Volume One, Chapter Sixty: Teasing the Lord

Chapter Sixty: Teasing the Lord of Heaven

Tu Zhe left his father and uncle with some imperial- and divine-grade Brahma crystals, so they could cultivate and advance their realms at the appropriate time. The Jin brothers immediately realized that Tu Zhe was about to leave.

Word had already spread from Tu Zhe’s undercover agents: he was planning to head to Dog’s lair on Mount Chakrara. According to his public itinerary, he would, three days later, take a short-range teleportation array between Rili Heaven and the Four Heavenly Kings Heaven to arrive at the latter, then traverse the Long Freetime Heaven, descend the Small Sevenfold Golden Mountain, pass through the lowest level of Mount Sumeru—watched over by the ever-drunken, Garland-bearing, and Bowl-handed Yakshas—cross Ear Mountain and Obstacle Mountain, traverse the Sevenfold Fragrant Waters Sea and the Great Sevenfold Golden Mountain, to finally reach the Great Salty Sea. Only after crossing this sea would he reach Mount Chakrara; and a thousand yojanas beneath the sea lay the Eight Great Hells.

On the surface, Tu Zhe’s publicly declared route seemed quite reasonable. The issue lay with his chosen mode of travel.

Why, from Mount Sumeru, would he use a short-range teleportation array to the Four Heavenly Kings Heaven, but then fly manually through all those realms? Wasn’t that a little odd?

It was common knowledge that within the earthbound realms—Rili Heaven, the Four Heavenly Kings Heaven—and among the various dragon palaces and Garuda dwellings in the surrounding seas, as well as Mount Chakrara, there were many mid- and short-range teleportation arrays. Why not just teleport directly to Mount Chakrara? (Only the first two earthbound heavens lack direct teleportation to the higher, void-dwelling heavens.)

Wasn’t he just making things unnecessarily hard for himself?

Tu Zhe explained, “I was just born not long ago! I’m curious to see Mount Sumeru, the Four Heavenly Kings Heaven, the Fragrant Waters Sea, the Sevenfold Golden Mountain, the dragon palaces—why not enjoy the sights? Walking is a joke, but flying leisurely through the sky, taking it all in—can’t I do that?”

Hulu Zhi, holding the itinerary, found it odd, but upon hearing Tu Zhe’s reasoning, mused, “Well, that makes sense.”

Then the Eight Heavenly Princes sneered, “You little brat, are you trying to die slower? Using the teleport would limit our options, but traveling through so many places—aren’t you just handing us opportunities?”

“Fine,” they conspired, “very cooperative, eh? Someone, secretly inform the ‘Chimera Enclave’ of his route—let them take matters into their own hands.”

Given Tu Zhe’s extraordinary spiritual sense—capable of spanning four or five million kilometers—nothing within that range could escape his notice.

However, this was Mount Sumeru. Displaying such powerful spiritual sense would immediately alert Indra, who guarded this as his secret weapon for critical moments. Tu Zhe had no choice but to plot and scheme, seeking victory from afar.

Isn’t there a saying in the art of war? “Strike where they least expect it, attack where they are unprepared.” They mustn’t be allowed to see through his real intentions.

Indra believed that since Yueyi had already taken the teleportation array back to her mother’s city, Tu Zhe would sneak out in the middle of the night, slip into the territory of the northern King Vaisravana in the Four Heavenly Kings Heaven, then fly at full speed to the City of Ma Pa, seeking Lord Rahu, King of the Asuras.

Three days later, heading to Mount Chakrara? That was just a ruse for the Eight Princes, the open path concealing the secret move. The boy had some skill.

But, young rabbit, have you not heard that “ginger gets spicier with age”?

Indra deduced that Tu Zhe must have some heaven-defying treasures in the ring gifted to him by the master thief—how else could he have elevated his father, uncle, and their retinue to such astonishing realms in just three days?

Ordinarily, even with his vast experience, Indra wouldn’t act against Tu Zhe, especially since Mara had accepted him as disciple in his presence, and considering Dog’s relationship with Lord Muxiu of the Tower. Indra thought there was no harm in Hulu Zhi and Tu Zhe’s youthful games—the elders would not interfere.

But now, the old emperor was tempted.

Damn, it looks as if this young rabbit is wealthier than me. Unacceptable! If he uses such vast resources to grow rapidly, wouldn’t Rili Heaven be turned upside down?

No, I must stir up some real trouble.

So he summoned King Ilopona the Great Dragon Elephant and his nine sons, and with great fanfare announced a ten-day sutra lecture at the Hall of Good Law.

“I’ve always been preaching,” he declared. “Everyone can see it. Whether Tu Zhe lives or dies outside has nothing to do with me.”

This was Indra’s overt move, preparing for Mara and Lord Muxiu’s possible investigation.

As for his covert actions—well, you can imagine.

A single divine thought, and the myriad dragons and devas under Indra’s command flocked to the Hall of Good Law to hear his teachings.

Of course, the Jin brothers received this message, and Tu Zhe found it strange. What game was the old fox playing?

Was he leaving only an avatar here, sending his true self to ambush me? Unlikely. If he really tried that, Lord Muxiu’s time-reversal would uncover everything. The old emperor wasn’t that dumb.

So it was just for appearances? Had he already laid a trap, waiting for me to walk in?

You know, back when I was at Peking University, my intellect was second to none.

I made the Mount Chakrara travel plan knowing your good-for-nothing princeling would fall for it. But to think the old emperor would also bite—am I insulting your intelligence or my own?

From the news of my sister’s return home and my trip to Mount Chakrara, you must have sensed something was off.

But does that help you? Maybe you’ve set up an ambush somewhere between the roots of Mount Sumeru and the City of Ma Pa over the Great Salty Sea.

But how could my methods be guessed by an old dog like you?

I’ll send you and your son—one to the southern seas to drink bitter waters, the other to the northern ocean to watch the sun rise and set.

Old emperor, prepare to weep.

During a break in his sermon, Indra received intelligence: the young rabbit, Tu Zhe, was still in his father’s Little Heavenly King Palace, showing no signs of movement.

Indra sneered.

No movement? Keep watching—night is falling. Surely there will be some activity.

Indeed, at midnight, Tu Zhe led Qin Lei, carrying Dog, with the three demoness sisters sneaking behind, slipping out of the Little Heavenly King Palace and heading north, furtively avoiding notice.

Indra, sleepless through the night, heard the news and his lips curled in a smile.

Boy, you think you’re clever? I’d already predicted you’d move at midnight—and here you are. Ha! I’ll be waiting for news of your disappearance—ha! I can finally rest easy.

Indra preached until dawn.

During a break, news arrived: the young rabbit had wandered all night, then returned home to sleep.

Hmm?

He didn’t leave?

What did this mean?

Indra frowned in thought, then his brow cleared.

Ha! The little rabbit is cautious, afraid of being tracked. This was just a reconnaissance in force.

No matter, he didn’t go last night—he’s sure to go tonight.

And so, at midnight, Indra received word that the little rabbit had slipped out again.

He ordered his men, “Follow at a distance—do not be discovered.”

Indra was smug. “What did I say? He tested the waters last night, found no danger—so tonight he’ll really go.”

Yet in the morning, the report came: the little rabbit had wandered again all night, then gone home to sleep.

Damn...

Indra grew puzzled. What was this little rabbit up to?

How long would these tests go on?

So the old emperor sent word: “Don’t follow him tonight. Let him go. If he doesn’t leave tonight, then there really is something uncanny at play.”