Chapter Five: Splitting Open Peach Mountain, Mother and Son Reunited

  On the thirty-third day, in the Lingxiao Hall. The Jade Emperor's mind moved, and he took out the Kunlun mirror to take a look. At this time, at the foot of Taoshan Mountain, Yang Jian and Yang Jia were doing the task of splitting the mountain to save their mother. He was furious, and shouted loudly at the two gods who had once gone down to catch the Cloud Fairy: "Didn't you say that you had already killed Yang Jian? Why is Yang Jian still standing alive under Taoshan Mountain?"

  Those two gods were greatly shocked in their hearts, and they hastily knelt down on the ground to report: "We beg to inform Your Majesty, we really didn't know that Yang Tianyou and Yang Jiao were actually killed by us that day, but somehow they came back to life again. We hope Your Majesty will investigate clearly, we are innocent!"

  The Jade Emperor let out a cold snort, ignoring the two of them, and only gazed at the scene in the Kunlun Mirror. His face didn't show even half a ripple, making it impossible to discern his thoughts. The group of immortals below couldn't guess the Jade Emperor's intentions and didn't dare speak rashly, so they could only watch the changes in the Kunlun Mirror.

  Under the foot of Taoshan, Yang Jian's face was gloomy. He wiped his heavenly eye on his forehead, and a flash of lightning instantly struck the talisman above. The talisman shook violently, but it remained unaffected, still firmly stuck to the top of Mount Taoshan.

  Yang Jian was shocked and said to Yang Jiao, "Big brother, what can we do now? Even my Heaven's Eye cannot break that talisman. How can I split the mountain to rescue Mother?"

  Yang Jiao smiled and said, "Second brother, don't worry, I have a great method to break that talisman!" As soon as he finished speaking, his hand shone brightly, and after the light faded, a golden axe appeared, emitting a faint golden glow, with the words "Open Mountain" on it.

  Yang Jiao explained to Yang Jian, who was full of doubts: "This is the divine axe used by Emperor Yu to open the mountain in those years. This time, Master gave it to my brother to help him split the mountain!"

  Yang Jian was even more puzzled by Yang Jiao's words, wondering which immortal could have possessed Yu Di's divine artifact. Even his own teacher had only obtained the Three-Pointed Two-Edged Knife from Nüwa Niangniang, so it was clear that Yang Jiao's teacher was no ordinary person. However, for now, the top priority was to split open Peach Mountain and rescue his birth mother; as for other matters, they could be inquired about later.

  Yang Jiao rose into the air, and when he reached a height of a thousand feet above Peach Mountain, he stopped. He raised the Heaven-Cleaving Axe in his hand, and his eyes suddenly burst forth with an awe-inspiring color. With a loud shout, his hand shone with golden light, breaking through the clouds in the sky and illuminating the surrounding area for hundreds of miles. The divine light shot straight at the Taurus constellation, shaking the Heavenly Court.

  The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother looked at each other, both seeing shock in each other's eyes. The opening of Mount Tai's divine axe meant something, which they were well aware of. However, behind that shock, there was a deep-seated comfort hidden. Understanding each other's intentions, the two simultaneously composed themselves, not letting the gods below see it. They continued to watch the scene in the Kunlun mirror.

  Yang Jiao stood in mid-air, the Heaven-Cleaving Axe descended like a sharp sword, and with a loud crash. The talisman, for some reason, dimmed its light when the axe approached, and as the blade struck, it shattered into countless fragments that scattered through the air!

  Like a great earthquake, Taoshan was split in two. A wisp of immortal energy swirled around. The dust and smoke dispersed. Only then did a palace-dressed beauty slowly emerge from the foot of Mount Taoshan. Her face was lovely, her immortal energy fluttering about her like a dream or an illusion. It was none other than Yunhua Xianzi, Yaoji!

  Yang Jiao and Yang Zhan gazed excitedly at that familiar figure, their lips trembling with emotion. They were speechless!

  "Mother!" The two brothers exclaimed in unison. How much affection! How much longing! How much waiting! Finally, after keeping watch, the clouds parted to reveal a bright moon!

