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

Chen Jiao left the Eastern Wonderful Rock Palace and returned to the Thunder Department.

A clear light flowed beneath the feet of the Xie Zhi, and it soon returned to the Huangtian Shu Thunder Palace.

From afar, one could see the Cloud Terrace in front of the mansion.

Armored soldiers gleamed in the sun, banners stood solemnly in formation.

A chilling aura soared into the sky, and a fierce thunderous breath gathered faintly above the army formation, forming a dark cloud, clearly indicating that it was an elite army that had been through many battles!

The generals under Lei's command had already received orders and assembled their respective departments to stand in formation and await orders.

Leading the group was General Fei Peng, clad in silver armor and a white robe, standing with his hand on his sword. Beside him stood General Hu Lei She Qi, a man of imposing stature.

Following them were five more fierce generals, namely General Qian Tian Jiang Mo, Devouring Demons and Eating Monsters, Fire Rhinoceros Shaking Heavenly Soldiers, Fire Bell Thunder Messenger, and Commander of Blowing Seas and Unveiling Waves, each in their respective positions.

The Four Thunder Officials, holding command flags and seals, stood by one side.

Yang Feng, the Thunder Cavalry Commander who has been in charge of patrolling the South Heavenly Gate Cloud Path, also accompanied the cavalry to the mortal realm this time.

At this moment, he led a unit of Thunder Cavalry, all men and horses clad in fine armor, standing solemnly silent.

This experienced and prudent cavalry commander has been guarding the South Heavenly Gate Cloud Path for many years.

During this inspection tour of the four continents, Chen Jiao specifically selected him to accompany him, intending not to let the veteran general be confined to Tianmen for too long, but also to give him an opportunity to make contributions.

Yang Feng sensed the True Lord's gaze, straightened his back, and a flash of excitement appeared in his eyes.

A total of three thousand thunder soldiers and cavalry, carrying thunder spears, carrying golden bows, their helmets and armor gleaming, their magical treasures shining brightly.

All the necessary tokens and ceremonial regalia for the imperial tour have been prepared, awaiting only the True Lord's command.

They saw the True Lord wearing a Xuan Tian Bi Jie Yun brocade cloak, with a Nine Spirits Pearl Pendant hanging from his waist, riding a Xie Zhi and returning via the cloud road.

The morale of all the soldiers was boosted.

General Fei Peng stepped forward from the crowd, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed:

"Respectfully submitted to the True Lord!"

"The Thunder Palace of the Heavenly Pivot, under imperial decree, has dispatched three thousand thunder soldiers and cavalry. All talismans, elixirs, weapons, and ceremonial regalia have been inspected and are ready, awaiting the True Lord's command!"

Three thousand elite warriors from the Thunder Department slammed their halberds in unison, their armor clanging like muffled thunder rolling across the cloud-covered steps.

"Welcome, True Lord! Please give your command!"

The sound was deafening, and the momentum was overwhelming.

Chen Jiao nodded slightly from the back of the Xie Zhi, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers. Seeing that the army was disciplined and their morale was good, he felt somewhat reassured.

He didn't say much, only briefly instructing:

"With everything prepared, we shall set off immediately."

This imperial tour is no ordinary one. Everyone must fulfill their duties, strictly adhere to the laws, and deal with any demonic influences, injustices, or other disturbances along the way according to the heavenly rules. No negligence is permitted.

"I will obey the True Lord's command!"

Then, Chen Jiao said no more and gently patted the side of the Xie Zhi's neck.

The Xie Zhi understood, raised its head and let out a clear, long roar, its four hooves creating clouds as it took the lead.

Fei Peng, Hu Lei She Qi, and others each led their respective troops, some riding clouds, others on horseback, all in an orderly fashion.

Three thousand thunder soldiers and cavalry transformed into a dark torrent shrouded in lightning and a forest of banners.

Surrounded by the True Lord's entourage, they left the Thunder Palace in a grand procession and headed straight for the Southern Heavenly Gate.

The road to heaven is long and winding, with the sea of ​​clouds churning.

Not long after.

Ahead, golden rays and auspicious clouds appeared, revealing the outline of a majestic gate reaching to the sky—the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Just then, another group of men was seen gathering their flags and preparing to leave Tianmen.

A banner bearing the character "Li" fluttered in the wind at the forefront.

The leader, clad in golden helmet and armor, with a long beard and a solemn expression, held a gleaming golden pagoda in his hand; he was none other than Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

Nezha, the Third Prince, stood to one side, riding on his Wind and Fire Wheels and holding his Fire-Tipped Spear.

Behind the two were Yaksha General, Fish Belly General, Giant Spirit God and other generals of their own tribe, as well as a group of heavenly soldiers.

