This Thing Is Called "Benefit the Group"

Ink Qilin cradled the exquisitely carved, jade-like Red Boy and fussed over him for a while,

then summoned an attendant and had them take little Red Boy away to be properly cared for.

As for himself, he tucked a pack of cigarettes away and happily went off to show Zhao Gongming this novel new thing.

Holding a wine cup, Su Yuan swept his gaze over the crowd and noticed quite a few people gathered around Emperor Wenchang, who was dressed like a scholar in a green robe, to toast him and chat.

Oh? Had he triggered the must-play scenario for transmigrators? Poetry?

Then he absolutely had to go over and play the literary plagiarist.

Su Yuan was just about to recite "Bring in the Wine" when he realized that they were not composing poems or matching couplets.

"Brother Wenchang, I hear that you will soon be traveling west by imperial decree, to visit the Buddha Patriarch in the Western Paradise? May the wind be at your back!"

"Indeed. I hear Spirit Mountain has ten great scenic wonders. You must take a good look around this time and broaden your horizons."

"The water from the Eight-Treasure Merit Pool makes peerless tea. Remember to bring back a few jars for us, old brother."

"And sandalwood incense! Back during the Investiture of the Gods, Zhunti himself arrived in his dharma carriage, and I was fortunate enough to smell it once. Good stuff. If you get the chance, buy some and bring it back!"

Su Yuan's heart stirred, and he hurried over.

It turned out that Emperor Wenchang had been dispatched by the Heavenly Court and would soon visit the Western Buddhist Realm as a special envoy.

On one hand, he was to conduct friendly cultural exchanges with the Western Buddha Patriarchs. More importantly, he was to draw up a preliminary guest list for the next Peaches of Immortality Banquet three hundred years from now.

Coordinating the schedules of several important Western Buddha Patriarchs and great bodhisattvas was a high-level round of diplomatic groundwork.

Su Yuan had been worrying over how to find a way to send those little golden-winged pengs to the Buddhist Realm.

After all, during the Investiture of the Gods war, the Western world had swept away three thousand red-dust wanderers of the Interception Sect and lured away several Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect as well.

The West and the Heavenly Court had been locked in a cold war for a long time, harmonious in appearance but at odds in heart.

Unless there was some major matter at hand, Heavenly Court personnel were absolutely forbidden from traveling to the Western world without authorization.

When Su Yuan saw Emperor Wenchang's itinerary, he felt it was an opportunity bestowed by Heaven.

He hurriedly squeezed into the crowd and smilingly offered Emperor Wenchang a cigarette.

Emperor Wenchang was one of the Heavenly Court's most refined gentlemen and was quite receptive to novel things.

The moment he saw its design and caught the layered fragrance hidden within it, he knew this was no ordinary item, that its mysteries lay within.

He accepted it gracefully. Rather than taking a fierce drag, he gently held the filter between his lips and slowly inhaled.

Smoke curled upward. It did not carry the usual smell of smoke and fire; instead, it possessed a clear, ethereal charm, mild upon entering the mouth.

Then a gentle force flowed straight into his Purple Palace, refreshing his spirit and making his thoughts seem a touch clearer and sharper.

Emperor Wenchang slowly exhaled smoky clouds, surprise and appreciation flashing through his eyes.

"Wonderful, young friend Su."

He studied the slender "spirit cigarette" in his hand.

"This fragrance is balanced, mellow, and gentle. When one person burns incense, everyone around may share in its pure lingering aroma. It has the delightful principle that rejoicing alone is not as good as rejoicing together, and it also broadens the heart and aids one's thoughts...

"Hmm. In this old man's view, why not call this thing 'Benefit the Group'? It carries the meaning of 'benefiting and enlightening the masses, appreciated by refined and common alike.'"

He paused, as though savoring it once more, then smiled with a touch of self-mocking elegance.

"This old man usually cultivates in quietude and has always claimed that tea tasting, chess, and playing the qin were my only three diversions. It seems that from this day forth, I shall have to add one more—'burning incense.'"

With that said, he took another light puff, looking thoroughly content.

Hearing this, everyone took one cigarette after another.

Before long, the entire hall was wreathed in pale blue clouds of smoke.

Su Yuan took the chance to inquire about the western journey.

What sort of person was Emperor Wenchang? He had already heard the meaning beneath Su Yuan's words and asked,

"Young friend Su Yuan, if you wish to accompany us, it is not impossible. But there must be a suitable pretext for it to make sense."

"Right, Little Su, where are you currently employed in the Heavenly Court?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, this junior is a project manager at the Infrastructure Office."

At that moment, Ink Qilin wandered back over from who knew where. He had clearly overheard them and immediately boomed in support,

"Wenchang! Little Su is a rare good immortal! He handles things steadily and has a quick mind! You definitely won't go wrong bringing him along on this western trip!"

