There Is a Cow, and the Pleased Mistress

Above the Ocean of Milk.

Vishnu sensed the approaching Asura Mentor as well. He looked up and saw Sukra arriving menacingly, accompanied by a powerful Asura with golden eyes.

"Those who come bear ill intent!"

"The curse from back then has come true!"

Vishnu looked worried. Glancing at the empty place beside him, he sighed.

In a sense, he was Sukra's mother's murderer.

Back then, the Devas had fought a war against the Asuras. The Devas sought Vishnu's aid, and to protect them, Vishnu had used Chakravyuha.

Once Chakravyuha was unleashed, it would not stop until its task was complete!

The Asuras fled to the doorstep of Sukra's father, Bhrigu.

Bhrigu's wife sheltered those Asura refugees and swore, "No matter what this is, before the refugees under my protection are killed, I am willing to offer my life!"

Bhrigu's wife was killed on the spot.

The enraged Bhrigu cursed Vishnu, condemning him to suffer the pain of losing his wife in the future.

Today's consequence came from yesterday's cause!

Such was karma!

Now that Sukra had come here, nothing good could come of it!

At that moment, Sukra stood with white hair and a long beard, his face stern and cold. Dressed in white robes, bracelets around his wrists, and holding a serpent staff, he gazed proudly at the Ocean of Milk.

"Golden-Eyed!"

"You have completed your austerities and gained the boundless strength to lift the entire earth. Go churn the Ocean of Milk!"

"Churn Goddess Lakshmi out of the Ocean of Milk. Take her from Vishnu's side and bring her to the Netherworld, where she shall be worshipped beside you. Then the cursed Asuras will regain their strength, and endless wealth and glory will be yours."

"The wealth, power, and honor of the Three Realms shall all be yours!"

Sukra spread his arms wide and spoke in a deep voice.

Hearing this, light bloomed in Golden-Eyed's brilliant eyes.

He wore Golden Armor, his massive bronze body like that of a god or demon, containing power enough to destroy heaven and earth. Beneath his skin, his muscles writhed with strength, as though countless Naga dragon kings were racing through them.

The Golden-Eyed Asura King ran one hand across his black stubble.

His fists clenched slightly, and boundless power erupted within his hands!

"I understand!"

"Goddess Lakshmi will be mine from now on, hahaha!"

The Golden-Eyed Asura King grinned, his beard trembling slightly, before immediately leaping into the sea.

As he fell into the ocean, the Golden-Eyed Asura's body grew larger and larger, taller and taller, becoming a giant that blotted out the sky and sun before sinking into the sea.

Rumble!

The Ocean of Milk shook violently and began to churn in an instant.

"Vishnu, don't even think of letting the Devas take Goddess Lakshmi away. I will take her from your side and make you feel the pain of losing the one you love."

Sukra's face was cold and hard as he thought.

Vishnu tilted his head, looking deeply melancholy.

This was also the consequence of cleaning up the Devas' mess back then!

Though his wife, Goddess Lakshmi, did not hold as important a place in his heart as Mahadeva and the world, she was still immensely important to him.

Where were the Devas?

Vishnu could not help looking toward the Heavenly Realm.

Unless necessary, he did not wish to personally intervene and disrupt the world!

Within the Heavenly Realm.

"We should hurry to the Lord's side!"

Priest Sage said urgently.

Hearing this, Indra nodded.

Since Vishnu had summoned them, refusing to go would be far too disrespectful.

"Our divine power is insufficient!"

"Rather than going now, we should first kindle the Sacrificial Fire and have the Gandharvas sing hymns praising the gods. We should restore some divine power before meeting the Lord."

"Besides, Goddess Lakshmi's disappearance may be the Lord's test for us. The world is stable for now, and since the Lord has not appeared, that means there should be no problem."

Indra said.

Hearing this, the gods looked at one another and saw the same bedraggled state reflected in each other's eyes.

Going to see the Lord like this would be far too embarrassing!

They should restore some divine power first!

"That is indeed what we should do!"

Surya nodded.

"Appearing before the Lord in this state would be disrespectful to him!" Agni said.

"Mm, that's right!"

Varuna said.

Seeing all the other gods speak up, Vayu hurriedly added, "Yes, yes, yes! That is what I think too!"

Priest Sage frowned slightly and pondered for a moment.

That did seem reasonable!

Goddess Lakshmi had already disappeared, and churning the Ocean of Milk could not be completed in a short while. Waiting a little longer should not be a problem.

"Very well!"

Priest Sage nodded.

Soon, the Gandharvas began singing hymns from the Vedas.

They gathered together in a large circle, with flower petals they had painstakingly collected at their sides. A bonfire blazed at the center of the circle.

With every line they sang, they scattered lotus flowers from their hands like Heavenly Maidens scattering blossoms.

"The vigorous Lord, upon his birth, became the protector of the gods, possessing boundless might~"

"Before his breath, because of his bravery and immense strength, the two worlds tremble~"

Indra watched the ritual and listened to the Gandharvas' hymns.

Growing bored, he casually picked up a cleanly gnawed shoulder blade from beside him, then found a small wooden stick. Like Lotus Fall, he tapped the bone plate in rhythm with the song, producing a steady clacking sound.

The gods could not help staring.

The Gandharvas were also drawn to Indra. Following the lively rhythm, they continued singing their hymn.

"O people~"

"He is Indra~"

Hearing this, Indra abruptly stopped. The stick in his hand froze, and the corner of his mouth immediately twitched.

Was this hymn written for him?

The Gandharvas sang about him as though he were so incredible that he felt embarrassed.

When the hymn ended, the other gods all turned to look at him.

"What is that?"

Agni leaned forward and asked curiously.

"A kind of accompaniment!"

Indra answered perfunctorily.

What he had been playing was Lotus Fall!

In his previous life, blind men or beggars often used a wooden stick and bone plates while begging, singing and tapping at the same time. It was an art form.

With everyone looking like beggars now, the atmosphere was just too fitting. He could not resist tapping along.

"Next is my turn. Please play for me too!"

Agni pressed his palms together and said.

"Of course!"

Indra could not help laughing.

"Play for me too!"

"I want it too!"

Soon, the Gandharvas once again sang a hymn from the Vedas praising Agni.

"Through Agni~"

"People gain wealth and daily good fortune~"

"Possessing a hero's glory~"

Within the Brahma Realm.

Brahma frowned, shook his head, and could not help speaking.

He had already seen what was happening in the Ocean of Milk, as well as the gods in the Heavenly Realm.

"At a time like this, the gods should not continue waiting!"

"The world is about to fall into chaos again!"

After saying this, Brahma waited for his supporter to respond, but heard no reply beside him.

Turning his head, he saw Goddess Saraswati narrowing her eyes with a smile, her face full of delight, before transforming into a streak of golden light and vanishing from the Brahma Realm.

"Eloquence has been pleased!"