This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 427 - 425: The Character Shun Increases a Person
Tsk, the moment the First Consort calls, he comes running. Emperor Shun's standing in the family doesn't seem all that impressive, Wu Wang marveled inwardly. Outwardly, however, he maintained a calm and elegant demeanor, offering a salute to Emperor Shun who had just appeared. The Young Master and Mirror God also rose to pay their respects.
Emperor Shun nodded with a smile, exuding a warmth like a spring breeze.
He looked at Xihe and spoke gently, "What matter required my presence so urgently? Your decision would have sufficed."
"Your Majesty," Xihe said with a smile, "today I invited the Young Master, the God of Spring, and the Mirror God to a feast, intending to discuss a previous matter with the God of Spring. It seems he is looking to shirk responsibility, leaving me no choice but to ask Your Majesty to come in person."
"Oh?" Emperor Shun turned to Wu Wang and chuckled. "Is that so?"
"Senior," Wu Wang replied earnestly, "I have no intention of reneging on my commitments. However, the matter of teaching the Ten Suns and helping them awaken their Spiritual Wisdom is of great importance. Therefore, I wished to report to you, Senior, and receive your direct approval. Only then could I be at ease."
"Teaching my sons is a good thing; how could I possibly refuse?" Emperor Shun called out with a smile. "Please, take your seats. No need for formalities. Let's consider today's gathering a family banquet, with no distinction between lord and subject."
Attendants brought a splendid throne and placed it at the head of the table, and the dishes and cups were swiftly replaced.
Emperor Shun and Xihe sat together on the throne, while Wu Wang and the Young Master calmly took their seats to the side.
It was only the Mirror God who was truly suffering. She sat rigidly upright, utterly ill at ease, her gaze fixed on the cup before her, her ears pricked for the slightest sound.
The Mirror God was almost ready to kneel before Feng Chun.
She was just an ordinary Goddess, with average Divine Power and understanding of the Great Dao. Her Great Dao's profound mystery involved the overlapping images created by light, shadow, and mirror surfaces. By being diligent and treading carefully in Heaven Palace, she had finally reached the rank of Main God.
How could I... Today, it felt like a situation designed to send me to my demise!
Suddenly, she heard Emperor Shun laugh and say, "In the battle against Gold God, you fought beautifully, Wu Wang."
"Senior, you flatter me," Wu Wang stated. "In truth, it was only possible with the consent of my family's elder and the substantial support of the Young Master. Left to my own devices, I would merely have been a whetstone for Gold God's blade."
"How many years have you lived? And Gold God, for how many years?" Emperor Shun, filled with emotion, lifted his wine cup and took a sip, lamenting, "To use a common saying from the Human Domain, 'In a great river, new waves drive on the old, and the old waves die upon the shore.' In the blink of an eye, you've achieved such strength. Advancing a few more steps to stand above the Five Elements Gods in the future will not be a difficult task."
"Senior, you hold me in too high esteem," Wu Wang said earnestly. "The Five Elements Gods are the masters of the Five Elements Great Dao and represent the limits of the Great Dao itself. Gold God wasn't defeated by me. She was defeated by herself—by her inability to endure the loneliness of the Great Dao and by the humanity that had permeated her being. In truth, Gold God was far from her peak."
"It's valuable that you can think this way." Emperor Shun leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant as if reminiscing.
The Heavenly Emperor then chuckled. "Gold God was indeed on the verge of collapse, but your victory over one of the Five Elements Gods is a fact. You needn't be self-deprecating. I oversee all the gods of Heaven Palace, and recently their perception of you has improved dramatically."
Wu Wang replied, "That's merely due to the Star God's blessing. Everyone is simply showing deference to the Star God."
"Is that so?" Emperor Shun appeared somewhat noncommittal, his eyes full of profound meaning.
"Gold God indeed had many faults," Xihe said softly. "I urged her time and again, telling her not to continue her slaughter. It would have been better for her to remain in slumber, awaiting the great war, as that might have provided an opportunity to break through her limits. Unexpectedly, she still couldn't be persuaded."
Wu Wang stated, "Speaking of which, I have something to say, though I'm not sure if it's appropriate."
