Chapter 50
That wasn’t the answer Ming Jian Su wanted to hear, but it was within her expectations.
Alas, her junior sister was always so honest, unwilling to even tell a white lie to please her. Fortunately, there was no other possibility regarding the past. She, Ming Jian Su, was the only one who had brought Feng Chiyue out of the Abyss of the Milky Way. After calming herself, Ming Jian Su thought for a moment, then asked, “Aren’t all immortals beautiful, with bright eyes and crescent eyebrows? How could anyone be truly ugly?”
Feng Chiyue nodded firmly. “They are.”
“Then who does Junior Sister find ugly?” Ming Jian Su asked. She had initially wanted to ask who Feng Chiyue found the most beautiful, but she changed her mind at the last moment. If she asked about beauty, Feng Chiyue would likely say it was herself.
“Everyone except Elder Sister is ugly,” Feng Chiyue replied without hesitation.
Ming Jian Su chuckled, embracing Feng Chiyue. This meant that even if she had encountered someone else in the Abyss of the Milky Way, she would have only followed her out.
“Junior Sister,” Ming Jian Su said again.
Feng Chiyue looked at her suspiciously, clearly reaching her limit. If Ming Jian Su called her “Junior Sister” one more time, she would push her away.
Reading her mind, Ming Jian Su immediately fell silent. She gazed at Feng Chiyue, her eyelashes fluttering like delicate butterfly wings.
After spending some time cuddling with Feng Chiyue on the bed, Ming Jian Su finally got up and straightened her clothes.
The Minister of Fortune had been taken away by the Celestial Pivot Department. She wondered what his fate would be. He wouldn’t be executed, and it was unlikely that his sentence would be increased. At most, he would be stripped of his position and forbidden from managing the Heavenly Prosperity Department. Of course, if the Heavenly Emperor intervened, that would be a different story. Ming Jian Su didn’t go to the Celestial Pivot Department to watch the spectacle but observed the proceedings on the Chaos Mirror.
Unlike the Vermilion Bird Elder, who had been shackled and disheveled, the Minister of Fortune, invited to the Grand Court of Justice, managed to maintain his dignity, sitting calmly on a chair as if he were merely a guest.
Yunze Young Lord was troubled. The Celestial Pivot Department had always been a peaceful department. Who would have thought that so many incidents would occur in such a short time? And every single one was related to Feng Chiyue. The turmoil hadn’t subsided with the East Abode Master’s return. On the contrary, it was escalating under their combined efforts. Before the trial began, Yunze Young Lord looked around anxiously, hoping that Ming Jian Su wouldn’t appear. Only when he didn’t see her or any other officials from the Celestial Feather Ministry did he relax slightly.
“Why did you forge the Emperor’s decree, Star Monarch?” Yunze Young Lord asked, his expression serious.
The Minister of Fortune frowned. Although he was no longer under that oppressive pressure, he still felt uneasy. “That was the Emperor’s decree,” he insisted. “It bore the imprint of the Heavenly Constitution Seal.”
Yunze Young Lord didn’t believe him. He sighed. “If it had truly carried the power of the Heavenly Dao, how could it have been destroyed? The decree from the Celestial Mother that the Ministry Head and the East Abode Master possess is genuine.”
The Minister of Fortune couldn’t answer this question. How could he know why the Heavenly Constitution Seal had been so easily erased by Feng Chiyue? Meeting Yunze Young Lord’s gaze, he scoffed. “Perhaps the Ministry Head used some unorthodox method. If you wish to confirm the decree’s authenticity, Young Lord, simply consult the Emperor.”
It was already the second day, and no emissary from the Purple Empyrean Palace had come to defend the Minister of Fortune. This meant that the Emperor had abandoned him. Yunze Young Lord looked at him with a mixture of pity and sympathy. “Why do you insist on lying, Star Monarch? The evidence is clear.” Seeing that he was still defiant, he softened his tone. “I’ve already sent someone to the Purple Empyrean Palace to consult the Emperor.”
The Minister of Fortune remained calm and composed. He was confident that the emissary from the Purple Empyrean Palace would confirm his innocence. Then he would drag the Heavenly Prosperity Department into this mess and, with the help of their Thunder Officials, reclaim the vast wealth that had been swallowed by the Celestial Feather Ministry.
— The Minister of Fortune seems so confident. Could it be that it was actually the Emperor’s decree?
The immortals watching the trial on the Chaos Mirror started discussing again.
