Volume One, Chapter Fifty-Four: Dividing the Spoils and Strengthening Power

Chapter 54: Dividing Spoils on the Spot to Enhance Strength

For Tu Zhe now, returning to Mount Sumeru in Renli Heaven was a simple matter. Compared to the boundless universe, the speed of traversing ten thousand miles in a leisurely stroll or shrinking the ground to an inch was like that of a snail, but for the distance between the second and third heavens, which was eighty thousand yojanas apart, it took only a few hours in the celestial realm. In that time, decades would have passed in the mortal world. Still human beings, and yet the gap between celestial beings and mortals was so vast—Tu Zhe mused idly as he flew, bored out of his mind. He was nearly driven mad by the endless bickering between the three demonesses and the dog.

Don’t assume that celestial beings are all of high character. Since the demonesses and the dog had gathered, there had been no peace. The dog quarreled with the demonesses, never backing down verbally or physically. While they seldom came to blows, there was no shortage of finger-pointing, foot-stomping, and scowling faces. The demonesses, though wary of Tu Zhe, dared not really bite the dog, but their words were full of barbs and their tongues sharp.

Tu Zhe noticed that although the dog suffered some losses, it wasn’t truly angered, so he turned a blind eye and pretended not to see. The lonely bickering between the dog and the demonesses continued endlessly. The dog did everything it could to make the demonesses admit its own wantonness and unruliness; the demonesses retorted with disdain, mocking the dog for not even being able to transform into a human shape, let alone be truly wanton.

Listening to this, Tu Zhe’s mind stirred. Before their departure, Mou Xiulou Tuo had told Tu Zhe about the dog’s situation. There was one thing that puzzled both of them: the dog always appeared in its true form and was neither inclined nor able to transform into a human. In truth, it wasn’t that it couldn’t; it simply could not recall the magical art of transformation. Tu Zhe tried to teach it, but the dog insisted it was impossible.

Other magical abilities the dog had learned before were still usable, albeit weakened, but only this ability to transform was lost. What could this mean? Tu Zhe decided that, after returning from the Daoist heavens, he would have to visit Zhuojialuo Mountain to uncover the truth.

No matter how much they dawdled, a few hours passed quickly. Tu Zhe and his companions—the dog and the three demonesses—landed before Jin Mu’s Little Heavenly King’s Hall.

Shu Tuo Luo had already been alerted and strode out to greet them, visibly excited. Without the Little Heavenly Prince, when else would he have days where he could hold his head high?

Upon seeing him, Tu Zhe stepped forward and lightly pounded his own chest, affectionately calling out "Brother Shu." Even this gentle gesture nearly sent Brother Shu flying. Startled, he thought, When did the Little Heavenly Prince get so strong? I’m at least a sub-saint, and yet a light pat almost sent me flying?

Noticing Brother Shu’s surprise, Tu Zhe rubbed his nose. I dare not use real strength, Brother Shu, or you’d be gone for sure.

Qin Lei, having received the report from the yaksha guards that his esteemed elder brother had returned, came out to greet him. “Big Brother, Father and Uncle are waiting for you inside,” he said, all the while stealing curious glances at the three demonesses. The demonesses, putting on airs, lowered their eyes demurely, exuding ladylike grace, which made Qin Lei’s heart pound and his face flush red.

The dog piped up, “Little Lei Lei, come over and pay your respects to your elder sister. Don’t go ogling those three little flirts, or you’ll have nightmares tonight.”

Qin Lei suddenly felt the urge to flee. This doggy elder sister really wasn’t giving him any face, saying such things in public!

As for Brother Shu, he kept his eyes straight ahead, focused only on Tu Zhe, feeling a bit ashamed that his own composure was less than that of the yaksha guard captain.

The three demonesses inwardly cursed the dog. Who are you calling a little flirt? Your whole family are little flirts! Look at those yaksha guards swaying and swooning—was that our doing? Besides, if you want to make people swoon, you’d have to be capable of it first!

Inside the hall, after greeting the Jin brothers, it became clear they were unsettled. This aura, this pressure—was this really the Tu Zhe from six or seven days ago? Even Indra himself was probably only at this level.

Shu Tuo Luo, eager to know more, asked, “Little Heavenly Prince, what realm have you now attained?”

Tu Zhe savored the sensation of being admired from below. In his previous life, he’d rarely experienced such admiration—apart from a few idealistic literary club girls during university, he’d never enjoyed this feeling.

So he began to show off: “Brother Shu, how should I put it? Let’s quantify it. Take, for example, the Sudhodhana realm—bring dozens or even hundreds of them, and I wouldn’t even have to try. One slap, and they’d all be gone.”

“Gone?”

As everyone pondered what exactly “gone” meant, Tu Zhe gave them a look of disdain, as if to say, “You really don’t know anything.”

“Gone, can’t you comprehend? Ah well, how could you understand the power of such things? Let me tell you, gone means gone—nothing left, turned into air, ha ha!”

Everyone was utterly shocked. Just a few days, and he’d become this powerful?

Shu Tuo Luo opened and closed his mouth a few times before mumbling, “Even saints?”

Tu Zhe leaned casually against his chair, looking dismissive. “Saints? Saints are just venerated ones, aren’t they? Are they so impressive? They too can be dealt with in a single slap…”

Thud, thud, thud—

Three people sat down hard on the ground: Brother Shu and the Jin brothers.

Qin Lei, however, remained calm, seemingly unimpressed by his elder brother’s miraculous progress.

The three demonesses inwardly scoffed. Tu, can you be any more shameless? If you keep boasting, you’ll turn into a Cherokee 213.

In their verbal sparring with the dog, they were now just as adept at wielding earthly language.

The dog, meanwhile, called out, “Rogue brother, do you know how shameless and disgusting you are right now? Please, stop pretending. If you keep it up, I’m going to puke—bleh!”

At last, the family began to converse normally.

Learning of Tu Zhe’s new level, the Jin brothers felt a bit disheartened. This child had never known affection or guidance since birth, only hardship and storms, but at least he’d taken a realm-lord as his master, who’d even sent three demonesses as his bodyguards. He was now truly formidable.

The three demonesses were the kind who could walk sideways in any realm below the world of color.

Brother Shu, knowing Tu Zhe’s new level, was left unable to keep his composure. He clamored to enhance the overall strength of the yaksha security team, to raise their security level and ensure the stability and safety of the Little Heavenly King’s Palace.

Tu Zhe then spoke of his plans to visit Rakshasa Asura’s Mopodi City and the Arctic Three Regions. The Jin brothers grew even more downcast—he had just returned, and now he was about to leave again, for who knew how long. Brother Shu was even more reluctant, his eyes brimming with tears.

Tu Zhe was a little moved. Although the sense of approval from his elders in this family wasn’t particularly strong, he truly felt their sincere affection.

So, Tu Zhe decided to stay home for a few days, intending to quickly help everyone improve their strength, so he could feel a bit more at ease before his departure.