I am a fairy in Journey to the West

Qifeng Mountain, Erlang Temple.

Zhuang Yan accepted the peach shortbread handed to him by Erlang Shen. Smelling the delicate fragrance of the New Year's peaches on it, he couldn't help but exclaim, "I didn't expect you to have this skill."

"It was presented by the village at the foot of the mountain. You can ask me to go hunting, roast meat and brew wine, but you can ask me to make pastries? I'm afraid you wouldn't dare to eat them," Erlang Shen said.

Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "Erlang Village at the foot of the mountain is almost turning into a town. It seems you've done a good job governing it."

"That was all Ji Jing's doing. In recent years, besides learning skills from me, I've spent the rest of my time sending him down the mountain to settle refugees. This young man is quite capable," Erlang Shen said.

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly, then asked Erlang Shen, "I remember you have a position called 'Heavenly Lord of Laws of the Divine Thunder Jade Palace,' is that right?"

Erlang Shen nodded and said, "That's right. What? You want to build me a high platform?"

Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "Since your uncle hasn't said anything, I wouldn't dare to overstep my bounds."

Erlang Shen took a bite of the peach shortbread and asked, "Then why are you asking this?"

Zhuang Yan asked, "How many achievements have your brothers made in the past twenty years?"

Erlang Shen said, "That's quite a lot. You'll be promoted to a sixth-rank celestial official without any problem. Just don't let your Chenhuan Jade Palace block my report of merit when the time comes."

"Don't worry," Zhuang Yan said with a smile, "The Six Sages of Meishan have all made real achievements, and no one would dare to tamper with them."

Erlang Shen laughed and said, "Now that you say that, I'm relieved. Come, let this humble general offer a toast to His Majesty Shenxiao." With that, he raised his wine cup.

Zhuang Yan smiled slightly, raised his wine cup, and drank a cup with Erlang Shen.

After putting down his wine cup, Zhuang Yan said to Erlang Shen, "Call your six brothers back. I have a great achievement to share. Take your six brothers and get some credit. With your previous merits, you can be promoted to a fifth-rank celestial official without any problem."

"Oh?" Upon hearing that it could bring great merit to his brothers, Erlang Shen's eyes lit up, and he quickly poured Zhuang Yan a cup of wine. "Which mountain stronghold has rebelled again?"

Zhuang Yan shook his head and smiled, "It has nothing to do with rebellion, but it does have something to do with your disciple."

"Oh? What happened to my disciple? He's only been gone for less than two days, what kind of trouble could he have caused?" Erlang Shen asked, frowning.

Zhuang Yan said, "It is his younger sister, Hua Yue San Niang, the Third Holy Mother Ji Nu Hua. She entered the mortal world and secretly married a mortal, and has already given birth to a child."

Erlang Shen's expression turned solemn, and he said, "Is that so? This is a grave crime that violates the Heavenly Laws."

Zhuang Yan said, "That's right, you, as the 'Law-Enforcing Heavenly Lord' of the Thunder Department, should have something to do with it."

Erlang Shen stood up, about to use the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman to summon the Six Sages of Meishan back, but in an instant he sat down again.

"No, no, I shouldn't get involved in this matter," Erlang Shen waved his hand.

Zhuang Yan asked, "Why?"

Erlang Shen said, "I remember the way I came."

"Oh." Zhuang Yan suddenly realized that back then, Erlang Shen's mother, Yao Ji, also descended to the mortal realm, married a mortal, and was eventually suppressed under Peach Mountain, and her relatives were all slaughtered.

Later, he worked hard to learn martial arts and split Mount Peach to save his mother, which earned him a little fame in the Three Realms.

Now the same thing is happening to him, but he has become one of the characters he hated most back then, which makes him feel very awkward.

Seeing his hesitation, Zhuang Yan asked, "The Third Holy Mother has violated the Heavenly Laws by marrying a mortal, and should be severely punished. As the Heavenly Lord of Thunder Law Enforcement, you should enforce the law impartially."

