The Heavenly Court, Lord Jun Cai’s Divine Hall.
Today, there was special joy!
Countless strands of incense smoke, like raindrops, came flying into the hall.
They illuminated the once-silent ancient bronze cauldron, making it shimmer with brilliant light.
The cauldron was surrounded by divine radiance, transforming into colorful auspicious clouds that gently enveloped the entire hall!
The desolate atmosphere of the past had long since been swept away.
In its place was a scene of renewed vitality and flourishing incense offerings.
At that moment, from the distant directions of various celestial mansions, dozens of auspicious clouds drifted over.
It turned out that many immortals were riding the clouds together, arriving in a group.
“Lord Jun Cai, your incense offerings are so prosperous today—truly a cause for celebration!”
Above the clouds, Lord Thunder and Mother Lightning were the first to descend, cupping their hands in greeting and speaking with voices like booming bells.
“You two are too kind.”
Lord Jun Cai’s divine form shimmered with radiant light, his face barely able to conceal his smile.
He made a welcoming gesture with his hand: “I’ve prepared some modest wine inside. Please, come in and enjoy yourselves.”
“In that case, this humble immortal won’t refuse.”
Lord Thunder and Mother Lightning were then led into the hall by the celestial attendants.
“Lord Jun Cai!”
Another call came, and a large group of immortals arrived on clouds, slowly descending before the hall.
“So it’s the Twenty-Eight Mansions—welcome, fellow Daoists!”
Lord Jun Cai beamed as he stepped forward to greet them.
Both sides exchanged formal salutes.
Kui Mulang pointed at the incense-filled cauldron in the courtyard and said, “Lord Jun Cai, it’s been just a few days, but you’re truly a different person. Looking at the incense in your hall, I’d say there must be hundreds of thousands—maybe even millions—of offerings. It truly makes us envious.”
Lord Jun Cai smiled freely: “Kui, you flatter me. Though the incense is a bit more abundant now, I’m still far behind you all.”
Kui Mulang waved his hand repeatedly: “Lord Jun Cai, you’re too modest. Everyone in the Heavenly Court knows that eighty to ninety percent of all incense goes to those few supreme immortals. What we get is barely scraps. In my opinion, among us twenty-eight brothers, at least half of us combined couldn’t match your prosperity today!”
“Exactly, exactly!”
The other Mansions behind him—Jiao Mujiao, Kang Jinlong, Di Tulou, and the rest—all chimed in agreement.
“By the way, Lord Jun Cai,” Mao Ri Xingguan stepped forward and cupped his hands, “I heard that you recently formed a sworn brotherhood with someone in the mortal world. I wonder if today’s flourishing incense has anything to do with this brother of yours?”
Lord Jun Cai nodded openly: “Indeed. My sworn brother does have some skill. Today’s prosperity is all thanks to his help.”
“Oh? There’s such an able person in the mortal world? He must be someone who’s established his own temple and shrine. Might I ask, Lord Jun Cai—is this sworn brother of yours from a noble family, or perhaps of royal blood?”
Mao Ri Xingguan pressed further.
Lord Jun Cai shook his head with a smile: “Not at all. My sworn brother comes from an ordinary background. He’s neither from a noble family nor has he founded a temple. But he makes up for it with sharp wit and a resourcefulness that’s second to none!”
At these words, the Twenty-Eight Mansions all broke into murmurs of astonishment, faces filled with disbelief: “There’s such a person in the mortal world!”
“Then it seems Lord Jun Cai has found a fine opportunity.”
“How come we never ran into such a good sworn brother?”
Seeing the envy of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, Lord Jun Cai couldn’t help but feel a touch of pride. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he cupped his hands: “By the way, everyone—my sworn brother is a bit mischievous. If he ever needs to trouble you in the future, I hope you won’t hesitate to offer your guidance.”
These Twenty-Eight Mansions were core members of the Heavenly Court’s [Ministry of War]. Though their ranks weren’t the very highest, each of them possessed immense magical powers.
Lord Jun Cai intended to cultivate these connections, so that if Lu Chen ever needed help, He would have someone to turn to.
