Chapter 21

I am the Mountain God of Lingtai. Zhuang Yan said coldly, "You beast have occupied these mountains and forests, committing countless evils. Now that you face execution, do you have anything to say?"

A vicious gleam flashed in the Great Red Scale Python's eyes as she suddenly sprang at Zhuang Yan. Fire Spirit True Immortal and Vanguard Hu cried out in warning, only to see immortal light swirling around Zhuang Yan's body as he instantly pinned the demon python to the ground.

The giant python crashed down heavily. Her wounds split open, blood pouring out as her breath weakened and she neared death. Fire Spirit True Immortal hurriedly said, "Mountain Lord, she's about to die!"

Fear flashed through the demon python's eyes. Zhuang Yan raised a hand and lightly tapped her, casting a spell upon her. Under the clear radiance, the python demon's wounds rapidly healed, and before long, she was restored to normal.

The healed Great Red Scale Python's Demonic Energy churned, but she no longer acted fiercely. Instead, she transformed into a pretty young girl dressed in red. She kowtowed three times to Zhuang Yan, then raised ruby-like eyes to gaze silently at him.

"You wish to submit to me?" Zhuang Yan asked. The young girl kowtowed again in reply. Vanguard Hu asked curiously, "Why doesn't this little girl speak?"

The young girl opened her mouth in indication, and Zhuang Yan understood. "So she's mute." Fire Spirit True Immortal laughed. "She has cultivated all the way to Refining Void into Dao, yet still cannot speak. How strange indeed."

Zhuang Yan smiled faintly and looked at the young girl. "Do you sincerely submit, or are you merely pretending to surrender to save your life?"

The young girl heavily knocked her head against the ground three times, then reached up to press the wound atop her head, where bloodstains left by the Golden Halberd still remained.

"Is it because I saved you that you sincerely wish to submit?" Zhuang Yan asked again.

The young girl hurriedly nodded.

"But I was also the one who caused this wound. Do you not resent me?"

The young girl pressed her palms together and gazed up at Zhuang Yan devoutly.

Fire Spirit True Immortal explained from the side, "Mountain Lord, she is praising your compassion."

"Is that so?" Zhuang Yan looked at the young girl. Seeing her nod repeatedly, he could not help but smile. "You do have some spiritual insight. Very well, I'll take you in. From now on, follow the Mountain Guard General and serve alongside Vanguard Hu as a Vanguard Snake. Your salary will be the same as his."

The young girl immediately prostrated herself and performed a grand bow.

"Do you have a name?" Zhuang Yan asked.

When the young girl shook her head, Zhuang Yan smiled. "Since you are a Great Red Scale Python, you shall be called Chi Ling."

Joy filled the young girl's face, and she kowtowed again in gratitude.

Zhuang Yan summoned Vanguard Hu. "From now on, you will teach Chi Ling how to speak."

Vanguard Hu looked troubled. "Mountain Lord, this subordinate does not know how to teach people."

"Don't you know how to raise children?"

"Th-this is different, isn't it?"

Zhuang Yan smiled. "What is different? She is a child as well. Just treat it as teaching your own child."

Vanguard Hu looked at Chi Ling, then at Fire Spirit True Immortal, and could only agree. "This subordinate will do his best."

Zhuang Yan surveyed his surroundings and saw that the Mountain God Temple was already encircled by a peach grove.

"How many peach trees are there here?"

"One hundred and thirty-six," Fire Spirit True Immortal answered.

Zhuang Yan nodded. "Not bad. If we stop being immortal officials someday, we can still make a living selling peaches."

Fire Spirit True Immortal gave a dry laugh. Zhuang Yan laughed heartily and left, transforming into immortal light that disappeared into the Eight Immortals Pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Zhuang Yan fell into thought. Sun Wukong's capture had made him realize his own shortcomings—he lacked the ability to peer into Heavenly Secrets.

After sending Wukong back to the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars, Patriarch Bodhi had plainly stated that this was a destined tribulation. The Patriarch had not intervened, firstly because it fell within the Mountain God's duties, and secondly because he had long known that Zhuang Yan would rescue him.

This made Zhuang Yan suddenly understand: true Great Powers could all deduce Heavenly Secrets and foresee the future. Yet he was always left reacting passively.

It was time to add the ability to Search Heavenly Secrets. With a thought, Zhuang Yan immediately refined 200 points of Heavenly Dao Power.

Mystic light flashed between his brows, and the Search Heavenly Secrets option immediately appeared in the function menu. His remaining Heavenly Dao Power dropped to 640 points.

With another slight turn of thought, Zhuang Yan activated the "Heavenly Secret Inquiry" function and silently recited the name "Sun Wukong."

In an instant, information regarding Sun Wukong flooded into his mind: one month later, Patriarch Bodhi would teach Sun Wukong the Great Celestial Immortal Art, the Seventy-Two Transformations, and the art of the Somersault Cloud.

