Chapter 8: The Roof Leaks on a Rainy Night

  Ningning argued in vain and had no choice but to take the two of them up the mountain to consult with Xian Guan and Shen Jun.

  The mountain road was difficult to walk on, and he saw that these two clumsy hands and feet almost fell two heads for every step they took, helplessly revealing their true form.

  "Climb onto my back."

  "Good..." Nian's massive body, Duanmu Chengyang struggled to hug the Luojia arrow and helped him climb onto Nian's back. He himself also grabbed Nian's scales with his hands and feet and climbed up. Unexpectedly, he used too much force, Nian felt pain and shook his body, suddenly throwing Duanmu Chengyang off!

  Although the terrain of the cloud platform was relatively flat, the ground was slippery. Du Mu couldn't stop his momentum and rolled towards a small tree at the edge of the cloud platform.

  Just as it was about to crash into it, this small tree suddenly moved its position!

  Luoyin's exclamation came to an abrupt halt: "Am I seeing things?"

  Ning Ning was the first to react, and with a flick of his dragon tail, a strong gust of wind shot towards the small tree. However, unexpectedly, the small tree suddenly transformed into a young man. He dodged nimbly, not only avoiding the attack but also counterattacking with a palm strike.

  Poor Du Mu Yan rolled out for more than ten feet, and after lying on the ground for half a day, he was just about to get up when two strong gusts of wind hit him squarely, knocking him unconscious.

  “……”

  “……”

  "Good grief!"

  Ni Ni grasped the wooden bow and hid it behind her back, one hand holding the deer arrow, the other pointing at the young man and shouting: "Who are you?"

  The young man completely ignored him, looking up and down, left and right at Lu Jian, excitedly clapping his hands: "Ah, Lu Jian! I've finally found you!"

  Lu Jing was a bit dazed from the start, and suddenly thought of it: "Are you Meng Mu?"

  "Yes indeed" It turned out that this young man was the same Meng Mu who had taken up for the hunter in the forest of Youmeng.

  Meng Mu stepped forward excitedly, but was stopped by Nian Nian: "Don't move rashly!" He lowered his head to look at Lu Jian: "Do you know him?"

  "Uh-huh, when we were in Yunshan, we were......" Lu Jian was searching for an adjective to describe it.

  "Friends, we are friends."

  At this time, Duanmu Chengyan let out a hum and woke up, and Ni Ni put them down.

  "Isn't that our old home, Mount Yu? This is my friend, how come you don't know?" Lu Jian patted his back to help him catch his breath. Nande slowly explained in a low voice: "We've known each other for a long time, it's been over ten years, right?"

  Meng Mu's face lit up with joy, just as he was about to express his agreement, Duanyu suddenly stood out and pulled Lu Jian behind him.

  "You're a lowly spirit, how dare you trespass on the sacred mountain without permission?"

  Nini waved his hand wanting to summon the mountain giant, but unexpectedly no one appeared. Could something have happened to Jin Ting? He was shocked in his heart!

  Meng Mu immediately saw the change in his expression and, with a slight bow of his head, said calmly: "Immortal Elder, please don't blame me. During the battle between immortals and demons at Mount Suo some time ago, I escaped and when the incident subsided, I went back to look for Lu Jian but couldn't find her anywhere. Afraid that something had happened to her, I searched everywhere and unexpectedly found her aura here today. There was no intention of offending you, please forgive me."

  "Impossible! My Tianyai Mountain is heavily guarded, how could you have sneaked in?"

  "This..." Meng Mu's face turned somewhat solemn: "May I ask who you are?"

  Ning Ning replied impatiently: "I am naturally a person from Tiantai Mountain, answer me!"

  The good-natured Mengmu explained: "Sian Chang misunderstood. I came up without any guards blocking me, and I went all the way to search for him. Just now, I saw many heavenly soldiers descending from the sky on the cloud top, and I was curious, so I approached to see what it was. Unexpectedly, outside the palace gate, I heard a voice inside saying that because of Xuan Yi Shangxian's private killing of the demon god, and because he did not fulfill his duty to guard the immortal library, the secret scrolls were scattered. It involves the secrets of the three realms, and no one is allowed to leave Jinting. Only when Xuan Yi Shangxian wakes up will he be dealt with according to the law!"

  "What?!?!?!"

  Nini impulsively wanted to fly up, but Duanmu Jiong grabbed his collar and held him down firmly.

  "Brother Nai, don't go! If you go, you won't be able to come out!"

  Lu Jian quickly turned around, pulling on Meng Mu's sleeve and repeatedly asking what to do, what to do?

  Meng Mu'an patted her shoulder and said to the two people who were entangled, "This brother is right, Nī Dàgē. You should calm down first. Even if you go up now, it will be of no help. Why not take this opportunity to slip away quickly and think of a better plan?"

  Dark clouds like a huge palm, extinguished the just revealed ray of sunlight, thunder rumbled repeatedly, and then it started raining again.