“Lord Jun Cai, you’re being too formal! If there’s ever a need, just say the word! We brothers will never refuse.”
“Thank you, fellow Daoists! Please, come inside—I’ve prepared some wine today, and we must drink to our hearts’ content!”
Just as the immortals were about to enter the hall, another divine voice rang out from beyond the heavens:
“Jun Cai, my friend!!”
All the immortals turned to look. In the distant sky, three hundred-foot azure dragons pulled a golden chariot, breaking through the clouds. Golden rain sprinkled around the carriage as it arrived before the hall in the blink of an eye.
The immortals’ expressions turned solemn. They quickly straightened their robes, stepped forward, and bowed: “So it’s Lord Star Lord himself, gracing us with his presence!”
On the dragon chariot, a guardian child opened the curtain. The Water Virtue Star Lord smiled and, in an instant, appeared before the gathered immortals.
Lord Jun Cai hurried over to greet him: “Water Virtue, my friend—what auspicious wind has blown you here today?”
Water Virtue Star Lord laughed heartily: “Jun Cai, your words make it sound like I’m being scolded.”
Lord Jun Cai waved his hands repeatedly: “Wouldn’t dare! Wouldn’t dare!”
Water Virtue Star Lord turned his gaze to the Twenty-Eight Mansions behind him: “All of you, go inside and have a drink first. I have a few words to say to Lord Jun Cai.”
Upon hearing this, the Twenty-Eight Mansions bowed respectfully and filed into the hall one by one.
In no time, only the two venerable deities remained in the courtyard.
Water Virtue Star Lord took Lord Jun Cai’s hand and led him aside: “Lord Jun Cai, don’t hold a grudge against me over what happened last time.”
“Water Virtue, you worry too much. Though the matter in Longhu County had its twists and turns, the outcome was ultimately satisfactory. How could I harbor any resentment?”
“Good, good, good.” Water Virtue Star Lord stroked his beard with a smile, but then his expression dimmed slightly:
“Rest assured, Lord Jun Cai. I’ve ordered the Four Dragon Kings to remain confined to their palaces for a year of reflection, without leave to go out.
The duty of rain-making has been temporarily handed over to other Rain Masters.
Though those four old dragons act arrogantly, they didn’t cross the line in the end.
I couldn’t very well punish them too harshly.
But don’t worry—this matter is settled. I’ve given them a stern warning: if they dare cause trouble again, they will be severely punished!”
Lord Jun Cai gave Water Virtue Star Lord a meaningful look.
Since the other party had already said as much, there wasn’t much more He could say. He cupped his hands and said, “Then I thank you, brother.”
Water Virtue Star Lord nodded, then looked toward the countless streams of incense smoke beyond the heavens and sighed with admiration: “Jun Cai, my friend, that mortal brother of yours really does have some skill. Let alone that miraculous procession from the other day—in such a short time, he’s managed to gather this sea of incense for you. He’s truly a rare talent. When the chance comes, you should introduce him to me as well.”
“Certainly! It would be my unruly brother’s great fortune to receive your favor. When the time is right, I’ll find an opportunity!”
“Good, then it’s settled. Come, let’s go into your hall and have a few cups together!”
The two deities were about to step forward when they suddenly saw a particularly radiant strand of incense fly into the hall.
Lord Jun Cai’s gaze sharpened. He stopped and cupped his hands: “Brother, please go ahead and take your seat. My sworn brother is summoning me—allow me to step away for a moment.”
“Go ahead—I’ll wait for you in the hall.”
Lord Jun Cai nodded slightly, and his form vanished from the hall in an instant.
…
Yunding Mountain Villa, inside the villa.
Lu Chen inserted the incense stick into the cauldron and began to wait quietly…
Before long.
Golden light swirled around the statue of Lord Jun Cai.
“Sworn brother.”
“Elder brother!”
Lu Chen responded, but noticed that Lord Jun Cai’s tone today carried an unusual cheerfulness: “From the sound of your voice, elder brother, has something good happened?”
“You little rascal—don’t you already know?”
“Could it be…” Lu Chen immediately guessed: “The offerings from the people of Longhu County?”
