On the Avenue.

Chapter 630 Honest Child
In his view, Chen Shi did more than just win people's hearts on a large scale.
It's like they've written all their rebellion on their faces!

Even if the Celestial Court wanted to rebel, it would do so covertly, first sending people to destroy the Heavenly Secrets Strategy, cutting off the Celestial Court's control over newly ascended immortals, and then proceeding slowly.

Chen Shi was practically waving a flag in front of the Great Celestial Venerable, shouting that he was going to rebel and that he should be beheaded.

"If I were the Great Celestial Venerable, upon hearing this, I would immediately order Li Tianwang to behead him."

Xi Muran shook her head. This junior brother was too much of a worry.

"People's hearts, especially the hearts of immortals, are too difficult to win over. But this time he seized the opportunity, and he can really succeed in winning over the hearts of 200,000 heavenly soldiers and generals."

Xi Muran remarked, "This junior brother, though clumsy in his work, is indeed extraordinary."

Commander Wu Guanyun hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Young Master Xi, is he really your junior brother?"

Although he had seen Chen Shi perform the Great Wilderness Dao Collection, he always had doubts about Chen Shi's identity.

Xi Muran nodded: "He is indeed Master's successor, and Master treats him better than he treats me."

As he spoke, he recalled his defeat in battle against Chen Shi, and a sense of melancholy washed over him. His master had not passed on the true Great Wilderness Dao Collection to him, but instead to his junior brother Chen Shi. Moreover, among the supernatural abilities he had been taught, the strongest one was missing.

Wu Guanyun hesitated for a moment before saying, "Young Master Xi, the Heavenly Army has so many wounded soldiers this time, most of whom were injured in the Great World of Nirvana. As for the Great World of Nirvana, I heard that it was Young Master Chen who told King Li, and King Li reported it to the Heavenly Court, which then decided to send troops to attack the Great World of Nirvana..."

Xi Muran's body trembled slightly, and he was speechless for a long time.

"What a brilliant tactic, what a brilliant tactic!"

He exhaled a breath of stale air, and admiration welled up within him. "My junior brother here has truly mastered the art of cunning! He told Li Tianwang about the Nili Great World, and when Li Tianwang sent troops to the Nili Great World, the heavenly soldiers and generals were injured. He took the opportunity to teach the heavenly soldiers and generals the Immortal Technique to win their hearts. His methods are truly despicable."

Despite this, he still admired Chen Shi more, saying, "There is only one thing, how will he get past the Great Celestial Venerable? After all, he is the top of the Execution List, and this time many immortals have come to complain to the emperor, saying that he has killed innocent people indiscriminately. The Great Celestial Venerable can use this reason to execute him."

Wu Guanyun dared not speak.

Although Xi Muran and Chen Shi were fellow disciples, Wu Guanyun did not know whether Xi Muran's opinion of Chen Shi was good or bad.

"I imagine news of his imprisonment on the execution platform will arrive soon," Xi Muran said leisurely.

In the following days, Xi Muran still received no news that Chen Shi had been taken to the execution platform. On the contrary, the Heavenly Dao Residence remained bustling with activity. Chen Shi was teaching the Immortal Technique there, and all the heavenly soldiers and generals admired and respected him greatly.

Many of the heavenly soldiers and generals in the Heavenly Army Camp were from the Celestial Court. Someone compiled the Immortal Immortal Technique passed down by Chen Shi and sent it to Xi Muran. After reading it, Xi Muran was slightly moved: "He said that this technique is the source of the Indestructible Golden Body and the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique. Indeed, it has some ancient elements in it. The origin of this technique contains witchcraft and ritual techniques, and it should have evolved from the techniques of the Great Shang Dynasty."

Wu Guanyun asked, "Does this function allow severed limbs to grow back and the remaining bones to regenerate?"

"can!"

Xi Muran carefully examined the text and said, "This technique is not as exquisite as the Eight-Nine Profound Techniques of the Undying Golden Body. It takes longer for a severed finger to grow back and for the remaining bones to regenerate, but it is indeed possible. Strange, where did this junior brother obtain such a technique that contains the ancient essence of the Great Shang Dynasty?"

