If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1237 Justice God
"Cough cough, brother, don't be anxious, this has nothing to do with us."

Seeing Nezha getting agitated, Erlang Shen gently patted his shoulder and whispered, "Even the Jade Emperor doesn't care, why are you getting so worked up?"

“Brother, does the Jade Emperor not care? Believe me or not, if I stab this bastard to death with one spear, the Jade Emperor will definitely praise me for doing a good job,” Nezha said.

"But what if Yu Fengxian goes berserk again, and the Nine Cauldrons and Dragons storm the Southern Heavenly Gate? The Jade Emperor will surely stand aside with his arms crossed and coldly say, 'I have already decreed that the gods of Heaven are not allowed to interfere in the power struggles of mortal dynasties. Nezha disobeyed the decree and deserves this calamity.'" Erlang Shen said calmly.

"So what if Yu Fengxian attacks? I'm not afraid of the Nine Cauldrons Dragon Control. If I can't win, I can run away."

With the speed of the Wind and Fire Wheels, the First Dragon probably couldn't catch up.

I spent time with her in the heavens; one day in the heavens is equivalent to one year on earth.

"Just let it drag on for two or three days, and see if she screams in agony or I burst into laughter."

Nezha sounded excited, as if he was eager to try.

“You’re so arrogant, yet you only dare to say ‘I probably can’t catch up.’ What if you do get caught? It’s none of your business, so why make trouble for yourself?” Yang Jian sighed.

At this moment, Yang Li also shouted upwards: "Third Prince, I have not violated any heavenly laws! I have not even entered the South Heavenly Gate; I was just chatting with the Bodhisattva in the sky."

The Bodhisattva inquired, "How dare I not explain in detail?"

The Bodhisattva's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled, "Exchanging a divine position for another divine position is against the rules, but Grand Tutor Yu is acting in the best interests of the public."

Moreover, she didn't just casually give away the divine position.

The granting of each divine position is in accordance with the rules and laws of Heaven.

When the Bodhisattva spoke of "heavenly rules and laws," a shadow of gloom flashed across her dignified and beautiful face, and her tone hesitated for a moment.

According to the old rules and regulations of Heaven, Yang Li's actions today could at most be considered an offense against the majesty of Heaven.

There are no strict divine rules to govern him.

Of course, even the heavenly laws of the past absolutely forbade the private transfer of divine positions.

However, neither Yang Li nor Grand Tutor Yu are registered deities in the Heavenly Court (PS).

The Heavenly Court usually turns a blind eye to minor irregularities.

The rules and regulations of Heaven have changed.

If the new Heavenly Laws are implemented immediately, Yang Li, that little Taoist boy, can already be dragged to the Execution Platform and have his little neck slashed.

Yang Li was unaware of the new Heavenly Laws. Seeing that the Bodhisattva was speaking up for him, he felt relieved, smiled broadly, and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, bestowing titles upon the loyal and patriotic heroes is also a way to promote morality in the human world."

The Grand Tutor not only had no selfish motives, but also made huge sacrifices!

The Grand Tutor also made it clear that those who are to be deified must be qualified.

The Bodhisattva said, "There are also deities on the Western Vulture Peak, including the Eight Heavenly Dragons."

"How about I exchange two hundred 'Heavenly Beings' divine positions for the Grand Tutor's Huai River divine position?"

Yang Li was taken aback for a moment before asking in confusion, "The Huai River God's position is in Shenzhou, and it's also an important divine post in the Heavenly Court. What does the Bodhisattva need it for?"

The Bodhisattva pondered and said, "Today, the Heavenly Emperor is holding a small court assembly and intends to recruit a group of disciples from Mount Ling to serve as celestial gods in the Heavenly Court."

I met you right after leaving Nantianmen. Isn't this a predestined encounter?
Our Ling Mountain also has dragons who possess the supernatural power to control clouds and rain, and are capable of fulfilling the duties of the Dragon Lord of the Huai River.

Five hundred days of practice is nothing to worry about.

Yang Li was conflicted and hesitated.

If the divine position of Shenzhou is handed over to the bald bandit of Lingshan, wouldn't he become a "traitor to the Dao"?

Just then, a beam of divine light shot from the direction of the Heavenly Palace, and a voice came from afar, "Yang Li, we just parted ways, what brings you to the Heavenly Court? Does Grand Tutor Yu have something to discuss with me?"

Before he finished speaking, Taibai Xingjun had already crossed the South Heavenly Gate and appeared opposite Yang Li.

