This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 391 - 389 Emperor Shun Recognizes the Orphan Girl, Feng Chun First Curses the God
Drums thundered beyond the vault of heaven, divine light flickered throughout Heaven Palace.
The Innate Gods, who had not been in slumber, left their respective temples and, guided by the divine light, made their way toward the depths of Heaven Palace, most wearing expressions of ’distinct interest’.
Even those Innate Gods who had been slumbering out of idleness were roused by their friends and hurried over to watch this spectacle.
[The Divine Spirits of Heaven Palace accuse the Moon Goddess Chang Xi.]
If such an affair were mentioned in past times, it would have been utterly ludicrous; after all, the Moon Goddess was the wife of the Heavenly Emperor. What did it matter if she captured a few beautiful creatures, even a few beautiful races?
Was not the whole world the property of the Heavenly Emperor?
But today, the keen-nosed Innate Gods had detected that the wind was blowing in an odd direction.
The God of Spring from the Human Domain represented the voice of living beings. The Heavenly Emperor not only allowed this accusation to take place but even commanded the Head Manager to summon all gods in Heaven Palace who weren’t in slumber. The Moon Goddess Chang Xi, who rarely appeared before the gods, now sat beside the throne of the Heavenly Emperor, her expression somewhat cold, with a faint sense of unease.
Chang Xi truly felt uneasy.
Deep in her heart, she tried to recall her meeting with Wu Wang, savoring the advice he had given her and now understanding the deeper significance of their conversation.
Although Chang Xi was not skilled in scheming, focusing all her efforts on becoming more beautiful, she was not foolish.
Perhaps earlier she could not grasp the intricacies of the situation, but now that she was by the side of her powerful supporter, she felt much more secure. After pondering carefully for a while, she realized...
The God of Spring had not deceived her.
On the contrary, he had pointed her toward a clear path, urging her to maintain the [pride of an Innate God] to satisfy the Heavenly Emperor.
After that, even if the Heavenly Emperor criticized her before all the gods due to the current ’strategy’ towards living beings, even if he meted out punishment, the punishment would not be severe, and he would most likely apologize to her in private afterwards.
Chang Xi found it strange. Could the God of Spring truly wish to help me? Could it really be as he said, that he came to bring change to the Heaven Palace? And to initiate this change, one must grasp the ladder thrown down by the Heavenly Emperor, climb it step by step, and thus avoid angering His Majesty?
Unexpectedly, Chang Xi realized that she seemed to have become the very ladder between these two men.
"My wife... My wife?"
Suddenly, she heard a slightly impatient voice calling at her ear. Chang Xi quickly came back to her senses and looked up at the Heavenly Emperor on his throne.
Emperor Shun’s smile was faint as his voice echoed in Chang Xi’s ears:
"When Wu Wangzi comes later to accuse you, be prepared to face some grievances. Do not let this issue become too rigid.
"I need the power of living beings, and it is necessary for Heaven Palace and the order of heaven and earth to transform hostility into peace with the living beings. Wu Wangzi is key in this regard.
"You understand the greater good, my wife, and I will not fail you in the slightest. Be at ease."
Chang Xi’s eyes sparkled, and without any further doubts in her heart, she nodded slightly to Emperor Shun, replying telepathically, "I will heed Your Majesty’s words."
Then she sat with dignity on the throne, her stunning face radiating a soft glow, and her moon-white gown emphasizing her slender yet curvaceous figure.
As the highest temple filled with the figures of two or three hundred deities, the Head Manager and the Earth God stood firm in front of the chariot. Outside the temple, the drums sounded loudly as clouds churned and Divine Guards surged forth.
Emperor Shun, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, sat securely upon the throne and said, "Let the God of Spring bring people inside."
At the gate of the hall, two Divine Guards with dragon heads immediately turned towards the sea of clouds and bellowed in unison, "Invite the God of Spring into the hall!"
The drumming briefly ceased as a burst of Immortal Light pierced the sea of clouds below, and a cluster of clouds carried several figures into the sky.
At the forefront stood Wu Wang and Young Master. They were followed by three women, including Heng’e. The Grand Elder stood obediently behind the three women, ready to catch them should they fall or to guard against any injurious concealed weapons that might fly in from behind.
At that moment, the brows of Emperor Shun, seated high within the hall, furrowed, his smile becoming somewhat stiff.
His handsome face showed a flicker of confusion and agitation, but it quickly returned to normal, leaving those around him unable to discern his emotion at the moment.
The cloud entered the gates of the hall.