The corners of Zhuang Yan's lips lifted slightly. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven was about to emerge into the world. Thinking of Sun Wukong's miserable state after being teased by Chi Ling, he could not help but smile. Even heroes had their downtrodden days.

After a brief pause, Zhuang Yan silently recited Spirit Platform Mountain in his heart.

A vast torrent of information appeared at once, most of it trivial matters: when some demon's lifespan would end, when some living being would die, the sex of an unborn child, and so on. Zhuang Yan discarded these irrelevant messages, retaining only two important Heavenly Secrets.

The first was still the matter of Patriarch Bodhi teaching his art, which Zhuang Yan already knew, so he erased it. When he saw the second, his expression turned grave: ten days later, the Buddhist Mahamayuri Bodhisattva would transform into Golden Sparrow Fairy, infiltrate Spirit Platform Mountain to establish a Daoist grounds, and investigate the Mountain God's true capabilities.

Zhuang Yan's gaze sharpened. Is this aimed at me?

Meanwhile, Mother Buddha, the Peacock King, restrained her Buddhist radiance and transformed into a female immortal from a foreign land. She traveled eastward to Spirit Platform Mountain. Looking out over the three hundred li of Spirit Platform, she saw divine light lingering around Danchi Ridge and rosy clouds soaring into the heavens above Mount Fangcun.

The divine light of Danchi Ridge needed no explanation, for the Mountain God Temple stood there. Yet the auspicious air within Mount Fangcun was anything but ordinary. The Peacock King was secretly astonished. There is actually a master living in seclusion on this mountain. After pondering for a moment, she decided to avoid Mount Fangcun lest her true identity be exposed.

In the end, the Peacock King descended by cloud upon Liu Zhen Peak and chose a place of excellent geomantic fortune to settle down. She had just formed a seal and entered meditation before her cloud dwelling when Buddhist light suddenly flashed, and Cundi Bodhisattva's Dharma manifestation appeared.

"Venerable One has manifested before me. What brings you here?" the Peacock King asked with her palms together.

Cundi Bodhisattva returned the gesture. "Fellow Daoist, what is your purpose in coming to Spirit Platform Mountain?"

The Peacock King spoke frankly. "I came specifically to investigate the background of the Mountain God of Spirit Platform Mountain."

Cundi Bodhisattva said, "This man was recommended by Laojun. His origins are clear enough."

The Peacock King shook her head. "This man possesses great divine abilities, yet his name has never been heard of. Moreover, he was recommended by Grand Supreme Elder Lao to take office in our Western Ox Continent. There must be something suspicious about this."

Cundi Bodhisattva smiled. "Could it be that Fellow Daoist suspects Laojun?"

"It is not baseless suspicion," the Peacock King said seriously. "A man with neither roots nor origin, yet immense magical power, was placed within the territory of our Buddhist Sect through Laojun's hand. How could I not consider other possibilities?"

Cundi Bodhisattva chuckled. "The affairs of the world have nothing to do with the Daoist Sect. They live in seclusion upon immortal islands beyond the seas and never involve themselves in worldly matters. They have never harbored grievances against our Buddhist Sect. Fellow Daoist, you are overthinking this."

The Peacock King replied calmly, "There is no need for the Venerable One to persuade me. We may discuss it again after I have investigated the matter."

"Very well." Cundi Bodhisattva sighed softly. "I only hope Fellow Daoist acts with caution and does not overstep the bounds."

"Rest assured, Venerable One. I have my own considerations," the Peacock King answered composedly.

Cundi Bodhisattva nodded, and his figure gradually faded into the void.

The Peacock King closed her eyes and continued meditating. Suddenly sensing something unusual, she opened them to find a handsome man in the robes of a Seventh-Rank Immortal Official approaching her. His bearing was extraordinary.

She immediately rose and bowed. "Might you be the Mountain God of Lingtai?"

Zhuang Yan walked closer in silence, his piercing gaze examining her. Then he sat down without ceremony.

"Where are you from?" Zhuang Yan asked bluntly after sitting cross-legged.

The Peacock King smiled and bowed. "This little immortal is Golden Sparrow. I was traveling through the Western Ox Continent and saw that this mountain was blessed with spiritual beauty, so I wished to build a dwelling here and cultivate in peace."

She then respectfully asked, "May I know the honorable title of the divine lord?"

Zhuang Yan's expression remained calm. "I oversee Spirit Platform Mountain. You are but a wandering immortal, yet you established a residence without reporting it first. What crime should that be?"

The Peacock King was secretly startled. She had thought they encountered each other by chance, but he had actually come specifically to hold her accountable. With her cultivation as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, ordinary mountain gods would never have detected her movements. The man before her was clearly no ordinary figure.

She hurriedly apologized. "Mountain Lord, please hear my explanation. This little immortal had intended to pay respects after settling down. I did not expect to disturb your esteemed presence. I beg your forgiveness."

