Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 406 - 26: Enfeoffment of the Deity of the Moon

Chapter 406: Chapter 26: Enfeoffment of the Deity of the Moon

Qingqiu Fox Fairy.

Gu Wen remembered that he had killed some of her descendants, more than one, but given the common problem with immortals, they probably wouldn’t care much about their offspring.

In a sense, immortals transcended the restrictions of bloodlines.

What they truly cared about was never their kin who shared the same blood, but rather themselves. Whether it be their lifespan or their preferences, they were all extreme individualists.

In fact, Gu Wen felt the same way. After he became an immortal, his perception of time changed. Fundamentally, he was no longer the merchant from the Dragon Bridge era, nor was he the one who aspired to be the greatest in the world.

He was simply Gu Wen, and everything else seemed insignificant.

Whether it was being the best in the world or possessing heavenly treasures, even the Immortality Pill could now be cultivated by him in the Inheritance Treasure Cave Heaven.

Gu Wen asked, "Are you my master’s good friend?"

"We met before we became immortals and spent time together, before the conflict between humans and demons caused us to sever ties and part ways." Tushan Miao, whose stunning beauty was unparalleled, smiled joyously, her happiness unmasked, as if dimming the sunlight around her.

"Now we are rekindling our previous connection, but that fellow is as reticent as ever."

"Since you are my master’s friend, I should address you as my grand-uncle."

Tushan Miao’s eyes sparkled at Gu Wen’s words—such a relationship was significant indeed, a grand-uncle to an immortal.

She quickly regained her composure and shook her head, "The term ’grand-uncle’ is too much for me to bear. If you don’t mind, addressing me as your equal would already be a great honor for me."

The reason Qingcang could be his master was because he had been from the beginning, and Tushan Miao appearing midway made it improper for a saint to call her grand-uncle.

"Then let’s address each other as equals. The title of Saint Venerable is inappropriate."

Gu Wen nodded in agreement. He was merely honoring his master by calling her grand-uncle. To have his master’s friend defer to him felt awkward.

And such a matter must be initiated by him because a weaker party doesn’t have the ground to make requests of the stronger, who should keep to the realms defined by the weaker.

"As such, I will take advantage of you a little."

Tushan Miao’s smile bloomed like spring, leaving everyone present somewhat startled; Xie Yunnan was already enchanted.

"Oh my, how impolite of me. Sometimes I can’t contain my aura."

In the next moment, the Fox Fairy’s appearance transformed into a robust, dark-faced strong man.

While every move he made was still enchantingly graceful, at least he no longer came off as foolish.

"I am here today to handle matters concerning the Qianfeng Sect. Where is Xuanjin Venerable?"

The dark-faced strong man, his fingers poised delicately, produced a document, two-thirds of which read ’On How to Make Gu Wen Return to the Daoist Sect, Not Entrusted by Qingcang Immortal.’

He waved his sleeve, and two people bound tightly by fox tails appeared.

They were Yin Xu and She Jingqiu, their mouths sealed and could only look around in terror.

The latter, seeing Gu Wen, immediately showed joy and sent pleading looks his way.

Lu Chan emerged from the pavilion and bowed, "Xuanjin pays his respects to the envoy."

"Xuan Jin Venerable, due to negligence, an orphan of the Ninghua Sect was harmed; hence, the title of Heavenly Venerate is temporarily revoked and handed over to the Jade Palace for disposition."

"As commanded."

"You won’t argue your case? According to the rules, you have the right to defend yourself, and from my review of the case, you could argue for a lighter sentence."

Tushan Miao reminded, "Once it reaches the Jade Palace, matters will be strictly official."

Normally, if it had followed regular procedures, Xuan Jin Venerable could just contact other Venerates, use his connections, perhaps sacrifice something, and it would pass.

The Sanqing Taoist Sect always advocates integrity because it lacks it, and Qingcang is aware of this too, turning a blind eye.

Lu Chan calmly responded, "Just being stripped of the title of Venerable is already a very light punishment. Xuan Jin dares not hope for more."

"Very well, let’s have Yuqing Heavenly Venerate make a temporary decision."

Then, under the peculiar gazes of everyone, Tushan Miao tore a page from the document and handed it to Gu Wen; even a minor cultivator like She Jingqiu understood the implications.

Gu Wen glanced at it, understanding all the causes and effects, and remarked, "Is there really a need for this formality?"

