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qingyingpocketlirary · 8 days ago

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Snapshot 34; Ripples in the Realms.

It was rare that Nezha attended the court gatherings, so it was course for some whispers amongst the gossip lovers and officials, and it only increased when Nezha was waved over to sit with Taiyi Zhenren before General Li Jing could drag the Third Lotus Prince to sit with his brothers. After a moment of quiet conversation between the two, Xoaitain Quan came in from an open doorway with Erlang Shen and his sworn brothers, who all hurried to their seats and set down a collection of papers and scrolls. Upon seeing Nezha and his master, the hound seemed eager to approach the Third Lotus Prince, but stayed with his master until he waved him away, then the hound climbed the steps to master and student and settled beside Nezha.

The arrival of the other Court attendees went quietly for the next few minutes, and Li Jing paid it no mind at first, the Hound was fond of Nezha for whatever reason and was known to visit whenever given leave of his Master. But then as more people arrived, including the Sages and Xoaitain Quan still did not move back to his master, even after the Sages greeted the Brotherhood and settled in the row of seats in front of where Erlang Shen and his brothers were already seated, still in a deep but quiet conversation, whispering behind their sleeves and behind documents about something as they looked over a collection of papers and scrolls, Li Jing became curious.

Then arrived the two Relic Guardians, Prince Ao Bing and Lady Chayi, both also carrying scrolls and papers with them and once they were seated above and behind Li Jing and the other Generals of the Court, came another wave of gossip and whispers, mostly from the older officials still getting use to the idea a woman could have such a high seat in the Court even with such a low title. The two paid the whispers no mind, focused on their own papers and scrolls. Unusual, but not at all uncommon, still the Celestial Hound remained with Nezha.

It was the arrival of the Buddhas, Mahamayuri and the Moon Goddess Chang’e, that Li Jing realised there was a reason Taiyi Zhenren had waved Nezha to sit with him rather than his family. Why both Relic Guardians were present and seated together rather than the Lady Chayi sitting with her Master Lu Yu as she normally would for such gatherings.

This wasn’t to be just another Court gathering to bring up altered terms and update old records. This was to be something else, and for whatever reason, Taiyi Zhenren had waved Nezha to sit with him not to insult the Li Family, but to protect Nezha from any kind of backlash that might spill onto the Li Family. Xoaitain Quan was with the Third Lotus Prince because he was acting as another layer of protection and a show of loyalty. Nezha was not only protected by the Elderly Master, but the Nephew of the Jade Emperor himself. The Relic Guardians were together, not just as a united pair in their duty, but also as members of the Three Realm’s Godly Union, as was proven when two of the Ten Kings of the Underworld, Ao Ji, Ao Shun, Ao Qin and several Mortal Born Gods and Goddesses arrived, including Tudi, the Immortal Ruyi and his wife the Jade-Faced Princess, Immortal Zhenyuan, leaning on a cane carved to depict the infant-shaped fruits of his ginseng tree, and the Four elders from the Wood Immortal Temple of Bramble Ridge, all of whom seat themselves around Lady Chayi and Prince Ao Bing.

Li Jing’s suspicions were further proven right when not only was the Jade Emperor’s arrival announced, but so too was the arrival of The Queen Mother of the West, King Yama, the Buddha Tathagata himself and Qinglong, who coiled himself around and about the entire Court room’s ceiling and looked down upon them all, and with a pulse of their united power, the space opened up and expanded to accommodate the gathered masses with comfort and ease.

It was needed.

All authorities, Lords, Masters, Generals, Dukes, Earls, noblemen and honoured sirs, from all across the Three Realms were suddenly gathered in one space, a pocket of power where they would be witnessed, heard and judged. Li Jing caught sight of Nuwa, and with her The Four Symbols, each one settled in their respective direction around her, though no one made comment on how the Tiger and Dragon were closer than would normally be expected.

