I am a fairy in Journey to the West

The Great World of Jambudvipa, Mount Buzhou, the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm.

Erlang Shen delivered the battle report from Lingbai Realm to Huoling Palace. Huoling Zhenxian was overjoyed upon reading it, his jade eyes sparkling with excitement, and a rare, radiant smile appeared on his face.

"Good, good, good!" True Immortal Fire Spirit laughed, "This battle was fought exceptionally well! Great Sage Equaling Heaven and his companions remained calm and composed, and did not act rashly when faced with setbacks. Now they seized the opportunity to break through the Golden Path Immortal Mansion's blockade, shattered the Golden Sea defense line, and killed five Dao Lords of the Golden Path Immortal Mansion! Well done!"

Erlang Shen laughed and said, "The Great Sage Equaling Heaven and his companions certainly made great contributions in breaking through the formation and slaying generals, but the greatest credit for this battle still goes to the intelligence chief named Lin Daiyu."

Fire Spirit Immortal nodded and said with a smile, "I never thought she could infiltrate the Wood Immortal Mansion to support the Metal Immortal Mansion and even get the position of boat master. She is truly a woman with courage!" Fire Spirit Immortal's eyes were full of admiration as she said this.

"In this battle, Lin Daiyu deserves the greatest credit. Without her support, which caused a gap in the Golden Sea defense line, and her use of the Vermilion Bird Flag to point out the location of the Golden Transformation Dao Lord, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and his companions would never have achieved such a great victory," said True Immortal Fire Spirit.

Erlang Shen also said with a smile, "I have no objection to this; Lin Daiyu deserves the most credit."

Fire Spirit Immortal nodded slightly, and then said, "The Great Sage Equaling Heaven killed two Dao Lords, which is a second-class merit. The three Grand Commandants each killed one Dao Lord, which is a second-class merit. Many Treasures Good Vision Bodhisattva and Peacock King Bodhisattva protected the three battalions of generals and charged into battle to kill many enemies, which is a third-class merit."

Erlang Shen said, "This way of judging merit is very fair."

Fire Spirit Immortal nodded and said, "Then let's arrange them according to their merits, reward them one by one, and announce it to all the heavens in the mortal world."

Erlang Shen stood up, cupped his hands, and accepted the order, saying, "Yes."

Yangzhou, Songjiang Water Mansion.

Lin Ruhai was drinking tea in a cave in the Songjiang River. The cave was not large, but it was clean and bright.

A squad of naval soldiers stood guard around the area, while the person accompanying Lin Ruhai for tea was a middle-aged man who looked very honest and simple.

A middle-aged woman was making tea nearby, along with a little girl whose fish scales had not yet been completely removed.

"Alright." Lin Ruhai smiled at the middle-aged woman, "Don't brew any more tea. I'll go back after I finish this cup."

Upon hearing this, the male host quickly said, "Please stay a little longer, my lord, and have your meal before you go back."

The hostess nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, my lord, I have prepared all the dishes."

"No need," Lin Ruhai said with a kind smile and gentle tone. "My wife is still at home, waiting for me to go back for dinner. I just came to see you today. Have you been having any difficulties lately?"

"No, no," the man and woman quickly waved their hands. Then the man said, "The compensation from Heaven is more than we can spend in a hundred years. There's nothing difficult about it."

Lin Ruhai nodded. It turned out that this family were originally fish demons from the Songjiang River. Because the son of the couple in front of them was exceptionally talented and cultivated himself into an immortal through physical cultivation, he was recruited as a general of Zhangtian Camp.

He later died in the great battle of Wind and Thunder, and the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm rewarded his family and issued a pension.

The family received a compensation of 100,000 purple coins, 50,000 from Chenhuan Jade Mansion and 50,000 from Songjiang Water Mansion, all of which were directly given to the couple.

Because the amount was so enormous, Lin Ruhai would personally visit them every so often when he toured the Songjiang waterway.

Firstly, it serves as a deterrent to lawbreakers, and secondly, it ensures that the families of these martyrs receive constant care and support to ensure they are not facing any difficulties.