Their military bearing was also extraordinary, exuding a subtle murderous aura, as if they were ready to wage war.

The two armies met at the strategic location of Nantianmen, and each descended from the clouds.

When Chen Jiao saw that it was Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, leading his troops, he knew that it was the Buddha's decree.

This Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li is of high rank and great power, in charge of the heavenly army, and is a direct descendant of the Great Heavenly Venerable, a fact he had long been aware of.

After all, the fact that he repeatedly failed in his campaigns against Huaguo Mountain but was never punished speaks volumes.

He pondered it in his heart, but did not show it on his face.

Chen Jiao, atop the Xie Zhi's back, bowed slightly in greeting.

"Greetings, Heavenly King Li, Third Prince."

"I have been ordered to go on an inspection tour, and I have just happened to encounter the Heavenly King reviewing his troops. I wonder where he intends to go?"

When Li Jing saw that it was Chen Jiao, this Huangtian Jingfa Zhenjun had a profound background, being a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor and trusted by the Jade Emperor.

Now, with the additional titles of Grand Marshal of Divine Thunder and Minister of the Jade Palace, his power and influence are at their peak, so he dares not be negligent.

He held the pagoda in his hands and returned the greeting with a solemn expression:

"So it is the True Lord Jingfa. I am here by order of the Buddha of the West to descend to the mortal realm and capture a demon."

Chen Jiao asked, "What kind of demon is it that has warranted the Buddha's decree and the Heavenly King's personal expedition?"

Li Jing hesitated for a moment, then told him the truth:

"To be honest, Your Majesty."

This demon was originally a golden-nosed, white-haired rat in the Great Thunderclap Temple. It was so audacious that it stole the incense, flowers, and candles in front of the Buddha, thus gaining spiritual power and becoming intelligent.

Knowing he had committed a sin, he fled to the mortal realm.

The Buddha issued an edict ordering my father and me to lead troops to arrest him and bring him to justice.

A golden-nosed, white-haired rat? Stealing fragrant flowers and precious candles from the mortal realm?

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao's heart suddenly stirred.

It turns out to be that golden-nosed white-haired rat spirit who calls herself Half-Bodhisattva and Earth-Emerging Lady, who descended to the mortal world so early.

His mind raced, but his face remained impassive, feigning only sudden realization:

"So that's how it is. This demon is incredibly audacious, daring to steal from the Buddha's presence. He deserves to be captured."

With the Heavenly King and the Third Prince personally leading their mighty army, they will surely capture it with ease.

Seeing that the two had finished their conversation, and upon learning that Chen Jiao was also from the mortal realm, Nezha laughed and said:

Seeing that the two had finished their conversation, and upon learning that Chen Jiao was also from the mortal realm, Nezha laughed and said:

"Hmm... True Lord Jingfa, the place where this rat spirit escaped is probably not far from Mount Ling, and is in the territory of Xiniu Hezhou."

Since you are touring the four continents, you must go to that place anyway, so why don't you come with us for a while?

That way, we can look out for each other.

Upon hearing this, Li Jing's expression changed slightly.

This mission to capture the demon, carried out by the Buddha's decree, was both Li Jing's duty and an opportunity.

If he can handle the matter cleanly and efficiently, capture the demon and bring him to justice, it will be a great achievement in front of the Buddha and the Great Heavenly Venerable, and will further demonstrate his ability to command troops.

However, if this True Lord Jingfa joins, although on the surface he will still be the commander-in-chief.

However, given their status and authority, it is inevitable that negotiations will be necessary in their actions, which may even inadvertently reduce their leading role and subsequent credit.

Moreover, this expedition is led by my son Nezha, a vanguard with great supernatural powers, as well as a host of fierce generals such as Yaksha General and Giant Spirit God, and the elite heavenly soldiers of our own army.

Capturing a rat demon is more than enough; why would we need outside help?

Even though the True Lord Jingfa has a powerful background, such favoritism and sharing of credit is not what he truly desires.

However, Nezha had already spoken when Jingfa Zhenjun was watching from the opposite side.

Li Jing, having served in the Heavenly Court for a long time, was well aware of human nature and knew that Chen Jiao was currently at the height of his power and was not someone to be easily offended.

If we were to refuse outright, we would not only offend Nezha, but we might also needlessly alienate this promising True Lord, which would be unwise both publicly and privately.

His mind raced, and in a short while, he had a plan.

Without showing the slightest change in expression, he simply followed Nezha's words and said:

"What my son Nezha said is not without reason."

When the True Lord tours the four continents and observes the conditions of the people, if their paths are similar and they travel together, they can indeed respond to each other.

"If the True Lord wishes to accompany us, we would naturally welcome him. However..."