Hongjun shook his head. "I was fortunate enough to enter once before, and encountered no danger. But if Luo Hou and Yang Mei really are pulling strings behind the scenes, this trip may be dangerous."
"Master, do you have someone in mind?" Jieyin could not help asking. "Do you want us to go?"
"Jieyin, Zhunti, neither of you needs to go. Keep your eyes on Journey to the West! I have yet to see this so-called Three Realms Assembly for myself. Don't let that Red Boy lead you around by the nose. The Three Realms Assembly-I would like to see what it amounts to!"
Hongjun shook his head, rejecting their tentative offer.
Jieyin and Zhunti breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your disciple is willing to serve as your vanguard, Master." In a rare move, Laozi stepped forward of his own accord.
"Laozi... you need not go either."
Hongjun shook his head again.
"Hm?"
Laozi was puzzled.
Hongjun's gaze fell on Tongtian. "Tongtian, would you be willing to visit Hongmeng on my behalf? I can give you this chance to atone through service. As long as you return from Hongmeng, I will grant you your freedom."
"Me? Go to Hongmeng?"
Even Tongtian was surprised.
"Hmph, Hongjun, aren't you just sending me to my death? I'm not going! Send whoever you like!"
But a moment later, Tongtian's expression turned cold, and he refused outright.
"Tongtian, are you truly unwilling to go? Would you rather remain in the Purple Heaven Palace forever?" Hongjun seemed to have anticipated Tongtian's stubborn temper.
"Hmph!"
Tongtian turned his head away, refusing to look at him.
"Yaochi, go to the Wa Emperor Palace and invite Nuwa here."
Hongjun did not press him further. Instead, he turned to Yaochi.
"Yes."
Yaochi immediately accepted the command.
"Master, do you intend