This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 396 - 394: In Charge of Marriage Ties! [Seeking Votes and Subscriptions]
After returning from a tour of the Divine Realm, Wu Wang almost went mad.
At this moment, under the Young Master’s somewhat anxious gaze, Wu Wang had moved a small stool to sit in front of the Temple. He stared blankly at the evening clouds, his expression rather stiff.
He knew Emperor Shun was taking in his every reaction. Emperor Shun must be thoroughly enjoying this moment.
Wu Wang was indeed flustered, but not entirely so.
On the surface, he maintained this appearance, but internally, he was constantly re-evaluating his development plans for the Heavenly Dao and reassessing his opponents.
He truly hadn’t expected Emperor Shun to pull such a move.
Those words Emperor Shun had spoken—about how ’Ah, the situation is too dire now, I might just pack up my stall and hide’—sounded like a test, but in reality, they were a reminder to Wu Wang:
This Heavenly Emperor could completely ’disappear,’ allowing the Candle Dragon to return and wage war against the Human Domain!
Wu Wang had sensed the Candle Dragon’s aura in the Dream Realm; it was absolute chaos and slaughter, endless desire and savagery.
The Candle Dragon’s arrogance meant it would never take the Human Domain seriously; it would undoubtedly aim to annihilate it.
Although his mother was a Divine Spirit under the Candle Dragon, from that moment on, Wu Wang had completely shed any illusions about the Candle Dragon.
The idea of the Human Domain and the Candle Dragon joining forces against the Heaven Palace... was nothing but asking a tiger for its hide!
If the Candle Dragon were to return and the Heaven Palace were to cease resistance, none of the Hundred Races of the Great Wilderness would be spared. The Northern Wilderness’s destruction would merely occur before or after that of the Human Domain.
To preserve the Northern Wilderness, one could only hope that the Candle Dragon would genuinely be rational and sentimental, respecting the opinions of its subordinates.
That was even less plausible than believing Emperor Shun would completely dedicate himself to the Dao of Order!
Until now, all his own schemes and all of Elder Shen Nong’s preparations had been aimed at overthrowing Emperor Shun.
Even Yun Zhongjun had overlooked this fatal problem.
They had all locked their sights on Emperor Shun. If Emperor Shun suddenly vanished, absconding into the void to hide, their clenched fists would all strike air.
Habitual thinking is a killer...
Emperor Shun wasn’t some final boss from a single-player game he’d played in a past life! This Heavenly Emperor could flee at any moment!
For Emperor Shun, it would merely be a matter of staging a comeback.
The Heavenly Emperor’s dignity?
For an Emperor Shun who had risen from obscurity, endured humiliation, and was remarkably adaptable, would he genuinely care about the Heavenly Emperor’s dignity?
Such a figure only cared about results.
Wu Wang suddenly felt the urge to curse, but he restrained himself. There was a little child god behind him, and he couldn’t teach his daughter to use foul language.
Wu Wang couldn’t count how many layers of meaning Emperor Shun’s words today held; each layer seemed to contain some truth.
But Wu Wang was now completely certain: Emperor Shun, that old fox, was definitely playing in the stratosphere of the Great Wilderness!
Overthrowing Emperor Shun wasn’t just a matter of possessing sufficient strength.
Ultimately, Emperor Shun was reluctant to easily relinquish his current status and was actively seeking opportunities to resolve his predicament.
He wanted Wu Wang to show some sincerity, achieve some results in the Heaven Palace, and help him alleviate this difficult situation. Otherwise, he would walk away, just as he had warned Wu Wang today.
The great ship of the Heaven Palace had now sailed into waters where it could easily run aground. If the ship were to hit a reef, Emperor Shun would definitely not go down with it.
Emperor Shun had risen from obscurity and endured humiliation before becoming the Heavenly Emperor; he was undoubtedly an adaptable individual.
Wu Wang’s head began to throb.
Emperor Shun was essentially using an overt strategy, forcing him to mediate the relationship between the Heaven Palace and the Human Domain!
However...
The corner of Wu Wang’s mouth twitched slightly.
He had confirmed that Emperor Shun was unaware of the Heavenly Dao’s existence.
Emperor Shun might have perceived his special nature through the Great Dao of Time, which was why he had offered him so many lures.
Ultimately, whether it was him, Wu Wang, or Emperor Shun, both were dancing on a knife’s edge.