  Dark clouds pressed down on the city, and Mount Tiantai was completely hidden from view. In the pouring rain, a huge black dragon flew northward.

  On the vast square in front of the Golden Court, all the disciples and servants of Tiantai Mountain stood silently, their faces filled with fear as they gazed towards the direction of Fengzhu Hall. The tall Heavenly Soldiers had replaced the original guards, fully armored and holding sharp blades, ready to strike down anyone who dared to resist.

  Inside Fengxian Hall:

  Chong Li and Nan Yue Shen Jun were asked to withdraw, the multitude of celestial officials stood trembling in the hall below, while Xuan Zhi Tian Guan sat at the head seat slowly sipping tea from a agate bowl.

  A man walked out of the inner hall, and Tian Guan hastily put down the tea bowl in his hand and smiled to welcome him.

  "Your Majesty, how are you?"

  The Western Emperor's face was filled with worry, and he shook his head saying: "He has not yet awakened." As he spoke, he walked towards the main seat, without even glancing at the immortal officials below.

  "Oh, Heaven's Official is also seated."

  "Alright, Emperor Jun is being polite, someone's arrived, why haven't you served tea yet?"

  Gu Zhong Jun personally served tea with a humble and subdued attitude.

  "Never mind, the tea of Tiantai Mountain is good, but I am not here to be a guest." said Xiyue Emperor calmly.

  "Your Majesty, you are always so benevolent and kind, it's truly admirable."

  Xī Yuè Dì Jūn smiled slightly: "Nothing, just seeing that Gǔ Zhú Gōng is getting old and overworked, my heart can't bear it. As for the way of governing the world, it should still be based on reason and law, in this regard, I should pay respects to Tiān Guān."

  "Your Majesty's praise is misplaced, I dare not accept it. The North Emperor's mighty virtue is what we should all strive for. However, although the heavenly realm's laws are strict, you also can't help but be too self-restrained. As for the Third Prince's matter, must it really be like this?"

  "Alas, this rebellious son is extremely indulgent! He's actually riding the Great Prancing Divine Steed to cultivate immortal techniques. This divine steed was a gift from the Eastern Peak Emperor, and I didn't expect... Alas! My son is so reckless, he must be punished. Confining him for three years is already being lenient, and it's not even halfway through the time. The Heavenly Official doesn't need to plead on his behalf."

  The heavenly official had an expression of admiration on his face.

  The two of them also put on a show, and Taixu Mountain's Fang Zhishan stepped forward, saying in a loud voice: "I report to the Heavenly Official, that day Master was leading a group of disciples from Taixu Mountain to search for Dào Jìng. Unexpectedly, they encountered a demon god, and in order to protect themselves, they killed him. It was really an unavoidable situation, not intentional disobedience of the heavenly rules. I hope the Heavenly Official will report this accurately."

  Before Xuan Yi arrived, Mount Tiantai was managed by Gu Zhu Jun with his two sons, Bo Yi and Shu Yu. Originally, it was Bo Yi's responsibility to govern the gatekeepers. After Xuan Yi arrived, he still entrusted this task to him and ordered him to guard Jinge together with his own attendants. Therefore, he had more proud and unyielding spirit than his father and elder brother, so at this time only he dared to stand up and argue.

  The heavenly official patted his round belly and slightly raised his eyelids, responding casually: "Was there a witness at the time?"

  "All were outside the temple, with Zun Shang riding and Yue He and Song also following."

  The Heavenly Official had long known that Xuan Yi, the Upper Immortal, was a man of great courtesy and etiquette. He handled all matters, big or small, with strict adherence to propriety. The entire Mount Tian Tai was very particular about rules and regulations, making it impossible for anyone to venture out alone. Changing his tone to one of interrogation, he asked: "Isn't there also someone who came from the Demon Realm? It's hard to guarantee that he isn't an insider! Where is he?"

  "This..." Bo Yi was about to go look, but was pulled back by Shu Qi who grabbed his sleeve. Shu Qi glanced outside and said in a low voice, "I heard Ming Zhu say that Nian Nian is helping Ma Ming Sheng take care of the two kids and hasn't come back yet."

  The heavenly official saw them whispering to each other and understood in his heart. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted loudly: "Are you trying to escape? Good! I've long heard that Xuan Yi Shangxian is lenient towards his disciples, but I didn't expect him to disregard the heavenly rules to such an extent!" He suddenly stood up: "This official will now report this matter to the Lord, and you will stay here to await punishment!"

  He finished speaking and bowed his hands to Emperor Xiyue, saying: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for mediating on my behalf just now. I still have some business to attend to, so I'll take my leave first!"

  "Ah……" The Western Emperor slowly swept his sleeves: "Just right, I've been out for a long time, I don't know if anyone has secretly released that unfilial son, or if I should go back and personally see to it. Let's go out together."

  "Alright, Emperor, please."

  "Please."

