"Ah, oh, it's fine, First Madam—no, Miss Tianshou, you're all right!"
Chen Fan didn't even know what he was saying. He hurriedly turned away and changed the subject.
"I've already had Dazhuang prepare the Incense Altar. We'll go to the banks of Clear Water River after breakfast!"
In Tongming Hall in the Heavenly Court, Zhang Tianyu tugged at the sleeve of a white-bearded old man, refusing to let up.
"Oh, come on, Tai Bai Jin Xing, just help me pass something along.
It's not a big deal. Why do you have to be so heartless?"
Tai Bai Jin Xing looked troubled as he poured out his woes to Seventh Princess Zhang Tianyu.
"Oh, my Seventh Princess, it's not that this old minister won't help you.
It's just that although Wei Zheng is an official in the Heavenly Court, his true self currently serves as an official in the imperial court.
More importantly, he's highly favored by the Son of Heaven and blessed by Human Dao Dragon Qi.
Unless Wei Zheng comes to Heaven to report for duty at the appointed time, contacting him ahead of schedule would take a great deal of effort.
All the expenses involved have to be recorded and checked by the God of Wealth.
If the God of Wealth refuses to let it slide, I'll lose a month's salary!"
Zhang Tianyu naturally wasn't satisfied with Tai Bai Jin Xing's explanation.
As the Heavenly Court's most notorious World-Disrupting Demoness after Nezha and Yang Jian, Zhang Tianyu wasn't so easily placated.
"I don't care. You have to help me get this done, or I won't let you work.
A day in Heaven is a year on Earth. By the time Wei Zheng reports for duty, more than half a year will have passed in the mortal world."
Watching the Seventh Princess throw a tantrum, Tai Bai Jin Xing rubbed his forehead and hurried to appease her.
"Your Highness, let me think of something, all right? Please let go first!
You're making me so dizzy I can barely think. Then I really won't be able to help!"
At that, Zhang Tianyu immediately stopped shaking his arm and put on an obedient expression.
Tai Bai Jin Xing tapped his head, then suddenly brightened.
"Your Highness, you only need to pass a message to Wei Zheng. You don't actually have to meet him, right?"
Zhang Tianyu nodded repeatedly.
"Exactly, exactly. Someone in the mortal world is privately gathering incense offerings and murdering people.
The immortals of my Heavenly Court are worshipped by the human race, so of course we must protect the people.
As a princess of the Heavenly Court, I naturally have to stop such evil when I come across it.
But the force behind it is protected by Human Dao Dragon Qi, so we have to avoid a conflict between Heaven and the human world.
That's why I thought of Cao Official Wei Zheng and decided to let the human court handle it themselves!"
Zhang Tianyu lifted her chin, looking as if she expected him to praise her.
But, unusually, Tai Bai Jin Xing fell silent. A flash of platinum light flickered in his eyes.
"Her aura and primordial spirit are fine. It is the Seventh Princess, but how is this possible?"
Tai Bai Jin Xing wondered if he'd gotten out of bed the wrong way that morning.
The Seventh Princess was actually thinking things through?
"Taibai, there's something off about your eyes. Tell me, are you cursing me?"
Zhang Tianyu's gaze sharpened. She clenched her fist, her knuckles cracking.
Tai Bai Jin Xing nodded in satisfaction. Now that was the Seventh Princess he knew.
"Your Highness, please don't hit me. This old minister knows what to do.
One-Eyed Wolf in Qingshi Town, right? What a ridiculous name!
Don't worry. The message will reach Wei Zheng within two days at most!"
Only after Tai Bai Jin Xing promised did Zhang Tianyu look satisfied.
She then said goodbye to him and prepared to dash off.
"Your Highness, remember to let Eldest Highness know when you get back.
And don't forget tomorrow's Peach Banquet. You absolutely mustn't be late!"
"Got it, Taibai!"
Zhang Tianyu waved without looking back and dashed away.
Only then did Tai Bai Jin Xing wipe his brow, though there wasn't a bead of sweat on it, and sigh.
"Good grief, what a mess every day!
I still have to coordinate Buddhism's Journey East. I wonder if that Monkey has sorted things out with Buddhism yet!"
As Tai Bai Jin Xing went over the tasks in his hands, a spark of light shot from his fingertip and flew toward Chang'an in Great Tang.
For such a small matter, he could simply have the City God pass the message along.
On the banks of Clear Water River in Zhao Family Village, the silence was deafening!
Incense smoke curled up from the Incense Altar, and three plates of pastries were neatly arranged.
"This makes no sense. Why isn't it coming out?"
Chen Fan stared at the rippling, empty surface of Clear Water River, deep in thought.
He'd come up with countless plans and contingencies for dealing with the River God.
But he hadn't imagined that the River God simply wouldn't show up.
"Ah Fan, the River God isn't coming, but we can't let the offerings go to waste.
So, can I have a Mung Bean Cake?"
Dazhuang clutched his rumbling stomach and leaned close to Chen Fan to whisper.
Not everyone in Zhao Family Village could eat three meals a day like Chen Fan.
Dazhuang had come out that morning without a bite to eat, carrying the offering table all the way to the river.
"Big brother, I'm hungry too. I want one of those Steamed Buns!"
Dazhuang's younger brother, Xiao Zhuang, nodded repeatedly, nearly drooling.
Chen Fan glared at them, annoyed. He almost went over and smacked them.
Beside him, Zhang Tianshou covered her mouth and laughed, then offered to help.
"Sir, let me take care of it!"
Chapter Thirteen: The Professionals Know How to Summon a God!
"Sir, may I give it a try?"
Chen Fan glanced at Zhang Tianshou, and his eyes immediately lit up.
Zhang Tianshou was a Qi Practitioner, so she'd surely dealt with ghosts and gods plenty of times.
If she could intimidate gods and ghosts with nothing but a nameplate, she could certainly summon the River God.
"That's right. This is your specialty, Tianshou. I'll leave it to you!"
Chen Fan slapped his forehead, a flash of delight in his eyes.
How had he forgotten about the expert right beside him?
He wondered which immortal sect or Daoist order Zhang Tianshou had apprenticed to. Could he join it too?
"Please step aside, sir!"
Zhang Tianshou smiled sweetly and rested her right hand on the sword at her waist.
Interest showed in Chen Fan's eyes as he began to imagine what was about to happen.
Zhang Tianshou would wave a talisman, and countless Talisman Dao Patterns would appear.
Then she'd give a mighty shout, and the River God would be summoned.
Zhang Tianshou slowly approached the banks of Clear Water River, while a breeze lifted a strand of her hair.
Her Crimson Scabbard shifted. The sword leaped from it in an instant.
A flash of cold light shot from Zhang Tianshou's eyes, and Sword Light flickered along the Crystal Red Long Sword.
"Now that's cool!"
Chen Fan's eyes shone as he clapped in appreciation.
"But why draw the sword? Is it a sword talisman?"
Chen Fan suddenly felt that something was off, though he couldn't tell what.
Before you continue