Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 431 Meeting Yang Chan at the Toad Palace

Xiao Chen asked the Great Sage Huang Feng:

"Huang Feng, do you know any news about the Lady of the Nine Heavens?"

"Where does she live? Is she still in heaven?"

The Queen Mother of the West is the direct superior of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Beings and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends. It is no secret that she lives in the military camp of the Heavenly Beings and the Earthly Fiends.

Upon hearing this, Great Sage Huang Feng immediately sent a message to Xiao Chen:

"I have already inquired about it. The Lady of the Nine Heavens lives in the Thirty-second Heaven. She has been in seclusion since about two hundred days ago, concentrating on cultivation and rarely interfering in the affairs of the Heavenly Court."

"Thirty-two days..."

Xiao Chen thought secretly in his heart.

The thirty-two heavens are one of the highest celestial layers, and the passage of time therein is: "One day in heaven is one year on earth."

"What level of cultivation has Lady Jiu Tian Xuan reached?"

Xiao Chen didn't know what level of cultivation the Queen Mother of the West had.

But as the second-in-command of the Heavenly Court’s Fighting Department, Jiu Tian Xuan Nu’s strength should be at least that of a Daluo Jin Xian, and she may even have reached the realm of a Quasi-Saint.

For a deity of this level, two hundred days of seclusion is just a blink of an eye, as short as a moment in the human world.

"Two hundred days in heaven, two hundred years in the lower world..."

Xiao Chen's thoughts lingered at this point in time, and he was secretly calculating in his heart.

"According to calculations, the Hundred Flower Fairy is now about a hundred years old. This seems to have some subtle connection with the years of retreat of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady."

"As long as the time is less than two hundred years, the time will be correct. After all, after practicing for a month, if a cultivator feels that there is something wrong with his practice, it is normal to go to the lower world to practice..."

"Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady..."

Xiao Chen looked at the portrait of Queen Mother of the West again, hoping to find the answer from it.

Each side of the portrait of the Queen Mother of the West contains a different story and symbol.

On the first side, the Queen Mother of the West wears a nine-phoenix crown and a black robe. She holds a demon-slaying sword in her left hand and the "Red Book and Jade Book" in her right hand. She stands high above, overlooking the countless living beings in the world.

The sword represents force, and the military book represents wisdom and strategy. The Queen Mother of the Nine Heavens is both wise and brave, with both extremely high force and strategy.

"This side should symbolize the status of Lady of the Nine Heavens as the founder of the art of war in the human world."

Xiao Chen thought secretly.

On the second side, the Queen Mother of the West holds a halberd in her hand, wears a golden armor and a red cape, and wears black tortoise combat boots. Her decisive and murderous demeanor is vividly portrayed on the paper.

This reminded Xiao Chen of the legendary story of the Battle of Zhuolu, when the Queen Mother of the West came down to earth and bestowed upon the Yellow Emperor magical arts such as the Art of War, the Strategy of Yin and Yang, and the Taiyi Dunjia, to help him slay the demon Chi You.

"This side should be the testimony of the Queen Mother of the Nine Heavens as the god of war in heaven, protecting the peace of the human world."

Xiao Chen said in his heart.

On the third side, Lady of the Nine Heavens transformed into a mortal female immortal dressed in green, wearing a bamboo hairpin and holding a sharp sword.

"Yuenu Sword Ah Qing..."

When Xiao Chen saw this, he suddenly realized.

He remembered the story of Ah Qing, the Swordswoman of Yue.

According to legend, during the Spring and Autumn Period, King Fuchai of Wu was incompetent and tyrannical, so the Emperor of Heaven sent the Lady of the Nine Heavens to the mortal world to help Yue conquer Wu. The Lady of the Nine Heavens transformed into a virgin from Nanshan Mountain in Shezhou, and was hired by the State of Yue as a national teacher to train 3,000 Yue soldiers. She used the swordsmanship of the Yue women to shock the world, and finally helped King Goujian of Yue to avenge his previous humiliation and destroy the State of Wu...

This story was widely circulated in his previous life, and he had also read related books.

Most people know that Luo Guanzhong, a novelist from the Ming Dynasty, is the author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

But in fact, Luo Guanzhong wrote many novels, and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is just one of his many works.

In addition to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Luo Guanzhong also wrote the Romance of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties... many other wonderful novels.

Luo Guanzhong also wrote long novels about gods and demons, such as "Journey to the West".

In the first chapter of the mythical novel "Ping Yao Zhuan" compiled by Luo Guanzhong, there is a record about the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady:
"During the reign of King Jing of Zhou, Wu and Yue went to war. 'The Lady of the Nine Heavens transformed into a virgin to help Yue attack Wu', and she went down the mountain to 'accept the white ape as her apprentice'. Later, the Jade Emperor ordered the white ape to be in charge of the Nine Heavens Secretary..."