  Chong Li set up a wind barrier in the inner hall, blocking out the outside noise. He stayed inside the temple gate, listening to the conversation outside, his heart burning with rage. If it weren't for Nan Yue Shen Jun holding him back, he might have rushed out and incinerated all the heavenly soldiers and generals into ashes.

  Nanyue Shengjun, although also with a worried face, was much calmer than Chongli. After Tianguan and Xiyue Dijun left, he slightly comforted the crowd of immortal officials, and then instructed Chongli to take the attendants of Xuanyi to guard Fengzhudian well, and went alone to the main hall, Gutrue Hall.

  Although the power of revival is strong, Xuan Yi still hasn't woken up. Chong Li looked at the red dragon jade hairpin and knew that Xuan Yi had used a great deal of magical power this time. The Nine Heavens Xuan Lei Array uses one's own cultivation as the trigger; whoever receives it will surely die. But if the attack doesn't hit, the practitioner also risks being destroyed in both body and spirit!

  "Why is he so furious?"

  Chong Li's greatest worry was that he would fall asleep and unknowingly scatter his immortal energy. But if he woke up, he would be punished by Lei Ting according to the rules of the immortals. But where did Jiao Long go? Who sent the life-saving hairband at the critical moment? Ma Ming Sheng, a small mountain god from a thousand miles away, was someone that Xuan Yi had probably never heard of, so how could he have arrived at such an opportune time?

  After much thought and consideration, I finally have a clear direction in mind.

  He walked out of the hall, stretched out his hand and pinched a finger spell, in the dusk, a cluster of flames jumped out from his fingertips.

  Pointing northwest: "Go!"

  Three days and three nights, all spent in endless anxiety. On this evening, the god of Mount Nan appeared, while everyone was discussing in the hall, suddenly hearing a loud thunder outside, the sky lit up with a gloomy green light.

  Chong Li's body suddenly rose, his whole body bursting with fierce energy. Nan Yue Emperor hurriedly stopped him: "Don't be in a hurry, let's take a look at the situation first."

  "A loud and coarse male voice came from afar: 'Ma Ming Sheng! Come out!'"

  Everyone looked around, but Ma Ming-sheng had already hidden behind the incense burner.

  "Who is outside?" Duke Nan asked, having him pulled out and inquired.

  "Master, Master, I have come to report to you." Ma Ming sheng's whole body was covered in cold sweat, and he stuttered as he spoke "M-most likely it is Lord Zhong Shan Zhan Long, possibly he has come looking for me."

  "You've already named names, what else can you possibly say?" Chong Li said disdainfully.

  "This, this..."

  A fine young man, originally sent by the heavenly realm to be a mountain god, how can he be so timid and submissive? It's no wonder he has always been controlled by others. The South Mountain God thought of this, feeling annoyed in his heart, and with a wave of his sleeve, signaled for his subordinates to drag him out.

  "Ah, ah..." Ma Ming-sheng was dragged away while looking around at the crowd for help, but everyone's attention was elsewhere.

  In the square, a man in dark green robes stood, his face already tense, looking at Ma Ming being dragged out like a bereaved dog, and he was even more furious.

  Ma Ming sheng nervously approached: "Yue, Father Yue, I, I..."

  Changlong raised his palm, and Ma Ming was so frightened that he stumbled and almost fell.

  "Shut up, you're a waste of space, what are you doing here?"

  Ma Ming-sheng hung his head and muttered inarticulately, not daring to defend himself.

  Upon arriving at the palace gate, heavenly soldiers swarmed to block their way. Ma Ming Sheng was overjoyed, previously worried about the leakage of the Xian Ku Mi Juan and the Heavenly Officials not allowing anyone to leave, he was also concerned about what would happen to Lu Jian and Duan Mu Cheng Yang's two children. This turn of events was extremely fortunate, first priority was to ensure their safety.

  He didn't want to, but with a flick of his sleeve, he instantly knocked a group of heavenly soldiers flying.

  He snorted disdainfully: "A lawsuit has begun! The Heavenly Emperor's punishment of the TianTai Mountain has nothing to do with the Ezhong Mountain, why did you dare to detain me, the heavenly official of the Ezhong Mountain? If I get angry, I will directly attack the Heavenly Court, you'd better weigh your actions carefully!!!"

  The heavenly soldiers did not dare to resist and had to let them go.

  The noise has died down, and it's already late at night.

  The air in the inner chamber was thick with the scent of medicine, and the person on the bed was still unconscious, having yet to awaken.

  The nights of Tiantai Mountain are gradually shortening, and when the night color recedes, it will be tomorrow.

  Tomorrow is another endless wait, a wait filled with humiliation and terror, with a glimmer of hope...

  The bright moon was guarding in front of the bed, and with a face full of tears and exhaustion, she fell asleep.

  In the darkness, the person on the bed moved their eyeballs slightly, and the soft red light inside the mosquito net rippled like waves.