Chapter 1631: The Heavenly Shepherd's Marriage

The Celestial Heavens floated silently above the Ancestral Court. The news of Fire Heavenly Venerate’s rebellion and his killing of the newly appointed Yin Heavenly Venerate and Azure Dragon Heavenly Venerate certainly caused a stir. However, news quickly followed that Fire Heavenly Venerate, having committed grave sins, had been apprehended and executed, which brought relief to everyone.

Even if there were some murmurs or rumors in the Celestial Heavens, they didn't create much of a ripple. This was because Yan Yazhi personally ascended to the Celestial Heavens to offer a humble apology to Emperor Haotian, stating his willingness to bear the sins committed by his master, Fire Heavenly Venerate.

Emperor Haotian, moved by Yan Yazhi’s filial piety and loyalty, mercifully pardoned his wrongdoing and allowed him to give Fire Heavenly Venerate a grand burial. Furthermore, out of appreciation for Fire Heavenly Venerate’s contributions to humanity and the Celestial Heavens, although his title of All-Heavenly Supreme was revoked, his title of Heavenly Venerate was retained, and he was buried with the rites befitting a Heavenly Venerate.

However, Fire Heavenly Venerate’s body was not intact. So Yan Yazhi casually found someone who resembled Fire Heavenly Venerate, killed him, placed him in the coffin, and filled it with treasures.

Yan Yazhi then undertook massive construction, building a mausoleum to bury this imposter Fire Heavenly Venerate. He repeatedly fainted from weeping at the mausoleum, and even threatened to take his own life to join Fire Heavenly Venerate in the tomb, lest his master feel lonely.

The civil and military officials observing the ceremony in the Celestial Heavens sighed continuously, all remarking that Fire Heavenly Venerate had taken on a good disciple, whose loyalty and righteousness were no less than Fire Heavenly Venerate's own in his prime.

Everyone quickly stepped forward to restrain him, preventing him from doing anything foolish.

The entire Celestial Heavens was filled with grief as Fire Heavenly Venerate, Yin Heavenly Venerate, and Azure Dragon Heavenly Venerate were laid to rest.

Yin Heavenly Venerate’s body was not intact, so he was buried in a cenotaph. As for Azure Dragon Heavenly Venerate, only his head remained; Emperor Haotian, pitying his loyalty, ordered a body to be crafted for him from divine metal and sewn to his head.

On the day of the burial, Emperor Haotian personally attended, shedding tears sorrowfully and weeping aloud while leaning on the coffin. The civil and military officials wept endlessly with him, until the seven oldest ministers of the Celestial Heavens stepped forward to advise the Emperor to take care of his health for the sake of all living beings. Only then did Emperor Haotian cease his lamentation.

After the funeral, Emperor Haotian conferred more titles: Red Emperor Qi Xiayu was promoted to Heavenly Venerate of the Southern Heavens, with Yan Yazhi as her assistant. The Western Emperor became Heavenly Venerate of the Western Heavens, the Eastern Azure Emperor became Heavenly Venerate of the Eastern Heavens, and the Eastern Extreme Heaven was designated as the retirement abode for Grand Emperor Taichu.

Emperor Haotian also appointed a new Northern Emperor, promoting the Taiyin Heavenly Venerate among the Taiji Ancient Gods to Heavenly Venerate of the Northern Heavens, and the Sun Heavenly Venerate to Heavenly Venerate of the Primordial Realm.

For a time, the entire Celestial Heavens was in an uproar, with some celebrating and others grieving.

After conferring titles, Emperor Haotian returned to his palace, where someone presented him with a jade box. Emperor Haotian waved his hand, dismissing the surrounding Golden Guard, and opened the jade box. Inside lay the head of Yu Cangqi, the reincarnated form of Divine Emperor Lang Xuan.

Emperor Haotian smiled, "My brother Lang Xuan, how have you been?"

From the jade box, the head of Lang Xuan’s reincarnated form opened its eyes and said, "To the victor go the spoils. Why speak further, Your Majesty? Just send me on my way."

Emperor Haotian burst into laughter. "The Grand Emperor knew I was inherently suspicious, so he even kept your soul sealed within your head to alleviate my doubts. Brother, do you hate him for doing this?"

Lang Xuan replied, "The imperial family is inherently devoid of emotion. How can there be talk of hatred?"

Emperor Haotian nodded, then pulverized his bones and scattered his ashes, casting his divine soul into the Great Abyss of Returning to Oblivion to be obliterated. He chuckled, "Now I can rest easy!"

