Chapter 1138: Suspicion (I)

"That's not the right way to say it! Don't look down on doing proper work." Immortal Official Liu simply smiled and said, "Weren't you always complaining that your current work was dull and exhausting? The position I held before was an easy and rewarding one. I specially saved this post for you. The tasks are novel, the people flatter you, and you even get to observe the lower realm. Isn't that wonderful?"

He tucked in his sleeves and pretended to say casually, "Since you're unwilling, then forget it!"

"My lord, please wait!" Dangjiang suddenly came to his senses. His drowsiness vanished at once. He hurriedly stood from the table and forced a smile. "I was merely confirming the details, my lord. Whether the task is pleasant or harsh, I accept it gladly. Even the hardest duty is sweet as honey to me. How could I ever disdain your orders? Only now do I realize your kind intentions. I'm deeply moved!"

Lu Jiangxian, knowing how skilled he was at flattery, simply said, "I'm pressed for time and can't stay to chat. Take my command token. Once you leave your Hidden Pavilion of Profound Seven within the Sacred Purity Palace, follow the celestial path onward and you'll see a treasure hall.

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"In recent years, contact with the lower realm has been severed, and few remain in the pavilion. Use the command token for verification and ascend the steps. Someone will meet you."

Dangjiang was about to ask more, but Lu Jiangxian dared not let him speak further. Pulling away Immortal Official Liu[1], he continued, "I must set out immediately. There should be a ritual to the lower realm awaiting you. If you have the time, go at once to carry it out."

With that said, he took his leave. Dangjiang reluctantly followed him to the courtyard and hesitated before saying, "My lord once said there must always be someone stationed to guard the pavilion, and I've stayed here all this time for that reason. If I leave now, the place will be empty. Wouldn't that be considered dereliction of duty?"

"Rest easy." Lu Jiangxian had previously ordered him to stay put only to keep him from wandering, since he always needed someone to deal with him. So he replied, "As long as you carry my command token and are performing official duties rather than idling about, it won't count as neglecting your post. You may stay at either place with peace of mind, but make sure to hurry on the road and avoid lingering."

He strode away quickly. Dangjiang, unable to leave the courtyard, could only watch him disappear into the horizon. Then he looked down at the command token left on the table. It was about the length of a forearm, pure white in color, and was adorned with silver lunar patterns. It was so ornate that it was clearly no ordinary item.

After admiring it for a while, he glanced at the half-edited cultivation manual on the table and thought to himself,

I'll finish writing the rest later, then go have a look.

He bent over to study the text, but after only two lines, his patience ran out. He thought,

I'll take a look first. After seeing it for a bit, I'll come back and continue. That should help me clear my mind.

He immediately rose, left the small courtyard below the attic, and stepped onto the clouds. He took out the command token. A silver star rose from it and streaked through the drifting clouds. Dangjiang followed closely behind.

Before long, the clouds dispersed, revealing an immense and majestic great hall. Dragons and phoenixes adorned its eaves, giving it a boundless splendor. Beneath his feet stretched a golden lake that shimmered with rippling waters. Twelve jade bridges spanned across it, leading toward the central hall.

Dangjiang took one glance and felt his eyes sting. Quickly lowering his gaze, he noticed rows of immortal soldiers in golden armor standing by the bridges, their armor gleaming and their gazes straight ahead.

Naturally, he dared not speak to them. Judging that he lacked the qualification to step onto those bridges, he looked down at the command token and saw that it directed him to go around the lake. Bowing his head, he moved forward quickly and respectfully.

The palace complex was vast beyond belief. Even the lakeside had guards stationed around it. Dangjiang did not dare lift his eyes as he wound through the corridors, deeper and deeper, until he arrived at a palace gate by the water.

Two even more imposing immortal soldiers stood before the gate. At last, someone lifted his brow to look at him. Dangjiang raised the command token, and one of them said, "So it's an envoy from the Supreme Yin Court. Please, go inside."

Dangjiang hurried inside. Beyond the gate, the decor gradually returned to the style of the Supreme Yin Court. Faint traces of snow lingered on the floor. The place was spacious and richly adorned.

