They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 221 was promoted
The Heavenly Court, outside the South Heavenly Gate.

The auspicious clouds no longer shimmer with auspicious light, and the banners have lost their former brilliance.

Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, led his troops back from the expedition. The army was sparse and lacked the imposing presence it had when it set out. Most of the heavenly soldiers were wounded, their armor was torn, and they followed behind dejectedly.

The exquisite pagoda that once rested in Li Tianwang's palm is now reduced to a dim and lifeless base, hanging forlornly in his hand, appearing particularly ironic and desolate.

Li Jing's face was even more grim than the gloomy sea of ​​clouds. He pursed his lips tightly, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

This trip to the mortal realm to subdue demons resulted in heavy losses, with even the most precious treasures almost destroyed. Furthermore, the Green Ox Demon humiliated the entire area in front of numerous immortals and gods.

Thinking about how he would explain the defeat and the damage to the pagoda when he met the Jade Emperor at the Lingxiao Palace tomorrow, a heavy pressure made his chest feel tight, and his steps became heavier.

As he hung his head in distress, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure leaning against the massive jade pillar of the Southern Heavenly Gate, picking his teeth listlessly with a celestial herb root he'd somehow acquired. It was his third son, Nezha, the Third Prince.

Li Jing was taken aback at first, then a surge of anger mixed with doubt welled up in his heart. He quickly walked a few steps to Nezha, suppressing his rage, and asked,
"Nezha, what are you doing here? Weren't you transferred to Lion Camel Ridge to assist Chen Guangrui? But... but the battle there went badly, and you were driven back?"

He subconsciously assumed that was the case. The three demons of Lion Camel Ridge were infamous and had powerful backgrounds; even Li Tianwang (Li Jing) was wary of them. Chen Guangrui was merely a lowly stable boy with no capable subordinates. Nezha was likely sent there to be slaughtered, and his defeat was to be expected.

Nezha glanced sideways at the lone pagoda base in Li Jing's hand, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, as if regretting that the green ox hadn't taken the base as well.

Upon hearing Li Tianwang's question, he spat out the grass root in his mouth, and a smile that was a mixture of smugness and mischief immediately appeared on his face.

He straightened up and deliberately dragged out his words, "Being driven back? How could that be? We've finished the battle and returned in triumph."

"A triumphant return?" Li Jing thought he had misheard, his brows furrowing even more deeply. "Lion Camel Ridge... is it over?"

"Ah, it's over!" Nezha exclaimed excitedly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary. "Those 200,000 demon soldiers of Lion Camel Ridge, not a single one was left. We wiped them all out. Those three demons, the Green Lion, the White Elephant, and the Golden-Winged Roc..."

He paused deliberately, enjoying the growing astonishment on his father's face, before clearly and deliberately saying, "They're all dead. Struck by lightning, reduced to ashes."

Even in front of Li Jing, Nezha was willing to exaggerate some numbers.

"Dead?! Two hundred thousand, all wiped out?" Li Jing's pupils suddenly contracted, and the hand supporting the base of the tower trembled involuntarily.

He knew all too well the strength and background of the three demons of Lion Camel Ridge. This news was like a thunderclap in his ears, making his mind buzz and leaving him speechless for a moment.

He failed to capture many monsters at Leopard Head Mountain and Golden Hook Mountain, and suffered heavy losses, ending up in a sorry state.

Meanwhile, Chen Guangrui, who was in charge of Lion Camel Ridge, swept away 200,000 demon soldiers with lightning speed and killed three giant demons that even he feared.

This stark contrast sent turmoil through his heart. The fleeting sense of relief that Nezha had just escaped unharmed was instantly replaced by immense shock and an indescribable mix of emotions.

His lips moved a few times, but in the end, it turned into a heavy sigh, full of bitterness and disbelief.

Inside the Tushita Palace, the air was thick with the fragrance of elixirs. The flickering flames of the Eight Trigrams Furnace illuminated Laozi's calm, expressionless face. He had just finished asking, "What do you want?"