At this moment, a soul from his avatar in Yankang flew over and merged with his primordial spirit.

Emperor Haotian grew angry and declared, "That barbaric fool from the lower realm dared to insult me so!"

As he retrieved his soul, his cultivation and power significantly increased. He stood up, intending to personally kill Xing'an. Suddenly, he chuckled to himself, "He's quite a talent. If he could be recruited to the Celestial Heavens, he could be appointed Heavenly Venerate of the Zao Fu Heavenly Palace. He can detect flaws in my cultivation method, so he could be given an important position to help me perfect it. I'll leave this matter to Heavenly Venerate Mu."

He drew a portrait of Xing'an, summoned the Golden Guard, and instructed, "Go to the lower realm, meet with Heavenly Venerate Mu, have him find this person, and send him to the Celestial Heavens. I have important use for him."

The Golden Guard affirmed his command and immediately descended.

The Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge was not yet closed at this time, so these Golden Guard arrived in Yankang's capital within a day or two. They found the Upper and Lower Capitals of Yankang adorned with lanterns and streamers, bustling with activity.

The Golden Guard inquired briefly, and someone informed them, "Emperor Yanxiu has abdicated, and the former Grand Emperor Yanfeng, released after completing his sentence, has ascended to the throne again. Imperial Preceptor Qin has also resigned his position, yielding it to former Imperial Preceptor Jiang. Imperial Preceptor Jiang has also been released after completing his sentence."

One of the Golden Guard chuckled, "What's there to celebrate with lanterns for? It's just a change of the former Emperor and Imperial Preceptor."

"You don't know the full story," people told them, smiling. "Imperial Preceptor Qin and Emperor Yanxiu made a promise that they would marry once they both abdicated! Due to the continuous turmoil before, Emperor Yanxiu remained on the throne because of this promise. Court ministers repeatedly advised her to establish a harem, select talented individuals to fill it, and appoint imperial consorts and empresses to bear children, so as to continue Yankang's imperial lineage. But the Emperor always rejected these suggestions. This abdication is precisely for her to marry Imperial Preceptor Qin!"

The Golden Guard exchanged glances, then cautiously asked, "Is this Imperial Preceptor Qin, who is marrying the Emperor, perhaps Heavenly Venerate Mu?"

"Indeed! An Imperial Preceptor cannot marry an Emperor. But after abdicating, the Emperor becomes Princess Xiu, and after stepping down, the Imperial Preceptor becomes Heavenly Venerate Mu, and then he can marry the princess."

Someone else informed them, "The Heavenly Venerate said that after marrying Princess Xiu, he intends to return to Yongjiang River and become a cowherd, no longer involving himself in worldly affairs!"

The Golden Guard whispered among themselves, saying, "Heavenly Venerate Mu is retiring. The ones in power in Yankang now are not him, but Emperor Yanfeng and Imperial Preceptor Jiang. How can we explain this to His Majesty now? Who can capture the person in this painting?"

"Heavenly Venerate Mu's marriage and retirement are significant matters. One of you should return first and report this to His Majesty. We will go to Emperor Yanfeng and Yankang Imperial Preceptor and ask them to apprehend this person."

So, one Golden Guard hastily departed.

Emperor Haotian was diligent in governing, currently reviewing memorials. The Golden Guard arrived, knelt, and reported the matter.

Emperor Haotian put down the memorial and exclaimed in surprise, "Heavenly Venerate Mu is getting married and retiring? Did I perhaps hit this fellow too hard? I was still waiting for him to come to the Celestial Heavens, bow subserviently to me, flatter me profusely, and curry my favor! Retiring now seems a bit early..."

The Golden Guard said, "Your Majesty, Yankang's Upper and Lower Capitals are exceedingly lively. Heavenly Venerate Mu's wedding is likely to take place within the next day or two."

Emperor Haotian chuckled, "Heavenly Venerate Mu possesses great talent and strategy, which I have always admired. His retirement is also good. It would be best if he never recovers! I do not wish for him to become a second Fire Heavenly Venerate; his threat is far, far greater than Fire Heavenly Venerate's. Order the Ministry of Revenue to open the treasury, prepare a batch of congratulatory gifts for me, and send them to Yankang to celebrate Heavenly Venerate Mu's grand wedding."

He stood up, laughing, "Heavenly Venerate Mu's grand wedding must be lively and magnificent... bah, a magnificent wedding!" He sighed, yet his face was wreathed in smiles. "The era belonging to Heavenly Venerate Mu has passed just like that, which makes even me feel a pang of nostalgia. Return to Yankang and tell Heavenly Venerate Mu that I am busy with state affairs and cannot personally attend to offer my congratulations. Once he has retired to Yongjiang River, I will visit him in plain clothes and drink with him."