He turned through corridor after corridor, never missing a chance to observe. There were many people within the palace, each more dignified than the last. Most of the immortal generals wore armor only slightly inferior to that of Zhen'gao. Some even dressed in similar robes to his, with fairy maidens drifting by in silken tassels. When he finally glimpsed a few Immortal Officials, they looked anxious and silent, not daring to speak.

Being naturally observant, Dangjiang had already gauged his own position from what he saw. Keeping his head down, he proceeded until he entered a small courtyard. He only breathed out in relief once the two maids outside closed the gate behind him.

The courtyard was perfectly arranged. Spotless white jade tiles paved the ground. Four pale lamps stood in each corner, and at the center lay a circular pool of unfathomable depth. Aside from that, nothing else was present. At a glance, it was clear this was not a residence.

He circled the pool in confusion, unsure what to do. Then the command token in his hand suddenly glowed, and the water in the pool turned a luminous white. Knowing work was about to begin, he hurried forward and peered into its depths.

The whiteness in the pool faded away to reveal a mirror-like reflection. At first, it was pitch black, but soon a faint glimmer appeared. From some hidden place came the low hum of reverent prayers, growing clearer and clearer, "...Your humble servant, Chi Buzi, sincerely offers this sacrificial feast, respectfully inviting the Supreme Yin Court and praying to the Heavenly Officials, to ward off calamity and purge evil, that immortal fortune may ever flow..."

Dangjiang froze for a moment. His earlier tension and unease vanished at once. A surge of delight rose within him, bringing a grin to his face as he exclaimed, "So it's you, Daoist Master Chi! I was wondering which exalted lord it would be."

He infused his spiritual sense into the command token, activating the dharma artifact within it to receive the signal. The light and shadow within the pool grew increasingly vivid, and after fifteen minutes, the radiance poured outward, gathering in the courtyard and taking the form of a man in azure robes.

The man had barely steadied his form when he realized his surroundings had changed completely. He was now standing in a courtyard. Startled and wary, he lifted his brow to see a young Immortal Official with light green eyes before him, his robe embroidered with Supreme Yin patterns.

Though the official's rank did not seem high, Chi Buzi reacted swiftly and immediately bowed. "This humble cultivator greets you, my lord!"

Dangjiang's mouth stretched wide, his grin nearly spilling off his face as he said, "Daoist Master Chi, open your eyes and take a good look... Do you recognize me?"

Chi Buzi paused, raising his brow to look closer. Though the man appeared young, his demeanor carried an old, familiar air that made him hesitate.

Chi Buzi had never in fact seen Dangjiang's true body. In their past entanglements, their struggle had always taken place within the same vessel. Even when Dangjiang gained the upper hand, it was still Chi Buzi's body; just under a different master. Clever as he was, he thought inwardly,

The only one I could possibly know on this side... must be that stupid donkey. He doesn't look like one, but his tone is exactly the same.

So he tested, saying, "Fellow Daoist Dangjiang?"

He didn't even need Dangjiang to reply. One look at that smug, asinine grin told him everything. He raised a brow and said, "Well now... the old fool's got some standing up here, hasn't he?"

Though he was technically in a position to bow his head, Chi Buzi showed no fear. He was half-smiling and half-mocking as he spoke.

Sure enough, Dangjiang burst out laughing and feigned anger as he replied, "You insolent demon disciple! How dare you show disrespect to a dignified Immortal Official of the Palace of Radiant Purity Supreme Yin?"

Though the other spoke with authority, Chi Buzi showed no fear. He understood human nature well. After years of dealing with Dangjiang, he knew him inside out. Being servile would only embolden the man. What worked best was laughter and mockery, without a trace of fear.

Besides, after so many years of scheming together in the Eastern Sea, though they called each other enemies, how could Dangjiang ever truly perish with the Immortal Lord watching over them? Whether their bond was enmity or fellowship depended only on Chi Buzi's attitude.

Since Chi Buzi had been personally granted divine law by the Immortal Lord, how could Dangjiang dare harm him? He immediately laughed and said, "

Oh

, drop the act! Judging by your outfit, you're nothing more than a petty official up here."

1. I'm not sure why the author used 'pulling away/grab' here, but it might be referring to Lu Jiangxian controlling Immortal Official Liu as a puppet.. ☜