Chapter 302: The White-Clad Jade Emperor's Heart

Clear spiritual liquid dripped from the stalactite, falling into the small clear pool.

At the edge of Wu Bu Zhou, deep in the earth, in a cave emitting colorful light, Jin Chan Zi sat cross-legged by the spiritual pool. His face was pale, his long robe stained with blood, his body tense and occasionally trembling, with a forced smile on his lips...

Was he afraid?

What a joke. He was a Hong Meng Xiong Shou, with a true form of the six-winged golden cicada, possessing the innate Qian Kun Shen Tong. He had only been subdued by the West because a saint had personally captured him!

Could that be called fear?

He was just... terrified, that's all.

This fear came entirely from instinct, originating from the vague and elusive figure beside Jin Chan Zi.

At Jin Chan Zi's side, the woman in a blood-red gauze dress swayed gracefully, her enchanting form like mist condensed into shape. A slender finger gently touched his forehead and slowly traced across it.

"Qian bei,"

Jin Chan Zi said with a smile,

"thank you for saving my life."

"Hehehe..."

The laughter was light and playful, with a hint of laziness, yet it sounded exceptionally harsh to Jin Chan Zi's ears despite its soft and melodious tone.

Jin Chan Zi thought to himself that if he weren't injured, he wouldn't fear this black-winged blood mosquito. Even in a fight, it would be a fifty-fifty chance, and he could escape using his Shen Tong.

But now, he had been wounded by that heavenly court's immortal god's divine sword, and this woman had seized the initiative...

"I saved you?"

"Of course."

Jin Chan Zi answered with a smile, but as soon as the words left his mouth, his Adam's apple trembled slightly.

Wen Jing Dao Ren placed one jade-like foot on the stone slab beside him and slowly leaned down. Her face, capable of captivating all beings, wore a playful expression.

She drew slightly closer to the side of Jin Chan Zi's face and sniffed gently.

"Tsk, your blood smells so foul—it's made me lose all appetite..."

Jin Chan Zi forced a smile and said,

"Qian bei, thank you for your concern. We both serve the two lords, so we mustn't turn on each other."

"Hah."

Wen Jing Dao Ren's figure flashed lightly, appearing on the other side of the pool, her phoenix eyes showing a faint disdain.

"Don't keep calling me qian bei like that—I'm not that familiar with you.

I saved you today just because I happened to pass by. If I hadn't, I might have been scolded by the sect.

Remember, don't go too far with things. If there's good meat, leave some for others.

Otherwise, next time I see you, it won't be as simple as just taking a wisp of your Yuan Shen."

As she spoke, Wen Jing Dao Ren slowly raised her left hand. Her fair, jade-like fingertip was entwined with strands of blood Qi, forming the illusion of a blood cicada.

She gently pinched her fingers, and the blood cicada shattered instantly.

When did that happen?!

Jin Chan Zi's face turned even paler, his body trembling lightly, his eyes fierce.

But Wen Jing Dao Ren just snorted coldly and didn't glance at him again. Her soft waist swayed slightly, and her figure vanished, leaving only a faint laugh, a trace of blood red, and for Jin Chan Zi, a sound that grated on his ears...

Jin Chan Zi's handsome face trembled slightly, his left hand clenched into a fist, causing a deep rumble throughout the earth for thousands of li.

'Wen Jing should know how to handle the follow-up, right?'

Li Chang Shou pondered in his heart.

He trusted Wen Jing Dao Ren's ability to handle affairs even more than Zhao Gong Ming's skill in feigned attacks.

He hadn't sent Wen Jing Dao Ren here today just to put on a show for Yu Di.

No one could predict what would happen next, and the human heart was the most unpredictable thing.

When it came to matters involving Wen Jing Dao Ren, Li Chang Shou had to keep a contingency plan in front of Yu Di.

It was simple: the ultimate beneficiaries of the Feng Shen calamity were Tian Ting and Xi Fang Jiao. If those two had some "coordination" during Feng Shen, it wouldn't be surprising.

