Chapter 460: Chapter 415, Bai Jin Gives a Gift
Shi Ji bowed in return and stood up, saying, "Diplomacy God, Emperor Gouchen requests your presence!"
Shen Gong Bao showed a flicker of emotion, and said earnestly, "If it weren’t for the Great Emperor pleading on my behalf in the past, I would still be a mere Water Dividing General in the East Sea. Now that the Emperor summons me, how could I dare not go? Please, Fairy, lead the way!"
Shi Ji extended his hand to beckon and said, "Divine Monarch, please follow me!"
Shen Gong Bao followed Shi Ji through a series of Divine Palaces and arrived in front of the Bird’s Nest.
Shi Ji stood before the Bird’s Nest, turned around, and said, "Divine Monarch, the Emperor awaits you inside the Divine Palace. Please enter. I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave now."
Shen Gong Bao bowed with his fists clasped and said, "Thank you, Fairy!"
Standing upright, Shi Ji had already floated away. Shen Gong Bao straightened his robes, his heart pounding with excitement as he was about to meet the legendary Jie Sect Law Enforcement Captain. Although he had seen him a few times before, this would be their first real exchange.
Shen Gong Bao took a deep breath and walked toward the Bird’s Nest. The doorway rippled as he approached, and his figure disappeared instantly.
Entering the Bird’s Nest, Shen Gong Bao was greeted by lush green trees and blossoming flowers, heavy with fruit, and beautiful birds hopping on the branches, chirping melodiously. It was not the imposing solemnity he had imagined but rather a place of serene natural beauty.
Under the shade of the trees, a massive pond emitted a faint steam, and its turquoise water rippled. A young man sat beside it, flipping through some items.
Shen Gong Bao walked forward, crossing the green-shaded path and stepping onto the cobblestone area, then bowed deeply and said, "Shen Gong Bao pays respects to the Emperor!"
Bai Jin looked up, put what he was holding on the table, stood up, and came forward to help Shen Gong Bao up with a warm smile, saying, "Junior brother, there’s no need for such formalities, just call me senior brother."
Shen Gong Bao felt uneasy inside. Emperor Gouchen’s warmth was overwhelming, and someone overly courteous must be seeking something. He hurriedly and respectfully said, "I dare not claim to be the junior brother of the Emperor, please just call me Xiao Bao."
Bai Jin patted Shen Gong Bao’s shoulder, laughing heartily, "You are Second Master’s disciple. By seniority, you are indeed my junior brother. During the Divine Enthronement Battle, you fought valiantly for our Jie Sect, and all our disciples consider you as a brother. Why be so distant now? Just call me senior brother once to let me hear it."
Shen Gong Bao’s lips twitched, and he called out softly, "Senior brother~"
Bai Jin laughed heartily and said, "That’s more like it~"
Now that he had already called him that, Shen Gong Bao decided to be straightforward and asked, "Senior brother, did you call me here for a particular reason?"
Bai Jin nodded and said, "Indeed, there’s a small matter that might require you to make a trip to Western Buddhism."
A look of surprise flashed across Shen Gong Bao’s eyes. The Emperor wants me to visit Buddhism too? Could it also be to offer congratulations?
Bai Jin, noticing the fleeting look in Shen Gong Bao’s eyes, asked curiously, "Is there something inappropriate? Or are you unwilling to go?"
"No, not at all! Emperor Haotian has also commanded me to go to Buddhism."
The Junior Great Uncle? Bai Jin’s interest was piqued, and he curiously asked, "What did His Majesty ask you to do at Buddhism?"
"His Majesty said to unite Buddhism and ordered me to deliver some Flat Peaches as congratulations!"
"Where are the Flat Peaches?"
Shen Gongbao stretched out his hand, and a delicate fruit basket appeared, revealing a bright red peach.
Bai Jin reached out to accept the fruit basket, "Hmm~ it’s a bit light," he said as he looked down. Seeing through the reality and illusion inside the basket, he laughed and said, "Little uncle is really stingy, only giving out nine Flat Peaches. How could we not be laughed at by the many Immortal Gods in the Primordial World?" With a flick, nine Flat Peaches flew out of the basket.
Shen Gongbao’s mouth twitched twice. This familiar scene likely meant that he couldn’t save the nine Flat Peaches.
Bai Jin said, "Junior brother, if you take these nine Flat Peaches to Buddhism, it might be a bit disrespectful. How about this! I will add some more gifts for you."
Shen Gongbao sighed with relief, how good his senior brother was, not coveting the Flat Peaches but adding more gifts for him. He truly was a benevolent God. He hastily said, "Thank you, senior brother!"
Bai Jin reached towards the orchard, and a string of fruits flew from the air – Red Fruits, figs, Big Apples, Purple Dew Fruits; all common Spirit Fruits in the Primordial World, but the quality here was much better.
Many Spirit Fruits entered the basket, immediately making it weighty with a dense feeling.
Bai Jin picked up a Flat Peach floating in the air and placed it at the top of the fruit basket. The Flat Peach emitted a soft glow, adding an essential touch, just like a ’basket of Flat Peaches’.
Bai Jin smiled and said, "Done~" and handed the fruit basket to Shen Gongbao, "Junior brother, this should be fine now."
Shen Gongbao took the fruit basket, looked at the eight floating Flat Peaches in the air, and then at the heavy basket in his hand. There were more fruits, but they weren’t in the same league at all! He opened his mouth and said, "Senior brother, what about those Flat Peaches?"
Bai Jin waved his hand and collected the eight Flat Peaches, saying, "Oh~ these extra little peaches, I will hand them over to His Majesty. You don’t need to thank me, this is what I should do."
Shen Gongbao bowed and said gratefully on the surface, "Thank you, senior brother, for considering me."
Bai Jin laughed heartily, "Don’t mention it; after all, we are brothers!"
Shen Gongbao grimaced, "I just hope Buddhism won’t make things difficult for me!"
Bai Jin smiled, "I have also prepared a second gift for you." Reaching out, he grabbed several sparkling scrolls from the nearby table, handing them to Shen Gongbao, "Take a look at this."
Shen Gongbao took the scrolls, astonishment flashing across his eyes, suddenly looking up at Bai Jin.
Bai Jin smiled and said, "Junior brother, if Buddhism gives you trouble, you can present this gift. I’m sure Buddhism will be very pleased.
If Buddhism doesn’t bother you, first do this..., then do that..."
Shen Gongbao joyfully said thanks, "Thank you, senior brother!"
Bai Jin patted Shen Gongbao’s shoulder, feeling emotional, "You know, I’m inherently pure and kind-hearted, and I disdain using such means. Now I give them to you just in case, hoping you won’t need to use them."
"Senior brother is kind-hearted; I’m afraid Buddhism may not appreciate it!"
"Alas~ I only hope to keep my conscience clear."
...
A moment later, Shen Gongbao left the Bird’s Nest deep in thought, his mind somewhat dazed, failing to respond to greetings from other Immortal Gods along the way.
By the time Shen Gongbao came to his senses, he had already arrived outside the West Heavenly Gate. Looking down at the heavy basket in his hand, he revealed a helpless wry smile. Who knows what I’ve gone through? I took out thirty-six Flat Peaches and a basket of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes from Turquoise Pool, but after leaving Heavenly Court, only one Flat Peach remained. The waters of Heavenly Court are indeed deep!
But, patting his chest and revealing a smile, now that I have this, even if I don’t have a single Flat Peach, I dare to venture into Buddhism. Unwittingly, Emperor Gouchen set up such a grand scheme; truly worthy of his past as the East Sea Guard Team leader, such tactics are indeed frightening. If Buddhism faces trouble in the future...