Chapter 607: Monarch and Minister Best Partners

In the depths of Taibai Palace, Li Changshou sat quietly, his mind racing through a list of names and factions: Maitreya of Xifang Jiao, Guangchengzi of Chan Jiao, Duobao of Jie Jiao, Ran Deng Daoren of Chan Jiao, Chi Jingzi of Chan Jiao, and the enthusiastic followers of Jie Jiao who cared deeply about Taibai and Yunxiao.

Various possibilities swirled in his thoughts as he speculated and deduced who might be behind the scheming. With so little information at hand, Li Changshou couldn't analyze the probabilities of each suspect. Initially, he had been somewhat complacent about the matter, thinking it could be overlooked to some extent.

The Fengshen calamity loomed ahead, with the Heavenly Dao's script already set in stone. The Dao Ancestor's intentions were clear: as the one orchestrating the calamity, he should follow the Heavenly Dao's guidance faithfully, fully appreciating its challenges. His role was simply to fill the Heavenly Court with righteous gods and weaken the powers of beings across the realms—no need to overthink the rest.

In other words, this great calamity wasn't something trivial like a casual flirtation; it couldn't be swayed by a charming smile or a clever ploy. But the adversary had dared to exploit his relationship with Yunxiao.

As a traveler from the Blue Star, Li Changshou had lived his previous life in a society governed by law and peace, facing little threat to his survival until his consciousness faded away. Then, inexplicably, he found himself in the vast Honghuang world, where mighty beings could move mountains and seas, and mortal lives were as worthless as weeds.

Survival crises were bad enough, and now there was the lingering issue from that reckless predecessor, which had led to suspicion from the Dao Ancestor. Had he ever considered defying the Heavenly Dao? Well, he had thought about it... mainly due to the problems with his merit golden body. But Li Changshou knew that in this era of a perfected Heavenly Dao, the conditions simply didn't allow for such a confrontation. The safest path was to achieve his goals and then leave the Honghuang realm.

It had taken immense resolve for him to cautiously take step after step toward a relationship with Yunxiao. Pursuing love with an innate great power was no simple task. Yet, in the end, that very relationship had become a tool for others to manipulate.

Li Changshou let out a slow sigh. Was it that his methods weren't ruthless enough, or that his position wasn't secure enough? He made it a daily habit to reflect on himself, always keeping the principle of stability etched in his Dao heart. The world might lack constancy, but true essence lay in the details.

This scheme had caught him completely off guard. After all, he wasn't a saint who could monitor everything in the realms at all times. Jumping to blame Xifang Jiao could easily miss the real mastermind behind it all. He needed more evidence and deeper investigation.

Let me break it down simply: at the most surface level, the known facts pointed to certain enthusiastic immortals from Jie Jiao, who were acting as protectors for Yunxiao and his relationship, trying to distance him from the Moon Palace fairy.

Li Changshou couldn't rule out this possibility. Jie Jiao had too many immortals, a chaotic mix of individuals, all priding themselves on loyalty and righteousness. It's entirely possible that a few naive ones, thinking themselves clever rogues, had stirred up this mess. It certainly complicated the investigation.

Regardless, even if it was Jie Jiao immortals behind it, Li Changshou had no intention of letting it slide. Sometimes, he could make concessions himself, enduring minor losses as long as they didn't touch his core interests. But Yunxiao and Ling E were different—they were non-negotiable.

"Changgeng?"

From outside the hall, the Jade Emperor's incarnation, Quan Tong, hurried in. Li Changshou activated the surrounding grand array and rose to greet him. The two core figures of Heavenly Court power settled into a corner of Taibai Palace, grilling skewers and sipping chilled jade brew, rolling up their sleeves as they dove into a rapid exchange.

The Jade Emperor asked, "What do you make of this matter involving Yunxiao Xianzi?"

Li Changshou replied, "From a personal standpoint, Your Majesty, I want to escalate things, but that might plant hidden dangers for Heavenly Court."

"What kind of dangers?"

The Jade Emperor snorted, "Someone schemed against Bian Zhuang, using your connection to Yunxiao as leverage. On the surface, it's about avoiding closeness with the Moon Palace fairy, but in reality? It's a jab at you favoring Yunxiao and potentially biasing toward Jie Jiao, trying to undermine your control of the calamity.

So why not just openly tell them? We're biased, we favor Jie Jiao immortals—what can they do about it?"

Li Changshou laughed, "Your Majesty, it's truly touching that you'd consider me so deeply. But please, allow me to handle this. I'll devise a thorough plan to deter the schemers, uphold Heavenly Court's dignity, and vent some frustration along the way."