If he had informed Yu Di in advance that Wen Jing Dao Ren was a hidden pawn of Ren Jiao in the West, it might become a bargaining chip in future negotiations.

During Feng Shen, Yu Di was half a player in the game, so he couldn't be judged solely by human nature.

Li Chang Shou had already made this clear when he formulated the strategy for the Long Zu a few years ago.

Today, he let Wen Jing Dao Ren act on her own. If Jin Chan Zi escaped, she would take him in, appearing as timely help but actually adding fuel to the fire, putting on a performance for Xi Fang Jiao.

In the subsequent handling, if Wen Jing Dao Ren lacked cunning, she might show kindness to Jin Chan Zi.

But if she thought it through, she should seize the chance to land a couple of blows on him, warning him not to hog all the credit, which would gain even more trust from Xi Fang Jiao...

More insurance meant more stability.

At that moment, Li Chang Shou, in his identity as the Sea God, had arrived on the Long Zu's immortal boat with Yu Di and Dong Mu Gong, who were disguised as two auxiliary gods.

The large forces from Xi Hai Long Gong, alerted to the situation, had already surrounded the area tightly.

Several dragon princes stepped forward to bow, and Ao Shi from Xi Hai Long Wang's family even wept bitterly, saying he had been careless in making friends and had let a wolf into the house.

"Chang Geng ai qing,"

Yu Di transmitted his voice to remind,

"these dragon princes' Yuan Shen seem a bit off."

Li Chang Shou replied via transmission,

"Your Majesty, that's a common tactic over there.

The Long Zu experts have already noticed the anomaly, so it's best if we don't inquire further."

Yu Di nodded with a smile and said no more.

Soon, Yu Di realized the situation was even more troublesome than Li Chang Shou had described.

Among the large group of forces surging from Xi Hai Long Gong, about two-thirds of those with cultivation equivalent to the Tian Xian realm of human Qi refiners had issues.

In other words...

They were surrounded by a horde of traitors.

Then, Yu Di watched as Li Chang Shou exchanged pleasantries and bantered with these Xi Fang Jiao puppets, skillfully navigating the conversations.

This was truly...

Up close, it looked like a scene of joy and laughter; from afar, it was all hidden daggers.

A hint of contemplation and resolve flashed in Yu Di's eyes, but it quickly returned to his previous serenity.

Dong Mu Gong, standing nearby, keenly sensed that Yu Di seemed a little different at that moment.

Li Chang Shou was exchanging greetings when hundreds of blue dragons flew in from the south and north, transforming into human forms as they approached the immortal boat.

"Jiao Zhu ge ge!"

Ao Yi led hundreds of experts and bowed from afar to Li Chang Shou.

Li Chang Shou nodded calmly, without revealing Yu Di's identity.

This time, Li Chang Shou didn't hesitate to praise Ao Yi's foresight in front of Yu Di, giving him high commendation.

After the Long Zu experts thanked Li Chang Shou, Yu Di transmitted,

"Chang Geng, let's head back. There's nothing interesting here anymore."

Li Chang Shou bid farewell to the Long Zu experts and, before leaving, reminded Ao Yi not to forget to arrange for the patrol sea spirits to guard the four seas.

As they parted, Li Chang Shou said to Ao Yi,

"After handling everything, come to An Shui City. I have something to give you."

"Good!"

Ao Yi bowed his head, cupped his fists, and saluted as Li Chang Shou and the other two departed.

A moment later, Li Chang Shou steered the wooden boat, continuing to wander the Xi Hai area.

Both he and Dong Mu Gong noticed that Yu Di's demeanor was off, completely different from his relaxed ease when he first descended to the mortal realm.

It seemed like something was weighing on his mind...

After a short while, Yu Di waved his hand, stopping the music and dance, and drained the cup of "Jiu Jiu special brew" in one gulp.

"Enough!"

Li Chang Shou and Dong Mu Gong both stood up at once.

