Chapter 432: Chapter 389, Proposing Heavenly Rules
"""Jie Yin said, "Junior brother, did you really mean that just now?"
Zhunti smiled and said, "I meant nothing in particular; it was just an arbitrary gesture.
The meaning Ran Deng took from it is what he deeply desires in his heart, his own answer."
Jie Yin shook his head slightly and said, "Although I’m not adept at scheming, even I can tell that Ran Deng is no match for Shakyamuni."
Zhunti thought for a moment and said, "Jin Naluo!"
A white-clothed Jin Naluo walked in from outside, bowed his head with palms pressed together, and said respectfully, "Greetings to the Buddha!"
"Jin Naluo, you possess the root of wisdom and may go to become a disciple of Shakyamuni in Small Mahayana Buddhism."
Jin Naluo looked up, shocked, and said, "Buddha, I am your servant, how can I leave you?"
Zhunti smiled and said, "Go! With your great aspirations and profound wisdom, how can you hide from the world? Your future is with Small Mahayana Buddhism, and in time you may also seek a revered position."
"The disciple fears that Shakyamuni Buddha may not accept me."
"Shakyamuni has great aspirations and great wisdom, he will surely not refuse you; just go to him."
Jin Naluo bowed with hands together, responded with a low voice, "Yes! I shall obey the command," and respectfully withdrew.
...
Subsequently, for tens of millions of years, there were no significant events in the Three Realms, and the Human Clan welcomed a period of rapid development, while undercurrents surged within the Western Sect.
The constant clashes between Mahayana Buddhism and Small Mahayana Buddhism, coupled with the clandestine interventions of ancient Buddhas like Pharmacist, Mahasthamaprapta, and Mile, muddied the waters. Even with Shakyamuni’s past experience contending with Bai Jin, it was hard for him to subdue Mahayana Buddhism quickly.
During this time, Taoism flourished. With hints from Bai Jin, not only were The Three Pure Ones enshrined in Taoist temples, but shrine rooms also honored the gods of the Heavenly Court, spreading their glorious reputation throughout the Three Realms, revered by all living beings.
Day after day, the Great Sun shone upon the Heavenly Court, casting its glittering golden light.
Inside the Palace of the Polestar, the Heavenly Emperor sat high on the main throne, with civil and martial officials arrayed beneath him, as immortal and auspicious energies swirled grandly.
Below the Heavenly Emperor stood four imperial figures, on the three imperial seats sat Eastern Qinghua Emperor, Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, Emperor Changsheng of the Southern Pole, with only Emperor Gouchen of the Western Extreme missing.
Emperor Haotian looked over the All Immortals below, and with a majestic voice asked, "Why has Emperor Gouchen not arrived?"
Zhao Gongming stepped forward and said respectfully, "May the Great Venerable be informed, Emperor Gouchen is in seclusion comprehending the Heaven and Earth Laws and cannot come; please forgive him, Great Venerable!"
Emperor Ziwei turned to Zhao Gongming and said authoritatively, "As far as I know, Emperor Gouchen is sleeping soundly outside the Bird’s Nest, neglecting his duties!"
Zhao Gongming glanced at Emperor Ziwei and calmly said, "That’s Emperor Jun’s way of seclusion; you see him sleeping soundly, while I see him contemplating the profound truths of Heaven and Earth. You were but a mortal before death, can you understand the mysteries of cultivation?"
"You~" Emperor Ziwei looked at Zhao Gongming, infuriated, how dare a mere Law Enforcement Celestial challenge the authority of a Great Emperor.
Zhao Gongming was indifferent to Emperor Ziwei’s anger, thinking how could a mere Daluo Golden Immortal dare to display the authority of a Great Emperor before me, ha ha~ it would make a Quasi-Saint laugh.
A majestic voice from the Heavenly Emperor rose, "Emperor Gouchen has worked hard in his cultivation, Gold Star Taibai~"
Gold Star Taibai stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty!"
"Take ten bottles of Jade Liquid and deliver them to Emperor Gouchen."