“Exactly. I was wondering why so much incense suddenly came pouring in. I couldn’t reach you, so I asked Huai Lie, and he told me that you had the people of Longhu County build a temple and a golden statue for me, and offer incense. I just didn’t expect the incense to come so quickly—it’s truly beyond my expectations!”
Lu Chen cupped his hands with a smile: “Then I congratulate you, elder brother!”
Lord Jun Cai let out a soft sigh: “It’s all your doing, sworn brother. To be honest, I feel deeply ashamed. I should have been able to keep the Four Dragon Kings from making any reckless moves, but in the end, there were still slip-ups. Fortunately, they knew their place and ultimately didn’t dare to show themselves. But you were wronged and got hurt—are you doing alright now?”
“Since you’ve already asked Old Dragon King Huai Lie, I’m sure you know—he gave me the Four Rivers Dragon Seeds. Your brother is now incredibly strong!”
Lord Jun Cai laughed heartily: “That, Huai Lie didn’t dare hide from me. The Four Rivers Dragon Seeds have extraordinary potential and are worth cultivating. If you guide them toward the [Sea Dragon King Throne] in the future, they’ll likely become a great asset to you. Oh, by the way—just now, Water Virtue Star Lord was drinking in my hall and mentioned the punishment for the Four Dragon Kings. His exact words were: one year of confinement, and he said they won’t cause you any more trouble.
But in my view, those Four Dragon Kings are overbearing and hold grudges. You should still be cautious and stay away from bodies of water as much as possible.
After a year, when they emerge from seclusion, I’ll have my attendants keep watch day and night. If they dare harbor any ill intentions, I won’t let them off!”
As he spoke, the coldness in Lord Jun Cai’s words sent a chill down Lu Chen’s spine.
“Elder brother, your divine power… seems to have grown quite a bit?!”
Lord Jun Cai smiled: “It has grown some. With the merit you sent earlier, plus all this incense now, I feel my divine power recovering quickly.”
Lu Chen clapped his hands: “That’s great! Your divine power returning is wonderful news! My Hell Bank Note business is looking more and more promising!”
Lord Jun Cai also smiled: “Rest assured, sworn brother. With me here, go ahead and do what you need to do! I’ll make sure your path to wealth stays clear! But… you also need to recruit talent in time. In business, going it alone won’t work. No matter how great your fortune, without people to help you, it’ll be hard to handle everything.”
Lu Chen nodded firmly: “I understand that perfectly well. Once this busy stretch is over, I’ll find some talent and expand my business!”
Lord Jun Cai acknowledged with an “mm” and then asked: “By the way, was there anything else you summoned me for today?”
Lu Chen’s expression immediately turned serious: “Yes, elder brother—there is one more thing I’d like to ask for your help with!”
“Don’t be so formal with me—just say it.”
Lu Chen then recounted in full detail the matter of Madam Zheng’s encounter with the Heavenly Killing Intent.
When he got to the words [Heavenly Killing Intent],
Lu Chen suddenly felt an extreme chill wash over him.
It made him shudder violently!
He felt as if the connection between himself and Lord Jun Cai had suddenly frozen, snapping apart in two.
In all his times of offering incense, this had never happened before!
It was highly unusual!
“Oh no!”
Lu Chen’s heart tightened, sensing something ominous.
Sure enough, after a moment, the familiar connection slowly returned.
Lu Chen tentatively asked: “Elder brother, what’s wrong?”
It wasn’t until quite a while later that Lord Jun Cai’s voice came through again.
But the earlier cheerfulness was completely gone, replaced by a gravity unlike anything before.
“Sworn brother, you said these two people are both great benefactors who have done much good for their region?”
“Yes! At least that’s what I’ve heard. Elder brother, is there a way to resolve it?”
“No!!”
To Lu Chen’s utter shock, Lord Jun Cai’s answer this time was firm and absolute.
“There is no way to resolve it! This is Heaven’s will—it’s not that you’re incapable, but that Heaven does not permit it!”
Lord Jun Cai spoke with unprecedented solemnity: “Sworn brother, listen to me. Do not get involved in this matter anymore!”