"It's a relief to see you not holding back this time," the Jade Emperor said with a smile. "You've done so much for Heavenly Court; it's time we returned the favor. Go on, tell me your plan. I'll make sure it's carried out."

"Let's make this as big as possible, as much as we can," Li Changshou said. "First, make them feel the weight of heavenly punishment looming over their heads—that will require your intervention, Your Majesty."

"Easy enough," the Jade Emperor's incarnation replied. "Just write up a memorial, and I'll read it aloud."

"Your Majesty, if we do it that way, people might say I'm manipulating the Heavenly Emperor. You should add your own flair..."

The Jade Emperor's incarnation said seriously, "Love Qing Changgeng, you've grown lazy!"

Li Changshou set down his skewer, bowed his head, and said softly, "Ah, yes, I'll get right on drafting it. Your Majesty, what's the upper limit for this escalation that you'd accept?"

"As long as it doesn't draw the Dao Ancestor to appear."

Li Changshou thought to himself: ...Is it really that I'm not ruthless enough?

He had just outlined a fierce retaliation plan, with the limit being no saintly involvement. But the Jade Emperor's first words set the bar at not disturbing the Dao Ancestor.

In the current realms, only one thing could summon the Dao Ancestor: a saintly war that would destroy Honghuang. It almost seemed like the Jade Emperor wanted to stir up some excitement and assert his presence.

After some consideration, Li Changshou suggested that the Jade Emperor take over the grill, then stepped aside to a small table and wrote up an informal memorial.

Investigating the sudden appearance of an immortal mountain on the East Sea coast, which might be Huaguo Mountain, wasn't urgent; it was just satisfying his curiosity. Although, as Taibai Jinxing, he might end up with some "love-hate entanglement" with that monkey.

But priorities mattered. The most important thing now was to uncover who was behind the scheme against him and Yunxiao.

False emotions were like Bian Zhuang's type: always talking about love and beauty, declaring he'd find his destined goddess, yet falling for anyone who caught his eye.

True emotions, however, meant that if anyone used them as a threat, they shouldn't blame him for abandoning all limits.

And so, half a day later.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

In Lingxiao Hall, the immortals of Heavenly Court gathered, all ranked gods summoned to witness the usually calm Jade Emperor suddenly kick over the table in front of him.

Below the platform, Bian Zhuang knelt in "prison garb," his face streaked with tears.

Beside him, that Chang E lay barely breathing, her body unmarked but clearly afflicted by some poison.

Of course, her life wasn't in danger. The poison was administered by Li Changshou as a punishment, and the antidote would be given shortly to keep her silent for the rest.

The first step in escalating the matter: make it as vile as possible.

"Rebellion! This is outright rebellion!"

The Jade Emperor raged, his white robes fluttering as he paced back and forth behind the overturned jade table.

"First, the deputy commander of the Tianhe Navy was schemed against by someone who should have been pure and virtuous—a Moon Palace Chang E! And now!

In just half a day!

This Chang E has been in the Hall of Heavenly Punishment for only half a day, and someone tries to silence her!

An blatant attempt to cover up the truth!

This is in Heavenly Court!

In the Heavenly Court that the Heavenly Dao has established to govern the three realms!

Such audacity, such lawlessness! The masterminds must have devoured heavenly gall to dare this!

Who will tell me what use Heavenly Court has left?

Who will tell me what use the Heavenly Emperor has!

Dongmu Gong!"

"This old minister is here!"

Dongmu Gong shouted, stepping forward quickly and kneeling before the platform.

"Investigate! I want a full investigation!

From today, Heavenly Court suspends all non-essential affairs. No immortals or gods are to take shifts—we're conducting a self-audit!

If we don't find the problems, I'll make sure we create some!"

Dongmu Gong bowed his head and called out, "This old minister obeys!"

The foremost ranks of Heavenly Court's righteous gods all lowered their heads in salute, many with expressions of anger, and chorused, "We ministers obey!"

The Jade Emperor's face softened slightly as he said coldly, "Surround Bian Zhuang's residence with heavy guards, and send this fairy to Yaochi for safekeeping, with Longji personally overseeing it. No one is to approach!

Where is Love Qing Changgeng?"

"Taibai Star Lord has already led troops to that Chang E's home to rescue the hostages," Dongmu Gong answered hastily.

The Jade Emperor nodded slowly and scolded, "Coercing a Chang E, plotting against a heavenly general, threatening my most trusted minister of Heavenly Court!

No matter who the mastermind is, I won't spare them this time!

Issue the order to Yaochi!

Send someone to Sanxian Island with treasures to apologize on behalf of Changgeng Love Qing and Heavenly Court to Yunxiao Xianzi!

We were in the wrong on this matter.

