I am a fairy in Journey to the West

When Ling Feiling told Ye Meicang about Chi Ling's arrival and the decision to go to Huoshan Divine Palace early the next morning, Ye Meicang was completely stunned.

"How could you agree to this?!" Ye Meicang exclaimed angrily, "Why didn't you inform me first?"

Ling Feiling looked at Ye Meicang, who was raging within the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman, her face expressionless. She simply said calmly, "What good would it do for me to object to what Grand Commandant Chiling has decided?"

At this point, Ling Feiling countered with, "How about I invite Grand Commandant Chi Ling over now, and you can speak to her personally?"

Ye Meicang's expression visibly froze for a moment, then she said awkwardly, "No, no, that's not necessary."

After speaking, Ye Meicang's expression softened slightly, and a smile appeared on her face. "Grand Commandant Ling, you should know that if the Chenhuan Jade Palace interferes too much in the affairs of our Southern Continent, it will be very difficult for us officials to keep our jobs in the future."

Ling Feiling said, "No, I don't feel that way."

Ye Meicang chuckled and said, "Of course you don't feel that way now. You're a military officer, and all you have to do is follow orders. But we're different. We're here to govern the Southern Continent. If the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm interferes too much, we'll be in a very difficult situation."

Ling Feiling said, "The Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm governs the human world. This is a power bestowed by the Jade Emperor. It is only natural for the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm to govern the Five Sacred Mountains. What is so difficult about it?"

Ye Meicang asked, "Grand Commandant Ling, are you the Grand Commandant of the Mortal Realm Jade Palace or the Grand Commandant of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace?"

"I am the Grand Commandant of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court's Mortal Realm Jade Palace," Ling Feiling said.

Ye Meicang's expression changed, and then he said, "Then don't forget that it was the Great Emperor of Nanyue who promoted you. He has been very kind to you."

Ling Feiling said, "His Majesty has naturally been very kind to me, but Minister, please don't forget my background."

"Your background?" Ye Meicang asked. "Back then, you were just an insignificant junior officer in the Mountain God's Palace. If it weren't for His Majesty's promotion, how could you be where you are today?"

Ling Feiling then asked, "Does the Minister still remember why His Majesty promoted a nobody like me?"

"That's because you saved His Majesty's nephew and made a great contribution." At this point, Ye Meicang suddenly froze.

At this moment, Ling Feiling smiled and said, "It seems that the Minister has remembered that the reason I have been able to get to where I am today is because I have been promoted step by step based on my merits."

Ye Meicang was silent for a moment, then said, "Grand Commandant Ling, could you find a way to delay Grand Commandant Chi Ling and the others from going to Huoshan a few days later?"

“There’s no time to delay,” Ling Feiling said directly. “Grand Commandant Chi Ling has already made his decision.”

Ye Meicang said, "Grand Commandant Ling, how do you know you can't delay it if you don't try?"

Ling Feiling said, "I don't want to go, so I'll be frank. Minister, do you know Master Duankong?"

"Master Duan Kong?" Ye Meicang asked, "Of course I know. He is an ancient immortal. What happened to him?"

Ling Feiling raised her hand and used the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman to project Duan Kong Zhenren's head. Ye Meicang was shocked when she saw it: "You killed Duan Kong Zhenren?!"

Ling Feiling asked, "Why is the Minister so shocked?"

Ye Meicang's face was still full of surprise. "Grand Commandant Ling, it seems that you have no grudge against Master Duankong. Why did you kill him?"

Ling Feiling said, "Because he wanted to kill the old ginseng king, and he also killed more than a thousand of my divine generals, plus nearly a hundred water soldiers from the Chan River Water Palace."

Ye Meicang frowned upon hearing this, immediately understanding what Ling Feiling meant. He suddenly burst out laughing: "You're doubting me?"

Ling Feiling said, "Minister, I didn't mean to doubt you, but this matter is too suspicious. I informed you of the results of the interrogation of the old ginseng king at dusk, and then Master Duankong arrived in the middle of the night."

At this point, Ling Feiling said in a stern tone, "Anyone would have such doubts, Minister. I have to take responsibility for those brothers who died."

Ye Meicang said, "Then I can also tell you that this matter has nothing to do with me."

After saying that, Ye Meicang said no more, and said, "Please tell Grand Commandant Chiling that I will also be going to the Huoshan Divine Palace tomorrow."

Ling Feiling asked, "Has the Minister changed his mind?"

Ye Meicang said, "You've already started to doubt me, what else can I say?"

Ling Feiling said, "It would be best if the Minister had nothing to do with this matter. If I find out who did it in the future, I will definitely not let him off the hook."

Subsequently, Ye Meicang took the initiative to break off contact with Ling Feiling.

But after losing contact, he became restless in the Ministry of Personnel. Finally, he slapped his thigh, stood up, and called out to the outside, "Sun Chu."

A man dressed in a purple cloud-patterned Taoist robe walked in and bowed to Ye Meicang, saying, "Minister Ye."

