THE PATH CHAPTER 8

Part 2: Liberate the mountain

Far beyond the edges of the universe, the unlimited and eternal vastness of the Heavenly realm was poised with stellar architectural aesthetics. The galaxy-flowing rivers and the golden clouds leading towards the rainbow gem stairs of the Heavenly Palace shone an indescribable beauty.

Inside, pristine walls encased with luxurious jewels and finest pearls sparkled like starlight, and as for the towering pillars, each jade column spiraled with dragon and phoenix carvings. Though for the gathered members inside the celestial throne room, an apprehensive concern hung among their faces. Standing on the lotus throne, the primary god among the sovereign rulers faced the gathered Martial Lords and Heavenly Officials. With his impossibly large hand— emphasizing his imposing fingers whenever he flicked or pointed to someone as he spoke— the Jade Emperor, Yu-Di was in a horrendous mood.

“Stolen the Causeless Blade?!” Yu-Di shouted. “ That Asura Prince, Tu-Jiu, is utterly preposterous! Does he think he is capable of wielding such a thing?”

“ Forgive me, great sovereign lord. The infiltration at the Phoenix Pagoda was undetected during our resistance against the invading Asura Generals and warriors. While the Martial Lords, including myself, were stationed at the eastern cloud district, the assigned troops guarding the Phoenix Pagoda were unfortunately outmatched by Tu-Jiu. Had we been the ones protecting the Pagoda, the Causeless Blade would not be in the possession of the Asura prince.” Kneeling on both legs and clasping his hands together, the Lord of Chains, Wang-Jun bowed to the Jade Emperor.

“How could this be? I was guaranteed that the Phoenix pagoda was virtually impossible to get out even if one managed to get in.”

Wang-Jun hesitantly nodded, “That is to say, if one does manage to pass the troops and enter the Phoenix Pagoda; then the likelihood of traversing through the countless traps should be impossible. However, it has been reported that Tu-Jiu did not simply walk through the doors of the pagoda so casually.”

Initially, he was undoubtedly struck with disbelief, but Yu-Di sighed with heavy agitation, “Then how exactly did that fiend get his hands on the sword?”

Wang-Jun lowered his head and calmly responded, “As reported, it was through sheer force and power. The Phoenix Pagoda has crumbled, and more than half of the guarding troops have been destroyed, either amidst the fallen pagoda or by Tu-Jiu’s fury.”

Yu-Di flapped his sleeve in frustration, “And where is he now?”

“He has entered the mortal realm.”

“Gone to meddle with mortals has he?”

"We suspect he is after the Crystalline Diamond Prison."

The course fingers on Yu-Di's hand pulled at his pointed beard. The audible sound of each stroke echoed throughout the hall. He then turned towards Wang-Jun, who kneeled patiently on the glimmering floor. “ You are to apprehend Prince Tu-Jiu at once. Break down his body if you must, but bring back his head in one piece. We must show the Asura nation that the Heavenly Nation will not be beleaguered by their atrocities.”

Wang-Jun clasped his hands, prepared and equipped to accept the orders. But before he could lower his head in respect, the voice of a troubled soldier suddenly echoed throughout the throne room. The silence of the throne room was disregarded when the young soldier ran down the long hall, his clanking armor and scuttering footsteps approached louder like clanging pots and pans.

“Report! Terrible news in the Southern Cloud district! Report!”

The stationed soldiers moved aside, clearing a pathway for the distraught soldier. When the panicked soldier reached the Jade emperor, he fell onto his knees and placed his head firmly on the floor.

“Speak. What is it now? ” Yu-Di commanded.

The soldier raised his head and inhaled deeply as if he were a puffer fish gulping large amounts of water before spewing his distress, “ A legion of Asura warriors and wardens have entered the South Cloud plains and are heading towards Pearl Gully. They come with Garuda birds and Ember Lions, if we don't stop them quickly, the entire district will be flooded if they break through our defenses. This will have a tremendous effect on the heavens and cause torrential storms and disaster in the mortal realm. The stationed troops from the southern district are holding against the invaders, but we cannot outmatch their numbers. Sovereign Lord Yu-Di, I plead that you provide adequate military forces and aid from the Martial lords.”

His large face scrunched intensely and he wanted to let out a furious scream, but Yu-Di let out another long sigh “ First the Phoenix Pagoda, and now the South Cloud plains. There seems to be no difference between the enemy and a mound of termites chewing through people’s walls.” Yu-Di's large hand stroked his pointed beard and commanded the young soldier, “ Send word to the west and east districts and gather their troops to provide reinforcements at the south. As for those troublesome wardens and their Garuda Birds and Ember Lions, I order Three-Eyed God, Er-Lang, and Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Li-Jing to deal with them. We have bared mercy for too long. From this day forth, I declare that the Asura nation is a tyrannical threat towards Heaven and Earth. We must eliminate them and their calamitous sinistry. I order the Heavenly forces to rid these beasts through the course of total annihilation!”

