Translated by Luen Translations

Edited by Siren and Birdie

Chapter 3: Bird God King Zhao Hua (3)

An ethereal light illuminated everything. In the distance, there stood a dazzling palace wall that covered the expansive horizon. Tian Zhen gazed at it from high up above in the air, all the while bewildered. The royal complex was so enormous that the stately residences stretched as far as the eye could see. Among the countless tall buildings, there was one building that stood out with its glazed white tiled roof. It looked spectacular.

Outside the palace wall was the mighty Heavenly River. It was broad and measured approximately to be 1,000 meters wide. The water surface reflected the daylight and mirrored a white bridge that lay over the top of the river. The bridge proceeded towards the palace gate in front of it as if it were a crouching rainbow with its high level of grandeur. Guards wearing golden armor and grasping pikes were spread out on both sides of the avenue. There was one every 20 steps with an awe-inspiring presence.

‘This is the imperial court?’ Tian Zhen stretched forward her head and looked around.

The fire phoenix steadily descended on to the platform at the end of the bridge. There were two attendants waiting on the platform and they had been there for a while. From a distance, they had spotted Zhao Huajun and had approached to welcome him and bowed in salutation.

Zhao Huajun carried Tian Zhen and walked down from the fire phoenix’s back, smiling. “You two heavenly officials have waited for a long time.”

The attendant with a slightly higher status smiled and said, “The emperor had this official to wait here. There is no need for Zhao Huajun to go to the palace hall, the emperor is presently at the Constellation Platform.”

During the gap between his words, the other attendant approached and led the fire phoenix away.

After speaking, the attendant bowed and indicated his request for Zhao Huajun to walk in the front. He himself followed half a step behind as he accompanied Zhao Huajun from the side and guided the way whenever necessary.

They followed the avenue and entered the palace gates. Within the enormous palace, groups traveled back and forth. Having turned from a person into a bird, everything she saw automatically seemed to have been enlarged by several sizes, including the tall flight of stairs, the huge coiling dragon pillar, and the expansive plaza. ‘Heavenly lands were clearly expensive!’ A hundred seats were built within the bright palace hall, looking imposing and dignified. 

It was unknown how many bridges they crossed and how many winding corridors they turned until finally, the attendant unexpectedly led Zhao Huajun outside another palace gate. 

At the edge of the heavenly river was another tall yet broad platform that passed through the silver clouds.

“Go play by yourself.” Zhao Huajun put down Tian Zhen and instructed, “You can’t go far away.”

Bringing a bird to go see the “emperor” would be rather impudent. Tian Zhen understood this and walked a few steps away, then spun around on the spot. She nodded her head to express that she understood.

Upon seeing this, the attendant at the side praised, “This crow is really smart!”

‘Crow?’ Tian Zhen raised her feathers.

Zhao Huajun couldn’t help smiling and said, “This is a small phoenix. There was an accident when she forced her own rebirth, so her feathers were injured.”

The attendant was embarrassed as he hurriedly said, “How could the crow race have this kind of noble air? So it turns out that it was actually from the king race.”

‘Noble air?’ Tian Zhen turned her head and looked over her gray-feathered body.

Zhao Huajun looked at her and pursed his lips. He turned around and ascended the stone stairs to the top of the platform.

The moment the Holy Father smiles, there would be endless rays of light pouring out. Tian Zhen stood at her original position and was reflecting on this when right at that moment, her ears heard a burst of clamorous hoof sounds.

The ear-splitting sound of the horse’s hooves rang both near and far. She stared and all she could perceive was smoke and dust flying in the avenue that directly faced the river. Countless celestial soldiers were in orderly formations as they valiantly rode chariots across the bridge, walked, or rode heavenly horses. There were some who raised flags, carried swords, and carried bows……she gazed for a long time and still couldn’t see the end.

Tian Zhen was crushed by that imposing manner and promptly ran to the opposite bank. She jumped onto a railing at the end of the bridge and acted as a spectator.

“Wen Xi, can a youngster like you fight in a battle?”

“You can’t put it like that. If it was a female general from the Devil Realm, then I wouldn’t be able to fight her either, let alone him.”

…….

