Chapter 611: The Jade Emperor's Heavenly Might Suppresses Kunlun

The Jade Emperor had come in person...

Could he not come? Of course not. Guang Chengzi had almost sealed off all paths, and at this critical juncture, if the little boss of the Heavenly Court didn't show up, would it have to escalate to alarming the big boss of the Heavenly Way?

Li Changshou curled his lips and silently grumbled a bit more. Then, he activated his Empty Bright Dao Heart, and a touch of coldness flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by a warm smile.

Life is like a play, all about acting.

Feeling the rushing wind against his face, pondering the overall situation of the day, Li Changshou sat on Bai Ze's back, keeping pace with the Nine Dragons Chariot, even appearing somewhat leisurely, without any sign of tension.

The Jade Emperor had no choice but to come.

Based on his calculations with Bai Ze, this was the only way to minimize the chance of Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao tearing each other apart.

His immortal sense detected that the immortals of Jie Jiao were heading toward Yu Xu Gong from the direction of Emei Mountain.

They hadn't strayed far earlier; Zhao Gongming had a paper effigy of Li Changshou in his sleeve.

As the Jade Emperor hurried to Yu Xu Gong, they continued on to serve as witnesses, hoping to get some sense of involvement.

If things really escalated to another dispute among the three teachings today, there needed to be Jie Jiao immortals present; otherwise, Jie Jiao would be at a severe disadvantage later.

Originally, Li Changshou had wanted to use delay tactics to find a way to resolve this crisis for the Daoist sects, but he never expected...

In less than half a day!

This Ju Liu Sun had caved in less than half a day!

Li Changshou was still discussing the follow-up with Bai Ze and had just found some ideas when he was about to head to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall!

This Ju Liu Sun, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Jiao, had only been questioned for a while in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall by Mu Gong and a few golden immortals. The Jade Emperor hadn't even applied the slightest pressure...

And Ju Liu Sun spilled everything.

Was Mu Gong and the others that scary?

If Ju Liu Sun hadn't been restrained and severely injured, he could have sent Mu Gong on his "predetermined path" in a single encounter!

It was just...

Absurd!

Totally absurd.

Ju Liu Sun confessed that he was only following orders, and those orders came from the deputy leader of Chan Jiao, Ran Deng Dao Ren.

But Ju Liu Sun was clever enough not to mention anything about major heavenly affairs, which would have left Chan Jiao with no way back.

He simply said:

The deputy leader was concerned that Tai Bai Jin Xing, the key figure in the great calamity, was getting too close to the Jie Jiao fairy Yun Xiao, fearing that during the great calamity, Chan Jiao would be targeted by Tai Bai Jin Xing at every turn.

So, the deputy leader told him this scheme: find some rogue cultivators to secretly coerce Chang E of the Moon Palace and set a trap to target Tai Bai Jin Xing's confidant, the deputy commander of the Tianhe Water Army, Bian Zhuang.

Once Bian Zhuang was involved, and the blame pointed to Jie Jiao, it would surely create a rift between Tai Bai Jin Xing and Yun Xiao...

He sold out Ran Deng completely.

Li Changshou couldn't help but smile bitterly inside.

Although this story, once spread, would hurt Yun Xiao's sensitive and gentle Dao heart, making her feel she was the cause of the trouble,

Overall, it was better than Ju Liu Sun saying something like "the Chan Jiao deputy leader just wants the three teachings to start fighting right away."

That would be a real bombshell.

If Li Changshou didn't know that this Ju Liu Sun would become the future Ju Liu Sun Buddha and follow the same path as Ran Deng Dao Ren in the original sequence of events...

He would have every reason to believe that Ju Liu Sun was deliberately sent by Guang Chengzi to take down Ran Deng!

The more Li Changshou thought about Ju Liu Sun's quick confession and lack of backbone, the more annoyed he got, almost unable to steady his Empty Bright Dao Heart.

If Ju Liu Sun had just held out for half a day, he and Bai Ze would have already come up with a plan, maybe even lightening this guy's punishment!

But no, he just gave it all away!

Oh well, there's no use dwelling on it now.

There might be all sorts of schemes at play here, but he just needed to achieve his own goals.

The waters of Chan Jiao were murkier than he had imagined before.

