The Heavenly Court's Heavenly Rules

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva frowned, "Its vital energy has dissipated, and it cannot be found anywhere in the Jambudvipa World."

The beings below exchanged glances. The Great Wise One asked, "Could that fiend have fled to a Lesser World on its own?"

The Bodhisattva shook his head, "A Lesser World can hardly bear its power. I have searched everywhere to no avail."

The Great Wise One then asked, "Or perhaps it was captured in a fight with someone?"

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva closed his eyes and divined the heavenly secrets, his body radiating Buddhist light. After a moment, he sighed, "This fiend descended to cause trouble and has already been captured by the Mountain God of Lingtai."

Everyone present began to discuss the matter. The Great Wise One, full of doubt, asked, "The Mountain God of Lingtai? He was able to capture a Celestial Immortal-level Garuda? Master, who exactly is this person? Why have I never heard of him?"

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva gently shook his head, "This humble monk also does not know his background, but his ability to subdue the Garuda shows his profound magical power."

As they were speaking, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva suddenly sensed something and looked up at the nine layers of the heavens, "The Heavenly Court is about to issue a decree."

After Lan Caihe returned to the Department of the Mortal Realm, he immediately went to pay his respects to Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion, the Grand Minister of Grotto-Heavens.

Emperor Shaoyang saw that his immortal robe was stained with blood and his chest wound had not yet healed. He asked with concern, "True Person Lan, are your injuries recovering well?"

Lan Caihe respectfully bowed, "Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. This subordinate is no longer in great danger."

Emperor Shaoyang nodded slightly and then asked, "Was that demon captured?"

Lan Caihe bowed and reported, "I was just about to explain to Your Excellency in detail..." He then recounted the entire process of subduing the demon in the mortal realm.

Emperor Shaoyang's face showed surprise upon hearing this, "I never expected there to be such a person among the mountain gods of the mortal realm?"

Lan Caihe said, "That Mountain God of Lingtai is indeed extraordinary, with profound and mysterious divine abilities and magic. If he hadn't intervened this time, I fear I would have fallen victim to that demon's poisonous hands."

Emperor Shaoyang chuckled, "Does True Person Lan know who recommended this Mountain God of Lingtai?"

Lan Caihe appeared slightly surprised, "This subordinate was not aware of that."

Emperor Shaoyang said, "This is someone Laojun recommended to His Majesty the Jade Emperor."

Lan Caihe suddenly smiled with realization, "So that's how it is. That explains it."

After a brief pause, Lan Caihe continued, "That demon, Garuda, has now been captured and is imprisoned in the Mountain God Temple of Lingtai. I believe the mountain god will submit a memorial soon."

Emperor Shaoyang pondered, "Garuda is the mount of Akashagarbha Bodhisattva, and Akashagarbha Bodhisattva ranks among the Eight Great Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas of the Buddhist Sect. This matter is quite troublesome."

He then commanded, "You also draft a memorial to be submitted. It will be sent to the Divine Firmament Jade Palace along with the mountain god's memorial."

Lan Caihe respectfully accepted the order, "I obey your decree."

Emperor Shaoyang added, "Wait, do not leave yet." He turned to a young attendant beside him and said, "Fetch a Five-Revolutions Returning-Origin Pill and present it to True Person Lan."

The attendant obeyed and left. In a short while, he returned with a jade box containing the immortal pill. Lan Caihe took the jade box and bowed again to express his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for the bestowed pill."

This Five-Revolutions Returning-Origin Pill was personally refined by Grand Supreme Elder Lao. As long as the body was still intact, no matter how severe the injury, one would be healed after taking it.

Emperor Shaoyang waved his hand, and Lan Caihe then bid farewell and left the hall.

Not long after, Zhuang Yan's memorial arrived at the Department of the Mortal Realm. Subsequently, Lan Caihe's memorial was also presented. Emperor Shaoyang combined the two memorials and forwarded them to the Divine Firmament Jade Palace.

Within the Divine Firmament Jade Palace, Emperor Wenchang, the Grand Chief Administrator of the Grand Profound Capital Province, read the memorials and immediately issued an order: "Transmit an imperial decree to the Lumen Mountain Daoist Field in the Spirit Mountain scenic area, inviting Akashagarbha Bodhisattva to the Grand Profound Capital Province for a discussion."

The messenger respectfully acknowledged, "I obey your decree."

Soon after, a golden Buddhist light rose from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, traversed the nine layers of the heavens, passed through the West Heavenly Gate, and arrived directly at the Great Luo Heaven Realm, finally descending upon the Grand Profound Capital Province.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva has arrived outside the hall and is waiting." The immortal boy entered the Taihua Hall to report.

Emperor Wenchang lightly waved his sleeve, "Please invite the Bodhisattva into the hall."

