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

The sound of the court leaving echoed lingeringly.

The lingering fragrance slowly dissipated between the high dome and the golden pillars with coiled dragons of the Lingxiao Palace.

Auspicious clouds swirled, and celestial figures appeared in various places as the gods and immortals withdrew from the main hall in turn.

Amidst the solemnity, there was also a sense of relaxation and liveliness after the dust had settled from the court assembly.

Chen Jiao followed the Thunder Department to the outside of the Lingxiao Palace. The sunlight was like gold, splashing onto the majestic heavenly palace and the vast sea of ​​clouds.

He walked with a steady gait, showing no sign of pride despite suddenly receiving a generous reward and greater power.

He seemed to be processing the events of today's court assembly, and also contemplating the matter of his imperial tour, which would take him across the four continents.

As soon as Chen Jiao stopped, a stream of acquaintances or even nodding acquaintances came forward to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations, True Lord! Congratulations, True Lord!"

"Today, the True Lord truly brings pride to those of us who uphold the law!"

"The True Lord's strict enforcement of the law and meritorious protection of the Way are truly admirable!"

"I hope you will offer me more guidance in the future..."

Regardless of whether it was sincere or not, this time the True Lord Huangtian Jingfa is hereby granted the titles of Grand Marshal of Divine Thunder and High Minister of the Nine Heavens Golden Palace.

Furthermore, he received personal praise from the Great Heavenly Venerable, enjoying immense favor and unparalleled glory.

Suddenly, several imposing figures, exuding a chilling aura of killing intent, appeared together.

These are the Four Saints of the North Pole: Tianpeng Great True Lord, Tianyou Deputy Marshal, Yisheng Baode True Lord, and Lingying Yousheng True Lord.

The four True Lords were all dressed in black armor or robes, exuding an aura of majesty. Their bodies were imbued with the killing intent of the North Pole and the flowing light of guardian deities, making them quite different from ordinary immortals.

Wherever he went, the surrounding immortals and gods looked fearful.

They naturally made way for the four murderers from the Arctic Exorcism Institute, keeping a safe distance from them.

The leader, the Great True Lord Tianpeng, stopped about ten feet in front of Chen Jiao.

The robes of the Big Dipper made his figure appear even more imposing, and his face was dignified and solemn.

However, when those bright, star-like eyes fell on Chen Jiao, they lost some of the sharpness of battlefield combat and gained more of the recognition of a colleague.

The Great True Lord Tianpeng nodded slightly, his voice like metal, concise and clear:

"Congratulations to True Lord Jingfa. The bestowal of titles and rewards is well-deserved."

Chen Jiao, naturally not one to be presumptuous, returned the greeting with clasped hands:

"Many thanks to True Lord Tianpeng. This court assembly also owes much to the righteous words of all the holy rulers."

"It's my duty."

The Great True Lord Tianpeng's words were concise and to the point, seemingly unconcerned about the gratitude expressed.

He paused briefly, his deep gaze falling on Chen Jiao, and slowly said:

"The True Lord of Jingfa, who also oversees the affairs of the Northern Exorcism Institute, is one of our colleagues. Under the rule of His Majesty the Northern Emperor, the laws are strict, and practical matters are also highly valued."

If True Lord Jingfa has any free time, you may come to the Purple Palace for a chat.

What the Great True Lord Tianpeng said was not just polite talk.

The Purple Palace is the palace of the Northern Emperor and the central location of the Northern Exorcism Bureau.

The Arctic Exorcism Bureau is unlike any other department in the Heavenly Court; it is responsible for patrolling the heavens, monitoring ghosts and gods, and eliminating disobedient subjects.

They target either evil demons and heretics, or fallen sinful gods and immortals, and their actions are often ruthless and decisive, using killing to stop killing.

The Four Saints of the North Pole are among the best. They only act when faced with the most heinous and wicked men, and when they do, their attacks are often devastating, leaving few survivors.

In this case involving the Weak Water, Chen Jiao disregarded the oppressive power of the Sun Emperor and ruthlessly killed the Four Hidden Star Lords, eliminating any future troubles.

This decisive and ruthless style of action, which involves either swift and decisive action or complete annihilation, coincides perfectly with the Arctic Exorcism Institute's approach of using killing to stop killing and using punishment to uphold justice.

Only with such mindset and methods can one gain the genuine approval of these killers.

The four saints offered their congratulations together, and Tianpeng personally extended an invitation; the meaning behind this was self-evident.

This True Lord Jingfa won the approval of this group of Heavenly Court assassins with the sword in his hand and the law in his heart.

Even the silent praise from the North Pole Purple Star Emperor behind it, who rules over all stars and controls the heavens and the earth.

"I will heed the words of the True Lord Tianpeng and pay homage to His Majesty the Northern Emperor."

Chen Jiao solemnly agreed.

Without saying another word, Tianpeng Dazhenjun nodded slightly and then, along with the other three saints, transformed into four streaks of piercing starlight and departed.

