Suspicion

“That is hardly the way to look at it! Don’t turn your nose up at a good post.” Immortal Officer Liu merely smiled and said, “Didn’t you complain day in and day out that your work was heavy and dull? My former position was a lucrative posting. I deliberately saved it for you. The work is novel, there will be flattery to hear, and you will even get to observe the realm below. Isn’t that wonderful?” He pulled his sleeves back and feigned indifference. “Well, if you are unwilling, let us forget it!” “Wait, My Lord!” Hearing him say this, Dangjiang suddenly saw the light. Any weariness vanished instantly. Scrambling up from the table, he forced a fawning smile and said, “This lowly one was merely confirming the details, that was all. Whatever My Lord commands… sweet or bitter, I will do it gladly. Even the bitterest hardship tastes as sweet as syrup to me! How could I ever turn my nose up at it? Only now do I realize it was all out of My Lord’s kindness. I am deeply, profoundly moved!” Lu Jiangxian knew well that Dangjiang was a master of empty flatteries, so he simply said, “I am pressed for time on my end and cannot linger to say much more. Take my command token, leave this Xuanqi Pavilion of the Secret Repository of Shengqing Mansion, and follow the celestial path through the sky. You will naturally arrive at a treasure pavilion.” “In recent years, contact with the lower realm has been cut off, so fewer personnel remain in that pavilion. Match your token to the seals, climb the steps, and someone will receive you.” Dangjiang opened his mouth to ask more, but Lu Jiangxian dared not let him babble any further. Guiding the puppet of Immortal Officer Liu, he cut in, “I must depart shortly. A sacrifice from the lower realm should be arriving down at that pavilion. If you have time, go see to it at once.” With those parting words, he took his leave immediately. Dangjiang saw him out reluctantly, accompanying him all the way to the front of the courtyard before hesitating: “My Lord previously commanded that someone must remain stationed in the pavilion, which is why I have stood guard here day after day. If I leave like this, this place will be completely deserted. Might I be charged with dereliction of duty?” “Set your mind at ease.” Lu Jiangxian had only given that order in the first place for fear that Dangjiang would run around, forcing him to constantly shape puppets to deal with the nuisance. He merely replied, “With my command token, so long as you are carrying out official duties and not idling about or wandering aimlessly, it will not count as abandoning your post. You may stay at peace in either place, but make haste on your travels back and forth and do not tarry.” Having finished speaking, he strode swiftly away. Unable to step beyond the courtyard, Dangjiang could only watch him vanish into the celestial horizon. Turning back, he looked at the token left upon the table. It was barely the length of a forearm, pure white throughout and engraved with silver-white Taiyin patterns. It was exquisite and magnificent, obviously no ordinary object. He admired it for a while, then cast a glance at the half-modified cultivation manual on the desk, musing inwardly, *I will finish writing this last bit before heading over to look.* With that, he buried his head in his research. Yet after reading only two lines, he could wait no longer. *I should go have a look first,* he thought. *After seeing what it’s like, coming back will feel much more refreshing.* He stood up at once, stepped out from the small courtyard beneath the pavilion, and took to the clouds. When he produced the token, a silver star indeed rose in the distance, shooting forward through the drifting mist. Dangjiang followed closely in its wake. Before long, the clouds parted and the mists dissolved, revealing a vast and magnificent grand hall. Coiling dragons and perched phoenixes crowned the structure in boundless grandeur, stunningly resplendent. Beneath his feet lay a rippling golden lake, spanned by twelve bridges of white jade that led directly toward the central palace. Dangjiang stole a glance at the spectacle, only for his eyes to throb with pain. He hastily lowered his gaze, noticing rows of golden-armored immortal soldiers standing along the white jade bridges, their armor gleaming brilliantly, their eyes staring straight ahead without wavering. Naturally, Dangjiang dared not strike up a conversation, guessing that he had no right to tread upon those celestial bridges anyway. Looking down at the token, he saw that it indeed guided him around the lake. Tucking in his chin and averting his gaze, he hurried onward. This palace complex was terrifyingly vast. Guards stood by the lakeside as