Chapter Forty-Five: All's Well That Ends Well

  Nezha said with a serious face: "The Third Master has no knowledge, the Great Master often teaches Nezha 'people cannot forget their roots', 'learning skills must respect teachers and morality'. Nezha worships the Great Master first, deeply feels the virtue of teaching, so he dare not forget his roots."

  San Xiao nodded in agreement, showing his respect for the Tongtian Sect Master. Yun Xiao glanced at Zhang Zixing and couldn't help but praise: "Indeed a famous teacher with excellent disciples!"

  This sentence is exactly the same as Bi Xiao's previous teasing of Zhang Zixing "treading on two boats", but the meaning is greatly different. Zhang Zixing secretly felt pleased, humbly said a few words, and sent someone to present three exquisite jade boxes, saying: "Today, my junior apprentice pays respects to his master, I am delighted in my heart, and specially offer this small gift of gratitude. The three ladies are all extraordinary people outside the world, if I were to give gold and silver vulgar things, I fear it would pollute your noble eyes, these are the Clear Heart Immortal Tea that the three ladies just tasted, which I personally made, please don't despise it."

  If it were ordinary wealth, San Xiao wouldn't have taken a second glance. However, when it came to the "Clear Heart Immortal Tea" that they had been praising earlier, the three ladies couldn't help but feel some movement in their hearts. These tea leaves were carefully crafted and processed through a complex series of steps, making them a mid-to-high-grade product even by later generations' standards, far surpassing the ones Zhang Zixing had given to Yun Zhongzi back then. After a moment's thought, Yun Xiao retrieved a silver, oddly-shaped long spear from his treasure pouch: "Your Majesty has shown such kindness, how could I dare refuse? As the saying goes, 'A guest who doesn't reciprocate is not being polite.' My Three Immortals' Island accepts this fine gift and must thank Your Majesty's great virtue. This spear is called 'Crimson Flame,' forged from the essence of fire and possessing immense power to vanquish evil and demons. I present it to Your Majesty, hoping you will make good use of it."

  Yun Xiao pointed to the ground and said "Xi Yue", a golden spear slowly flew up and landed in front of Zhang Zixing: "As for this thing, it is an ancient evil weapon, too cruel and evil. Your Majesty is also a heaven-gifted genius, and has already reached the Golden Elixir realm, but currently the true martial spirit's cultivation is too shallow, and cannot fully control Xi Yue. If used lightly, it will lose its power, if used heavily, the heart demon will backlash. It's better to use it less often."

  Zhang Zixing naturally understood the shortcomings of the Devourer, and put away the Golden Spear. However, he did not take the Scarlet Flame Gun, saying: "Your Majesty's gift is too generous, I am ashamed to accept it. I think Nezha has a predestined relationship with this 'Scarlet Flame' divine gun, why not give it to him instead? Let Your Majesty teach him its wonderful uses?"

  Little Nezha, Master has lost your Fire-Tip Spear, so I'll compensate you with the Scarlet Flame Spear instead. It's a treasure from the Third Princess of the Heaven, and it's definitely not inferior to the True Man of Taiyi. You should get even more benefits in the future...

  "Nezha is also a member of the Three Immortals Island, I will teach him well," Yun Xiao looked at him deeply and said: "If Your Majesty does not accept him, I would have no face to receive that Clear Heart Fairy Tea."

  Zhang Zixing suddenly thought of something, his eyes became eager, and he said: "I'm not good at spear techniques, getting that golden spear was also a coincidence. The Red Flame God Gun is better off being given to Nezha. I want to ask the empress for something, I don't know if she can grant it."

  "Please speak your mind, Your Majesty."

  Zhang Zixing suppressed his excitement and asked, "I have recently been studying the art of talismans in my spare time, but I still lack a magical treasure, the Thunderbolt Vase. Does Your Majesty happen to have one?"

  Yun Xiao did not think that he would ask for something so "low", and was shocked, saying: "This is a small thing, Your Majesty really only wants the Thunder Bottle?"

  After getting his affirmative reply, Yun Xiao immediately took out a small blue jade bottle, a delicate small leather pouch and several talismans, and presented them to him. The small blue jade bottle was the Thunder Gathering Bottle, and the small leather pouch was the so-called Treasure Pouch, which although very small in size, could contain a lot of things, and could also conceal the aura of magical treasures, making it an indispensable personal item for cultivators. Those talismans were given by Yun Xiao to him for 'research' purposes, mostly attack-type ones such as Flame Talisman, Mystic Ice Talisman, Five Thunder Talisman etc., among which one called "Heavenly Punishment" caught Zhang Ziyu's attention the most, it was a special auxiliary talisman that could amplify the power of heavenly thunder by several dozen times, unfortunately it was difficult to refine and had little practical value, Yun Xiao only had this one.

