Volume One, Chapter Fifty-Three: Scheming for the Fire Qilin

Chapter Fifty-Three: Scheming for the Fire Qilin

Mara-vasu pointed at Tu Zhe and said, “Come, meet your new leader, Emperor Tu Zhe. From now on, you’ll be following him. Mind your manners, don’t get on his bad side, understood?”

The three demonesses immediately bowed to Tu Zhe, their eyes fluttering with flirtation as they stole glances at him, whispering amongst themselves.

“Lotus leaf, what a heartthrob our little emperor is...” came a lingering, melodious sigh—undoubtedly the voice of the demoness of Desire.

“Hehe, I bet our little emperor is still pure, isn’t he? This leader is worth more than any other, hehehe...” giggled the demoness of Pleasure.

“Oh my, what a sturdy little emperor! Such health and vigor, truly a treasure, makes me crave him. You two better not try to snatch him from me...” declared the demoness of Greed, her possessiveness plain.

Nearby, the daughters of Mou Xiulou Tuo blushed in embarrassment. The little dog’s brows shot up and, bristling with indignation, leaped from Tu Zhe’s embrace, hovering in the air, ready to teach these three vixens a lesson.

Seeing this, Mara-vasu’s face darkened with irritation. “Could you girls, please, mind your behavior? Have some sense of occasion! You’re making all of Free Heaven lose face...”

Doggy stood akimbo in midair, pointing at the three demonesses and shrilling,

“You—and you—and you, you little hussies! If you’re to be bodyguards for my brother, then you’ll be proper bodyguards! If you dare act wanton or shameless, at best you’ll get the pan-fried treatment, at worst I’ll gouge eyes, smash noses, tear mouths, yank ears, and spank butts, got it—?”

The three demonesses burst into laughter. “And who are you, dripping with jealousy? Don’t tell us you’ve fallen for our little leader?”

Hehe...

Hahaha...

Tu Zhe caught the incensed doggy, who was about to unleash her powers in a rage. He cast a calm glance at the women—just a single, indifferent look, but the divine pressure in his eyes made the three demonesses instantly pale, their laughter dying away.

Tu Zhe’s voice was steady. “Doggy is my sister. Her words are mine. If she is displeased, so am I.”

The three demonesses shuddered. Clearly, this Queen of Hell held a high place in the little leader’s heart—best not to make an enemy of her lightly.

Doggy swelled with pride and crowed, “Did you hear that? Upset me, and you’ll all be stripped and spanked, hmph!”

The three beauties fumed inwardly. For all our demonic might, we’re still scolded like this? Hmph! Just wait for your chance, they thought, dark plans forming.

Mou Xiulou Tuo ordered his daughters to prepare a feast. Delicacies of the Celestial Mustard Tree, immortal wines, and a dazzling array of heavenly fruits and vegetables were served. Song and dance filled the air, music flowed thrice through the hall, entertaining Mara-vasu, his disciple, and the three demonesses.

During the banquet, Mou Xiulou Tuo asked, “Young Tu, what are your plans for the next step?”

Tu Zhe considered for a moment. “The next step is to obtain the Fire Qilin and forge the Furnace of Creation. Without it, even the finest materials can’t be refined. If I want to achieve the Immortal Demon Body, it could take endless ages otherwise. This is the most urgent task.”

Mara-vasu pondered. “To get the Fire Qilin, you must journey to the Three Polar Mansions in the Arctic. The Fire God Zhu Rong serves under the Flame Emperor Chi Xiao Nu—one of the Five Emperors (not the Divine Farmer Emperor, but perhaps a descendant)—and resides on the Southern Star, Vermilion Bird, among the Five Emperors’ Stars in the Taiwei Mansion.

“I have met Zhu Rong. He is a cold and selfish deity, difficult to approach. Gaining the Fire Qilin from him will not be easy.”

