Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

The Heavenly Court's Water Department, the Water Patrol and Investigation Division.

Zhang Qingyang suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze still bloodshot, his chest heaving violently.

The searing pain of that wisp of divine thought being utterly obliterated by the Crimson Demon Lightning lingered deep within his soul, like a maggot clinging to his bone.

Although the injury wasn't serious, it felt like a resounding slap across his face.

"You wretched creature! How dare you do this!"

He let out a low roar, his beard and hair moved without wind, his official robes billowed, and water vapor rose from his body, faintly accompanied by the sound of surging waves.

how many years?

Since he was received into the Heavenly Court and ranked among the immortals, although his position was not high, he had always been cautious and prudent. He had never suffered such a great humiliation.

A demonic dragon from the lower realm dared to destroy his lineage and even annihilate his avatar—utterly contemptible!

His anger surged, almost shattering the mental state he had cultivated over hundreds of years.

He wished he could immediately descend to the mortal realm in his true form, personally crush that arrogant and ignorant demonic dragon, extract its soul and refine its spirit, to vent his hatred.

However, as soon as he took a step, it was as if he had hit an invisible, cold wall, and he came to a sudden stop.

Above one's head is the ever-flowing Heavenly Law, which oversees the Three Realms.

Celestial officials must not abandon their posts without authorization, nor should they interfere in disputes in the mortal realm without cause, especially those involving the downfall of sects and the life and death of cultivators, all of which are predetermined.

Unless it involves demonic disturbances or endangers the order of the three realms, and requires approval from the relevant authorities.

Those who disobey will be punished, at best stripped of their celestial privileges, at worst imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, or even annihilated, body and soul.

Zhang Qingyang was merely a sword-wielding immortal official in the Water Department with little real power, unlike those celestial rulers or kings who governed a region and held absolute authority.

If anyone dares to defy the rules of heaven and descend to the mortal realm to seek revenge... the consequences will be unimaginable.

The ruthless killers under the Northern Emperor's command of the Exorcism Bureau wouldn't listen to his reasons such as "the orthodox lineage was destroyed" or "his incarnation was humiliated."

Zhang Qingyang shivered, his anger cooling down as if doused with ice water, leaving only deep fear and helplessness.

He slumped back into the jade chair, his once upright figure now appearing somewhat hunched.

His fist was clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force, and he slammed it heavily onto the cold jade table, making a dull thud, but ultimately failed to damage it in the slightest.

He closed his eyes, and a variety of thoughts flashed through his mind.

Should we report this to our superiors?

However, the Heavenly Court usually turns a blind eye to conflicts between sects in the lower realms, unless they involve demons causing chaos and shaking the heavens and earth.

If you rashly report it yourself, you may not be able to get help from the heavens, and you may be ridiculed by your colleagues and get a bad performance evaluation.

To establish good relations with the celestial officials?

He was a nobody in Heaven, and those with whom he had a shallow relationship might not be willing to get involved. Among his close friends, who was of similar character and would be willing to take such a risk for him?

After much thought, it seemed there was no solution!

The immortal aura inside the hall was still strong, but it made Zhang Qingyang feel a strange sense of suffocation.

The figure in black robes in the lower realm, and the crimson lightning, were etched into the depths of his soul like a brand.

Must we simply swallow this hatred and resentment?

Just when all his calculations seemed to be proving difficult, his gaze inadvertently swept across a corner of the jade table and fixed on a blue jade slip that he had just reviewed.

That's because the underwater currents in the East China Sea have been surging abnormally in recent years, suspected to be a change in the earth's veins.

At this moment, this ordinary jade slip suddenly became different in his eyes.

Unusual undercurrents... in remote waters of the East China Sea...

Such matters can be either large or small.

If there is a powerful demon cultivating in seclusion among them, disturbing the order of the waters, it could even endanger passing cultivators and affect the peace under the rule of the Heavenly Court.

As a celestial official of the Water Patrol and Investigation Division, wouldn't it be perfectly legitimate and reasonable for him to personally descend to the mortal realm to investigate and verify?

A thought flashed through my mind like lightning.

A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Qingyang's eyes.

He took the jade slip into his hand, and a divine light flowed from his fingertips.