  Zhang Zixing didn't expect to get the Thunder Gathering Bottle he had always yearned for so easily, and also obtained the "Tianyan" that could amplify lightning and the legendary treasure pouch. He almost couldn't conceal his excitement and jumped up, hastily expressing his gratitude.

  In San Xiao's view, the Red Flame Spear was much more precious than all these things combined, but he didn't understand why the Emperor only wanted the Gathering Thunder Bottle. The three women didn't ask any further questions and instead discussed Ne Zha's apprenticeship with Zhang Zi Xing. In the end, the four of them reached a consensus: Ne Zha would be taken back to Sanxian Island by San Xiao for training, returning once a year for two months to learn from Zhang Zi Xing's teachings until he became proficient and left the mountain.

  Nezha knew that he had to go far away to practice with San Sheng, although he couldn't bear to part with Zhang Zixing. However, after seeing the small spells cast by Bi Xiao, he felt itchy again and became more familiar with San Sheng's words. Suddenly, he asked: "Why do the three masters wear masks when they are fine?"

  Zhang Zixing's heart moved, this was also the question he wanted to ask. Yun Xiao sighed and said: "My sister is ugly and doesn't dare to show her face, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble."

  "It is mediocre people who judge others by their appearance," Zhang Zixing heard Yun Xiao sisters admit that they are ugly, and couldn't help but feel some regret. He immediately spoke to comfort them: "The three princesses are high-ranking scholars outside the secular world, yet you are so bound by worldly attitudes, your mental state and cultivation can't help but be inferior, how can you attain the Great Way?"

  Yun Xiao led her two sisters to rise and pay respects to Zhang Zixing, saying: "Your Majesty has not yet become an immortal body, but can see through the heavenly machine, with wisdom that is unfathomable. My sisters have learned from you. Today we bid farewell, and if fate permits it, we will reunite again someday."

  Zhang Zixing didn't keep them, and together with Wen Zhong, they escorted them to the outside of the Zhaoxuan Hall. They saw Yun Xiao carrying Nezha on a Qingluan bird, Qiong Xiao sitting on a Hongtu bird, and Bi Xiao sitting on a Huafeng bird. The three girls each rode different birds, and soon disappeared into the sky.

  After seeing off Wen Zhong and issuing an edict to comfort Li Jing, Zhang Zixing finally couldn't bear the joy in his heart, disregarding his demeanor, he held the Thunderbolt Bottle and burst into crazy laughter. This can be considered as searching everywhere but finding it right under one's feet, achieving everything without any effort.

  Zhang Zixing is not the kind of person who gets carried away by victory. After the excitement, he calmly realized a problem: if it weren't for his quick thinking and Xiao Fuxing's appearance today, this trouble might not have been resolved so easily. His strength is rare among ordinary humans, but through his battle with Bi Xiang, he deeply realized that his abilities are almost insignificant in the eyes of the immortals. If Bi Xiang hadn't hesitated due to her heavenly identity and murderous intentions at the time, she could have easily defeated him with just the Fantian Pearl. Only by constantly making himself stronger can he protect the people he cherishes and change the tragic fate of his country's destruction. Thinking of this, Zhang Zixing became even more eager to release his super brain, and now everything is ready, waiting only for the arrival of a stormy day.

  With an excited heart, Zhang Zixing arrived at the Imperial Garden of the Rear Palace and saw Jiang Wencan and two other women chatting with a beautiful woman from afar. The woman was lovely in appearance, slender in figure, and had a kind of pitiful weakness between her eyebrows and eyes that rivaled Huang Feiyan's beauty.

  Zhang Zixing came in without letting the palace attendant report, wanting to give his three wives a surprise. Unexpectedly, he was discovered by Huang Feiyan's sharp eyes and hurried over with Jiang Wenchun and Yang Jiu to greet him. The three women had not seen Zhang Zixing for several days, so they were extremely delighted when they saw the emperor. Empress Dowager also walked forward and paid her respects.

