Chapter 666
Director of the Zhang Family Mansion
The Great Luo Heaven, the Jade Capital, the Eastern Extreme Wonderful Palace.
Huo Ling Zhenxian, along with Ye Meicang, the Minister of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace, and Ling Feiling, the Grand Commandant, waited outside the palace. Apart from Huo Ling Zhenxian, both Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling had a hint of excitement on their faces.
There was no other reason than that the Fire Spirit Immortal had received Zhuang Yan's decree, instructing her to bring Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling to heaven to invite the Southern Mountain Emperor to descend to the mortal realm and return to govern.
Before long, a handsome and bright-looking boy emerged from the Eastern Wonderful Palace. He bowed before the Fire Spirit Immortal and said, "Lord Fire Spirit, the Heavenly Venerable summons you to an audience."
Fire Spirit Immortal accepted the decree and then led Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling into the Eastern Extreme Wonderful Palace.
As soon as Fang entered, he saw that the place was surrounded by countless auspicious lights, with the Seven Treasures Fragrant Forest on the left and the Nine-Colored Lotus Throne on the right, all enveloped in purple mist and rosy light.
The boy led everyone through the Long Treasure Immortal Corridor in the central courtyard, into the Great Thousand Dew Gate, and arrived outside the 'Azure Mystery Palace'.
Outside the Azure Mystery Palace, on the steps, sat a nine-headed lion, a hundred feet tall, with nine heads and eighteen eyes radiating golden light. Its fierce power and majestic spirit were awe-inspiring, making Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling tremble with fear.
At this moment, the nine-headed lion tilted its head slightly, and the largest head in the middle immediately looked towards Fire Spirit Immortal and the others.
The Fire Spirit Immortal remained calm and composed, meeting the gaze of the nine-headed lion with a single glance before deflecting its imposing aura.
However, Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling did not possess such divine power. Ling Feiling barely withstood the intimidation of the nine-headed lion with her own strength, but her face was still pale.
Ye Meicang, on the other hand, felt weak all over, and her legs trembled uncontrollably.
Upon seeing this, the boy in front immediately smiled and said, "Fellow Daoists, there's no need to be afraid. This is the Heavenly Venerable's mount, the Nine-Headed Lion. Oh, it also has a nickname in the mortal world: 'Nine-Spirit Primordial Saint'."
As soon as the boy finished speaking, the Nine-Spirited Ape looked into the distance, where golden light filled the sky and a group of fairies were flying down from the golden clouds.
The boy smiled and said, "Please wait a moment while I go and inform them."
After saying this, the boy stepped into the Azure Mystery Hall and came out a moment later, saying, "Everyone, the Heavenly Venerable summons you."
Afterwards, everyone followed the boy into the Azure Mystery Palace. Once inside, they realized that this place was a different world altogether. Rather than a palace, it was more like a world of jade lotus flowers.
They stood on lotus leaves, beneath which lay a clear, transparent spiritual pool, teeming with colorful carp of various sizes.
The carp would occasionally leap out of the water to nibble on the lotus leaves, or stir up the water and shake the beautiful lotus flowers.
Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling dared not look too closely, but bowed their heads and followed the footsteps of the Fire Spirit True Immortal all the way to a nine-colored lotus throne.
Then they heard the boy say, "Master, Lord Fire Spirit and the others have arrived."
The next moment, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun sat on a nine-colored lotus throne and slowly revealed his figure. He held a whisk in his hand, his breath was pure, he wore a golden crown, his divine power was strong, his white hair and youthful face were compassionate, and a round halo illuminated the world.
Fire Spirit Immortal immediately cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your subject, Fire Spirit Immortal of the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm, pays respects to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Eastern Azure Flower, the Heavenly Venerable of Salvation from Suffering."
Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling followed suit and paid their respects with great ceremony. Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun smiled slightly and simply waved his whisk, saying, "Please rise."
The next moment, a gentle breeze blew from the lotus pond, lifting up Huo Ling Zhenxian, Ye Meicang, Ling Feiling, and the others.
The three bowed and expressed their gratitude. Then, the Fire Spirit Immortal presented Zhuang Yan's edict and explained his purpose.
Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun accepted the talisman and smiled, "I already know your purpose in coming. This matter still needs to be discussed with the Great Emperor of Nanyue himself."
After saying this, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun handed the talisman back to Huoling Zhenxian, and then said to the boy, "Boy, take Huoling Fujun and the others to the Qingmiao Garden to see the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain."
"Yes, sir." The boy acknowledged the order and then said to the three True Immortals of Fire Spirit, "Please follow me, fellow Daoists."
So the three True Immortals of Fire Spirits bid farewell to the Heavenly Venerable Taiyi, who had saved them from suffering, and followed the boy to the Pure and Wonderful Garden.
At this very moment, in Qingmiao Garden, the Great Emperor of Nanyue, dressed in a Taoist robe, is playing and frolicking with his wife, Empress Jingming, enjoying themselves immensely and laughing heartily.
When a servant came to report that someone from the mortal realm had come to request an audience, the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain released Empress Jingming.
"Who?" asked the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain.
The attendant said, "A pageboy from the Heavenly Venerable's seat is leading the way; he says he is from the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm and the Divine Palace of the Southern Mountain."
Upon hearing this, the Great Emperor of Nanyue and Empress Jingming exchanged a glance, and then immediately said, "Please invite them in."
"Yes." The waiter acknowledged the order and then turned and left.
At this moment, Empress Jingming immediately summoned a group of fairy maidens and ordered them to brew tea and serve fruit in the garden to entertain the visitors.
After arranging these matters, the Great Emperor of Nanyue and Empress Jingming sat down at the head of the stone table in the garden. Then, the Great Emperor of Nanyue picked up a celestial fruit, took a bite, and said, "People from the Mortal Realm Jade Palace and the Nanyue Divine Palace? Did they come together?"
Empress Jingming glanced at her husband, then said, "What brings you here? Has something happened in the mortal realm?"
The Great Emperor of Mount Heng sighed and said, "I've been recuperating in heaven for forty-two years. How could you possibly find me if something happens to me?"
However, the Great Emperor of the Southern Peak thought for a moment and said, "It shouldn't be. Although the Divine Firmament Emperor is a bit domineering and ruthless, his power is undeniable. If even he can't control things in the mortal world, then there's no use in coming to me."
Empress Jingming asked, "Why is that? Could it be that you want to..."
At this point, Empress Jingming's expression changed. "Does this mean I'm going to strip you of your title as the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain? After all, you haven't returned for forty-two years."
Upon hearing this, the immortal fruit in the hands of the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain fell into the jade plate with a 'plop'. The Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain suddenly came to his senses, quickly picked up the immortal fruit, and said, "Impossible."
While trying to cover his embarrassment, the Great Emperor of the Southern Peak said, "If you really want to strip me of my position as the Great Emperor of the Southern Peak, why would it be people from the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm and the Divine Palace of the Southern Peak? It should be the Jade Emperor who sends someone to deliver the decree."
As they were talking, the celestial attendant led the Fire Spirit True Immortal and the others into the garden.
Upon seeing the Great Emperor of Nanyue, Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling could not contain their excitement and quickly stepped forward to bow to the Great Emperor of Nanyue, saying, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty."
Upon seeing that the two men were his two most trusted confidants, the Great Emperor of Nanyue immediately rose and helped them up, then smiled and said to them, "You've worked hard all these years."
"It wasn't hard work." Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling shook their heads, then asked with concern, "Your Majesty, are you feeling better?"
"Hahaha." The Great Emperor of the Southern Peak laughed loudly, then cupped his hands and said, "I'm almost fully recovered. This is all thanks to the profound power of the Great Savior of Suffering." As he spoke, he cupped his hands in a salute towards the direction of the Azure Profound Palace.
Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling nodded happily, and then stepped forward to pay their respects to Empress Jingming.
Empress Jingming smiled and invited the two to sit down. Then, Huo Ling Zhenxian stepped forward, cupped his hands and bowed to the Great Emperor of Nanyue, saying, "Huo Ling Zhenxian, the Grand Master of Fate of the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm, pays respects to His Majesty the Great Emperor of Nanyue."