Seeing that the family was safe and sound, Lin Ruhai felt relieved. After drinking a few cups of tea, he got up to take his leave.

Lin Ruhai rode a water horse and returned to the Water Palace under the protection of a group of Water Palace soldiers and generals. However, he had only gone halfway when his Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman emitted a series of melodious immortal sounds.

Lin Ruhai immediately took out the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman and, upon closer inspection, discovered that it had been sent from the Ministry of Personnel of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace.

Lin Ruhai immediately stopped where he was, sat upright on the water horse, and then connected to the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman.

A familiar face immediately appeared above the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman. Upon seeing it, Lin Ruhai quickly smiled and said, "So it's Envoy Xue."

The person inside the Xuan Yu Talisman that day was Xue Baoqin. Xue Baoqin bowed to Lin Ruhai and then said, "Lord Lin, the Minister wants to speak with you."

Upon hearing the words "Minister," Lin Ruhai's expression immediately turned serious, and he promptly dismounted from the water horse.

When Minister Ye Meicang's face appeared, Lin Ruhai immediately bowed and said, "Your humble servant Lin Ruhai greets Minister Ye."

"Hehe." Ye Meicang's smile was very bright. Lin Ruhai was a little puzzled. He had never seen Ye Meicang smile at him like that before.

Lin Ruhai asked with a hint of doubt, "What are your instructions, Minister?"

Ye Meicang continued with a smile, "Let me keep you in suspense for now. I'm contacting you today simply to ask you one thing."

Lin Ruhai quickly replied, "Your Excellency, please ask. I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

Ye Meicang asked, "This is a private matter. I remember you have a daughter, right?"

Lin Ruhai paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes, but my daughter was recruited by the Chenhuan Jade Palace twenty years ago, and there has been no news of her since."

"Hmm." Ye Meicang nodded, then asked, "Is your daughter betrothed to anyone?"

Lin Ruhai quickly shook his head and said, "I am not betrothed to anyone."

Ye Canghai then asked, "Have you separated from us?"

Lin Ruhai said, "We have never separated."

"I understand." Ye Meicang nodded. "Okay, that's all. That's all for now."

Lin Ruhai quickly said, "Respectfully seeing off the Minister."

As Ye Meicang left, Xue Baoqin reappeared before Lin Ruhai, saying, "Lord Lin, that's all for now."

"Commander Xue, please wait a moment," Lin Ruhai said. "Commander Xue, do you have any news of my daughter?"

Xue Baoqin was taken aback, somewhat confused as to why Lin Ruhai would ask such a question. Lin Daiyu had been recruited by the Chenhuan Jade Mansion, so how could she possibly know such a thing?

But Xue Baoqin suddenly realized that Lin Ruhai was asking about what had just happened. On the surface, he was asking if there was any news about Lin Daiyu, but in reality, he was asking why Ye Meicang had asked such a question.

So Xue Baoqin smiled and said, "Lord Lin, the Minister has already instructed that this matter cannot be revealed for the time being. However, I can tell you that it is a very good thing."

"Oh?" Lin Ruhai was somewhat surprised, even a little excited, but Xue Baoqin clearly did not want to say anything more. After saying hello, she disconnected the contact.

Lin Ruhai frowned as he looked at the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman in his hand, but he quickly relaxed. Since it was such a good thing, he might as well let nature take its course.

So Lin Ruhai rode the water horse again and returned to the Water Mansion.

Upon seeing Lin Ruhai return to the mansion, Jia Min immediately ordered the servants to bring him food and then went forward to welcome him into the hall.

After Lin Ruhai and Jia Min sat down, Jia Min first served Lin Ruhai a bowl of lotus seed soup. As Lin Ruhai drank the soup, he said, "Something strange happened today."

Jia Min asked in surprise, "What strange thing?"

Lin Ruhai then told Jia Min about Ye Meicang's question to him about Lin Daiyu. After listening, Jia Min's face showed a look of surprise and delight. "This is really a great thing."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai looked at Jia Min in surprise, "Madam, what do you mean by that?"

