly, I do not wish to trouble my master with this matter, as my master prefers serene cultivation. Secondly, it might lead others to believe that my Human Sect interferes too extensively with the Heavenly Court. My master once said that the Human Sect supports the Heavenly Court for the sake of all sentient beings, not for the pursuit of authority. Therefore, to be prudent, I will seek an answer. But if it's not absolutely necessary, if our normal investigation doesn't yield any clues, then we won't resort to such a direct answer."

The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile. The assembled immortals and deities each breathed a sigh of relief, their spirits instantly bolstered a hundredfold.

Li Changshou bowed in farewell and departed, riding his cloud straight to the Nine Heavens, returning half a month later.

The Heavenly Court began an exhaustive search throughout the entire Primordial World, employing countless methods and mobilizing all available resources, focusing on the cultivator responsible for Chang'e's family's deaths. Under such pressure, clues emerged and vanished intermittently. Just as Li Changshou left the Grand Pure Temple, before he had even found his footing, Jin Peng rushed over from a corner and whispered, "Master, your disciple has been waiting for you for over ten days."

Li Changshou gripped Jin Peng's arm and quietly asked, "How did it go?"

Jin Peng quickly reported, "Your disciple arrived a step too late; Chang'e's family was killed. However, I rescued the souls of over half of the family members and apprehended several Heavenly Immortals who murdered Chang'e's family. According to your instructions, Master, I dared not report using a communication jade talisman, and took the liberty to pursue the investigation further on my own initiative. They were renegade cultivators who dealt in spirit stones, and their connections were convoluted and circuitous. Your disciple is incapable; the trail has still gone cold."

A flicker of thought crossed Li Changshou's eyes. He immediately said, "Go back, and make another flight. From the incident location, use your extreme speed to rush back; the more conspicuous, the better. Release the news. State that you saved the souls of Chang'e's family members and apprehended the perpetrators, and that through secret investigation, guided by the Heavenly Dao, you uncovered clues leading to the principal schemer. Remember to emphasize 'Heavenly Dao's guidance.'"

Jin Peng's eyes lit up. "Master, you want to intentionally stir up the hornet's nest to see if the trail can be picked up again?"

"No, I already have the answer," Li Changshou said with a slight smirk playing on his lips. "I merely want that schemer to experience torment and truly understand despair."