He smiled and bowed to the Bodhisattva, saying, "Just now, Grand Master Yu built an altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven, requesting divine titles for the new River God and the new Ji River Dragon Lord. I descended to the mortal realm to issue the decree and just spoke with her."

At that time, I was thinking, the four river dragons are all of the same lineage. Why not take care of the Huai River dragon as well?
Sure enough, after consulting with His Majesty, Celestial Master Yang Li arrived.

The Bodhisattva said calmly, "Does the Star Lord mean to exchange divine positions with Yang Li?"

Taibai Xingjun said solemnly, "The Heavenly Court has clearly forbidden the unauthorized exchange of divine positions. The establishment or abolition of divine positions rests entirely with Your Majesty."

"When Grand Tutor Yu surrendered the position of deity of the Huai River, the Heavenly Emperor, moved by the many hardships of morality in the human world and appreciating Grand Tutor Yu's actions in bestowing titles upon loyal and virtuous individuals and promoting loyalty and righteousness, specially granted some divine positions for Grand Tutor Yu to choose from."

The Bodhisattva looked at Yang Li and asked, "Now that there are two buyers, which one will you choose?"

Yang Li lowered his eyes, avoiding the Bodhisattva's gaze, and said in as sincere a tone as possible, "The heroic souls who are receiving the title of gods this time are all people of the Divine Land. They probably can't get used to the customs and culture of the Western world."

"The Western Paradise is the true ideal land for ordinary people! Alas, it's a pity that not only the people of the Central Plains, but even the knowledgeable cultivators of the Xuanmen sect don't understand the wonders of the Western Paradise."

The Bodhisattva sighed and drifted away with Huian Xingzhe.

Taibai Xingjun stared at Yang Li with an inexplicable look, making him feel uneasy.

—Could it be that once there's only one "buyer" left, this old man is going to back out or try to lower the price?
"Star Lord, you only need to give the list to me, and then send someone to Xianyang to find Grand Tutor Yu. The Grand Tutor will personally build an altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven and ask for a divine appointment for him."

Taibai Xingjun pulled a sky-blue paper fold from his sleeve and said calmly, "There's no need to trouble Grand Tutor Yu. Just have her throw the Huai River Divine Register into any major river within the territory of Shenzhou."

For example, the Jing River and the Wei River outside Xianyang City.

"Oh, I will certainly pass on the message." Yang Li put away the "Heavenly Book," bowed to him and the two great gods above, and silently turned and left the South Heavenly Gate.

“Star Lord, how could you let Yu Fengxian get what he wanted? When he returns to Xianyang with the list of gods, won’t Yu Fengxian laugh at the heavens and say that my Heavenly Court is weak and incompetent?” Nezha cried out indignantly.

Taibai Xingjun sighed, "We can't really let the Heavenly Dragon of Mount Ling come to Shenzhou to be the Dragon Lord of the Huai River."

"Reject it outright—" Nezha only managed to utter half a sentence before his voice caught in his throat and he couldn't utter it.

"Why not just directly refuse the bald thief from Ling Mountain?" That's what I really think, but can I say that out loud?
"The Bald Thief" is his martial uncle!

Erlang Shen asked in confusion, "The Bodhisattva was quite surprised to see Yang Li when he went out at that moment."

Could it be that Yu Fengxian did this intentionally? How could she have predicted it so accurately?

Taibai Xingjun shook his head and said, "There's no need to wait specifically for Guanyin Bodhisattva. Whenever any great deity or immortal arrives at the South Heavenly Gate, Yang Li sneaks up to them with a furtive look and asks a question."
"Your Majesty and the gods of Heaven, have you no shame?"

"I knew Yu Fengxian was doing it on purpose. She sold the divine position at Nantianmen to force His Majesty!"

Nezha, filled with righteous indignation, said, "She's getting bolder and bolder because we've spoiled her."

Like this wanted poster from the Qin Dynasty, it's even been posted up to the Southern Heavenly Gate. His Majesty won't let us tear it down.

She pressed forward relentlessly, and we retreated step by step; how could she not become increasingly arrogant?

"She didn't do anything to you, why are you in such a hurry?" Yang Jian advised in a low voice.

“She didn’t provoke me directly, but Heaven lost face. Are we supposed to be glorious? Look at us now, standing next to the notice board, keeping it company!” Nezha shouted.

Taibai Xingjun said calmly, "Third Prince, don't overthink it or talk nonsense. The Heavenly Court has not lost face; everything is under His Majesty's control."