Zhuang Yan said sternly, "Those who err must be punished. It is only right. You privately established a Daoist grounds, so according to the law, you shall be fined one hundred thousand Purple Coins."

"This..." The Peacock King was momentarily dumbfounded.

"Hmm?" Zhuang Yan shouted sternly. "How can one who cultivates immortality fail to understand reason? Who is your master? How could they have neglected your instruction so severely? Summon them at once to receive punishment!"

When had the dignified Buddhist Peacock King ever endured such a rebuke? She forcibly suppressed her emotions and answered obediently, "Please calm your anger, Mountain Lord. This little immortal is willing to accept the punishment."

With that, she took out one hundred thousand Purple Coins and presented them.

Zhuang Yan accepted the money, and his expression eased somewhat. "Knowing one's mistake and correcting it is the greatest good. I will now register your Daoist grounds."

The Peacock King bowed in thanks. "Many thanks for the Mountain Lord's grace."

Zhuang Yan rose and waved his sleeve, causing a Jade Slip to appear. "If you have no objections, leave your magical power imprint upon it."

"As you command." The Peacock King accepted the Jade Slip and examined it closely. It read: "Wandering immortal Golden Sparrow has established a Daoist grounds on Liu Zhen Peak of Spirit Platform Mountain. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Mountain God Temple, and all matters of dispute shall be determined by the Mountain God. This document is hereby established, verified by a Dharma imprint, and enforced according to the law."

"Do you have any questions?" Zhuang Yan asked.

The Peacock King pointed to the words "under the jurisdiction of the Mountain God Temple" and asked, "Mountain Lord, what does this mean?"

Zhuang Yan replied with a smile, "Liu Zhen Peak is one of the main peaks of Spirit Platform Mountain, so naturally it falls under the Mountain God's jurisdiction. That is all."

"I understand." The Peacock King nodded, yet she delayed leaving an imprint on the Jade Slip.

Zhuang Yan pressed her. "Do you still have concerns? Speak freely."

The Peacock King hurriedly said, "I have no further doubts." She then activated her power and branded her magical power imprint upon the Jade Slip.

"Mountain God, please examine it." The Peacock King returned the Jade Slip respectfully.

Zhuang Yan accepted it and smiled. "Very good. Since you have left your imprint, this peak now belongs to you."

"Thank you, Mountain God." The Peacock King clasped her hands in gratitude.

But Zhuang Yan said, "Do not thank me yet. Since you have left your imprint, you must obey the Mountain God Temple's commands from now on and may not defy them."

"What?!" The Peacock King was stunned. "What do you mean by that, Mountain God?"

Zhuang Yan smiled. "The Jade Slip states it clearly. You have already entered under my command, so naturally you must obey my orders."

"The Jade Slip says no such thing." The Peacock King anxiously pointed at it.

Zhuang Yan tapped the text. "Is it not written here? 'Under the jurisdiction of the Mountain God Temple' means that everything concerning you falls under my control."

The Peacock King said in astonishment, "But that was clearly not how the Mountain God explained it just now!"

Zhuang Yan laughed loudly and pointed again at the words "all matters of dispute shall be determined by the Mountain God." "It is written here as well. If there is any ambiguity in the document, it shall be decided by me."

"This is outrageous!" The Peacock King glared furiously at Zhuang Yan. After a moment, she said in a low voice, "A dignified Mountain God actually schemes against a little immortal like this. I no longer want this Daoist grounds!"

"You have no choice!" Zhuang Yan said sharply. "The Jade Slip has been established and the Dharma imprint has been branded. How can you treat this as a child's game? Are you trying to toy with me?"

The Peacock King said coldly, "Mountain God, do not bully others too far."

"Oh?" Zhuang Yan raised a brow. "A mere wandering immortal dares threaten an appointed official of the Heavenly Court? I shall report this to the Thunder Department and discuss the matter further!"

Seeing Zhuang Yan preparing to leave, killing intent flashed through the Peacock King's eyes. Yet she forcibly suppressed her fury, reminding herself that the greater situation mattered. She quickly put on a smile and caught up to him. "Mountain Lord, please wait. I was only joking just now. Being able to follow the Mountain God is this little immortal's good fortune."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan turned and smiled. "Now that sounds more reasonable. How could someone capable of casually producing one hundred thousand Purple Coins fail to understand reason? Cultivate well. I shall take my leave. In the future, I will naturally send you orders."

With that, he rode away on a cloud.

The Peacock King's heart jolted as she realized she had exposed a flaw. How could an ordinary wandering cultivator casually produce one hundred thousand Purple Coins?

Seeing that Zhuang Yan had noticed nothing, she secretly sighed in relief. Watching his retreating figure, the Peacock King was filled with complicated emotions. A dignified Buddhist Bodhisattva had actually fallen into a trap and signed a contract. Fortunately, she had used the name Golden Sparrow Fairy—otherwise, where would she have put her face?