Emperor Shun paused his chopsticks mid-air and chuckled, "Whether it's appropriate or not is for you to decide, Wu Wang."
"Then I shall speak," Wu Wang said slowly. "When Gold God ambushed me previously, you personally ordered it, Senior, and Xihe herself took action, restraining Gold God within the Gold God Temple. How did she escape, go to the Human Domain, abduct my cousin, and kill my mount?"
Xihe's expression remained unchanged; she merely smiled gently, watching Wu Wang.
The Young Master also frowned slightly. If Wu Wang hadn't mentioned it, she had evidently forgotten the matter. Now, she too looked up, gazing at Emperor Shun.
Emperor Shun set down his chopsticks and said with a smile, "I released her."
Wu Wang frowned deeply. "Senior?"
"But her murderous attack on the Whistling Snake also exceeded my expectations," Emperor Shun said slowly. "I merely had her escort the woman named Lin Suqing to Heaven Palace, intending it as an opportunity to mend relations with you, Wu Wang. I didn't expect Gold God's hatred for you was so intense that she would resort to a killing blow."
"Senior, why didn't you inform me of this beforehand?" Wu Wang's face was ashen, making no attempt to hide his anger.
Nearby, the Mirror God was already poised to rise, retreat, and kneel!
The Young Master also said, "Heavenly Emperor, why would you act in such a way?"
Xihe sighed softly. "His Majesty has his own difficult considerations for doing so."
"Actually, it's not so much a difficulty," Emperor Shun said with a smile. "To be honest, I simply lacked a bit of trust in you, Wu Wang, and wanted you to have more ties to Heaven Palace. Do you still remember what we discussed the last time we strolled on the earth?"
A direct threat? Wu Wang's gaze flickered. He nodded slightly and said with a wry smile, "Let's let bygones be bygones. Everything about me, what should be known and what shouldn't, has been thoroughly exposed. Sigh. In the future, my life in Heaven Palace might seem glamorous, but in reality, I'm already bound by Senior's chains. Enough, enough. Since I have chosen this path, I should have no hesitations. Let's just let this matter pass."
"Oh? How can we just let it pass?" Emperor Shun raised his hand in a gesture and said earnestly, "This time, it was indeed due to my misjudgment, which caused you great harm and led to the loss of a great general. Therefore, Wu Wang, whatever you need, seek, or wish for, just state it plainly. As the Heavenly Emperor, ruler of Heaven and Earth, I shall naturally satisfy all your needs." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
"Senior," Wu Wang said, "I have no particular desires. I only wish that Your Majesty would show more patience towards the Human Domain and all living beings."
"I have erred, and I should compensate you accordingly, Wu Wang," Emperor Shun said. "I will gift you a mount and bestow upon you the position of consultant in the Heavenly Administrative Palace. Ordinarily, you'll advise the Head Manager. How does that sound?"
"This..." Wu Wang pondered for a few moments.
The Young Master considered it carefully but was somewhat unable to understand the overt and covert maneuvering between Wu Wang and Emperor Shun.
Xihe interjected from the side, "Your Majesty, have you perhaps forgotten that there is another victim in this matter?"
"Oh, right," Emperor Shun said with a laugh. "Miss Lin also deserves a reward. How about we decree her a Divine Spirit of Heaven Palace and bestow upon her the God Position of Hundred Flowers Immortal? From now on, she will also have Divine Power to protect herself."
"Senior, that absolutely must not be done!" Wu Wang hurriedly said. "Suqing is merely my attendant. How can she be decreed a Divine Spirit?"
"This attendant is someone for whom you'd fly into a rage," Emperor Shun looked at the Young Master with a smile and said, "There must be deep feelings involved."
The Young Master winked at Wu Wang and whispered, "I think it's quite good. Suqing can earn Divine Power, and her Lifespan could be greatly increased."
"This..." Wu Wang carefully weighed his options and could only sigh with a smile. "She is truly overwhelmed by this kindness. In that case, I thank Senior for the generous reward."
"It's merely a token of my sentiment." Emperor Shun raised his wine cup, gesturing towards Wu Wang. Wu Wang held his cup with both hands and gently clinked it against Emperor Shun's.
