People in Construction Probably Don't Get Much Vacation

Xu Jingyang paused, then continued:

"After that, the Investiture of the Gods War began. Large numbers of disciples from the Expounding Sect and Interception Sect were granted divine positions and came to serve in the Heavenly Court. Those people had fought each other to the death during King Wu's campaign against Zhou. Yet after ascending to Heaven, they became extraordinarily united. Their power rapidly expanded, and they took control of many positions with real authority. This was the 'Investiture Faction,' led by figures such as Wen Zhong, Grand Preceptor Wen of the Thunder Bureau, and Marshal Zhao Gongming of the Finance Bureau."

"Later, in order to recruit more worthy talents, the Heavenly Court opened the passage between immortals and mortals, allowing living beings of the Three Realms and cultivators from three thousand minor worlds to ascend and become officials after surviving their heavenly tribulations. These later arrivals became the 'Ascension Faction.' We Four Great Celestial Masters, along with many wandering immortals who attained the Dao through arduous cultivation in the lower realms, all belonged to this group. The Ascension Faction had no shortage of people, but we had not been in Heaven long and had the shallowest foundations. Still..."

Xu Jingyang paused meaningfully. "The Establishment Faction held high positions, yet much of their power had been hollowed out by the Investiture Faction. Though the Investiture Faction held real authority, they were restrained by the Investiture List and could not advance their cultivation in the slightest. The Ascension Faction was weak for now, but we could cultivate and grow stronger. In the long run, we might not be unable to overtake them."

"The three factions kept one another in check. Even while His Majesty traveled through the Great Void, every matter within the Heavenly Court could still proceed in perfect order."

He looked at Su Yuan, his gaze profound.

"And you, Little Su. You were properly born of the Ascension Faction, yet you served under Venus Star Lord, one of the Establishment Faction's great figures, and had earned his deep trust. At the same time, you had developed considerable financial ties with many powerful figures of the Investiture Faction. You had connections in all three factions, and seemed to navigate them with ease."

Xu Jingyang lightly patted Su Yuan's shoulder.

"In my view, you are no ordinary creature destined to remain in a pond. You seem more like a man bearing immense fortune and great destiny. The next great calamity of the Three Realms may well... have something to do with you."

Su Yuan could only maintain a bitter smile and wave his hands repeatedly, not daring to respond. Yet inwardly, he was utterly shaken.

The speaker may have meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. The Journey to the West Calamity of the Three Realms is approaching, yet Xu Jingyang says I'm someone with great fortune and destiny? Could it be... that I truly have some fated role in this grand Journey to the West drama?

But I've gone over the original story hundreds of times, and there was never anyone like me in it. So far, I've mostly been doing Venus Star Lord's work... Then if I'm Venus Star Lord, who is the current Venus Star Lord?

The moment they returned to the territory of the Heavenly Court, the communication talisman at Su Yuan's waist began to buzz and flash incessantly.

Su Yuan casually silenced it and looked to Venus Star Lord. "Master, should we first report back at the Hall of Soaring Heavens and hand in our orders?"

Venus Star Lord looked utterly relaxed and waved his hand.

"No rush, no rush. The Heavenly Court Office has just sent out His Majesty's itinerary. His Majesty's true body is traveling the Great Void in pursuit of the Great Dao. He likely will not return to the Heavenly Court for another five years. At that time, he will personally preside over the grand court assembly, hear our reports, and reward the Great Sage Equal to Heaven."

Venus Star Lord rubbed his lower back, his tone carrying a trace of teasing.

"After all that running around in the lower realm, these old bones of mine are nearly falling apart. Let's treat these five years as a holiday. You construction workers spend your days exposed to wind and sun, working overtime and burning the midnight oil. You probably don't get much vacation. Cherish it well, hahaha."

Su Yuan laughed along with him.

"Master, that's where you're mistaken. It's the site supervisors running around below who don't get much vacation. For a disciple like me, going to work merely means changing locations to drink tea and meet friends—ah, no, I mean coordinate resources. Going to work is basically a vacation too."

