Chapter 448: Water God Invades the Moon Palace, Jade Rabbit in Danger of Being Stewed

For the matter of going to Yue Gong, Li Changshou had been bustling around for half the day. He looked at the modest setup on his desk, picked up a jade bowl, and took a sip of the refreshingly cool Xiaoqiong Peak specialty drink, nodding in satisfaction.

Ling E's cooking skills were indeed veering off course, focusing now on teas and pastries.

What was there to fear about this assignment?

He had weathered great storms before; surely he wouldn't falter before three hundred graceful waists.

With a sweep of his sleeve, the items before him vanished, swiftly carried away by a paper daoist to the Heavenly Court.

Not long after, in the Water God Mansion.

Once the “implements” were all in place, Li Changshou adjusted his wide robe in front of a mirror, combed his hair into a daoist's topknot, making his white hair shine brightly and fall smoothly.

He picked up his well-worn, nearly bald duster, stepped out of his study, and Bian Zhuang and Ao Yi, who had been waiting for the news, quickly stepped forward to bow.

Li Changshou said:

“Bian Fu Tongling?”

Bian Zhuang's eyes lit up, and he responded with a booming voice:

“At your service!”

“This is for you,” Li Changshou tossed over a treasure pouch. “Later, set it up outside the Water God Mansion gates...”

“Ao Yi, take a team of soldiers to Taiyin Star and say that I am heading there by imperial decree to serve as their chief instructor.”

Bian Zhuang opened his mouth, his words of acceptance caught in his throat, managing only:

“Ah.”

Ao Yi smiled and said:

“Yes.”

With that, he turned and hurried away, leading a team of heavenly soldiers straight to Taiyin Star.

Li Changshou patted Bian Zhuang on the shoulder, gave him a meaningful smile, and then drifted toward the Water God Mansion gates with his duster in hand.

“Changgeng Shishu?”

A soft call made Li Changshou halt his cloud, and he turned to the side.

Ling Zhuzi, dressed in loose robes, approached and performed a proper daoist bow to Li Changshou, saying:

“On this trip to Yue Gong, may the disciple attend and serve at your side?”

Clearly, Ling Zhuzi had received discreet guidance from Taiyi Zhenren or Yuding Zhenren to help ease the awkwardness of going to Yue Gong.

Li Changshou laughed and replied:

“That place isn't suitable for you. You should spend more time with the heavenly generals and soldiers; no need to worry.”

Ling Zhuzi gave a refined fist-and-palm salute and said:

“The disciple obeys.”

How thoughtful.

Li Changshou turned and rode his cloud away, his eyes showing a touch of resolve.

Ling Zhuzi recalled the message jade talisman he had received earlier and couldn't help but worry, calling out from behind:

“Shishu, what is your purpose in going?”

“To teach Chang'e and arrange their songs and dances.”

“If Yunxiao Xianzi takes offense...”

“Then let Yunxiao Xianzi take offense.”

Li Changshou rode his cloud with hands clasped behind his back, his figure elegant and composed.

From the horizon, a faint shout seemed to echo, forming two vague characters that hovered in the air. The heavenly soldiers and generals guarding the Water God Mansion stared and saw that it spelled “kneel down”;

With a casual sweep of his duster, Li Changshou dispelled the characters in an instant, his cloud speeding swiftly toward Yue Gong.

Along the way:

He passed through starry rivers ablaze with light, beheld radiant immortal glows.

He sought out wispy shallow clouds, heard a melody like rippling waves.

Flying beyond the seventh heaven, he hastened into the depths of the clouds, entering the celestial canopy where the sun, moon, and stars revolved, timing his journey precisely;

Before long, a cold, vast star loomed large before him.

This was the moon of mortal tales, the crescent hook or full disk in poets' verses, the Taiyin in daoists' speech, the beauty in lovers' hearts.

A laurel tree overshadowed half of Taiyin Star, its leaves like pale yellow jade stones, resembling scattered fairy islands dotted with pavilions and palaces, where shadows of dancing immortals could faintly be seen.

Li Changshou descended slowly on his cloud and heard music and laughter echoing from near and far.

This was...

One of the top ten innate spiritual roots?!

Li Changshou clicked his tongue in wonder, guiding his cloud to the vast canopy of the laurel tree, carefully sensing its spiritual essence and fluctuations, and hearing the rhythmic sounds of chopping.

With his immortal sense, he saw groups of immortals in colorful skirts and robes converging toward a palace below the tree—that was where the Chang'e usually rehearsed, and it would be his post for the next ten years: Yuegui Palace.

On the other side of the laurel tree stood Guanghan Palace, enveloped in arrays, with scattered halls, waterside pavilions, and towers, though it felt quite desolate and empty.

That was where Heng'e resided.