well. Dangjiang dared not even raise an eyebrow as he wound through corridors that plunged deeper and deeper into seclusion, eventually arriving before a palace gate beside the water. Two immortal soldiers of even sturdier build guarded this gate. At last, one of them raised his brows to look at him. Dangjiang simply held up the token, and heard one of the guards declare: “Ah, an official from the Taiyin Mansion. Please enter.” Dangjiang scrambled inside. Passing through the palace gate, he found that the interior gradually returned to the decorative style of the Taiyin lineage, with faint traces of snow dusting the ground. The area was immense, every quarter adorned with quiet opulence. Though he twisted and turned along the paths, he never missed an opportunity to look around. There were surprisingly many people in this palace, each more noble and distinguished than the last. The armor of the immortal generals was mostly only a notch below Zhengao’s, and a few were even dressed identically. Celestial maidens drifted by, their tassels fluttering in the breeze. When he finally caught sight of a few immortal officers, every one of them appeared anxious and silent, not daring to utter a word. Dangjiang was naturally full of scheming thoughts, and a single look was enough for him to deduce his own standing. He hunched his neck and scurried forward until he reached a small courtyard. Only when the maids on either side closed the doors from the outside did he finally breathe a sigh of relief. This courtyard was exceedingly orderly, paved with immaculately clean white jade flagstones. Four white jade lampstands were arranged across the space, while a bottomless round pool sat directly in the center. Aside from these, there was nothing else. At first glance, it was clearly not a courtyard meant for living. He paced around in bewilderment, at a complete loss, when the token in his hand suddenly flared with light. The water in the round pool rapidly shifted into a radiant, translucent white. Knowing there was work to be done, he hurried forward and peered into the bottom of the pool. He watched as the white glow receded like a mirror clearing its reflection. At first it was pitch-black, but soon a faint speck of light ignited. From some extremely concealed location, a reverent prayer drifted up, buzzing like bees until it grew gradually distinct: “…This humble cultivator, Chi Buzi, having devoutly prepared sacrificial offerings, reverently invites the Taiyin and prays upward to the Heavenly Officials, seeking to ward off misfortune, dispel balefulness, and let my immortal path stretch vast and boundless…” Dangjiang was stunned. All of his previous tension and unease instantly evaporated, replaced by a surge of smug satisfaction and a grin that rushed to his face. He jerked his head up and laughed, “I wondered which lord it was—turns out to be our Real Person Chi!” He poured his spiritual sense into the token, activating the magical tool to receive the prayer. The light and shadows within the pool grew increasingly substantial. After half a quarter of an hour, the radiance spilled outward, coalescing into the shape of a green-robed man in the courtyard. No sooner had the man steadied his footing than he found his surroundings abruptly transformed; he had landed within an unfamiliar courtyard. Both startled and suspicious, he raised his brows and discovered a young immortal officer with pale green eyes standing before him. The youth’s robes were embroidered with Taiyin motifs. Though his rank did not appear high, Chi Buzi reacted with incredible speed, immediately bowing in greeting: “This humble cultivator pays respects to My Lord!” Dangjiang grinned so widely his mouth could hardly close, his smile threatening to spill off his cheeks. He simply said, “Great Real Person Chi! Open your eyes and take a good look… who am I?” Chi Buzi paused slightly and looked up. Though this person appeared young, his demeanor carried the weary weight of old age, exuding an unmistakable sense of familiarity that made him hesitate… Chi Buzi had indeed never laid eyes upon Dangjiang’s original appearance. During their past entanglements, they had always fought for control within the same vessel; even when Dangjiang held the upper hand, it had still been Chi Buzi’s physical body, merely under a different master. Yet Chi Buzi was exceptionally sharp. He mused inwardly: *The only person I could possibly recognize on this side… seems to be that stupid donkey. Though this fellow doesn't look stupid, his tone is identical to that idiot donkey’s.