Similarly, Mr. Jin Yong's novels are also classics in Xiao Chen's mind.

Most people only know Mr. Jin Yong's novels: "Flying Snow and Shooting White Deer, Laughing Book of Heroes and Green Mandarin Duck."

But I didn’t know that Mr. Jin Yong also wrote a book called "The Sword of Yue Girl".

The story of "The Sword of Yue Girl" is about a white ape and a female swordsman from the State of Yue who is the incarnation of the Lady of the Nine Heavens and is invited by Fan Li to help Yue defeat Wu.

The Yue Girl Sword Technique passed down by later generations also originated from this.

"Two hundred years ago... the war between Wu and Yue... the swordswoman Ah Qing of Yue..."

Xiao Chen's thoughts wandered in the long river of history. The more he thought about it, the more confusing this matter seemed.

He had been to Jambudvīpa before, but he had not traveled much in the human world.

He also met Qu Yuan of the Chu State in Nanshanbuzhou.

However, that was the Warring States Period in Kyushu.

Both the Wu and Yue kingdoms were destroyed long ago and have become the dust of history.

The Queen Mother of the West has probably also returned to heaven.

However, these past events now reappeared before his eyes, making him wonder:

"Is the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady's seclusion inextricably linked to the 'Wu Yue War' two hundred years ago?"

……

"Reincarnation?"

Xiao Chen silently repeated this word in his mind, thinking about various possibilities.

Avalokitesvara was reincarnated as "Princess Miaoshan", the fairy Su'e in the Moon Palace was reincarnated as "Princess Tianzhu", the jade girl in the Pixiang Hall was reincarnated as "Princess Baoxiang", and the Peony Fairy was reincarnated as "White Peony"...

It is not uncommon for these female fairies to live out their lives on earth, even get married and have children, and eventually return to heaven.

After all, after reincarnation, they temporarily left their heavenly identity and became mortals, and the rules of heaven naturally no longer bound them.

It is normal for ordinary people to get married and have children, and there is nothing wrong with it.

"Or is it practice?"

Xiao Chen thought about it.

After all, after becoming a Golden Immortal, there is a saying that one should "behead the three corpses".

The Golden Immortal needs to overcome cognitive barriers, kill the three corpses, and achieve Hunyuan.

Every time the Golden Immortal kills a corpse, his magic power will increase exponentially.

The three corpses that were beheaded sometimes transformed into three independent individuals, which were inextricably linked to the original body.

But it is not the original body itself.

Thinking of this, Xiao Chen couldn't help but start to guess:
"Could this Hundred Flower Fairy be one of the corpses of the Lady of the Nine Heavens?"

……

Before this.

Xiao Chen once speculated that the "Hundred Flowers Fairy" might be the "Hundred Flowers Fairy" from heaven who came down to earth, because her name and the extraordinary fragrance on her body have many similarities with the legendary "Hundred Flowers Fairy", the lord of all flowers.

But when the Fairy of Flowers came to the world, the vision of "black birds flying around the beams and hundreds of birds singing" was different from the legend of the Fairy of Flowers.

Today, Xiao Chen came to the Tiangang Disha Hall and found out that the Fairy of Flowers might have some connection with the second in command of the Fighting Department, "Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady".

Although Xiao Chen was surprised, the information he knew was limited, and he really couldn't guess the connection between them.

……

"I can only wait and see the identity of this Hundred Flower Fairy in the future."

Xiao Chen took a deep look at the portrait of the Queen Mother of the West and memorized it in his mind.

……

At this moment.

A heavenly soldier suddenly walked out of the hall, looking around sharply. When he saw the Great Sage Huang Feng and Xiao Chen, he immediately shouted loudly:
"Who are you, spying on the palace?"

Upon seeing this, Great Sage Huang Feng stepped forward hastily, with a smile on his face, and said apologetically:
"Brother, please don't misunderstand me. We are from the Dou army."

"I am under the command of Tianshangxing, and my brother is under the command of Ershibaxiu. My brother came to borrow a horse this time, and passed by this place. He was curious and took a few more glances."

As he spoke, Xiao Chen also showed his identity token in a timely manner to prove his identity.

The soldier took the token and checked it carefully. After confirming that it was correct, his expression eased slightly and he said in a deep voice:

"Since you are brothers from the Doubu, that's fine. However, this is an important place in the palace. You can't stay here for long. Leave quickly."

