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

Ji Sheng took the jade bowl from Nezha, who was standing to the side, and presented it to the emperor.

"This is made from ten-thousand-year-old warm jade from Kunlun Mountain. If you eat and drink from this bowl, you will not only prolong your life, but also nourish your essence and strengthen your vital energy. At that time, your golden spear will never be weak, and you will be able to fight ten women in one night without any problem."

As they spoke, the white light on the jade bowl shone so brightly that it almost blinded the emperor's tiny, beady eyes.

"Good kidneys, good kidneys! May I ask, Master, how long does it take to see results?"

Seeing the emperor's anxious expression, Ji Sheng said:

"If Your Majesty uses it now, it will be effective tonight."

Upon hearing this, the emperor was overjoyed and immediately summoned the eunuch, instructing him:

"Take this bowl to the imperial kitchen and have them prepare a bowl of seal and deer antler soup. Serve it in this bowl. Remember, add plenty of seal kidney and deer antler!"

The eunuch quickly took the bowl away. The emperor then asked Ji Sheng if he knew any sexual techniques.

Ji Sheng was obviously unfamiliar with this method, but he had been practicing the Golden Core Technique these days and had already gained a general understanding of it.

Moreover, the emperor didn't know his stuff, and with just a few words, he was easily fooled, laughing lewdly and overjoyed.

Before long, the seal and deer antler soup was served.

Without a word, the emperor gulped it down. He immediately felt a surge of heat in his lower abdomen and burst into laughter:

"A living god, truly a living god! I'll leave for a moment. Quickly take them away, arrange rooms for them, and I'll summon them again tomorrow!"

Having said that, the emperor bent over and hurriedly headed towards the inner palace.

Ji Sheng and his companions were settled in an inn in the city. Sure enough, early the next morning, a eunuch came to the inn to invite them to the Guanglu Temple.

The Imperial Household Department arranged a feast to celebrate the start of the vegetarian meal, and the emperor, along with his officials, hosted a banquet for them.

At the banquet, the emperor sat at the head of the table, with Ji Sheng beside him. Opposite Ji Sheng was a minister who looked even more shifty-eyed.

If the emperor is described as having the eyes of a rat and the head of a deer, then this minister is described as having the eyes of a rat and the head of a deer.

The minister exuded a terrifying demonic aura. Ji Sheng activated his Void-Piercing Spiritual Eye and saw that, sure enough, he was a gray-haired rat demon.

The so-called treacherous official seems to be this rat spirit.

The emperor felt that Ji Sheng's jade bowl was extremely effective; after fighting seven or eight battles last night, it still retained its power. That's why he specially held a banquet to entertain him today.

Amidst music, singing, and dancing, everyone toasted and drank, enjoying a continuous stream of delicacies, creating a joyful atmosphere.

The emperor said:

"The jade bowl presented by the Daoist priest this time has truly pleased me. Therefore, I intend to appoint the Daoist priest as my deputy national advisor in the Southern Continent. What do you all think?"

Ji Sheng asked in surprise:

"If the Imperial Advisor is the Imperial Advisor, why is there a Deputy?"

The emperor laughed and said:

"If there's a deputy, then there must be a principal one. The principal advisor is right across from you."

It turns out that the imperial advisor the emperor spoke of was actually the rat spirit sitting opposite him.

Upon hearing this, the rat spirit retorted with displeasure:

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Advisor, the teacher of the nation. One is enough, why do you need two?"

"If Your Majesty wishes to bestow an honor, why not simply appoint him as Imperial Preceptor? I, the Imperial Preceptor, will then retire to my hometown and never serve Your Majesty again!"

The emperor panicked and hurriedly said:

"My dear minister, you misunderstand. I saw that this Taoist priest has some skills, so I made him your deputy to assist you. I have absolutely no intention of replacing him."

The imperial advisor glanced at Ji Sheng and snorted coldly:

"Skills? I can't see any!"

The king was extremely embarrassed and looked at Ji Sheng:

"Master, look at this..."