Wu Wang suddenly recalled the three times he had regressed, encountering Emperor Shun several times within the Great Dao itself.
That game of chess, it seemed, had to continue.
"Sigh."
Wu Wang sighed softly. He sat on his small stool, looking up at the rows of magnificent, golden temples.
Feeling he had put on his ’dejected’ act long enough, Wu Wang patted his robes, stood up, and walked back into his own Temple.
A faint, cold smile touched the corners of his lips.
Summarize the problem, simplify it, and find the root cause.
The challenge he now faced should actually be this:
If Emperor Shun truly abandoned his post and fled, releasing the Candle Dragon back into the world, could the Heavenly Dao become the new order of heaven and earth? Could it withstand the Candle Dragon and counter Emperor Shun’s subsequent retaliation?
At that moment, Wu Wang fully grasped the importance of the Heavenly Dao.
And the importance of co-opting the Heaven Palace’s forces to develop the Heavenly Dao.
Zhong’s words, ’go poach from the Heaven Palace,’ were indeed a shortcut to success, and among all paths, it was the most stable and secure.
All previous plans had to be changed. He needed prestige and renown. He needed to transform these Innate Gods. He needed the current order to rally around him, given the possibility of Emperor Shun’s disappearance.
In the Human Domain, Wu Wang had always avoided the position of heir to the Human Emperor because it was a shackle.
Now, in the Heaven Palace, Wu Wang was determined. He had to reach a position where he could take over as Heavenly Emperor at any moment. He had to remold these decaying Innate Gods, one by one.
From within the Heaven Palace, he would scheme for the Heavenly Emperor’s throne.
It wasn’t just the Mirror God or Liu Guang he wanted to poach.
He aimed to poach the entire Heaven Palace, the Dao of Order, this very heaven and earth!
"What’s wrong?"
The Young Master asked anxiously, "Did the Heavenly Emperor do something to you?"
Wu Wang offered a gentle smile and said warmly, "Nothing at all. He just wanted to chat about the trivial matter of a promotion and a raise."
"Promotion and a raise?"
"Ah, it’s just that the Heavenly Emperor plans to grant me real authority and wanted to give me some encouragement beforehand."
Wu Wang shook his head. "It’s put me under a lot of pressure, and I don’t quite know how to handle it. After all, there’s still that mess of affairs in the Human Domain. If I’m here working for the Heavenly Emperor, those in the Human Domain will inevitably face criticism."
The Young Master said softly, "Perhaps I should go and bring them here."
"The Heaven Palace isn’t stable yet," Wu Wang said warmly, stepping forward and taking her soft hands. "Let’s wait until I can truly establish myself in the Heaven Palace.
I’ve just been severely injured. I can’t imagine what would happen if they came now.
After all, none of them possess your formidable strength. In the Heaven Palace, overt attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are difficult to guard against."
"Mm."
The Young Master offered a gentle smile and proactively stepped closer. Though her movements were a little clumsy, she still wrapped her arms around Wu Wang’s waist.
"When you were injured, I... I didn’t know what was wrong with me. It felt like I was about to break... I’m a little afraid of that feeling. Please don’t get hurt again..." she whispered.
Wu Wang held her close. Even through her long gown, he could feel its astonishing smoothness. He carefully controlled where his hands rested, trying his best to keep the embrace respectable.
It was just that...
A series of images surfaced in Wu Wang’s mind.
In them, she stood quietly on the back of the giant crab; she slowly descended from that beam of Divine Light, her toes touching the ground; she danced smilingly among the flowers; she curled up in the hanging basket, pouting.
He really tried his best.
But his hands truly wouldn’t obey!
"Don’t... don’t do that," the Young Master’s voice trembled slightly.
Wu Wang looked down. Her pretty face was flushed, making her fair skin seem even more flawless. He couldn’t resist leaning close to her ear and whispering some gentle compliments.
The draperies in the main hall swayed gently, and the surrounding temperature seemed to rise.
But suddenly, it was as if everything had been struck by one of Emperor Shun’s Divine Skills.
Xiao Ming tilted her head, blinking her large eyes as she watched them, her gaze filled with curiosity.
"Aiya! What’s happening!"
The Young Master cried out softly and abruptly vanished.
A streak of light shot in from the side. It was Nu Chou, who had carelessly let Xiao Ming wander out. Now, rushing to rectify her mistake, she snatched up Xiao Ming, dashed back into the small building in the corner of the hall, and slammed the door shut with a BANG.
