Chapter 459: Chapter 414, Heavenly Court’s Congratulatory Gift
Shen Gongbao strode into the Zining Palace and upon seeing the Heavenly Emperor seated in the main hall, immediately bowed deeply and said, "I, Shen Gongbao, pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
The Heavenly Emperor spoke authoritatively, "The unification of the great and small entities within Western Buddhism is indeed a joyous and commendable event.
You shall go to the Turquoise Pool to collect eighty-one Purple Pattern Flat Peaches and three baskets of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes, then proceed to the West to offer congratulations. After you have collected them, return to see me."
Shen Gongbao promptly replied with utmost respect, "Yes!" and turned to leave.
A moment later, Shen Gongbao arrived at the Yaochi Sacred Realm, stood at the entrance, and lowered his head to say, "I, Shen Gongbao, request an audience with the Queen Mother!"
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman floated out from the Turquoise Pool, looked Shen Gongbao over, and said with a smile, "Follow me inside!"
Shen Gongbao followed the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman further in, and moments later they arrived at a palace shrouded in immortal mist, inside which elusive immortal music played and Goddesses danced, while the Queen Mother reclined lazily on the main seat.
The Queen Mother waved her hand, the music ceased, and the dancing Goddesses retreated, leaving the grand hall silent.
Shen Gongbao raised his hands high and bowed deeply, respectfully saying, "I pay my respects to the Queen Mother!"
The Queen Mother sat up straight and spoke, "No need for such formalities!
Diplomacy God, what brings you to my Turquoise Pool?"
Shen Gongbao respectfully said, "To report to the Queen Mother, Buddhism, both its major and minor branches, has unified, and heavenly merit has descended, an event worth celebration!
His Majesty has commanded me to collect eighty-one Purple Pattern Flat Peaches and three baskets of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes, then go forth to the West to offer congratulations."
The Queen Mother frowned slightly and huffed, "Eighty-one Purple Pattern Flat Peaches, three baskets of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes – he sure is generous with things that aren’t his own.
Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman, take him to the Treasure Pavilion; give him thirty-six Purple Pattern Flat Peaches and one basket of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes for the Western congratulation."
Shen Gongbao looked up, his face a mix of shock and wry amusement, and said, "Queen Mother, this is far too few; I really wouldn’t know how to explain this to His Majesty!"
The Queen Mother raised an eyebrow and declared, "Tell the Heavenly Emperor that this is all there is; take it or leave it! If he troubles you for this, let him come to me."
Shen Gongbao opened his mouth, but ultimately he could only reply helplessly, "Yes!" and turned to follow the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman out.
On the path veiled with immortal mist, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman walked and smiled, saying, "Divine Monarch, please don’t take offense; the Queen Mother did not intend to inconvenience you. It’s simply because the Immortal Peach Orchard of the Heavenly Court has recently seen a reduction in yield; there really isn’t much in storage, and the Queen Mother has no other choice."
Shen Gongbao nodded with a pained expression, saying, "The Queen Mother manages the internal affairs of the Heavenly Court - it must be strenuous, and I understand that. Alas~ Yet, I do not know how I will explain this to His Majesty."
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman chuckled and spoke, "Divine Monarch, you only need to report the Queen Mother’s name, and I trust His Majesty, in his compassion, will not make things difficult for you."
"Let’s hope so!"
Shen Gongbao followed the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman into the Yaochi Treasure Vault, collected the Flat Peaches and a basket of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes, then departed from the Turquoise Pool.
As soon as Shen Gongbao returned to the Zining Palace, the Heavenly Emperor immediately asked expectantly, "Have you brought them?"
Shen Gongbao gestured, and two baskets appeared in his hand; one filled with Flat Peaches, the other with Nine-pored Dragon Eyes. He respectfully said, "To report to Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has only granted thirty-six Purple Pattern Flat Peaches and one basket of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes, which falls short of the number Your Majesty has requested. I have failed in the task entrusted to me by Your Majesty."
The Heavenly Emperor’s eyes gleamed, and he laughed heartily saying, "That is not few at all, not few at all; it has surpassed my expectations."
