Volume One, Chapter Ten: Treasured Artifacts and the Heavenly Sutra? Without striving, you have nothing.

Chapter Ten: Treasured Utensils and Celestial Suddha? If You Don’t Compete, You Get Nothing

Just as Tu Zhe’s stomach began to rumble with thunder, the belly of the lightning boy, Qin Lei, started to growl as well.

Hungry, of course, they needed something to eat. Beside them, Dog barked, “Bring out the treasured utensils, bring them out! Didn’t you say that the utensils of Mount Sumeru naturally produce Celestial Suddha and Celestial Suddha wine? Bring them here! My Rogue Bro and Lightning-Strike-No-Compensation Little Lei Lei need to fill their bellies...”

Jin Mu and Jin Si, the two brothers, just stood there, unable to say a word. Their expressions held all the bitterness and embarrassment imaginable.

The Yaksha chief, Shodora, simply turned his ugly face to the back of his head, showing Dog nothing but the back of his skull, as if to say, “This has nothing to do with me.”

Dog looked at them and asked, “So what’s this supposed to mean? No treasured utensils? No Celestial Suddha?”

Jin Mu cleared his throat awkwardly and, with a bitter smile, explained to Dog, Tu Zhe, and Qin Lei the reason behind it all.

It turned out that on this Mount Sumeru, the meals of the Celestial beings were quite different from those of the mortal world. There were two kinds: coarse and subtle foods. The coarse foods were eaten, such as Celestial Suddha and Celestial Suddha wine. The subtle foods involved applying wondrous ointments to the skin, allowing the body and pores to absorb energy.

There were two ways to produce Celestial Suddha. One was through utensils allocated to the Celestial Kings, sons and daughters of the heavens—such as purple-gold bowls and crystal goblets—which naturally generated Celestial Suddha and wine for their use at any time.

However, the problem lay with these utensils.

These utensils came from the Workshop of Marvelous Artisans. According to the rules, all utensils used by Indra, the thirty-two lesser Celestial Kings, and the sons and daughters of heaven should be crafted by the master artisan of the Workshop. But that was only how it should be, not how it must be. The brothers Jin Mu and Jin Si, as lesser kings, should have had such utensils. But they were outsiders, so the Workshop’s stewards gave them only the failed products made by apprentice artisans—useless things that produced nothing at all. The brothers dared not protest. For food, drink, or ointments, they had no choice but to go to the Myriad Fragrance Feeding Grounds for their share.

Even there, the Celestial Suddha was divided into grades.

According to the Hammurabi Code, Celestial Suddha and wine were divided into superior, medium, and inferior kinds: the first kind, pure white, with three thousand pieces of Suddha or three thousand goblets of Suddha wine, could provide the strength of a dragon. Such food was never for the millions of common Celestials; in the words of the Code, “Those of surpassing merit have Suddha that is pure and white,” reserved for the blessed and fortunate.

The second kind, red, as the Code says, “Those in the midst of reward have Suddha that is somewhat red.” Ten thousand pieces or goblets would provide a dragon’s strength.

The third, black, is for those of low merit, as the Code says, “Among the sons of heaven, those of lesser fortune have Suddha that is somewhat black.” Only fifteen thousand pieces or goblets would provide the strength of an elephant.

The white Suddha and wine were mainly supplements for Indra and his kin, and the lesser Celestial Kings. If there were guests and the utensils couldn’t produce enough, or if the household was large, the Feeding Grounds would supply the rest. The red kind was for sons and daughters of heaven and favored, high-ranking servants. The black was the staple of the multitudes.

By rights, Jin Mu and Jin Si, as Celestial Kings, should have received the white Suddha and wine. But that was not guaranteed. Not only did their issued utensils fail to produce Suddha and wine, but even at the Feeding Grounds, it depended on the steward’s mood. If he’d slept poorly the night before and you came today asking for red, he’d say, “Sorry, we’re out. Want black? If not, hurry up, because even that’s running low.”

Jin Mu gave a brief account, then spread his hands with a bitter smile. “Sons, that’s just how things are. You’ll get used to it, you’ll get used to it...”

As Qin Lei listened, his face turned so red it nearly bled, his nostrils venting dragon-like steam, lightning flashing deep in his eyes—a truly intimidating sight.

Dog, meanwhile, waved his little paw and barked in a childish voice, “Violence! Only violence brings true fairness and justice—!”

Tu Zhe, however, lowered his head, deep in thought. He simply sat cross-legged on the ground, resting his chin in his hand and squinting.

Jin Mu noticed his son seemed unusual, ignoring questions and sitting quietly, while Dog brandished his claws. Only then did he recall this dog had been born alongside him, a natural tagalong, mysterious to the core. He bent down and quietly asked, “Hey, Lei Lei’s dog sister, where did you come from? Who’s your family...?”

Dog cast him a sidelong glance. “None of your business. Who do you think you are? America? Hmph!”

Jin Mu’s face flushed bright red. Though offended, one can hardly argue with a dog, can one? In any case, you get used to everything in time.

Jin Si fumed nearby, but what could he do about the Feeding Grounds steward or the Workshop steward?

Shodora muttered to himself, thinking the Celestial Prince’s pet was no ordinary dog—best be careful not to offend. But why was the Celestial Prince just sitting there in a daze?

In truth, everyone was watching Tu Zhe. His eyes would narrow to slits, then his brows would arch sharply, his expression constantly shifting.

