Chapter 1658 — That Zun's Marriage

One of you go back first and report this matter to His Majesty.

We will go see Emperor Yanfeng and the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping and demand that they seize this man. " And so one Golden Guard hurried away. Emperor Haotian, diligent in state affairs, was reviewing memorials when that Golden Guard arrived, knelt in salute, and reported the matter. Emperor Haotian set down the memorial and said in surprise, "Mutian Zun is to marry and retire? Have I struck this fellow too harshly? I was still waiting for him to ascend to the Heavenly Court, to bow and scrape before me, to flatter me shamelessly and curry my favor!

To retire now is somewhat early. .

. " That Golden Guard said, "Your Majesty, the Upper and Lower Capitals of Jingping are bustling with uncommon festivity.

Mutian Zun's wedding is most likely within the next day or two. " Emperor Haotian laughed and said, "Mutian Zun is a man of great talent and grand strategy; I have always admired him.

It is well that he retires. Best if he never recovers! I do not wish him to become a second Huotian Zun; the threat he poses is far, far greater than Huotian Zun's.

Have the Ministry of Revenue open the treasury and prepare a batch of congratulatory gifts for me, to be sent to Jingping to celebrate Mutian Zun's wedding. " He rose to his feet and laughed: "Mutian Zun's wedding must be lively and bustling, a grand funeral.

.

.

pah, a grand wedding! " He sighed, yet his face was full of smiles: "The era that belonged to Mutian Zun has passed just like that. It makes even me sigh with emotion.

You return to Jingping and tell Mutian Zun that I am busy with official duties and have no time to come in person to offer congratulations. After he retires to Yongjiang, I will come in plain clothes to visit him and drink wine and make merry together.

" That Golden Guard hurried away at once. On the other side, the several Golden Guards who remained in Jingping went to see Emperor Yanfeng and Imperial Preceptor Jiang Baigui of Jingping. Emperor Yanfeng hurried to receive the envoys from above. The Golden Guards presented Emperor Haotian's portrait.

Emperor Yanfeng received it with the utmost reverence, placed it on the altar table, burned incense and made sacrifice, and only then unrolled Emperor Haotian's painting and looked at it closely, and could not help but fall into thought. Imperial Preceptor Jiang Baigui of Jingping came forward and also studied the painting, and the sovereign and his minister pondered without cease.

Those Golden Guards said, "You two, His Majesty wants this man taken, not to kill him, but to enfeoff him as Lord of Zaofu Palace, as Zaofu Zun. It is his good fortune! Why carry on so? " "Three envoys from above.

" Emperor Yanfeng said with difficulty, "His Majesty's painting is wondrous and soaring, a heavenly script.

The reason we ponder is that we cannot quite understand it.

" The three Golden Guards sneered, came forward to look, and also fell into irresolute pondering. Emperor Haotian had painted too freely: the figure in the painting was crooked and skewed, its features indiscernible. At its feet was something like a dog without a tail, and also like a box.

The only thing legible was Emperor Haotian's inscription, which read: "This man's name is unknown.

In appearance he closely resembles the Divine Artifact Yutian Zun, in his youthful form. " The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping pondered and said, "Closely resembles the Divine Artifact Yutian Zun—where is one to find such a person? Please return to His Majesty, envoys, and say that all of Jingping will spare no effort in searching for this man.

As for whether he can be recruited.

. .

" His face showed difficulty.

The three Golden Guards understood: to find this man on the strength of Emperor Haotian's painting alone would be no different from fishing for a needle in the sea. Moreover, even Emperor Haotian did not know the man's name, which made the search all the more difficult.

The Golden Guards took their leave, and Emperor Yanfeng hurriedly said, "My little king's princess is to wed Mutian Zun in a few days. There is no need for the envoys to hurry back; stay and drink the wedding wine first.

My little king must also prepare some gifts, which will take a day or two, to show filial respect to the envoys. " The three exchanged glances and slowly nodded, saying, "Mutian Zun is the Zun who transmitted the method of longevity, his merit boundless. It is only proper that we stay to observe the rites of his wedding.

" The three took up residence, and Emperor Yanfeng plied them with fine wine and meat, and ordered all manner of rare treasures prepared and sent to their lodgings.

Emperor Yanfeng also ordered men to escort the three Golden Guards to the greatest supervisory foundry in Jingping, to let them choose freely from the divine weapons produced there.

The three were much delighted, thinking to themselves: "This Emperor Yanfeng is a man who knows how to behave.

" Emperor Yanfeng said to the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping, "Mutian Zun's wedding can delay matters a while longer, and can also make Emperor Haotian relax his guard. In these days, the Heavenly Court will not send troops against Jingping, and the negotiations between the Heavenly Court and Jingping can be dragged out several more years. " "Your Majesty must not be too optimistic.

" The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping said, "Yuchenzi has brought the most eloquent and muddle-stirring men of Jingping to negotiate with the Heavenly Court. By the original plan, it could be dragged out several years.

But now, Emperor Haotian has eliminated Huotian Zun; Taichu dares not show his head, dares not contend with him for interests.

The Ancestral God King, the Void Zun, the Primordial Gods of the Great Ultimate—needless to say! And now the Heavenly Court has but one power, and that is Emperor Haotian! Yuchenzi's delaying strategy will likely no longer serve.

" Emperor Yanfeng frowned and said, "It is for this reason that Mutian Zun and Yuxiu abdicate and marry, to let us step to the fore, in the hope of delaying a few years. " The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping nodded and said, "Their marriage and retirement is compelled by the pressure Jingping bears. Princess Xiu has suffered much.

" Emperor Yanfeng's expression turned strange: "I rather think she is delighted.

These days she has suddenly relaxed, and looks smug to everyone she meets. . . A grown daughter cannot be kept at home—"