Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

over nine days.

The Thunder Department is located amidst a continuous range of palaces, hidden in endless lightning and thick clouds, solemn and majestic, repelling all evil.

Deep within the Thunder Palace of the Heavenly Pivot, the quiet room opened silently, and a figure stepped out.

The black robe with gold patterns was spotless.

It was none other than the Radiant Heavenly Pacifying Law True Lord.

After several days of seclusion, amidst the undercurrents of turmoil outside, he showed no sign of anxiety, only a calmer and more profound gaze than usual.

Inside the front hall, several figures sat or stood, their auras deep and composed.

When the generals saw the True Lord emerge from the pass, they all rose to pay their respects in unison, without any commotion.

"Greetings, True Lord!"

Chen Jiao walked to the main seat, sat down calmly, glanced at his generals, and nodded slightly.

"No need for formalities. I have been in seclusion these past few days, and I appreciate your help with all the affairs of the household."

General Fei Peng, standing on the left, stepped forward half a step and, with a clear and melodious voice, bowed and said:

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. This is our duty."

Everything in the palace was operating as usual. The duties of the various departments of the Thunder Palace, the movement of the patrol talismans, and the travel of the patrolling thunder chariots and the investigating thunder officials were all carried out in accordance with the old practice.

He spoke concisely, paused, and then said:

"However, in the southern continent of Jambudvipa, there have recently been several places where the yin energy in the mountains and marshes has become stagnant, and there are signs that the remnants of external demons are using the earth's veins to revive. The local city gods and land gods have already reported this to the Heavenly Court."

"This humble general has already dispatched a team of Redding soldiers armed with the Divine Thunder Talisman for purification to descend to the mortal realm and investigate. If any demonic traces are found, they will be immediately annihilated."

Fire Rhinoceros Heavenly Soldiers stepped forward and added, "Recently, seventeen new entries were added to the Demon Slayer Register, but they have all been crossed out now."

Most of them were foolish evil spirits who ran into trouble, or unorthodox practitioners who sought their own demise by practicing evil magic.

Chen Jiao listened to the report without changing his expression.

He wields power over the Thunder Department, and it is his duty to punish evil spirits and vanquish demons.

After the generals had finished reporting their duties, he pondered for a moment and then asked:

"Although the calamity of the Weak Water in the East Sea has been quelled, how well has the lingering malevolent aura it caused dissipated?"

Upon hearing this, the fierce official who devoured demons stepped forward.

He specializes in devouring and dispelling the malevolent energy of calamities, and knows this best. He replied in a deep voice:

"With the return of the Weak Water to its proper place, the Milky Way is stable, and the floods in the lower realm are gradually subsided."

With the combined efforts of the Dragon Palaces of the Four Seas to manage the water veins, the Heavenly Court also dispatched the gods of wind, rain, and thunder from our respective departments to assist us.

The spiritual energy in the East China Sea has now recovered to about 70-80%, and the remaining calamity energy has been suppressed in several deep-sea trenches.

The water was slowly dissolved by the Dragon Palace of the East Sea and the water gods of various regions. It is expected that after some more time, it will be able to fully recover its former appearance.

only……"

"Speak," Chen Jiao said.

The Demon-Devouring and Monster-Eating Fierce Official paused briefly before continuing:

"This calamity involves four major star lords, affects the secrets of heaven, and the resulting calamity is extraordinary."

Ultimately, a small amount of calamity energy will spill out into the mountains and ley lines of the four continents, and it may take hundreds of years or even longer for it to be naturally neutralized by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

During this period, some spiritually beautiful places may be plagued by evil spirits, and some people with entangled destinies may encounter calamities.

This matter cannot be resolved quickly with swift action; it requires a gradual and patient process.

After all the generals had finished reporting, Chen Jiao slowly said:

"When calamity arises, evil spirits are easily stirred up; this is precisely the duty of our Thunder Department. You may continue your patrols in the four directions as usual, and act in accordance with the law."

In case of any emergency, report it promptly.

Anyone who uses the calamity's energy to cultivate evil arts, or who intends to stir up trouble, regardless of their background, will be executed without mercy.