"You sly brat!"

Venus Star Lord laughed and scolded him, then waved his hand.

"All right, hurry back. Remember to settle Red Boy and the others properly. Get them stable household registrations later, and don't let them cause any trouble in the Heavenly Court."

Su Yuan nodded in acknowledgment. He picked up Red Boy, then asked Venus Star Lord for an unused Cosmic Primordial-Qi Bag and stuffed Golden-Winged Little Peng and several small dragons inside.

There was still a hard battle to fight that evening, so Su Yuan simply brought Wukong along.

The two rode clouds straight for the Immortal Execution Platform.

The atmosphere at the Immortal Execution Platform was especially different from usual that day.

Even from far away, they could see divine generals in purple Thunder Bureau immortal robes leading heavenly soldiers in a tight security perimeter.

After verifying his identity, Su Yuan flew into the Immortal Execution Platform.

The moment he entered its inner hall, he found it completely unlike the grim scene outside. The hall was brightly lit, and an enormous white-jade table had already been laid out. Fine wine, jade liquor, dragon liver, phoenix marrow, and other rare delicacies filled the air with fragrant aromas. Quite a few figures were already seated around the table.

Unlike during the previous transaction, those present this time were no longer merely retainers and attendants from each household, but genuine major figures.

After all, when profits worth hundreds of millions of spirit stones were at stake, no one was comfortable leaving everything entirely to their subordinates.

Seeing Su Yuan arrive, Emperor Wenchang, who had been chatting with Zhang Daoling, Zhang Tianshi, lifted his eyes first and teased with a smile.

"Oh, our great contributor has returned! Little friend, you've worked hard in the lower realm!"

Before Su Yuan could speak, Ink Qilin swayed over with his large head and welcomed him inside, introducing the various powerful immortals to him along the way.

"This is Dipper Mother. Over there is the Heavenly King Who Upholds the Nation..."

He introduced them one by one until they reached the deepest part of the hall, where a middle-aged man in black robes was stroking his long beard and studying Su Yuan with great interest.

Ink Qilin did not stand on ceremony with him and plopped down beside the middle-aged man.

"Old Zhao, I say you ought to let Su Yuan take over your position as God of Wealth. I've been investing and saving money with you, yet my profits over thousands of years don't even compare to what Su Yuan earned in one trip below."

The handsome middle-aged man was Zhao Gongming. Rather than taking offense, he burst into hearty laughter with the air of an old-money magnate.

"Hahaha, Old Qilin, those words of yours chill Old Zhao's heart."

His gaze turned to Su Yuan, filled with undisguised appreciation.

"Little Su, I heard about you from Cao Bao. He said you're capable and talented. Are you interested in working for me?"

How could Su Yuan dare put on airs? He immediately cupped his hands.

"Immortal Zhao overpraises me. This junior merely runs a few errands."

He stepped aside to reveal Sun Wukong behind him.

"Seniors, allow this junior to introduce him. This is Sun Wukong, whose divine abilities allowed him to drive back a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers in the lower realm!"

Sun Wukong's name had long since spread throughout the Heavenly Court. In particular, everyone present had heard of how he had defeated Third Prince Nezha.

They had all witnessed the Third Prince's skills before. Among these old generals of the Investiture Faction, they naturally knew him to be one of the Three Realms' foremost experts.

Upon hearing this, everyone present—including Zhao Gongming, Emperor Wenchang, and Zhang Tianshi—rose to their feet and cupped their hands in greeting.

"So the Great Sage is before us. I have long admired your name!"

"Truly the bearing of a hero!"

"What marvelous skills, Great Sage!"

Sun Wukong had always enjoyed lively gatherings and possessed a frank, straightforward temperament. Seeing these apparently high-ranking immortals give him so much respect, he was delighted. He too clasped his fists in return and said with a grin, "Easy, easy! Old Sun has long heard all your great names as well! Since there's wine to drink today, we're all friends!"