Chapter Fifteen: The Seven Sages Who Founded the Realm (2)

The Supreme Young Lord also gave Hua Sheng a subtle look, signaling him to hold his tongue.

Then the Supreme Young Lord said, “Although Li Jing came at that time, it was the Star Lord of Dao Spirit who chose to leave with him. Perhaps the Star Lord wished to protect the Academy of Magical Arts and avoid causing trouble for the Immortal Masters and disciples.”

Hua Sheng knew he had to be careful about the occasion but was filled with resentment and remained silent.

At this moment, Immortal Qingmiao spoke, “If we do not go find the Star Lord of Dao Spirit ourselves, could we summon all the disciples of the Academy to compare the purple-gold threads one by one?”

Immortal Yuran responded, “This method is inefficient and a last resort, but not impossible. There are two problems: first, there are over thirty thousand disciples in the Academy, so the process would be slow, and it’s uncertain whether it could be completed within three days; second, we can only compare threads from disciples currently present in the Academy—those temporarily away cannot be verified. As everyone knows, during the Qiankun Guard battle…”

Yuran stopped short and did not continue.

Immortal Jueguang said, “What Immortal Yuran said is reasonable. It seems urgent action is needed, so let’s first implement Immortal Qingmiao’s proposal. If it exceeds three days, we will think of another plan. Meanwhile, we should investigate this so-called Kelin Demon School’s background. Regardless, as long as we are prepared, even if they mobilize their entire force, our Academy need not fear.”

“I will also check the news broadcast to see if there are any clues,” said Immortal Yuran.

Hua Sheng, worried that Immortal Yuran might waste time, quickly said, “Immortal, you surely won’t find any clues on the news broadcast. It might be better to try another approach.”

“Oh, I forgot you came from the mortal realm. Perhaps your suggestion has merit. Allow me some time to think…” Yuran nodded.

With that, Immortal Jueguang ended the meeting at Lakeside Star Pavilion. The immortals dispersed.

Hua Sheng and the Supreme Young Lord returned to their quarters.

Though he had been away for a hundred days, the scene inside the quarters was still vivid in Hua Sheng’s mind. Because the Academy is located in Lingzhou, where the climate and environment are pleasant year-round, Hua Sheng’s room was as clean as if freshly tidied. The desk, bedside, and floor were spotless.

Though Hua Sheng felt nostalgic returning to the Academy, he hadn’t expected to encounter trouble so soon. Moreover, the Star Lord of Dao Spirit’s capture seemed somewhat connected to him, and Hua Sheng couldn’t help but blame himself for bringing misfortune upon the Star Lord.

Before he could rest, he returned to the main hall and said to the Supreme Young Lord, “Young Lord, I feel that comparing the purple-gold threads one by one is never going to work…”

“I think so too. Fortunately, I managed to snip off a small piece of thread just now…” said the Supreme Young Lord, pulling a tiny purple-gold thread from his pocket.

“Eh? Where did you get that purple-gold thread? Wasn’t it brought by that magician Jian?” Hua Sheng asked.

“Exactly!” The Supreme Young Lord lifted the thread, barely longer than a mosquito leg. “When I got it from Jian, I thought keeping some evidence might come in handy, so I snipped off this small piece.”

Hua Sheng was amazed. “Young Lord, you asked for contact information from others, left your own contact with Jian, and even got a thread—your scheming is impressively meticulous!”

The Supreme Young Lord looked quite pleased. “Naturally! I never neglect the important matters!”

Hua Sheng hurriedly said, “If we can find the Star Lord of Dao Spirit with this thread, then perhaps we can verify whether the Academy has any connection to the missing planetary silk?”

“Logically, yes. But the Star Lord is now imprisoned in the Fiery Wrath Heavenly Prison, guarded by Erlang Shen. It’s not like strolling through the Xuanwu Spirit Mountain where we come and go freely.”

Hua Sheng agreed. No matter the prison, if it was under the control of Erlang Shen Yang Jian, even immortals would struggle to enter or exit.

Though his powers had grown and he wielded the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, Hua Sheng’s cultivation was no match for Sun Wukong’s; facing Erlang Shen would hardly be advantageous.

Besides, the Fiery Wrath Heavenly Prison was a high-security facility holding the Star Lord, and Erlang Shen was an incorruptible guard. Reasonably, Hua Sheng had no chance to meet the prisoner.

As he fretted, he saw the Supreme Young Lord drawing various tree-like diagrams on a sheet of paper atop the table.

“Young Lord, what are you doing? Lines and words everywhere… Oh! I get it—you’re trying to create some powerful invisibility talisman so we can sneak into the Fiery Wrath Prison?”

“It’s not a talisman,” the Supreme Young Lord muttered, thinking deeply as he continued to write. Then, dissatisfied, he tore up the paper and started a new one.

He drew, tore, and redrew repeatedly.

“Could it be? Are you trying to forge some kind of pass? That’s impossible! Forging official documents is a serious crime! And do you think a few strokes can get you into the Fiery Wrath Prison?”

Hua Sheng was worried. “We might get caught too, right? What’s the use of getting in if we can’t get out?”

“Don’t bother me, I’m not drawing a pass…” the Supreme Young Lord said.

“Then what’s the meaning of all these vertical and horizontal lines and so many words?”

“This is a kinship connection chart!”

“...Sounds like a backdoor spell? You’re planning to use magic to cozy up to Erlang Shen? Do you think he’d fall for your spell?”

“This isn’t magic. It’s a family tree chart—do you understand?”

“I... I suppose I do. But what good is it?”

The Supreme Young Lord didn’t answer, instead staring at his chin with the brush in hand.

Suddenly, he slapped his thigh and shouted, “I’ve finally traced a kinship connection to Erlang Shen! We’ll definitely get in!”