Ye Meicang said, "Go and make preparations, and then come with me to Huoshan."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chu asked, "When will the Minister depart?"

“Right away, right now,” Ye Meicang said.

Sun Chu nodded and said, "Please wait a moment, Minister, I will go and make the preparations."

After saying this, Sun Chu turned and left the Ministry of Personnel. About an incense stick's time later, he returned and said to Ye Meicang, "Minister, everything is ready."

Ye Meicang nodded and said, "Let's go, let's set off immediately."

Huoshan Divine Palace, Liuyun Pavilion.

Marquis Anlu and his wife Yun Liuhua sat with him, while fairy maidens continuously served fine wines, delicacies, and rare fruits to Ye Meicang.

"It is truly an honor for my humble abode, the Divine Palace of Huoshan, that the Minister has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit me," said Marquis Anlu with a smile.

Ye Meicang, however, showed little smile. He bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency and Madam."

“Eh.” Liu Huaxian laughed, “The Minister is the head of all the gods and immortals of my Southern Mountain. It is an honor for both of us that the Minister can come to my residence as a guest.”

Ye Meicang smiled, then picked up his wine cup and said, "My lord, my lady, please."

Marquis Anlu and Yun Liuhua quickly raised their wine cups in return, and then both drank it down in one gulp.

After setting down his wine cup, Ye Meicang said, "My lord, I have come to the Huoshan Divine Palace with an important case to handle."

"Oh?" Marquis Anlu asked in surprise, "What important case do I have here?"

Ye Meicang asked, "Does Your Excellency still remember the old ginseng king who escaped from the Huoshan medicinal herb garden back then?"

Marquis Anlu glanced at Yun Liuhua and then said, "Of course I remember. I heard that the old ginseng king recently appeared. Isn't your Southern Mountain Divine Palace trying to capture him?"

Ye Meicang said, "The old ginseng king is currently in the Chan River Water Palace, seeking justice from the Chan River Dragon King."

"Seek redress?" Marquis Anlu asked in surprise, "What grievance does he have to seek redress for?"

Seeing the puzzled look on Marquis Anlu's face, Ye Meicang immediately told him about the recent events.

After hearing this, Marquis Anlu was filled with surprise. He looked at Ye Meicang and said, "Minister Ye, what happened? That old ginseng king killed Marquis Ningxiang and more than a thousand divine generals. Why haven't you sent troops to wipe him out yet? And why did you let him go to the Chanhe Water Palace to complain about me?" Ye Meicang said, "I have already sent Grand Commandant Ling to arrest the old ginseng king, but I didn't expect the people from the Zhechong Prefecture to interfere."

"The Zhechong Prefecture? Who's that?" asked Marquis Anlu.

Ye Meicang said, "Grand Commandant Zhechong, Chi Ling."

Marquis Anlu's expression turned solemn, and his gaze immediately turned to his wife, Yun Liuhua.

Seeing the strange expressions on the couple's faces, Ye Meicang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "How much of the injustice that the old ginseng king claims is true?"

“It’s fake,” Yun Liuhua said. “It’s all fake. There’s no such thing.”

Marquis Anlu nodded and said, "That's right. The old ginseng king is making false accusations. My Huoshan Medicinal Herb Garden has always been doing legitimate business and growing only normal medicinal herbs."

"What about Master Duankong?" Ye Meicang asked. "What's the story behind Master Duankong?"

"Master Duan Kong?" Yun Liuhua frowned slightly and asked, "What happened to Master Duan Kong?"

Ye Meicang said, "Grand Commandant Ling told me last night that True Man Duankong stormed into the Chan River Water Palace in the middle of the night, killing more than a thousand divine generals and nearly a hundred sailors. He also attacked the Chan River Dragon King and two divine generals from Zhechong Prefecture."

Hearing this, Yun Liuhua seemed very concerned, "And then what happened? What became of you?"

Ye Meicang stared at Yun Liuhua and said, "Later, that True Man Duankong was defeated by Grand Commandant Ling."

"What?!" Yun Liuhua's expression changed, and her body and face immediately stiffened.

Even Marquis Anlu noticed something amiss at this moment. "Madam, do you know this True Man Duankong?"

Yun Liuhua suddenly came to her senses, swallowed hard, and then forced a smile, saying, "No, no, I've only heard of the great name of this Duan Kong Zhenren. It is said that he is an ancient immortal."

At this point, Yun Liuhua said with a look of surprise, "I just didn't expect that Grand Commandant Ling could defeat this True Man Duankong. He's really amazing."

Ye Meicang added, "Not only did he defeat Master Duankong, but Grand Commandant Ling also killed him."

"Oh? Really?" Yun Liuhua's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked.

Ye Meicang nodded and said, "Of course it's true. Grand Commandant Ling showed me the head of the Broken Void Immortal in the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman."

"Phew," Yun Liuhua breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good. I meant it's good that Duan Kong Zhenren was killed. It would be too troublesome if such an ancient immortal caused trouble."