“This Court and we in places of power have permitted and allowed too many crimes, wrongs and blatant treason to run rampant in our ranks. Sins against our very foundations have gone unpunished and unchallenged for far too long.” The Jade Emperor stated calmly and firmly as he looked upon them all, a gathering of above one thousand people in total, all of them in places of power and authority all across the Three Realms by the blessings and decrees handed out with his seal and his approval. “Today marks the end of such willful blindness and ignorance. On this day, you will witness the beginning of this cleanse and the first steps to correcting and changing for the betterment of not just ourselves, but all the Realms.”

It was not a Court.

It was a reckoning. One that uncovered old schemes and tore apart the foundations of several long standing prominent powers, leaving them to fall harshly as the Jade Emperor, Queen Mother of the West, The Azure Dragon, King Yama, Tathagata and all the Heavenly Rulers listened, questioned and permitted Erlang Shen and his brothers to systematically tear down every blockade that had stopped the Three Realm Godly Union and the Relic Guardians from their previous investigations into several schemes and events that had been swept under the carpets and hidden behind curtains for so many years throughout all Three Realms that had tied back to Heaven in someway or another.

Wrongly accused innocents condemned, misuses of authority for personal gains, assassinations, kidnappings, forced abortions, thefts, murders, indoctrination to faith to boost one’s own power and status, all these things and more, done in the name of one God or another in the Heavenly Court. Now that the door to the investigations were opened after the investigation into Silken Web Hollow, it seemed Erlang Shen and his brothers were using it as a means to show that while the Jade Emperor might not be able to aid the Three Realm Godly Union as he wished due to his age, his Nephew was and with the aid of his Brotherhood, they were going to be thorough in their investigations.

Officials, Ministers, Generals, Marshals and even some Gods of all the Realms were dragged forwards and before the Heavenly rulers, questions were asked. Answers were given willingly by the smart ones, and forced from the mouths of those who refused to speak willingly by the hands of the Second and Ninth King.

When some dared to try and deflect and shift their blame to others, one by one the young sons and daughters legitimate and illegitimate, were brought into the gathering. With Nezha at their side, acting as their guard and protector from ant harm, and Xoaitain Quan letting little hands hold his fur for comfort and assurance, each and everyone was introduced and their ages given.

Never had Li Jing seen his youngest son show such tenderness to anyone as he did those children, each one handled with a ease and peace only ever seen amongst the maternal ones, and if any one dared to try and speak up from the crowd to try and silence the children, the growl of Xoaitain Quan, the glare from Erlang Shen and his brothers, and the flash of sharp teeth from the Dragon Clan rulers silenced such attempts. With gentle words of encouragement and a promise no one will yell or be angry with the child for speaking the truth, the children answered the questions.

Not once did anyone dare raise a harsh voice or word to the young ones, the threat of not only Nezha’s wrath, but the wrath of Erlang Shen, his brothers, the Celestial Hound and the Dragon Clan was enough to keep the foolish and desperate quiet as the old truths of it all came out from the mouths of the young and innocent. Some were old enough and educated to the point they could speak clearly on their own when asked, and for those who did struggle to find their voices and words, due to the nervousness of such a big crowd, paper, pens and ink were brought out, so that they could write what they wished to say, all under the tender care of the Queen Mother of the West’s watchful eye so that none could tamper with the answers.

Each and every child was praised for their honesty and given blessings to take the rest of the day off from studying before being gently dismissed to play in the gardens with the Queen Mother of the West’s most trusted ladies in waiting.

For those who had no children, instead it was their families, mothers, fathers, in-laws, wives, consorts and mistresses who were brought in, some wise enough to speak their truths now they had assurance their loved ones would be safe, and for those who were of wicked intent as well, those who tried to follow the will of their sons, husbands, fathers, brother and son-in-law, those who still dared not to speak truthfully. They found themselves suddenly struggling to breathe as the refreshments they had consumed began to turn and instead of Erlang Shen or one of his brothers asking questions, it was the Union members, and with every attempted lie or half truth, the pains seemed to only grow worse until they spoke the truth, or they became too weak to remain conscious, at which point Chang’e used one of her Memory Orbs to copy their memories and seek the answers from their minds directly.