Li Changshou didn't rush to the palace where the immortals were gathering; instead, he strolled beneath the laurel tree.

The ground here was soft, a mix of fine sand and crushed white jade, offering a unique comfort with each step.

The laurel tree's trunk rose like a towering mountain, and at its base, a somewhat diminutive figure wielded an axe, leaving faint scars on the tree.

Each time he raised the axe, the scars healed smoothly on their own.

A glint flashed in Li Changshou's eyes—he had been right...

This man was truly a master!

The laurel tree was one of the top ten innate spiritual roots, on par with the peach tree and ginseng fruit tree. Though it bore no fruit or flowers and was suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, limiting its spirituality, it possessed the strength of a top-tier innate spiritual treasure.

Yet this Wu Gang on the moon could wound it with an ordinary axe...

Li Changshou took a step, his Qiankun dao rhythm flowing, as if shrinking the distance, and appeared behind Wu Gang.

From afar, this man was muscular and knotted, exuding no dao rhythm or pressure, yet he gave off an aura of strength and unyielding resolve.

“Senior,” Li Changshou bowed with a daoist salute.

Wu Gang, in the midst of chopping, turned his head to glance at Li Changshou, nodded casually, and continued his work.

It was well-known in the primordial world that any man visiting Yue Gong would consider how to strike up a conversation with Heng'e—cough, or with Wu Gang!

Li Changshou had prepared several questions in advance, and approaching Wu Gang wasn't a whim.

The first step: ask something Wu Gang couldn't avoid and would have to answer...

Li Changshou smiled and said:

“Senior, are you of the human race's original clan?”

“Mm.”

Wu Gang responded indifferently, glancing at Li Changshou between axe swings, and asked casually:

“And you? A paper daoist come to life?”

“This is just a form of my avatar.”

Li Changshou chuckled, put away his duster, and stood by watching for a moment before asking:

“Senior, are you enlightening yourself through this?”

“Chopping the tree,” Wu Gang paused, looking at the wound that had healed again, and frowned slightly.

Soon, Wu Gang looked up at Li Changshou and asked curiously:

“Who are you? How can you enter this place so freely?”

“Just an ordinary heavenly court deity,” Li Changshou replied with a smile. “I was curious, so I came to bother you, senior. Please don't mind.

Among those skilled with axes, I've only seen Emperor Yu the Great. When I saw you wielding yours just now, in harmony with the great dao and subtly aligned with its rhythm, I was quite surprised.”

“You've met Emperor Yu the Great?”

Wu Gang's eyes lit up at once. He propped his axe on the ground and turned to face Li Changshou.

This was a burly man over nine feet tall, yet his features were not rough; instead, they had a touch of handsomeness.

Li Changshou chatted as if with an old friend, saying:

“Yes, I visited the Fire Cloud Cave to pay respects to the human sages before.”

“Did you see Lord Huohuang?”

“No,” Li Changshou sighed. “Lord Huohuang is afflicted with demonic energy and is in seclusion healing.”

“Ah,” Wu Gang's eyes showed a hint of helplessness, as if recalling a grand era, and he pondered for a while.

Before long, Wu Gang murmured with a smile:

“As long as he's alive, that's good.”

With that, he swung his axe again.

Clang... Clang...

“Senior, could you tell me about the old days?” Li Changshou asked with a smile. “I've read many ancient texts, but many events are vaguely described...”

“Of course.”

Wu Gang gave a slight smile and sighed:

“Many of the great battles we won weren't exactly glorious, and the costs were often too heavy. It's normal that later generations don't want to record them.

But in the end, it was a world of kill or be killed, with no room for mercy or morality.”

As he spoke, he pulled the axe free and swung it again, his words carrying more force:

“We butchers of dogs left no names; the human race has nurtured this land for ages.

The world your forebears fought for—you must strive to protect it.”

Li Changshou bowed with a daoist salute and said seriously:

“We will not fail your trust, senior. Though I can only offer humble efforts.”

“I can see that,” Wu Gang laughed. “You're no ordinary deity, are you?”

Li Changshou smiled without replying, about to take his leave—today, he had forged a good connection with Wu Gang, no need to linger.

Just then, a streak of light shot from the array beside the laurel tree, shouting “General Wu” as it sped toward them!

Li Changshou focused and saw that the light carried a lively young girl.

She wore a light white short skirt, with a cute and charming appearance, large sparkling eyes, a cloth bag slung over her shoulder with the tip of a jade green radish peeking out.

Most striking were her round, slender jade feet—delicate and fair, yet clearly strong.

Jade Rabbit?

That must be it; after landing, she even had rabbit ear ornaments on her head.

The girl held a bowl of water, flying and leaping without spilling a drop.

“General Wu... Oh, you have a guest here.”