  Yun Hua's slender body trembled. She looked at the two men in disbelief, her eyes welling up with tears that fell down her lovely face, adding to her beauty. She softly exclaimed: "Eldest son! Second son! Is it really you? Am I dreaming?"

  Yang Jiao and Yang Jian burst into Cloud Huaxian's arms, crying. Cloud Huaxian felt their true existence, with waves of warmth flowing in her heart. The three of them silently hugged each other, quietly savoring this rare reunion. Everything was understood without a word!

  Inside the Lingxiao Hall. The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother were silently watching a scene at the foot of Taoshan Mountain, without saying a word. In his heart, the Jade Emperor thought: Sister! Your son has finally learned the true skills. From now on, you can also live a good life!

  The immortals watched the scene of the family reunion with varying emotions: some were relieved, others disdainful, and still others indifferent. They did not all feel the same way!

  Yun Hua Xianzi stroked the cheeks of her two sons with both hands, and said kindly: "Since your mother is not by your side, Da Lang and Er Lang have grown up to be adults, and they have learned a good skill. If your father were in heaven, he would also be delighted for you two brothers!" She thought of the late Yang Tianyou, and her heart was gloomy.

  Yang Jiao wiped away his tears and smiled: "Mother, please rest assured. Now that my brother and I have learned our skills, we can protect you in the future. I think in the three realms, who dares to harm Mother?" As soon as he finished speaking, a majestic aura burst out from his body, and a layer of purple divine light surrounded his body, rotating non-stop, with an awe-inspiring atmosphere!

  Yunhua Xianzi and Yang Jiaolong looked at the mighty Yang Jiao in shock. After Yang Jiao withdrew his aura, Yunhua Xianzi asked in confusion: "Husband, I heard from those heavenly soldiers that you had been beheaded, why did you come back to life and learn such skills? And second brother, how did you acquire your skills?"

  Yang Jiao and Yang Jian looked at each other and smiled. Yang Jiao said to Yang Jian: "Second brother, you speak first!"

  Yang Jian composed himself and said: "Mother, I was taken in as a disciple by the Jade Cauldron True Man of the Golden Cave on Jade Spring Mountain, and I learned 72 transformations!"

  Yun Hua Xianzi heard this and joyfully said: "My child is truly greatly fortunate! That Jade Tripod True Man, I have indeed heard of him. He is a disciple of the Jade Pure Holy Person, his cultivation is profound and immeasurable, he is a true immortal with the Way! My child can take Jade Tripod True Man as master, this is truly heaven's blessing!" Then she turned to Yang Xiao and asked: "Young Master, what about you?"

  Yang Jiao smiled slightly and said, "Mother, I was rescued by the Holy Father and had the good fortune to have him as my teacher. The Holy Father's kindness is profound, passing down the Great Way of Mysterious Clarity, and also giving me the Mountain-Opening Axe to split the mountain and rescue you!"

  Yunhua Fairy exclaimed in surprise: "Could it be Xuan Qing Saint?"

  When she saw Yang Jiao nodding in agreement, she suppressed the shock in her heart and calmed down her breathing. Overjoyed, she exclaimed: "My son is fortunate indeed to have obtained the revered Master Xuanqing as his teacher! The Yang family is blessed!"

  Yang Jia, who was standing beside him, frowned and said: "I also heard the teacher say that Xuan Qing Sheng Ren is a fellow of Pan Gu Zheng Zong with our Master Ancestor. Since Big Brother has taken Xuan Qing Sheng Ren as his master, isn't he one generation higher than me?"

  Yang Jiao was taken aback, then burst out laughing: "Exactly! It seems that from now on, my second brother will have to address me as Shifu!" He laughed heartily, clearly overjoyed.

  Yang Jian also pretended to be respectful and bowed his head, saying: "Master is above! Disciple has paid respects!"

