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

Chapter 991 Roasting on the Fire

There are truly many immortals on Mount Hua.

Even Erlang Shen's sister, Yang Chan, set up her Taoist temple on Mount Hua.

She not only cultivates immortality in seclusion on Mount Hua, but in recent years she has also received a divine position from the Heavenly Court, becoming the "Holy Mother," theoretically subordinate to the Great Emperor of the Western Peak.

However, like Erlang Shen, Yang Chan, despite holding a divine position, was not a pure member of the divine path.

At least for this time, she was focused on the path of immortality, and therefore did not participate in the rituals of the gods of Mount Hua.

"Third Holy Mother, have you misunderstood something? This humble Taoist originally intended to go to the Yellow River to find Lord Hebo, but happened to pass by Mount Hua. I saw that the divine light on the mountaintop covered the sky, and the momentum was very grand. The laws of the divine path were also shaking. I was surprised and came to observe."

"I don't understand what the gods are doing. At least I didn't know before, so why are they mocking us so much?" Master Guan said, his voice loud and clear, sounding both aggrieved and confused.

Because Yang Chan was not the only deity who arrived at this time.

There were seven or eight noble goddesses and immortals standing next to her.

Among his own acquaintances, friends, and disciples, there were seventy or eighty people who came from the Wenshi Daoist sect, and the immortal sect was not far from Mount Hua.

Even though no deities came over, they cast scrutinizing glances at him.

He had to explain it clearly and loudly.

Let alone the current decline of the Qin Dynasty, even when Ying Zheng was still alive, as the Great Qin Celestial Master and the True Man of the Wenshi Dao Sect, he would not have dared to mock the gods of Mount Hua, led by the Great Emperor of the Western Peak, in Mount Hua.

Let alone him, even Ying Zheng himself wouldn't be so brain-dead.

But it seems that some people are just being stubborn and have offended the gods of Mount Hua.

Although Master Guan complained and his old face was full of grievances, he was not confused and vaguely guessed what was going on.

Yang Chan looked him up and down with her clear phoenix eyes, her pretty face showing obvious suspicion. "Where did you come from?"

"From the Imperial Observatory in Xianyang, we are preparing to go to the Yellow River to see the River God," said Master Guan.

Yang Chan scoffed, "You came all the way from the Imperial Observatory in Xianyang, how could you not know what the Great Emperor of the Western Mountain is doing?"

Master Guan sighed, "I truly didn't know before. After hearing the explanations from the two officials, I still find it unbelievable!"
I went to the Yellow River to find the River God, because I thought the River God was summoning the true form of the Yellow River system.

Unexpectedly, it was the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors summoning the True Form Diagram of the Five Sacred Mountains.

Yang Chan and the several deities beside her all showed expressions of anger.

"Master Guan, you still dare to lie in front of all the immortals?!"

Master Guan asked in confusion, "My words are from the bottom of my heart, every single one is true. Where am I lying?"

Yang Chan shouted, "Has True Lord Meng resigned and left?"

"You all know?" Master Guan asked, but his face and heart showed little surprise.

By observing the actions of the gods of Mount Hua, one can understand what they intend to do and why they are doing this at this time.

They only took action because they received news that Meng Zhenjun had left Xianyang. They felt that the Imperial Observatory was without capable people and Xianyang could not protect the True Form Map, so they launched a surprise attack on the Qin Imperial Observatory.
Instead of picking on the easy target, they ran into a tough nut.

"That's right, Meng Zhenjun did leave the Imperial Observatory, but does that mean I'm lying?"

Yang Chan said, "With Meng Zhenjun gone, won't you be the only immortal left in the Human Emperor's Palace?"
If the secret vault containing the true form is thrown into turmoil, how can you remain completely indifferent?

They didn't even understand which portrait was going to be taken away.

Master Guan said, "The protective array of the secret vault has indeed been activated, but the Human Emperor's Palace has its own leaders, and True Lord Meng is not going to just leave. He has chosen a new Grand Tutor."

Lady Xihua, standing beside Yang Chan, exclaimed in surprise, "You mean, Yu Fengxian alone, without the help of other Celestial Masters, can suppress all the True Form Diagrams in the Secret Treasury? How is that possible!"

Yang Chan shook her head repeatedly, "I've also heard of Yu Fengxian."

But no matter how powerful she is, she cannot use her supernatural powers to suppress the True Form Diagram.

No matter how great your supernatural powers are, it's useless.

Guan Zhenren astutely noticed a problem.

He looked at Lady Xihua and said, "Why did you say that you want to suppress all the True Form Diagrams? Isn't it only the Five Great Emperors who are summoning the Five Great True Form Diagrams?"

"You really know nothing?" Madam Xihua's pretty face showed suspicion and shock, her emotions so intense that her expression was somewhat distorted. "You didn't even enter the secret vault? You completely ignored the True Form Diagram?"