* He probed cautiously, “Fellow Daoist Dangjiang?” He did not even need Dangjiang to answer. One look at the smug grin plastered across the idiot donkey’s face was enough. He raised an eyebrow. “Oh… so the old bastard actually has some standing up here?” Despite finding himself in a position where he ought to bow his head, Chi Buzi showed not the slightest trace of timidity, asking his question in a tone half-laughing and half-scolding. Sure enough, Dangjiang burst into hearty laughter before feigning anger: “You insolent demonic disciple! How dare you show disrespect to an immortal officer of the dignified Huasu Yuanming Taiyin Mansion?” Though his words sounded imposing, Chi Buzi was entirely unfazed. He had an excellent grasp of human nature and had come to understand Dangjiang inside and out over the years. With someone of this sort, acting submissive and humble would only embolden him; the right approach was to banter and mock without a shred of fear. Furthermore, after so many years of scheming against each other in the East Sea, there was enmity, yes, but with the Immortal Lord above, how could the Lord ever let Dangjiang truly perish? Calling it an ordeal was merely a polite phrasing. Whether it was enmity or camaraderie was ultimately just a matter of Chi Buzi’s own attitude. Besides, Chi Buzi was someone whom the Immortal Lord had personally bestowed a method upon. How could Dangjiang dare harm him? He immediately chuckled, “Stop putting on airs! Looking at your attire, you’ve become nothing more than a minor clerk after ascending to the heavens!” Struck right where it hurt, Dangjiang choked on his breath and snapped, “An official in the heavens is far more formidable than a Real Person on earth!” Chi Buzi grasped the truth instantly. *This stupid donkey truly isn’t having an easy time in whatever heaven this is.* Chi Buzi naturally assumed that the other’s “heaven” was akin to Anhuai Heaven or Luyu Heaven—a grotto-heaven belonging to a dignified Immortal Lord—while this Huasu Yuanming Taiyin was simply an immortal sect or department. Having sussed out the other’s circumstances in just a few words, he quietly swept his gaze toward the courtyard gate, feeling suspicious: *Why don’t I see anyone else? In the Immortal Lord’s grotto-heaven… from start to finish, the only one I deal with is Dangjiang…* Aloud, however, he declared clearly, “Cease your idle chatter. I set up the formation and offered sacrifice strictly in accordance with the Immortal Lord’s instructions. Where do you get the nerve to obstruct me?” This shout frightened Dangjiang out of his wits. He hurriedly tugged at Chi Buzi’s sleeve and hissed, “Keep your voice down! Just because the Lord granted you a reception formation, you think you’re someone important? Everyone outside is either an immortal officer or an immortal general! If you stir up trouble, I won’t be able to protect you!” Chi Buzi narrowed his eyes slightly, instantly shifting his stance to align with Dangjiang’s, and replied in an undertone, “I am unfamiliar with this grotto-heaven… Will you be the one receiving me from now on? It took great effort for me to capture a Violet Palace demon beast. It is a Violet Palace creature, after all, which must count as substantial sustenance even in this grotto-heaven. This benefits both of us. You must ensure my contribution is reported upward. If you embezzle my merit or fail to secure it, what will there be left for us to discuss in the future?” Dangjiang knew the man was clever, but he had not expected him to think of so many intricate angles in an instant. Caught off guard, he answered, “According to the feedback from this token, your merit is indeed recorded, and I must still go to the main hall to report your service. Is there any reward you wish to request?” Chi Buzi’s eyes lit up at once, and he replied, “It’s… it’s the immortal position inheritance you carried on your person back then! Do you remember? My Chougui Concealment… was only forged with the help of that item! I ask only for that, nothing else!” Dangjiang had no idea if such an item existed here. Frowning, he said, “That object was also bestowed by the heavens and was inherently tied to the Violet Palace… I have plenty of connections in the heavens and know a high-ranking official in the Venerable One’s mansion. There is no harm in asking.” “However, if memory serves… back then, you already possessed the Foundation Establishment cultivation method and the spiritual energy for Chougui Concealment, and had formed your immortal foundation. You merely lacked the Violet Palace portion and had not broken through to a divine ability, relying instead on that treasure’s resonance to make the breakthrough…” As he said this, Chi Buzi’s brow furrowed as well, clearly realizing the problem. Sure enough, Dangjiang continued: “Yet now you wish to cultivate Xijielu, but you don't even have the immortal