Wu Wang signaled the Grand Elder to wait outside with the three women and floated forward with Young Master.
Before they landed, Young Master suddenly said telepathically to Wu Wang, "Let me do the talking later. Don’t get too carried away. If you anger His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, there could be trouble."
Wu Wang almost laughed out loud but merely shook his head slightly at Young Master and said aloud, "Don’t worry, I am in a very calm state of mind right now."
Upon hearing this, concern became more evident in Young Master’s eyes.
They landed directly in front of the crowd of gods, ranking just below the Earth God and the Head Manager. At that moment, the Head Manager’s eyelids drooped, seemingly aloof from the matter. The Earth God, despite frowning and pursing his lips, could only step forward.
"Your Majesty," the Earth God bowed his head and cupped his hands, his towering divine figure not exuding any additional majesty as he spoke slowly, "Young Master and the God of Spring have arrived."
Emperor Shun said, "The Moon Palace was quite noisy before, reportedly because Young Master went there and caused some destruction. Is there any truth to this?"
Taking a step forward, Young Master stood tall with his chest out and said indifferently, "Why don’t You ask the Moon God next to You what she did?"
Wu Wang immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and exclaimed, "Reporting to the Heavenly Emperor!
"In recent thousands of years, the Moon God has sometimes abducted beautiful women into the Moon Palace for her own amusement and observation, and this has been thoroughly verified as true!
"By abducting living beings without cause, leading to families torn apart, flesh and blood separated, and loved ones vanished, she has brewed countless tragedies!
"If such crimes were committed in the Human Domain, they would be heavily punished, and even execution would not be excessive!"
The hall fell silent for a while, until a goddess laughed first, and then all the gods chuckled lightly.
The Moon God, too, lifted her almost perfect jaw and looked at Wu Wang with a scornful gaze, even letting out a sneer.
Wu Wang silently praised her in his heart. The Moon God’s acting skills are indeed quite good, and she’s certainly putting them to use now.
Suddenly, the entire hall was filled with even more rampant laughter.
The gods were laughing.
Young Master frowned and glanced around, somewhat hesitant to speak. The Head Manager, though his eyes were half-closed, had the corners of his eyes slightly drooping.
At this moment, all eyes in the hall were on Wu Wang, as if the hall was spinning around, and the laughter was now tinged with pointing and sneering.
Outside the hall, the Grand Elder’s hands trembled slightly.
"What crap are you laughing at?"
This jarring curse quieted the hall once again, and the gods stared at Wu Wang.
A god growled, "God of Spring, this is before the Heavenly Emperor’s throne! How dare you utter such filthy language!"
Wu Wang, who had been bowing with cupped hands, slowly lowered his arms. He straightened up and turned to look at the Innate God who had spoken, a cold smile touching the corner of his mouth.
"Filthy language?"
"You think it’s filthy language? Perhaps it’s your own ears that are full of filth!
"Disaster is imminent, and the collapse of order is just a step away, yet you sit here, still laughing and chatting merrily.
"How dare you laugh?"
The gods were furious, but Wu Wang’s surroundings resounded with dragon roars; a Golden Dragon emerged from his back, stretching several meters long and coiling behind him. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
The aura of the Star God’s Dao stopped the gods in their tracks.
Wu Wang looked up toward Emperor Shun and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, for the Moon God’s actions, can she be condemned?"
Emperor Shun said, "Judging by today’s events, she certainly ought to be condemned."
The great hall immediately quieted down, and even the Moon God frowned at Emperor Shun.
A god, puzzled, called out, "Your Majesty! Do not be deceived by Wu Wangzi’s honeyed words!
"How can she be condemned, and for what offense?
"Living beings are abundant and ignorant of the Great Dao; if Divine Spirits have needs, the living beings should naturally follow. Such is the ancient logic!"
A goddess spoke softly, "Your Majesty! How can we look at this from the standpoint of the Human Domain? The Human Domain is a land that defiles gods, a land that must be destroyed. If we view problems from the perspective of living beings, then what footing does Heaven Palace have?"
"The order of Heaven and Earth was constructed by spirits of the Great Dao like us. Living beings merely reap the benefits."
"That Human Domain is a cancer upon the order of Heaven and Earth! Your Majesty, I beseech You to think thrice!"
Emperor Shun remained silent, his head lowered, gazing at Wu Wang.
From behind Wu Wang, the Golden Dragon emitted waves of low roars, suppressing the noisy voices around.
Wu Wang suddenly raised his left hand high, with his index finger pointed straight up.