Erlang Shen said, "That's true, but I can't get over that hurdle in my heart."

Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "If you don't go, and only send people from my Chenhuan Jade Mansion to arrest you, the consequences will be hard to predict. You may not know, but the Third Holy Mother and my subordinates have grudges against each other, both publicly and privately."

Erlang Shen raised his head, looking surprised, and asked, "What do you mean?"

So Zhuang Yan told Erlang Shen about the time when the Third Holy Mother had blocked the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm. After he finished speaking, Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "If we only send Huo Ling and the others, will there be a single person alive in the Liu family?"

Erlang Shen immediately recalled the tragic state of his family back then, when his father and family members were all killed by heavenly soldiers and generals.

Upon hearing this, Erlang Shen immediately understood that Zhuang Yan had sent him to take the Six Sages of Meishan not just to gain merit.

After figuring it out, Erlang Shen immediately took out the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman and contacted the Six Sages of Meishan, asking them to return to Erlang Temple immediately.

Then Erlang Shen put away the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman and asked Zhuang Yan, "So what are you going to do?"

Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "Such a big matter, I should at least go to Huashan Residence to oversee it, right?"

Erlang Shen nodded, and then Zhuang Yan stood up and said to Erlang Shen, "After the Six Sages of Meishan return, you should bring them to Mount Hua first."

Erlang Shen cupped his hands and replied, "Alright."

Afterwards, Zhuang Yan got up and walked out of Erlang Temple. At this time, the sun was shining brightly, and Xiaotian Dog was lying in the grass outside the temple sunbathing. Ever since it ate the ginseng fruit given by Zhuang Yan, it has been extremely enthusiastic towards Zhuang Yan.

Upon seeing Zhuang Yan walk out of the temple gate, the previously lazy Howling Celestial Dog immediately stood up from the ground, wagging its tail, sticking out its tongue, and looking up at Zhuang Yan with a fawning expression.

Zhuang Yan smiled and patted Xiaotianquan's head, then clapped his hands towards the mountains and forests behind Erlang Temple.

The crisp sound of clapping instantly echoed through the mountains and forests, followed by a loud and clear cry of a crane soaring into the sky. Then, a crane with black and white feathers and a seven-colored crest on its head flapped its wings and descended amidst auspicious clouds.

This crane is different from others; it is an extremely rare and exotic species known as the 'Seven-Colored Heavenly Crown'.

It was a celestial bird that the Old Man of the South Pole presented to Zhuang Yan six years ago. It was first sent to Buzhou Mountain, and later the True Immortal of Fire Spirit personally delivered it to Erlang Temple.

Zhuang Yan rarely took it with him when he traveled around the world, so he kept it in Qifeng Mountain.

The crane landed in front of Zhuang Yan, first preening its feathers with its red beak, and then bowing its head to Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan smiled, flew onto the crane's back, sat down cross-legged, patted its clear and soft feathers, and said, "Let's go to Mount Hua in the west."

A crane's cry soared into the sky, followed by the crane spreading its wings and auspicious clouds covering the sky, heading straight for Mount Hua in the west.

On Mount Buzhou, the Wandering Spirit Official looked at the Fire Spirit True Immortal, who sat high in the hall with a solemn expression. His heart was no longer stirred by emotion, only by pure admiration. He had once harbored feelings of love for the Fire Spirit True Immortal, but a person like the Fire Spirit True Immortal would not be bound by romantic love.

Later, he came to realize that some people and some things can never be forced.

"The Spirit Officer's report on this matter is very timely. Thank you for your help, Spirit Officer." True Immortal Huo Ling rose and walked down the palace steps, saying to Spirit Officer You Yi.

The wandering spirit official cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "It's just my duty."

The Fire Spirit Immortal handed the official receipt to the Wandering Spirit Official, who then stood up and said, "I still have to inspect the various continents, so I'll take my leave now."