Master Guan honestly confessed, "Around the fourth watch of the night, the Weather Bureau showed unusual activity, which startled me. I immediately guessed that the River God was going to summon the True Form Diagram. Alas, the River God had been planning this for a long time. A few days ago, he even sent the Jing River Dragon King to the Imperial Observatory to inquire about the situation."

My immediate thought was that the River God, upon learning of Meng Zhenjun's departure, couldn't contain himself and wanted to summon the Yellow River True Form Map.

Lady Xihua's rosy face twisted even more, "You guessed right, it was indeed the River God who made the first move."

He failed to retrieve the true map of the Yellow River system, so he summoned the Yellow River God to perform a spell together.

Still no success.

He became furious and petitioned the Heavenly Emperor, requesting the Water Virtue Star Lord to send the River God Lord to lead thousands of water gods to exert their power together.

Still no luck.

Therefore, the River God, together with the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, once again petitioned the Heavenly Emperor, requesting that all the water deities of the Four Rivers, Eight Rivers, Three Rivers, Nine Branches, Four Seas, and Five Lakes join forces to exert their power.

Hundreds of water system maps rioted together, but still failed to summon a single map.

As she said this, the contortion on her face lessened, but it increased with embarrassment, annoyance, and hesitation.

Because next up is the Five Sacred Mountains.

She was a female immortal of the Western Mountain, and like Yang Chan, she also held a divine position in one of the regions.

Asking a female immortal from the Western Peak to talk about embarrassing things about the Five Sacred Mountains is really hard for her to say.

Guan Zhenren, sitting opposite her, was so shocked that he stared in disbelief, muttering unconsciously, "How could this be? How could this be?"

"Now that things have come to this, are you still going to pretend you don't know what's going on?!" Yang Chanjiao shouted.

A Huashan immortal named Su Xinghe couldn't stand it any longer and interjected, "Third Holy Mother, we all know the character of Guan Zhenren."

He was an honest and cautious man, and would never speak with veiled sarcasm or deliberately humiliate anyone.

Then he turned to his old friend and reminded him, "Master Guan, if it doesn't involve the secrets of your Great Qin Imperial Observatory and you don't feel embarrassed, you should explain the whole story clearly."

"There are no secrets, and nothing that can't be said." Master Guan still looked somewhat dazed. "Master Meng favors Master Yu and wants her to succeed him."

Who in Xianyang, among the Qi cultivators and high-ranking officials, doesn't know this?

Fellow immortals, you must also know about the deeds of Master Yu.

Ten years ago, she obtained a fragment of the "Five Thunder Techniques" from Liu Tianjun of the Thunder Department. She was exceptionally talented and had already achieved a high level of Taoist cultivation when she entered Xianyang.

Even if you haven't mastered many techniques, you are all immortals, so you must understand that internal strength is much harder to cultivate, while techniques can be learned quickly. Why is Meng Zhenjun leaving at this time?

Because he and we were both certain of one thing: Master Yu was capable of taking charge of the Heavenly Emperor's Palace, and even qualified to succeed the Grand Tutor.

In fact, upon learning of Meng Zhenjun's departure, the celestial masters of the Imperial Observatory held a small meeting and unanimously recognized Yu Tianshi's status as 'acting Grand Tutor'.

If he has our approval, surely Master Yu can handle the changes within the True Form Diagram Treasury?
That's what I thought at the time, so I waited outside the Emperor's Palace.

Therefore, it is unknown which true form image was summoned by the gods.

From the fourth watch of the night until now, for more than two hours, the ground of the Emperor's Palace has been trembling slightly.

The celestial masters were getting impatient, so I decided to persuade the River God to temporarily relinquish his supernatural powers.

His words explained his experience very clearly, and everyone showed a mixture of realization and shock.

Only Yang Chan still had doubt on her little face, "Why are you trying to persuade the River God? Yu Fengxian is right next to you, why don't you persuade her instead!"

Guan Zhenren was somewhat speechless.

The River God struggled for two hours but still couldn't take the map away, clearly indicating that Master Yu had the upper hand.

She had the upper hand. As the Celestial Master of the Great Qin Dynasty, should I advise her to admit defeat?

At most, I can represent the Imperial Observatory and offer a way out to the River God.

He managed to save face to some extent and didn't completely embarrass himself; he should behave himself for a while afterward.

The Celestial Master Yu and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of Qin Dynasty, on the other hand, benefited from peace and tranquility.

That's what you call a win-win situation!
These words can only be understood implicitly, not spoken aloud.

In front of all the gods of Mount Hua, it was said that the River God had lost face and would hate him far more than the Heavenly Master Yu.

He's the peacemaker that everyone likes to be around, not the gossip who talks behind people's backs.

"I am, after all, the Celestial Master of the Great Qin Dynasty. If the Third Holy Mother is willing, you are welcome to come to the Imperial Observatory, where you can personally persuade Celestial Master Yu."

Upon hearing this, Yang Chan actually showed a hint of interest, "Are you still going to the River God's Palace? He's still holding a divine sacrifice right now!"