The Great Sage Huang Feng nodded quickly and hurriedly left the hall gate with Xiao Chen, continuing to walk towards the stable.

……

The stables of Tiangang and Disha.

Xiao Chen saluted the logistics officer in charge of the horses and explained his purpose. The officer readily agreed to lend him a Pegasus.

Xiao Chen selected a Pegasus with pure white fur and flying hooves. After bidding farewell to the Great Sage Huangfeng, he returned to Yang's residence on the ninth heaven, Chixia Mountain.

……

The ninth layer.

Chixia Mountain.

Yang's house.

Xiao Chen gently pushed open the door, and immediately heard the sound of "rushing water".

Xiao Chen was startled, then he realized that it was obviously Princess Halloween taking a bath.

After all, this heavenly soldier armor was another man's clothing, and Princess Wansheng was not quite used to wearing it. After Xiao Chen left, Princess Wansheng could not wait to start bathing.

……

However, in the heavenly realm, every mansion is strictly restricted to ensure that the privacy of the gods is not violated.

Without the permission of the master, other gods are not allowed to spy or intrude.

You need a search warrant.

This most basic "personal privacy protection" still exists in heaven.

Otherwise, if everyone can look around and break into other people's houses at will, wouldn't the heaven be in chaos?
……

"King Jinjiao, how come you came back so soon..."

There was some discomfort in Princess Halloween's words.

After all, this was a single man and a single woman, in the same room.

I was taking a shower myself, so the situation was somewhat embarrassing.

"If things go well, they will come back naturally."

Xiao Chen responded calmly, and then said politely:
"It's okay, Ao Yao, take your time washing, I'll go out for a walk."

Afterwards, Xiao Chen closed the door and walked along the path of Chixia Mountain towards the gurgling Milky Way.

The river in heaven is naturally the vast and boundless Milky Way.

The water of the Tianhe River originates from the Ninth Heaven, pours down, and sprinkles between the various layers of the sky, forming magnificent rivers.

The scene is just as described in the poem:

"Flying down three thousand feet, it is suspected that the Milky Way has fallen nine days."

It rains on earth from heaven.

After the water vapor from the human world evaporates, it will be recovered and purified by the gods in heaven, such as the god of thunder and rain, and then transformed by the heavenly formations or divine power, and flow back into the Milky Way, repeating the cycle endlessly.

And in the highest sky of heaven, the water flowing is the weak water in the Milky Way.

The Weak Water of the Milky Way is so deep that “not even goose feathers can float on it, not even flying birds can cross it, and not even mortal bodies can cross it.” It surrounds the outer periphery of the Supreme Heaven and is the natural moat of the Lingxiao Palace.

Xiao Chen stood by the Milky Way. The gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it the freshness and coolness unique to the Milky Way, making him feel relaxed and happy.

Everywhere you look, you can see groups of Pegasus grazing leisurely by the river, their manes gleaming silver in the moonlight.

"Chan Palace, Jade Rabbit..."

"It's been a hundred years since we last met. I wonder how the Jade Rabbit is doing?"

Xiao Chen looked up at the moon, his gaze penetrating through the layers of clouds and looking towards the Moon Palace. He couldn't help but think of the Jade Rabbit Fairy.

During his time at Mount Huashan, he formed an indissoluble bond with the Jade Rabbit Fairy.

The Golden Toad and the Jade Rabbit, the two demons get along harmoniously and have a natural affinity for each other.

Perhaps it is because the golden toad and the jade rabbit are both yin creatures, so they are naturally close and connected by fate.

The Jade Rabbit Fairy is not only beautiful, but also very good at music. She is proficient in everything including the sheng, reed pipe, flute, and drum.

At Mount Huashan.

Xiao Chen is good at playing drums and has exchanged ideas about music with the Jade Rabbit Fairy many times. He is both her teacher and friend.

When I left Huashan.

The Jade Rabbit Fairy also specially prepared a precious longevity medicine for Xiao Chen. That kindness and affection filled his heart with gratitude.

……

Now, Xiao Chen is in heaven, standing in the vast starry sky, looking at the bright moon.

Looking at the moon in heaven is naturally many times clearer than looking at it in the underworld.

Xiao Chen possesses pupil skills, and his vision is even more amazing with the blessing of the "Big Sun Golden Pupil".

Vaguely.

Xiao Chen seemed to see the fairy Chang'e dancing in the Moon Palace. Her figure was as graceful as the flowing clouds in the sky, breathtakingly beautiful.

The Jade Rabbit Fairy was under the laurel tree, pounding medicine carefully with the Jade Rabbit Pestle.

The movements of the Jade Rabbit Fairy are very naive, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling, as if it is having a conversation with the Jade Rabbit pounding medicine pestle, which makes people laugh.