Fire Spirit Immortal nodded and said, "I will see the Spirit Official off." He then escorted the Wandering Spirit Official out of the Three Talents Hall.

Upon returning, True Immortal Huo Ling notified the Thunder Department of the matter through official documents, while simultaneously telling the attendant in the hall, "Go and summon the Colonel of the Vanguard, the Director of the Examination and Merit Department, and the Director of the Heavenly Law Academy to come see me."

"I accept the decree." The boy bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left the Hall of Three Talents.

Soon after, Grand Commandant Chi Ling, Chief of the Examination and Merit Bureau Hu Xianfeng, and Chief of the Heavenly Law Academy Liu Yan all arrived at the Three Talents Hall.

"Lord of the Palace." The three greeted the Fire Spirit Immortal upon entering the hall, and then Chi Ling asked, "Lord of the Palace, has something important to discuss with us?"

Fire Spirit Immortal handed the official document reported by Wandering Spirit Official to Chi Ling and said, "Take a look for yourself."

Chi Ling took the report with a puzzled look and started reading it. Hu Xianfeng and Liu Yan also came over.

A moment later, Chi Ling excitedly raised her head, her face full of surprise, and said, "The Third Holy Mother has violated the Heavenly Laws?"

"What?" Tiger Vanguard and Liu Yan were also taken aback and quickly took the report from Chi Ling to read it carefully.

Chi Ling stepped forward and pleaded with the Fire Spirit Immortal, "Lord, let me go. It's a good opportunity to settle that score from back then!"

"Of course I need you to go," said True Immortal Huo Ling. "Go and gather all the generals of the Zhechong Prefecture, and come with me to the Western Mountain first."

Chi Ling shouted in a loud voice, "Your subordinate obeys!" Then she turned and left in a hurry.

Then, True Immortal Huo Ling looked at Tiger Vanguard and Liu Yan and said, "One of you is in charge of the assessment of merits, and the other is in charge of the laws of heaven. You will both accompany me."

The two were not as excited as Chi Ling; they simply smiled, cupped their hands, and replied, "Your subordinates obey."

Afterwards, Huo Ling Zhenxian summoned Hongshan Jun, Wen Daoren, Lu Hanzhi and others, and told them about the Three Holy Mothers. He then said, "I will lead the Zhechongfu, Kaogongsi and Tianlusi to Xiniu Hezhou. You will stay behind at Buzhou Mountain and perform your duties. If you encounter any difficult problems, you can go to Yuhuanlou to find Wangshu Zhenren."

The three bowed and said, "Yes, sir."

At this moment, Chi Ling walked in and said to Huo Ling Zhenxian, "Lord, everyone has been called."

When Huo Ling Zhenxian walked out of the Sancai Hall, he saw that the Danchi outside the hall was already full of people, all of whom were the divine generals of Zhechong Mansion. At the very front was the Giant Spirit God.

The Fire Spirit Immortal's eyes, bright as stars, swept over the crowd before he nodded slightly and said, "Let's go."

Meanwhile, inside the Western Mountain Divine Palace, the Western Mountain Emperor and Empress Suming were furious after hearing the Barefoot Immortal's report.

But after the anger subsided, his face was filled with worry; after all, she was his own daughter.

"Your Majesty." Empress Suming was no longer as dignified and composed as before. She anxiously addressed the Great Emperor of the Western Peak: "Quickly dispatch divine generals to capture Nühua and her son and bring them back to the Western Peak."

Upon hearing this, Hua Yue Erlang immediately reacted and said, "Father, Mother is right. That Wandering Spirit Official has probably already reported this matter to the Dust Jade Palace. Once the Fire Spirit Grand Master takes action, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Zhi Du, the Minister of the Western Peak, also advised, "Your Majesty, I also think that before the talisman from the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm arrives, we should quickly bring the Third Holy Mother back to the Western Peak Divine Palace."