The two announced gods stepped forward from a stairwell cloud and bowed to Yu-Di. They stood side by side with one another in the gaze of Wang-Jun and the stationed soldiers behind him. Their valiant armor shone brilliantly like dragon scales. Er-Lang was a fierce-looking god. He was renowned as the highest Martial Lord of the Heavenly realm and was respected by the great sages. Even in the mortal realm, his fierce image in the form of grand statues stood at the entrance of Buddhist temples, as for ordinary civilians that wished to ward off bad omens and spirits, a painting of Er-Lang would be pasted on their doors. Carrying his three-pointed double-edged lance, Er-Lang had the power to cleave mountains and slay countless demons in one slash. His third eye possessed many unique abilities As for Li-Jing, although his armor was not as pronounced as Er-Lang's, his eyes were sharp and his golden sword placed on his belt shone like the sun. In one hand he held onto a small pagoda tower that could transform its size at his command. It was specifically used to capture and imprison all sorts of enemies.

The young soldier bowed his head repeatedly with great vigor, “ Thank you Sovereign Lord, Yu-Di. Your aid is accepted with earnest gratitude.”

With that, the young soldier along with the gathered Martial Lords descended from the heavenly palace.

At that very moment of departure, another lackey soldier entered the throne room in a panicked hurry. He bowed, laid his head onto the pristine floor, and waited for the Sovereign Lord's command.

"Speak!"

The soldier raised his head, " We have news on Tu-Jiu's whereabouts your Majesty."

" I've already been informed that he has entered the mortal realm, what else do I need to know?."

" Asura Prince Tu-Jiu has indeed entered the mortal realm, but we have located him in the Mount Hua district. To be precise on the third peak where the Scripture Palace lies. "

"Scripture Palace?"

"It is a sacred palace for those who seek liberation from suffering and the cultivation of the mind and body. It is reported that many victims of war, poverty, and tragedy take refuge in these mountain peaks. "

"And who is the one that holds dominion over this Scripture palace?"

" From the information we have gathered, it is no other than Heavenly Scribe Ru-Jing. "

Yu-Di's eyebrows furrowed so deeply that the wrinkles in his forehead formed divets like hills and valleys. His hand paused at the tip of his beard. So that's where you've been all this time.

The soldier waited for Yu-Di's response but noticed that the great Sovereign Lord was deep in his thoughts. His large face was bathed in an intense shadow as his eyes bore down onto the floor. A few more seconds of silence seasoned the throne room before the soldier decided to continue,

"Sovereign Lord, there is something else that you should be aware of. "

"What is it?"

" As you know, Asura Prince Tu-Jiu has entered the mortal realm with the assumption he is after Crystalline Diamond Prison. However, a strange phenomenon has occurred. It appears that the Crystalline Diamond Prison is missing?"

As if Yu-Di's eyebrows hadn't furrowed enough, the lines in his forehead and glabella seemed to have formed the shape of a crow's head." How is that possible? "

“At this moment we have no knowledge of this disappearance.”

“What is the condition of the mortal realm, surely the Asura King hasn't escaped has he?”

“No malice of the Asura King has been detected. It seems as though the prison has been missing for some time.”

The muscles on Yu-Di's face contorted like stretched fabric. It had shifted from angry to anxious and landed to somewhat relief. However, he couldn't stand the thought that one of the greatest threats of all six realms had gone missing.

“ Is there anything else?”

“That is all your Majesty.”

“Then return to your station and stop those Asuras.”

The Heavenly palace emptied at an alarming speed. However, to his surprise, Yu-Di found that Wang-Jun was still kneeling on the ground and had yet to depart with the other armed forces. Agitated Yu-Di harshly barked, “Wang-Jun, What is now?”

Wang-Jun stood up and raised his head, “ Forgive me for my undue queries at a dire time like this, but is annihilation the right course of action? To remove the existence of the Asura nation discriminately is no longer the benevolent nature of Heaven, but is a misconduct of deleterious oppression.”

Yu-Di's eyes narrowed down like a hawk in the wind, staring deeply into the resting orbs in Wang-Jun head. His sharp eyes were like arrows that could pierce through the open windows of the soul and look deep inside one's heart. It was rare for Yu-Di's orders to be questioned. They had always been absolute. Anyone who dared challenge the Sovereign Lord had always thought twice before opening their mouth. But Wang-Jun appeared earnest. His bright eyes sought not to challenge the Sovereign Lord but yearned for understanding that warranted deeper exploration.

Yu-Di’s eyes soften before he let out a sigh, “To sustain the benefit for all, and to ensure countless harmony for the future of Heaven and Earth, unfavorable methods must be taken into account. If the Asura don’t seek change after the blessing of heaven's merciful restraint, they will inevitably fall to their demise. Even after the imprisonment of their king, the Asura nation still reflects a passionate yet ruthless nature to destroy any that stand in their way.”

Wang-Jun’s mind seemed troubled but maintained a sympathetic attitude toward Yu-Di’s words.

“ Time is slipping away. Tu-Jiu’s head will not be retrieved on its own. Go on now and stop that beast.” Yu-Di ordered.

Wang-Jun awoke from his momentary daze. With a final, “Yes.” he turned around and descended from the heavenly palace.

When the throne room was finally empty, the Jade emperor slumped back into his throne chair and sighed, “ If we don’t eliminate the Asura nation quickly, then the Heavens will be the first to crumble.”