Though the finger he most wanted to raise was the middle one.
"One question!" Wu Wang shouted, "I just have one question for all of you!"
The gods focused their attention on Wu Wang’s finger, prepared to immediately contradict whatever Wu Wang was about to say.
Wu Wang looked around the hall, the Golden Dragon slowly undulating behind him.
"The question is simple. I think you’ve all considered it, but dare not speak of it.
"How are we to deal with the Candle Dragon’s return?
"You Innate Gods who keep saying that living beings are a cancer to Heaven and Earth, today I invite any one of you, one who dares to face the Candle Dragon and battle it mightily, to step forward and show yourself!
"I shall call you ’Your Excellency’!"
The gods all fell silent.
Wu Wang snorted, not concealing the disdain in his eyes, and said indifferently, "Heaven and Earth Dao?
"You have the nerve to speak of the Heaven and Earth Dao.
"Born from the Dao, naturally holding sway over it, and yet your understanding is always inferior to us Cultivators from the Human Domain.
"You boast of having an eternal and indestructible divine body, yet you’ve been battered by the Human Domain time and again, forced to enter the Divine Pool for reshaping.
"Do you think I want to stand here?
"If it weren’t for securing a way forward for the Human Domain and sustaining the cosmic order, why would I care about the life and death of you despicable gods!
"Open your eyes and look around!
"This world is a land of peace and dance, where numerous gods have not increased their power one bit since the ancient god wars!
"The Candle Dragon has acquired the seeds of the Power of Chaos; if it returns, it will surely destroy all order!
"I couldn’t care less about your fates; what concerns me is the Dao you represent, whether this Dao can withstand the tide of chaos.
"The Heavenly Emperor has decreed time and again, saying that the Heaven Palace needs the Power of Living Beings to resolve the hatred with the Human Domain.
"Why does the Human Emperor allow me to be here? Because the Power of Living Beings needs the power of the Dao, the power of the Original Dao that constructs order!
"Why does the Star God allow me to be here? Because the Star God has only begun to recover from his injuries, while the Candle Dragon has accumulated hundreds of thousands of years of the Power of Chaos; the Star God can no longer fight the Candle Dragon alone!
"What is the trend of the times?
"The Power of Living Beings combined with the power of the Dao, that is the trend!
"If you continue to be obstinate, lacking the guts to battle the Candle Dragon, then you might as well give up your positions! Give your Dao a break! Go to the Divine Pool, wash your brains, and let another Innate God with a backbone come forward!
"You!"
Wu Wang pointed at the face of a strong god, "Do you dare accept the challenge?"
The latter frowned and turned aside.
"And you! You, you!" Wu Wang pointed them out one by one and scolded, "What are you hiding for? Stand out! Weren’t you all eager just now? Why are you all mute when the Candle Dragon is mentioned?"
"God of Spring!" the Earth God cautioned from behind, "Don’t take it too far. Let everyone save some face."
"HMPH," Wu Wang flicked his sleeve. The Golden Dragon behind him dissipated, along with the aura of the Star God’s Dao.
—His current identity was indeed that of a subordinate god to the Star God, so the aura of the Star God’s Dao would naturally be seen as protection bestowed by the Star God.
At this moment, Young Master’s eyes shone brightly, fixated only on the sight of Wu Wang’s receding figure.
The Moon Goddess, however, had a cold expression with a touch of contemplation.
"God of Spring," Emperor Shun began, "while you are right in what you say, your words are too harsh. Offer an apology to the gods."
Wu Wang’s mouth twitched a few times. Reluctantly turning around, he bowed to the gods in all directions and said indifferently, "I lost my temper just now and couldn’t hold back from cursing you all. Please be generous in your forgiveness."
He delivered the line without the slightest pause.
The gods each showed their displeasure but none spoke out again.
Emperor Shun sighed deeply:
"What God of Spring has stated is not without merit. In fact, you all understand that the order we have built since ancient times is now facing a great challenge.
"The power of the Candle Dragon is growing limitlessly.
"No matter how much we reinforce the Heaven and Earth Seal, making it thicker and firmer, there will be a day when it is breached by the Candle Dragon.
"Recently, the Candle Dragon seems to be amassing strength, and the Heaven and Earth Seal has been relatively stable.
"But we must not be complacent because of this. The Candle Dragon has become the lord of chaos, the true adversary of the entire world. I am resolved, at the risk of being cursed, to push forward with allowing living beings into the Heaven Palace.
"There are so many divine positions between Heaven and Earth; what harm would it do to yield some of the lower positions to living beings?