Yu Di sighed lightly, rose, and gazed at Li Chang Shou, patting his shoulder.

"With Tian Ting just starting out, I've made you suffer, Chang Geng ai qing."

Li Chang Shou thought: Not at all, just add some more Gong De.

Yu Di said,

"Today, I saw how you maneuvered against the strong from Xi Fang and exchanged pleasantries with those duplicitous Long Zu members, and it fills me with resentment!

Why should my Tian Ting's key minister be bullied by a mere Xiong Shou?

Why should the four seas' orthodox gods I enfeoffed have to smile and deal with such unworthy creatures?

Mu Gong, where are you?"

Dong Mu Gong immediately bowed and responded,

"This old minister is here!"

Yu Di paced back and forth in the somewhat cramped cabin, pondering carefully, then spoke steadily,

"Upon returning to Tian Ting, draft a decree immediately.

Promote Chang Geng ai qing three ranks for his contributions to the four seas and enhancing Tian Ting's prestige, and increase his salary by sixty percent.

From today, establish a Tian Ting naval force, stationed at Tian He, to be at Chang Geng ai qing's command! Train them day and night!

Have the decree ready within twelve years, and deploy the naval force immediately!"

Dong Mu Gong replied firmly,

"This minister accepts the order!"

"Chang Geng, where are you?"

Li Chang Shou bowed his head and said,

"This humble god is here."

"I was negligent before, thinking that with Tai Qing teacher's protection, Xi Fang wouldn't dare to bully you outright.

That was my mistake."

Yu Di's eyes showed a touch of apology.

Li Chang Shou's smile was warm as he replied,

"Your Majesty, this humble god actually finds sparring with them quite enjoyable."

Yu Di chuckled lightly, then said seriously,

"But Chang Geng, you have your shortcomings too—you're too cautious in your actions.

As a Ren Jiao disciple, that's similar to Tai Qing teacher, which is fine.

Chang Geng, come here and look."

As he spoke, Yu Di pushed open the cabin window and gazed at the vast seascape outside, continuing,

"The wind can be gentle or fierce, the clouds can drift lazily or gather suddenly.

All things in heaven and earth have their rhythms of urgency and leisure.

The Long Zu matter should be handled the same way."

Li Chang Shou, upon hearing this, put on an expression of deep realization and nodded slowly, then performed a Dao Yi.

"This humble god has learned from your wisdom!"

"For the Long Zu matter, I'll give you a direct order today, Chang Geng—you don't need to handle it for now."

Yu Di said,

"In twelve years, Tian Ting will hold a Pan Tao banquet, and I'll invite the four seas' dragon kings to attend.

If they willingly submit to Tian Ting, I won't draw the sword to slay dragons.

If they still harbor ill intentions and defy heavenly fate, I'll go personally to Zi Xiao Gong and ask Dao Zu to deliver heavenly punishment and hold the Long Zu accountable!"

Li Chang Shou and Dong Mu Gong exchanged glances, both feeling a shock, and saluted in unison to acknowledge.

Yu Di closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, then opened them again, staring at the blue sky and sea.

His white robes fluttered like snow, and his long hair danced lightly.

At that moment, Li Chang Shou looked at the back of this ruler of the three realms and couldn't help but think...

He looked a bit dashing.

Li Chang Shou called out,

"This humble god thanks Your Majesty for your understanding!"

Yu Di laughed and said,

"Chang Geng, Mu Gong, you might not know that I'm not really interested in the authority of the Tian Di.

Back when the Yao Ting was shattered, Dao Zu and the six saints appeared to mend the broken mountains and rivers of the three clans' great war, reforging the ancient Yao Ting into the current Tian Ting.

At that time, Xi Fang Jiao's Zhun Ti teacher earnestly pleaded with Dao Zu that Tian Ting should be managed by the saints.

How could the teacher not understand Zhun Ti's intentions?"

Yu Di's gaze was profoundly distant, as if piercing through the sea and sky.