Seeing that Nezha was about to shout again, he quickly continued, "Posting notices, changing the divine position, and requesting the Heavenly Seal are all extensions of the case of breaking the Heavenly Oath."

At least in this case, His Majesty fully agrees with Yu Fengxian's 'public trial'.

Even if Yu Fengxian doesn't post a notice, His Majesty will still spread the word widely to show the Heavenly Court's attitude.

This notice board can teach the gods a lesson.

"Just bear with it! It's only a few days in heaven, but the world on earth will change drastically soon."

Yu Fengxian was audacious and reckless, pushing her luck and causing the Heavenly Court to lose face.

The gods in Heaven were too ashamed to bear it, so when the burden was divided among the Jade Emperor, there wasn't much left.

However, if the gods break multiple heavenly oaths and the Heavenly Court does not firmly state its position, it will affect the very foundation of the divine path.

The Heavenly Emperor is the master of the divine realm!

If the foundation of the divine path is affected, then the foundation of the Heavenly Emperor is affected. One is a minor loss of face, the other is a shaken foundation; isn't it obvious which the Jade Emperor will choose?

Nezha couldn't stand it anymore.

After Taibai Xingjun left, he sneered in a low voice, "Yu Fengxian only rode a dragon to conquer the heavens once, and our Emperor was terrified."

Yang Jian's expression was serious. He shook his head and said in an even lower voice, "Brother, your master has already attended the court assembly. Haven't you heard anything about it yet?"

The Heavenly Court is going to revise the Heavenly Laws.

The direct cause of revising the Heavenly Laws is this case of breaking the Heavenly Oath.

He quickly and concisely recounted the story of the "Heavenly Court Reform".

"Uncle Cihang must have met with the Grandmaster and just came down from the Great Luo Heaven."

Judging from her purchase of the Huai River Dragon King, it's a foregone conclusion that the Buddhist disciple of Mount Ling will enter the Heavenly Court as a 'Heavenly God'.

In other words, the Grandmaster has agreed to the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother's reforms.

The Heavenly Court and Mount Ling have reached an agreement.

It is likely that once this great calamity ends, new heavenly laws will be promulgated.

At such a critical moment, the Heavenly Emperor will absolutely not tolerate the slightest breach of his oath to Heaven.

Not only should we break our oaths to God, but we should also carefully avoid other immoral acts.

Don't run into the Jade Emperor's blade at this time and become a sacrifice to the new Heavenly Laws.

Nezha looked disgusted and muttered under his breath, "Damn it, I can't stand the current Heavenly Laws."

Now they want to reform again, imitating the Qin Dynasty's "rule of law to govern the people"—how are people supposed to live?

"Whoosh!" A beam of azure light descended from the sky, landing beside the two and transforming into a slightly overweight, bald Taoist priest with a small mustache.

"Master!" Nezha exclaimed in surprise, "You really came to hold the small court assembly? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Yang Jian also bowed happily, "Uncle-Master, you must have just returned from the Patriarch's place, just like Uncle-Master Cihang, right? Has the matter of the Heavenly Court's reform been confirmed?"

The Taiyi Zhenren of yesteryear is now the "Taiyi Tianzun".

He obtained the divine position of the Eastern Great Emperor, and therefore was qualified to participate in the "Heavenly Court High-Level Meeting".

Taiyi nodded and said, "Since you have already received the message, I won't waste any more words."

The Heavenly Emperor and Queen Mother wanted to reform and strengthen the nation, and their arguments were very reasonable and their plans were very well-organized. The Master agreed to their proposal.

When this great calamity reaches its most intense moment, Master will instill the new Heavenly Laws into the heart of Heaven, making them one of the 'Three Thousand Great Paths'.

In other words, if any of you violate the Heavenly Laws in the future, not only will the Heavenly Court arrest and punish you, but you will also lose your Heavenly Mandate.

Just like the 'blood sacrifice to the heavenly rules' during the last great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods.

During the reign of King Zhou of Shang, it was considered perfectly normal for human kings to use living people for sacrifices, and even to eat human flesh and drink human blood.

Human sacrifice would not affect the monarch's destiny in the slightest.

After the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods ends, any mortal ruler who dares to wantonly harm living beings will be deemed a "tyrannical and incompetent ruler" by Heaven. Those who are tyrannical and lack virtue will surely lose Heaven's favor, and everyone can bring them down.

The joy Nezha felt upon first meeting his master completely vanished.

