Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 149 Three Trials (Part 2)

Just then, from the moon gate at the east corner of the training ground, came the sound of boots crushing gravel. Before the servants could announce their arrival, two figures strode into the courtyard.

"Official seal,"

After being admitted to the hospital, Xin Yongfeng looked around and finally turned his gaze to Lü Shang. He smiled at Shang Silang beside him and said, "It really is the official seal. Brother Shang, I knew I was right. That was indeed the sound of Zidian Hanshuang's hooves."

Shang Silang, standing to the side, cupped his hands and said, "Official Seal,"

Upon seeing the two enter the hospital, Lü Shang first glanced at Xin Yongfeng, knowing that Xin Yongfeng was next to Wei Cheng and that he had come to Wei Cheng's residence after hearing the hoofbeats of Zidian Hanshuang.

He shook his head and said, "Yongfeng, your hearing is still as good as ever."

Xin Yongfeng strode forward and said, "Zi Dian Han Shuang, the steed of Zheng Yin, has a hoofbeat like snow and jade. When you were conquering the southern desert and launching a surprise attack on Jinshan, Yongfeng accompanied you to the battlefield. If I can't even recognize the sound of your steed's hoofbeats, then my trip to the northern frontier has been in vain."

Before Xin Yongfeng could finish speaking, Shang Silang walked to the stone table and said softly, "Has the Zheng Yin come here because our mission has been settled?"

"It's definitely settled,"

Facing the expectant faces of Shang Silang and Xin Yongfeng, Lü Shang replied, "The Ministry of Personnel has already issued a notice: Wei Cheng will be appointed as the General Commander of Tongguan, Silang, you will be appointed as the General Commander of Hulaoguan, and Yongfeng will be appointed as the General Commander of Hongniguan."

"Hulao Pass,"

Shang Silang's Adam's apple bobbed. This was the most formidable pass in the world. Although he had made meritorious contributions in the northern expedition, being able to guard Hulao Pass was a great favor from the Emperor.

“Hongni Pass?” Unlike Shang Silang’s surprise, Xin Yongfeng nodded thoughtfully.

Lü Shang observed the expressions of the two men and made his own plans.

"It's a rare treat that we've all gathered here today,"

Wei Cheng raised his hand and slapped the stone table, shouting, "Someone, bring the wine! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

The servant replied, and a moment later brought over a jar of Dukang wine. Four large, rough earthenware bowls were arranged in a row, the amber-colored liquid still shimmering.

Without saying a word, Wei Cheng picked up the wine jar and poured it into the bowl. As the wine splashed, it released a rich aroma of wheat.

After pouring the wine, he picked up his bowl first and said, "General, this first bowl of wine is for you."

"Shang Silang, Xin Yongfeng, and I followed you to the northern frontier and established our achievements. Now we have been ennobled and given important positions for our merits. Although we are grateful for the Emperor's great grace, we also know that without the General, we would not have the glory we enjoy today."

“Even though Wei Cheng is stationed at Tongguan, he still regards the general as his superior. If the general has any orders in the future, even if we are thousands of miles apart, as long as the general issues a document, I, Wei, will brave mountains of knives to come to the general’s tent to serve.”

"We are the same,"

Shang Silang and Xin Yongfeng raised their wine bowls at the same time. Shang Silang's eyes were burning as he said, "Although Hulao Pass is dangerous, it cannot stop my sincere heart for the general. If there is any order, I will definitely come to the general's tent to serve."

Xin Yongfeng raised his hand and slammed the wine bowl heavily on the stone table, saying loudly, "If the general needs anything, Yongfeng will certainly don armor and ride into battle to serve the army."

Seeing the fervor in the eyes of the three men, Lü Shang felt a warmth in his heart and said, "I hope you will guard the pass and protect this land."

He raised his hand and downed the wine in one gulp, slamming the bowl heavily on the stone table: "Cheers!" The four men's bowls clinked together, the amber liquid rippling in the sunlight.

Wei Cheng wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth and said cheerfully, "When the world is unified one day, we will gather here again and drink until the world turns upside down!"

Lu Shang put down his wine bowl, glanced at the three men, and said, "The country is not yet settled, so please remember the oath we made today."

"We follow the general's lead and dare not break our oath,"

------

Just as the Wei family was enjoying their drinks, in a tavern in Jing'an Ward, Daxing City.