Jia Min laughed and said, "Master, can't you hear the implication in Minister Ye's words? He asked me if my Daiyu was betrothed to someone. Isn't the meaning behind that obvious?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and then quickly put down his soup cup and said, "Madam, do you mean that Minister Ye knows about my Daiyu?"

“You must already know, otherwise why would you ask such a question?” Jia Min said with a smile.

Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment, then clapped his hands repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, Madam, you are indeed wise; you have revealed the secret in one sentence."

"Minister Ye must know something I don't, which is why he asked this question. So, Daiyu is coming back too?" Lin Ruhai said happily.

Jia Min nodded and said, "Xue Baochai of the Xue family was the first to be recruited by the Chenhuan Jade Mansion, and then disappeared without a trace for decades. I heard that her mother was worried sick about it for decades. Although I am not as sad as she is, I can't help but worry. Hearing Minister Ye's question today, I feel the same way."

Lin Ruhai nodded and smiled, "That's right. Xue Baochai was away from home for decades, and when she returned, she was granted the rank of a seventh-grade official. I don't expect Daiyu to make any great contributions; I just hope she can return safely."

“Who says otherwise?” Jia Min said softly.

"However," Jia Min changed the subject, looking at Lin Ruhai again, "Minister Ye suddenly asked about Daiyu's marriage, it seems..."

Lin Ruhai laughed and said, "It seems that my Daiyu has also made a contribution, even attracting the attention of someone like Minister Ye. I remember that Minister Ye has a son who is not yet married."

Jia Min said, "If Daiyu can marry into Minister Ye's family, it would be a blessing for her."

Ye Meicang is the Minister of the Southern Mountain Divine Palace and a trusted minister of the Southern Mountain Emperor. If Lin Daiyu could marry into his family, it would naturally be an excellent match.

Lin Ruhai smiled faintly and said, "It still depends on Daiyu's own thoughts. After the Xue family's daughter was awarded a title for her meritorious service, how many people proposed to her? Among them were families of high-ranking officials, but the Xue family did not agree to any of them, did they?"

Jia Min nodded and said, "That's true. With the Xue family's daughter's current official position, she could bring prosperity to the family in the future. It would be a pity if she married someone else."

Lin Ruhai said with a smile, "That's exactly right."

By this time, all the dishes had been served, and they were all delicacies from the sea. The couple stopped talking about these things and began to eat.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, Lin Ruhai was managing affairs in the mansion, while Jia Min led a group of maids to tidy up the miscellaneous tasks in the mansion.

Suddenly, a crab general from the Water Palace entered the main hall and bowed to Lin Ruhai, saying, "Your Majesty, a celestial being has come ashore, saying that he has come on a mission and wants you to come out and see him."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai immediately stood up, and Jia Min also stood up abruptly.

"Let's go," Lin Ruhai said. Jia Min then put down her work and walked out of the water mansion with Lin Ruhai, heading ashore along the Songjiang River.

As soon as the couple stepped out of the river, they saw an old immortal with a dignified and otherworldly air standing on the bank, with two thunder generals guarding him behind him.

Upon seeing this, Lin Ruhai's expression turned solemn. Lei Jiang was a divine general under the Thunder Department of the Divine Thunder Jade Palace, an absolute 'god'.

To be protected by the Thunder God, he must indeed be a celestial being from heaven.

Lin Ruhai hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Lin Ruhai, the water god of Songjiang, pays respects to the supreme deity. I was unaware of your arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."

But the old immortal waved his hand casually and said, "No need for such formalities, I don't care about such formalities."

Seeing the old immortal's carefree and kind demeanor, Lin Ruhai asked again, "I wonder what decree the Supreme Deity has brought to the Songjiang Water Palace?"

The old immortal said, "You don't need to stand on ceremony. My name is Lu Ban, and I am a 'Heavenly Craftsman' from the Heavenly Craft Institute of the Tai Xuan Bureau. I have come here on orders from the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm to build a mansion for your family."

