I am a fairy in Journey to the West

"Father!" Xue Guang rushed into the house with a joyful expression, heading straight for 'Fengxue Pavilion'.

As soon as Xue Guang entered the courtyard, he saw his father, Xue Ding, reading a book in the courtyard. Hearing Xue Guang's call, the servants and maids around him all looked over.

Xue Guang stopped at the doorway, took a deep breath, and then bowed, saying, "Father."

Xue Ding put down his book, stroked his long beard, and turned to look at him. "Why are you in such a hurry? What's wrong?"

Xue Guang immediately stepped forward, walked up to Xue Ding, and said with a smile, "Father, the Southern Mountain Divine Palace sent a note saying that my elder brother's daughter, Baochai, has returned to the Great World of Yanfu and has been rewarded by the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm for her meritorious service. She is now on her way home to visit her family."

"Huh?!" Xue Ding exclaimed in surprise, then asked, "Where is the note?"

Xue Guang quickly took out a document stamped with the seal of the Minister of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace from his sleeve. "It's a proclamation delivered by a deity from the Southern Mountain Divine Palace. I was just going to the gatehouse to give instructions, so I took it."

Xue Ding took the proclamation and read it carefully. Then he laughed three times and said, "He was actually appointed as a seventh-rank celestial official and appointed as a military advisor to Zhang Tianying. This Baochai really did not disappoint me."

After saying that, Xue Ding hurriedly asked Xue Guang, "Did the Southern Mountain God General say when Baochai would return?"

"No," Xue Guang shook his head and said, "They only said that Baochai was coming back to visit her family, but they didn't say when."

Xue Ding nodded, then said to Xue Guang, "When Baochai returns to Nanzhanbuzhou from Chenhuan Yufu, she must report to Nanyue Shenfu. You should immediately arrange for a few capable people to wait at Nanyue Shenfu and send a letter to report as soon as there is any news."

Xue Guang said, "Father, Baoqin works at the Nanyue Divine Palace. We can have her keep an eye on this matter."

Xue Ding laughed and said, "Baoqin is now a celestial official in the Heavenly Court, so we shouldn't bother her with such matters. It's not good for others to know."

Upon hearing this, Xue Guang bowed and replied, "I understand, I will make the arrangements immediately."

After Xue Guang left, Xue Ding happily spun around three times on the spot, then clapped his hands and called over a maid, asking, "Where is the old lady?"

The maidservant hurriedly reported, "Master, the old lady went to Xuanmiao Temple to pray for blessings early this morning."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ding immediately instructed his maid, "Go to Xuanmiao Temple right away and ask the old lady to come back. Tell her that Baochai has returned."

The maidservant immediately obeyed and left. Afterwards, Xue Ding called over another maidservant and said, "Quickly go and invite Master Ming and his wife to the main hall."

"Yes." The maidservant accepted the order and left.

Finally, Xue Ding went to the main hall himself. Xue Guang and his wife had already arrived there. Xue Guang reported to Xue Ding, "Father, everything has been arranged as you instructed."

Xue Ding nodded. At this moment, Xue Ming and his wife also hurriedly came to the main hall. As soon as they entered, Xue Ming asked, "Father, I heard that Baochai has returned?"

Xue Ding said with a smile, "That's right, Baochai has returned from the world of wind and thunder, and has been rewarded for her merits, promoted to the seventh rank of the Lower Yuan Immortal Official, and appointed as the advisor to Zhang Tianying."

"Ah?" Xue Ming was overjoyed. He had only hoped that Xue Baochai would return safely, but he did not expect that Xue Baochai would not only return, but also make contributions and be rewarded.

A seventh-rank celestial official—that's quite a starting point. Once released, he could directly become a deity in his own right.

Only Xue Baochai's mother, Wang Ziying, breathed a long sigh of relief, clasped her hands together, and repeatedly bowed towards the south, chanting, "Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha."

Xue Ding was in a good mood and didn't say anything when he saw Wang Ziying's appearance. He simply asked her to take a seat after she finished bowing.