He continued, a wisp of Tian Dao rhyme already enveloping the wooden boat to prevent eavesdropping,

"The three Qing teachers are detached and uninvolved in worldly affairs. If the teacher had agreed then, Tian Ting would have become a tool for Zhun Ti and Jie Yin teachers to fulfill their great vows, and the three realms would never find order.

So, the teacher summoned me and my teacher-sister from Zi Xiao Gong without explaining anything, and appointed us as the emperor and empress of Tian Ting—I as Yu Di and she as Wang Mu, to oversee the affairs of the three realms.

When I first became Yu Di, Tian Ting was empty, with nothing but clouds everywhere. My teacher-sister and I just sat in front of Ling Xiao Bao Dian, stunned, not knowing what to do or what this Tian Di position truly meant.

We were originally just there to serve the teacher by pouring tea, delivering messages, and guarding the door—where had we ever acted as Tian Di and Tian Hou?

Even now, I keep asking myself:

What did the teacher want me to do as this Tian Di?

Today, I've finally figured it out."

Li Chang Shou said softly,

"This humble god is bold enough to ask to hear more of Your Majesty's words."

Dong Mu Gong beside him fell into thought, wondering why he hadn't thought of that.

Yu Di said,

"Heaven and earth, and all living beings.

The three realms are full of great powers—saints can easily remake wind, fire, water, and earth, and their disciples can overturn seas and sink lands. The strong from various races can move mountains, fill seas, and manipulate Qian Kun.

I must impose constraints.

All true spirits are born from the void, but once manifested, they are divided into strong and weak. My Tian Ting exists to ensure that the strong aren't eternally dominant and the weak can live according to heavenly fate.

I must take control.

Chang Geng, Mu Gong, will you follow me on this path?"

Dong Mu Gong said firmly,

"This old minister is willing to give my life, to serve Your Majesty as a loyal steed, even death would be insignificant!"

Li Chang Shou sighed softly and smiled,

"Starting as a god, the road ahead is long—I wish to witness it alongside Your Majesty."

Yu Di turned around, nodded with a smile at Li Chang Shou.

Dong Mu Gong fell into thought again...

This line, he really couldn't come up with.

After sending Yu Di and Dong Mu Gong on their way, Li Chang Shou settled the paper effigy in An Shui City and sank into deep thought in the secret chamber beneath Xiao Qiong Peak.

Twelve years was a bit short.

And Yu Di's proactive move came a little earlier than he had anticipated.

Rising from behind his desk, Li Chang Shou walked to the bookshelf in the corner, took out two treasure pouches, and pulled out stacks of silk scrolls and paintings from them. He slowly unrolled them, spreading them across the entire chamber.

These were the "strategies" he had written when he first took on the "Long Zu ascending to heaven" task.

Most of it had already been crossed out.

Today, after careful consideration, Li Chang Shou rolled up most of the silk scrolls, hung them in front of him, and burned them to ashes with a burst of San Mei Zhen Yan.

They were no longer useful.

Turning around, he looked at the three remaining silk scrolls behind him, with their crisscrossing arrows marked on them.

"Finally, I can use this part."

Then, Li Chang Shou took another silk scroll and drew a chicken leg, a bamboo basket, bluegrass, a slingshot, a luminous cup, and after thinking for a moment, added a hair ornament. He then sat cross-legged in the air, letting the scrolls float around him, and picked up his brush to continue writing and drawing.

In times like this, he couldn't afford to act on impulse and ignore everything.

In these twelve years, there was still a lot he could do. Yu Di wanted to cut through the chaos swiftly, even at the cost of using Zi Xiao Gong's resources.

What he needed was to quickly organize this mess of threads so that when Yu Di struck, there would be minimal resistance and few lingering problems.

Glancing at Ling E's closed cultivation area and the poker room where a few people were playing, Li Chang Shou shook his head with a smile and focused on his thoughts.

Yu Di probably didn't realize...

His Dao wasn't one of inaction; sometimes, he just had to make choices that leaned toward the chicken leg.