Wu Ji finished reporting, and Hao Tian was very pleased. Just look at this—one word, and the newly established Buddhism is already working for me!
However, he didn’t summon Guanyin immediately. Instead, he held a meeting!
This time, as he embarked on an imperial expedition to purge demons, Hao Tian decided that every step of the process would be performed with great pomp and ceremony to showcase his majesty as the Heavenly Emperor!
Hao Tian organized the spectacle on an unprecedented scale, and even Nezha—who originally had no intention of attending—was forcibly summoned.
Thus, Guanyin witnessed a somewhat absurd scene. She and her companions waited outside, while immortals and gods streamed past them, entering the Palace of the Polestar one by one.
Among them, there were quite a few familiar faces.
Guanyin couldn’t comprehend Hao Tian’s strategy. What was he up to? Was he trying to give the newly established Buddhism a demonstration of dominance?
Her originally gentle expression suddenly turned stern.
When Nezha arrived with Yang Jian and others, he saw Guanyin looking serious, as if preparing for a confrontation. With a little thought, he understood the situation, but he offered no explanation.
Instead, as he passed by, he winked at Guanyin and discreetly handed her a string of Buddhist prayer beads that had been handled personally by Saint Zhunti.
This item, while not a magical treasure, held strong symbolic significance. Being a personal possession of a saint, imbued with their aura, the beads were anything but ordinary.
Guanyin nodded slightly to Nezha, then closed her eyes and began reciting Buddhist scriptures.
Nezha returned to his seat, his expression solemn, his face tense, devoid of his usual carefree demeanor. The other immortal gods were bewildered by his behavior.
When even Emperor Ziwei appeared solemn, everyone assumed the matter was serious and began to put on airs accordingly.
Hao Tian observed the immortal homes adopting a posture of readiness and secretly nodded in satisfaction. Clearly, with just a minor display on his part, wouldn’t these people all bow to his will without a fight?
He subtly signaled Taibai Gold Star, who immediately understood and announced loudly, "Summon Guanyin Bodhisattva for an audience!"
Guanyin, waiting outside, became even more certain of Hao Tian’s intent to give her a demonstration of dominance.
She stepped forward into the Palace of the Polestar, refraining from bowing. Instead, she performed a Buddhist salutation and said, "This humble nun, Guanyin, greets Your Majesty!"
Behind her, the crimson-clad Yan Zhi outright refused to perform any courtesy. She merely stood firm, as she was here to assist, not to pay homage.
Besides, she wasn’t afraid of Hao Tian at all.
As for the Dream-eating Rhinoceros, its natural posture was already lying down, so whether it had acted courteously or not was up for debate.
Hao Tian’s expression darkened in an instant.
He glanced around, hoping for backup, but his mouthpiece, General Juanlian, had been demoted to the mortal world. All he could do was shoot a look at Taibai Gold Star.
Taibai Gold Star, being exceedingly shrewd, had observed Guanyin and Nezha’s interaction at the entrance. How could he betray his good friend and bully his friend’s disciple-in-law at this critical moment?
"I don’t know anything, I saw nothing."
Hao Tian exerted pressure with his expression, while Guanyin lowered her gaze, quietly holding the prayer beads Nezha had just given her as she murmured Buddhist chants.
The aura of a saint in the Primordial realm was akin to a beacon piercing the darkness. Hao Tian took a deep breath and transferred the pressure to Yan Zhi behind her.
Yan Zhi, as a Blood God’s child, was naturally unafraid of death. However, she was here to help, and Guanyin couldn’t let Hao Tian target her. If Guanyin ignored the situation, who would come to help the Heavenly Court in the future?
Moreover, it would affect Nezha’s reputation too.
"Amitabha Buddha, Your Majesty, we are here to help the Heavenly Court search for the Demon World’s entrance, not to witness Your Majesty’s displays of dominance. If Your Majesty continues, we’ll take our leave!"
These words, coming from Guanyin, were already quite heavy.
