Chapter 80 Creating Pretexts
"Haha, hahahaha..." Di Jun sat on the Lingxiao Palace and laughed loudly, "Taiyi, today my brother and I have finally been able to hold our heads high."
"I'm glad you're happy, but you must keep what you said to the Heavenly Dao today." Taiyi was genuinely happy for Dijun. After so many years of hard work, he had finally achieved results.
"Rest assured, elder brother will keep his word and do his utmost to maintain the rotation of heaven and earth," Di Jun said solemnly.
Di Jun remembered something, "This Demon Court is still a bit empty. In order to make it easier to work and to maintain the operation of the Heavenly Dao, and to manage the intricate matters of the heavens and the earth, the cycle of the four seasons, etc., I intend to have Fuxi and the others move to the Heavenly Court. If you have a palace you like, go and choose one first."
“I understand, and there’s no need for that. We can just divide things up according to status. Things are different now than before. We need to be fair and just so that there’s no cause for criticism.”
"I know, but there are human feelings beyond the law. You don't need to worry about this. Just be yourself, I'll take care of everything." Di Jun didn't care. If he couldn't even give Taiyi the palace his younger brother liked, what was the point of being the Demon Emperor?
During their casual conversation, Fuxi held a list and looked quite troubled.
"Fuxi, what has happened?" Dijun asked, puzzled.
"Di Jun, you said that the Demon Court has been newly established and wants to invite powerful beings from the prehistoric world to come and congratulate you. However, how should this be named? If we directly announce the legitimate status of the Demon Court, I'm afraid not many powerful beings will be willing to lower themselves to come and congratulate us. This banquet..." Di Jun also thought of what Fuxi had left unsaid.
“I’ve got it,” Di Jun recalled his promise to Xi He. “I’ll host a banquet for all the great powers on the grounds that I’m going to establish a demon queen. As long as they are present, even if they don’t intend to submit to the demon court, they won’t make things difficult for the demon court’s group. If they don’t come, I’ll have to go to their door one by one to demand an explanation.”
"That's a good idea." Upon hearing this, Fuxi realized he had no better pretext and could only do it this way.
The Southern Heavenly Gate opened wide, with Kunpeng and Fuxi standing on either side, followed by a group of eloquent maidens waiting to act as guides.
Nuwa smiled sweetly and, guided by Changxi, gracefully took her seat. "Sister Changxi, you led me to a seat. Aren't you afraid that our plans to entertain Chang Hao will fall through?"
Chang Xi said without changing his expression, "No matter what, we must not forget to welcome Sister Nuwa."
"I wonder who it was that was craning their necks at the Ten-Mile Pavilion outside the South Heavenly Gate just now," Nuwa said, half teasing and half serious. "If you really like them, why don't we join forces?"
Chang Xi's expression changed slightly when he thought of Chang Hao's earth-shattering sword strike that day. "These kinds of things naturally require mutual consent; you can't force them."
"Sister Nuwa, please bear with me. I'll excuse myself." Chang Xi was afraid that Nuwa's words would come true and she would miss Chang Hao, so she hurriedly rushed to Shili Pavilion.
Standing quietly at the Ten Mile Pavilion, Chang Xi occasionally unfolded the folding fan made of Xuanming Cold Bone. She thought of Chang Hao's handsome figure holding the jade fan, his proper conduct and gentle nature, and his unparalleled skill in sealing gods with a single sword. She secretly admired him and wondered how she could blame him for falling out of love with someone else.
Nuwa was filled with turmoil. She took out a red embroidered ball. The red thread that belonged to Chang Xi was so vibrant and beautiful that she had done her part to help him achieve his goal. However, the red thread that belonged to Chang Hao had not yet been born. It was clear that the flower was willing but the water was indifferent.
She sensed that the red embroidered ball was about to encounter an opportunity, but she had no clue what it was. She wanted to talk to Fuxi, but he was busy and couldn't pay attention to her at the moment.
“Fellow Daoist Chang Hao, Chang Xi has been waiting here for a long time,” Chang Xi’s eyes lit up and he took a few quick steps. “Fellow Daoist Yuanshi and Fellow Daoist Tongtian are also here,” his tone was noticeably lower. “Please come this way quickly.”
"Di Jun's hospitality is truly exceptional, to the point that Fellow Daoist Chang Xi personally greeted him from ten miles away. I wonder if this level of hospitality is reserved for everyone, or just for one person?"