Tushan Miao explained, "Your master said that without formal processes, what difference would there be between us and eight hundred years ago? Even the Three Pure Venerables, in cases like this, can only base their rulings on investigation and determine appropriate sentencing—the focus is on procedural justice."

"You see, how absurd the rule is."

Gu Wen was speechless, feeling it might be his own fault.

At the beginning of Daxia, he lived with his master for decades, exploring things like the Five Spirits Valley, communications, and papermaking which greatly improved the lives of the people.

Naturally, this included discussions about the system. His master was a pure idealist, while Gu Wen was an ordinary man who debated with his master using theories of many great men.

The theories of his past life weren’t suited to a transcendent society; the structural integrity was a hundredfold more important than in the Cultivation World.

At times, Qingcang even had the illusion "this boy is like me," feeling more in tune than with his own children.

Now it appeared that his master was decidedly a man of action. Gu Wen also played a part in this and had no choice but to swallow it.

Spending fifteen minutes, Gu Wen reviewed the laws of the Daoist Sect and examined the investigative process.

He lifted his hand, freeing She Jingqiu from her bindings and nonchalantly declared:

"She Jingqiu is innocent, but her deceit is against public decency and should be judged by the local City Lord Mansion."

"Yin Xu colluded with the Devil Clan and trafficked illegal pills; he is sentenced to death."

"Xuan Jin Venerable’s title is suspended for fifty years, with immediate reinstatement should there arise any unforeseen circumstances."

The verdict surprised everyone; Gu Wen indeed enforced justice impartially.

"I do not accept this!"

Suddenly, She Jingqiu voiced her objection, moving forward and kneeling, her tears unable to flow as she said, "I was imprisoned and abused by the Qianfeng Sect for months and fled for a long time. How can the main culprit roam free, this light punishment hardly redressing the spirits of my fellow sect members in heaven."

Where did this fool come from?

Everyone was shocked, while Tushan Miao smiled on, enjoying the scene.

Over the years, nothing troubled Qingcang more than a fool who failed to understand his place. Some people treated fairness as a privilege without considering their own worth.

Gu Wen asked, "Are you questioning my judgment?"

"I dare not," She Jingqiu replied tearfully, "but with Xuan Jin still present, if I’m transferred to the City Lord Mansion, I fear I’ll never see the light of day again. Besides, I’ve done nothing wrong—it must be the Qianfeng Sect slandering me."

Lu Chan said, "I assure you of your personal safety and freedom in Huajian State."

She Jingqiu ignored this and continued crying, "Please, Yuqing Heavenly Venerate, pronounce me innocent and arrange for me to continue my legacy elsewhere."

Gu Wen understood, she felt she’d done no wrong and hoped to make a scene to gain an advantage.

Legally speaking, she was indeed innocent, but fraud was another matter; dealing with the issue called for some form of punishment.

Tushan Miao reminded, "If you kill her, you’ll have to go back and answer to your master."

Hearing this, She Jingqiu’s eyes gleamed with secret joy, ignorant of what ’Heavenly Venerate’ and ’Saint’ meant.

"Then she shall be innocent. I need an innocent person."

Gu Wen put down the document, raised a finger, and a streak of light flew into She Jingqiu, scattering her three souls and seven spirits into the stars.

Billions of light particles drifted in the valley, more straightforward than any soul-shattering.

Everyone was slightly stunned, then no one found anything amiss.

Having completed her task, Tushan Miao said, "You should go back to the Daoist Sect and see Qingcang to accept your punishment, whenever that may be."

At that moment, She Jingqiu’s body turned into a vortex, absorbing all the fragments of her three souls and seven spirits.

Her eyes gradually showed intelligence, confused, like a child.

Gu Wen said, "She Jingqiu, from now on, you will stay with the Qianfeng Sect, turn over a new leaf, and start anew."

Her three souls and seven spirits were reconstituted; could she not start anew?

She Jingqiu tilted her head slightly, her face filled with bewilderment.

Silence fell like death around them.

Whether it was Immortals like Xuan Yue and Tushan Miao or Heavenly Venerates like Chi Yu Zi and Lu Chan, even Xie Yunnan could sense how extraordinary the scene they’d just witnessed was.

There are countless ways to scatter one’s soul, but to disperse and reunite in multitude was unheard of.