A short while later, a commotion arose outside the main hall, followed by the resounding voice of an elderly woman: "I heard from the servants that I, Baochai, have returned?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Old Madam Xue walked in, and Mr. and Mrs. Xue Ming and Mr. and Mrs. Xue Guang quickly stood up and called out, "Mother."

Madam Xue nodded slightly, then walked to the hall and sat down. At this time, Xue Dingcai said, "Not only has he returned, but he has also made meritorious contributions and has been promoted to a seventh-rank celestial official, serving as a consultant to Zhang Tianying."

Upon hearing this, Madam Xue was both pleased and worried. She was pleased that Xue Baochai had returned safely and even obtained an official position, but she was worried that Xue Baochai was still serving in Zhang Tianying.

So Madam Xue said to Xue Ding, "Baochai will still serve in Zhang Tianying. Now that I, Pangu, have appeared in the world to attack the Five Elements, won't Baochai have to go on expeditions with the army in the future?"

Upon hearing Madam Xue's words, Xue Ding was slightly taken aback, while Wang Ziying below immediately frowned and said with a worried expression, "Then... can we pull some strings to get Baochai a transfer?"

Xue Ming waved his hand and said, "Zhang Tianying belongs to Tian Shu Du Province, which is in turn under the control of Erlang Zhenjun. Even if we have some connections, they are only in Nanzhanbuzhou. How can we find Erlang Zhenjun?"

Xue Guang said, "Brother is right. Moreover, the Tian Shu Du Province is only in charge of military affairs. This matter of personnel transfer is not under the jurisdiction of the Tian Shu Du Province, but should be under the jurisdiction of the Chen Huan Yu Fu."

Xue Ding said, "Let's put this matter aside for now and ask Baochai for her opinion later. It's always a good thing that the child is back, so let's not think about anything else for now."

After Xue Ding said this, everyone fell silent.

But then Xue Ding frowned again and asked, "Where is Xue Pan?"

When Xue Pan was mentioned, everyone present became serious, especially Xue Ming, whose brows furrowed deeply.

“Father,” Xue Ming said, “I sent him to run a shop in Shenzhou because he was unruly and difficult to discipline, so that he could be trained.”

Xue Ding nodded and said, "It's good for him to go out and get some training, but Baochai is his own sister after all, so we should inform him about such a big matter."

Xue Ming nodded and said, "My son knows. Go down and tell him to come back."

Xue Ding nodded slightly, then said to Xue Guang, "We also need to inform Ke'er and Baoqin to see if they have time to come back."

Xue Guang smiled and said, "Yes, Father."

Xue Ke was appointed a seventh-rank celestial official by Zhuang Yan and was named the "Shanglian Earth God" by the Southern Mountain Divine Palace. He had been in office for more than thirty years.

Xue Baoqin passed the imperial examination and obtained the rank of eighth-grade official. She was also promoted to "Shulingshi" by the Nanyue Divine Palace and took up a post there.

Not long after, inside the Fengyuan Pavilion of Shenzhou Immortal Workshop, Xue Pan put away the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman and said excitedly to the man in front of him, "Hahaha, my sister is back."

"Oh?" The man looked surprised and asked, "You mean your own sister, Xue Baochai?"

“That’s right,” Xue Pan said with a smile.

The man asked in confusion, "But didn't you say she was sent to the mortal realm of wind and thunder? Why did she suddenly come back?"

Xue Pan said, "Of course, it was Pangu who conquered Fenglei who was in the world. My sister naturally returned to Pangu with Zhang Tianying. Moreover, she not only returned, but also made contributions and received rewards, and was appointed as a seventh-rank immortal official in the lower realm."

The man was slightly startled upon hearing this. "A seventh-rank celestial official! Isn't that the same rank as a local mountain, water, or earth deity?"

"Of course." Xue Pan said smugly, waving his hand, "Call the brothers! Tonight, at Dukang Pavilion, we're celebrating my sister's return. We'll drink until we drop, and it's on me!"

The man was delighted upon hearing this and immediately gave a thumbs up, saying, "Brother Xue is so generous. I'll go and inform everyone right away."