Yunxiao Xianzi is such a gentle and virtuous fairy, and Changgeng has endured years of longing just to see her once while upholding fairness in the great calamity. In return, he's met with such suspicion!

Today, I'll make it clear to all you ministers: the Fengshen calamity still has one final slaughter to come, and all the great disciples of the sects know it!

But I already gave Changgeng Love Qing a decree exempting Yunxiao from the calamity, as Heavenly Court's reward to him—he's the primary architect of our current state!

Changgeng Love Qing doesn't need to let personal feelings affect the calamity's course.

Those who lurk in the shadows, firing hidden arrows, are unworthy to be gods of Heavenly Court! Unworthy to remain in the realms!

Hmph!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, the Jade Emperor turned and vanished from the platform, leaving the assembly of Heavenly Court immortals exchanging uneasy or indignant glances.

Dongmu Gong stood up, his face stern, and said, "What are you all standing around for?

On-duty immortals, return to your posts and maintain order in the realms!

The rest, assemble in the hall and begin searching every corner of Heavenly Court!"

The drama of "The Jade Emperor's Fury in Lingxiao Hall" came to a close, with Li Changshou pulling strings from behind, igniting a fierce blaze of public opinion across Honghuang.

Heavenly Court's anger spread far and wide in the shortest time, reaching the ears of countless cultivators.

It was just that the Jade Emperor had added quite a few improvisations.

Though, upon reflection, it all worked in his favor, even if the Jade Emperor hadn't given a heads-up.

Oh well, in this production, the lead actor called the shots, and even the director had to bow and scrape.

Back in Taibai Palace, Li Changshou's true body emerged from Xiaoqiong Peak, with paper effigies bustling around and jade talismans flying in every direction.

On Kunlun Mountain, Du E Zhenren—wait, no, let's start over.

On Kunlun Mountain, Du E Zhenren arrived with Zheng Lun for another feast, but this time with a somber expression, actively probing and casually sharing the information he'd "inadvertently" learned.

In various towns across Zhongshen Continent, Heavenly Court's secretly trained "information disseminators" began circulating through teahouses and discussion halls.

In the Three Thousand Worlds under Xianmeng's control, every major world saw the addition of a few immortals and gods, openly discussing the recent events.

A heavenly general was schemed against, a Chang E's family held hostage.

Poison was used in an attempt to silence, sparking the Jade Emperor's rage in Lingxiao Hall.

By now, the matter had spiraled beyond the control of the original schemers.

After all, the Heavenly Court of today was no longer what it once was—its deterrent power rivaled that of the Six Saints, and its influence surpassed it.

Li Changshou's paper effigy led a troop of soldiers, "hurriedly" heading to that Chang E's home, making a grand display while maximizing speed to emphasize Heavenly Court's care for its immortals.

Most Chang E fairies were selected from the Three Thousand Worlds, serving as the face of Heavenly Court.

This particular Chang E's family was quite far from Honghuang, so it would take the heavenly soldiers at least two months to fly there.

Yet, en route, the journey only took half a month.

By the time they arrived, the news had already spread like wildfire across Honghuang, and a dire report came from Xianmeng.

That Chang E's younger sister and her entire family, along with all of the Chang E's relatives, had been secretly eliminated by the schemers.

Xianmeng had searched every possible hiding spot in that major world and finally uncovered clues leading to a valley.

But when their experts arrived, the bodies had already been reduced to ashes, with faint spiritual fluctuations lingering in the air.

If not for the stray remnants of souls that couldn't move on, it would have been impossible to confirm the killings.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly. Jin Peng had been too late.

According to his earlier plan, he had secretly informed Jin Peng of the major world's location. With Jin Peng's incredible speed, there was a good chance of rescue if the enemy hadn't acted too quickly.

Alas, even Jin Peng's swiftness couldn't save them.

His instructions to Jin Peng—to destroy the bodies if rescue failed—was partly to amplify the enemy's crimes and draw more attention to the incident.

Li Changshou had already mapped out the subsequent schemes.

Now, his paper effigy continued leading the soldiers to that major world, while the news spread back to the Five Parts Continent.

In Lingxiao Hall, the Jade Emperor erupted in anger once more, fueling the rage throughout Heavenly Court.

This fury could erupt like a volcano or surge like a flood, overwhelming any faction.

The incident was now fully characterized: a grave provocation against Heavenly Court, a blatant disregard for the Heavenly Dao, and a rejection of the new order in Honghuang.

And typically, such beings or forces met with dire ends.

In Taibai Palace, Li Changshou fell into deep thought.

The direct leads had gone cold, but Heavenly Court's anger was ablaze, forcing the schemers to hide even deeper.