As soon as the four saints left, a gentle and serene lotus light appeared from the side, accompanied by a fragrant breeze that calmed the mind.

It was Guanyin Bodhisattva leading Moksha, stepping on a lotus platform, slowly approaching.

The Bodhisattva has a dignified appearance, a compassionate face, and gentle eyes, which bring peace to the heart when one looks at him.

Chen Jiao quickly stepped forward and bowed:

"Greetings, Bodhisattva. I am grateful for your words of protection in the hall just now."

Guanyin Bodhisattva stopped, her compassionate gaze falling on Chen Jiao. She clasped her hands in greeting, her voice gentle and melodious:

"Amitabha. True Lord, there is no need for such formalities. This humble monk is merely stating the facts and explaining the fundamental purpose of Buddhism in subduing demons and protecting life."

The True Lord upholds justice and enforces the law, protecting the people and bringing them peace—this is a great merit. To bestow upon him the title of Thunder Supervisor, entrusting him with the task of patrolling on behalf of Heaven, is also a sign of the Great Heavenly Venerable's trust and a blessing for all living beings.

In the future, when I, as the Emperor, travel to all corners of the land, if I happen to pass by Luojia Mountain in the South China Sea, I may take a short rest in the Purple Bamboo Grove when I have some free time.

Chen Jiao felt a warmth in his heart and bowed solemnly once again:

"I will remember the Bodhisattva's kindness. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely go and listen to his teachings."

The Bodhisattva smiled and nodded, saying no more. He then took the Moksha pilgrim, rode on auspicious clouds, and headed straight for the South China Sea.

Leaving behind a trail of pure, holy lotus fragrance, and the many complex gazes of the surrounding immortals and gods.

After the Bodhisattva left, Chen Jiao wanted to find his senior brother Xuandu to thank him in person.

Just now in the hall, his senior brother's words, "Explain in detail," shielded him from the heaviest pressure.

He dared not forget the intention to protect him in this way.

As Chen Jiao was about to head towards the Eight Views Palace, he saw that the gray-robed figure who should have been heading back to the Eight Views Palace had not gone far on the vast cloud road ahead.

Grand Master Xuandu stood quietly amidst the flowing clouds, his Taoist robe simple and his aura serene, as if he were merely pausing to admire the scenery.

However, the spot where he stood happened to be in front of another emperor's procession, who was about to lead his entourage westward.

It was the majestic chariot of the Great Emperor Gouchen, surrounded by all the gods.

During the court assembly just now, when the Grand Master asked for a detailed explanation, Emperor Gouchen responded indifferently, "You may come at any time."

The words still echo in my ears, and the aftershocks have not yet subsided.

No one expected that the first disciple of the Taoist patriarch would be so direct.

As the court assembly ended, he directly blocked the Four Emperors who ruled over all the gods on this prominent road to heaven!

The celestial beings and gods who had just left the court, regardless of where they were originally headed, all involuntarily slowed down their cloud chariots, either pausing to gaze into the distance or hiding behind the clouds.

Countless gazes focused on the two figures that appeared calmly confronting each other.

Grand Master Xuandu remained indifferent, showing neither joy nor anger, as if he had merely stopped an ordinary fellow Daoist.

The face of Emperor Gouchen, shrouded in a hazy, platinum-gold aura, seemed to shift slightly, his gaze lowered, fixed on the gray-robed Taoist blocking his path.

The divine generals attending him all subconsciously tensed up, their auras becoming increasingly apparent.

Yet, under the indifferent majesty of Emperor Gouchen, they dared not make the slightest move.

This is the Four Emperors who have experienced countless calamities, ruled over wars and conquests, and witnessed countless storms in the heavens.

At that moment, a hint of surprise seemed to flash across those deep, cold eyes.

Emperor Gouchen had indeed not expected that this Grand Master Xuandu would choose this moment and in this way to block his path so directly.

During court assemblies, verbal exchanges are a form of strategic maneuvering within established rules.

This cloud road blocking their way was almost like a direct challenge to battle.

The actions of this head disciple of the Eight Views Palace were more...decisive and more uncompromising than he had anticipated.

The Grand Master Xuandu, his gray robe spotless, stood still, like the eternal manifestation of the Dao, without beginning or end.

The Great Emperor Gouchen was surrounded by a white-gold aura, like the source of law who held the power of all gods, majestic and unfathomable.

Their eyes met, one boundless and ethereal, the other cold and austere. Separated by flowing clouds and the breathless silence of countless immortals and gods.

The Grand Master Xuandu calmly fixed his gaze on Emperor Gouchen.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet it reached the ears of every immortal and deity present with perfect clarity:

"Emperor Gouchen, please wait."

Beneath the surface of its ordinariness lies an unquestionable, almost self-evident sense of severance.

It was as if it were perfectly natural for him to make a Four Emperors stay.