Chapter 612: Lingxiao Opens the Hall, Rightfully Trials Ran Deng

On the way back to the Heavenly Court, Li Changshou thought over everything carefully.

He remained dissatisfied with Guangchengzi. This entire incident was completely orchestrated by Guangchengzi, with at least six or seven layers of nested intentions. If we were to break down Guangchengzi's goals into three stages, the highest goal was to naturally undermine the Daoist pact of non-aggression, thereby giving Chan Jiao a certain degree of initiative in this great calamity. The middle goal was likely to alert the Heavenly Court and Jie Jiao, using this matter as a trigger to deliver an appropriate counterattack when Taibai Jinxing made an unfair judgment against Chan Jiao. The most superficial goal was to use the Heavenly Court to target Ran Deng's faction, curbing Ran Deng's activity in the upcoming Feng Shen calamity and preventing him from interfering with Guangchengzi's own schemes.

As the senior brother of Chan Jiao, Guangchengzi was indeed an ancient master of intrigue. This was probably also the attitude of Yuan Shi Tianzun. Li Changshou had now figured out why this second uncle-master trusted Guangchengzi so much—it was simply because he was useful. However, Li Changshou had no intention of letting Guangchengzi off easily. The best approach would be to break through Jueliusun's psychological defenses and make the whole matter completely transparent, putting Guangchengzi in an extremely awkward position. Of course, the senior brothers of the three teachings were unlikely to die; even in the original Feng Shen calamity, figures like their own senior brother the Grand Mage, Duobao Daoist, and Guangchengzi had emerged unscathed. Holding the position of senior brother meant having the full support of a sage behind them, making them untouchable.

Naturally, with fewer disciples in Ren Jiao, the teacher's affection was more abundant. The impact of Guangchengzi's actions on Li Changshou was mainly on a personal emotional level. This would become a thorn between him and Yunxiao, so he would need to find a way to comfort her later. If he were to retaliate in kind, he would have to arrange a dao companion for Guangchengzi first, which was utterly unrealistic. Chan Jiao's atmosphere was quite strict, entirely different from Ren Jiao's.

So, Li Changshou chose another path for revenge: inviting three senior disciples each from Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao to the Heavenly Court to observe the interrogation of Ran Deng and Jueliusun. This time, he genuinely intended to make things difficult for this Chan Jiao senior brother. Although the Heavenly Dao was watching, and he couldn't disrupt the rhythm of the Feng Shen events, he could try to demote Ran Deng's position further. More importantly, his key target was to seize Ran Deng's Qiankun Ruler, which was crucial for one of his major future plans. Not only that, the weakened Qiankun Ruler in Ran Deng's hands was also vital to Li Changshou's millennium plan, "The Disappearance of X." Relatively speaking, whether to kill Ran Deng wasn't important; what mattered was to trap him and keep him from causing trouble. On this point, Li Changshou and Guangchengzi were in agreement.

Li Changshou: ...

As they say, a shining coin of wisdom like an old silver can't become friends with its own kind; it can only be a mount or a subordinate. I still prefer dealing with straightforward immortals like Gongming Lao Ge and Huanglong Zhenren.

"Hmm?"

At the rear of the Heavenly Court troops, Zhao Gongming raised an eyebrow, feeling as if someone had just cursed him. Beside Zhao Gongming were Jinling Shengmu and Qiongxiao Xianzi, serving as Jie Jiao's "jury immortals." The Jie Jiao group was quite frustrated; they had thought selecting elite forces was for fighting on Kunlun Mountain and then facilitating escapes and rescues afterward. Unexpectedly, after two trips and kowtowing, all they witnessed was Taibai Jinxing swiftly capturing Jueliusun and the Jade Emperor successfully showing off his power, with no other role for them. Fortunately, they could still participate in dealing with Ran Deng, Jie Jiao's archenemy; helping to chop off an arm or a leg would be immensely satisfying!

One side was joyful, the other worried. Not far behind the three Jie Jiao experts on the clouds, Guangchengzi, Yuding Zhenren, and Huanglong Zhenren stood quietly. Guangchengzi was frowning in thought, pondering the two sentences Li Changshou had said when inviting him to the Heavenly Court earlier. The first was: "Guangchengzi Shixiong is the senior brother of Chan Jiao, and today the Heavenly Court is interrogating Chan Jiao's deputy leader and a sage's direct disciple. If Guangchengzi Shixiong doesn't come, won't this lose some of its significance?"

The second was when Li Changshou turned and rode the clouds to join the Nine Dragons Chariot; after flying about ten zhang, he looked back and said: "Shixiong, aren't you curious about what my teacher said to me in the Taiqing Temple?"