Although his tone was calm, a chilling aura of killing intent permeated the air.

"We will obey the True Lord's decree!" the generals replied in unison.

"in addition……"

Chen Jiao slightly raised his eyes and looked at the surging sea of ​​clouds and lightning outside the hall.

"The meeting is coming soon.

The entire government compound, both inside and out, must be kept in perfect order. All documents, files, and seals must be complete and accurate.

The generals were startled, all knowing what the True Lord meant by those words.

The events at Weak Water, the killing of the Four Hidden Stars, the detention of the Sun Wheel God General, the severe injury to the Five Extreme War Gods... each and every one of these events is a matter of great cause and effect.

The Sun Emperor and even the lineage of the Great Emperor Gouchen will never let this go.

This court assembly is bound to be fraught with difficulties and challenges.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, we understand."

The generals also remained solemn and showed no fear.

Suddenly, clear footsteps came from outside the hall.

The guard, Lei, strode in quickly, his voice clear, and bowed to report:

"Reporting to the True Lord, a silver-horned boy from the Tushita Palace is requesting an audience outside the palace, saying he has come on the orders of the Supreme Dao Ancestor."

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the hall straightened their expressions.

Chen Jiao raised his hand: "Please let him in. You all may leave now."

"Yes."

The generals responded in unison, bowed, and filed out of the main hall in an orderly fashion.

In the blink of an eye, only Chen Jiao remained in the hall.

Before long, a boy with his hair in two buns and dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe entered the hall with light steps.

It was none other than the Silver Horned Boy from the Tushita Palace.

His face was youthful and his eyes were clear. Upon entering the hall, he first looked around curiously at the solemn and majestic main hall of the Lei family mansion.

Upon seeing his senior brother, a friendly smile appeared on his face.

He then strode quickly to the foot of the steps, bowed respectfully to Chen Jiao, and spoke in a clear, crisp voice:

"Silver Horn greets Senior Brother."

When Chen Jiao saw it was him, the cold lines on his face softened slightly, and he said gently:

"No need for formalities. Why have you come to this place with all this thunder and noise instead of serving your teacher in the Tushita Palace?"

But does the teacher have something to tell you?

Silver Horned Boy straightened up, nodded, and chuckled in a clear voice:

"What my senior brother said is correct."

That's what the master said.

"Have your senior brother, who's been causing trouble in the Thunder Department, take some time to visit Lingtai Fangcun Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou and invite the host to come to the Tushita Palace for a visit."

He had an excellent memory and recited the Daoist patriarch's original words exactly as they were.

After learning, the Silver Horned Boy showed a mischievous smile, but quickly suppressed it and added:

That's all the master said.

"Senior brother, who is that host? And where is Lingtai Fangcun Mountain? It sounds like a quiet place."

Chen Jiao's heart stirred slightly. Lingtai Fangcun Mountain?

It turns out that the teacher and Bodhi Patriarch were old acquaintances.

"He is a virtuous and holy being, no ordinary person, who is currently cultivating in seclusion in Xiniu Hezhou."

Chen Jiao gave Yin Jiao a brief explanation without going into details, and then asked:

Did the teacher say when we need to go? Is there a time limit?

Silver Horned Boy shook his head:

"The master didn't mention a time limit, only that Senior Brother should go whenever he has free time, and just don't let it interfere with important matters."

"I understand."

Chen Jiao nodded slightly, noting the matter down, then looked at the Silver Horned Boy and asked:

"How are you and Jinjiao doing in the palace?"

Hearing his senior brother's question, Silver Horned Boy's smile deepened, and he said somewhat shyly:

"All is well, all is well! The palace is peaceful, but the lessons of alchemy and fire-keeping are a bit tedious."

Thanks to the wonderful books my senior brother gave us a while ago, they were really... really interesting.

Especially that booklet that describes the charm of the fairy sisters from all over the four continents…”

His voice was barely audible, his eyes darted around, looking left and right as if afraid of being overheard, which made him look quite endearing.