Yuanshi's eyes darkened, and for some reason, he felt a tightness in his chest and a bitter feeling in his heart. He thought of the even more troublesome Donghuang Taiyi inside, and wished he could just drag Chang Hao back home right now.
“Yuanshi Tianzun is joking,” Changxi said, not wanting to be offended. “I have come to welcome a friend. It has nothing to do with official business, but only with personal feelings.”
Yuanshi's face darkened. "Private affair? What private affair?"
"Fellow Daoist Changxi, be careful with your words. You should know that words can wound silently like knives. For the sake of our reputations, it is best to refrain from saying anything that might arouse suspicion." Chang Hao frowned and said in disagreement. There's no need to let people speculate about things that are clearly not true.
Chang Xi was slightly flustered. Oh no! In a moment of anger, she forgot that she and her sister Nuwa had discussed that Chang Hao should prefer uprightness and dislike unrestrained behavior.
Tongtian took a deep breath. They were guests, so why was one of them with a dark face and the other lecturing the host? He then put on a smile and tried to smooth things over: "My second brother and Chang Hao are both men of strong character. Fellow Daoist Chang Xi, please don't take offense. We've come to offer our congratulations today, so it's best not to miss this auspicious occasion."
“What you say is quite right, fellow Daoist,” Changxi said casually. “This way, please.”
"Look ahead, that's where the Demon Court is." Chang Xi said with pride. Looking across the entire prehistoric world, where else could one find such a magnificent fairyland?
The pavilions and towers were magnificent and resplendent, with carved beams and painted rafters, and countless exotic flowers and rare plants. The sights were breathtaking.
"Does Fellow Daoist Chang Hao like this place? If so, you may choose a palace to stay in." Chang Xi asked tentatively. Taiyi had told her that he had reserved a palace next to it for Chang Hao. If she could persuade Chang Hao to move in, that would be the best outcome.
“The pavilions and towers are like those of an emperor, which is most suitable for Emperor Jun to live in. Chang Hao still prefers a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters and does not like noise. I appreciate Emperor Jun’s kindness.”
Chang Xi was not disappointed upon hearing this, as he had expected to be rejected. Yuan Shi, on the other hand, looked much better.
"Please come this way..." Changxi greeted them, passing by Fuxi and Kunpeng, who were the true guests.
"Fellow Daoist Fuxi, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, it's been a long time." Chang Hao greeted them with a smile.
"It is an honor to have three fellow Daoists grace us with their presence. Please..." Fuxi took over Changxi's task, exchanged a subtle glance with Kunpeng, and led the group inside. The path they took was different from that of the other powerful beings, as Emperor Jun was there to personally receive them, giving the group the utmost respect.
"Congratulations, Demon Emperor..." Yuanshi said lightly. Although Dijun had managed the demon race very well, Yuanshi still disliked his scheming and power-hungry nature.
"Dijun, my elder brother is currently in seclusion and has no time to come here. Please don't take offense," Tongtian explained on behalf of Laozi.
"It's alright, it's already a great honor for me that you could come." Di Jun knew that the Three Pure Ones held a transcendent status and were the most likely to become saints in the future, so he couldn't afford to offend them.
"Of course, we have prepared a congratulatory gift for you to celebrate your joyous occasion." Tongtian said, taking out the gift they had prepared. "This is the innate spiritual treasure, the Rising Sun Sword and the Wangshu Sword, wishing you and Xihe to be inseparable for eternity."
Tongtian thought to himself, "In the primordial world, people either unite or separate. Who's like you, Dijun, who announces your Daoist partner all over the primordial world? How embarrassing will it be if you break up with him later?"
Di Jun gazed at the superior-grade Sun and Moon Twin Swords, his expression softening slightly, and a genuine smile appeared on his face: "Thank you, fellow Daoist." After speaking, he looked at Chang Hao, who was silent to the side.
Chang Hao knew that bleeding was the only option. "This is the Demon-Revealing Mirror. It can reveal the true form of a great demon. Place it where the Heavenly Gate is wide open. Anyone who passes through the Heavenly Gate will have their true form revealed in the mirror. The Demon-Revealing Mirror will also show the master their weaknesses one by one. Please use it with caution."
"Thank you, Chang Hao." Di Jun took the antique bronze mirror, then suddenly flipped it over and showed it to Chang Hao.
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