With a wave of his hand, the two baskets flew out, landing steadily on a table nearby. The Heavenly Emperor picked eighteen Purple Pattern Flat Peaches from the baskets and placed them on the table. Casually pushing the fruit baskets back, they continued flying towards Shen Gongbao.
Catching the fruit basket, Shen Gongbao asked with some confusion, "Your Majesty, what does this mean?"
Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian said with a smile, "Under the Heavenly Dao, nine is the extreme number. It is most fitting for me to bestow upon the Buddha Sect a double nine. The coming of double nine bears an excellent omen."
Shen Gongbao glanced at the unmoved dragon eyes and could only say, "Your Majesty’s words are most true!"
Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian spoke contentedly, "Hurry along now! On this diplomatic mission to Buddhism, do not tarnish the face of the Heavenly Court."
Shen Gongbao bowed and reverently replied, "Yes!" He picked up the fruit basket and turned to walk away.
The expression of Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian flickered suddenly, and he said, "If someone asks how many gifts you are bringing, what will you say?"
Shen Gongbao turned around, smiled, and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent and has sent thirty-six Purple Pattern Flat Peaches and a basket of Nine-pored Dragon Eyes as congratulations to Buddhism."
Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian laughed heartily and said, "Very good! It’s no wonder Bai Jin recommended you as the Diplomacy God; it truly suits you. Now, be on your way!"
Shen Gongbao bowed once again and quickly left.
...
Shen Gongbao rode on a cloud towards the West Heavenly Gate, with a contemplative look in his eyes. This was his first diplomatic mission, and he could not afford to fail.
After flying for a while, Shen Gongbao suddenly saw an old Daoist approaching at a leisurely pace. Hastily, he stepped aside and greeted with a bow, "I pay my respects to Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad!"
Lord Lao Zi stopped, chuckled, and asked, "Diplomacy God, where are you headed?"
Shen Gongbao dutifully replied, "Lord Lao Zi, Buddhism has unified the great and small into one, an occasion for celebration. His Majesty ordered me, the lowly god, to bring Flat Peaches as a congratulatory gift."
"Oh~" Lord Lao Zi’s expression shifted, and looking at Shen Gongbao’s basket, he smilingly inquired, "How many Flat Peaches do you have?"
Shen Gongbao opened his mouth, thinking, what should I say? Do I have thirty-six or eighteen peaches? A Fellow Daoist would not doom me to die, but deceiving Lord Lao Zi—who could save me if I did? Shall I betray His Majesty?
Suddenly, an idea struck Shen Gongbao, and he promptly said, "Informing Lord Lao Zi, in my haste, I did not count the number of Flat Peaches."
Lord Lao Zi pointed at the fruit basket, and one by one, the Flat Peaches flew out, suspending in front of them and emitting waves of subtle fragrance.
Lord Lao Zi chuckled and said, "Eighteen Flat Peaches, neither too many nor too few, neither too high nor too low, which is rather unimpressive.
I happen to need to concoct some elixir and am short of Flat Peaches; let me help you out!"
With a wave of his hand, nine peaches disappeared from the air, and the remaining nine fell back into the basket in an orderly fashion.
"Under Heavenly Dao, nine is the ultimate number. Deliver these nine Flat Peaches to the West; only thus is it most fitting."
Shen Gongbao respectfully bowed and affirmed, "Lord Lao Zi’s words are most true; your Disciple also believes so."
If Lord Lao Zi says nine is the most fitting, then surely nine is the most fitting. Who dares to disagree? Only those lacking in comprehension.
Lord Lao Zi waved and laughed, "Hurry along now!"
Shen Gongbao bowed, and after seeing off Lord Lao Zi, he rose to continue flying towards the West.
Not long after departing, a cool and clear voice suddenly called out, "Diplomacy God, please wait!"
Shen Gongbao immediately stopped and looked towards the voice, only to see Shi Ji coming in a tight-fitting black long dress adorned with bone decorations, exuding a uniquely aesthetic charm.
Shen Gongbao greeted with a bow and said with a chuckle, "Does the Secretary call for me? Is there a task for me?"