Hua Sheng gasped, “You actually found a connection? Then you’re a relative! Tell me, tell me!”

The Supreme Young Lord pulled out a blank sheet and wrote four characters: “Ancestor Hongjun.” Below that, he wrote three names: “Supreme Lord of the Dao,” “Primordial Heavenly Sovereign,” and “Tongtian Cult Leader.”

Hua Sheng said, “So these three are apprentices of Ancestor Hongjun…”

“Disciples.”

“And then?”

The Supreme Young Lord wrote under Primordial Heavenly Sovereign the name Jade Cauldron Immortal, and under him, Yang Jian’s name, explaining, “My grandpa, the Supreme Lord of the Dao, and Primordial Heavenly Sovereign are senior brothers. Primordial Heavenly Sovereign lives in Jade Void Palace; his disciple is Jade Cauldron Immortal—Jiang Ziya is a fellow disciple. Yang Jian is Jade Cauldron Immortal’s apprentice. In short, Yang Jian is Primordial Heavenly Sovereign’s grand-apprentice.”

Hua Sheng studied the chart and pondered, “It seems you do have some connection with Yang Jian…”

The Supreme Young Lord beamed proudly, “Exactly! Since the Supreme Lord of the Dao is the eldest senior brother, Primordial Heavenly Sovereign and Tongtian Cult Leader are my grandpa’s junior brothers. To be precise, I’m the eldest senior brother’s grandson, and Yang Jian is the second senior brother’s grand-apprentice. Though I was born three thousand years after Yang Jian, we are peers, and I’m even senior to him!”

“Is that really possible?” Hua Sheng admired him deeply.

“Since ancient times, having connections and contacts is the greatest power!” The Supreme Young Lord stood with hands on hips, laughing heartily. “Ha ha ha! I truly admire myself! My wisdom is boundless!”

Hua Sheng worried again, “Young Lord, do you think this will work? Yang Jian must have more relatives, and the Star Lord of Dao Spirit, being a high-ranking fallen official in the mortal realm, is held in the strictest cell. One distant relative won’t be enough to see him, right?”

The Supreme Young Lord’s smile faded and he said seriously, “That’s why my strategy is to distract Erlang Shen with some nonsense, while you use the purple-gold thread to find a way to see the Star Lord.”

“But even if I get into the prison, I can’t come back quickly. Won’t Yang Jian grow suspicious?”

“Then we need another accomplice… no, comrade. When you leave, the comrade can impersonate you.” The Supreme Young Lord thought a moment. “Xuanwen won’t do—his immortal arts aren’t refined, and he talks too much. If we’re not careful, he’ll slip up in front of Erlang Shen.”

“How about Tianjizi…”

“Crazy? If I had known you’d say such nonsense, I wouldn’t have rescued you from that mental hospital. You belong there. Tianjizi has a grudge against us; why would he help?”

“Then who else?”

The Supreme Young Lord tilted his head, thinking.

“Got it! Mie Ying! Mie Ying is like nine people in one! Fierce and formidable!”

“Mie Ying…” Hua Sheng recalled how after the Heavenly Eye Trial, Mie Ying had slapped him hard in front of Weiyu. Thinking back, it still hurt.

He said, “I worry Mie Ying is too emotional. Our actions skirt the edge of the law; involving her might be unreliable.”

“We’re not sending Mie Ying to rob a bank!” The Supreme Young Lord patted Hua Sheng’s shoulder. “Besides, you don’t have many choices. To clear the Academy’s name, I believe Mie Ying will understand.”

“I notice, Young Lord, you’re very good at justifying yourself…”

“A righteous cause is half the victory! A good reason is half success!”

“Shouldn’t it be a good start is half success…”

“Same thing!” The Supreme Young Lord turned to enter his room. “I’ll pack up and handle some business. You go get Mie Ying first; I’ll catch up.”

“Oh… I’ll find Mie Ying. Do you know where the Fiery Wrath Prison is?” Hua Sheng called after him.

“Don’t you have navigation? Use the Ruihua Treasure Mirror to check the route! Ever used it? The Fiery Wrath Prison is so famous, it must be on the map!”

“Oh…” Hua Sheng asked, “Then what are you going to do later?”

“Erlang Shen has a troublesome assistant. I need to prepare something to deal with him…”

“What assistant?”

“Have you heard of Howling Heavenly Dog? Fierce as can be! Back in the day, Zhao Gongming, Empress Bixiao, even the Fighting Buddha Sun Wukong wielding his golden staff suffered from this divine dog’s attacks! Of course I need to bring some special items!”

“That sounds dangerous. What are you planning to bring?”

“Dog food! Snacks! And I have to get the really expensive kind! Cheap stuff won’t pass Howling Heavenly Dog’s inspection. I need to visit the market first. You all go ahead!”

With that, the Supreme Young Lord turned into his room.

“Alright then.” Hua Sheng thought of something and called after him, “One more thing…”

“You’re so annoying!” came the voice from inside.

“I mean, Young Lord, thank you for bringing me back!”

Hua Sheng looked down at the floor and said, “I mean thank you for awakening me from that hospital and giving me the chance to return to Shengpingning and the Academy of Magical Arts. We haven’t met in a while, so I never had the chance to thank you in person.”

There was no reply from the other side.

Thinking he was busy, Hua Sheng tried again, “Young Lord, thank…”

“Enough with the mushy stuff! I brought you back to the Academy for cultivation, but look—you’re already planning to skip class again!” The Supreme Young Lord’s voice was completely indifferent.

“That’s true…”

“Don’t bother me. I’m already worried about the money for dog food!”

Hearing this, Hua Sheng burst into laughter, doubled over, nearly crying with joy.

He hadn’t been this happy, carefree, and childlike in a long time.