Journey to the West: Starting by becoming an apprentice of Emperor Donghua

Upon hearing this, Ji Sheng was speechless.

No, is this a fair comparison? Who are you and who am I?

When it comes to causing trouble, you're definitely in the top three throughout history. How many lives do I have? Do you think I can compare that to yours?

Lü Dongbin shook his head and smiled bitterly:

"Third Prince, don't be temperamental. You'll frighten my junior uncle."

Lü Dongbin's words implied that he was using Donghua Dijun's influence. Upon hearing this, Nezha did not press the matter further.

However, judging from his appearance, Ji Sheng didn't seem to be about to let him off the hook.

This Nezha is quite a troublemaker; it seems I need to find a way to give him something to do.

Thinking of this, a thought struck him.

Today I just wanted to go into the palace to test the emperor's true colors, and maybe I'd even have to kill that troublemaker on the spot.

These two happen to be here now, and both of them are more skilled than me. Why don't we take them both with us to explore the palace?

Ji Sheng coughed:

"Do you two have anything to do later?"

Lü Dongbin immediately understood Ji Sheng's meaning and said:

"A few days ago, I met my master Zhengyangzi in Tibet. He said that the Southern Kingdom is ruled by a foolish ruler and treacherous officials are causing trouble. He asked me to come here to investigate the truth."

I was just wondering how to sneak into the palace later and teach that old emperor a lesson!

Upon hearing this, Nezha's eyes lit up, and he quickly replied:

"What's so difficult about that? Chunyangzi, we'll go together later. I'll come up with a plan, and I guarantee you'll be able to sneak into the palace!"

Chunyangzi shook his head repeatedly:

"No, no, this matter was entrusted to me by my master. Apart from my Donghua lineage, no one else can help. I can only rely on my junior uncle."

Ji Sheng knew that Lü Dongbin had deliberately steered the conversation here to save face for Nezha, so he took over the conversation:

"Don't worry, Chunyangzi. The Third Prince seems to be a man of honor. If you don't speak of it, and I don't speak of it, and the Third Prince doesn't speak of it, who else will know?"

Nezha nodded repeatedly while gnawing on a chicken leg:

"Indeed, I descended to the mortal realm this time after asking my father for a day's leave. A day in heaven is a year on earth, so the time is sufficient."

"Then the three of us will enter the palace together. If that old emperor is really a tyrant, I'll see what he'll do to him..."

At this point, Nezha suddenly remembered something and gave an awkward smile:

"Haha, since this is a matter for your Donghua lineage, it's best if you handle it yourselves."

Ji Sheng and Lü Dongbin exchanged a glance and almost burst out laughing.

It's obvious that Nezha secretly descended to the mortal realm, and he even made a point of emphasizing that he had asked for leave before coming.

He clearly has the nature of a killer, yet he pretends to be refined.

Lü Dongbin said:

"In that case, thank you very much, Third Prince. This drink is a token of our gratitude."

With his mouth full of food, Nezha mumbled incoherently:

"No, you already owe me this meal. You have to treat me to another one after this is over!"

The three of them drank and chatted happily, enjoying their meal. Ji Sheng then called for more wine and dishes, and before long, they were all full and satisfied.

Ji Sheng was just about to ask Lü Dongbin if he was going to give the shopkeeper money for this meal.

Turning my head, I saw that the other person was already snoring on the table.

Then I looked at Nezha, and saw that Nezha was even more exaggerated. He had flipped over, along with the stool, and was lying sprawled on the ground.

Ji Sheng was speechless. Was it really worth it for a single drink?

Let alone immortals, even Ji Sheng himself could drink hundreds of jars of liquor and still not get drunk.

By the time he settled the bill, the two men had already packed up. Lü Dongbin, in particular, had somehow filled his wine gourd to the brim.

"Junior Uncle, your enthusiasm makes me feel quite embarrassed. How about this, next time you must let me treat you; you can't keep trying to take my money like this!"