— The Heavenly Constitution Seal is a symbol of the Heavenly Dao, suppressing the heavens and earth, subduing all immortals. Under its authority, all beings submit. How could it be erased? I think the Minister of Fortune has been brainwashed.
— Even if it was the Emperor’s decree, no one would admit it. It would confirm that the Emperor is mistreating the feathered lineages and the Four Seas. Moreover, it would damage the authority of the Heavenly Constitution Seal and the Emperor himself. This humble Daoist has cultivated for a thousand years and has never heard of the Heavenly Constitution Seal being destroyed.
***
This turn of events had caught the Heavenly Emperor off guard. He naturally couldn’t admit that he had issued the decree. The gossip among the immortals was a minor inconvenience. If the Emperor and the Heavenly Constitution Seal were questioned and their authority undermined, it would certainly shift the Mandate of Heaven, threatening his throne. He wouldn’t deign to appear personally. He simply sent a young attendant with a message.
The attendant quickly arrived at the Celestial Pivot Department and, ignoring the Minister of Fortune’s pleading gaze, said coldly, “The Emperor never issued such a decree.”
The Minister of Fortune’s triumphant smile froze, replaced by astonishment. His expression, a mixture of shock and an unfaded grin, looked incredibly bizarre. He jumped to his feet. “Impossible!” he shouted. Glaring at the attendant, he added coldly, “You’re the one falsely conveying the Emperor’s will!”
The attendant didn’t argue with him. He simply took out a seal from the Purple Empyrean Palace, handed it to Yunze Young Lord, bowed, and left the Grand Court of Justice.
Yunze Young Lord sighed softly. The Minister of Fortune was a Heavenly Immortal, accustomed to a life of ease and success. He had never faced any real setbacks. Thus, when confronted with this situation, he had handled it poorly. If he had confessed honestly, the Emperor might have found a way to rescue him. But now, he had dragged the Emperor down with him. Wasn’t this seeking his own destruction? The Heavenly Prosperity Department was the most peaceful and lucrative of the three major departments in the Heavenly Court. Now that the Minister of Fortune was gone, who would replace him? Did he have a chance? A flicker of ambition crossed his eyes. His tone hardened, his voice laced with thunder. “Si Lu, what do you have to say for yourself?”
The Minister of Fortune’s face was contorted with rage, his eyes filled with malice. “I demand an audience with the Emperor!” he roared.
Yunze Young Lord waved his hand, activating the Grand Court of Justice’s barrier, and ordered his attendants to take the Minister of Fortune away.
***
“The Minister of Fortune is going to be dismissed,” Ming Jian Su said, watching the farce unfold on the Chaos Mirror.
“Who will replace him?” Feng Chiyue asked lazily, her head still buried in the pillow, clearly uninterested. She was merely responding to Ming Jian Su’s voice.
“I don’t know,” Ming Jian Su said, shaking her head. The new Star Monarch of the Heavenly Prosperity Department depended on the power struggle between the Celestial Mother and the Heavenly Emperor. It wasn’t within her purview. She thought for a moment. “The Minister of Fortune has been in charge of the Heavenly Prosperity Department for a thousand years. The four palaces under his command—Heavenly Prosperity, Supreme, Wenqu, and Dragon Cauldron—are filled with his disciples and followers. When the new Star Monarch arrives, they will definitely be marginalized, losing their power. The Heavenly Prosperity Department must be in chaos now.”
“And?” Feng Chiyue glanced at her.
Ming Jian Su smiled. “Now that the Celestial Feather Ministry is separated from the Heavenly Prosperity Department, we need our own departments for elixirs, artifacts, scriptures, and so on. What do you think about taking advantage of the chaos in the Heavenly Prosperity Department and recruiting some of their people?”
Feng Chiyue nodded, her expression indifferent.
In the Celestial Feather Ministry.
Que Chenyi clapped her hands in delight upon seeing the Minister of Fortune’s downfall.
She didn’t question the authenticity of that decree. Judging from past events, the Heavenly Emperor wasn’t exactly friendly towards their Ministry.
“The dust has settled,” she said, sighing in relief. “Our treasury is no longer connected to the Heavenly Prosperity Department.” They had almost finished taking inventory. To her surprise, the Vermilion Bird Elder’s personal wealth was almost half the size of the Celestial Feather Ministry’s entire treasury. The gap between the feathered lineages was truly vast.
She stretched, preparing to go back to sleep after all her hard work, but a message from Ming Jian Su quickly wiped the smile off her face.