At this moment, Xiao Chen's eyes seemed to catch another familiar figure - "Yang Chan".

Her appearance startled Xiao Chen.

Although it was only vague, Xiao Chen was sure that he was not mistaken.

The woman in the emerald green dress and the increasingly plump and graceful figure was undoubtedly Yang Chan.

After all, he, King Jinjiao, and Yang Chan have been friends for a long time, and they have long been very familiar with each other.

"Yang Chan, is she also coming to the heaven?"

Xiao Chen was slightly surprised, but then he felt relieved.

For Yang Chan, entering the heaven is like going home.

Moreover, Yang Chan has always been on good terms with Chang'e and the Jade Rabbit Fairy, so going to the Moon Palace to play for a few days is not a casual thing.

Thinking of Yang Chan, Xiao Chen couldn't help but feel a complicated emotion in his heart.

He, King Jinjiao, actually still has some feelings for Yang Chan.

After all, everyone has already made their payments, the matter is done, and the raw rice has almost been cooked.

but.

He, King Jinjiao, had an agreement with Yang Jian that he would never take the initiative to go to Huashan to disturb Yang Chan.

He has always kept his promise and has never set foot on Mount Huashan.

……

In the Toad Palace.

The moonlight was as bright as a silver stream, radiating in all directions, enveloping the Guanghan Palace in a soft and profound glow.

The appearance of "Fairy Chang'e", the leader of the "Heavenly Song and Dance Troupe", is so stunningly beautiful that she is unparalleled in the world.

Her face is beautiful and elegant, beyond the mundane world. Her eyebrows are like distant mountains lightly shrouded in mist, and there is an unspeakable sadness hidden between her brows. Her eyes are like the rippling autumn water, deep and bright, revealing a temperament that is detached from the world.

Her red lips were as soft and delicate as cinnabar, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and there seemed to be a hint of sadness and helplessness, as if she carried the eternal sorrow.

At this moment.

The fairy Chang'e is wearing a long dress as white as snow, the hem of her skirt fluttering in the wind. She is dancing gracefully, her dancing posture is like the leisurely clouds flowing in the sky, so graceful and beautiful that it makes people's hearts flutter, as if everything in the world is eclipsed by it.

Under the laurel tree.

The Jade Rabbit holds the Jade Rabbit Pestle and pounding the medicine meticulously, completing today's task of pounding medicine with a focused expression. Occasionally, he looks up, his eyes full of admiration and respect for Chang'e's dancing.

The "Fairy Su'e" on the side looked at the dance of the Fairy Chang'e, and a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

After all, in the Guanghan Palace, with Chang'e as the "main dancer", Su'e is destined to be only a "backup dancer" forever.

Yang Chan sat quietly aside, fiddling with the tea set in her hands. The aroma of tea rose in the air, interweaving with the moonlight and dancing to form a moving picture.

"Sister Chang'e, you have been dancing for a long time."

Yang Chan spoke softly, her tone full of concern:
"Stop and have a cup of tea to moisten your throat and rest your body."

Upon hearing this, Chang'e slowly stopped dancing and sighed softly, as if she was exhaling all the fatigue and helplessness in her heart.

She raised her hand and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, with a bitter smile on her face:

"I can't help it. His Majesty wants to see a new dance in a few days, so I can only practice harder."

"These days are really not easy."

A trace of sadness flashed across Chang'e's eyes, and her thoughts drifted back to the past.

Her husband Houyi was once such a hero, shooting down nine suns to save lives, but unfortunately he was killed by demons and his soul was scattered.

Now, she is the only pretty widow left, helpless and all alone in this moon palace.

As the saying goes: "There is much trouble at the door of a widow."

Sometimes, she would be teased by shameless people like Marshal Tianpeng, who would pull her aside and ask her to sleep with him.

Beauty is both a gift and a heavy burden for her.

She is known as "the most beautiful woman in the three realms", but behind this reputation lies the covetousness and greed of so many people.

There are countless people in these three realms who want to kidnap her and play with her at will.

As for committing suicide for love, and leaving after Yi?

Within these three realms, there are methods to bring the dead back to life, but sometimes, even dying is difficult.

His Majesty did not nod.

Lord Yama, how dare you take Chang'e's life?

Thinking of this, Chang'e couldn't help feeling bitter in her heart.

As a pretty widow whose husband had died, she was helpless and alone, and could only dance for other men every day.

In exchange for a little peace and shelter.

There are three hundred and sixty days in a year, and the wind, frost and sword are pressing hard.

Who can truly understand the bitterness and helplessness involved?

(End of this chapter)