Chapter 693: Gongming's Grand Wedding

On the second day of the initial battle between the Chan and Jie sects, a thick mist enveloped Sanxian Island.

The eight major disciples of Jie Jiao, except for Wudang Shengmu, had gathered there. After sharing a few cups of tea and some snacks prepared by Bixiao, they began discussing the previous day's conflict.

Duobao Daoist slumped back in his seat, complaining weakly, "This whole thing is just too difficult."

Jinling Shengmu slapped the stone table and scolding, "As the eldest senior brother, you shouldn't have said those words. We should have just gone straight to war and fought it out!"

Duobao spread his hands and asked, "But what if the two saints from Western Cult show up?"

Jinling Shengmu was momentarily at a loss for words.

Yunxiao, sitting quietly to the side, pondered briefly and said softly, "Is there a way to keep the saints out of the battles among their disciples?"

"That's impossible," Zhao Gongming said, leaning against a stone pillar in the pavilion. "That's why Chan Jiao keeps protecting Western Cult—they're waiting for this very thing. Our second shibo has schemed too deeply; we're no match for him as junior disciples."

Qiongxiao huffed, "It just feels excessive."

Guiling Shengmu spoke gently in defense, "At the root of it, it's because we immortals in Jie Jiao are so numerous, putting more pressure on Chan Jiao. Otherwise, second shibo should be quite benevolent."

Bixiao sighed quietly, "If our grand master could support us, that would be great."

Zhao Gongming explained, "Grand master will only back the side that's gaining the upper hand. We've discussed this before—his goal is to preserve more vitality for the Daoist tradition."

The seven male and female immortals fell silent, each lost in thought.

Zhao Gongming chuckled, "Let's not be so pessimistic. The great tribulation isn't unbeatable. Worst case, I'll go lie down at Zixiao Palace."

A muffled thunder rumbled from the sky, making Zhao Gongming shudder. He quickly added, "Lying there is just to show infinite respect to our ancestral master..."

The faint heavenly might then dissipated.

Bixiao burst into giggles, and the other immortals smiled as well.

Jinling Shengmu advised earnestly, "You need to be careful now—it's not like before when the great saints wouldn't stir up trouble. If you lay down in front of Chan Jiao now, they'd probably chop you up without a second thought."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and sighed, "It was just a joke. That kind of tactic only works outside of a great tribulation. Now, we've completely fallen out with Chan Jiao."

Duobao Daoist muttered, "By the way, when are you two going to announce your relationship to the rest of the sect?"

Zhao Gongming froze for a moment, and Jinling Shengmu first frowned slightly, then lowered her head. Though she tried to keep her expression calm, her ears turned red instantly.

Bixiao and Qiongxiao exchanged glances, and Qiongxiao gave a subtle wink. Bixiao caught on immediately. Bixiao said, "Big brother, I think you're being a bit too much." Zhao Gongming scratched his head and laughed, "Yeah, maybe I am... Too much what? Where exactly am I being too much?" "Just dragging out the wedding," Qiongxiao said, throwing up her hands. "Jinling shijie and you have been dao companions for so long, yet you're still keeping it hidden. How do you think that makes Jinling shijie feel?" "Exactly!" Bixiao jumped in without giving Zhao Gongming a chance to speak, "With the great tribulation looming, who knows when a full-scale war might break out. You should at least give Jinling shijie some closure." "This..." Yunxiao furrowed her brow lightly and chided, "Stop this nonsense." Qiongxiao, Bixiao, Zhao Gongming, and Duobao Daoist all felt their legs go weak, but since they were sitting, they managed to hold their posture. Yunxiao sighed, "This isn't the time for such matters, especially right after some of our sect's immortals have died in the tribulation." Guiling Shengmu smiled and said, "Yunxiao shijie, I disagree. With everyone in the sect feeling anxious, knowing that the two saints from Western Cult are siding with Chan Jiao, our numbers might not be enough to counter them. Plus, we all know Jie Jiao lacks a treasure to suppress our destiny, so we could end up suffering the most in this tribulation. I think we should use Public Ming shixiong and Jinling shijie's wedding to bring some joy and boost morale. It would make everyone feel that even we senior disciples aren't panicking, giving them more confidence." Yunxiao thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile, "That makes sense." "Ahem!" Duobao Daoist cleared his throat and said, "Let me add my thoughts. I believe Jie Jiao urgently needs some good news right now. We could send invitations to Chan Jiao and try to mend the three-sect relationship or find another way out. Of course, it's probably hopeless, but we should at least try, so we can face our conscience. Yunxiao shimei and Changgeng shidi's situation is on hold for now—Changgeng is overseeing the tribulation, so our ancestral master and grand master won't allow it at this point." Yunxiao calmly picked up her teacup, her slender fingers trembling ever so slightly, though it was nearly imperceptible. Zhao Gongming looked at Jinling Shengmu, who turned her head slightly and whispered, "Why are you looking at me..." "That, uh, ahem!" Zhao Gongming cleared his throat, stood up, and gazed at Jinling Shengmu, "Jinling, is that okay with you?" "Don't be so wishy-washy!" Jinling Shengmu slapped the table and stood up, staring at Zhao Gongming, "If we're becoming dao companions, then let's do it. If we're having a wedding, then let's have one. Why all this hesitation? Back then, I didn't want to make it public because I was worried about Jinguang shimei feeling uneasy about it. But now that Jinguang knows, there's no need to hide anymore. When should we hold it?" Zhao Gongming blinked, his hands trembling slightly, and he said quickly, "I—I'll ask Changgeng! I'll go ask Changgeng!" "Why ask Changgeng?" Jinling Shengmu's eyes showed a hint of displeasure, "Our matter is for us to decide." Duobao Daoist interjected, "We should consult Changgeng. He's outside the tribulation, so he sees things more clearly. We're in the midst of it and might be influenced by the Heavenly Dao." "Hmph," Jinling Shengmu grumbled, as if finding a way to back down, "He's more devoted to his Changgeng old friend than to me." The other immortals couldn't help but smile. Yunxiao said, "We shouldn't decide this among ourselves. It's better to get our shizun's approval first." "Our shizun has been waiting for this," Duobao Daoist chuckled. "How about this: let's divide tasks. Gongming, you contact Changgeng. Yunxiao, you and Jinling go ask shizun. The rest of us can go around giving lectures to stabilize the sect's morale, and while we're at it, mention Gongming and Jinling's matter to prepare everyone, so the invitations don't come as a shock." Bixiao said happily, "Finally, we can..." "Stay home and write the auspicious characters," Yunxiao said calmly. Bixiao's smile froze on her face, her mouth puckered, and she nearly burst into tears. She had it tough.