foundation. The situation is completely different from before. If you end up wasting the treasure… you won't even have anywhere to weep…” “True…” Chi Buzi frowned. When he had received the bestowed method, he only knew it might allow him to resume his path; he had known nothing else. Arriving here today was entirely beyond his expectations, so how could he have thought things through so thoroughly? Understanding the situation now, he reacted immediately: *Indeed. There is no lead on Xijielu, and moreover, Taiqing does not wish to see me break through… It is fine if I do not cultivate Xijielu, but once my fifth divine ability becomes Xijielu and I fail to break through before Taiqing returns… I will end up dying without a corpse to bury.* He fell silent for a moment. Dangjiang whispered, “How about asking for something else? I oversee cultivation manuals, and the heavens certainly do not lack spiritual energy. I could first seek out the Violet Palace manual and spiritual energy for Xijielu on your behalf, and you can cultivate it yourself.” Chi Buzi’s mindset had already changed. He shook his head. “No. Even if I obtain them, I wouldn’t dare cultivate it. It would be useless.” Though he knew the person before him loved nothing more than boasting, Chi Buzi had no choice but to grit his teeth and reply, “Don’t you have connections in the heavens? Ask on my behalf… You know my strength and methods. If I achieve the Golden Core outside the grotto-heaven, it will be immensely beneficial to you as well… Even recommending me into the grotto-heaven would bring you great advantages.” Dangjiang nodded silently. No matter how luxurious the heavens were, a Golden Core True Monarch possessed undeniable prestige. On ordinary days in the heavens, if one sought out an immortal general or a minor deity to share tea, the other party would gladly grant face… Deeply tempted, he could only say, “That individual is an extraordinary figure, but out of respect for me, he will not refuse. I can ask on your behalf…” Chi Buzi nodded half-skeptically and asked, “How do I return? And after returning, how do I see you again? I can’t very well capture a Violet Palace demon beast every single time, can I? I am no Golden Core True Monarch.” Dangjiang shook his head. “Just jump into the pool and you will be back. I have already recorded your merit with the token. In the future, if you wish to reach this place, activate the formation with your divine ability, and your spiritual sense will arrive. You will not be able to enter in the flesh like today, however; you can only transmit your thoughts.” “That is fine.” Chi Buzi let out a sigh, seemingly ready to leave. He took a step toward the edge of the pool, resting one hand against the white jade lampstand beside it. Feeling its solid, tangible texture, he reached for his storage bag, only to discover that it could not be opened. The young man’s expression suddenly relaxed. His brisk steps halted abruptly, and he turned back. “May I take a look at the scenery outside?” Dangjiang noticed nothing amiss and merely sneered, “I’m afraid it’ll scare you to death!” With that, he led Chi Buzi to the front of the courtyard and gently pushed open the gate. Beyond lay a street blanketed in cold snow, illuminated by bright moon lampstands, every surface carved with patterns of golden-pistiled osmanthus. White-robed cultivators could be seen flying across the sky, while farther in the distance, faint golden palace towers and pavilions hovered amid the clouds, alongside white jade bridges that spanned the horizon. Chi Buzi gazed out with narrowed eyes, but ultimately dared not take a step outside, turning back into the courtyard. *I cannot go outside… and there is nothing in this courtyard that can be taken.* With a glint of azure in his eyes, the young man scrutinized his surroundings thoroughly, then smiled. “Fellow Daoist Dangjiang, your robes are quite magnificent and beautiful. Why not gift me a set?” Dangjiang was astonished. “What madness has seized you? Is that something you can take?” Chi Buzi smiled without answering. He took a step forward, glancing at the white jade moon lampstand. The lampstand was sealed tight, hiding whatever lay within. Beneath his feet, the jade flagstones were fitted flush without a single speck of debris. He put on an earnest smile and said with solemn gravity, “Fellow Daoist Dangjiang, we mortals do not recognize the wonders of the heavens. I wonder if I might take a souvenir back with me? That way, I can admire it in my spare moments and remind myself that I have truly visited a grotto-heaven.” Hearing him say this, Dangjiang felt his pride swell immensely. Bursting into hearty laughter, he nodded repeatedly. “Of course you can!”