The warhorses galloped.
Hundreds of elite warriors clustered around Zhong Shenxiu's carriage, setting out from Haojing, passing by the birthplace of Great Zhou, Xi Qi, and then heading relentlessly westward.
This convoy traveled across the Zhang River, passed through Yin Mountain, and trekked three hundred fifty thousand miles across the drifting sands.
On this day, Mu Heavenly Emperor's convoy finally crossed the vast yellow sands and arrived at an oasis.
Zao Fu, who was driving the emperor's chariot, knelt before Zhong Shenxiu, his voice hoarse as he said, "My lord... Heading further west will lead us to the Divine Mountain Kunlun, the legendary realm of the Queen Mother of the West."
In this era where the gods manifested themselves, the Yin Shang fell because of their disrespect for the gods. Zao Fu held great reverence for the Queen Mother of the West.
"I mean to visit Kunlun. It is rumored to be the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Mountains, and as the emperor, I should perform the sacrifice at Kunlun to signify the Mandate of Heaven and military virtue!"
Zhong Shenxiu waved his hand.
Then, Zao Fu's mouth gaped open. If not for the fear of being beheaded for disrespect, he might have blurted out 'The majesty has a problem with his head.'
The abode of the gods!
Your majesty, though you are the emperor, they annihilated the Yin Shang, and even Great Zhou must pay tribute to Kunlun.
And yet, you wish to perform a sacrifice at Kunlun?
"My decision is made!"
Zhong Shenxiu said coldly: "Or is it that you are unwilling to drive the carriage for me?"
Zao Fu replied with a face full of distress.
He had no choice in the matter.
The party could only continue westward, and then they saw a magnificent and towering Great Divine Mountain.
"Indeed, it is the Divine Mountain Kunlun."
Zhong Shenxiu ordered, "Let's go there!"
The journey may be daunting for horses.
Even though they saw the Kunlun Mountain, the convoy struggled onward for two days and nights before finally reaching the foot of the mountain.
At the base of Kunlun Mountain, there were some scattered tribes. They were descendants of slaves from the era of Yin Shang, who called themselves Kunlun Remnants, worshipping Kunlun Mountain as a deity. They quickly moved to block Zhong Shenxiu's party when they attempted to ascend: "Kunlun Mountain is a Divine Domain. Mortals cannot set foot here, or else the deities will be angered!"
"Ha, I am the emperor, not a mere mortal!"
Zhong Shenxiu glanced at his armored warriors and said, "But having too many ascend the mountain would indeed be disrespectful. Therefore, I shall bring only a coachman and a single chariot up the mountain."
After speaking, he nonchalantly ordered Zao Fu to ascend the mountain.
The eight Dragon Horses that Zao Fu had chosen were not ordinary creatures, as they crossed mountains and forded rivers as easily as walking on level ground.
At that moment, they neighed a few times and ran up the mountain road.
The remnants attempted to stop them but were blocked by the armored warriors, forcing them to helplessly and fearfully watch Zhong Shenxiu's carriage disappear, loudly praying for the deities' forbearance.
Zao Fu gripped the reins, climbing along Kunlun, witnessing countless wondrous flowers, ethereal herbs, celestial pools, and spirit gardens, all resembling a fairyland, leaving him in a daze.
Suddenly, a tiger's roar resounded.
In the sky, the clouds gathered, transforming into the figure of a winged fierce tiger.
It let out a roar, causing the eight Dragon Horses to tremble with fear, nearly collapsing in terror. Zao Fu exerted all his strength, tightly gripping the reins to prevent the carriage from overturning.
"Bold mortals, how dare you trespass Kunlun!"
The winged tigress landed, transforming into a valiant goddess, none other than Lu Wu the Master of Fate!
"Mercy, O goddess, mercy!"
Zao Fu dismounted and immediately knelt.
Zhong Shenxiu kicked the spineless wretch, laughing lightly: "I am the Emperor of Great Zhou, heading westward to witness Kunlun's majesty. Today the sight does not disappoint. I request the goddess to inform the Queen Mother of the West of my desire to meet her!"