Several celestial soldiers on horses laughingly and playfully teased a small soldier. That small soldier seemed to not have heard or rather didn't mind as he merely lowered his head and didn’t speak.

There’s this kind of ‘bullying the weak’ situation everywhere. Tian Zhen was just sympathizing with him when she heard the heavenly horse give out a loud neigh. That small soldier’s mount was suddenly startled by “something” and, immediately following its scare, raised its hoofs and made two turns from its original position. Then, it went rampant as it carried him directly for a mad dash forward and the other celestial soldiers cried out in fear as they moved out of the way one after another. The procession was immediately thrown into disorder.

There was a “putong” sound and a splash sent droplets of water flying in all directions. The small soldier was unable to gain control and unexpectedly, both man and horse fell into the heavenly river!

Fortunately, all celestial soldiers have a little bit of magic power. He adapted to the situation extremely quickly and the tip of his foot immediately touched the water as he jumped and landed back on to the shore.

“This youngster rode his horse all the way into the river!”

“Born looking like a woman. What battle can you fight?!”

…….

Due to the close distance, Tian Zhen had clearly seen what had happened. It was clearly the several people beside him who had played a prank on him. 

With the procession in disorder, a high ranking military officer rode his horse over as he berated in a stern voice, “Who is making a disturbance?”

The several celestial soldiers who had been ridiculing the small soldier before shut their mouths. No one dared to speak anymore.

The river water by the shore wasn’t deep and barely submerged the horse’s stomach. That horse was still incessantly struggling due to its anger. The small soldier’s hands firmly pulled at the reins to prevent it running rampant again. However, no matter what, he wasn’t able to drag it back nor could he let go of his hold. Without any choice, he awkwardly replied, “Wen Xi was inattentive, so the horse got startled and jumped into the heavenly river.”

“You again, trash!” The high ranking military officer struck the ground with a whip, “You can’t do anything right except making everything worse!”

Wen Xi was silent and didn’t defend himself.

“All of you walk properly!” The high ranking military officer shouted out his order in a loud voice and put the group back into order again. After that, he turned towards Wen Xi and cursed, “Useless thing. Hurry up and drag it back. The army is going to set out immediately. If I miss the chance to battle, I’ll seize up and punish you!”

Wen Xi said ‘yes, yes’ in response and used all his strength to pull at the horse.

The situation had developed in a rather peculiar direction. It hadn’t occurred to her that he could tolerate things this much. The pity within Tian Zhen’s heart changed into respect. She carefully looked at his two eyes and discovered that this person was extremely beautiful. A jade face, vermilion lips, and a pair of eyebrows slanting towards the temples. Even harder to come by was that although he had been plotted against and had been ridiculed by everyone, he didn’t carry the least bit of resentment. From beginning to end, there was a quiet and calm temperament between his eyebrows.

Seeing the army getting farther away and the horse still in the water refusing to be pulled back, Tian Zhen felt anxious on his behalf. Hence, she spread her wings and flew over, wanting to give him a helping hand.

Wen Xi thought aloud, “A small phoenix?”

‘Good eyesight!’

Tian Zhen put more energy into flapping her wings at the heavenly horse, herding it towards the shore.

‘In view of this ‘phoenix’ word, I’ve decided to help you out!’

Suddenly, that heavenly horse gave a wretched neigh and disappeared right before her eyes. It had been pulled out from the water by a great force.

Tian Zhen raised her head in puzzlement.

The horse had already returned to the shore. Wen Xi was leisurely pulling at the reins, smiling at her.

Tian Zhen’s mind was in shock.

‘This puny celestial soldier actually turned out to be a deeply hidden expert who simply hadn’t revealed himself!’

His eyes were like autumn waters, deep and unfathomable. Wen Xi softly said, “Many thanks, little phoenix.”

Having been taught a lesson previously by Lu Xiaocan’s bloodletting, Tian Zhen would first consider her own safety—— ‘someone who would consent to suffer in silence definitely has a secret. If I were to let him find out that I understand everything, would he kill this bird to prevent the secret from leaking?’ As a result, she didn’t respond to his thanks and flapped her wings, returning to the end of the bridge. 