Li Jing forced himself not to shudder at the display of power he knew was not that of Ao Bing, but the woman who sat beside him.

Let the rest think it was the Dragon Prince, famed for his ability to manipulate the water, Let them remember that the large marble orb in Ao Bing’s hand was shaped from the very core of the Water Element the Azure Dragon had gifted Ao Quang so long ago, allowing the Prince to manipulate and turn the liquid drinks within their stomachs, forcing the fluid to heat up, to burn and scald the stomachs and throats of those who dared try to lie all while the marble shone and pulsed in show and effort. Li Jing knew who it really was, he’d seen her do this before and knew it was she who seemed stone faced and silent, her hands hidden in the long sleeves of her Hanfu.

It was rare to see Lady Chayi use her abilities for anything beyond the display of water animals and other small and simple tricks to delight and entertain small children. For all her flaws and faults she learnt her lessons well from all her teachers and Li Jing would admit, however much it begrudged him to do so, she’d improved a lot since those early days, but to witness her skill in turning tea brewed with her own water into a weapon that she could wield with a skill that rivaled any Master with a weapon reminded Li Jing why he never accepted a cup she poured.

When he glanced towards his eldest sons, he saw that while they remained seemingly unmoved, Jinzha’s knuckles were white from the tension of his clenched fists, and Muzha seemed a slight pale at the revelations he was hearing and seeing. Nezha was too far away for Li Jing to properly read the emotion in his eyes, but the boy seemed disgusted by what he was witnessing, he was shaking, his fists were clenched tight and his forehead creased in anger, to the point Xoaitain Quan had laid his head over the boy’s knee to offer some small comfort while Taiyi Zhenren had put a hand to the boy’s back in another form of silent assurance.

Briefly he wondered if Nezha knew the truth of what he was seeing, but pushed such thoughts aside, he had no time for such pondering.

It took hours, so long in fact that refreshments, drinks and dinner were brought in for them after the first seventeen cases had been heard, judged and documented. Thrice the note takers had to have new scrolls and papers brought to them so they could continue their accounting of the day's events faithfully as changes were made to everything from and to merits and statuses being altered and amended, postumus and honoured titles stripped away and erased, liniages denounced, people demoted, innocents cleared and truths long buried finally coming to the surface. By the end of the twentieth case, any attempts to try and hide or deflect the coming justice were forgotten and by the fortieth case, most were openly admitting to their wrongs and crimes, knowing it would make their punishments swift.

Seventy nine cases in total, all of them from Heaven’s ranks young and old, each one judged for their crimes, new and old. Erlang Shen and his brothers admitted there were so many more, but these were the biggest and thus, the ones they had prioritized first. With a collective bow to the Three Realm Godly Union, he and his brothers swore on their honour, titles and ranks, further Erlang Shen promised, on his status as Nephew of the Jade Emperor, that the rest would come when they had gathered all the information and evidence they could.

“No matter how long it takes, we will find all that there is to be found and present it fairly and unbiasedly, to properly see justice done at last for these crimes.” The Illustrious Sage promised.

“Thank you, Erland Shen.” Ao Bing accepted on behalf of the Union and Li Jing swore, just for a moment, he and Lady Chayi caught each other's gaze before the white clad nobleman looked away.

“We shall gather again when more is prepared. For now, the day is old and we are all tired, let us retire and rest.” The Jade Emperor said, looking at the few of the Court who remained. “Until the next time we gather like this, let it be known that none shall be spared this investigation, by my blessings and with my authority, everyone in Three Realms in any position of power, no matter their age, rank, stature or relations, shall be investigated. We shall not allow corruption to remain. Truths will be found and made known to everyone, no matter how small or how old the lies have become.”

“It shall be as you say.” Erlang Shen assured, and those who remained stood and bowed in respect as the Jade Emperor and other higher beings of the Heavens took their leave.

As the crowd began to disperse, Lady Chayi made her way over to Taiyi Zhenren and Nezha with a scroll under her arm.

“I can’t believe it's finally happening.” Someone said, sounding relieved and happy. Li Jing paused to listen as members of the Union spoke just a little too loudly.