“What’s wrong?” Qing Xun asked, looking up at her worried expression.
“The Heavenly Prosperity Department is in chaos,” Que Chenyi said. “The artisans and alchemists are lost.”
“So we’re going to poach them?” Qing Xun asked excitedly.
Que Chenyi: “…” Qing Xun was truly a product of Dong’e Mountain. She glared at her and cleared her throat. “Poach them? We’re offering a warm home to those displaced immortals. I’m assigning this task to you. You’ve been in the Celestial Feather Ministry for a while now. It’s time for everyone to see your capabilities.”
Qing Xun hesitated. As far as she knew, everyone had to train under their seniors for years, even decades, before being allowed to handle tasks independently. She had only been in the Ministry for a short time. Wasn’t it too early for her to be given such a responsibility? However, upon closer inspection, apart from the puppet servants, there weren’t many living immortals working in the entire Ministry. Being thrust into the spotlight wasn’t so unreasonable after all.
Que Chenyi didn’t care about her thoughts. “We have someone here from the Heavenly Prosperity Department,” she said. “You can ask her if you have any questions. And if you encounter anyone stubborn, just mention Dong’e Mountain. I’m sure those immortals value their lives and will behave.” She rambled on, leaving Qing Xun dizzy. The only words she caught were “Chang Huai” and “Dong’e Mountain.” Her head spinning, she nodded vigorously.
Que Chenyi looked at her with satisfaction. Finally, someone to take over the burden.
Feng Chiyue exploited her, and she would exploit Qing Xun. It was perfectly reasonable. After all, jade needed to be polished to become a valuable treasure. She wouldn’t even mention Dong’e Mountain. Those elders from the Azure Dragon lineage in Phoenix Mountain should be sending her generous gifts.
Feeling carefree, Que Chenyi transformed into a fluffy little mountain sparrow and, with a flap of her wings, flew away, leaving Qing Xun staring after her with envy.
However, moments later, Qing Xun noticed two feathers on the ground, clearly shed from Que Chenyi.
Would she also lose her feathers in the future? After a moment of pondering, she took out the Chaos Mirror. She wouldn’t go to the Heavenly Prosperity Department directly but would post an announcement in the Celestial Feather Ministry’s public pavilion, waiting for those interested to contact her.
The Celestial Feather Ministry was always associated with change. Those who enjoyed a good spectacle flocked to read the announcement as soon as it was updated.
— The Celestial Feather Ministry is recruiting alchemists and artisans. Lineage and origin are irrelevant. Excellent benefits provided. Those interested, please leave your name seal after the announcement.
— One question: Will there be a test?
— Aren’t alchemy and artifact crafting the specialties of the Heavenly Prosperity Department? Is this aimed at them?
— The Celestial Feather Ministry can no longer obtain resources from the Heavenly Prosperity Department. They do need to establish their own departments. But I heard that all their previous income went to Danxue Mountain. Can they afford to pay?
— Don’t spread rumors, Fellow Daoist. Danxue Mountain has never embezzled funds.
— Right, right. The Vermilion Bird Elder’s vast wealth simply fell from the sky.
While the immortals discussed the matter openly on the Chaos Mirror, the officials within the Heavenly Prosperity Department were also restless, especially the Minister of Fortune’s close disciples. Once the new Star Monarch arrived, they would have no place in the department. After all, most Star Monarchs had their own followers and wouldn’t need to rely on officials from other lineages.
“The Celestial Feather Ministry…” The Immortal Monarch from the Wenqu Palace was tempted. Unlike Jing De, he had never offended Dong’e Mountain.
“Do you trust our Master?” Jing De Immortal Monarch asked, his face dark. Seeing his fellow disciples hesitantly nod, he continued, his expression impassive, “Our Master has merely been abandoned. It doesn’t mean that everything he did was wrong. The benefits offered by the Celestial Feather Ministry might be generous, but they’re not aligned with the Heavenly Emperor. If we go there, our future will be uncertain.”
“Fellow Daoist Jing De is right,” someone chimed in. “We’ve accumulated quite a bit of wealth. Why don’t we resign and become wandering immortals, far from all this turmoil? Besides, the Celestial Feather Ministry wouldn’t want us anyway.”