For direct clues, it all depended on what good news Jin Peng could bring back.

For indirect ones, he could visit the Tower of Reincarnation later, though Dizang had sealed it. As long as Li Changshou went in person, he could force his way in using the Heavenly Dao's authority.

But that wasn't enough.

A glint flashed in Li Changshou's eyes, and his sleeve billowed as if unfurling a vast net.

Sending Yaochi fairies to Sanxian Island with gifts was his arrangement, and the developments had gone smoothly, drawing Jie Jiao's attention.

He had no desire to plot against Jie Jiao, but the matter had already entangled them, making it impossible for them to stay out of it.

If it was indeed some fool from Jie Jiao, the scenario of "selling named disciples to drag down Jie Jiao" might repeat itself.

If someone was using this to scheme against Jie Jiao and disrupt his good relations with them, Jie Jiao would suffer even more, leaving them isolated in the Fengshen calamity.

The Jade Emperor's public mention of the "final slaughter" in Lingxiao Hall had created pressure on Jie Jiao.

The Yaochi fairies' visit to Sanxian Island to apologize on Heavenly Court's behalf had piqued the interest of Jie Jiao immortals.

Li Changshou sent a jade talisman to Luofu Cave, where Zhao Gongming appropriately expressed his outrage...

Soon, Jie Jiao immortals were filled with righteous indignation, initiating internal investigations. Their leading disciples moved through various dojos, quietly probing anyone with suspicious behavior.

To avoid taking the blame, they had to uncover the real culprits, no matter what.

This was the second major force Li Changshou could mobilize.

Heavenly Court and Jie Jiao, backed by the Dao Ancestor's might and Tongtian Jiaozhu's sword...

Still not enough.

Timing it perfectly, Li Changshou left Taibai Palace and went to Lingxiao Hall to meet the Jade Emperor, joining the immortals in discussing the current dilemma.

With no leads, they couldn't just fabricate any; the assembly was mired in frustration.

Li Changshou came prepared. After discussing for half a day with everyone, he sighed and said, "Your Majesty! This humble minister is incompetent and has brought shame upon you.

But this matter has drawn widespread attention across the three realms of Honghuang. If it's left unresolved, Heavenly Court's authority will be utterly lost.

I dare to request your approval for two actions!"

"Speak, Love Qing," the Jade Emperor said, his tone mild for the first time in a while.

Li Changshou declared firmly, "First, please have Your Majesty send someone to Huoyun Cave to seek assistance from the unparalleled diviner, the human sage Fuxi, to see if the Hetu and Luoshu can reveal any clues.

Second, I will go to the Ninefold Celestial Vault and Taijing Temple to inquire with my teacher about the mastermind!"

The Jade Emperor asked, "Why not ask Taiging Shige directly?"

Li Changshou replied, "First, I don't want to trouble my teacher over this; he prefers seclusion.

Second, it might make people think Ren Jiao is interfering too much in Heavenly Court's affairs. My teacher once said that Ren Jiao supports Heavenly Court for the sake of all beings, not for power.

So, to be prudent, I'll seek an answer through proper channels. But if it's not absolutely necessary—if our normal investigation yields nothing—then we won't rely on that."

The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile, and the immortals relaxed, their confidence soaring.

Li Changshou took his leave with a bow and rode the clouds to the Nine Heavens, returning after half a month.

Heavenly Court launched a full-scale search across Honghuang, employing every method and resource to track those who had killed that Chang E.

Under the pressure, clues began to surface sporadically.

As Li Changshou left Taijing Temple and steadied himself, Jin Peng hurried from the shadows and whispered, "Teacher, I've been waiting for you for over ten days."

Li Changshou grasped Jin Peng's arm and asked quietly, "What did you find?"

Jin Peng reported swiftly, "I arrived too late; that Chang E's family was killed. But I managed to save most of their souls and captured the several Tianxian who carried out the murders.

Following your instructions, I didn't use a transmission jade talisman to report and took it upon myself to pursue further.

They were rogue cultivators hired for spirit stones, and the trail twisted and turned, but I'm afraid I lost it."

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and said, "Go back, then fly to the incident site again at full speed. Make it as conspicuous as possible.

Spread the word that you rescued that Chang E's family's souls, apprehended the perpetrators, and through a secret investigation guided by the Heavenly Dao, uncovered leads to the mastermind.

Remember to emphasize the Heavenly Dao's guidance."

Jin Peng's eyes lit up. "Teacher, are you trying to flush out the enemy and see if the trail resumes?"

"No, I already have the answer," Li Changshou said with a slight curl of his lips. "I just want to make that schemer suffer, to let them taste true despair."