Tu Zhe nodded. “I am unfamiliar with the Arctic’s terrain; there may be complications. But it’s said that the Three Mansions—Ziwei, Taiwei, and Tianshi—were all places where our Jambudvipa ancestors ascended to godhood. At least in appearance, I won’t attract attention. I’ll adapt as I go.”

Mara-vasu said, “I’ll send you the star maps for the Three Mansions, the Four Symbols, the Twenty-Eight Constellations, and the Thirty-Two Celestial Stars directly into your mind. As for how to get there, flying is far too slow—it would take centuries, if not longer. Luckily, we have a spatial wormhole here that connects to that region; you’ll arrive in an instant.”

Mou Xiulou Tuo added, “It’s said the Tianshi Mansion is the most famous celestial market in all the heavens and worlds. All sorts of worlds trade there through wormholes, and you’ll find exotic treasures from distant worlds. Don’t miss out—perhaps you’ll find materials for your Immortal Demon Body.”

Tu Zhe nodded in agreement.

Mara-vasu teased, “As for your spending money, that’s the least of my worries. I’m poorer than you now. You still have twenty-nine Sovereign-Grade Brahma Crystals. But remember, never trade them lightly. Few things are worth exchanging for a Sovereign-Grade crystal, and you mustn’t flaunt your wealth. If word gets out you have them, you may not make it back, you hear me?”

Tu Zhe smiled and nodded.

The demoness of Greed licked her lips, her eyes glowing green. “Oh, so many Sovereign-Grade crystals...”

Mara-vasu continued, “In the pagoda in your ring, you also have a thousand Divine-Grade Brahma Crystals; twenty thousand of each quality of Imperial-Grade crystals; one hundred thousand of each quality of Saint-Grade crystals; and countless lesser crystals. You could even buy an entire star lord’s domain if you wished...”

Tu Zhe asked Mara-vasu to break the seals on the layers of the pagoda. Mara-vasu ignored him. “Your divine sense is stronger than mine. Why should I help you? Just blast the seals with your mind.”

Tu Zhe followed the advice; under the assault of his divine consciousness, the seals were shattered as if they were nothing. Now, he could use the treasures in the pagoda without hindrance.

Mara-vasu sent the star maps of the Three Polar Mansions, the Four Symbols, the Twenty-Eight Constellations, and Thirty-Two Celestial Heavens into Tu Zhe’s mind. “Remember the upcoming Grand Martial and Literary Tournament for the youth of the Desire Realm. Don’t miss it—I’m counting on you to bring me glory, understand?

“But before you go to the Three Mansions, you must visit Mapa Imperial City and find your godfather, King Rahu the Asura, whom you’ve never met. Learn his ‘Sun Obscuring’ magic, so you can evade the great thief Mani Ashu’s divinatory arts. Otherwise, I can’t rest at ease no matter where you go. As for Rahu, you’ll have to visit him yourself. Most of the lords of the Thirty-Three Heavens have fought the Asuras, so it would be awkward for me to go...”

Meanwhile, Huluzhena was still sulking. Though he’d sworn to focus on his cultivation, his anger at Tu Zhe left him restless. His subordinates reported that there was no movement along the crystal wall system between Renlitian and Yemotian, which they watched closely.

Huluzhena gnashed his teeth. “You little brat, don’t even think of coming back. If you do, I’ll make sure you ride a plane straight to the Great Yaksha Kingdom—let you taste what it’s like to be hunted everywhere.”

In recent days, Huluzhena had secretly contacted Ban Zhela, the command envoy under the Northern Vaisravana King, one of the Four Great Heavenly Kings. He tasked him to reach the Yaksha assassin organization, ‘The Phantom Court,’ to hire a hitman. The deal had been struck, and Huluzhena had already paid a fortune in rare treasures.

Just then, the subordinate overseeing the crystal wall system between the third and fourth heavens came to report: Tu Zhe had descended from Yemotian.

A wicked grin spread over Huluzhena’s face. “Notify the Phantom Court—they are to stand ready for orders, and remember: as agreed, no action is to be taken in Renlitian!”