Lin Ruhai was slightly startled upon hearing this. The Heavenly Craftsman of the Heavenly Crafts Academy? That's a sixth-rank immortal official of the Middle Yuan, and Lu Ban, the Immortal Master, is a famous figure.

The Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm actually sent the immortal master Lu Ban to build a mansion for their family. The Lin couple were somewhat bewildered. They then hurriedly asked, "We are extremely humbled and trembling. May we ask the immortal master why the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm would send you to build a mansion for our family?"

Lu Ban smiled and said, "Building a mansion is, of course, for living in. As for why, you'll find out in a moment."

At this point, Lu Ban asked Lin Ruhai, "Tell me, where will the mansion on your waist be built? Will it be built in the water or on land?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai immediately looked at Jia Min. After a moment's thought, Jia Min said, "The underwater palace is naturally the Heavenly Court's divine palace, and it does not belong to you or me. If you want to build a residence, it is more appropriate to build it on land."

Lin Ruhai nodded and said, "Good. It just so happens that we once purchased a prime piece of land upstream of the Songjiang River, which is perfect for building our mansion."

Jia Min nodded in agreement, so Lin Ruhai and Jia Min led Lu Ban to that auspicious place nestled against the mountains and overlooking the water, pointing to an area below and saying, "Master Lu, let's build it here."

Lu Ban nodded in response, then raised his hand and tossed out three treasures: the 'Lu Ban Golden Rope,' the 'Lu Ban Golden Axe,' and the 'Lu Ban Golden Hammer.'

The three treasures flew down, and Master Lu Ban also displayed his supernatural skill, "Divine Craftsmanship".

In an instant, the three magical treasures were erected on the land below with a clanging sound. Lin Ruhai and Jia Min watched from the air and were somewhat astonished.

The mansion was built extremely quickly using those three magical artifacts, with the foundation completed in just a quarter of an hour. Judging from the foundation alone, the mansion was quite large in scale.

Just one hour later, a six-courtyard mansion was completed. Looking down from above, one could see that the mansion was majestic and vast, with red walls and green tiles, jade-green glazed tiles, pavilions and towers exuding an ethereal aura, and jade houses and golden palaces resplendent and magnificent.

Lu Ban was the first to fly down, followed by Lin Ruhai and his wife. When they landed in front of the majestic mansion gate, they looked up and their expressions changed drastically. They saw six large characters in celestial seal script on the golden plaque above the gate: "Imperial Construction of the Marquis of Jiangzhu Mansion".

"This..." Lin Ruhai asked in astonishment, "Who is Marquis Jiangzhu?"

"Hahaha." Lu Ban stroked his beard and laughed, "Don't you all know? Your daughter Lin Daiyu has made great contributions in the Five Elements Manifestation. The Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm is rewarding her merits and has decided to confer upon her the title of 'Marquis of Crimson Pearl'. The decree to build the Marquis's mansion was sent to the Heavenly Crafts Institute yesterday. The imperial edict will arrive no later than tomorrow. You must remember to wait here early."

Lin Ruhai and Jia Min were stunned on the spot, their faces filled with astonishment and disbelief, and then their eyes shone with intense joy.

Before the two could speak, Lu Ban cupped his hands and said, "The Marquis's residence is ready, and you can move in at any time. I'm going to report to the Jade Palace in the Mortal Realm now. Farewell."

After saying that, Lu Ban and the two Thunder Generals flew into the sky. Lin Ruhai suddenly came to his senses and hurriedly called out, "Immortal Master, please wait! You've worked hard. Why not stay a while and have a cup of tea before you leave?"

Lu Ban waved his hand and said, "No need to be so polite." After saying that, he and the two divine generals left directly.

After Lin Ruhai watched Lu Ban leave, he turned around and saw Jia Min staring at him with a dazed look. "Master, was I just dreaming? Was what Master Lu Ban said true?"

Lin Ruhai was so excited that his whole body was trembling. He pinched his palm and felt the pain before he realized that what he was seeing was real.

Lin Ruhai clenched his fists, nodded tremblingly, and said, "It's true! Our Daiyu has been granted a title for her meritorious service!" (End of Chapter)