  If he were the tyrannical king Zhou, he would probably have had lustful thoughts about this beautiful woman who was delivered to his doorstep. Unfortunately, the current "King Zhou" did not have any evil intentions towards her. It's not that Zhang Zixing thought she was unattractive or suffered from some legendary "frigidity", but because of her special identity. The beauty's name is Wei Huan, and she is the younger sister of Wei Yan, the legitimate wife of King Wu of Zhou, as well as the adopted daughter of Nan Bo Hou E Chongyu.

  Jiang Wenchun pulled Ruo Yun over and said to Zhang Zixing: "Your Majesty, unexpectedly Yun's sister is quite familiar with the 'Baicao Jing', just now I had a relapse of my old chest tightness, thanks to her clever skills, she relieved my suffering."

  "Wei Wei humbly said: 'Your Majesty's "Hundred Herb Classic" is profound and unmatched, I only slightly understand the surface, can only roughly explain the pain of Her Ladyship, but in front of a master like Your Majesty, I am ashamed.'"

  "Thanks, Wei Xiang," Zhang Zixing said lightly to Wei Huan, holding Jiang Wenchun's slender hand and asking with concern: "Are you feeling unwell now? Did you finish the nourishing heart pills I gave you last time?"

  "I'm fine now, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I haven't finished taking the calming medicine yet," Jiang Wenyue's face flushed with embarrassment as he held her hand in front of Wei Xuan, who couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at their intimate gesture.

  "Miss Wei..." Jiang Wenchu was about to say something, but was interrupted by Zhang Zixing: "Miss Wei has made great contributions to the treatment of the Empress. I grant you ten bright pearls and twenty pieces of silk fabric. Now, I have important matters to discuss with the Empress, so Miss Wei may take her leave first. You are welcome to come back to the palace as a guest next time."

  "It is Yu'er's duty to serve the princess, Your Majesty's reward is too generous, Yu'er dare not accept it, and will take her leave." Huier's voice was soft and gentle, with a quiet beauty that moved people, but unfortunately Zhang Zixing seemed to ignore her. Jiang Wencan looked at the emperor's cold expression, wanting to speak several times but stopping herself, finally only sighing silently as she watched Huier leave.

  As soon as Wei Xuan left, facing Jiang Wenchang's questioning, Zhang Zixing immediately showed a "family pervert" face: "What important matter? I have been busy with official duties for several days and haven't been close to you three concubines, so I came to relieve your boredom."

  "What a coincidence, it turns out," Huang Feiyan covered her mouth and smiled: "Your Majesty has come at the right time. The Empress Dowager has been missing you terribly these past few days. Yesterday afternoon when I went to the imperial palace, I even heard Her Majesty calling out for Your Majesty in her sleep."

  "So the Empress has such thoughts about her husband? But what kind of romantic dreams did she have?" Zhang Zixing recalled how the normally dignified Empress would lose all decorum in bed, and his heart was set aflame with lust. He took advantage of the situation to wrap his arms around Jiang Wencui, letting his hands roam over her waist and hips, intentionally saying: "In that case, tonight I'll make sure to properly pamper this Empress."

  Jiang Wenchun was indeed at the age of a mature young woman, extremely susceptible to emotions, and his teasing actions made her body soft and weak, with flushed cheeks and ears. Catching sight of the two women secretly smiling, she said: "What kind of romantic dream is this? Don't listen to Feiyan's nonsense, it's actually her and Jiu'er who have been thinking about their husbands day and night, unable to eat or sleep."

  Zhang Zixing immediately turned his dazed gaze to Yang Jiu and Huang Feiyan: "Is that so? Wait for me to capture the two of them, and then take them together to the imperial palace to be dealt with according to 'family law'!"

  Huang Feiyan let out a cry of surprise and pulled Yang Jiu to escape, Zhang Zixing put down Jiang Hou and chased after them in big strides. The four of them frolicked and chased each other, having a great time. Jiang Wencui and Yang Jiu were weak and frail, and they were already panting and gasping for breath after running for just a short while. Huang Feiyan was stronger than the two women, but she couldn't escape Zhang Zixing's grasp either. In the end, all three women were "captured". Looking at their happy smiles, Zhang Zixing felt a warm feeling in his heart. Being able to make his women happy and joyful was the most praiseworthy thing for a man.

  Jiang Wenchu saw that Zhang Zixing was in a good mood, so he took the opportunity to ask: "Husband, Wenchu has a question, I don't know if it's suitable to mention or not?"