A hint of a smile flashed across Chen Jiao's eyes as he said gently:

"A few light readings are enough to relieve boredom. While serving your teacher in the palace, you must not neglect your studies. You can only read books in your spare time, lest you neglect your duties."

"I know, I know! Don't worry, senior brother, we know what we're doing."

"Well... if you encounter anything new and interesting next time you descend to the mortal realm, perhaps you could..."

Silver Horned Boy blinked, his unspoken words obvious.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao couldn't help but smile.

Seeing Silverhorn's expectant yet guilty expression, he reached out and gently ruffled the top of his head, smiling as he said:

"Alright, I've got it. Once my senior brother has settled everything, I'll find you some more interesting things."

Just don't let it interfere with your studies and get scolded by the teacher; I won't care.

Feeling the gentle force coming from above his head, Silver Horned Boy immediately beamed and nodded repeatedly:

"Don't worry, senior brother!"

Having received the promise, the boy was satisfied and bowed again, saying:

"Then Silver Horn will return to report to the master. Senior Brother, be extra careful at the court assembly."

He lowered his voice for the last sentence, a hint of obvious worry showing on his small face.

"Okay, go ahead. Give my regards to the teacher."

Chen Jiao withdrew his hand, his expression calm.

"Yes, Silverhorn takes his leave."

Silver Horned Boy bowed again, turned and left with light steps. A corner of his moon-white Taoist robe flashed at the threshold and then he disappeared.

The hall returned to silence.

Chen Jiao rose, his black robe fluttering, and said calmly to the empty hall:

"Fei Peng, I need to leave the manor for a while to travel to Xiniu Hezhou. You will continue to take charge of the affairs of the manor for the time being."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Fei Peng's voice came from the void outside the palace, steady and firm.

Chen Jiao said no more, took a step forward, and his figure disappeared from the main hall of Lei Mansion, piercing through the layers of sky and heading straight towards Xiniu Hezhou.

…………

Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Xieyue Sanxing Cave.

Like fleeting clouds and changing seasons, time has come and gone.

Since that black-robed demon immortal rode a tiger eastward, more than three years have passed in the mountains.

Inside and outside the cave, everything remained quiet and serene.

The two young Taoist disciples performed daily rituals, sweeping and cleaning the courtyard, and serving their ancestral master.

Over the past three years, there have not been no visitors.

Occasionally, woodcutters and hunters who stray into the mountains will see this celestial abode from afar and, in a daze, leave on their own.

Two or three cultivators with remarkable auras have also come here, either by reputation or by chance, and respectfully requested an audience outside the cave.

However, the patriarch either refused to see them or simply sent them down the mountain with some tea served by a young boy.

Whether they saw him or not, those monks all left disappointed, and nothing more was said about it.

The two young Taoist disciples often whispered among themselves.

Never before has anyone been able to receive a personal audience with the patriarch, enter the cave for tea, sit and discuss the Dao, and even obtain a special opportunity like that Xuanling Demon Immortal back then.

That morning, the mountain mist had not yet dissipated.

As usual, the two young Taoist priests held long-handled bamboo brooms and slowly swept the bluestone platform in front of the cave.

The bamboo tips brushed against the slightly damp stone surface, making a soft rustling sound that blended with the distant birdsong and the sound of the spring, creating an even more tranquil atmosphere.

While sweeping and sprinkling.

A peaceful and gentle voice suddenly rang out; it was none other than the Bodhi Patriarch:

"Boy, put down the sweeping and cleaning."

"Distinguished guests will be arriving at the cave entrance; you should all go to the mountain gate to greet them."

Upon hearing this, the two young Taoist priests paused with their bamboo brooms, exchanged a glance, and both saw surprise in each other's eyes.

Did the patriarch personally instruct us to welcome the distinguished guest?

This is the first time since the cave dwelling was established, except for that Xuanling demon immortal.

"Yes, Master."

The two dared not be negligent.

They quickly leaned the bamboo broom against the pine tree, straightened their spotless Taoist robes, and walked briskly through the courtyard, heading towards the cave entrance.

I couldn't help but wonder who this person was.

The patriarch even specially ordered the two of them to come out and greet them.