At last, Tu Zhe raised his head, let go of his chin, and looked coolly at Jin Mu. “Father, did you say there’s a code here called the Hammurabi Code? The set of rules all colors and ranks of deities on Mount Sumeru must obey? Where can I find it?”

At this, Jin Si flicked his hand, and a golden light shot into Tu Zhe’s forehead. “This wisp of divine consciousness contains the entire Hammurabi Code. Absorb it.”

Suddenly, a wealth of knowledge flooded Tu Zhe’s mind, quickly becoming familiar. He couldn’t help recalling his hard days cramming for college entrance exams in his previous life. Compared to this, earthly students had it rough—what a tragic contrast.

Tu Zhe broke into a smile, stood up, and looked around at the others. “Why are you all staring at me? Where is the Workshop of Marvelous Artisans? Shodora, bring my father’s broken crystal goblet, and come with me to reason with them.”

Shodora nearly tripped in fright. “Young master, I dare not! You are lord, I am servant, such propriety cannot be discarded...”

Tu Zhe stepped forward and patted Shodora’s shoulder. “From now on, I’ll call you Brother Sho. You’ve worked hard guarding my father’s palace. As for propriety and rank, within the Four Seas, all are brothers. All beings are equal—not just my words. Come, lead the way...”

With that, he turned and strode toward the palace gates.

Shodora stood stunned, trembling, tears welling up. The young master had called him brother—this day the Celestial Palace shone upon him! Even if it cost him his life, he’d go reason with those scoundrels. He hurriedly dashed to the gate and led the way: “This way, young master...”

Dog nestled in Tu Zhe’s arms, eyes sparkling, raising a little paw in a tiny fist. “Yeah, Rogue Bro’s the coolest...”

Qin Lei’s eyes flashed with electric light as he strode after his newfound elder brother.

Jin Mu and Jin Si exchanged glances. Jin Mu wanted to stop them, but Jin Si sneered, “If you’re scared, don’t go!” Then, with a grim face, he chased after them.

Jin Mu gritted his teeth for a long moment. No face either way—could he let his son stand up for him while he cowered? With a huff, he too hurried after them.

As they went, Shodora glanced back. “Young master, let’s ride the clouds. The Workshop isn’t far, but it’s over a thousand yojanas away—over eleven thousand kilometers, not far at all.”

Tu Zhe had nothing to say—could he fly, too?

Shodora told him it was an innate divine power among Celestials, as ordinary as walking for mortals.

Tu Zhe felt a twinge of regret, but also a thrill. Everyone could do it, but flying must be delightful.

So they mounted great clouds and soared through the sky. Tu Zhe asked them to go slowly so everyone could watch, and Shodora realized the young master wanted to make a scene—his heart beat with excitement.

Along the way, they flew past the Gardens of the Thirty-Two Celestial Kings, swept past the gates of the lesser Celestial Palaces, and naturally attracted attention. Many Yaksha guards watched in surprise as Tu Zhe’s party, exuding an air of confrontation, sped toward the Workshop. Whispers spread among the crowds.

“Isn’t that Shodora up front? Aren’t those two behind him Celestial sons? Never seen them before...”

“Are you blind? Those two are the sons of Lou Su, the little Celestial Kings. Could it be...?”

“You’re right. Didn’t we just see dazzling light from King Jin’s palace? Those two at the front must be the newly born princes.”

“I think so. But what are they planning? They don’t look happy...”

“Do Jin’s brothers have the guts to stir up trouble? They’ve kept a low profile for years. Has fatherhood made them bolder?”

“Looks like they’re going to make a fuss. Look, brother, can you take my shift today? I’ll cover for you next time, all right? I need to go see what’s going on...”

Behind Tu Zhe, more and more people gathered—first Yakshas, then idle Celestial sons, then Celestial princesses and concubines chattering from balconies and towers. Soon, even some of the less fortunate little Celestial Kings drifted over, having heard the news.

Excitement was in the air. The long, dull days were fading away.

As they flew, Tu Zhe whispered to Dog in his arms, “Dog, I just got a body—I don’t even know what divine powers I have. You seem to know everything. Tell me, what can I do?”

Dog preened. “Of course I know everything! For you, Rogue Bro, there are some innate powers at least. For example, you can fly effortlessly, change your size at will, alter your skin color, and you don’t have to worry about any, uh, bodily functions anymore. For now, that’s pretty much it...”

Flying was great! Tu Zhe had just begun to enjoy the idea when something felt off. “Hey, Dog, don’t I have any combat powers?”

Dog rolled his eyes. “Brother, you’ve only been born an hour. Even if you want to learn, there’s plenty of time, right?”

Tu Zhe muttered, “Looks like I’ll have to rely on my old ‘Butcher’s Pig-Dissection Technique’ for now. Dog, once this is over, you have to find me some real skills, hear me?”

Dog tossed his head. “No problem...”

Inside the Workshop of Marvelous Artisans, the steward Molesha was trading with a group of handmaidens. Molesha provided them with pure white Celestial Suddha and wine; in return, they offered him certain long-term special services.

Molesha was pleased. As long as a treasured utensil stayed with him for a day, he could produce endless delicious Celestial Suddha and wine. These handmaidens—only the thirty-three Celestial Kings and Celestial sons could touch them. Now, in his hands... Well, he was more powerful than most lords. Who said servants could never rise above their station?

Just as Molesha was savoring the sensation of a handmaiden wriggling on his lap, a thunderous shout erupted outside the workshop:

“Molesha, come out here—!”