Is one still the same person after their soul has shattered and been pieced back together?

After several examinations, Tushan Miao detected nothing amiss, a mix of awe and fear burgeoned within her.

Qingcang’s connection could no longer allow her to remain composed in Gu Wen’s presence, this was a ’Saint Venerate’ as real as Jianmu.

"What did you do, Gu Wen?"

Chi Yu Zi, seemingly oblivious to the mood, remained the calmest and was the only one without awe.

Gu Wen replied, "I gave her a chance to start over. She may well become a True Monarch in the future."

"You’re truly a great benefactor," Chi Yu Zi praised. "I’m different; I’ve killed many such fools, often getting grounded for it."

Their brief conversation dispelled the eerie atmosphere.

Chi Yu Zi’s presence was like a mask for Gu Wen, always causing others to unconsciously overlook the Saint’s majesty.

The issue resolved, Tushan Miao found no reason to demand Gu Wen’s immediate return to the Daoist Sect, she tucked Yinxu into her sleeve and bowed before departing.

Gu Wen stayed for half a day more, planning to leave when Lu Chan spoke up to detain him.

"Brother, must you leave so soon? Why not stay a few days at my Qianfeng Sect?"

"I must first return to the Daoist Sect..."

"It’s truly a pity, I had hoped to invite Brother to enjoy our sect’s music, dance, and food. Not to claim it’s the best under heaven, but it is supreme among the human race."

Hearing there was good food and fun, Gu Wen and Chi Yu Zi exchanged a glance, heroes thinking alike.

Although Gu Wen had lived for eight hundred years, he had spent most of his time cultivating and had not yet grown tired of novel things; his palate was still enthusiastic. Chi Yu Zi was similar, having lost her senses for the first eight hundred years, now she definitely wanted to enjoy food and drink fully.

Chi Yu Zi cleared her throat and said, "Gu Wen, old friends should catch up and connect more, why not stay a couple more days?"

"That sounds excellent."

Gu Wen was pleased, rubbing Chi Yu Zi’s head, finding her in much agreement with his own desires.

Chi Venerable hated being patted on the head the most, and bared teeth and claws at Gu Wen.

The next day, as disciples of Qianfeng Sect returned to their gates, Gu Wen and Chi Yu Zi found even more recreational activities.

Disciples of Qianfeng Sect were like the most experienced innkeepers under the heavens, boasting master chefs, masters of the arts like music, chess, literature, painting, and various ingenious toys.

Gu Wen and Chi Yu Zi frivolously spent ten days, loath to leave Qianfeng Sect, deciding that if they were to visit brothels in the future, it would only be Qianfeng Tower.

On the day of departure, amidst the secluded valley, Xuan Jin performed a dance.

The bright moon was like a lamp, twin shadows formed, and as Heavenly Venerates danced, peach blossoms blossomed.

Gu Wen drank deep from the Spiritual Wine, for in the Cultivation World, wine was more akin to a beverage. It wasn’t mainstream in strength, but abundant in various sweet and aromatic flavors, much to his liking.

It tasted sweet, and without refining it with Mana, an explosion of marvelous flavors burst on the tip of his tongue.

Chi Yu Zi, having drunk a dozen jars, was tipsy and hugged Gu Wen as she said, "Brother hehehe... Brother Red Dust.... that little demoness can’t compare with me, she is half a foot shorter than I."

Her voice suddenly rose, laden with the smell of alcohol, "The term ’Brother’ should only be used by granny here!"

Late at night, slightly tipsy, Gu Wen’s Divine Thought began to spread endlessly, the grand Dao of heaven and earth embracing him, a Golden Core of nine feet was considered extreme.

Above the firmament, the bright moon cast a strange light upon Gu Wen’s head.

Ripples of Dao charm emerged, seemingly a decree from heaven.

"Gu Wen, you are hereby appointed the position of Deity of the Moon among the Nine Luminaries, overseeing the female celestial officials..."

Having drunk his fill, Gu Wen frowned at this Dao charm, suddenly furious, and with a wave of his hand, he captured the moon’s essence from heaven and earth and poured it into his wine flask.

"Who’s playing tricks on Daoist master?"

In an instant, the heavens dimmed and the bright moon darkened.

Gu Wen drank the flask to the last drop, crushing the Dao Fruit within, even his burps carried moonlight.