"If we can gather the strong ones among the living beings and join forces with us to fight against the Candle Dragon, surely we can defeat it, and then Heaven and Earth will be free of worries.
"A century from now, I will awaken all the gods of the Heaven Palace to deliberate new celestial regulations in the Divine Court.
"Today’s matter shall..."
"Your Majesty!" Chang Xi suddenly called out softly. Rising to her feet, she knelt gracefully, her face filled with a pitifully appealing expression as she whispered,
"Though today’s issue is not my fault, I have understood Your Majesty’s intentions and am willing to ease your worries and difficulties.
"I pray Your Majesty to administer punishment and announce this matter to all. As the Moon God and your wife, if I am punished for confining living beings, I can serve as an example for the gods and quell some of the living beings’ resentment.
"If I have tarnished Your Majesty’s dignity, I am willing to remove my crown as the Moon God..."
"Ah, my wife, do not be so." Emperor Shun bent down to help Chang Xi up, his eyes deeply affectionate, and he spoke softly,
"I am aware of your intentions, but there has been no precedent of punishing one for harming living beings without reason. How could I punish you for such a crime?
"Everything must start somewhere, so let us establish the rule from this case.
"Thus, it seems you are wronged this time."
Chang Xi softly said, "How could I feel wronged if I can share even a sliver of your worries?"
The gods below silently endured the goosebumps on their arms.
Wu Wang and Young Master exchanged glances, nearly laughing out loud.
Thereupon, Emperor Shun announced the verdict to the gods: Chang Xi’s supply of Divine Power would be suspended for a thousand years, and she was ordered to reflect in the Moon Palace.
Wu Wang and the Earth God were charged with the aftermath and compensation for those women; the Heaven Palace would grant them and their future husbands double their Lifespan.
Once Emperor Shun had finished announcing this, he dismissed the gods, but he kept Chang Xi and the four assisting gods behind.
The door closed, the Barrier activated, and no one knew what transpired within.
"Wu Wang."
Emperor Shun frowned, "You’ve gone too far this time."
Wu Wang bowed and stated firmly, "Predecessor, with all due respect, if the slap isn’t hard enough, it’s not enough to make them reflect."
The Head Manager said coldly, "To change the gods’ attitudes towards living beings is not something you can achieve just by scolding them a few times."
"If scolding won’t awaken them, then we fight."
"How dare you! Who do you think you are!" Head Manager exploded in anger.
Wu Wang looked up at the Head Manager and smiled, "Then who does the Head Manager take me for?"
Young Master quietly moved to Wu Wang’s side.
"Enough," Emperor Shun said with a chiding laugh. "Why must you two always argue when you meet? Why not sit down for a peaceful talk? Heaven Palace counts on you four to forge a path together with the living beings.
"By the way, Wu Wang, what are the names of those three women outside?"
Wu Wang smiled and said, "Predecessor, I only know one named Heng’e, the one with the oval face. She is the childhood sweetheart of my first Divine General.
"The reason I discovered the Moon God’s peculiar habit..."
Chang Xi huffed, showing displeasure.
Wu Wang continued, "...was because Heng’e disappeared. My Divine General became desperate to find her, ready to rush into the Moon God’s Divine Realm alone, perfectly willing to die for it."
"Oh?" Emperor Shun showed a faint smile. "Your Divine General is indeed loyal. Bring this Heng’e in... never mind, ensure she’s well taken care of."
After that, Emperor Shun transmitted his voice to Wu Wang, "Without my permission, do not let anyone harm a hair on her head, not even your Divine General."
This message was highly misleading; had Wu Wang not known the inside story, he would have assumed that Emperor Shun had taken a liking to Heng’e.
Wu Wang looked at Emperor Shun, somewhat astonished, but Emperor Shun merely smiled at him.
In that smile, Wu Wang saw a depth he couldn’t fathom. At this moment, he was certain that despite Emperor Shun having many children—his ten suns and twelve moons, offspring forged by the resonance of the Great Dao, along with numerous illegitimate offspring—the matter of Heng’e had definitely breached Emperor Shun’s taboo.
TSK, this will be interesting to watch.
However, after thinking for a moment, Wu Wang decided he had to interpret Emperor Shun’s message as if he had ’taken a fancy’ to her and then make some arrangements accordingly, to get closer to Emperor Shun and gain more of his trust.
Looks like Da Yi will have to suffer some inconvenience.
This father-in-law of Da Yi is much harder to deal with than my own predecessor, Shen Nong.
