Outsiders knew nothing of what had happened in the Eastern Emperor Palace or of Taiyi and Dijun's conversation.
The next day, however, Taiyi issued a decree in the High Firmament Hall, ordering Eastern Emperor's Protector Ao Yue to lead three hundred thousand demon soldiers and generals against Penglai Immortal Island and wipe out the Eastern King.
Standing in the first rank of officials, Ao Yue cupped his hands and accepted the decree.
He knew this was an opportunity Taiyi had given him-a chance to prove himself to all the demons.
So he had to complete this mission without a hitch!
"He's actually letting him lead the army. His Majesty the Eastern Emperor really does favor him!" Demon Sage Ji Meng, standing in the second rank of officials, transmitted through his Primordial Spirit to Nine-Infant beside him.
Nine-Infant watched Ao Yue's straight-backed figure, the corners of his mouth curling with disdain, and likewise transmitted through his Primordial Spirit, "A brat with milk still on his breath, thinking he can stand above us just because he's the Ancestral Dragon's son and has the Eastern Emperor's favor. It would do him good to let the Eastern King teach him how cruel the Primordial World can be."
"Heh, he is a boy, but a formidable one. Don't underestimate him. Don't forget that the moment he was born, he forcibly absorbed half the Ancestral Dragon's magical power. Perhaps... he really might defeat the Eastern King in this battle." An aged voice rang out in Ji Meng's and Nine-Infant's Primordial Spirits at the same time.
"Brother Bai Ze, what do you mean?"
"The Eastern Emperor has ordered him to lead an attack on Penglai, yet hasn't sent a single one of us Demon Sages along. He's worried we'll take a share of the credit. He wants to build Ao Yue's prestige, but this also shows that His Majesty the Eastern Emperor has ample confidence in him. He believes Ao Yue can defeat the Eastern King and wipe out Penglai Immortal Island." Stroking his graying beard, Bai Ze leisurely transmitted through his Primordial Spirit.
"Him? Surely that's impossible?" Ji Meng still did not believe it.
"Let's wait and see." Bai Ze said nothing more, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Ao Yue, a glimmer of unfathomable depth passing through them.
After court adjourned, Ao Yue walked out of the High Firmament Hall, ready to make preparations for the attack on Penglai Immortal Island.
Meng Zhang had been waiting for him outside the hall. Seeing him emerge, he immediately walked over. He said nothing and asked nothing, merely following silently beside him and fulfilling his duty as a guard.
"Protector, please wait." Suddenly, a laughing voice came from behind them. At the sound, the two dragons stopped and turned to see Bai Ze.
"Protector, I wish you victory the moment your banner flies. Once you return from vanquishing the Eastern King, please visit my sanctuary when you have some leisure. Shall we discuss the Dao?" Bai Ze approached Ao Yue, bowed to him with cupped hands, then straightened and spoke with a cheerful smile.
"You're too kind, Demon Sage. You are my senior; since you have invited me, I will certainly come." Bai Ze was the foremost of the Ten Great Demon Sages. Although Eastern Emperor Taiyi had placed Ao Yue above him in status, Ao Yue still dared not treat Bai Ze lightly. He hurriedly returned the bow and replied.
"Haha, excellent. Then I shall keep my couch swept and ready to welcome you at any time." Bai Ze chuckled, a kindly expression never leaving his face, as though he were nothing more than an old man with no hidden designs.
"Mm." Ao Yue nodded, indicating that he would certainly visit when the time came.
The two then walked together for a while, parting only when they reached the celestial bridge.
"Your Highness, you're going to attack the Eastern King's Penglai Immortal Island?" Watching Bai Ze depart, Meng Zhang, who had remained silent until now, suddenly asked Ao Yue.
"Yes. This is the second task His Majesty has given me. I failed the last one. This time, nothing must go wrong." Also watching Bai Ze's retreating figure, Ao Yue clenched his right hand into a fist behind his waist as he spoke.