Someone else said. “Stars above and soil below, we’re finally getting there.”

“Come, let us return home and tell the others of this news, changes are afoot at last.” Another said and with a small burst of power their group departed.

“It’s really happening, isn’t it Ao Shun?” Ao Qin asked, helping the elder dragon King to his feet. “Change is finally happening.”

“Change takes time, never has it been done overnight. But yes, Ao Qin, change has finally come to the world after so long.” Ao Shun’s voice stated, his voice smooth despite his age as his brothers and nephew gathered their things ready to leave. “I suspect, with more time, we shall soon be thanking the child for his deeds, for they triggered this.”

Child? What child? Not the young Loong he’d heard of, they were a female child, not a male.

“Please do not go pushing the boy into places he isn’t ready for yet, Uncle.” Ao Bing pleaded hastily, and looked over to where Lady Chayi was still in talks with the old master and his student. “Chi Yue will have my head and my scales if I dare breath a word of such things about her nephew so soon.”

Nephew? The Bull Prince perhaps? The Lady Chayi has no siblings to be auntie to children of, but she had taken the title of ‘auntie’ when being addressed by the Son of the Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan, could it be him?

“We have waited this long to see some justice start to fall upon the wicked ones, Ao Shun, let us keep our patience and in time, we shall see what the future holds for the boy.” Ao Ji offered with a smile as he walked beside his elder brothers, his long coat tail dragging slightly behind him. “My darling little grandchild is friends with the boy and the Bull Prince. I am bound to visit her in a few days to speak of things with her and them both. If you’ve time to spare and Ao Qin the energy, why not we three old Dragons visit our dear Nephew’s Palace and pay our own thanks to them both for their service in this matter?”

“I can agree to this, if you permit our attendance, Ao Bing?” Ao Qin asked.

“You are all always welcome to visit. I shall inform her and them of the plan so they are not suddenly shocked to find you all there.” Ao Bing assured and whatever else was said was lost as they left Li Jing’s hearing range.

Not the Bull Prince, another boy; someone close to Lady Chayi enough that they call her auntie as well. But whom? He looked up, watching as Nezha accepted the scroll from Lady Chayi with a bow which she quickly waved him to stand from and turned to speak more with Taiyi Zhenren while Nezha stepped away with Xoaitain Quan, who stood at the Third Lotus Prince’s side, tail still and ears up, listening and ready to alert if needed.

And looking right at Li Jing, as if daring him to act on the unfinished thoughts building in his mind.

“Don’t.” The sharpness of Erlang Shen’s voice was almost as cutting as the glare Li Jing gave in response. “The Lady’s life is not yours to poke at, General. Leave it be and do not trouble her.” The Nobleman further warned, keeping his voice quiet so as not to draw attention to them.

“Honourable sir,” Li Jing remarked, keeping his own voice low, knowing his words would sting. “Of all people present today, you have no face to make such a statement to me.”

“General Li Jing.” The Great Sage of Tea said loudly and Li Jing felt several eyes turn to them. “You will do well to remember that my disciple has taken many lessons of late away from my personal teachings. If you wish to see such a demonstration, I am sure a polite request would be better than an insult to her privacy.”

“I offer no such graces to one such as him, Master.” Lady Chayi’s voice was firm on the matter. “An unworthy father such as him will never have my respect, nor be welcomed in my space.”

Oh, how a comment burned Li Jing’s lips, desperate to be spat with a fury and truth that would hurt her, but he knew it would be his last words if he dared to let it slip. Oh yes, he knew well there was one truth not even she could argue and for all that he wanted to speak it- to hurt her for her insolence, he knew better.

In Heaven, Lady Chayi the disciple to Lu Yu, and she was favoured by the Queen Mother of the West, and for whatever reason, Erlang Shen continued to offer her his protection despite their conflict. In the Mortal Realm, she was close to not only the Monkey King, but the Demon Bull Family, the Spider Clan, the Dragon Clan, and countless other smaller clans and gods who could and would strike out in her defence and honour. And in the Underworld? King Yama and the Ten Kings did not openly show it, but there was a regular order of the Lady’s tea blends sent down there, and each of the Ten Kings regularly answered any contact sent by the Lady even if they could not offer her their fullest aid in matters, they were willing to offer what they could.