Li Changshou pondered this inwardly as the shadow of Kunlun Mountain came into view ahead.

That Kunlun Mountain was like the spine of the ancestral dragon from ancient times, rising abruptly from gentle terrain, sprawling and winding across the earth, dense with spiritual veins and abundant spiritual energy, with shadows of the Great Dao visible everywhere.

Before long, the Nine Dragons Chariot arrived in front of Yu Xu Gong but did not enter its boundaries directly.

From Yu Xu Gong, looking outward, one could see rolling black clouds and roaring celestial dragons, making many immortals change their expressions.

Hundreds of thousands of troops stood on the black clouds, arranged in three layers above and below, nine formations on each side, with the power of the Heavenly Way concentrated to an extreme!

The immortal lights around faded, and the nine celestial dragons lay prostrate on the cloud mountains. The Jade Emperor, dressed in white and maintaining a youthful appearance, slowly rose from the chariot.

With just his hands clasped behind his back, an indescribable aura of majesty emanated from him.

Golden clouds blossomed around the Jade Emperor, entwined with multicolored rays of light. His figure seemed to hover directly above Yu Xu Gong, yet he maintained a three-li distance.

At that moment, figures flew out from Yu Xu Gong, most with puzzled expressions, while a few looked quite stern.

Guang Chengzi led five or six of the Twelve Golden Immortals who hadn't yet returned to their caves and bowed in unison in the clouds.

Guang Chengzi spoke loudly:

"Disciples of Yu Xu Gong, paying respects to Uncle Hao Tian!

Your arrival is truly a rare honor; please enter the hall to rest."

A rare honor?

The Jade Emperor's face showed displeasure, and he snorted coldly from the chariot, making the Chan Jiao immortals feel uneasy.

The Jade Emperor said: "No need for the hall. I come today only to apprehend a criminal of the Heavenly Court. Where is Ran Deng Dao Ren?"

Guang Chengzi maintained a faint smile and replied:

"Uncle, Ran Deng Dao Ren is the deputy leader of our Chan Jiao and was personally appointed by our teacher in ancient times. He doesn't usually handle sect affairs.

Uncle says he is a criminal of the Heavenly Court—may I ask what crime he has committed?"

Standing beside the chariot, Li Changshou, who had been holding back, watched this and fell into thought.

Indeed, no matter how much they fought in daily life, at a time like this, Guang Chengzi had to stand up for Ran Deng.

But was it really that straightforward?

Li Changshou quietly observed the scene, sitting on Bai Ze's back without stepping forward or speaking.

The script had been written for the Jade Emperor, with no lines for him, just some "guidelines."

This show of force at Kunlun Mountain was by the Jade Emperor and had no direct relation to the three teachings.

At that moment, the Jade Emperor was quite imposing.

Hearing Guang Chengzi's words, the Jade Emperor simply said indifferently: "Do I need to report this to you?"

"I dare not," Guang Chengzi said seriously. "I have no intention of interfering with Heavenly Court matters, but Ran Deng, the deputy leader, is our Chan Jiao's only deputy and was personally appointed by our teacher in ancient times...

Uncle, is this because Ju Liu Sun has been spouting nonsense?"

"Very well, since that's the case!"

The Jade Emperor flicked his sleeve and tossed a memory orb onto the cloud path in front of Guang Chengzi.

"Then all of you come and see!

This is your Chan Jiao's deputy leader."

Guang Chengzi frowned deeply, reached out to take the memory orb into his palm, and without waiting for an invitation, dozens of immortals crowded around.

The initially hesitant Guang Chengzi had no choice but to activate the memory orb, projecting the images within. The Chan Jiao immortals watched, their expressions a mix of surprise and complexity.

The memory orb recorded the recent interrogation of Ju Liu Sun.

That plump, unremarkable old Daoist sat on a cushion, not kneeling or being hung up. Around him, six jade pillars from the Lingxiao Hall emitted light, fully suppressing his primordial spirit and body.

Directly in front of Ju Liu Sun stood several figures with benevolent appearances.

Mu Gong asked: "Ju Liu Sun Dao Friend, still not willing to speak? This standoff isn't helping anyone."

The tone was quite polite.

