Chapter 109: The Simple-Hearted Heavenly Canopy, Cao Xiang Plucks the Lead Blossom

Inside the Tushita Palace, a young attendant pouring tea, his hair tied with silver thread, silently puffed out his chest, eager to impress the Heavenly Venerable of Potency and Salvation.

Taishang Laojun smiled but said nothing.

Looking down to the mortal realm:

Zhu Gang was still sizing up Cao Xiang, attempting to discern his true nature. However, no matter how he looked, he could only perceive a faint, clear aura, suggesting a practitioner of the Dao.

Over the past three years, Cao Xiang had been on the verge of plucking the "Lead Flower." His primordial essence had become so refined and contained that it was nearly impossible to leak, making it difficult for others to see through him unless he took action—especially for someone like Zhu Gang, who was habitually lazy, neglected his own cultivation, and possessed only a superficial grasp of supernatural arts.

Zhu Gang pondered for a moment, then descended on a cloud. Seeing the mountain scenery, he nodded and said, "Mm, not bad."

He turned to Cao Xiang and said, "You appeal to me. Come with me and be my attendant; I shall find you a post in the heavens."

Cao Kong’s gaze remained calm, but Jin Jiao spoke up coldly first:

"Zhu Gang, tuck away those petty thoughts of yours. Not to mention that Cao Xiang is my brother, even judging by his foundation alone, asking him to serve as a mere attendant is an insult."

Zhu Gang was unimpressed, assuming Jin Jiao was just trying to intimidate him. Back in the heavens, the two had never quite seen eye to eye.

After all, whenever he visited Jin Jiao’s residence, he would casually pocket a few pills, pluck a few herbs, and, in his drunken state, leave the place in a chaotic mess. He had apologized, hadn't he? What more did they want from him? As for offering compensation, that was out of the question; he was a master of playing the fool.

"Jin Jiao, your words are improper. You must know that my master is—"

"Ahem! I am Marshal Tianpeng, commander of the Heavenly River, in charge of eighty thousand water troops. How could such a status be an insult? Clearly, he is the one clinging to me. Jin Jiao, you little brat, don't speak of things you don't understand." Zhu Gang cut himself off, choosing to boast of his official rank rather than mention his master.

Jin Jiao curled his lip. "You know perfectly well how you obtained that position."

Zhu Gang remained unbothered, merely shaking out his silver armor, which actually gave him a rather imposing air. "Cao Xiang, is it? Are you willing to return to the heavens with this Marshal? Many would beg for such an opportunity."

Seeing that Jin Jiao and Zhu Gang were at odds, and already having a master of his own, Cao Xiang shook his head immediately.

Zhu Gang frowned. He was a man of great fortune, and he felt that taking this person as an attendant would be immensely beneficial. He was truly unwilling to give up.

"You..."

Just as Zhu Gang was about to press further, Cao Kong stepped forward. "I appreciate the Marshal's kindness, but my brother already has a teacher. He is a disciple of the venerable Immortal Shou Xing, so it is not possible."

Hearing this, Zhu Gang looked chagrined. "Oh, so it's that old 'Meat-Head'? I know him quite well. In that case, let it be."

Jin Jiao suddenly scoffed, but Zhu Gang acted as if he hadn't heard.

"In that case, I have gathered some spiritual herbs over the past three years. Wait for me two days; I will refine a batch of pills before we depart."

A look of contemplation crossed Zhu Gang’s eyes. Seeing this, Jin Jiao quietly reached for the sword on his back.

"Hahaha, Brother Jin Jiao, look at what you’re saying! Never mind two days—even two and a half days, what would it matter?"

With that, Zhu Gang made himself at home, landing on the ground and saying naturally, "You there, you have good fortune to have such a brother. By the way, is there anything delicious in the mountains? Bring it for me to taste. If this Marshal is pleased, there will be no shortage of rewards for you."

Jin Jiao said, "Brother Dongzhen, do not listen to him. This man’s words are not to be trusted. He is greedy, lazy, and a braggart. Just treat his words as wind."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang did not get angry, but suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Jin Jiao, what did you just call him? You called him 'Brother Dongzhen'? I didn't mishear, did I? To dare use the title 'Dongzhen'—if he has a master, then his master must have lost his wits. If he doesn't, then this man is truly ignorant of the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth."

