Chapter 481 The Peach Banquet
Tongtian thought for a moment and understood. "Second Brother Dog, you're even more of a dog than the dog next to Yang Jian. You're really stingy."
Are you afraid he'll pester Chang Hao?
Alright, Tongtian decided to find someone else to pester. He pestered his second brother, and now his master would have nothing to say. He let his second brother set up a trap, causing his Jie Sect to be either killed or scattered.
"Welcome back to Your Majesty..." All the immortals bowed in unison, and the Lingxiao Palace was shrouded in smoke, exuding an ethereal aura.
Chang Hao sat upright in the Lingxiao Palace, saying, "My lords, there's no need for such formalities."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on attaining the supreme Primordial Dao Fruit! From now on, you will be immortal and indestructible, living a carefree and eternal life." Bai Ze waved his feather fan, speaking eloquently as always.
"Your Majesty's grace extends to the Three Realms and your might extends to the Ten Directions. May Your Majesty be blessed with perfect fortune and have no worries." Kunpeng and Bai Ze have been at odds for a long time, so Kunpeng was unwilling to let Bai Ze steal the spotlight.
Having lost the initiative, Yaochi glared resentfully at Bai Ze and Kunpeng, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty always be filled with joy."
The difference in quality is immediately apparent.
Bi Gan and the others observed silently. They were all immortals, yet they were openly vying for favor. It seemed that flattery was indispensable everywhere.
"I have received your intentions, there is no need for further words." Chang Hao raised his hand to stop the infighting below. "Now that all the stars have returned to their positions, you should get to know each other. In the future, you must work together to maintain the operation of the Heavenly Dao and benefit all living beings. If you neglect your duties for personal reasons and fail to fulfill your responsibilities to Heaven, I will not let you off lightly."
"Yes, Your Majesty, we will remember." The once arrogant demon immortals were now tense. How could they forget that His Majesty did not tolerate idlers?
"Your Majesty's return is a cause for celebration throughout the land. It just so happens that the peaches in the Peach Garden are ripe. I intend to invite all my fellow immortals to a Peach Banquet. What does Your Majesty think?" Yaochi suggested.
The immortals all looked intently at the Heavenly Emperor, their eyes fixed on the peaches of immortality. They had only heard of them but never tasted them. If they could truly be blessed by His Majesty and obtain one to try, that would be wonderful.
At the very least, every family has a few beloved apprentices, juniors, or pets who have almost endless lifespans, but can be cared for by them.
Chang Hao pondered for a moment and decided that holding a Peach Banquet to introduce the newly appointed immortals of the human race to the old guard of the Heavenly Court would be a good idea.
"How about three days from now?" Xihe was intrigued and said hopefully, "It just so happens that His Majesty's birthday is in three days. It would be wonderful for the whole country to celebrate together."
"I am willing to provide a batch of Imperial Dew for this banquet, and all the celestial wines come from the Taiyin Star." Changxi was unusually generous.
“The Kunlun Huangzhong plum is no less excellent; I offer it all to Your Majesty,” Yuanshi Tianzun suddenly spoke.
As soon as Yuanshi finished speaking, a pin drop could be heard in the Lingxiao Palace.
The immortals' faces twisted slightly. They wanted to look at the Primordial Heavenly Lord but dared not. They were extremely conflicted. Was the rumor true or false? They were truly at their wits' end.
The Jinwu family, who had just been excitedly planning to give their beloved Xiao Shi a grand birthday celebration, all suddenly turned pale.
Zhen Yuanzi chuckled dryly, trying to smooth things over for Yuanshi Tianzun, saying, "Yun Zhongzi entrusted me to deliver two immortal apricots to congratulate Your Majesty on attaining the supreme Dao fruit. The ginseng fruit at Wuzhuang Temple has also ripened, and I am presenting them to Your Majesty to express my joy."
"You've put in a good thought," Chang Hao said with a smile. "Emperor Ziwei, what do you think?"
Chang Hao glanced at Di Jun. It wasn't that he didn't support idle people, but that ordinary people didn't have the ability to be supported by him.
"A family reunion is an even greater joy," Di Jun forced a smile. "Your Majesty, how about setting it for three days from now?"
"As the Ziwei Emperor said, the Peach Banquet will be held at Yaochi in three days," Chang Hao decided.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The immortals were overjoyed. They now knew that the banquet would surely include peaches of immortality, ginseng fruit, imperial nectar, and yellow plums. They were certain that the True Dao Banquet would also contain other rare and precious items.