Emperor Wenchang did not know whether to laugh or cry at Ink Qilin's shouting. After pondering for a moment, he said,

"The Infrastructure Office... hmm, I have it."

"Though the Western Buddhist Realm does not prize extravagance, the temples of Spirit Mountain, its pagodas and monastic dwellings, each have their own distinctive style and contain extraordinary, wondrous principles. Why not organize a cultural exchange delegation under the banner of 'The Integration of Eastern and Western Architectural Aesthetics and Prospects for Heavenly Court Infrastructure Planning'? Little Su can travel with the delegation as the Infrastructure Office's technical representative, conducting academic discussions and exchanging experience. Would that not be perfectly proper?"

Su Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"Your Excellency is wise! This proposal is excellent! It is only the procedures... especially traveling across realms. I wonder whether the various travel documents and visa approvals can be arranged in time."

Before Su Yuan could finish, Ink Qilin slapped his chest with loud thumps and promised through a mouthful of alcohol,

"Bah! It's just approving a form. Besides, isn't the Thunder Bureau Exit-Entry Administration Office full of your old acquaintances?"

Su Yuan froze. "Old acquaintances?"

"Zhang Shao! Tao Rong!"

Su Yuan could not help laughing. Weren't those the two unlucky fellows who had received a report and stopped the fleet outside the Southern Heavenly Gate when he had descended to the lower realm? Ink Qilin had even given them a vicious scolding.

Emperor Wenchang was swept up by the mood as well. Smiling and shaking his head, he immediately took out a communication talisman and focused his thoughts as he transmitted a message.

"Little Zhang, adjust the previously drafted western-visit plan. Its purpose must emphasize the diversity and depth of cultural exchange. It should not be limited to canonical doctrines, but should include architecture, art, folk customs, and many other aspects. Adjust the delegation's members accordingly. Select capable immortal officials from relevant offices such as the Infrastructure Office, Rites and Music Office, and Celestial Museum to accompany us. A somewhat larger scale is no issue—it will make the occasion appear more solemn."

After transmitting the message, he turned back to Su Yuan and smiled warmly.

"With the lineup complete and the purpose clear, it will not seem abrupt. What do you think?"

Su Yuan privately marveled that Emperor Wenchang was indeed meticulous, leaving no drop of water to escape his arrangements. He hurriedly bowed and said sincerely,

"Your Excellency has considered everything thoroughly and graciously lent me such support. This junior is endlessly grateful!"

Emperor Wenchang waved a broad hand, took out a cigarette, and tossed one to Su Yuan.

"What are you being so polite for? Benefit the Group, Benefit the Group—do you think those two words were chosen for nothing? 'Benefit' does not lie in enjoying something alone, but in spreading it to all. 'Group' does not distinguish rank or status; what matters is that refined and common alike may appreciate it."

When everyone heard Emperor Wenchang's discourse on "Benefit the Group,"

and saw that even this usually elegant and upright emperor was puffing clouds of smoke, his laughter and conversation full of worldly warmth,

they could not help clapping their hands and praising him. The atmosphere grew ever more heated.

"Your Excellency has profound insight!"

Zhao Gongming laughed loudly, raising his huge bowl as he shouted,

"Did you hear that? Did you all hear it? Even Wenchang says we ought to rejoice together! Come on! Fill them up!"

For a time, the inner hall of the Immortal Execution Platform roared with clamor. Immortal brews vanished like spring water, while Sun Wukong and several martial generals kept shouting as they played drinking games. Ink Qilin, meanwhile, dragged several old friends over and bragged about his newly acquired "treasure that sharpens the mind."

At first, Su Yuan forced himself to keep socializing, but his immortal body was still too shallow. How could he compare with these ancient monsters from the Investiture of the Gods?

After several huge jars of strong liquor mixed with all manner of immortal, mortal, and spiritual energies went down his throat, the world spun around him. His legs turned weak, and everyone he looked at had doubled into afterimages.

"N-No more..."

Supporting his forehead, he barely clasped his hands toward Zhao Gongming, Emperor Wenchang, and the others, who were still in high spirits, and begged leave.

"My seniors have immense capacity... this junior... this junior truly cannot hold his liquor. I-I must take my leave first..."

Zhao Gongming was drinking at the height of his excitement and waved a hand.

"Go on, go on! Kid, you still need to train your drinking capacity!"

Swaying as he walked, Su Yuan was about to fly directly back to his dormitory and collapse into bed when someone anxiously rushed up to meet him outside the project department. It was Liu Yaoqing.

"Oh, Lord Su! You finally came back! Why did you only come back now?!"

Liu Yaoqing did not even care about the heavy smell of alcohol on Su Yuan. He grabbed hold of Su Yuan's swaying body and said urgently,

"Something terrible has happened!"