The Great Emperor of the Western Peak was filled with resentment at their lack of ambition, but he didn't say much at the moment. He simply said to Hua Yue Erlang, "Erlang, I order you to quickly muster your troops and go to Fengxian County to capture that rebellious woman and her wicked son and bring them back to the Divine Palace to be punished."

Hua Yue Erlang immediately acknowledged the order and turned to leave the main hall to inspect the troops.

At this moment, the Great Emperor of the Western Peak looked at the Barefoot Immortal beside him and asked, "How did you know about this, Immortal?"

The Barefoot Immortal said, "At first I didn't know, but later when I was calculating the secrets of heaven, I accidentally glimpsed the matter of the Three Holy Mothers."

At this point, the Barefoot Immortal immediately said to the Great Emperor of the Western Peak, "Your Majesty, since I already know this, I suppose this matter cannot be kept from the gods in heaven."

The Great Emperor of the Western Peak sighed and rubbed his forehead, then angrily said, "That scoundrel! There are so many immortals in the world, I wouldn't say anything if she just picked any one of them, but she insisted on defying the heavenly rules and picking a mortal! She's truly a disgrace!"

Empress Suming ignored the Western Mountain Emperor's resentment and instead bowed to the Barefoot Immortal and asked, "Immortal, if the matter of Nühua is confirmed by Heavenly Law, how will she be dealt with?"

The question didn't even need the Barefoot Immortal to answer; the Great Emperor of the Western Peak directly stated, "Violating the Heavenly Laws, privately marrying a mortal, and breaking the boundary between immortals and mortals, is a crime punishable by death."

"Ah?!" Empress Suming's face changed drastically upon hearing this. She immediately grabbed the Western Mountain Emperor's robe and angrily asked, "Are you going to kill your own daughter?"

The Great Emperor of the Western Mountain was so angry he laughed, and said to Empress Suming, "Do you think this is something I can decide?"

Empress Suming was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered and said, "Yes, and the Divine Emperor of the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm."

At this point, Empress Suming suddenly said, "Emperor Shenxiao is a good man. He even bestowed a magical treasure upon Nühua. If we ask him to intercede on our behalf, perhaps Nühua can be spared her punishment."

Upon hearing this, the Great Emperor of the Western Peak immediately glanced at Zhi Du, who then lowered his head and sighed deeply.

Then he raised his head and said to Empress Suming, “Your Majesty, more than twenty years ago, my Western Mountain Divine Palace offended the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm because of the ‘Jiaxu Decree’. At that time, the Third Holy Mother also injured the Red Silk Grand Commandant, a general under the Great Emperor of the Divine Firmament, as well as a group of generals from the Zhechong Palace.”

Empress Suming froze upon hearing this, and after a moment she suddenly burst into tears. While crying, she pointed at Emperor Xiyue and said, "It's all your fault. If you hadn't offended the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm for that little bit of power, the situation wouldn't have turned out like this. You've ruined Nühua."

"Enough!" The Great Emperor of the Western Mountain slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "What do you, a woman, know?"

After saying this, the Great Emperor of the Western Peak immediately walked up to the Barefoot Immortal, abandoned his imperial demeanor, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Please, Great Immortal, enlighten me."

The Barefoot Immortal hurriedly rose to return the greeting, then pondered for a moment and said, “I am not familiar with the Divine Emperor, but I have heard that Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea and Cundi Bodhisattva of the West are on good terms with the Divine Emperor. Why don’t you ask these two Bodhisattvas to intercede on my behalf?”

Upon hearing this, the Great Emperor of the Western Peak's eyes lit up, and he immediately instructed Minister Zhi Du, "Minister Zhi Du, take my letter and generous gifts and go to invite the two Bodhisattvas."

Upon hearing this, Minister Zhidu immediately bowed and said, "As you command." (End of Chapter)