chsdbacks Page 355
Page 355
After the monkey had gone far away and could no longer be seen, Venus spoke to Bai Zhi with a hint of gratitude.
"Old sir, aren't you afraid that my brother Wukong will turn against you after he finds out you've been lying to him like this?"
"Alas, I have no choice. Originally, we were going to bestow the title of Great Sage upon this monkey, since he is indeed capable enough. However, the Heavenly King and some generals are unwilling, and His Majesty cannot say anything."
Venus wore a bitter expression; he had almost foreseen that, with time, the monkey would eventually discover this problem.
In that case, he might be the one to be granted amnesty again.
"But Miss Baizhi, rest assured, a virtuous person like you will be treated differently from that monkey. Not to mention the Great Sage, it wouldn't be a problem for you to receive the title of Emperor or Star Lord. I will also give His Majesty many suggestions."
He sighed and then said.
"Then I must thank you, sir."
"Hehe, no need, no need. I just hope that if that monkey rebels and needs to be pacified again when he returns to the mortal realm, Miss Baizhi can persuade him together with me."
Chapter 637 Ordinary people don't keep idle gods.
Venus wanted to say something more, but Bai Zhi shook her head and didn't bring up the topic again.
Because she had already noticed that a guy who had turned into a mosquito had followed her.
After all, she was taught by the same master, and she knew most of what the monkey knew, so how could she be kept in the dark?
Bai Zhi quite liked that old man, Venus, so she decided not to cause him any trouble.
Venus was somewhat puzzled, but did not delve deeper, instead changing the subject.
"Miss Baizhi, before you see His Majesty, I would like to ask if you wish to become a wandering immortal or take up a position?"
"A wandering immortal, a position?"
Bai Zhi was somewhat puzzled.
"It seems you are unaware that although the Heavenly Court is very lenient towards virtuous people, and His Majesty is willing to grant them a title if they wish, there are other things besides the title."
"For example, whether there is a position or not, the operation of heaven and earth requires the participation of gods and immortals in many places. Whether it is wind and rain, or plague and drought, these are all things that people do."
“Even the stove is under the care of the Kitchen God.”
Venus, in a very understanding manner, explained.
"Oh, so that's what you meant."
Bai Zhi suddenly realized that after Taibai Jinxing said that, she remembered that this was not some romantic fantasy world where immortals only knew how to fall in love.
Most deities have their own responsibilities, and they are the ones who do the work for everything, big and small.
From celestial phenomena to food and drink, everything is managed by someone.
"It seems Miss Baizhi has understood. The Heavenly Court governs the Three Realms, and most of the offerings from mortals are absorbed by the Heavenly Court and then distributed according to their duties."
Venus stroked his beard and said with a smile.
"This incense offering is actually equivalent to money in the human world."
"The reason I asked this question is that if one is appointed as a celestial official with a title, one actually receives incense offerings and a stipend, but if one is a wandering immortal, one only has a title and no stipend."
“I understand, I understand. The old man was very straightforward.”
Venus smiled and said, "If it were an ordinary person, I probably wouldn't ask this question, because for ordinary people, incense offerings are a rare treat. Otherwise, what would they be busy with all day long?"
"Isn't it all for those few taels of silver?"
"However, Miss Baizhi's incense offerings have already reached the heavens. Besides holding a position, she can also be a carefree immortal, living a life of leisure and making friends with the people of the Heavenly Court."
"If you are interested, you can speak with me first, and I will inform His Majesty in advance."
After Taibai Jinxing's explanation, Bai Zhi had a pretty good understanding.
To put it bluntly, the Heavenly Court is roughly equivalent to a large company, and the various gods have different natures. Those with higher status are practically shareholders, sitting there collecting incense offerings.
Those in slightly lower positions are executives and employees; they're just there to earn money, no doubt about it.
A wandering immortal is similar to a nominal consultant; they have a title but no salary, but they have a lot of freedom.