The Great Emperor of Mount Heng paused for a moment, then bowed to the True Immortal Huo Ling in return and invited the True Immortal Huo Ling to take a seat.
Huo Ling Zhenxian bowed in thanks and took his seat. Then Empress Jingming invited everyone to drink tea and eat fruit. Huo Ling Zhenxian thanked her and then picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip.
After she put down her teacup, she heard the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain say, "What brings you here today?"
Huo Ling Zhenxian immediately stood up, took out Zhuang Yan's talisman, and said, "By order of the Lingtai Dongming Shenxiao Emperor, I have come to invite His Majesty the Nanyue Emperor back to the Nanyue Divine Palace to manage affairs."
"Oh?" The Great Emperor of Nanyue's heart stirred, but he remained outwardly calm and said, "Didn't the Great Emperor Shenxiao take over the Nanyue Divine Palace?"
Ye Meicang, who was standing nearby, quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Great Emperor Shenxiao has already rectified the divine path of Nanzhanbuzhou and has long since returned to the Dust Jade Palace on Buzhou Mountain. We recently heard that Your Majesty's condition has improved, so we have sent us to invite you back to govern."
The Great Emperor of the Southern Peak still did not accept the imperial edict, and continued, "I'm afraid all the gods of the Southern Continent have been killed, haven't they?"
Fire Spirit Immortal said, "No, there are still some. We only killed about 60%, and the remaining 40%, including those divine marquises appointed by His Majesty, were not touched."
The Great Emperor of the Southern Peak looked much better, but he still wanted to maintain his composure, so he said, "Since the Divine Firmament Emperor has governed so well, why not continue to take over? It's fine for me to continue recuperating here."
Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling exchanged a glance upon hearing this, unsure of what to say. It was clear that the Great Emperor of Nanyue was still angry.
Fire Spirit True Immortal, however, was not one to tolerate such tempers. Upon hearing this, he immediately put away the talisman and sat back down, saying, "Since that's the case, the Divine Firmament Emperor also said that if Your Majesty does not wish to return to Southern Peak, then Southern Peak cannot be without a master for even a day. The Divine Firmament Emperor will report to the Great Heavenly Venerable to make other arrangements. As for Your Majesty, once you have fully recovered, you can go to the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm to become the Heavenly Lord of Southern Peak."
Upon hearing this, the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain could no longer sit still and immediately stood up, saying, "This is unacceptable!"
"???" Fire Spirit Immortal asked in surprise, "What's wrong? Didn't His Majesty not want to go back?"
The Great Emperor of Nanyue was suddenly stuck there, unable to get off. He truly believed that Zhuang Yan was capable of doing such a thing, but it would be too shameful to back out, so he could only stand there awkwardly, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
Upon seeing this, Ye Meicang immediately rose, knelt down, and said, "Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to consider the well-being of the millions of people in the Southern Continent, and to heed the wishes of all the gods and officials of the Southern Mountain, and to disregard your illness and toil, return to your residence immediately to govern. Then, the millions of people in the Southern Continent will be blessed, and we will be eternally grateful for Your Majesty's kindness."
After saying this, Ye Meicang began to kowtow repeatedly. Seeing this, Ling Feiling quickly followed suit and kowtowed as well, begging the Great Emperor of Nanyue to return to his residence and govern.
This finally gave the Great Emperor of the Southern Mountain a way out. He coughed and said, "My two beloved ministers, please rise. Since all the gods and immortals of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace want me to return to govern, I will naturally comply with their opinions and live up to the expectations of millions of living beings."
Ye Meicang and Ling Feiling quickly kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty is merciful, and we are deeply grateful."
After speaking, the two looked up at True Immortal Fire Spirit. True Immortal Fire Spirit smiled and immediately took out the talisman again and handed it over.
This time, the Great Emperor of the Southern Peak did not feign modesty. He reached out and accepted the talisman, then cupped his hands and said, "I respectfully obey the decree of the Great Emperor of the Divine Firmament. I will immediately take my leave of the Great Heavenly Venerable and descend to the mortal realm to return to my residence to attend to my affairs." (End of this chapter)