He was somewhat confused. The immortal techniques that immortals had obtained were all created later and followed the path of talismans and Dao patterns. The traces of the Great Shang Dynasty could no longer be seen.

The immortal techniques taught by Chen Shi, however, have a distinct flavor of the Shang Dynasty.

It's not that the present is inferior to the past, but rather that Xi Muran, after thousands of years of dedicated cultivation, discovered a peculiar phenomenon: when the current Taoist methods reach their peak, it becomes difficult to break through. At this point, searching for the source can actually provide inspiration and direction for a breakthrough from the Taoist methods of the Shang Dynasty!

The higher his cultivation level, the more he felt that tracing the origin of the Dao might allow him to break through!
"This technique is worth studying."

He put away the Immortal Technique and asked Wu Guanyun, "Since the Heavenly Secrets Strategy was destroyed, what has the Heavenly Court done?"

Wu Guanyun shook his head and said, "No."

Xi Muran was surprised and murmured, "With the Heavenly Secrets Strategy destroyed, fewer and fewer immortals will ascend to the Heavenly Court. The Jade Balance Gate alone cannot determine the identity and location of immortals in the mortal realm. The Heavenly Army will have fewer and fewer soldiers, eventually reaching a point where there are no soldiers left to use. Isn't the Heavenly Court worried about this at all?"

Wu Guanyun said, "The Heavenly Court was indeed worried and sent people to investigate the source of the Great Demon, which led them to the Demon Refining Well. However, my subordinates handled it thoroughly, leaving no trace. Since the Heavenly Court found nothing, they had no choice but to let it go."

Xi Muran glanced at him but remained silent.

The release of the Great Demon was orchestrated by Wu Guanyun, but the mastermind behind luring the Great Demon to attack the Heavenly Court and disrupt the Heavenly Secrets Strategy was Xi Muran.

He deserves great credit for the destruction of the Heavenly Secrets Strategy, but he is still uneasy because the Heavenly Court's reaction is too indifferent, as if the destruction of the Heavenly Secrets Strategy is not worth mentioning!
Wu Guanyun said, "The Heavenly Court is still very concerned about the destruction of the Heavenly Secrets Strategy. They immediately ordered the Heavenly Secrets cultivators of the Heavenly Secrets Camp to hand over the various Heavenly Secrets Dao Patterns they had comprehended in an attempt to recreate the Heavenly Secrets Strategy. However, they have not succeeded yet."

Upon hearing this, Xi Muran breathed a sigh of relief: "That's the right reaction. Otherwise, I would have thought the destroyed Heavenly Secrets Strategy was fake."

Just then, someone else came to report: "Young master, another immortal has come to the Heavenly Court to lodge a complaint, demanding that the Heavenly Court capture Chen Shi, the bandit leader on the Execution List."

Xi Muran asked with amusement, "How did the Heavenly Court react?"

"I don't know. They're still causing trouble in Heaven."

Xi Muran immediately perked up and laughed, "Junior Brother Chen is definitely going to the Execution Platform this time!"

Another person came to report: "Young master, the immortal who came to cause trouble is going to break into the Heavenly Army camp and personally capture Chen Shi!"

Xi Muran's spirits lifted: "My junior brother is doomed today!"

"Reporting to the young master, the immortal who broke into the Heavenly Army Camp arrived at the camp gate and was about to cause trouble, but was beaten up by the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals."

Upon hearing this, Xi Muran laughed and said, "Junior Brother Chen has won over the hearts of everyone in the Heavenly Army Camp. Who wouldn't be grateful to him? If you go to the Heavenly Army Camp to arrest someone, you'll definitely get beaten up."

"Reporting to the young master, those immortals have been arrested and sent to the Heavenly Prison on charges of trespassing on the Heavenly Army's camp, and they are to be executed!"

Xi Muran was utterly astonished, wondering if she had misheard, and asked several more times.

"My junior brother is in the Heavenly Court, does he have some powerful backing?" he wondered to himself.

The immortals who came to lodge a complaint were all backed by powerful figures from the mortal realm, who were reluctant to appear in person. Therefore, they sent their disciples to cause trouble in the Heavenly Court, forcing the court to arrest Chen Shi. These people were causing trouble in the Heavenly Army Camp, and while the Heavenly Army Camp could deal with them, it did not have the authority to imprison them in the Heavenly Prison.