This left Guangchengzi with no choice but to overthink. Could it be that Changgeng already knew the cause and effect? But with the heavenly secrets obscured and I by my teacher's side, even though Grand Master is the strongest sage, he couldn't break through the heavenly barriers back then and was forced to accept the Hongmeng Purple Qi, so he still can't transcend the Heavenly Dao's rules. How could he deduce so much? No, that's not right; Changgeng Shidi is quite clever, so he's probably just guessing and trying to bluff me.

Guangchengzi sighed inwardly. Having such a capable shidi in Ren Jiao who can stir up storms in the three realms—it's hard to say if that's good or bad for Chan Jiao. However, I have a clear conscience, as long as I remain loyal to my teacher and Chan Jiao.

"Senior Brother? Senior Brother?"

From Yuding Zhenren's sleeve, Taiyi Zhenren, now only a few inches tall and dressed in a light red flamboyant robe, was sending a voice transmission.

Guangchengzi frowned and looked over, asking, "Shidi, why did you come along too?"

Taiyi Zhenren chuckled and glanced at the large group of heavenly troops ahead, transmitting with a laugh: "Of course, to join in the fun and witness that certain deputy leader's eloquent defense in the Lingxiao Hall."

"Didn't Changgeng Shidi tell you not to get involved in this?"

Guangchengzi sighed. "If your mouth spouts something and things get out of hand..."

"Come on, come on," Taiyi Zhenren said with a smirk, "No one really thinks I can't control my mouth, right?"

"Don't worry, Senior Brother," Yuding Zhenren said with a smile, taking out a treasure.

The treasure was shaped like a collar, made from the sinew of a Beihai evil dragon, with a core bead strung on the sinew that could be adjusted freely—it was about the size of a dragon's eye. This treasure had no grand name; it could be called a "silence" artifact, its Dao rhythm specifically countering Taiyi Zhenren's cultivation, able to instantly cover his mouth and cut off his divine abilities. A fine product from Doushuai Palace, personally given by Taibai. The artifact would be overseen throughout by the Heavenly Court Sanxian Lingzhuzi.

At the sight of this treasure, Taiyi Zhenren's forehead was covered in black lines, while Guangchengzi and Huanglong Zhenren both breathed a sigh of relief.

Guangchengzi looked around and transmitted: "Since you want to go, stand out openly and don't act so sneakily. Chan Jiao's reputation is already damaged today; don't give people more reason to laugh at us."

"Alright," Taiyi Zhenren said, flying out and transforming back to his normal size, standing casually with hands behind his back.

Huanglong Zhenren laughed: "The Heavenly Court only has three spots; I could give mine to you, Shidi. I wouldn't know what to say if I went—it would be awkward."

"Ah, just go," Taiyi Zhenren said with a smile. "Changgeng really can't drive us away, can he?"

Guangchengzi nodded with a smile, his eyes showing a hint of satisfaction.

Yuding Zhenren seemed about to speak but held back; Taiyi Zhenren tugged at his robe sleeve, so he just sighed lightly and said no more.

Ahead on the clouds, the three Jie Jiao immortals fell into thought.

Jinling Shengmu transmitted: "How did they end up with an extra person? Isn't that cheating?"

"Ah," Zhao Gongming said warmly, "Don't get hung up on these minor details. The ones who came are all people we know well. Aside from Taiyi, who talks sharply, Yuding and Huanglong Shixiong are both quite good."

Jinling Shengmu frowned: "What if an argument breaks out later? If it comes to a fight, I could handle all four of them, but in the Heavenly Court, we can't start anything, and we can't ask Changgeng to openly favor us. How can our three mouths outargue their four?"

Zhao Gongming pondered for a moment: "Well..."

Suddenly, a fluctuation of immortal energy came from the side. Jinling Shengmu and Zhao Gongming turned to see Qiongxiao, in a light yellow dress, crushing a jade talisman in her hand and saying to the fading immortal energy:

"Sister! Come to the Heavenly Court quickly! I just heard that someone is going to ambush your husband in the Lingxiao Hall!"

With that, Qiongxiao clapped her hands and raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Done."

The hidden married couple nearby twitched their lips in unison.

Jinling Shengmu asked with a mix of laughter and tears: "An ambush in the Lingxiao Hall? On a Heavenly Court official who's among the top ten in the Heavenly Dao sequence, including sages?"

Zhao Gongming added: "You could at least come up with a better excuse—who would believe that? Ever since Er Mei gained sentience, she's been as clever as ice; even when I was just a gust of wind pushing you three little clouds through the sky, she was already comprehending the fundamental Dao of heaven and earth. Who would fall for your trick?"

Qiongxiao rolled her eyes: "If I told you that Jinling Shijie is being surrounded and Western Cult has mobilized three hundred experts to kill her, what would your reaction be?"

Zhao Gongming replied without hesitation: "What else? I'd shout for the teacher to save us and charge in with my Dinghai Divine Pearls!"

"See? It's the same thing, isn't it?"