Before Ji Sheng could speak, Nezha interjected:

"So this meal was paid for by Ji Sheng, Chunyangzi. That means you still owe me a drink!"

Listening to the two of them talking back and forth, they even started arguing.

"Gentlemen, I have an idea on how to infiltrate the palace."

Upon hearing Ji Sheng's words, the two stopped, and Lü Dongbin asked:

"What are you thinking? Tell me quickly."

Ji Shengdao:

"I've heard that this king is notoriously greedy. Why don't we request an audience with him under the guise of presenting treasures?"

Both of them thought it was a good idea. Ji Sheng was thinking about what treasure to use when he saw Lü Dongbin casually throw a tael of silver to a beggar on the roadside and take away the beggar's broken bowl.

"What do you guys think of this treasure?"

As Lü Chunyang spoke, he wiped the broken bowl with his palm, and the broken bowl turned into a mutton fat jade bowl.

Ji Sheng exclaimed in admiration:

"Excellent tactic!"

Ji Sheng took the jade bowl and played with it in his hands:

"Now that we have the treasure, let's change things up. One Taoist priest and two attendants—who will be the Taoist priest and who will be the attendants?"

Lü Chunyang said:

"The Third Prince's appearance doesn't need any alteration; he'll already be a good Taoist acolyte. Since it was your idea, then we'll go with you. You'll be the Taoist priest, and I'll be the other acolyte!"

As they spoke, the three turned into a dark alley. Lü Dongbin swayed and transformed into a Taoist boy of only thirteen or fourteen years old, with his hair tied in two buns.

Ji Sheng knew that these two were afraid of trouble, which was why they asked him to take on the main responsibility.

At this point, he became less polite, shook his head, and several long tufts of beard grew on his lips, his hair turned gray, making him look like a refined and otherworldly Taoist.

"Alright, in that case, let's go take a look around the palace now!"

Inside the palace, the emperor of the Southern Land Kingdom was lying on the lap of a concubine, chewing on grapes that his favorite concubine had peeled herself, feeling extremely happy.

"My dear wife, your grapes have been getting sweeter and sweeter lately."

The emperor's words caused the favored concubine to blush deeply, and she whispered:

"Your Majesty, stop touching it, have another one..."

Just as the two were flirting, a eunuch walked in from outside, knelt down and said:

"Your Majesty, a palace eunuch reports that a Taoist priest has arrived outside, saying he has treasures to offer."

The emperor said impatiently:

"Can't you see what I'm doing? Tell him to wait outside until I'm done!"

The eunuch acknowledged and withdrew, but returned shortly afterward.

The emperor said displeasedly:

"Didn't I tell him to wait outside? What are you doing here?"

The eunuch said:

"This Taoist priest said his treasure is extremely rare; if used, it can not only prolong life but also make one's 'golden spear' invincible!"

The emperor immediately sat up:

"Did he really say that? Quickly, summon them to wait in the Imperial Garden!"

Ji Sheng and his two companions followed a eunuch into the Imperial Garden and stopped to wait in a pavilion.

A short while later, a thin man wearing an ochre-yellow robe walked over.

"Are you the Taoist priests who offered the treasure?"

Ji Sheng placed his whisk on his hand and bowed.

"It is we."

The emperor sat down in the pavilion. Ji Sheng sized up the emperor; he was truly a weasel-faced man, utterly lacking the bearing of a ruler.

His face was pale and weak, clearly indicating unstable vital energy and a life of unrestrained debauchery.

Using the art of observing qi, one could see that the emperor's head was covered in mottled black qi. Although there was a golden dragon within the qi, it appeared to be on its last legs.

It seems his reign as emperor won't last long. The dark aura above his head is so thick; he'll not only be a ruler who brings about the downfall of his kingdom, but his very life will be in danger.

"Where's your baby? Bring it here for a look!"