Ji Sheng smiled and said:

"It's alright, it's alright. I am just a free man. I am not offering this treasure for fame or fortune. I only wish to ensure the Emperor's good health so that my Southern Land Kingdom can enjoy peace and prosperity."

The emperor was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly:

"Your loyalty is unwavering. Though I cannot appoint you as Vice National Preceptor, you may request any reward from me. If I can fulfill it, I will certainly not treat you unfairly!"

Ji Sheng bowed and said:

"Since that's the case, I'll take the liberty of speaking up. I have no other request than that Your Majesty reduce the taxes on the people and refrain from waging war."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face immediately darkened. He wanted to refute Ji Sheng, but he couldn't bring himself to speak, so he could only look at the Grand Preceptor.

The imperial advisor sneered:

"What you say, Daoist, is quite unreasonable! Our Southern Land Kingdom is rich and powerful, and even if we levy more taxes, the people can afford it."

Besides, the Emperor is busy with countless affairs of state, isn't it all for the sake of the people? It's only right that the people offer him their support, so what's wrong with him enjoying it a bit?

As for avoiding warfare, that's utter nonsense! If we don't wage war, other countries will surely take advantage of our weakness and dare to trample us. Then our people will be displaced, and wouldn't it be too late for regrets?!

The emperor nodded repeatedly:

"Indeed, the Imperial Advisor is right. Daoist Master, you are a person outside the secular world, and you do not understand the affairs of the state, so please say no more."

The imperial advisor suddenly rose from his seat, stood at the front of the hall, and bowed to the emperor, saying:

"Your Majesty, this is a heretic! This man appears honest and kind, but in reality, he is a spy from another country."

These false rumors are meant to confuse the people, surely to deplete our national treasury, weaken our soldiers, and seize the opportunity to invade, destroy our nation, and ruin our southern lands!

Upon hearing this, the emperor was greatly alarmed:

"My dear minister, you mustn't speak nonsense! This Taoist priest is a true immortal who has attained enlightenment; his jade bowl is incredibly efficacious. How could he possibly be a spy from another country?"

The imperial advisor continued to sneer:

"Your Majesty, do not be deceived by him. What kind of enlightened immortal is he? This Taoist priest is nothing but a sorcerer who knows some demonic magic."

As the Imperial Advisor, it would be my incompetence not to expose him.

I humbly request Your Majesty to allow me to have a contest with him; his petty tricks will surely be exposed to Your Majesty and all the ministers!

The emperor, however, looked at Ji Sheng with a troubled expression:

"Taoist Master, look at this..."

Ji Sheng laughed heartily and said:

"It's alright. The Imperial Advisor sees me as a sorcerer, and I see the Imperial Advisor as a demon. As for who is the demon, we'll find out during the contest!"

The emperor clapped his hands and laughed:

"Very well, how would you two like to compete?"

The Imperial Preceptor said:

"The Emperor sets the questions, and the Emperor determines the winner. Whoever loses is the demon!"

The emperor was indeed pleased and said:

"Let's do it this way!"

The emperor pondered for a moment, then suddenly his eyes filled with tears, and he sobbed:

"These days, when I am asleep, I often dream of playing and laughing with my parents when I was a child. Every time I wake up, I miss them terribly and find it hard to fall back asleep."

Upon hearing this, Ji Sheng gained a new perspective on the emperor.

If someone can think like that, they can be considered a filial son; at least they're still a human being.

"Whoever can let me see my father and mother again will be the winner of this competition."

The emperor wept uncontrollably, wiping away his tears repeatedly.

The imperial advisor exclaimed:

"What's so difficult about that? I'll convey His Majesty's wishes to the late Emperor and Empress Dowager in a moment, and then we can gather together with the current Emperor!"

The emperor asked urgently:

"Could that really be true?"

The Imperial Preceptor said:

"Absolutely true!"

The emperor then looked at Ji Sheng:

"Master Daoist, what about you?"

Ji Shengdao:

"I can do it, but there are conditions. If the late emperors have not yet been reincarnated, I can summon them from the underworld. But if they have already been reincarnated, then it will be difficult."