Jade Rabbit giggled lightly, and Wu Gang stopped his work to take the water and drink.

Wu Gang showed a rare kindly smile and asked:

“What are you up to?”

“Ah, my master sent me to help out at Yuegui Palace. The manager there has been pestering me seven or eight times—it's so annoying.”

Jade Rabbit sighed in frustration:

“I hear the Jade Emperor appointed some powerful deity to Yuegui Palace as a punishment.

Hmph, they say it's punishment, but all male immortals have dirty minds!

They think being the chief instructor in Yue Gong, watching the sisters dance every day, is some great joy. Really... Lots of sisters complain about it. We're used to being casual, but now we have to dress properly no matter where we go.”

Wu Gang asked puzzled:

“What powerful deity?”

“Seems to be the Water God, the one in charge of the three realms' waters. I heard it from the sisters in Yuegui Palace.”

Jade Rabbit tilted her head, glanced at Li Changshou, then looked away, tapping her finger on her chin.

“I also heard from a few sisters that he's a key figure in the Heavenly Court, the one the Jade Emperor trusts most.

They said something about 'supporting the crumbling palace and aiding the Heavenly Court in its weakness,' and that he's a disciple of the Dao School's Ren Sect saints, married to the Jie Sect's Sanxiao Xianzi...”

“Ahem!”

Li Changshou couldn't help but interject with a laugh:

“It should be that he's on good terms with Yunxiao Xianzi, not married or anything.”

“Ah, it's all the same anyway!”

Jade Rabbit waved her hand impatiently: “He must be some old lecher; otherwise, why would the Jade Emperor assign him to instruct the Chang'e?

Has there ever been a man teaching the Chang'e? Really!”

Li Changshou sighed:

“This doesn't seem to be what he wanted...”

“Never mind that; I'll head over first, General Wu!”

Jade Rabbit waved and dashed off in a streak of light toward Yuegui Palace, her long legs kicking as she went.

Beside them, Li Changshou chuckled in amusement, while Wu Gang, mid-drink, suddenly spat out water and stared at Li Changshou:

“You?”

“It should be me,” Li Changshou wiped the water from his hair. “I won't disturb you further, senior; I should go check on things at Yuegui Palace.”

Wu Gang quickly added:

“Ah, that child is a bit simple-minded; don't hold it against her.”

“No, no, senior, don't worry. I have a junior sister back home who's always getting into trouble too.”

Li Changshou gave a daoist bow, and Wu Gang set down the bowl, returning the salute with fists clasped, watching as Li Changshou rode his cloud away.

Water God? A saint's disciple? One who's met the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?

Wu Gang stood there in a daze for a moment, then shook his head with a smile and resumed swinging his axe, the clangs echoing as he chopped the laurel divine wood.

“Ah, the newcomers are formidable indeed.”

Meanwhile, when Jade Rabbit arrived at Yuegui Palace, several immortals crowded around her, asking if Heng'e would come.

She shook her head repeatedly, and the immortals looked disappointed.

Clearly, Jade Rabbit was quite familiar with these Chang'e, almost like a favored pet of the moon.

Some immortals brought up the Water God, and Jade Rabbit listened quietly.

She usually stayed in Guanghan Palace with her master and rarely ventured out, so she hadn't paid much attention to the Water God's affairs before...

Now, hearing the sisters describe how wise, strategic, and valiant the Water God was, she became engrossed.

What kind of male immortal was this?

Another immortal mentioned the Water God's appearance, and Jade Rabbit tilted her head, her rabbit ear ornament bubbling with images—the largest bubble showed a white-haired, benevolent elder.

“It seems I've seen him somewhere...”

Jade Rabbit muttered softly.

“Nonsense,” an immortal teased, “the Water God is visiting Yuegui Palace for the first time; where could you have seen him?”

Jade Rabbit stood on tiptoe, gesturing:

“Is he about this tall? This thin?”

Just then, a figure arrived on white clouds at the palace gates.

Ao Yi, standing at the entrance, announced loudly:

“The Water God has arrived!”

The immortals hurried to form ranks.

Yuegui Palace had a unique layout: steps inside and out, with a sunken square stage at the center, surrounded by jade trees and silver flowers, and tiered steps around for seating.

As Ao Yi spoke, the three hundred Chang'e below had already taken their rehearsal positions.

The scene was truly...

A flutter of orioles and swallows, greens and reds blending in harmony.

Li Changshou glided on his cloud past the side and settled at the main low table in the hall.

Jade Rabbit stood apart from the crowd, still the most noticeable.

At that moment, she was completely stunned, her pink eyes fixed on Li Changshou, unsure how to react...

An old lecher... The Water God...

The Chang'e turned in unison with small steps, bowing as one, their voices carefully rehearsed:

“Greetings to the Water God.”