He said with a gloomy face, "From now on, if we make even the slightest mistake, the Heavenly Emperor can use the name of 'Heaven's Mandate' to severely punish us?"

Taiyi said, "You can understand it that way, but the real situation is much more serious."

Even if the Heavenly Emperor doesn't punish you, 'Heaven's Mandate' will still force you to commit immoral acts and die.

Nezha said dejectedly, "I can't be a heavenly official anymore. Second brother, let's resign and quit our posts!"
You go back to your Guanjiang Estuary, I'll go back to the Golden Light Cave on Qianyuan Mountain, and we'll go live a carefree life in the human world.

Taiyi Tianzun asked curiously, "What are you doing in my Golden Light Cave?"

“Over the years I’ve served in Heaven, I haven’t accumulated much wealth. Give me the Golden Light Cave Heaven so that I can have a place to settle down and make a living,” Nezha said.

Taiyi Tianzun smiled and patted his head, saying, "Giving you the Golden Light Cave is no problem, but you've oversimplified things."

The new Heavenly Laws apply to everyone, regardless of whether you are a celestial deity or a wandering immortal on earth.

"If you dare to resign, you'll become a scapegoat, and the Heavenly Emperor will surely make an example of you."

Nezha said angrily, "Once such heavenly rules are promulgated, won't all the immortals and gods in the Three Realms become servants of the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother?"
"Couldn't the Patriarch see that the Heavenly Emperor harbored ambitions to emulate the Human Emperor Qin Shi Huang? How could he possibly agree to the reforms?"

Taiyi Tianzun shook his head and said, "To say that the Jade Emperor is imitating the Human Emperor Qin Shi Huang is a bit of an exaggeration."

The idea of ​​reform probably existed thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago.

There was never a chance to turn the plan into reality before.

This time, Yu Fengxian's breach of oath has escalated the matter, fundamentally impacting the faith of gods and immortals in the human world, which is why the Heavenly Emperor seized the opportunity to act.

It's not surprising that your ancestor would agree.

The teacher has always disliked disciples with poor backgrounds and insufficient virtue entering the Xuanmen (mystical sect) and embarking on the path of immortality.

Nezha was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening.

Their teachings place the utmost importance on one's origin and background.

One must be of the highest caliber in terms of innate qualities, moral character, and good fortune.

The Jade Emperor dislikes immortals who break their oaths to Heaven, and their ancestors would be even more disgusted by them.

If it were the venerable Master Tongtian, who believed in teaching without discrimination, he would most likely have resolutely opposed the Heavenly Court's reforms.

"The Jade Emperor happened to have pleased his grandmaster, no wonder such a big matter as the reform was passed so quickly," he said in realization.

"A coincidence? Hehehe, you underestimate the Heavenly Emperor." Taiyi Tianzun said meaningfully.

Throughout the history of the Heavenly Court, there are countless similar "coincidences".

For example, the last calamity of the Investiture of the Gods.

The Heavenly Emperor planned to recruit the "Twelve Immortal Leaders" to become great gods in the Heavenly Court. He wanted to select disciples from the Xuanmen sect to fill the positions of the "Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Righteous Gods of the Heavenly Court." It was also by chance that he encountered the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect who were facing a calamity.

The Heavenly Emperor only mentioned it briefly, and the Primordial Heavenly Lord immediately agreed to the Investiture of the Gods plan.

Almost all the great gods and immortals unequivocally opposed this reform in Heaven.

However, the Jade Emperor made the "reform plan" a fait accompli within a single day.

Yang Jian and Nezha were still pondering.

Taiyi Tianzun lowered his voice and said with a smile, "You don't need to panic about the Heavenly Court's reforms."

You will not only be unaffected in the slightest, but you will also benefit greatly.

"What benefits?" Nezha asked curiously.

"Hehe, the teacher separated 'judicial power' from the Heavenly Court."

Although the Heavenly Emperor and Queen Mother legislate, the enforcement and adjudication of these laws are under the jurisdiction of the 'Gods of Justice'.

Taiyi Tianzun winked at Nezha and said with a grin, "Disciple, you're in luck! Your Uncle-Master from the South Pole and I have worked together to get the position of the God of Justice."

"Now that you've become the god of justice, you're in charge of others. Why would you need to resign and retire in such a cowardly manner?"

Nezha asked excitedly, "After I become the God of Justice, will I be able to judge that scoundrel Li Jing?"

Taiyi Tianzun's smile froze. "I was just joking. Don't take it seriously."

(End of this chapter)