"The Eastern King is the leader of the Primordial World's male immortals, appointed by the Dao Ancestor. Eastern Emperor Taiyi wants you to attack him. Could... could he be using you to test the Dao Ancestor's attitude toward the Demon Race?" Meng Zhang considered it and asked with some concern.
"Hmm?" Hearing this, Ao Yue glanced at Meng Zhang.
Meeting Ao Yue's gaze, Meng Zhang was initially unmoved, but then slowly lowered his head.
"I spoke out of turn," he said. "Don't overthink it, and don't doubt His Majesty. Since His Majesty has given these instructions, we need only obey," Ao Yue said calmly. With that, he strode forward, covering ten thousand miles in a single step, and went to mobilize the troops.
Hearing Ao Yue's reply, Meng Zhang had no choice but to follow. Still, he kept the matter in mind, intending to watch more closely from now on, lest Ao Yue truly be used by Taiyi and encounter danger. If that happened, he would have failed the Grand Elder's trust.
A hundred years ago, Kunpeng had schemed against him, trapping him in Kunpeng Hall so that he could not reach Ao Yue in time to rescue him. He must never tread the same disastrous path again!
Meanwhile, at Mount Buzhou.
Gungun, whom Houtu had judged would sleep for at least a year before waking, woke after only a single day. (At this point, one day in heaven was still one day on earth.)
"Haah..." Lying on the earthen bed, he raised a paw to his mouth and yawned, then sat up and slowly opened his eyes.
"You're awake, Brother Gungun?" A familiar voice reached Gungun's ears. He turned to look and found Hou Yi feeding a carrot to a little rabbit in his arms.
A little rabbit?
Gungun perked up a little. He turned to study the rabbit in Hou Yi's arms, thought back over what had happened, and then remembered.
Right, he still had not released all the demon souls in his Spirit-Washing Cauldron, nor purified their resentment. Besides, he had originally intended to catch a few Soft-Bone Rabbits to roast and eat, but between Gonggong and Houtu's battle with Ao Yue and his need to sleep after eating too many Ice Crystal Dragon Fruits, that had all fallen through.
Wait, Soft-Bone Rabbits?
Gungun climbed off the earthen bed and rushed toward Hou Yi. Then he wrapped his arms around Hou Yi's thigh and said with practiced ease, "Morning, Great Shaman Hou Yi. I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"
"Haha." Hou Yi laughed, bent down, and stroked Gungun's head as he said, "Of course. Spirit fruits, right? I happen to have some. The Golden-Silk Macaque Tribe specially sent them last year to thank our Houtu Tribe for sheltering them."
As he spoke, Hou Yi shifted his leg, signaling for Gungun to let go so he could fetch the spirit fruits.
Gungun immediately released his arms and followed behind Hou Yi, saying, "Thank you, Great Shaman Hou Yi. By the way, Great Shaman, that little rabbit in your arms looks a bit familiar. She's a Soft-Bone Rabbit, right?"
"Yes. Ancestral Witch Houtu brought you here yesterday. She said you would sleep for at least a year and asked me to look after you. She also entrusted this child to me. She's a Soft-Bone Rabbit, and her name is Bai Yu." Hou Yi traced something on an earthen wall. A pattern appeared and shone with light, then several spirit fruits flew out of it and floated before Gungun. At the same time, Hou Yi answered him.
"Bai Yu? That name is too ordinary. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were talking about a piece of white jade." At the sight of so many spirit fruits, Gungun's eyes immediately narrowed in delight, and he instinctively swallowed. Then he reached out, grabbed a fruit, and stuffed it straight into his mouth, speaking as he chewed.
"Yes, you're right." Hou Yi turned around and smiled at Gungun. "So I gave her a new name: Jade Rabbit. Brother Gungun, what do you think of that name?"
Gungun stopped chewing his spirit fruit. He looked up at Hou Yi, blinked, and asked, "Huh? What's her name?"
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