Emperor Shun drained his cup in one gulp, and Wu Wang could only follow suit.
Fortunately, it wasn't the old Senior's Daoist Liquor; otherwise, I'd be worried about getting drunk.
Emperor Shun, however, seemed slightly intoxicated. He leaned back comfortably in his throne, a faint light sparkling in his eyes, like a young boy seeing the stars for the very first time.
Wu Wang's heart was instantly on alert. Typically, when a major villain shows such an expression, it definitely means a grand conspiracy is about to unfold! Perhaps after Emperor Shun reveals his scheme, the three Goddesses at the table will still sing his praises, lauding how wise and brilliant the Heavenly Emperor is.
Then, Emperor Shun said softly, "Wu Wang, do you think there is still salvation for this world?"
The Mirror God was taken aback.
The Young Master also couldn't help but look up at Emperor Shun, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, as if wondering, How long has His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor been exhibiting such symptoms?
Xihe said gently, "Your Majesty, you mustn't worry too much. Order will ultimately triumph over chaos in this world."
"Even so, when chaos descends, countless lives in the world will unavoidably suffer," Emperor Shun whispered. "Recently, I have increasingly felt the power of the Candle Dragon expanding to a terrifying degree. Those gods who were exiled long ago are lurking in dark corners, their cold gazes fixed upon Heaven Palace. Wu Wang."
"I am here, Senior," Wu Wang responded softly.
"You are my last resort," Emperor Shun spoke warmly. "You have now established a firm foothold in Heaven Palace, which is excellent. Next, I will help you swiftly build your prestige and become a true Power God within Heaven Palace. Heaven Palace and the Human Domain... ever since the fall of the Fire god, they have fought for too long, killed for too long. The dead and injured are countless. You and I, working together to resolve this enmity, to have the Human Domain and Heaven Palace stand shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy—wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?"
"Senior... Your Majesty." Wu Wang's voice was calm and unhurried as he looked up at Emperor Shun and asked, "How am I to make them lay down their hatred? And how should I tell them, 'Join Heaven Palace, and let us fight the Candle Dragon together'?"
Emperor Shun was silent.
Wu Wang continued, "If Gold God's death was a scheme Your Majesty devised to help me secure my footing in Heaven Palace and simultaneously probe my depths, then I believe Your Majesty has received the answers you sought. But for Your Majesty to ask me to persuade the Human Domain to surrender... This isn't just putting me on the spot; it's like holding me, Wu Wangzi, down in a bonfire to burn. Your Majesty, they would point at my back and curse me as a traitor to humanity. This completely contradicts my original purpose for coming to Heaven Palace."
Emperor Shun said, "Didn't you come to Heaven Palace to allow order and living beings to coexist?"
"That should mean living beings and gods coexisting on equal footing, not one side enslaving and exploiting the other," Wu Wang declared firmly. "If I were to do so today, pulling the experts of the Human Domain into Heaven Palace to serve as Divine Guards and Divine Generals, what then? One day, when the Candle Dragon is no longer a threat, could Heaven Palace accommodate them? Would the gods of Heaven Palace give them respect? Or, would they discard the loyal servant once their purpose is served, suppress living beings anew, and strip away the status they earned through blood and battle? At that time, Your Majesty would only need to say, 'Oh, I must respect the opinions of the Innate Gods.' What could I possibly say in rebuttal?"
Emperor Shun's eyebrows knitted together. Looking at Wu Wang, he asked in a low voice, "Then what do you propose? Have gods kneel before living beings and pray? Do not forget, the fight against the Candle Dragon is led by gods. It relies on a reforged Gold God, on the hundreds of gods from top to bottom in Heaven Palace, to engage the Candle Dragon in a decisive battle. The Human Domain's strength is considerable, but it cannot surpass my Heaven Palace! They are, ultimately, secondary!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Xihe leaned forward, gently patting Emperor Shun's chest, and said hurriedly, "Please don't be angry. The God of Spring doesn't mean that. He came to Heaven Palace seeking reconciliation between living beings and order."
The Young Master spoke up, "Living beings are also part of order. The current challenge is how to resolve the enmity between Heaven Palace and the Human Domain."