In Biyou Palace, Tongtian Jiaozhu was stunned when he heard about it, then threw his head back and laughed heartily for a good long while. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! My disciples should be this carefree—what's a great tribulation or any disaster? It's all just passing clouds. I approve, of course I do! Let's hold it right here in Biyou Palace, grand and open! Oh, and Yunxiao, have Changgeng write a profound and meaningful congratulatory message for me—make sure it's soon. Spare no expense on the wedding preparations; take whatever you need from Biyou Palace. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha..."

At the foot of the steps, Yunxiao shook her head lightly and bowed before leaving.

Once Yunxiao had gone, Tongtian Jiaozhu's laughter gradually faded. He slowly sat down on the steps and let out a soft sigh. This saintly figure, who usually didn't put on airs, now showed a rare trace of worry. He stroked his long hair and stared blankly ahead. "Shizun..." He murmured the word, his smile tinged with bitterness and a touch of defiance.

In the Heavenly Court, on Xiaoqiong Peak by the lake, in the thatched hut, Li Changshou sat stunned at his desk, staring at the message jade talisman in front of him.

This was one of the emergency communication talismans for Zhao Gongming—meticulously made, though not particularly valuable.

What had his old brother just said? A wedding? With Jinling Shengmu, and soon?

The Fengshen Great Tribulation had already started, and now they were thinking about a wedding? What had they been doing all this time?!

No, wait—what kind of mindset did Jie Jiao have?

While Chan Jiao was plotting how to eliminate Jie Jiao disciples, those on Jie Jiao's side were probably slapping their foreheads and saying, "Let's have a wedding to turn our luck around! Maybe it'll work!"

He could guess that without even being there.

Li Changshou rubbed his brow, feeling a bit exasperated. A flood of thoughts crossed his mind, but he ended up chuckling.

Oh well, if his old brother wanted a wedding, he would fully support it. This had nothing to do with the great tribulation and wouldn't affect its flow, so even the Dao Ancestor wouldn't interfere with his actions.

Was he being too narrow-minded, or was his old brother just that bold?

Li Changshou stood up, hands behind his back, and strolled toward the gaming room.

In the gaming room, Ling E quickly paused her card game and glanced toward her senior brother walking through the woods, whispering, "My senior brother is here." "So what if he is?" Zhong Ling muttered. "Hurry up and deal—I'm winning back what I lost!" "Hmm..." Ling E tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Senior brother is smiling, and I don't know why, but he seemed so worried before. Now, he suddenly looks so cheerful." Youqin Xuanya blinked. How could she tell that? To her, Changshou senior brother always had that calm, smiling expression, as if no problem in the Three Realms could stump him.

Just then, Li Changshou's figure flickered and appeared in the gaming room. "Ling E, play us a tune." "Okay!" Ling E responded and stood up, sending out two paper figures that transformed into young women to set up the guqin and drums.