Various details showed that Ju Liu Sun hadn't faced much trouble in the Heavenly Court. Though the surrounding heavenly soldiers and generals looked fierce, Ju Liu Sun's injuries were all from the earlier piercing locks.

Just as the Yu Xu Gong immortals wondered why the Jade Emperor had come in person for this, in the recording, Ju Liu Sun let out a long sigh...

"It was my Chan Jiao deputy leader who ordered me to do this."

The image cut off abruptly.

The Chan Jiao immortals first frowned, trying to analyze the implications, then, as if provoked, a storm of reactions erupted!

"Where is Deputy Leader Ran Deng? Where is he!"

"This Ju Liu Sun confessed so readily! He didn't even think... Ah, forget it!"

"What are we to do now? Ju Liu Sun was already in the wrong, and now he's dragged in Teacher Ran Deng... Could Teacher Ran Deng be taken to the Heavenly Court for questioning too?"

In the crowd, Tai Yi Zhen Ren and Yu Ding Zhen Ren exchanged glances; the former pursed his lips, the latter shook his head, but neither spoke, just standing there as part of the group.

Their Chan Jiao's weakness could be summed up in four words: too concerned with face.

Even though they usually badmouthed Ran Deng behind his back, pointing fingers and wishing they could extinguish that spiritual lantern in one breath, at this moment, they still had to step up and try to protect Chan Jiao's reputation.

Think about it—Ran Deng, that ancient great power, what wouldn't he do?

Scheming against a Heavenly Court junior was basic stuff; no need to make a big fuss.

"Cough! Cough cough!"

Li Changshou cleared his throat in front of the chariot, drawing all eyes to him.

He then bowed to the Jade Emperor and said warmly: "Today, His Majesty the Jade Emperor has come in person because he knows this matter is highly troublesome and extremely serious, which will have a certain impact on Chan Jiao overall.

Fellow senior brothers and sisters, His Majesty is here now, and Ju Liu Sun has confessed personally. Surely the Heavenly Court wouldn't deliberately frame Chan Jiao?

I, your junior brother, have always held Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao in the highest respect.

I admit, I do have old grudges with Ran Deng, but this is official business; I've not mixed in personal feelings.

And His Majesty the Jade Emperor has always treated the Daoist sects with great courtesy.

So, where is Deputy Leader Ran Deng?

Regardless of whether we're taking him today, with His Majesty here in person, why hasn't he come to pay his respects?"

The Chan Jiao immortals looked at one another, then wisely turned to Guang Chengzi.

Ci Hang Dao Ren asked softly: "Senior Brother, how should we handle this?"

Guang Chengzi furrowed his brows in thought, glancing at the memory orb in his hand, then up at Li Changshou, as if hesitating to speak.

This senior brother of Chan Jiao seemed truly troubled.

But in Li Changshou's mind, he had already framed a simple multiple-choice question for Guang Chengzi's next move.

If Guang Chengzi said something like "please allow me to consult our teacher," it would mean that reputation of his as "deeply scheming" was overstated.

If he said "Ran Deng Dao Ren is our Chan Jiao deputy leader," it would mean Guang Chengzi was using the situation to plot against Ran Deng.

And if he said "does the Heavenly Court base its judgment solely on Ju Liu Sun's words, concluding that our deputy leader is involved?" then it would mean...

Guang Chengzi was operating on a level even higher than Li Changshou had anticipated.

Huang Long Zhen Ren reminded from the side: "Senior Brother, say something."

Guang Chengzi sighed, bowed to the Jade Emperor, his eyes full of helplessness and a hint of desolation, as if he'd made a difficult decision. He stepped forward and said slowly:

"Uncle, Long Geng.

I know this matter has angered the Heavenly Court greatly, but Ran Deng is our Chan Jiao's deputy leader. If we don't protect him, Chan Jiao will be branded as ungrateful and unable to stand in the world.

I ask for your understanding, Uncle, and for you not to blame me, Long Geng.

May I ask!"

Guang Chengzi's voice rose, filled with a righteous air: "Does the Heavenly Court intend to convict our Chan Jiao deputy leader based solely on Ju Liu Sun's words?

This is far too dismissive of our Chan Jiao!"

"Guang Chengzi," the Jade Emperor's eyes flashed with sword-like light, "are you saying that even with me here in person, I still can't take your Chan Jiao deputy leader for questioning?"