Hao Tian found himself in an awkward position.
"I am the Heavenly Emperor, your elder, shouldn’t you show me some respect? Do you not understand the importance of social niceties?"
Guanyin didn’t care. After all, she wasn’t part of the Heavenly Court’s bureaucracy, nor did Hao Tian pay her salary. Why should she show him respect after being slighted?
Hao Tian signaled furiously, but one by one, the immortals ignored him, hanging their heads as if dead to the world.
Even Wen Zhong, who carried considerable weight, considered intervening but was quickly silenced by a glare from Yin Shou above.
The old man glanced around but ultimately said nothing. Although he hailed from the Jie Sect, and despite being nominally under Yin Shou’s command, he harbored deep guilt toward Yin Shou.
He believed his actions right, yet it was undeniable that the Great Shang had hastened toward destruction because of him.
And so, even here in the Heavenly Court, he deferred to Yin Shou.
In the end, it was Nezha who stepped forward.
"Eradicating demons is the priority. Your Majesty should not concern yourself with trivial matters."
Hao Tian’s expression finally faltered. So, in conclusion, am I the only one thought to be acting foolishly?
Nezha ignored Hao Tian’s expression and turned to Ci Hang, saying, "Your Majesty is merely eager to vanquish demons. I humbly ask the Great Being to show compassion and refrain from blame."
Guanyin’s stern demeanor shifted, and she smiled, saying, "All will proceed according to Emperor Ziwei’s orders."
Taibai Gold Star watched their interaction and couldn’t help but smirk. "Anyone who says there’s nothing going on between these two must be lying!"
"The immediate priority is how to locate the Demon World’s entrance. Your Majesty should issue a reward. If the Great Being can assist, the promised compensation may even be doubled."
"Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?"
Hao Tian nearly ground his back teeth to dust but, to maintain his dignity as Heaven’s ruler, feigned indifference and said, "Indeed."
Guanyin inclined her head slightly and replied, "I thank Your Majesty."
After all, who could resist money?
Thereafter, Yan Zhi and the Dream-eating Rhinoceros were introduced, along with their methods for finding the Demon World’s entrance.
Hao Tian nodded slightly after listening, despite losing a considerable amount of spiritual materials. Their approach was undeniably reliable.
Once the terms were settled, he shook off his defeat and stood tall, declaring with great confidence, "The Demon World’s offense against the Heavenly Court heralds its demise. As the Daoist Ancestor’s appointed ruler of the Primordial Three Realms, I cannot allow the Demon Dao to run rampant. Now..."
To give credit where it’s due, Hao Tian’s righteous proclamation, with his bushy brows, small tiger mustache, and commanding air, did make him look quite impressive. By contrast, Nezha still retained his youthful appearance, which carried an inexplicable air of unreliability.
With plenty of grand rhetoric out of the way, they finally got down to business.
"Wen Zhong, I command you to lead ten thousand Thunder Department troops to join me in battle!"
"I accept the decree."
"Three Altars Sea Meeting God, I appoint you as the vanguard to purge the demons and follow me to war!"
"I accept the decree."
Hao Tian distributed commands, summoning named immortals and gods to accompany him. After waiting for a long time, Nezha realized not a single member of his faction had been assigned.
Well, not entirely—he ended up with a logistical duty.
Fine, if that’s how you want to play it.
After the grand assembly, Nezha left with an indifferent expression, taking his people with him. As he passed Guanyin, he whispered a few instructions and continued on without further concern.
Despite his displeasure, Nezha chose to adhere to the rules. This was protocol.
If I’m not going, fine—it’s not like the Demon World doesn’t have some of Luo Hou’s tricks hidden away!
Are you really so confident you’ll win?
Nezha returned to his quarters to cultivate.
He handed over the logistical tasks to Yang Jian.
After all, Yang Jian was more experienced in handling such affairs.
And thus, the Heavenly Court embarked on its first military campaign since the Divine Enthronement.