Emperor Shun nodded slowly and closed his eyes, saying nothing more.
Wu Wang bowed his head in thought and also remained silent.
The atmosphere in the side hall instantly became oppressive.
The Mirror God's fingers were trembling...
Finally, Wu Wang spoke again, breaking the unbearable silence.
"I came to Heaven Palace to accomplish this very task. However, Heaven Palace must not be the one to proactively demand reconciliation from the Human Domain. Rather, after Heaven Palace demonstrates sincerity, the Human Domain should forgive Heaven Palace. Furthermore, during the struggle against the Candle Dragon, the Human Domain's tangible interests must be guaranteed."
"Speak then. What do you think is the best course of action?" Emperor Shun's tone carried a hint of resignation.
If Wu Wang hadn't already known what Emperor Shun intended and wasn't convinced that Emperor Shun would withdraw at the critical moment, he too might have been deceived by this performance. Wu Wang remained steadfast in his belief that all of Emperor Shun's current machinations were aimed at consolidating the forces of the Human Domain and Heaven Palace to fight the Candle Dragon to the death, allowing Emperor Shun to reap the fisherman's profit.
"Actually, I only have a rough idea," Wu Wang said. "What Heaven Palace needs is not just the restoration of a certain number of Innate Gods, but systemic reform."
"Systemic reform?" Emperor Shun suddenly grew interested. "How so?"
"First, the separation of divine authority, God Position, and Divine Position." Wu Wang explained, "There is already a foundation for this. You, Senior, have long gathered the Great Dao of the gods into the Divine Court. Through the Divine Court, you then bestowed Divine Power upon the Divine Spirits. The only flaw is that Your Majesty has granted corresponding divine authority to Innate Gods based on the hierarchy of their Great Dao within the Divine Court. This is still an embodiment of 'might makes right.'"
"Is there something wrong with 'might makes right'?" Emperor Shun countered. "They conquered this world; what's improper about such a division?"
"Naturally, it's improper." Wu Wang shook his head and smiled. "Combat prowess is one thing; governing the world is another. The two cannot be crudely equated. Heaven Palace should create some high-ranking ceremonial positions and then refine divine authority, distributing it among lower-ranking positions with actual power. These positions of actual power should be filled based on corresponding capabilities."
Emperor Shun pondered for a few moments. "Your method might be somewhat premature for the current Great Wilderness, but it's worth trying. This way, living beings could also hold important posts."
"That's just one part of it." Wu Wang smiled. "Solutions are devised by people. You, Senior, are the Heavenly Emperor; pushing these matters forward would actually be quite simple for you. However, if Heaven Palace still harbors any thoughts of dividing the Human Domain, please forgive me for not being able to lend you my aid, Senior. I might even actively cause trouble and create obstacles for you."
The Mirror God's face turned pale as she glanced up at Wu Wang.
To threaten His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor so brazenly?
"Good. You just watch and see," Emperor Shun waved his hand and took out a piece of silk from his sleeve, pushing it through the air toward Wu Wang. "This contains the conferment for the Human Emperor and my self-criticism for dereliction of duty. If you find it acceptable, I will proclaim it to Heaven and Earth. If you find anything amiss, let's debate it today, and I will do my best to follow your suggestions."
"Thank you for your trust, Senior." Wu Wang's demeanor softened. He took the golden silk with both hands and slowly unfurled it.
Each clause was stated with utmost sincerity: for example, conferring the title of Earth Emperor upon the Human Emperor, making him ruler of the lands, and ensuring no war between Heaven Palace and the Human Domain for ten thousand years...
Suddenly, Wu Wang's pupils constricted. His gaze fell upon the last few simple words at the end, and he couldn't look away for a long time.
His Daoist heart trembled slightly, and absurd thoughts surfaced in his mind.
This... this is...
"I shall change my name as Heavenly Emperor. The character for 'Shun' in my current title will be augmented with the 'human' radical, becoming the character for 'Ji' in the name 'Emperor Ji'. This change signifies my apology to the Human Domain."
Emperor Shun... his name gaining the 'human' radical... to become Emperor Ji!