There aren't many beings in Heaven who possess this power.

"My junior brother's background in Heaven seems to be much greater than mine," he thought to himself. He was a minor official under Emperor Wenchang, which meant he had some influence in Heaven, but he didn't think even Emperor Wenchang had such power.

"However, this matter concerns the reputation of many important figures in the Earthly Immortal Realm, and I'm afraid even his powerful backers in the Heavenly Court will find it difficult to protect him."

Chen Shi was unaware of his extraordinary abilities, having sent the immortals who came to question him to the Heavenly Prison. He had been teaching the Immortal Art these past few days, and had finally mastered it, but some immortals still couldn't fully comprehend it and came to ask him questions, which took up considerable time.

"These problems should be left to the scapegoat to handle."

Chen Shi, feeling lazy, delegated the task of answering questions to Hei Guo. Hei Guo then led those immortals to a secluded spot to explain the Immortal Technique. The visitors would nod repeatedly, showing expressions of sudden understanding, and would be deeply grateful to Hei Guo.

Chen Shi finally had a moment of peace and pondered, "I've caused such a commotion in the Xuanhuang Sea, I must be at the top of the Immortal Execution Rankings in various places. Logically, my grandfather and the others should know about me. Why haven't they come looking for me yet?"

He felt a vague unease. These days he had been spreading the Dharma in the Heavenly Army Camp. With such a big commotion, if Chen Yin and others came to the Heavenly Court, they could easily find out Chen Shi's whereabouts with a little inquiry.

However, Chen Yindu, Sha Qiutong, and others still hadn't come looking for him, which made him worry about their situation.

Just then, a knock came at the door, and Chen Shi was overjoyed: "Could it be that Grandpa and the others have come looking for us?"

He went out to open the door and saw Jing Shu, a Daoist disciple of the Eastern King Duke, standing outside with a worried expression. He said weakly, "Fellow Daoist Chen, my master requests your presence."

Chen Shi looked around but found no trace of Chen Yin and the others. Slightly disappointed, he asked, "Jing Shu, what is the purpose of the Eastern King's summons to me?"

The young Taoist priest glanced at him, his face growing even more worried, and said, "How would I know? It's probably about you topping the list of those who were wronged. The aggrieved party went to the Heavenly Court to file a complaint, and even went to the Jade Emperor. When the master came back, he was furious, and then he sent me to invite you over."

Chen Shi's heart was pounding, and he said, "Brother Jing Shu, please wait a moment while I give Hei Guo a few instructions."

The young Taoist priest said, "Hurry up, don't keep the master waiting."

Chen Shi hurriedly found the black pot and said, "Black Pot, my secret has been exposed. Now the Eastern King has summoned me, which is probably not a good thing. If you do not see me return for a long time, burn incense and pray to the Earth Goddess Houtu, asking her to save me."

The black pot made two noises.

Chen Shi then came to see Jing Shu and said, "Senior brother, you can leave now."

Led by the young Taoist priest, the two quickly arrived at the Eastern Heavenly Palace, the residence of the Eastern King Duke. Chen Shi saw the Eastern King Duke again and noticed that the head of the male immortals looked rather grim. Upon seeing him, the Eastern King Duke was furious and shouted, "What did I tell you last time? I told you to behave yourself and not try to cause any trouble to scare me to death! Tell me, what have you been doing all this time?"

Chen Shi said cautiously, "This disciple went to the Xuanhuang Sea to pay respects to my godmother."

The Eastern King Duke roared, “Are you going to visit your godmother? You’re going to kill people! On the Xuanhuang Sea, you sacrificed dogs to eat people, devouring hundreds in one bite. Even the immortals on Mount Tai saw it all! In Denghai Town, you killed people again, killing one or two hundred prominent immortals! The forces behind them have come knocking on our door, complaining to the Great Heavenly Venerable!”

Chen Shi became even more cautious and said, "This disciple did indeed come to pay respects to my godmother. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can inquire with my godmother, the Earth Goddess Houtu..."

The Eastern King Duke roared, "You still dare to argue! You...who is your godmother?"

"Hou Tu Huang Di Qi".