Gold Star Taibai replied respectfully, "As you command!"
Emperor Ziwei turned his head sharply, incredulously looking at the Jade Emperor, you actually believe such a preposterous excuse? A chill rose in his heart; the court was so negligent, the Heavenly Court is unworthy!
The grand voice of the Heavenly Emperor sounded again, "My esteemed subjects, is there anything to report?"
The All Gods bowed in unison, their powerful voices rose, "Your Majesty’s blessing, peace reigns over the Three Realms!"
"""
Heavenly Emperor Haotian laughed heartily and said, "Under the operation of all gods, the Three Realms are in good order, such is truly wonderful! All gods have merited praise."
"All due to Your Majesty’s meritorious governance." The gods respectfully said.
Heavenly Emperor Haotian smiled and said, "Since there are no pressing matters, you may all disperse!"
The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have matters to report!"
Heavenly Emperor Haotian immediately regained his composure and said, "What is the matter, Emperor Changsheng?"
The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity solemnly said, "Your Majesty, ever since the Divine Enthronement, the gods have grown increasingly negligent, forgetting their duties. I propose that the Heavenly Court establish strict Heavenly Rules to restrain the gods."
"What?"
"How could this be!"
"Such a vicious mind."
...
Before Heavenly Emperor Haotian could state his position, the gods below had already started a tumult, glaring angrily at Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole.
Eastern Qinghua Emperor also stood up, and with an imposing manner, said, "What the Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity has said is very true, I am willing to take charge of the Heavenly Rules to constrain the gods."
Heavenly Emperor Haotian slightly furrowed his brows, and asked, "Judicial Celestial, have the gods indeed been lax?"
Zhao Gongming stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the gods have just assumed their divine positions and still need time to adapt. Although some are indeed slack, no mistakes have been made, the order of the Three Realms is the proof. From the perspective of a Lower God, there is no need for additional Heavenly Rules since Heavenly Rules already exist. Excessive rules would only cause the Heavenly Court to fall into a stifling silence, leading to panic among the gods."
The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity turned to look at Zhao Gongming and said sternly, "Judicial Celestial, do not let your affiliation with Jie Sect Disciples bias your judgement; the responsibilities of the Heavenly Court are of great significance."
Zhao Gongming also spoke solemnly, "There is no need for the Emperor’s reminder, as the head of the Judicial Temple, I am well aware of my duties."
Heavenly Emperor Haotian waved his hand and said, "We will discuss this matter further later, the court is adjourned."
"Yes!" The gods bowed and turned to leave in succession.
The three great emperors exchanged glances, and in a flash, vanished without a trace.
In the now empty Palace of the Polestar, Emperor Haotian murmured, "I knew they wouldn’t rest easy." His figure faded and disappeared.
In a garden, the figures of the three great emperors appeared and sat around a round table.
Emperor Ziwei spoke seriously, "My imperial brothers, you should not have relented just now. We should have taken this chance to push through the enactment of the Heavenly Rules. Only by controlling the Heavenly Rules can we possess the authority to command all gods."
Eastern Qinghua Emperor said leisurely, "The Great Venerable wouldn’t agree to it now."
Emperor Ziwei asked puzzledly, "Why not?"
"Because of Bai Jin."
"Emperor Gouchen? He, like us, is one of the Four Imperials. If we join forces, what could he possibly do?"
The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity said with a smile, "Before your divine enthronement, you were a mortal, so it’s normal for you not to know Bai Jin."
Qinghua Emperor spoke gravely, "Bai Jin is not like us. His foundation in the Heavenly Court is profound. Even some of the Great Venerable’s decisions are influenced by his opinions."
Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole frowned and said, "Brother, if Bai Jin intervenes, could it affect the establishment of the Heavenly Rules?"
Eastern Qinghua Emperor pondered and said, "I’m unsure, but it doesn’t matter. If not now, there will be other opportunities. It’s when the gods develop lethargy that we become the ones upholding principles."
The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity nodded.
The Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole and the Eastern Qinghua Emperor, asking and answering, chatted away on various topics.