Zhao Gongming suddenly looked enlightened, while Jinling Shengmu blushed, glancing aside with a faint smile on her lips, not daring to say another word.

Qiongxiao's eyes twinkled as she spotted a small weakness.

With the Jade Emperor confronting the sages and heavenly might suppressing Yuxu Palace, forcing Chan Jiao to hand over the mastermind behind it all, the deputy leader Ran Deng, this was enough to calm the anger of the Heavenly Court and Jie Jiao immortals. After all, Ran Deng's seniority and experience were undeniable, and with sages already intervening, the Jade Emperor had asserted the Heavenly Court's authority.

By now, the countless beings observing this major heavenly event mostly understood that all that remained was a transparent trial to assign guilt to Ran Deng and Jueliusun, and the matter would be settled. The Heavenly Court had lost a relative of a Chang'e immortal but gained prestige by overshadowing the great sage sects. This was already a significant stepping stone in the Heavenly Court's development.

However, when the seven immortals from Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao were about to enter the heavenly gates, Li Changshou stepped forward and stopped them. The Nine Dragons Chariot had returned to the Heavenly Court, and the various heavenly troops were quickly and orderly returning to their camps. Several heavenly generals were concealing the three divine swords and allowing the seven immortals to pass.

Seizing this opportunity, Li Changshou's Taibai Jinxing paper effigy rode the clouds back, his expression serious as he asked the seven to discuss the upcoming matters. He paid no mind to the minor issue of Chan Jiao bringing an extra person.

Li Changshou activated a layer of immortal energy barrier and asked directly: "Guangchengzi Shixiong, does Chan Jiao want to protect Jueliusun Shixiong or Ran Deng, the deputy leader? After the interrogation, there will be a primary and secondary offender, with differing levels of punishment."

Guangchengzi pondered for a moment, caught off guard by Li Changshou's straightforwardness. He said: "We should let the Heavenly Court handle this fairly and consider Chan Jiao's reputation. Jueliusun Shidi is the teacher's direct disciple and favored by him; he was driven by Ran Deng the deputy leader, so there were unavoidable circumstances. If I were to choose based on personal feelings, I'd want Jueliusun Shidi to receive a lighter punishment. But Ran Deng the deputy leader is Chan Jiao's deputy and the only ancient great power of the same generation as our teacher; today, he even flew out from the teacher's courtyard, as if summoned for a reprimand. As for this situation... alas... I'm really not sure."

Li Changshou: ...

Indeed, talking with him was quite exhausting; it was like saying nothing while implying he wanted to protect both.

If, in his previous life on Blue Star, a certain top soccer team had half of Guangchengzi's "playing" skills, Li Changshou might have had one less regret before dying.

Taiyi Zhenren laughed: "Senior Brother, when did you become so considerate?"

Guangchengzi glared at Taiyi, who silently raised his hand to his mouth and placed a seal that could be broken at any time.

Li Changshou turned and asked Zhao Gongming: "Does Jie Jiao have any opinions?"

"Screw Ran Deng!" Jinling Shengmu scolded. "That Ran Deng is no good; Jueliusun is alright, but Ran Deng is the mastermind and should bear the main guilt!"

Li Changshou nodded slowly, giving Jinling Shengmu a thumbs-up. He glanced at Guangchengzi and said: "Since the opinions of the shixiong and shijie have been expressed, and Guangchengzi Shixiong is fine with either, while Jinling Shijie wants to focus on Ran Deng's guilt, then as your shidi, I'll proceed accordingly."

With that, Li Changshou cupped his hands and, without giving Guangchengzi a chance to respond, dispersed the barrier around them and floated away with a smile.

Jinling Shengmu laughed: "Changgeng is so thorough; he even asked us in advance."

Huanglong Zhenren also praised: "Indeed, working with Changgeng means you don't have to worry about anything—he arranges everything perfectly, ha ha ha."

Taiyi Zhenren's mouth twitched a few times as he stepped away from Huanglong Zhenren and Jinling Shengmu.

Soon after, Ao Yi and Lingzhuzi hurried over, escorting the seven Daoist disciples through the heavenly gates, with heavenly generals and troops flanking them.

Upon returning to the Heavenly Court, the seven immortals could clearly sense that it had changed significantly from hundreds of years ago. First, there were more beings present. The once vast sea of clouds now had mountains and pavilions visible everywhere. This was due to Li Changshou's requirements: the seven lower heavens of the Heavenly Court had been developed in zones, with accommodations built according to the ranks of immortals and gods—ranging from communal residences to single rooms, standalone pavilions, courtyard houses, and small palaces with arrays.

Of course, these weren't paid for with spirit stones; they were rewards based on divine ranks, part of the Heavenly Court's new star incentive plan. Second, the Heavenly Dao power in the Heavenly Court was several times denser than before. As experts without karmic obstacles and figures of note in the world, the seven still felt a clear repelling force from the Heavenly Dao, as if it were pushing them away.