While the Minister of Fortune’s disciples were dejected, the insignificant officials felt a surge of hope, especially those who had received news from Chang Huai. If Chang Huai could work in the Celestial Feather Ministry, why couldn’t they? Their skills weren’t that terrible. They could accept a lower salary. It was still better than spending their days in the Heavenly Prosperity Department, either working menial jobs or tending fires. Encouraged by Chang Huai, they discreetly left their name seals on the Chaos Mirror, anxiously awaiting the final selection.
***
A few days later, the verdict on the Minister of Fortune was announced. In recognition of his past contributions to the Heavenly Court, he was stripped of his position as the Head of the Heavenly Prosperity Department, retaining only the title of “Star Monarch,” and sentenced to a hundred years of imprisonment in the Senluo Prison. The new Star Monarch of the Heavenly Prosperity Department was also announced. Instead of promoting one of the department’s officials, the position was filled by a previously idle Star Monarch, none other than the Heavenly Emperor’s illegitimate son, Yu Gao.
The officials were dissatisfied with the Emperor’s decision and hoped that the Celestial Mother would intervene. However, even after Yu Gao Star Monarch assumed his position, the Celestial Mother remained silent. The officials speculated wildly. At this critical juncture, Chu Yi returned from Asura City, bringing with her a stack of petitions, demanding the dismissal of all officials who had been found to have connections with the demons. The Heavenly Emperor had always hated “dredging up the past,” but this time, he unexpectedly didn’t interfere. How could the officials not understand? Yu Gao’s appointment was simply a trade-off.
***
In the Azure Sovereign Hall.
Chu Yi’s expression was cold and stern.
She hadn’t expected the battlefield between gods and demons to become a stepping stone for officials seeking fame and promotion.
The Vermilion Bird Elder wasn’t the first, and he wouldn’t be the last!
The Heavenly Emperor had always turned a blind eye. No wonder the entire Heavenly Court was such a mess.
“Your Highness, a decree from the Purple Empyrean Palace,” a female immortal announced, entering the hall. She held a jade tray bearing a golden scroll.
Chu Yi pursed her lips, took the decree, and scanned it. Her brows furrowed. She was being ordered to oversee the reforms in the Four Seas Department? She looked at the seal at the end, confirming that it had been sent from the Heavenly Emperor’s palace, not her mother’s. But the Emperor hated change. Why would he send her to the Four Seas Department? After a moment of thought, she flicked her sleeve, and the decree dissipated into a cloud of light. The Four Seas were nominally under the Heavenly Court’s jurisdiction, but they were even more independent than the feathered lineages. Perhaps the Emperor had simply decided that the Four Seas were unimportant and was using this opportunity to get her out of Kunlun Mountain, preventing her from further investigations. And with Yu Gao placed in the Heavenly Prosperity Department, gradually moving towards the center of power, as long as he wasn’t completely obscure, the Mandate of Heaven might shift to him in the future…
She scoffed, her eyes turning even colder.
That useless fool wanted to steal her position? What a delusional dream!
In the East Sea Dragon Palace.
Ying Cunxin also received news that Chu Yi was coming to oversee the Four Seas Department reforms. Her emotions were a tangled mess.
The Dragon Lords of the Four Seas were displeased. They had let the Heavenly Prosperity Department’s funding cut slide, but now a special emissary was being sent to monitor them. Did they really think the Four Seas were easy to bully? Why was the White Tiger Department still receiving elixirs and artifacts from the Heavenly Prosperity Palace? They hadn’t completely submitted to the Heavenly Court either!
“Aren’t you good friends with the Heavenly Princess? Go and sound her out. Find out what the Heavenly Court is planning,” the East Sea Dragon Lord instructed Ying Cunxin.
Ying Cunxin lowered her gaze and said slowly, “Good friends? She didn’t even tell me when she was leaving Asura City.” She frowned, her expression gloomy. While talking to Feng Chiyue, she had indeed felt a flicker of disdain. But then she realized that, even with all her flaws, Chu Yi could still defeat most immortals in the Immortal Realm. Wasn’t that a skill in itself? Once those flaws were addressed, how powerful would she become? This thought lingered in her mind, and her interest in Chu Yi rekindled. However, Chu Yi had reverted to her initial coldness, ignoring her completely. She wanted to ask Feng Chiyue for advice, but Feng Chiyue had vanished without a trace.
The East Sea Dragon Lord didn’t care about her thoughts. “The Dragon Princesses and Princes from the West Sea, South Sea, and North Sea will be arriving soon,” he said. “Remember to receive them properly. Don’t spend all your time in your shell bed playing with the Chaos Mirror.”