Li Changshou rolled up his sleeves and said with a smile, "I'll take over for you and play a few rounds." Xiong Lingli, Youqin Xuanya, and Zhong Ling were all slightly taken aback. Zhong Ling murmured, "Have you... given up on challenging the Dao Ancestor?" "Huh?" Li Changshou laughed. "I have no conflicts with our ancestral master—sometimes I just have to speak up for the living beings, as that's my path. Because the Heavenly Dao is putting strong pressure on living beings right now, my path requires balancing that pressure to advance my cultivation. Deep down, I truly admire our ancestral master." Zhong Ling rolled her eyes, her expression saying she didn't buy it at all. Youqin Xuanya asked, "Senior brother, aren't you worried about the Chan and Jie conflict anymore?" "Worried is worried, but life goes on," Li Changshou said, skillfully arranging the jade tiles as a melodious tune began to play nearby. Li Changshou continued, "Actually, it's good news. My old brother Gongming and Jinling Shengmu's long-hidden relationship is finally leading to a wedding. What a joyous occasion—truly worth celebrating." Xiong Lingli blinked. "So, table cousin, when are you getting married?" Ling E's playing hit a wrong note, and Youqin Xuanya lowered her head in silence. Zhong Ling kicked Xiong Lingli under the table. "Kid, what do you know? Deal the cards!" Li Changshou just smiled without directly answering.

As the tiles shuffled, the gaming room filled once more with laughter and chatter. Ling E busied herself playing the qin, brewing tea, and warming wine, all while feeling quite pleased.

Incidentally, when Zhao Gongming had asked Li Changshou about a suitable wedding date, Li Changshou hadn't given a straight answer. He just said he'd check later and see what day was auspicious.

In the primordial world, only the mortal realm cared about auspicious dates based on the calendar. The Heavenly Dao's movements and the shifting stars followed their own patterns, unrelated to good or bad luck. Only innate great powers like Bai Ze could predict fortunes, or one could use divination to gauge the odds.

But who was Li Changshou? Just an ordinary heavenly official!

He picked a date that looked fine, headed to the Heavenly Court's Star Bureau, and with a wave of his hand, declared it a universally auspicious day in the primordial world—perfect for weddings, with no rain or wind.

It was a minor authority, nothing worth mentioning at all.

Since Li Changshou's true form had emerged, he decided to handle everything at once.

He specially summoned Ao Yi, wrote the auspicious date on red paper, and had Ao Yi, as a Jie Jiao disciple, deliver it to Jie Jiao.

He also went to the Hall of Marital Bonds to discuss with Yue Lao how to handle weddings for innate great powers.

As one of the oldest immortals in the Heavenly Court, Yue Lao had his ways. Upon hearing it was for Taibai Xingjun's brother Zhao Gongming, he pulled out all the stops.

He fashioned a pair of marital clay figures from nothing, tying them with a neat knot, though it held no Heavenly Dao binding. It was just for good luck.

Then, Li Changshou visited the Lingxiao Hall and mentioned the matter directly to the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor, who hadn't appeared lately, suddenly perked up and laughed, "Jie Jiao is truly impressive—facing a great tribulation and still so carefree." "Probably just their sect's style." "What kind of gift should I send to Gongming? Any suggestions?" The Jade Emperor asked. Li Changshou replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, it's not appropriate for the Heavenly Court to make a big show. If you want to send something, go through Queen Mother of the West and send a couple of immortal maidens. No need for heavenly soldiers or generals to appear." The Jade Emperor pondered and said, "You're right. Oh, and Changgeng, after the great tribulation, could you stay in the Heavenly Court for another hundred years?" "Well," Li Changshou bowed, "I thank Your Majesty for the favor, but I can't say for sure about the future." "Ah," the Jade Emperor shook his head, "Very well, I won't press you. If you ever have any doubts or difficulties, come to me anytime." "Thank you, Your Majesty." Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor exchanged a glance, both sharing a similar smile. Everything was understood without words.

Speaking of weddings, gifts were essential.

Gongming was deeply connected to him, so the gift couldn't be too light—that would be disrespectful. But focusing only on value would be tacky.

What could he give Zhao Gongming that was meaningful, not vulgar, and actually beneficial?

Spare him from the tribulation? That was possible, though challenging and a bit abstract.

His specialty was escape arts? That might imply helping Zhao Gongming flee from marriage...

Treasures? He'd already given him the Qiankun Ruler, and the few he had left, like the tower meant for Li Jing later, couldn't be given lightly—it might entangle unwanted karma and harm his old brother.

Li Changshou thought about giving something to please Jinling Shengmu, but then he noticed Ling E had already prepared a beautiful outfit for her.

He couldn't compete with his own junior sister for ideas.

Then it hit him.

Li Changshou's eyebrows lifted as he thought of something great.

He could refine some pills, visit Wuzhuang Temple for a couple of ginseng fruits for good symbolism—like "dates begetting laurels" in a primordial twist!

Oh, and a couple of pots of Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs—those were the most practical.

A mount could work too—something impressive for the groom to ride when fetching the bride.

And for extra sincerity, he could craft some wooden toys for Gongming to use with future children...

Meanwhile, Ao Yi sped toward Jin'ao Island, made his way into Biyou Palace, found Zhao Gongming, and handed over the red paper.

Zhao Gongming glanced at it, his hands trembling with excitement. "It's set! It's set! The wedding date is fixed!" The Jie Jiao immortals in Biyou Palace perked up in unison.