"From now on, whenever the peaches of immortality ripen, we will hold a Peach Banquet so that all the immortals can taste the celestial fruits and fine wines. What does Your Majesty think?" Yaochi planned to take this opportunity to establish this banquet as a fixed event.
“Good.” Chang Hao felt there was nothing wrong with it. It would be a fair and just benefit to give his hardworking immortals a chance to unite their hearts. Why not?
……………………
Above the Jade Pool, clouds and mist swirl, auspicious omens abound, golden lotuses fall to the ground, and purple aura rises from the east.
The melodious music lingered in the air, and the fairy maidens sang and danced lightly, their skirts fluttering as gracefully as flowing clouds.
Chang Hao sat upright with a smile, welcoming all who came to offer their congratulations with a toast.
After a few rounds of drinks, Chang Hao gave Yao Chi a wink, knowing that everyone was being reserved with him there. So he thoughtfully left some space for the officials to get to know each other and learn a thing or two.
On such a day, no one would dare to provoke him. As long as they didn't use their cultivation level to intimidate others, Chang Hao believed that the shrewd people he brought with him wouldn't suffer any losses. Moreover, with Yaochi watching over them, he felt at ease.
Yaochi nodded, relieved that her senior brother was watching.
Bi Gan, Shang Rong, and the others wandered among the immortals. In three days, they quickly adapted to the ways of the Heavenly Court and figured out how to communicate.
The king is still the same king, and his peace of mind makes him even more composed.
They may lack other things, but their insight is exceptional. The power dynamics within mortal dynasties are incredibly complex, and the Heavenly Court must also have its own untold secrets.
Suddenly, Bi Gan stared wide-eyed at the mysterious figure who had arrived silently, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"What's wrong?" Shang Rong didn't hear his partner, who was singing along with him, coming over. He turned around and almost dropped the cup in his hand.
This was because they had only recently become immortals, their cultivation was at the bottom, and they had not yet acquired the divine power derived from merit. They saw Hongjun with the most simple eyes rather than through perception.
"That man, his demeanor is just like the late king..." Bigan wanted to see more clearly, but his eyes stung.
"Stop looking," Shang Rong tugged at Bi Gan, "Be careful not to get hurt."
It's understandable that the Great King might be the Heavenly Emperor descended to earth to undergo tribulation, and the former king was also a member of the Heavenly Court.
There are countless miraculous things happening in the Heavenly Court. The son becomes the Heavenly Emperor and the father becomes the Great Emperor, and the tragic situation of the father having to bow to the son has already occurred. It is not surprising that there are some other secrets.
They'll find out about these things later; take it slow, there's no rush.
"You've arrived." Chang Hao, who had been getting up to leave, sat back down upon seeing this.
"I've come to ask for a cup of Emperor's Dew." A hint of warmth appeared in Hongjun's indifferent eyes. This was Chang Hao's special day, how could he not be there in person?
“It just so happens that Taiwei Palace is hosting a small banquet. You shall come with me.” Chang Hao stood up again, tugged at Hongjun’s sleeve, and intended to go to Taiwei Palace with Hongjun.
The small banquet at Taiwei Palace wasn't just for him and Yuanshi. As the master of the Three Pure Ones, the master of Di Junxi and Taiyi, and the grandmaster of the Golden Crows, he should sit in the seat of honor.
“No need,” Hongjun pressed Chang Hao back to his original position. “This place is fine.” He didn’t want to see Yuanshi’s smug face.
"Alright, I'll toast you then," Chang Hao said, raising his glass in invitation.
Hongjun chuckled, the chill emanating from him vanishing instantly. He reached out and took the cup from Chang Hao's hand, drinking it down in one gulp.
"Alright, you've drunk the Emperor's Dew, now go to Taiwei Palace." Hongjun lowered his eyes, showing little interest.
“I will go with you.” Chang Hao felt that Hongjun’s expression was not right, and he couldn’t put his mind at ease.
"No need. I came here specifically not only because I didn't want to miss your birthday, but also to tell you that I'm going into seclusion for a while. Don't worry if you can't find me in Zixiao Palace; I'm right here, I haven't gone anywhere else."
Hongjun was ultimately unable to accept it; he would find the person he had lost in the same way he had lost him.
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