After saying this, the man turned and ran out of Fengyuan Pavilion in a flash, while Xue Pan got up and went upstairs, changed into a brand new set of immortal robes, and then left Fengyuan Pavilion with his head held high, heading towards Dukang Pavilion. More than thirty years have passed, and the changes in the world since Pangu's appearance have been enormous.

Just like now, Xue Baochai looked at the mountains and rivers flashing past below, and the large 'Feathered Immortal Boats' constantly appearing and disappearing in the sky, and was filled with emotion.

The Feather True Immortal Ship is an immortal ship crafted by the Phoenix Clan. It flies at an extremely high speed, capable of traveling tens of millions of miles a day, and can accommodate 30,000 people in a single ship.

Therefore, the Phoenix Clan began to refine a large number of Feather True Immortal Boats and established an industry based on them. They set up 'ferry crossings' in the five major continents of the Yama Great World. Now, the immortal cultivators of the five major continents rarely fly on their own clouds anymore, but travel by these Feather True Immortal Boats.

The reason is that the price of the Feather True Immortal Boat is so cheap. For example, crossing continents only requires thirty purple coins per person.

For just thirty purple coins, one can travel directly from Xiniu Hezhou to Dongsheng Shenzhou in a single day. This saves an incredible amount of time, which is extremely precious for immortal cultivators.

Even Xue Baochai exclaimed that the price was very reasonable, and at the same time marveled at how quickly things had changed since the appearance of Pangu.

After the Feathered Immortal Boat they were riding slowly descended to the Immortal Boat Cloud Platform below Mount Heng in the south, Xue Baochai, along with Li Ji and Xie Xuan, disembarked from the boat and then ascended Mount Heng in the south.

Upon reaching the gate of the Nanyue Divine Palace on Mount Heng, the three of them showed their celestial official jade certificates and leave/family visit documents to the divine general guarding the gate. After the general checked them, he let them in.

The Xue family servants, who had been waiting outside the mountain gate, saw Xue Baochai and immediately sent a message to the Xue family to report.

As for Xue Baochai and the other two, they went to the Ministry of Personnel of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace to report to Ye Meicang, the Minister of Personnel of the Southern Mountain.

Upon seeing the three arrive, Ye Meicang immediately greeted them with a smile and invited them to sit down. Then, he ordered the scribe beside him to serve them spirit tea.

"I received news that the three of you were coming back a long time ago, and everything is ready," Ye Meicang said, instructing Zuo Shaoqing to register the three of them.

After Zuo Shaoqing completed the registration, Ye Meicang said with a smile, "Alright, I originally wanted to invite the three of you to have a meal here, but considering that your families have been eagerly waiting for you, we'll have to postpone it until another time."

The three men quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Minister. We appreciate it."

Ye Meicang smiled slightly and said, "There is a ferry crossing of the 'Phoenix Transport Bureau' under Hengshan's jurisdiction. You can take the Feather True Immortal Boat in Nanzhanbu Continent back to your home continent."

"Yes," the three replied again, then got up to take their leave.

Ye Meicang stood up to see him off. Of course, Xue Baochai alone wouldn't have such a great deal of face, after all, she was only a seventh-rank celestial official.

However, Li Ji and Xie Xuan were fifth-rank celestial officials, the same rank as Ye Meicang, so Ye Meicang naturally had to personally greet and see them off.

After the three bid farewell to Ye Meicang, they left the Ministry of Personnel. They had only taken a few steps when Xue Baochai heard a soft call from behind: "Sister."

Xue Baochai turned around and saw a familiar face walking quickly toward her. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was her cousin, Xue Baoqin.

So Xue Baochai quickly called out "Baoqin" and hurried over to greet her.

After the two met, Xue Baochai looked at the robes of an eighth-rank official she was wearing and exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Baoqin, you've also entered officialdom?"

Xue Baoqin laughed and said, "I can't compare to you, sister. I took the Heavenly Official Examination more than 30 years ago and was lucky enough to pass and obtain the rank of eighth-grade official."

At this point, Xue Baoqin said with envy, "Sister, you have made great contributions in foreign lands and now you have returned to the world in glory, receiving an official position. It is truly enviable."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai's smile immediately faded. She said nothing, only sighed softly.