As the words fell, a look of malicious joy flashed in Jin Jiao's eyes. This oaf had been the same for years, never able to curb his loose tongue. Even when he had only thought such things in his heart, he had been terrified; to hear this oaf say it aloud—if that person were to take offense, not even this oaf's master could protect him.

Sure enough, upon hearing Zhu Gang’s words, Cao Kong frowned. Having listened for so long, he already understood who this person was: the future Pigsy who would go on the pilgrimage.

Yet, this man was far too rude. If he had only insulted him, it might have passed, but since he had implicitly "insulted" his master, Cao Kong could not let it slide.

His expression turned cold. "Marshal Tianpeng, you come from the heavens, and by right, I should show you respect. However, your words just now have insulted my master. Apologize at once, or do not blame me for being discourteous."

Zhu Gang chuckled, not taking it to heart. But then, a jolt of alarm hit him, and he probed, "Do you and your brother share the same master?"

Jin Jiao laughed. "Of course not. Zhu Gang, let me give you a piece of advice: apologize quickly. Do not bring misfortune upon yourself."

Zhu Gang’s eyes darted back and forth. He thought, 'This Daoist is either a pedantic fool or possesses an extraordinary lineage. Since Jin Jiao says this, whether he is bluffing or not, an apology is only a sentence or two. It’s no great loss.'

He then cupped his hands with feigned sincerity. "Heh, Brother Cao, do not take offense. As the saying goes, the world has its rites. It was a slip of the tongue just now; I inadvertently offended your superior. I offer you my apologies."

"Then please, Marshal, wait outside the mountain," Cao Kong said flatly. Zhu Gang, seeing this, was not annoyed, but looked toward Jin Jiao.

"Two days, then. After two days, we return to the heavens together." With that, he rode his cloud outside the mountain.

Cao Kong shook his head slightly. This Zhu Gang was more like a mortal than an immortal or deity. Though he had only met him briefly, he could already see the man’s flawed character—lazy, greedy, and idle—though he was not without his merits. He might be vain and fond of show, but he was also capable of letting go of his pride.

Overall, however, his character was poor. It seemed inevitable that Zhu Gang would face hardship in the future.

Jin Jiao said from the side, "Brother, do not mind him. Zhu Gang is just like that. After all, his life has been far too smooth, and he has a good master."

"It is no matter. Brother, are you refining pills these two days?"

Jin Jiao nodded. "During this time, Cao Xiang and I have toured many places and discovered quite a few precious herbs. I shall refine a furnace of pills as a parting gift for you and Cao Xiang."

Cao Kong silently praised Jin Jiao for his thoughtfulness, while Cao Xiang looked at Jin Jiao with reluctance; after all, this was the first good friend he had truly bonded with.

Following this, Jin Jiao used the Changcheng Furnace and summoned the fire of a Vermilion Bird, casting in herb after precious herb, forming various seals with his hands to drive the flames and extract the essence.

A day later, the scent of pills drifted ten miles from the summit of Hidden Mist Mountain.

Jin Jiao flicked his sleeves and poured the entire furnace of pills into the Purple-Gold Red Gourd at his waist, giving it a shake.

Cao Xiang asked curiously, "Jin Jiao, what are you doing? Why put them in the gourd first?"

"Heh, you don't know—this gourd is used by the Master to store pills. If the pills are placed inside and soaked in the pill-aura within, their efficacy increases significantly."

The brothers were amazed, but considering it was Taishang Laojun's gourd, they found it reasonable.

Another day passed. Jin Jiao poured out the pills from the gourd; the fragrance was even more intense. There were forty-nine in total.

"Catch."

Jin Jiao flicked a pill toward Cao Xiang, who instinctively swallowed it.

The next moment, a sense of completion overflowed from his body. He felt the top of his head open, as if a window to the sky had been unbarred, and everything became suddenly clear.

At last, the Lead Flower had been plucked.