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Chapter 172 Military Order
The camp of Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, was set up on a spacious cloud platform outside the South Heavenly Gate. At this moment, the cloud platform was no longer the quiet place it once was, but had become a huge and noisy military post.

Banners fluttered and swayed, obscuring the sky. Celestial soldiers and generals, clad in armor of various colors, stood in formation, the clanging of their armor plates creating a cold, metallic tide.

The warriors shouted as they dragged heavy tracks across the clouds, leaving behind mountains of spiritual herbs and elixirs, gleaming weapon racks, and enormous talisman boxes.

Dozens of magnificent horses were led out of the stable, where they were brushed and shoeed by skilled grooms, emitting restless neighs.

Chen Guangrui led Tang Sheng, who had transformed into an ordinary little novice monk, through the bustling crowd. Tang Sheng's bright black eyes looked around curiously, sensing that everything was new and exciting.

Not far from the imposing gate of the camp, a suppressed argument erupted. The voices weren't loud, but they were remarkably clear amidst the surrounding noise.

Three people stood by the jade steps outside the gate. Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, was clad in golden armor, his face ashen, exuding an imposing official aura. Nezha, the Great God of the Three Altars and Seas, stood with his arms crossed, head held high, his face filled with rebellion and unruliness, his lips pressed into a stubborn line.

Behind Li Jing stood a mighty divine general holding a precious pestle, none other than the guardian deity, Giant Spirit God. He looked embarrassed, as if he wanted to offer advice but dared not.

Li Jing raised the pagoda high, his voice rang out, barely containing his anger.
"As your father, I have the authority to command the troops! The position of vanguard will be assigned, so why should you be picky? The Giant Spirit God is experienced and more reliable than you!"

Nezha immediately retorted, his voice crisp yet sharp.
"Experienced, huh! His skills are only good for fighting those weak demons from the lower realms! Back when we attacked Flower Fruit Mountain, wasn't he the first one to be swept away by that monkey's staff? Tell me, how much did you take from him to make him the vanguard?"

Li Jing's face flushed instantly, and his fingers holding the exquisite pagoda trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he was extremely angry.
"You unfilial son, stop talking nonsense! Military campaigns are not child's play; this is a military order!"

"A military order?" Nezha scoffed, his face full of disdain, looking at the pagoda in his hand.

"If you didn't have this tower, I would have shot you to death already!"

After saying that, he didn't even glance at Li Jing again, turned around and left.

"Stop right there, you unfilial son!"

Nezha ignored him completely. He knew that if Li Jing raised the pagoda in his hand, he would have no choice but to kneel down. After cursing, he quickly left.

As he left Yuntai, he bumped into Chen Guangrui and Tang Sheng, who were walking by.

Nezha's gaze swept across Chen Guangrui's face, a look of condescending scrutiny on his face, then he pursed his lips, his tone carrying a youthful disappointment and estrangement.

"Chen Bi Ma Wen? Ha, three years have passed. It seems you've been doing quite well raising horses at the Imperial Stables. Three years ago, I thought you were somewhat interesting, daring to go against the old man. Now it seems you're nothing special... Ha."

He didn't say the rest, but the contemptuous "heh" and the disdain in his eyes made it clear. He believed that Chen Guangrui had obediently come to serve as Li Jing's deputy on Laozi's orders.

Chen Guangrui knew that Nezha already knew he was coming and was deliberately saying that, so he knew exactly what Nezha was thinking.

Tang Sheng stood beside Chen Guangrui's legs, her big eyes darting back and forth over Nezha, especially lingering on his Wind Fire Wheels and red bellyband for a moment. Her little face showed an assessment that seemed to say, "This guy looks pretty powerful, but his temper seems even worse than mine."

However, to Nezha's surprise, Chen Guangrui merely glanced at him indifferently, his eyes calm and unwavering. He showed neither anger at Nezha's dismissive words nor any hint of flattery or fear because Nezha was Nezha.