Lingzhuzi followed beside Taiyi Zhenren, who patted his head and adjusted his Dao crown, fussing over him with care. At this moment, the great master of yin and yang set aside his unwavering pursuit of the yin-yang Dao and enjoyed the pure master-disciple bond. Sending Lingzhuzi to the Heavenly Court for training had shaped him into a handsome, strong-willed young man... This was why Taiyi Zhenren no longer held a grudge about being tricked by Li Changshou into provoking the seven emotions that time.

As the seven immortals flew along, drums suddenly boomed ahead, and streams of light appeared across the Heavenly Court as thousands of immortals and gods rushed toward the Lingxiao Hall, creating a spectacular scene.

"Let's fly faster," Zhao Gongming said with a smile, gesturing invitingly as he waved his sleeve, a wisp of Dao rhythm carrying the heavenly soldiers escorting them swiftly toward the Lingxiao Hall.

When they arrived, they witnessed the efficiency of the Heavenly Court firsthand. In just half a shichen, rows of heavenly soldiers had set up a large assembly area in front of the Lingxiao Hall. The civil and military officials stood silently on either side, while His Majesty the Jade Emperor took his seat on the throne at the hall's entrance, with a place reserved beside him for the Queen Mother.

On the steps in front of the hall, each heavenly official had a jade armchair; three long tables were arranged slightly apart, covered with golden cloth and equipped with golden taishi chairs. The light from the sun star scattered down, with faint traces of stars revealing a soft glow. Banners fluttered, and tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers formed ranks on both sides, their formations resembling dragons and tigers. Drums thundered as two lines of standing drums were neatly arrayed like spreading wings, with dozens of heavenly generals beating them deafeningly.

This grand scene naturally included the Heavenly Court's long-standing minister, Dongmu Gong. Dressed in a dark red robe with flowing gray-white hair, Dongmu Gong stepped to the rightmost of the three long tables and proclaimed:

"Please, esteemed Daoist disciples, come forward and take your seats!"

As soon as he spoke, seven heavenly generals carried armchairs over, arranging three on the left and four on the right at the lower ends of the three tables.

The immortals like Guangchengzi and Jinling Shengmu calmly stepped forward to sit, unfazed by the spectacle.

Dongmu Gong said seriously: "Upon Taibai Xingjun's proposal and His Majesty's approval, the seven immortals represent the Daoist sects to observe today's Heavenly Court interrogation of Chan Jiao's deputy leader Ran Deng and disciple Jueliusun. If any of you find anything improper, incorrect, or unsuitable in the trial of the 'Chang'e Framing a Heavenly General' case, please first signal and seek permission from the presiding judge before speaking."

The seven Chan Jiao immortals nodded in agreement.

Dongmu Gong then announced: "Please, the presiding judge, Taibai Xingjun!"

As his words fell, a beam of immortal light shone down from the side, and Li Changshou, rarely in his formal attire, first bowed to the Jade Emperor in the hall and then walked forward slowly.

Dressed in a white robe with gold embroidery, his silver-white hair tied in a Dao crown, and holding a gray duster from Doushuai Palace, Li Changshou's eyes gleamed like lightning, with a faint pressure rippling out with each step.

Not just the heavenly soldiers and officials, but even great powers like Zhao Gongming and Guangchengzi felt Li Changshou's Dao realm was not to be underestimated.

Li Changshou reached the long table, exchanged a Dao salute with Dongmu Gong, and they sat together. He then said: "Today's matter involves the Chang'e of the Moon Palace, and we owe much to Taiyin Xingjun's keen insight. As the assistant judge, with His Majesty's special permission, please welcome Taiyin Xingjun from the Guanghan Palace!"

Before Li Changshou finished speaking, a graceful figure appeared in front of the Lingxiao Hall, surrounded by the Dao rhythm of Qiankun. Before the immortals could clearly see her form, a thin mist dispersed, and she lightly swayed to the long table beside Li Changshou.

It was Heng'e of the Guanghan Palace. Unfortunately, Heng'e was hidden within a light white mist, not revealing her true appearance.

She bowed to the Jade Emperor and nodded to Li Changshou, then sat down silently.

Aloof as ever.

Li Changshou smiled, straightened his expression, and with a flash of divine light in his eyes, he picked up the gavel and slammed it down.

"Bring forth Jueliusun, Ran Deng, Bian Zhuang, and all relevant parties!"

From the side, footsteps sounded as Yang Jian and Jinpeng led teams of heavenly generals, escorting Jueliusun and Ran Deng forward.

Ran Deng's face was calm, while Jueliusun looked dejected.

A glint of killing intent flashed in Li Changshou's eyes, but he smiled and said:

"Someone, bring a seat for the Immortal Alliance leader."