Master Guan was conflicted and hesitant. He turned to his old friend and asked, "Fellow Daoist Su, when did Lord Hebo begin summoning the Yellow River True Form Diagram, and what is the current situation?"

Su Xinghe shook his head and said, "I haven't been to the Yellow River yet, but the situation there should be similar to that of Mount Hua."

He gestured towards the summit of Mount Hua, indicating to Guan Zhenren that the gods of Mount Hua were conducting a "mountain worship ceremony."

“Starting from 6:45 AM, a divine light rose from the summit of Mount Hua.”

Initially, only one marshal presided over the sacrificial ceremony. Mount Hua trembled slightly, but the true form map never flew back.

One marshal after another joined in, and the scene grew ever grander. This humble Taoist priest was utterly captivated, unable to keep up with the spectacle, and had no time to concern himself with the Yellow River.

Lady Xihua said, "If Master Guan is just going to the Yellow River Dragon Palace to watch the excitement, then we can go and take a look."

The commotion they caused was even greater than that on Mount Hua.

Dozens of dragon gods circled in the sky, while tens of thousands of water deities beat drums to cheer them on.

The River God and the River Stream join forces to call upon the soul of the Yellow River.

However, if one merely watches the spectacle, one will surely be disliked by the water gods.

They're in a bad mood right now, and they might not be as easy to talk to as we are.

Master Guan quickly said, "I am not here to watch the show, nor would I dare to mock the gods. I wish to resolve our grievances and settle this matter."

Yang Chan asked, "How should this be resolved? You won't even try to persuade Yu Fengxian."

—She single-handedly overthrew all of you, the Four Rivers and Five Sacred Mountains, and was a match for thousands of great gods. Why should I, a humble Taoist, advise her to back down?
As rumored, this Third Holy Mother was indeed not very bright and spoke incoherently.

A bit silly!
Master Guan thought to himself, but put on a sincere face and said, "Why is the River God in such a hurry?"
Even I and the Celestial Masters are not sure how many more years the Great Qin Dynasty can exist.

Once the dragon energy of the Great Qin Dynasty is completely depleted, it will naturally be unable to suppress the True Form Map of the Nine Provinces.

At that time, without the River God's summons, the Feathered Celestial Master will present the True Form Diagram with both hands.

Wouldn't it be better to be relaxed, at ease, and harmonious?

At this time, he was on Mount Hua and could not directly comment on the actions of the Five Sacred Mountains Emperors, so he could only bring up the River God.

Yang Chan shouted, "Master Guan, you are so ignorant! Putting aside what's happening on the River God's side, look at Mount Hua right now. Look at what the Golden Heavenly King and the marshals are doing!"

Her voice was loud and clear as she pointed to the Western Peak Emperor in the center of the auspicious light at the mountain's summit.

"The Golden Heavenly King has already opened the Heavenly Gate with his great magic power, and the Five Sacred Mountains are now connected together. At this time, the mountain ranges of the Divine Land are now linked together."

Above the Five Sacred Mountains, there are five great emperors and countless great gods.

Above the Heavenly Court, there are also many star deities assisting him.

The gods of Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld joined forces, creating a devastating and awe-inspiring spectacle that shook the Thirty-Three Heavens.

"Having expended so much effort and caused such a commotion, if we don't forcefully reclaim the True Form Diagram today, what will all the immortals, Buddhas, demons, and monsters think of Golden Heavenly King and the great emperors?"

The Great Emperor of the Western Mountain had a blank expression, seemingly focused on the divine sacrifice, but inwardly he was groaning: You brainless brat, can't you use your brain?

You said such things on the summit of Mount Hua, and you shouted them so loudly that all the immortals, Buddhas, demons and monsters around heard them. How are I and my brothers supposed to save face?

Even the celestial deities of Heaven, and even the Jade Emperor himself, have no shame?
Why don't you just let Guan Yu come over, have him bow and scrape, say a few kind words to me, and offer me a way out?

We can then take this opportunity to end this two-hour-long ceremony to worship the Five Sacred Mountains, which has no hope of success whatsoever.

What Yang Chan said was actually true.

But precisely because she was telling the truth, and reality is so harsh—they seem unable to reclaim the true form—they need a way out even more.

Guan Zhenren, representing the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Great Qin Dynasty, humbled himself and begged them to relinquish their supernatural powers. They then reprimanded him arrogantly and sternly, after which he bowed and pleaded again. Their expressions softened, and they reluctantly agreed—what a wonderful ending!
Win-win!

Now look what's happened; they're being roasted over a fire.

They could only test their patience with that foolish dragon, the River God: only if the River God admitted defeat first and ended the "River Sacrifice" ceremony could the Five Great Emperors sigh and say, "We follow the River God's lead; now that the River God has returned, we too shall withdraw our powers!"

Then end this embarrassing and shocking farce.

Well, we must wait for the River God to retreat first, and try to make the River God and the Dragon Gods of the Three Rivers, Four Streams and Five Lakes bear all the shame.

However, the River God probably thought the same thing.

(End of this chapter)