His gaze was as indifferent as if he were looking at a roadside stone. He didn't even stop, merely nodding slightly to Nezha as a greeting, before walking straight past him, pulling Tang Sheng along, and continuing towards the main tent of the camp, as if the argument and Nezha's provocation were nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing past his ear.

Nezha was taken aback by Chen Guangrui's complete disregard. Neither his expected retort nor his expected explanation materialized. This utter indifference, instead, caused the anger stirred up by his father's arrangements to inexplicably shift towards Chen Guangrui's retreating figure, his gaze sharpening with displeasure.

What are you pretending for!

"Hmph!" He snorted heavily, and the Wind and Fire Wheels beneath his feet suddenly burst into flames, transforming into a streak of fire that shot into the sky. He was clearly very angry.

Li Jing watched Nezha walk away, then glanced at Chen Guangrui heading towards the main tent, his face so dark it could drip water. He forcibly suppressed his anger, straightened his armor, and strode towards the main tent, with the Giant Spirit God quickly following behind.

Inside the main tent of the military camp, the bright lamps illuminated the golden helmets and armor, making them gleam. Li Jing sat upright in the commander's seat, with the Giant Spirit God standing beside him. Chen Guangrui stood below with Tang Sheng.

Li Jing's expression had regained some of his imperial dignity, but the coldness deep in his eyes hadn't dissipated. His gaze was sharp as he looked at Chen Guangrui, his tone cold and businesslike.

"Vice Commander Chen." He deliberately emphasized the words "Vice Commander," exuding official authority.

"The Great Celestial Venerable decrees that you should assist in the management of the troops and oversee the transportation of celestial horses and the supply of military provisions. This is a crucial task that will determine the success or failure of the campaign."

He paused, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk, producing a dull thud that seemed to strike the heart.
"I know that all the warhorses in the Imperial Stables are under your command and control, as easily as your own arm. However, this expedition is no ordinary one. The demons in the lower realm are fierce and unruly, so we need to maintain a disciplined military appearance and strict orders."

He has already mentioned the authority and seal of the弼马温 (Bima Wen, a low-ranking official in charge of horses), indicating that he still holds a grudge about what happened three years ago.

Li Jing's gaze swept over Chen Guangrui, carrying a hint of barely perceptible disdain.

"There is a matter at hand that concerns the dignity of our army. Under my command, the heavily armored cavalry ride oxen, and the light cavalry ride warhorses. These beasts have enormous appetites, consume astonishing amounts of fodder, and excrete filth scattered everywhere, creating a foul stench that is truly detrimental to the dignity of the Heavenly Court's army."

He deliberately emphasized the words "filth" and "stench," as it was already inappropriate for a Heavenly King to discuss excrement in his military tent, but now it became his weapon to attack.
"Such sordid and trivial matters should not be discussed in the commander's tent. However, since the Great Heavenly Venerable has entrusted you with the command of horse administration and military supplies, this responsibility rests with you!"

He stared at Chen Guangrui and said, word by word.

"You are hereby ordered to ensure that these tens of thousands of war oxen and horses eat and defecate at the same time, and to ensure that the fodder is not spilled, the excrement is collected, and the camp is kept clean. This is a military order!"

Silence fell over the command tent. How could tens of thousands of war oxen and horses, each with its own distinct temperament, be made to eat, drink, and relieve themselves at the same time as soldiers?

The Giant Spirit God was secretly astonished. It was obvious that this was a dirty task meant to humiliate and make things difficult for Chen Guangrui. When gods fight, mortals suffer. The Giant Spirit God didn't dare to utter a sound.

Li Jing seemed to think that wasn't enough, and added...

"To facilitate your actions, I have ordered that all the magnificent steeds and heavenly horses summoned this time be gathered at Wanma Ping. Chen Bima Wen,"

He specifically pointed out Chen Guangrui's former official position, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Isn't your official seal supposed to command thousands of horses as easily as your own limbs? Perfect, these ten thousand dragon horses will now be under your complete command and control."

(End of this chapter)