"Descending to the mortal realm to seek revenge is against the heavenly rules, which is certainly unacceptable... But what if it's for official business?"

He muttered to himself, and the wisp of divine light at his fingertips no longer hesitated, gently erasing the original line of annotation.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Qingyang picked up the jade brush, which used stardust as ink.

The pen paused for a moment before finally falling, marking a new line of writing with concise and powerful strokes, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"This matter involves the safety of the waterways and is of utmost importance."

I hereby order myself to descend to the mortal realm to investigate and clarify the cause, in order to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. The relevant water authorities must fully cooperate.

After reviewing the documents, he put down his pen, looked at the new instructions on the jade slip, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

In this way, the lower realm would have a perfectly legitimate reason.

As long as the operation is carried out properly and no obvious evidence is left, even if someone questions it afterward, he can claim that the place where the demon dragon was located was the source of the anomaly, and that the extermination of the demon was an official business.

At most, it's considered an overreaction, but it's still better than dereliction of duty.

After doing all this, Zhang Qingyang slowly leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and unconsciously tapped his fingertips lightly on the armrest.

The lower realm...monster dragon...

He had already made up his mind to kill.

This time I descend to the mortal realm, I will make sure that wicked beast knows that the majesty of a celestial official is not to be trifled with!

……

Holding the revised and reviewed cyan jade slip, Zhang Qingyang hurried out of the side hall of the Ministry of Water.

He knew that this matter needed to be resolved quickly, as delays could lead to unforeseen changes, so he did not proceed with the usual procedure of submitting the jade slip to his superiors and waiting for inspection and approval.

All of these factors will cause a considerable delay.

He went directly to the Lower Realm Survey Office to file a report, explaining that the situation was urgent and that he had only taken a temporary passage jade talisman before heading down to the Lower Realm.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Qingyang tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor, but the murderous intent in his eyes, eager for revenge, was hard to completely conceal.

Above the cloud path, celestial mist swirls, and auspicious clouds drift in thousands of strands.

The Heavenly Soldiers and Warriors who came and went all gave way and bowed when they saw that he was in a hurry.

Zhang Qingyang kept his eyes straight ahead, only wanting to pass through the South Heavenly Gate as quickly as possible and descend from the clouds.

Amidst swirling celestial clouds, he had already reached the cloud path leading to the Southern Heavenly Gate.

However, just as he was about to step out of the cloud path and approach the towering, golden South Heavenly Gate, he was about to...

A flash of lightning.

"Whoa—!"

A clear and resonant command, with the sound of metal and stone, suddenly rang out from the front!

The voice was not loud, but it contained an undeniable air of authority and a chilling, murderous aura.

Before the South Heavenly Gate, a group of people stood solemnly, blocking the way.

The leader was a celestial general with a tall and upright figure, wearing black armor with lightning patterns and a lightning whip at his waist.

With a resolute face, lightning-like eyes, and a body surrounded by faint lightning, his aura was powerful and righteous. He was none other than Yang Feng, the Thunder Cavalry Commander in charge of patrolling the Cloud Road of the Southern Heavenly Gate!

Behind him, more than ten Thunder Riders, also heavily armored and wielding Thunder Halberds, stood in solemn formation, exuding a chilling aura that could deter a thousand troops.

Zhang Qingyang suddenly stopped in his tracks, his heart skipped a beat, and his expression changed slightly.

He recognized Yang Feng, not only because he had heard of the man's reputation.

Furthermore, this person was a capable lieutenant under Yilie Tianjun, a leader of the Thunder Department known for his decisive and ruthless nature.

Although the Heavenly Lord is currently fighting demons in the Eastern Celestial Domain, his Thunder Riders have never neglected their duty of patrolling the heavens.

Zhang Qingyang forced himself to remain calm and cupped his hands in greeting:

"I wonder what brings the Cavalry Commander here?"

Yang Feng sat upright atop a magnificent Thunderscale Heavenly Horse, holding the reins in his hand.

His gaze, calm yet sharp, fixed on Zhang Qingyang, showing no disrespect despite the latter's status as a celestial official. He bowed respectfully according to protocol, his voice steady:

"This general, Yang Feng, is ordered to patrol the heavens and inspect those coming and going. The celestial official is in a hurry; where is he headed?"