Three inches of sunlight slanted through the wooden lattice window, falling directly on Zhongli Quan's wide Taoist robe. He tapped the bronze wine vessel on the table with his finger, causing ripples to spread across the turbid wine.

Su Xuanlang sat down with a flick of his sleeve, looking at Zhongli Quan's leisurely demeanor. He thought of how he had personally tested his old friend's heart for the Dao with Daoist magic last night, but the result was not as he had hoped.

He sighed helplessly, "Indeed, the will of Heaven cannot be defied. Although Bei Zhu has the heart to pursue the Dao in this life, his karmic ties are too heavy. Even if he manages to enter the Daoist sect, it will be difficult for him to achieve enlightenment. It seems that I can only come back to save him in the next life."

Seeing Su Xuanlang's troubled expression, Zhongli Quan chuckled and said, "Why is Fellow Daoist Su still so obsessed? In this life, Beizhu is destined to be without the Great Dao. He is destined to enjoy all the riches and honors of the world. In the next life, he will wash away the karma of the mortal world and become a member of my Dao."

Upon hearing this, Su Xuanlang looked at Zhongli Quan in surprise and said, "Fellow Daoist, it seems you care a great deal about your old friend!"

Zhongli Quan raised an eyebrow and said, “Fellow Daoist Su, as you know, I will be attending the gathering at Shisun Mountain four hundred years from now. At that time, the immortals attending the gathering will cross the East Sea, ascend to the Penglai Immortal Realm, and be ranked among the Eight Immortals.”

He lightly tapped the wine cup with his fingertips, a clear smile appearing in his eyes, and said, "The gathering at Shisun Mountain four hundred years from now requires the eight of us immortals to each bring our own opportunities into the mortal world."

"Although your old friend is trapped by the karma of the mortal world, he is born with a sincere and courageous heart. When he is reborn and sheds his mortal body, his upright character will be the very qualities that will open the door to the immortal realm."

He picked up a ladle and poured wine, the liquid shimmering with tiny golden light in the shadows. He said, "Once he washes away all worldly impurities and understands the three precepts of greed, anger, and ignorance, he may very well be able to enter the ranks of the Eight Immortals."

"The Eight Immortals?" Su Xuanlang's heart stirred, and he took it to heart.

He never expected that Zhengyangzi Zhongliquan would take a liking to his old friend's character and plan to help him become an immortal in the next life.

Not only that, but they also wanted him to participate in the Stone Bamboo Shoot Mountain Gathering, which was a great opportunity to become one of the Eight Immortals.

In the world of Jambudvipa, even among immortals, there are differences. The status of ordinary immortals and the Eight Cave Immortals is extremely different.

Most importantly, those who are ranked among the Eight Immortals are qualified to participate in the Peach Banquet.

It is important to know that the list of guests at the Peach Banquet in Journey to the West begins with the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, holy monks, and Arhats of the Western Paradise, followed by Guanyin of the Southern Pole, the Holy Emperor of Chongen in the East, the Immortals of the Ten Continents and Three Islands, the Mysterious Spirit of the Northern Pole, the Great Immortal of the Yellow Horn in the Center, the Five Elders of the Five Directions, then the Five Dipper Star Lords, the Three Pure Ones, the Four Emperors, and the Taiyi Heavenly Immortals of the Upper Eight Caves, the Jade Emperor, the Nine Layers, and the Sea and Mountain Immortals of the Middle Eight Caves, the Lord of the Underworld and the Earthly Immortals of the Lower Eight Caves, and the Venerable Gods of each palace and hall.

Strictly speaking, the Three Pure Ones, the Four Emperors, and the Taiyi Celestial Immortals are all among the Eight Cave Immortals, but they are the Upper Eight Cave Immortals. However, the gathering of Zhongli Quan and other immortals at Shisun Mountain resulted in the attainment of the Middle Eight Cave Immortals.

Once one is ranked among the Middle Eight Immortals, one has the opportunity to become a Great Luo Celestial Immortal and thus a Upper Eight Immortal.

The reason why Zhongli Quan's gathering at Shisun Mountain was the envy of all the immortals was because the eight positions of the Eight Cave Immortals were personally granted by the Immortal Elder of the Ten Continents and Three Islands, the Holy Emperor of the East, and the Great Emperor of the East, King Xuanfu.

(End of this chapter)