Li Jing could speak the truth to her, could hurt her with words of truth as she so often did, but the resulting backlash he’d suffer for voicing that truth was not worth the victory and so, he wisely kept his mouth shut.

“Dear Lady,” One of the older lingering Gods began, a note of worry in his voice. “Might one question how you will be returning home, now that Ao Bing and others of your group have departed?”

“I am not without my own means to travel homewords sirs, I need no aid or escort.” She assured the elder, and after helping Taiyi Zhenren to his feet, she offered a bow to her Master and Nezha before she and the old Master headed out of the room together.

Li Jing knew he’d get no answers from anyone if he asked, but he’d lived long enough to know that nothing stayed hidden for long in Heaven. He could be patient and wait for the information to come to him.

“You know he will learn eventually, my dear.” Taiyi Zhenren remarked quietly as he and Chi Yue walked away from the Courtroom.

“I do, but that doesn’t mean I’ll make it easy for him, or anyone else.” She remarked. “I will not put my nephew at risk to satisfy the paranoid and foolish.”

“Chi Yue.” The old man said in a tone that was softly scolding. “The General is not without honour. Much as you and he will never see eye to eye, you are both united in your desire to keep your loved ones safe and free from the ire of those who can harm them.”

“You will forgive my, honoured and trusted sir, the measures I take to see my loved ones free of the suspicion of men who would sooner enslave a person with force rather than offering kindness and trade.” Chi Yue said and the old master did not argue.

They’d both witnessed just how cruel Heaven could be time and again, they’d both helped the wronged and lost find comfort and shelter from the raging conflicts masked as dinner conversations.

“On such topics,” The old man said, redirecting the conversation with a tone that made her slump, she knew what he was going to say. “The Illustrious Sage.”

“He has not approached me, nor do I wish him to.” She admitted, the hurt still raw in her voice.

“You can not continue to avoid one another forever.” The old man said. “And he is trying, in his own way.”

“I know. I will cross ‘neath that bridge when I reach it. For now, let me enjoy the flowers along the river's edge.” She pleaded.

The old man smiled an understanding smile and reached over, gently petting her head with a fondness similar to that of her Master. “For now,” he assured and with one last bow between them, he watched as she walked away, fading from the Celestial Realm to return to her home.

Deep within his chambers, the Jade Emperor panted harshly, leaning heavily against the wall as his body demanded he stop, that he rest and take time to recentre, refocus and rebalance himself.

It had taken a lot out of him, to be there and act as witness, judge and overseer to the trials, judgements and changes to the ranks of his domain, watching as after so many repeated cycles, familiar voices and faces that had been there for so long were torn down and brought to their knees to be judged for crimes he’d known of and chosen to ignore because the cycle demanded it to be that way. But he had to be there, he had to see it for himself to know in his own heart and mind that it was truly a natural act, not some wicked plot against the Cycle’s already brittle stability.

Too much was at stake to allow these changes to go unchecked by those in power. And for all that she hid how much it angered her, the Jade Emperor had seen the cracks in Nuwa’s mask of indifference, this was not what the cycle should be, but she had no power to stop what was happening.

With the assurance that this was not some twisted plot, nor some corruption from that had slipped in through the cracks to herald something far worse, the Jade Emperor would do what he could to not only preserve it, but also ask the Azure Dragon to help him defend it. Stars knew they were running out of time to keep believing the Pillar would hold everything back. They’d all known for far too long they had to do something but never agreed on what they could do…

No more. Now that change was happening, now that he knew it was from within the cycle and free of the influence of something beyond, he would make a plan and he would ask the Azure Dragon to help him. He would help the young, the capable, brave and determined ones prepare for the horrors that were coming, even if it was to be his last act.

He could only hope it would be enough.

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A look at how things went in Heaven, after the defeat of the Lady Bone Demon and investigation into Silken Web Hollow.

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