The immortal boy announced loudly, "By imperial decree, we respectfully invite Akashagarbha Bodhisattva into the hall to have an audience."

As Buddhist light flowed, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva slowly walked into the hall, clasped his hands, and bowed, "This humble monk pays his respects to Your Excellency."

Emperor Wenchang smiled and gestured, "Please take a seat, Bodhisattva."

After thanking him, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva sat on the first sandalwood chair on the right side of the main hall.

Emperor Wenchang ordered the Profound Envoy to present the mortal realm's memorial, "This case involves your mount, please review it, Bodhisattva."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva took the memorial and read it carefully. After a moment, he stood up and apologized, "This humble monk's discipline was not strict enough, leading to his mount causing trouble in the mortal realm. I beg Your Excellency to punish me."

Emperor Wenchang rose to support him, "This was the mount's unauthorized escape and rebellion; it has nothing to do with you, Bodhisattva."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva bowed deeply, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for your understanding."

"However, how should Garuda be dealt with?" Emperor Wenchang asked.

"Since he violated heavenly rules, he should naturally be handed over to the Heavenly Court for judgment," Akashagarbha Bodhisattva replied.

Emperor Wenchang reminded him, "If he is handed over to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion for trial, he may not escape the punishment of being executed as a demon."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva understood and respectfully asked, "Please instruct me, Your Excellency."

"Considering it is his first offense, he may be spared from being transferred to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion. Order the Profound Envoy to accompany the Bodhisattva to the Mountain of Lingtai to bring him back for discipline," Emperor Wenchang decided.

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva clasped his hands in thanks, "Your Excellency's compassion is boundless. This humble monk will certainly impose strict discipline."

Emperor Wenchang turned to the Profound Envoy, "Escort the Bodhisattva to the Mountain of Lingtai immediately."

"I obey your decree," the Profound Envoy bowed and accepted the order.

The two bid farewell to the Emperor and descended upon the Mountain of Lingtai by cloud. As Buddhist light enveloped the mountain peak, the Profound Envoy loudly declared, "A messenger from the Grand Profound Capital Province is here! Mountain God of Lingtai, come forth and meet me!"

In the Mountain God Temple, divine light flashed, and Zhuang Yan appeared, bowing: "This humble one, Zhuang Yan, pays respects to the esteemed immortal."

The Profound Envoy nodded and said, "Mountain God of Lingtai, Emperor Wenchang has decreed that you hand over Garuda to Akashagarbha Bodhisattva for discipline."

Zhuang Yan's face showed surprise: "The Heavenly Court will not punish him?"

The Profound Envoy replied: "Garuda is a Bodhisattva's mount; he should naturally be punished by his master."

Zhuang Yan immediately refused: "I cannot comply."

The Profound Envoy said in a deep voice: "This is the Emperor's decree!"

Zhuang Yan said solemnly: "This demon has caused havoc in the mortal realm for a long time. If I had not subdued him, who knows how many more lives would have been harmed. It is difficult for me to understand why the Heavenly Court does not mete out heavenly punishment but instead returns him to his master."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva stepped forward and said: "Mountain God, rest assured, this monk will surely discipline him strictly and forever forbid him from the mountain gates."

Zhuang Yan looked directly at the Bodhisattva: "It is not that I am unreasonable. This demon has eaten countless people, arbitrarily detained Earth Gods, and injured Immortal Officials. His sins are monstrous. If he is not punished according to Heavenly Rules, how can the souls of the departed be comforted? How can the Heavenly Laws be upheld?"

Having spoken, he turned to the Profound Envoy: "The memorial has detailed his crimes. This subordinate's conscience is clear. Please report truthfully to the Emperor."

The Profound Envoy's anger began to show, but he was stopped by the Bodhisattva. Akashagarbha Bodhisattva smiled: "The Mountain God's impartiality is admirable. Profound Envoy, let us first return to report."

The two then rode clouds and departed.

Emperor Wenchang saw the Bodhisattva return and was about to speak when the Profound Envoy reported: "The Mountain God of Lingtai defied the order."

The Emperor was surprised: "Did you not mention it was my decree?"

The Profound Envoy truthfully relayed the events. The Emperor listened and then smiled: "He is indeed a righteous god. There is no need to force the issue." He then said to the Bodhisattva: "When I personally draft a decree, I will order the Department of the Mortal Realm to escort Garuda to heaven and hand him over to your esteemed self."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva bowed and expressed his thanks.

The decree was transmitted to the Department of the Mortal Realm, and Emperor Shaoyang summoned Lan Caihe: "I trouble True Person Lan to descend to the mortal realm to handle this matter."

Lan Caihe read the decree and exclaimed: "This action by the Grand Profound Capital Province, is it not like letting a tiger return to the mountains?"