Li Changshou thought to himself: ...

The joys of power—Mu Gong couldn't even imagine.

“Please, no need for such formalities,” Li Changshou said with a smile. “The Jade Emperor has assigned me to teach here for ten years; I hope you'll all cooperate.

As the Heavenly Court's Water God, overseeing the three realms' waters, I'm only somewhat knowledgeable in music and just a novice in songs and dances. You can continue your usual training.

Ao Yi, bring out my things.”

“Yes!”

Ao Yi suppressed a smile and called out; two heavenly soldiers carried over a roasting rack and placed it before Li Changshou, then quickly withdrew.

Though the soldiers kept reminding themselves not to look aside, they couldn't help stealing glances...

Three hundred handpicked heavenly court female immortals, all stunning beauties in rainbow dresses and veils, stood together—it made their dao hearts tremble, faces flush, and minds blur.

They probably wouldn't make any breakthroughs for the next two centuries.

Li Changshou busied himself at the roasting rack and said:

“Think of this as the Jade Emperor giving me a vacation. Just carry on; don't mind me.”

The three hundred Chang'e watched Li Changshou curiously, understanding that he was signaling he wasn't here for their charms.

They bowed in unison:

“Yes.”

Jade Rabbit: Panicked, utterly panicked.

Why did the Water God go to see General Wu? And chat so amicably!

None of that mattered—what mattered was...

This little rabbit spirit, with only Tianxian cultivation, had just called the Water God an old lecher to his face!

Could her master save her?

Her master was just nominally in the Heavenly Court; this Water God was a court powerhouse—a real tough one!

What... what to do?

Sensing Jade Rabbit's tense gaze, Li Changshou calmly took a book from his sleeve and began reading with interest.

*On One Hundred Ways to Prepare Rabbit Meat*

“Ah!”

Jade Rabbit's vision darkened, and she fainted on the spot, trembling.

The rabbit's courage, bit by bit.

Some immortals noticed the book in Li Changshou's hand, and the clever ones quickly grasped his intent, covering their mouths to stifle laughs.

Li Changshou asked:

“By the way, why isn't Heng'e here?”

A managing female immortal stepped forward and reported:

“Heng'e Xianzi is unwell and has taken sick leave...”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou's expression cooled slightly as he said indifferently:

“It seems I don't have that kind of influence.”

—To distance himself from Heng'e and set up opposition.

“Water God,” the female immortal hurried to explain, “Heng'e Xianzi sent her attendant, and she has a reclusive nature, rarely leaving Guanghan Palace. Please forgive her, Water God.”

The immortals bowed together:

“Please forgive her, Water God!”

Li Changshou asked, puzzled:

“Then where is the attendant?”

A dozen immortals stepped aside, revealing the girl crouched on the ground, trying to sneak away.

Li Changshou frowned, a glint in his eyes.

He intended this as a warning to Heng'e and had no real grudge against Jade Rabbit;

But Jade Rabbit shivered and knelt down, her big eyes blinking as tears rolled down...

“Water God, please spare me!”

Before Li Changshou could speak, Jade Rabbit collapsed on the ground, her pink eyes losing their spark, murmuring:

“Could you... kill me first before cooking? I've lived over ten thousand years... my meat's probably tough by now...”

Li Changshou: ...

The surrounding immortals were confused but quickly spoke up to plead for Jade Rabbit.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly.

Fine, the first plan had failed anyway; no point quibbling with a little rabbit.

He cleared his throat, produced a bronze mirror calmly, and placed it before him, speaking into it:

“Can you hear me over there?”

The mirror's surface rippled, transmitting a jumble of voices:

“We can hear you! Water God, we hear you loud and clear!”

“Wow, we can see the image too. Is this Yue Gong? The decor, the curtains... it doesn't seem all that different.”

“Water God going to Yue Gong and still opening a cloud mirror for us—truly a leader who cares for his troops!”

Li Changshou smiled and said:

“For the next ten years, I'll transmit everything I do in Yue Gong through these two mirrors.

I want to show everyone that Yue Gong isn't some mysterious or coveted place for male immortals.

The Chang'e train rigorously day and night to fulfill their song and dance duties; every being has their own role, and fulfilling it is the meaning of existence.”

Below, the group of immortals looked touched...

At the Water God Mansion's entrance, the crowd of heavenly soldiers and generals gathered around the large bronze mirror nodded in agreement, then tried adjusting angles to see more.

Li Changshou smiled calmly, took out some ingredients, seasonings, and wine from his sleeve, and began his leisurely routine.

Nothing proved his innocence better than a ten-year live broadcast.

It was just... he couldn't say cheeky lines like 'keep 'steady' written on the Water God Mansion walls'—this primordial world live debut lacked a bit of spirit.