Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(3)
The palace had stood through the ages, yet it showed only enduring excellence and none of its antiquity. Interwoven glazed tiles adorned the golden roof, layer upon layer, blinding in their scintillation. Xie Lian looked up and glanced at where “Palace of Divine Might” was written beneath the golden roof. The characters, written with power and with vigor, were exactly the same as they were centuries ago, unchanged. He lowered his head and stepped into the hall. Within, numerous heavenly officials had already gathered, either in groups of two or three, or by their lonesome, standing in silence.
The only ones permitted to enter this hall were heavenly officials who had officially ascended—all imperial sons of heavens or indomitable overlords, each bursting with spiritual might. They eyed each other in silent pride and judgment, their splendor overwhelming. Gathered here, at this time and place, everyone held their breaths and did not dare utter a sound.
Upon the throne at the very end of the hall, there sat a martial god clad in white armor.
This martial god had a handsome face, and with his eyes closed and his lips unspeaking, he appeared extremely poised and solemn. Behind him stood the expanse of the magnificent Palace of Divine Might, and beneath his feet there were pure-white snowy peaks.
As if sensing that Xie Lian had entered the hall, he opened his eyes.
Those eyes were obsidian-black, but bright and clear, as if formed by the melted snow of a lake that had been frozen for millions of years. As he blinked them open, the martial god smiled softly.
“Xianle, you have come.”
Xie Lian inclined his head in a respectful bow and said nothing.
When Jun Wu spoke, he was not loud, but his deep voice echoed through the entire Palace of Divine Might. All the eyes of the gathered officials focused on Xie Lian, and he understood immediately.
It appeared that this meeting wasn’t for discussing General Pei Junior and the Banyue Pass scandal.
The spotlight, it seemed, was on him.
Ling Wen approached the throne, dressed all in black and not sparing a word or smile. She drew a line through an item in the book she was holding.
“My Lord, there are a few heavenly officials still on patrol in the Mortal Realm, unable to return.”
Jun Wu nodded. “They have given their notice ahead of time.”
Ling Wen acknowledged the response, and Jun Wu turned to Xie Lian once more.
“Xianle, I am sure you are aware as to why you have been summoned here today.”
Xie Lian still had his head bowed. “I can guess. However, I had actually assumed that a decision had been made on the matter with General Pei Junior.”
Just then, a lyrical male voice called out from behind.
“How that matter will be decided is still hard to say.”
When Xie Lian turned his head to look, a martial god stepped into the great hall. His hand resting on the hilt of his sword, he walked toward the front. When he passed by Xie Lian, he stopped in his step, and the corners of his lips lifted.
“Your Highness. I’ve heard so much about you.”
This martial god looked to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, graceful in his demeanor but resolute in his actions. Looking at his face, Xie Lian thought he was even more attractive than that statue he’d seen at Mount Yujun. It was the kind of handsomeness that could steal hearts, very much the charming type. Xie Lian didn’t respond.
He continued, “Our Little Pei has certainly been in your care.”
I’ve definitely offended him, Xie Lian thought. He returned the greeting.
“You flatter me. I’ve heard more about you, General Pei.”
The words “I’ve heard more about you” were certainly not a lie. In the past few days, Xie Lian had skimmed through his scroll and briefly read the legends of some of the more famous heavenly officials. Among them was General Ming Guang, Pei Ming.
This Martial God of the North was skilled in battle, but the subject the mortals talked of with the most relish was his many amorous intrigues: the beautiful and the ugly, the stories left behind in wanton alleys. “Beautiful” stories had Pei Ming spend extravagant amounts of gold to save a famed yet pitiful escort from the brothels, prompting her to fall in love with him and henceforth remain pure and true to await his return. “Ugly” stories had Pei Ming travel a thousand miles for a one-night stand with a married woman, etcetera, and so on. On some level, Pei Ming was an awe-inspiring man. After reading through his stories, Xie Lian thought it was quite unbelievable that after so many years, only one Xuan Ji had been created from this way of life.
Because Pei Ming was accomplished in both battle and in love, his rivals and peers alike took great pleasure in cursing him to die, even better if he’d die from syphilis. But his fate was tough and relentless, and he never caught anything from the many flowers he’d plucked. He wouldn’t die, and he’d even live longer than most of his peers. Until finally, one day, he lost a battle. Everyone laughed, thinking, At last, he’s met his end! But then lightning crashed and thunder roared, and in that moment of imminent peril, he ascended to the heavens.
Those who hadn’t already died by his hand probably all died of outrage.
After ascension, Pei Ming didn’t change his way of life, and the scale of his tales of promiscuity only grew. From fairies and lady heavenly officials to female ghosts and demons: as long as they were beautiful, he would not hold back. Nonetheless, the charming ladies of the Mortal Realm still remained his favorite type. Many indecent love stories had him starring as the main male lead, and if it wasn’t for Xie Lian’s method of cultivation that demanded purity of body and of mind, he probably would have read a few of those books just out of curiosity.