"Being a god isn't easy."
Bai Zhi shook her head, but felt it made perfect sense. If these gods were to fall in love all the time like those brainless romance dramas and destroy the world for no reason, then things would be really hopeless.
"Hey, who can argue with that? But ordinary people don't keep idle gods around; useless gods are hard to attract worshippers."
Venus sighed, "Many of the wild gods in the human realm disappeared quietly because their villages were abandoned and no one worshipped them."
"Back then, Nezha, the Third Prince, almost died because his statue was smashed by Li Tianwang and he couldn't collect enough incense offerings. Fortunately... cough cough, I've said too much, please don't take offense."
Taibai Jinxing was only halfway through his sentence when he remembered that Bai Zhi beside him was a dragon. Talking about Nezha in front of her was a bit of a disaster.
Who knows, they might be hoping Nezha would just die there.
"It's alright, I understand what the old man is saying."
Bai Zhi chuckled lightly. She wasn't a member of the Four Seas Dragon Clan, so it had nothing to do with her.
The two walked and talked, and soon arrived in front of a grand hall.
"The Lingxiao Palace is just ahead. Please wait here for a moment while I go in and report to His Majesty."
"Thank you for your help, sir."
After Venus entered the main hall, Bai Zhi helplessly called out, "Monkey, do you really want to come in with us?"
"That's not a place you can easily hide from."
Although in the TV series, the Jade Emperor was so frightened that he hid under the table, in the original novel, the Heavenly Court was truly powerful, and the Monkey King couldn't break into the Lingxiao Palace at all.
Moreover, as those who have watched the later episodes know, these celestial beings are all incredibly pretentious, and their magical treasures are all incredibly powerful.
Especially Laozi, several of the difficulties were caused by this old man's magic weapons.
They're still at the entrance of the Lingxiao Palace, where they can stop. But if they go inside, Bai Zhi feels there's a 100% chance they'll be recognized.
There was no response from the surroundings, as if proclaiming the monkey's confidence.
"Alright, I hope you'll be alright."
This monkey is too confident; he'll find out soon enough.
A short while later, Venus came out with a smile on his face and gestured for him to come in.
"Miss Baizhi, please come in with me. His Majesty has summoned you for an audience."
Bai Zhi straightened her clothes and then stepped into the Lingxiao Palace.
Well, this place is more glamorous than the ones in the TV dramas she'd seen before, but to say how glamorous it is, it's just so-so.
It's like a PROMAX version of the Forbidden City, with a bunch of special effects added, like the kind with swirling clouds and mist. The Jade Emperor sits on a magnificent golden chair, with maids standing on either side, and a group of immortals standing on both sides below.
Bai Zhi slowly walked forward, and the Jade Emperor carefully observed her.
He could sense the enormous amount of incense energy contained within Bai Zhi's body; the quantity was simply unbelievable.
Logically speaking, incense offerings of this caliber should have a formidable influence in the mortal realm, and the Heavenly Court should have no reason not to know about it.
But precisely before Bai Zhi revealed herself, he had absolutely no information.
"Could he be some kind of virtuous person who has cultivated for a hundred lifetimes?"
The Jade Emperor was puzzled; only this explanation could answer where the enormous amount of incense came from.
Moreover, why is it still the Dragon Clan? Could it be the result of the weakened Dragon Clan's actions?
"His Majesty?"
Venus gently reminded him from the side.
The Jade Emperor closed his eyes slightly, then opened them again, and said majestically, "Bai Zhi, receive my decree!"
"exist!"
Bai Zhi gently cupped her hands in greeting.
"Bai Zhi, since you entered the world, you have been chivalrous and righteous, helping the weak and poor, and have repeatedly performed great deeds. The people are grateful for your kindness and have spontaneously built temples to worship you. The incense is thriving. This is the will of the people and the will of Heaven."