Emperor Shaoyang said calmly: "Spirit Mountain governs the Four Great Continents. Many affairs in the lower heavenly court require the assistance of the Buddhist Sect. This action by the Grand Profound Capital Province is reasonable. We only need to act according to the order."

Lan Caihe listened and respectfully bowed: "I respectfully obey the decree."

With that, he turned and left the palace, heading straight for the mortal realm.

In the Mountain God Temple, Lan Caihe handed the decree to Zhuang Yan: "This is Emperor Wenchang's decree, ordering me to escort Garuda back to heaven."

Zhuang Yan stared at the decree and sneered: "This god worked with all his might to subdue the demon, and now a piece of paper is to let the tiger return to the mountains. Is this not all in vain?"

Lan Caihe advised: "The Heavenly Court has its considerations. Since there is the Emperor's decree, please hand over Garuda, Mountain God."

"Dream on!" Zhuang Yan flatly refused, "Unless you get past me first."

Lan Caihe chuckled: "Mountain God, why be so stubborn? Defying the Emperor's command is no small matter." He then added: "Hand over that earthenware pot to me as well."

Zhuang Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and he retrieved the earthenware pot and handed it over: "This pot can only be held by you for the duration of one incense stick. After that, it will fall on its own."

"Is the seal secure?" Lan Caihe asked as he took the earthenware pot.

Zhuang Yan said proudly: "Even if Akashagarbha Bodhisattva himself came, he would not be able to..."

"Very well." Lan Caihe nodded, "I shall return to heaven to report. By the way, those Earth Gods promised to petition for your merits. Now is the time to fulfill it."

With that, he rode his cloud and departed. Zhuang Yan watched him go and immediately rode his cloud and flew directly to Xiaotian Village.

In front of the Earth God Temple, the Earth God of Xiaotian Village was astonished to see Zhuang Yan return safely: "The Mountain God actually returned unharmed!"

Zhuang Yan got straight to the point: "The demon has been subdued, and True Person Lan is escorting him to heaven. You all promised to petition for my merits; it is time to fulfill it."

The Earth God hesitated: "Since the Heavenly Court has handled it, the Department of the Mortal Realm will naturally bestow rewards..."

"What I want is a direct memorial to Great Emperor Houtu," Zhuang Yan interrupted, "Do you intend to break your promise?"

Seeing the Earth God's troubled expression, Zhuang Yan sternly said: "Do not forget who saved your lives!"

"No, no, no." The Earth God glanced at Zhuang Yan, thinking to himself: "This person can subdue demons and monsters, he is definitely no ordinary individual. It's best not to provoke him."

The Earth God of Xiaotian Village quickly clasped his hands and said: "Mountain God, please rest assured. This humble one will certainly keep his promise and will now gather the Earth Gods from all regions to jointly memorialize and petition for your merits."

"Very good." Zhuang Yan nodded slightly, "I trouble you, Earth God. Farewell."

Before his words had even fallen, Zhuang Yan had already ridden his cloud and gracefully returned to Spirit Mountain.

Just as Zhuang Yan was entrusting the Earth Gods with petitioning for his merits, Lan Caihe was returning to the True Palace of Great Mystery, holding the earthenware pot.

As soon as he stepped into the Hall of Grotto-Heavens, Lan Caihe urgently said: "Quickly prepare a table!"

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion and the young attendants in the hall were all stunned, not understanding his intention.

Seeing that no one moved, Lan Caihe had no choice but to move a table himself. As the earthenware pot touched the tabletop, it slipped from his palm with a soft sound.

"I made it just in time," Lan Caihe sighed with relief.

Emperor Shaoyang asked doubtfully: "True Person Lan, what is this object? Where is Garuda?"

Lan Caihe turned and reported: "Reporting to Your Excellency, Garuda is sealed within this pot."

"Oh?" Emperor Shaoyang's brows twitched slightly, and he got up to descend the steps to examine it. He saw a small bird with golden wings curled up inside the pot, which was indeed Garuda.

"It can be released," said Emperor Shaoyang.

Lan Caihe showed a troubled expression. "This... I'm afraid it will be difficult to accomplish. The jar is sealed with a unique seal from the Mountain God of Lingtai."

"He didn't tell you how to break it?"

"Your Excellency, the Mountain God of Lingtai went to great lengths to capture this demon. I heard he was very displeased when it was to be handed over directly to Akashagarbha Bodhisattva. I persuaded him many times before I was able to bring this jar back."

Emperor Shaoyang understood upon hearing this and said with a smile, "It's already not easy to bring this item back. I will immediately report to the Grand Profound Capital Province and present this jar as well."

"I'm afraid that won't work," Lan Caihe shook his head. "This jar is bound by the Mountain God of Lingtai's magic power. Unless he personally intervenes, no one can move it even a tiny bit."