With a hint of worry in his eyes, Marquis Anlu looked at Ye Meicang and asked, "Did the Minister come to the Huoshan Divine Palace this time to personally investigate what the old ginseng king said?"

After saying that, Marquis Anlu said, "That's simple. Minister, you can investigate my Huoshan Divine Palace and Huoshan Herb Garden however you like. Please, Minister, you must give my Huoshan Herb Garden justice."

Ye Meicang shook his head and said, "My lord, it's not that I want to investigate, but that Grand Commandant Chiling wants to bring the old ginseng king to Huoshan Divine Palace to investigate the case."

"What?!" Marquis Anlu's expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly. "She's coming in person?"

“Yes.” Ye Meicang said, “Now, oh, it’s Mao Shi (5-7 AM), we should have already set off from the Chanhe Water Palace. The Chanhe River is two prefectures away from Huoshan, about 300,000 li, which is about half a day’s journey.”

Upon hearing this, Marquis Anlu could no longer remain seated. "This came so suddenly, this..."

"What?" Ye Meicang asked, "Is there really a problem with the Huoshan Herb Garden?"

Upon hearing this, Marquis Anlu remained silent for a moment before sighing and saying, "I will not hide it from you, Minister, but there are indeed some shady things going on with my herb garden."

Ye Meicang frowned and immediately said, "My lord, you must not hide anything from me at this moment. What is it?"

Marquis Anlu said, "In my herb garden, there are indeed many herb kings and immortals who have developed sentience."

Ye Meicang asked, "Did you really use them to refine pills?"

Marquis Anlu said, "I am doing this for my father, so that those ancient immortals can serve my Southern Mountain Divine Palace."

Marquis Anlu looked at Ye Meicang and said, "Minister, as you know, those ancient immortals all have great cultivation and are very powerful. In the past, they would never have served my Southern Mountain Divine Palace. Now that the Heavenly Court no longer provides them with divine elixirs to avoid calamities, they have the possibility of being recruited. If we want to recruit them, the best way is to provide them with convenient items to avoid calamities."

"So you used spirit immortals to refine pills?" Ye Meicang questioned.

Marquis Anlu said, "These are the main ingredients! If we want the elixir to achieve the miraculous effect of helping the old immortals avoid calamities and disasters, we must use these spirit immortals as the main ingredients!"

Ye Meicang said, "This is a violation of heavenly law!"

Marquis Anlu clasped his hands and said, "Minister, there is still half a day before Grand Commandant Chi Ling arrives. What should we do?"

Ye Meicang paced back and forth in the pavilion, then turned around after a moment and said, "Burn!"

Marquis Anlu and Yun Liuhua: "Burn? Burn down the herb garden?"

“Yes.” Ye Meicang said, “Burn down the herb garden along with everything related to this case! If the herb garden catches fire, there will be no one to testify.”

Marquis Anlu and Yun Liuhua hesitated, after all, this medicinal garden was an industry that the couple had painstakingly managed for thousands of years.

Seeing that the two were still hesitating, Ye Meicang became anxious, "What are you hesitating for? If you hesitate any longer, you'll be dead!"

Upon hearing this, Marquis Anlu immediately made up his mind and said, "Alright, I'll burn it!"

Ye Meicang nodded immediately and said, "I'll go right away, hurry."

Marquis Anlu said, "I'll make the arrangements right away." He then walked outside, but turned back halfway and looked at Ye Meicang, asking, "Minister, what about those Medicine Kings and Immortals?"

Ye Meicang's gaze sharpened, and he asked, "Can they be of one mind with you?"

"I'm afraid that's impossible," said Marquis Anlu. "The parents and brothers of these Medicine Kings and Immortals have all been taken to refine pills."

Ye Meicang said, "Since that's the case, let's burn them all together."

“Yes, burn them.” Yun Liuhua said at this moment, “As long as a real fire is ignited, these Medicine Kings and Immortals will all be annihilated.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Meicang couldn't help but glance at Yun Liuhua.

Marquis Anlu nodded, then turned and walked out of Liuyun Pavilion, but as soon as he stepped out, he turned back again.

This time, however, Marquis Anlu's face showed a hint of shock and astonishment. Ye Meicang was about to ask him if he had any more questions when she saw that Yun Liuhua's expression had also changed.

Ye Meicang quickly turned his head to look at the entrance of Liuyun Pavilion, where he saw a tall figure stride in, followed by three people, one of whom was Ling Feiling, the Grand Commandant of Nanyue.

The moment Ye Meicang saw Ling Feiling, his mind went blank, and he immediately realized that the woman at the front must be Chi Ling, the Grand Commandant.

Chi Ling placed her right index finger on An Lu Hou's forehead, and An Lu Hou had no power to resist at all, letting Chi Ling push him back into Liuyun Pavilion with that index finger.

"I'm sorry," Chi Ling said, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the pavilion. "I arrived in a hurry and didn't have time to announce my arrival. Please forgive me." (End of Chapter)