Xue Baoqin's smile froze. Seeing Xue Baochai's reaction, she asked nervously, "Sister, did I say something wrong?"

Xue Baochai came to her senses, shook her head slightly and smiled, and said, "No, it was because I was thinking of my comrades who died in the battle of Fenglei Xianshi. I felt ashamed that they are now only a spirit left, while I am so glorious."

Upon hearing Xue Baochai's words, Li Ji and Xie Xuan, who were standing nearby, also shook their heads and sighed.

Xue Baoqin breathed a sigh of relief and immediately comforted her, "Sister, don't sigh. They are also heroes of Pangu's appearance in the world. I think the Heavenly Court will not forget their contributions."

Xue Baochai nodded. That's true. The relatives and disciples of those generals who died in battle also received compensation and rewards.

Xue Baoqin continued, "Sister, Grandfather, Uncle, and Aunt all know you're back. They've probably already prepared everything at home, just waiting for you to return."

Hearing this, Xue Baochai felt a warmth in her heart, and then asked, "What about you, Baoqin? Are you going back?"

Xue Baoqin shook her head, saying with some regret, "Sister, I'm so sorry, I've been very busy lately and can't ask for leave to go back."

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "It's alright, I have a full six-month vacation this time. We can get together again when you're free."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baoqin was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Okay, it's a deal."

"Hmm." Xue Baochai nodded, then bid farewell to Xue Baoqin and continued to leave the Nanyue Divine Palace with Li Ji and Xie Xuan. However, as soon as they left the mountain gate, another servant of the Xue family rushed out and bowed to Xue Baochai, saying, "This humble servant, Zhou Huai, greets Miss."

Xue Baochai stopped and looked at Zhou Huai. When she saw the Xue family's insignia on his clothes, she immediately asked, "Did my grandfather send you?"

Zhou Huai said, "Yes, I am here on the orders of the old master to welcome you, young lady. The Yuzhen Immortal Boat is ready to take you home. We are just waiting for you to board so we can return directly to Yangzhou."

Xue Baochai then asked, "When will the Feathered Immortal Boat depart? And where will it pass through?"

Zhou Huai said, "Replying to Miss, this Feather True Immortal Boat was chartered by my Xue family. Miss can decide when to depart and where to go."

Xue Baochai immediately looked at Li Ji and Xie Xuan, who were standing to the side. One of them was from Caozhou, and the other was from Yuezhou.

So Xue Baochai said, “In this way, my two friends will travel with me, and let the Yuzhen Immortal Boat go to Caozhou first, then to Yuezhou, and finally back to Yangzhou.”

Although Xie Xuan and Li Ji were both Xue Baochai's superiors, once they left Zhangtianying, it was no longer appropriate to consider them as superiors and subordinates. Therefore, Xue Baochai referred to them as friends.

But Li Ji and Xie Xuan said, "No need to trouble yourself, we'll just take the Feather True Immortal Boat back ourselves."

Xue Baochai laughed and said, "What trouble is there? Since I've spent the money, I should make the most of it. Are you two being too polite because you look down on me?"

Li Ji smiled helplessly and said, "You've already put it this way, so what else can we say?"

Xie Xuan cupped his hands and said, "Then thank you very much."

So Zhou Huai led the three down the mountain and boarded the Yu Zhen Immortal Boat, which belonged exclusively to the Xue family. After setting off, they first sent Li Ji to Caozhou, then Xie Xuan to Yuezhou, and finally turned around and headed to Yangzhou.

The moment the Jade Immortal Boat came to a stop in the square outside the Xue Mansion, Xue Baochai finally returned home after thirty-seven years away. However, as she stood on the gangway and looked at the familiar mansion and the relatives who were welcoming her, she felt a sense of 'fear upon returning home'.

But the Xue Baochai of today is completely different from the one of thirty-seven years ago. Those thirty-seven years have long since changed her. She is no longer the refined young lady who only knew how to gossip and criticize others, but a seasoned general who has experienced countless bloody battles, a veteran of Zhang Tianying who has seen life and death many times and even nearly perished herself. (End of Chapter)