Wu Wang’s old face flushed red, but he calmly walked over to his soft couch and reclined.
He rested for an hour, held a brief Heavenly Dao meeting with his mother, and relayed all the details of his encounter with Emperor Shun, asking her to discuss it with old brother Yun Zhongjun.
Afterwards, he left the main hall and went to the Young Master’s tree hollow.
Unfortunately, this time the Young Master had shut herself in and showed no intention of letting him enter.
If one didn’t have to consider Emperor Shun, the Candle Dragon, the order of heaven and earth, and all these other chaotic, major affairs... the good days were still ahead.
...
「Three days later.」
In the highest Temple within the Heaven Palace, Emperor Shun and the Head Manager sat opposite each other at a low table set beneath the throne.
"Grant Wu Wangzi the status of a reserve Main God? Your Majesty, has this matter been considered thoroughly enough?"
The Head Manager said in a low voice, "Wu Wangzi, after all, has not achieved any significant merits. Granting him the status of a reserve Main God might make it difficult to convince the masses."
"What, are you still bothered by his close relationship with the Young Master?" Emperor Shun asked with a warm smile.
The Head Manager snorted softly and said indifferently, "What my younger sister wishes to do has nothing to do with me."
"It is best that you can think this way."
Emperor Shun said warmly, "The three Great Daos—Reproduction, Lifespan, and Death—are already mutually constraining and perfectly balanced. As Xiao Ming gradually grows, the return of the original Dao of Life has become impossible.
You and your sister are two independent wills; you shouldn’t interfere with each other."
"Your Majesty, why must you use Wu Wangzi? Are there no other options in the Human Domain?"
"Wu Wangzi is quite remarkable," Emperor Shun chuckled. "You will gradually understand in the future. Don’t be stubborn about this. Granting him the position of a reserve Main God is not the same as making him a full Main God."
"Your Majesty, Main Gods hold considerable authority within the Divine Court..."
Emperor Shun nodded slowly. "Once he achieves some merit, he will be promoted to Main God."
"This?" The Head Manager’s face turned somewhat livid.
Emperor Shun gazed at the Head Manager. "This is my decision."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Head Manager bowed his head in assent and then asked, "Then, should we also assign him a Divine Position?"
"Let him temporarily manage the marital affairs of living beings."
Emperor Shun chuckled. "Feng Chun, Feng Chun. When the garden is full of spring, isn’t it wonderful?"
The Head Manager was somewhat speechless.
After a moment of silence, the Head Manager said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty is showing him too much favor. Although this Divine Position isn’t a critical one, it holds boundless potential.
If he truly manages to bring the marital affairs of all living beings under the Dao of Order, it would be a great merit and a significant boon to the Dao of Order. Furthermore, it would allow his divine authority to control nodes closely related to the Great Dao of Reproduction.
By integrating marriage and Reproduction, the Dao of Order of heaven and earth would take a great stride forward.
What will Your Majesty reward him with then?
The position of First Auxiliary God?"
"You will always be my First Auxiliary God."
Emperor Shun said gravely, "I made adequate preparations before entrusting this matter to Wu Wang."
"Is Your Majesty truly not afraid that he will backstab the Heaven Palace one day?"
"Naturally, I am not afraid."
Emperor Shun smiled. "But you and I must look further ahead. So what if this world is destroyed once? Only the Great Dao is eternal. As long as you and I are still in charge of the Sixth Divine Era, isn’t that enough?
Now, go and promulgate the decree. Give him more rewards; his injuries this time were not light."
The Head Manager took a deep breath, but in the end, he merely bowed his head and agreed.
"This servant obeys."
With that, the Head Manager stood up and walked towards the hall doors.
"By the way," Emperor Shun asked, as if casually, "did you also act to protect him that day?"
The Head Manager’s steps faltered. He remained silent for a moment before saying softly, "I just didn’t want Jin to make a mistake. His Majesty is already quite displeased with Jin."
"Jin indeed needs to be remolded; she is already close to collapsing," Emperor Shun stated calmly.
The Head Manager nodded slightly and continued forward, his figure soon vanishing beyond the hall entrance.
Emperor Shun chuckled softly. With a wave of his hand, his figure, along with the table and chairs, vanished simultaneously.