The Golden Guard quickly hurried away.

Meanwhile, the Golden Guard who remained in Yankang went to meet Emperor Yanfeng and Imperial Preceptor Jiang Baigui.

Emperor Yanfeng hurriedly received the emissaries. The Golden Guard presented Emperor Haotian's painting, which Emperor Yanfeng reverently accepted, placed before an altar, and offered incense. Only then did he unroll Emperor Haotian's painting and scrutinize it, falling into contemplation.

Yankang Imperial Preceptor Jiang Baigui stepped forward and also examined the painting. Both the Emperor and his minister pondered deeply.

The Golden Guard said, "Both of you, His Majesty wishes to capture this person not to kill him, but to bestow upon him the title of Zao Fu Palace Master and Zao Fu Heavenly Venerate—it is his good fortune! Why are you behaving like this?"

"Three esteemed emissaries," Emperor Yanfeng said with difficulty, "His Majesty's painting is wonderfully divine, a heavenly scripture. The reason my minister and I are contemplating is that we don't quite understand it."

The three Golden Guard sneered, then stepped forward to look at the painting themselves, also falling into indecision.

Emperor Haotian's painting was too impressionistic. The person in the painting was twisted and indistinct, their face unrecognizable. At their feet was something that looked like a dog without a tail, or perhaps a box. The only legible part was Emperor Haotian's handwriting, which read: "This person's name is unknown; their appearance closely resembles the divine artifact Imperial Heavenly Venerate, in a youthful form."

Yankang Imperial Preceptor mused, "Resembles the divine artifact Imperial Heavenly Venerate... where are we to find someone like that? Emissaries, please report back to His Majesty that all of Yankang will exert full effort to search for this person. As for whether we can recruit him..." He wore a troubled expression.

The three Golden Guard understood; trying to find this person based solely on Emperor Haotian's painting would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Furthermore, even Emperor Haotian didn't know the person's name, making the search even more difficult.

The Golden Guard took their leave, and Emperor Yanfeng hastily said, "My humble daughter, the princess, is to marry Heavenly Venerate Mu in the next few days. There's no need for the esteemed emissaries to rush back; please stay for the wedding banquet first. I also need a day or two to prepare some gifts to show my filial respect to the emissaries."

The three exchanged glances, then slowly nodded, saying, "Heavenly Venerate Mu is the Heavenly Venerate who transmits the method of eternal life, and his merits are immeasurable. It is only right for us to stay and observe his grand wedding."

The three settled in, and Emperor Yanfeng served them with good wine and meat, ordering various rare treasures to be prepared and sent to their lodgings.

Emperor Yanfeng then ordered someone to take the three Golden Guard to Yankang's largest manufacturing plant, allowing them to choose divine weapons produced there. The three were very pleased, thinking, "This Emperor Yanfeng is a sensible person."

Emperor Yanfeng said to Yankang Imperial Preceptor, "Heavenly Venerate Mu's grand wedding can buy us more time and also make Emperor Haotian relax his guard. For these days, the Celestial Heavens will not wage war on Yankang, and negotiations between the Celestial Heavens and Yankang can also be dragged on for several more years."

"Your Majesty, you must not be too optimistic," Yankang Imperial Preceptor said. "Yu Chenzi, leading Yankang's eloquent and adept obfuscators in negotiations with the Celestial Heavens, could, according to the original plan, delay matters for several years. But now, Emperor Haotian has eliminated Fire Heavenly Venerate, Taichu dares not show his face or contend for benefits with him. And as for Ancestral God King, Void Heavenly Venerate, and the Taiji Ancient Gods, there's no need to mention them! Today, there is only one power in the Celestial Heavens: Emperor Haotian! Yu Chenzi's delaying tactics will likely no longer be effective."

Emperor Yanfeng frowned. "That's why Heavenly Venerate Mu and Yuxiu abdicated and got married, to let us step forward and hope to buy a few more years."

Yankang Imperial Preceptor nodded, saying, "Their marriage and retirement are due to the pressure Yankang is facing. Princess Xiu must be suffering for it."

Emperor Yanfeng's expression was odd. "I actually think she's very happy. She's been so relaxed these past few days, incredibly pleased whenever she sees anyone... A grown daughter cannot be held back."

A solemn announcement to everyone: Little Mu Mu is getting married!