Chen Shi said, "As my godson, I came to the Immortal Realm but haven't had a chance to pay my respects to my godmother yet. She has urged me many times, and after being reprimanded by the prince, I deeply regretted my actions and resolved to turn over a new leaf. So I went to see my godmother. Unexpectedly, I was chased by villains on the way and almost lost my life, which is why I had to take action to protect myself..."

The Eastern King looked at him and waited until he finished speaking before saying, "I have heard that many immortals' Dao realms have been stolen, and their earthly treasures and spiritual roots have been snatched away by a man and a dog. Did you do this?"

Chen Shi cried out in anguish, “Your Excellency, please understand! How secretive is the Dao realm of immortals? How could anyone enter without permission? How could I possibly have the means to steal their earthly treasures and spiritual roots? They have mistaken me for someone else, thinking I am the notorious thief on the Immortal Execution List, and they are threatening to kill me. How wronged I am!”

The Eastern King Duke glanced at him sideways and said, "You cannot freely enter another person's Dao realm, but the Empress Earth Goddess Houtu has this ability..."

Chen Shi lowered his eyes and said, "Why doesn't Your Highness ask the Earth Goddess Houtu if she is one of my accomplices?"

Dongwanggong gave him a deep look, and reluctantly said, "Let's just let this matter go, I won't pursue it. But what about your passing on your skills in the Heavenly Army Camp? You're trying to win people's hearts! You're planning a rebellion!"

He said with great distress, "Just now, just now! The Great Celestial Venerable summoned me and asked me, 'Does Chen Shi, who commands 200,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, intend to rebel? How am I supposed to answer that?'"

Chen Shi thought for a moment and said, "The Duke of Wang is right. Does the Heavenly King Li, who commands 300,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, intend to rebel?"

The Eastern King looked at him coldly, and after a moment, he exhaled a breath of turbid air and said, "That is indeed what I answered. I also said that Chen Shi has the heart of a child, and his teaching of the techniques is not to win over the hearts of the Heavenly Army, but to gather the hearts of His Majesty, not to rebel. This is because His Majesty is blessed with good fortune, and thus has obtained such a lucky general."

Chen Shi raised his eyes and asked, "Did His Majesty believe it?"

The Eastern King said irritably, "If he didn't believe me, you would have already lost your head."

He sighed and said earnestly, "Chen Shi, you are an immortal under my command and you are in charge of the Heavenly Secrets Strategy. Don't always try to do big things. I am really no match for the Great Celestial Venerable."

Chen Shi nodded obsequiously and said, "This disciple will certainly be careful with his words and actions."

Dongwanggong waved his hand and said, "You may leave."

Chen Shi took his leave.

After he left, the Eastern King Duke pondered for a moment, then summoned a maid and said, "Prepare incense."

The maid prepared the incense burner and lit the sandalwood incense. Dongwanggong straightened his clothes, bowed to the incense, and said with a smile, "Ni Junming requests an audience with Your Majesty."

The incense smoke curled and gradually formed the shape of a lotus flower. Houtu, the Earth Goddess, sat on the lotus flower and, upon seeing Dongwanggong, nodded and smiled, saying, "Fellow Daoist, why the need for such formalities?"

The Eastern King Duke laughed and said, "Your Majesty, are you well? Just now, an immortal came to the Heavenly Court to file a complaint, accusing Chen Shi of stealing the earth's precious spiritual root and killing innocent people. Is Your Majesty aware of this matter?"

Empress Houtu exclaimed in surprise, "Is this really true? Chen Shi is my adopted son. I never expected him to be such a beast in human form, committing such a thing! Fellow Daoist, you don't need to worry about me, but if he did it, punish him severely! However, I think this child is a good child and doesn't seem capable of doing such a thing."

The Eastern King Duke laughed and said, “I see that he is honest and sincere, a straightforward person, and does not seem like the kind of person who would do such a thing. So, after my investigation, I found that this was a false accusation. These immortals have never said that they have earth-treasure spiritual roots before. Now that they say they do, it is clear that they are trying to extort money. I have already ordered people to send them to the Heavenly Prison.”

Houtu Huangdi said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist, you must not wrong them."

Dongwanggong solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the Great Heavenly Venerable has entrusted me with managing the affairs of the immortals, and I will certainly investigate every detail thoroughly!"

(End of this chapter)