Chapter 638 Yin and Yang in Harmony
Although the Jade Emperor truly did not know what Bai Zhi's achievements were, nor whether she had actually performed any acts of chivalry, all the immortals knew that these were nothing but empty words.
Commonly known as a routine.
Nobody cares if it's true or not.
"I dare not take credit for what is within my duty."
Bai Zhi said modestly.
The Jade Emperor nodded slightly. “However, you are concerned for the common people and are unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness. Therefore, you are revered by all people and your incense has been offered for generations. To commend your merits, I hereby bestow upon you the title of ‘True Lord of Saving from Suffering and Delivering from Calamity, Abundant and Vast Grace’ as a reward.”
He didn't know the origin of Bai Zhi, but he guessed it might be related to the declining dragon clan.
However, he didn't care much, because no matter how the dragon race rose to power, they were still under the rule of the Heavenly Court.
The bestowal of this title now is also to demonstrate his benevolence to everyone.
As the Jade Emperor spoke these words, Bai Zhi suddenly felt as if this world had bestowed something inexplicable upon her.
[Ding! The Divine Abundance and Vastness have gained an additional bonus. During the period when the Divine Abundance is active, you will receive learning and research benefits in fields such as medicine and healing.]
"It's just like a pillow coming when you're sleepy."
Bai Zhi immediately perked up. She hadn't expected that this so-called title would actually have other effects.
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! I will certainly live up to your expectations and dedicate my life to the well-being of all people!"
Bai Zhi casually uttered a cliché.
"Bai Zhi, from this day forward, you will not only be a minister of the Heavenly Court, but also a bridge between the human world and the heavenly realm. May you use your will to relieve suffering and deliver from calamities to spread your benevolence widely, so that the earth may be bountiful and the people may live in peace."
The Jade Emperor smiled slightly, and instantly colorful clouds rolled in the hall, celestial music filled the air, and all the gods stepped forward to offer their congratulations, and the banquet began.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, and after the Jade Emperor had left, Bai Zhi glanced strangely at a mosquito lying somewhere.
That doesn't make sense. There are so many deities here; if you can find them yourself, how could you not find these others?
However, the next moment, a whisk swept by, and the mosquito that the monkey had turned into was immediately swept away.
Upon closer inspection, Bai Zhi realized that the owner of the whisk was an elderly man dressed in a robe with a Tai Chi symbol.
Seemingly sensing that he was being watched, the old man turned around, nodded slightly to Bai Zhi, and then drifted away.
"Hmm, it seems that Laozi approves of you quite a bit."
Venus walked up to Bai Zhi and said with some surprise.
"Have it?"
"Of course, Laozi doesn't show this kind of attitude to just anyone. Oh, you're really lucky. If Laozi approves of you, you can do whatever you want in the Heavenly Court."
"You don't know, Laozi not only has a high status, but the elixirs he possesses are also a more valuable form of currency than incense. Even His Majesty... cough cough, you know what I mean."
Venus gave a meaningful look.
"Then if I go and become an apprentice to learn alchemy, do you think there's any hope?"
Bai Zhi touched her chin and said.
"what?"
Venus was stunned for a moment.
"It's not that it's impossible, but Miss Baizhi, this idea isn't unique to you; many gods in the Heavenly Court have had it, but basically none of them have succeeded."
"Do you know why?"
Venus kept everyone in suspense.
"Old sir, stop beating around the bush and just tell me."
"Haha, it's really a matter of talent. Laozi's alchemy emphasizes the balance of Yin and Yang. Most of the gods in the Heavenly Court are not good at this. For example, I am mainly engaged in killing and warfare, which is far from the balance of Yin and Yang."
"The balance of yin and yang..."
Bai Zhi muttered to herself, stretched out her hand, and the Yin and Yang energies flashed by. That was the power of the Tiger Talisman. Although it was only at level one, it was difficult to release externally. Even if it was briefly concentrated outside the body, it would quickly dissipate.