  Yang Jiao nodded and said in a low voice, "Master's nephew, dispense with the formalities!" After finishing speaking, he held Yang Jian's hands and laughed loudly without stopping. Yang Jian also laughed loudly. The laughter spread for ten miles, startling the birds on the trees, and even the spiritual beasts seemed to be infected by the laughter, singing in unison!

  Yunhua Xianzi looked at her two sons with a kind expression, raised her head to gaze up at the sky, as if wanting to see someone's figure. Husband, you can rest in peace now! A single tear fell, and was immediately blown away by a gentle breeze, leaving no trace behind.

  In the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor expressionlessly addressed the gathering of immortals below: "All you nobles, Yang Jian and Yang Jia have split open Mount Peach, violating heavenly laws. Which of you is willing to descend into the mortal realm to subdue them?"

  All the immortals heard that you looked at me, I looked at you, and none of us knew what to say. Didn't you hear? Those Yang brothers are actually disciples of the Sage, having learned the Great Way. Although the immortals have some status in the Heavenly Realm, they still have a sense of self-awareness, knowing that those under the Sage are not to be trifled with. So they can only look at each other in dismay!

  The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother exchanged a glance, their minds greatly settled. Then, feigning anger, he said: "Is it that among all the civil and military officials of the heavenly court, there isn't one immortal with great magical powers to subdue this demon? When has heaven ever been so weak?" This remark made all the immortals blush with shame.

  "Your Majesty, Cloud Fairy has been imprisoned under Peach Mountain for ten years, enduring immense suffering. Your Majesty's lack of favoritism towards her is truly a virtue! Now that she has escaped from Peach Mountain, it can be seen that Heaven has shown its will. It seems that Cloud Fairy's karma has been fulfilled. Why not follow the will of Heaven and bring this matter to an end? This would be a benevolent act, and all beings in the three realms would praise Your Majesty's kindness!"

  The Jade Emperor heard this and was secretly delighted, but he sank his face and asked a group of immortals: "What do you think, fellow sages?"

  "We have no major objections, Your Majesty! Your benevolence is beyond our reach!" But in their hearts, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that they wouldn't have to provoke the Yang brothers after all.

  Everyone was overjoyed at this turn of events, and all the immortals did not dare to raise any objections.

  Under the peach mountain, three people's hearts moved at the same time, and they looked up to see a fairy falling from the thirty-third heaven, with white hair and a youthful face, holding a yellow silk brocade. Cloud Huasen recognized that it was actually Taibai Jinxing.

  Tai Bai Jin Xing smiled from afar and said: "Instead, I should be congratulating Your Highness on a family reunion, what a joyous occasion!"

  Before Yunhuazhenzi could speak, Yang Jian took a step forward, brandishing his three-pointed twin-bladed knife at Taibai Jinxing and shouted: "You heavenly court immortals have come here for what? If you still want to oppress my mother, you'll have to get past the divine weapon in my hand first!"

  Tai Baijin Xing was taken aback, then smiled wryly and felt helpless in his heart. Yunhuaxianzi pulled Yang Jian and said, "My son must not be rude to Jin Xing!" She stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Yaoji has seen Jin Xing, I wonder what the Golden Immortal means by coming here?"

  Tai Bai Jin Xing nodded and said: "Xiao Xian came on the orders of Da Tian Zun, Da Tian Zun has pardoned the princess's sins, and take this decree!"

  Yunhua Xianzi took over the imperial edict, unfolded it to read, and her expression was complex, changing constantly! After a long time, she sighed and said, "Thanks for your hard work, Golden Star!"

  Tai Bai Jin Xing hastily said: "What are you saying, Princess? You're really killing me with your words! I'm sure the Great Heavenly Emperor's painstaking efforts have already been made clear to you. I bid farewell now!" After speaking, he paid his respects once more and took his leave, ascending to Heaven.

  Tai Bai Jin Xing has left. Yang Jiao said: "Mother, the teacher ordered that if you are rescued, go to Fang Zhang Island to pay respects."

  Yunhua Xianzi nodded and took her two sons to Fangzhang Xianzhou in the East Sea.

  The dust has settled, and Peach Mountain is revealed; mother and son reunite in a joyful scene.