I Recited a Poem on the Spot

In less than fifteen minutes, Lord Gouchen's instruction arrived.

There were only two simple words on the spirit talisman:

[Submit it.]

Everyone's breathing suddenly grew rapid.

Venus Star Lord was so excited that his hands trembled. He abruptly patted Su Yuan on the shoulder.

"Little Su! Th-this means this briefing is to be submitted directly before the throne! It is for His Majesty's true body to review!"

"That is His Majesty's true body!"

The old Star Lord's eyes had reddened as he paced in circles, muttering, "This old man has diligently served at the Heavenly Court for over ten thousand years, yet I have never had the honor of personally submitting a memorial to His Majesty's true body! You brat..."

Su Yuan was somewhat speechless.

Is it really that serious? Isn't this just sending over some internal information?

Venus Star Lord paced back and forth in the cramped cabin, occasionally glancing at the silent communication talisman.

He kept muttering, "I wonder what His Majesty will think. Will he find it too frivolous? Had I known, this old man would have carefully considered the wording for you."

Suddenly, the talisman buzzed. A majestic golden light descended from above and poured precisely into it, filling the cabin with an indescribably vast heavenly might.

"It's here, it's here! Quickly, see whether His Majesty left any remarks!"

Venus Star Lord was in such a hurry that he even used the Earth-Leaping Golden Light Technique, flashing to the talisman in an instant and trembling as he opened the message.

Beneath the briefing titled <Minutes of the Heavenly Court Pacification Mission's First-Day Talks at Flower-Fruit Mountain>, there was now a line of glittering golden writing, bold and vigorous as a dragon in flight.

[Read. The Pacification Recruitment Team's work is diligent and efficient. The report is concise and appropriately worded. It deserves encouragement! The pacification effort must continue with long-term persistence and tangible results! Forward copies to Lord Lao, the Queen Mother, Purple Tenuity, Longevity, and Black Tortoise for review.]

Venus Star Lord's already tense breathing became even more hurried.

He no longer cared about maintaining his usual scholarly composure or remaining unflustered in the face of change.

His old face flushed red as he excitedly seized Su Yuan's arm and shook it hard. "Little Su! You have caught His Majesty's eye!"

"His Majesty's true body roams the great void, leaving only his incarnations behind to handle affairs. He would not normally issue detailed instructions."

"For him to leave instructions means His Majesty's true body has descended."

"Fortune! This is tremendous fortune!"

"This evaluation, and these forwarded copies! The various Imperial Lords and Heavenly Venerates are all going to read it! The last time His Majesty issued such instructions was when Jiang Ziya conferred gods on behalf of Heaven! Your briefing is about to become famous throughout the Heavenly Realm!"

Xu Jingyang's eyes were also bloodshot. He practically threw himself onto the talisman, rereading the imperial instruction word by word while muttering to himself. Then he suddenly beat his chest and stamped his feet.

"Why... why doesn't it mention this Old Xu even once?! I've been running around day and night! Little Su, you heartless brat!"

Watching the two immortals lose their composure, Su Yuan could not help laughing.

"Two seniors, I merely did a little work. Is there really any need to be this excited?"

"How could there not be?"

Venus Star Lord carefully cradled the communication talisman as though it were an unparalleled treasure.

"His Majesty is the foremost being beneath the Saints. Every word and action of his contains the essence of the Dao, much less this imperial inscription personally written by him and stamped with the Heavenly Court's seal!"

"If this text were copied onto ten-thousand-year celestial silkworm silk, the imperial might contained within would be enough to withstand an attack from a Golden Immortal!"

Su Yuan's eyes lit up. He immediately snatched the talisman back and carefully put it away, deliberately teasing, "So it is a protective treasure? Master, you are getting old and your hands shake. Do not drop it and break it!"

The next day, Venus Star Lord dressed himself properly and went to call at the gate again, but Water-Curtain Cave remained tightly shut.

This time, however, the old Star Lord was utterly calm. Stroking his long beard, he returned to the flying vessel and said to Su Yuan, "Little Su, write another press release."

Su Yuan accepted the order. After pondering for a moment, he drafted a press release.

"Heavenly Court Pacification Mission Maintains Close Communication with Flower-Fruit Mountain

The twenty-third day of the fifth month, Year 123,605 of the Flower-Fruit Mountain Heavenly Emperor Calendar

Today, the Heavenly Court Pacification Mission continued to station itself in the airspace over Flower-Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent and maintained close communication with Flower-Fruit Mountain. Chief representative Venus Star Lord once again expressed his sincerity in resolving differences through dialogue and consultation.

The two sides continued exchanges on issues of mutual concern, deepening mutual understanding. The mission noted certain concerns from Flower-Fruit Mountain and promptly compiled and reported this information. Talks continued in an atmosphere of mutual respect, laying a sound foundation for further consultations.

The Heavenly Court Pacification Mission reiterated its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and looked forward to working with Flower-Fruit Mountain in the same direction to jointly safeguard regional stability. The situation remained stable at present. The mission would continue holding its post and closely monitor developments."

On the third day, the situation remained unchanged.

Venus Star Lord's expression did not change.

"Little Su, draft another press release."

Su Yuan gritted his teeth and racked his brains before writing another one and submitting it.

"Heavenly Court Pacification Mission's Consultations with Flower-Fruit Mountain Achieve Initial Progress

Today, the Heavenly Court Pacification Mission held a new round of constructive communication with Flower-Fruit Mountain. Chief representative Venus Star Lord and the mission members displayed the utmost sincerity and patience, conducting practical exchanges on relevant matters.

This consultation further clarified both sides' core positions and concerns, reaching initial consensus on certain technical matters. Communication channels remained open and effective, and both sides agreed to continue building mutual trust and narrowing differences through dialogue.

The Heavenly Court Pacification Mission praised the positive progress achieved in the talks, believing it to be an important step toward a peaceful resolution. The mission would continue to advance the consultation process with professionalism and responsibility. The situation in the region was generally under control at present, and the mission would continue observing it and promptly report the latest developments."

On the fourth day, Venus Star Lord still intended to go check in. Su Yuan hurried forward and stopped him.

"Master, don't go!"

Taibai was bewildered.

"Little Su, why are you stopping me? His Majesty instructed us to persist for the long term, which means this will take the steady effort of water dripping through stone. I am prepared to endure here for decades."

Su Yuan gave a bitter smile. "Master, it is not that your disciple is trying to shirk responsibility. I have truly run out of words. With the same situation every day, I cannot keep dressing it up in new ways. 'Close communication,' 'constructive consultations,' 'initial consensus,' 'positive progress'—I have nearly worn those phrases out. The situation has not changed at all. No matter how I make things up, there will be nothing new. No matter how ornate the language, it will still be empty. If we submit another report, not only will there be no credit, we may even annoy those above."

"How about letting your disciple think of another way?"

Su Yuan had long since formed a plan, but he did not know Sun Wukong's temperament, so he had remained hesitant.

Now that he had His Majesty's instruction as a protective treasure, Su Yuan felt somewhat more confident.

Even if negotiations broke down, he could at least withstand a couple of blows from that staff.

Under cover of night, Su Yuan walked to the mountain gate.

He took an ordinary axe and a bag of spirit stones from his robes, asking the gatekeeping little demon to bring the axe inside.

The little demon accepted the spirit stones with a broad grin and asked, "Heavenly Official, do you have any words you would like me to deliver to the Great Sage as well?"

Su Yuan recited a poem on the spot.