Lu Wu the Master of Fate was originally going to sternly refuse, but upon seeing Mu Heavenly Emperor's handsome face, she inexplicably blushed, her heart stirred.
But immediately, recalling the fate of her predecessor and the goddesses such as Green Phoenix Shao Siming, she shuddered all over: "Depart, the Queen Mother sees no outsiders!"
"Don't be hasty... I have a poem. Present it to the Queen Mother. Should she still drive me away, it will not be too late for me to leave then."
Zhong Shenxiu gave Zao Fu another kick: "Prepare the brush and ink!"
Zao Fu immediately brought out a bundle of bamboo slips, along with the brush and ink.
Zhong Shenxiu picked up the brush, pondered for a moment, then with a smile, let the brush flow like a dragon and a serpent.
Lu Wu the Master of Fate curiously came closer and couldn't help but recite:
"How marvelous is Kunlun. The Western regions remain verdant. The creation endows Zhong Shenxiu, partitioning the yin and yang at dawn and dusk. Clouds linger in the bosom, falcons soar back to nest. There'll come a day to scale the summit, and survey all mountains small in view... Indeed, a fine piece, yet not of the traditional style of Feng, Ya, and Song!"
"This is a five-character verse. Present it to the Queen Mother of the West."
Zhong Shenxiu concluded with a smile.
Lu Wu was inclined to say this was against protocol, but seeing Zhong Shenxiu's face, she couldn't bring herself to speak, instead taking the bamboo slip and disappearing like a breeze.
Zao Fu was utterly flabbergasted, his admiration for the emperor rising like the mighty rivers, surging incessantly.
This monarch was indeed bold, daring even to court a goddess!
Before long, Lu Wu the Master of Fate returned, looking somewhat bewildered: "The Queen Mother has decreed to hold a feast in the East King Palace to entertain the Emperor of Zhou!"
A soft sound came from beside, as Zao Fu's jaw dropped so wide it finally dislocated, clutching his jaw, he dared not utter the slightest cry of pain.
The ensuing scenes for Zao Fu were like a dream.
He followed the emperor and the goddess to the highest point of Kunlun Mountain, seeing a palace made of azure jade.
The palace was grand and majestic, entirely emerald, resembling a heavenly abode. Under the sun, it reflected a myriad of colors, mesmerizing all who beheld it.
Upon entering the palace halls, it was filled with goddesses, all charming and enchanting, wearing sheer veils, each possessing unrivaled beauty but exuding an awe-inspiring divine presence.
Though they intentionally restrained it, Zao Fu was pressure-bound nearly to crawl forward.
Many Masters of Fate had already prepared the banquet, with jade nectar, fairy wine, and Yaochi peaches, each brimming with celestial essence.
Zhong Shenxiu seated himself, poured a drink for himself and drank it: "Good wine!" Googlᴇ search N()velFire.net
"If the Emperor enjoys it, why not have a few more cups?"
Naturally, the Queen Mother of the West presided over the regal seat in the hall.
Zao Fu dared not raise his head, but from an occasional glimpse, he knew she was an extraordinarily splendid and dazzling woman.
At this moment, only to hear the Queen Mother of the West give a light laugh, she actually descended from her throne and personally came to the Emperor's side to pour him a drink: "The Emperor's poem is truly excellent. Please enjoy this cup to the fullest!"
"Thank you, Queen Mother!"
Zhong Shenxiu drank it all in one go again, both appearing content and at ease, with the surrounding Masters of Fate and goddesses serving attentively.
This scene left Zao Fu deeply admiring from head to toe.
After the wine had flowed greatly, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly sighed, his face showing a trace of sorrow.
The Queen Mother of the West inquired, "Why does the Emperor worry?"
"I lament that humans are like mayflies, born in the morning and perishing by night, living in mundanity, unable to attain liberation... while the goddess and other deities can achieve immortality, like clouds and mud, incomparable, thus I feel ashamed and sigh..."
Zhong Shenxiu replied seemingly candidly.