Ying Cunxin scoffed, ignoring him completely, and turned to leave.
***
After the Minister of Fortune incident, the Heavenly Court enjoyed a rare period of peace.
Danxue Mountain seemed to have disappeared from the Immortal Realm. No more foolish feathered immortals dared to speak out.
Everyone was so well-behaved that those who enjoyed watching the drama unfold on the Chaos Mirror were bored.
Feng Chiyue wasn’t bothered by the lack of excitement. Instead of teasing the birds under the eternally blooming peach tree, she dragged Ming Jian Su to inspect the vast orchard behind Dong’e Mountain. After retrieving those treasures from the Abyss of the Milky Way, some long-extinct spiritual fruits had reappeared. The fruits sealed in jade boxes had been given to Que Chenyi and Qing Xun. As for the fresh ones, they could forget about it.
There were many wild birds in Dong’e Mountain. Ming Jian Su released a surge of sword intent, sending them scattering in a flurry of wings. She looked up at Feng Chiyue, who was perched on a branch, and said, arms crossed, “Should we ask Chang Huai to craft some puppet servants specifically to guard the orchard?”
“No need,” Feng Chiyue replied casually. She was in a good mood, humming a tune with a profound melody. The startled birds returned, their feathers a riot of colors, dancing gracefully in the air. Even without sentience, their bloodline compelled them to flock towards the Phoenix. Ming Jian Su’s eyes softened. She thought, “Compared to those feathered immortals, these unfortunate birds, lacking sentience, are more deserving of the Phoenix’s favor.”
“What song is that?” she asked curiously. It sounded familiar. She had heard it somewhere before. She tried to recall but only found a hazy mist in her memory.
Feng Chiyue swung her legs, her chin resting on her hand, and smiled. “I don’t know.” She was content with her current life and had no need to delve into those fragmented memories that gave her headaches. Whatever could be forgotten was no longer important.
“Elder Sister,” she called out. When she saw Ming Jian Su’s focused gaze on her, she jumped down from the tree. Her jade pendants chimed, blending with the clear, ethereal birdsong in the wind. She landed in Ming Jian Su’s arms, laughing uncontrollably. Ming Jian Su embraced her, a smile spreading across her face.
“Why are you so happy, Junior Sister?” she whispered in Feng Chiyue’s ear.
Feng Chiyue was always honest. “I’m happy whenever I see you.”
Her joy was so simple. Ming Jian Su was even more determined to shield her from responsibility. She would clear the path, remove all obstacles… She wanted her junior sister to remain forever innocent, forever passionate. “I’ll always be here,” she said, her voice soft but her tone firm and sincere.
Feng Chiyue blinked. “You’ve said that many times.”
Ming Jian Su hummed in agreement. She could say it a million times, and it still wouldn’t be enough.
***
On their way back, Feng Chiyue yawned, covering her mouth with her hand.
As usual, Ming Jian Su coaxed her while checking the messages on the Chaos Mirror.
Tu Shan Liusu, who had a close connection to the demons, had sent two messages. First, Chang Li had been spotted in the Demon Realm, searching for the Phoenix Sovereign. Second, a new Minor Realm had appeared. Both the Demon Realm and the Immortal Realm had their own ascension gates. A newly born Minor Realm was a valuable resource. If conquered, its laws could be altered, allowing for the possibility of immortals falling into demonhood or demons turning into immortals. According to the records, the last Minor Realm had appeared two thousand three hundred sixty-five years ago, falling into the Heavenly Court’s hands, and the Azure Sky Gate had been established there.
Ming Jian Su frowned, feeling that the timing of this new Minor Realm’s appearance was unfortunate.
“What’s wrong?” Feng Chiyue asked drowsily, her eyes still closed, clutching Ming Jian Su’s robe.
Ming Jian Su lowered her head and told her about the second message. “A new Minor Realm has appeared. The Immortal Realm will definitely fight the demons for control.”
Who would the Heavenly Emperor send when he received the news?
And Chang Li…
She hadn’t returned even after the incident at Danxue Mountain. What kind of clue could make her abandon her own lineage?
Would she come after her junior sister? Would she disrupt the peace of Dong’e Mountain?
Ming Jian Su’s mind raced, a wave of killing intent surging within her.
Feng Chiyue opened her eyes slightly and, reaching out, gently caressed Ming Jian Su’s brow, silently comforting her.
Ming Jian Su chuckled, taking her hand, their fingers interlacing. She suppressed her anger.
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