Seeing that she didn’t have the least bit of cultivation and was merely an ordinary bird spirit, as expected, Wen Xi didn’t have his guard up around her. Regarding the moment of sentience she had shown, he didn’t know what he thought of it, but afterwards he simply turned around, got on the horse, and chased after the army.

Tian Zhen followed him with her eyes until he disappeared and then jumped down from the bridge’s railing. She casually strolled around within the vicinity and unexpectedly reaped quite a bit. For example: a certain god and a certain goddess were in love, a certain god in charge of the treasury had embezzled a number of gifts, also, a certain imperial concubine wanted to get poison to harm another imperial concubine who was pregnant…….

‘This world isn’t very peaceful. There are many secrets that only a bird can discover!’ Tian Zhen used her claws to support her head.

‘For the sake of my small life, I need to act as a non-talkative bird.’ Out of sight, out of mind.

Guessing that it was about time, Tian Zhen walked back along the bridge. Very quickly, she heard someone speak up ahead.

“Then it’s decided. Zhen will give out an imperial decree at a later time.”

The voice was very young. There was familiarity in its air although there was an even greater amount of dignity.

Tian Zhen promptly stopped and raised her eyes to look. She only saw Zhao Huajun and a man standing at the bottom of the Constellation Platform. Several attendants respectfully stood several meters away. That man was clothed in a golden robe. A jade belt secured his waist and he appeared to have a tall stature. Due to his back facing her side, she couldn’t see his facial appearance. The words just now had come from his mouth. Since he had called himself “Zhen,” there was no need to guess his identity.

Zhao Huajun said, “Your Majesty, please reconsider.”

“Cousin, your journey must have been exhausting. You should go get some rest and leave tomorrow.” The Heavenly Emperor interrupted him. He patted his shoulder and said, all the while smiling, “Right now, besides cousin, not a single one of these useless workers can help me with my worries and difficulties. You can’t avoid it anymore. In a little while, my brother-in-law will come to pay his respects to you.”

After speaking, he took along his several attendants and entered the palace gates. There was only Zhao Huajun left, excluding the attendant who had guided them previously.

The attendant smiled and said, “His Majesty has already made his decision. Zhao Huajun, please come this way.”

Zhao Huajun had no other choice and called to the side, “Little phoenix?”

Hearing the gentle call, Tian Zhen gave a cry and customarily walked over with a quick pace.

Seeing her two legs running on the ground, Zhao Huajun couldn’t help smiling as he lifted her up in his arms. “If I were to let you stay in that heavenly chicken flock again, I’m afraid that you’ll forget even how to fly.”

The attendant gestured for him to enter the palace gates and said while walking, “This time Zhao Huajun is going to Dong Yuan Yin Mountain to supervise and direct the battle. So it’s only natural that His Majesty is worried.”

Zhao Huajun said, “Having the War God personally guarding me, there’s no need for His Majesty to be worried. He only commanded me to take a look at the progress of the battle and placate the three armies, that’s all.”

The attendant sighed and whispered, “I won’t hide it from Zhao Huajun. The Demon God’s power is no small matter. The War God can only set up a spell and trap him within it. If this battle is to be victorious, Zhao Huajun must personally appear.”

Zhao Huajun frowned and said, “A nameless saint speaking nonsense. How could you take it seriously?”

The attendant replied, “When there is chaos, create order. When there is order, chaos prevails. The servant shall no longer be a servant and henceforth goes away. These words have already come true long ago. His changing sides and going to the Devil Realm was already destined by Heaven's Will. This matter has to be dealt with by the Bird God race. If Zhao Huajun had been there the previous couple of times, wouldn’t we have won?”

Hearing this, Zhao Huajun gave out a bitter laugh.

An intruder coming to your realm and killing several ten thousand of your celestial soldiers and then, without the slightest injury, withdrawing his troops and leaving. It was nothing more than deceiving others and deceiving oneself.

‘The Demon God has started a rebellion?’ Tian Zhen was able to make out the general idea.

‘Should be right by all means. If there are Gods, then there definitely have to be Demons. Otherwise, what else would you give these celestial soldiers to train with and raise their levels?!’

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