Their conversation quickly became a Heavenly Palace decree, drafted by the Heavenly Administrative Palace as the Heavenly Emperor’s edict. It was stamped with the Heavenly Emperor’s seal, bore the Head Manager’s formal name, and was displayed in the Divine Court, then transmitted to the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
Regardless of whether the living beings could hear this edict, these were all necessary procedures.
Next, they just needed to find Wu Wang to announce the edict. Once Wu Wang accepted it, a heavenly rule would be formed in the Heaven Palace, akin to ’Cultivators attaining immortality must face a Heavenly Tribulation.’
Namely: ’The God of Spring shall temporarily oversee the marriages of living beings.’
However, deciding who should deliver the edict to Wu Wang made the Head Manager ponder for a full hour.
In the end, the Head Manager summoned back Liu Guang, who was out observing this world, placed the edict in Liu Guang’s hands, and then slumped back into his chair with a dejected sigh.
Liu Guang, completely puzzled, asked softly, "Brother Head Manager, what’s wrong?"
"It’s nothing," the Head Manager waved his hand and smiled. "Take this edict to the God of Spring. Remember, you must have him bow first before you read it aloud."
"Very well."
Liu Guang nodded in acknowledgment and turned to fetch the two squads of Divine Guards who had been waiting outside for a long time. After taking a couple of steps, Liu Guang seemed to recall something, turned back, and said,
"Brother Head Manager, do you think I should determine my Yin or Yang affinity?
Everything in the world nowadays is divided into Yin and Yang. Being as I am is somewhat anomalous. Also, I’ve traveled to many places recently and witnessed both the beauty and the sins of living beings. I was thinking that if I could experience it myself, perhaps I would gain more enlightenment.
Brother Head Manager, if I were to determine my Yin or Yang affinity, do you think it would be better to be female or male?"
The Head Manager looked up at Liu Guang, at that face with its nearly perfect features and contours. The thought arose in his mind: If Liu Guang were to become a woman, how beautiful would that be?
But then, an image of Wu Wang’s face suddenly flashed before the Head Manager’s eyes.
"If you absolutely must choose, then become male," the Head Manager said gently. "However, I don’t advise you to experience such things. You are pure, free of defilement. If you differentiate into Yin and Yang, you could easily be tainted by the world’s turbid qi."
Liu Guang smiled. "Thank you for the advice, Brother. I shall go deliver the edict now."
The Head Manager nodded with a smile.
He really couldn’t bear to suffer that kind of blow again.
「Thus, a few moments later.」
Wu Wang bowed his head and cupped his hands, listening to Liu Guang’s clear, gentle voice recite those dry, formulaic Heaven Palace phrases, feeling somewhat bewildered.
What on earth was this bizarre Divine Position Emperor Shun had arranged for him?
Presiding over matrimony? The Great Wilderness’s Matchmaker? Wouldn’t that make him one of the Young Master’s subordinate gods?
Marriage concerned the Hundred Races of the Great Wilderness, while Reproduction involved all living beings in heaven and earth; the two were not on the same scale at all.
Wait, no...
Marriage, matrimonial rites.
If the marital rites established in the Human Domain were promoted throughout the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness, it would undoubtedly be an act of civilizing living beings, and it would surely make the order of heaven and earth more stable.
This was one of the few remaining paths for advancement in the Heaven Palace now!
The stone in Wu Wang’s heart finally dropped.
Emperor Shun indeed wanted him to handle something important but was worried that giving him too much real power would lead to him directly backstabbing the Heaven Palace. That was why he had sought him out for a talk beforehand.
It was largely tactical intimidation.
However, Emperor Shun’s intimidation this time had indeed served as a reminder for Wu Wang, and it also helped Wu Wang clearly define the development trajectory for the Heavenly Dao.
"Brother Wu Wang," Liu Guang said with a smile, "can you receive the edict now?"
"Oh, alright!"
Wu Wang, revitalized, reached out with both hands and took hold of the edict.
The next instant, the cloth scroll bearing the edict transformed into a golden beam of light, enveloping Wu Wang and illuminating the entire grand hall.
The Great Dao within the Divine Court trembled. A line of small characters appeared on the ’dome’ at the very top of the Divine Court. At that moment, all gods, whether sleeping or awake, heard the sound of a horn and received the same message.
[Effective immediately, Feng Chun God Wu Wangzi is designated a reserve Main God of the Heaven Palace and shall temporarily oversee the marital affairs of living beings, becoming the Marriage God.]