Chen Guangrui lowered his head slightly, his tone respectful but clearly declining, "Laojun, you flatter me. It is my duty to share the burdens of the Tushita Palace. I dare not take credit for it, much less ask for any reward."

The silver furnace attendant, who was standing by the furnace holding fire tongs, paused upon hearing this and couldn't help but look up at Chen Guangrui. His eyes were filled with undisguised confusion. He wouldn't even accept a reward offered by Laozi? Was this guy stupid? He moved his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but after glancing at the expressionless golden furnace attendant and the meditating Kui Mulang, he swallowed his words, his bewilderment deepening.

Lao Jun's face was expressionless, showing neither praise nor blame, he simply gave a faint "hmm," seemingly unsurprised by Chen Guangrui's answer.

His gaze shifted to Tang Sheng, who had been hiding behind Chen Guangrui's legs with only half his head peeking out. His voice remained steady as he said, "I also know about this child."

He paused for a moment, then said only two words, "It's alright."

Chen Guangrui's heart skipped a beat; the meaning of the words "it's alright" was too vague.

Does this mean he knows about Tang Sheng's background but doesn't care, or that he won't pursue the matter for the time being, or that he has already made arrangements?
Can't you just say it clearly? Riddlers deserve to die!
But since Laozi had already said this much, he dared not ask any further questions and could only respectfully reply, "Yes, thank you for your consideration, Laozi."

Anyway, with Laozi's endorsement, Buddha shouldn't do anything easily, and Xiaotangsheng is at least not in danger for now.

Tang Sheng's little ears perked up sharply. When he heard his name mentioned, he instinctively shrank back behind Chen Guangrui, his little hands tightly gripping his father's clothes. His big, dark eyes darted around, and he secretly memorized Laozi's words.

Lao Jun stopped looking at Tang Sheng and turned his gaze back to Chen Guangrui, as if he had only mentioned a trivial matter. He continued,

"Now that Kui Mulang has been resurrected, the position of the Twenty-Eight Mansions cannot remain vacant for long. However, most of the Twenty-Eight Mansions belong to the demon race's star lords. You are a human, and it may be difficult to win over the people if you take charge of this position. It is not a long-term solution."

Chen Guangrui listened quietly, understanding in his heart. All twenty-eight constellations were considered demonic stars, and it was indeed awkward for him, a human with impeccable lineage, to take on these roles, making him an easy target of public criticism.

"Besides, your contributions this time are considerable, and it would be a disservice for you to remain in this position." Lao Jun changed the subject, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable weight, "Let Kui Mulang return to this position."

Upon hearing this, Kui Mulang, who was standing to the side, trembled slightly, his body barely perceptible. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He then lowered his gaze, bowed deeply in the direction of Laozi, but did not look at Chen Guangrui.

He was grateful that the Tushita Palace saved his life and that Laozi upheld justice for him, but he also felt a mix of emotions towards Chen Guangrui.

Chen Guangrui had no objection to this, as it was perfectly reasonable. "Laojun's arrangement is very appropriate."

Lao Jun nodded slightly, seemingly pondering. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice still calm: "The position of Marshal of the Heavenly River Water Palace has been vacant since Zhu Ganglie was demoted to the mortal realm for failing in his duty to subdue demons. This position... is acceptable. It would be suitable for you to take on this role. If you agree, I will go and make my move today."

Marshal Tianpeng?

Chen Guangrui's mind went blank.

After the battle at Lion Camel Ridge, I just narrowly escaped death and came back with no reward. Now they want me to run to Tianhe.

What kind of place is Tianhe? All the people I deal with are military generals, and most of them have some connection with Li Tianwang. If anyone sees me, they'll probably try to bully me.
He looked at Laozi and thought to himself, "Are you trying to trick me into thinking I'm a Buddhist monk?"

A sense of resentment arose spontaneously, and he wanted to refuse on the spot.

Laozi seemed to understand his expression, took a step forward, and in a flash, the alchemy room that had been in the Tushita Palace was now in another space.
"Don't be dissatisfied, there's a reason for all of this."

(End of this chapter)