Guang Chengzi unclenched his fist, took a light breath, and stared straight at the Jade Emperor's chariot.

"This matter requires the Heavenly Court to investigate thoroughly and present irrefutable evidence!"

"Excellent! Bold indeed!"

The Jade Emperor suddenly soared into the sky, standing high above, summoning countless purple heavenly thunderbolts. His white robe trembled slightly, quickly turning gold from the hem upward.

In an instant, the Jade Emperor was clad in the grand golden robe of the Heavenly Emperor, topped with a golden crown, surrounded by shadows of ancestral dragons.

In a flash!

Thunder and lightning filled the air for thousands of miles, the aura of a supreme emperor pervaded the heavens and earth, the Heavenly Way manifested countless fierce beast shadows, and the silver armor of the heavenly troops turned gold!

The Jade Emperor glanced down obliquely at Guang Chengzi but said no more to him, instead gazing directly at the San You Courtyard.

He spoke slowly, his voice echoing through the heavens and earth, divine light flickering around him.

No spells or divine powers were added; at that moment, the Jade Emperor's figure seemed so majestic, standing between heaven and earth, with the world itself obeying his command!

"Brother Yuan Shi, I came in person because I didn't want to put Chan Jiao in a difficult position.

I've given face to you as my brother.

But where is the dignity of my Heavenly Court?"

"Ah..."

A soft sigh came from the San You Courtyard, and mist rose, revealing a middle-aged Daoist standing with hands behind his back.

Yuan Shi Tianzun!

All Chan Jiao cultivators turned and knelt toward the saint's shadow, with Guang Chengzi and the other senior disciples following suit.

Li Changshou hesitated slightly but bowed with a Dao salute; as a divine official, he couldn't kneel lightly.

The heavenly troops, facing the saint's might, instinctively wanted to kneel, but the golden light upon them seemed to say they shouldn't, couldn't—they represented the Heavenly Court, the dignity of the Heavenly Way.

Zhao Gongming and the others were out of luck.

They had rushed full speed from Emei Mountain and hadn't even gotten a word in before witnessing the Jade Emperor's display and the saint's appearance. Following Jie Jiao's customs, they had to kneel obediently on the clouds and pay respects to their uncle-master.

No helping it—who made Tong Tian Jiao Zhu the youngest, having to listen to his elder brothers? At least, generally speaking.

Yuan Shi Tianzun's gaze swept around, and he gave Li Chang Geng a mildly warm smile, then looked far at the Jade Emperor and sighed:

"Brother, you've gone to such trouble. I was also pondering this matter and didn't meet you in time.

This involves my Chan Jiao's deputy leader and my misguided disciple; I find it hard to bear.

But the rise of the Heavenly Court is essential for the Heavenly Way's operation and the continuation of all beings. I won't add any obstacles to its prosperity.

Ran Deng."

From the San You Courtyard, a gaunt old Daoist flew out on clouds, bowed to Yuan Shi Tianzun, said nothing, and turned to fly toward the Nine Dragons Chariot.

Li Changshou signaled, and several golden immortal heavenly generals stepped forward, invoking the Heavenly Way's power. As Ran Deng approached, they surrounded him.

They didn't use any force; Ran Deng sealed his own primordial spirit and sat quietly, fully cooperative.

If he didn't cooperate, that would be defying the saint's decree.

The Jade Emperor's expression eased slightly as the golden light retracted into his body, and the ancestral dragon shadows vanished, restoring him to his white-robed form.

This nominal supreme of the Three Realms smiled faintly and said: "The matter of the heavenly generals has disturbed your cultivation, Brother. This is also due to the Heavenly Court's oversight in management.

Long Geng, my dear minister?"

Li Changshou immediately stepped forward and replied: "This humble official is here."

The Jade Emperor said: "In handling Ran Deng and Ju Liu Sun later, you must be impartial and reasonable. Also, consider Chan Jiao's contributions to stabilizing the world and give face to Brother Yuan Shi.

Give an account to the Heavenly Court above all, but ensure Chan Jiao isn't criticized."

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh, his face showing some difficulty, but he still bowed and accepted the order.

The script he'd written would have to do.

"This humble official obeys."

The Jade Emperor nodded slowly, bowed to Yuan Shi Tianzun, and turned to enter the Nine Dragons Chariot.

Yuan Shi Tianzun nodded with a smile, his figure dissipating with the wind, leaving only traces of profound Dao rhymes lingering in the air.

At that point, Li Changshou looked toward Guang Chengzi, and just then, Guang Chengzi looked back at him.

In that instant, their eyes met, like old friends sharing a tacit understanding.

By now, Li Changshou was completely certain that when he captured Ju Liu Sun, Guang Chengzi had deliberately sealed off all paths and brought up the Daoist non-aggression pact.

His goal was to destroy the pact, create leverage against the Heavenly Court and Jie Jiao, allowing Chan Jiao and Western Teachings to ally openly.

When Li Changshou had considered various issues earlier, he had overlooked one thing: Chan Jiao's demands.

Chan Jiao was under immense pressure; they couldn't match Jie Jiao in strength, and as the key figure in the calamity, he had formed a Dao companion bond with Jie Jiao's senior disciple and made many friends in Jie Jiao.

But on his way back to the Heavenly Court, Li Changshou had figured this out. When discussing the matter in Tai Bai Palace with Quan Tong and Bai Ze, he had paced back and forth, showing his own impatience on purpose.

That was just to put on a show for the Heavenly Way, sending some misleading information—hopefully making the Dao Ancestor think his "later stability" plan wasn't up to much.

The key to breaking the situation today, Li Changshou had realized early on, was the Jade Emperor.

During Mu Gong's interrogation of Ju Liu Sun, he had only subtly guided Bai Ze to suggest this idea.

The Jade Emperor's personal arrival bypassed Guang Chengzi, preventing him from using the non-aggression pact, and directly negotiated with the saint, foiling Guang Chengzi's scheme.

Life is like a play, all about acting.

Still, Li Changshou had one lingering doubt he couldn't resolve.

Was this Ran Deng's scheme first, with Guang Chengzi discovering it and going along for the ride?

Or was it Guang Chengzi instructing Ran Deng, or even directly Ju Liu Sun?

If the latter, this senior brother of Chan Jiao was truly a master of hidden depths...

The two gazed at each other for a moment, and Guang Chengzi sighed lightly, a helpless smile at his lips.

Li Changshou bowed with a Dao salute and turned to leave.

Buzz—

Li Changshou's mind trembled, and he instinctively closed his eyes. In his spiritual platform, the Tai Qing Dao rhymes manifested, revealing a scene.

A scene from before he left Tai Qing Temple, when he had asked his teacher for help in divination.

In the pavilion behind Yu Xu Gong, Guang Chengzi held a jade scissors, trimming the branches in front of him, but his eyes showed deep thought.

After a while, a faint shadow condensed behind him—it was a somewhat stout old Daoist.

Ju Liu Sun.

"The Tianhe Water Army's deputy commander, Bian Zhuang, is Long Geng's confidant. He's got a bad reputation, so we can make something of it."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Just then, the voices of Huang Long Zhen Ren and Guang Chengzi's conversation drifted from behind.

Huang Long asked: "Senior Brother, what should we do? This deputy leader is truly... The Jade Emperor coming in person was unexpected."

"Don't speak recklessly."

Guang Chengzi frowned slightly and whispered: "Deputy Leader Ran Deng was also led astray by the calamity's fate. All you junior brothers and sisters, go back to the hall and discuss how to rescue Deputy Leader Ran Deng and Junior Brother Ju Liu Sun.

I will go pay respects to our teacher."

The Chan Jiao disciples and students responded softly, looking at Guang Chengzi with respect.

Li Changshou: ...

Indeed, none of the three teachings' senior brothers were simple. This double-agent play was masterful.

But why did it still leave him feeling unsatisfied?

Li Changshou turned back to glance at Guang Chengzi, pretending to suddenly realize something. He looked at the Nine Dragons Chariot about to soar into the sky and hurriedly called out:

"Your Majesty! This humble official has a sudden idea!

Could we invite three saint disciples from both Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao to observe the trial in the Heavenly Court, ensuring the proceedings are open, transparent, and completely impartial?"

"Approved!"

The Jade Emperor's light laughter came from the chariot. "You handle it, my dear minister. Just say if you need me to step in."

Teasing saints—that was quite interesting too.