The Divine Emperor let out a cold laugh. “Did you not read their wording? The Celestial Court has been without Kunlun generals for many years. If both factions join forces, eternal peace can be ensured. It is a veiled accusation—suggesting that I have deliberately suppressed the Kunlun Clan and treated them unfairly. If I continue to stall, I will only give them more leverage against me.”
Jin Xiu closed the memorial. “The Kunlun Clan’s magic is unique. Appointing their people may not necessarily be a bad thing.”
The Divine Emperor countered, “But the Central Heavens have always been our stronghold. How can we allow Kunlun to interfere? Besides, with you away from your post, if we let them in now, they may seize the opportunity to extend their influence. Once they gain a foothold, it will be difficult to suppress them in the future.”
Suddenly, Jin Xiu changed the subject. “I heard there have been some incidents in Nanbin lately. Perhaps Your Majesty should appoint a few heavenly generals.”
Appointing them was one thing. Where to send them was another. More importantly, it would silence critics. The Divine Emperor had already considered this strategy, and now that Jin Xiu had brought it up, he nodded in agreement.
The two exchanged knowing smiles.
Lifting his jade cup, the Divine Emperor took a sip. “How is your reading of Tong Hai [‘Through the Seas’—a sacred celestial scripture] progressing?”
Jin Xiu shook his head. “The Art of Divine Command is the highest of celestial techniques. I cannot comprehend its depths, let alone master it.”
The Divine Emperor remained unhurried. “It took me twenty thousand years just to grasp its surface. Now that the tribulation is approaching, how much you can comprehend depends entirely on your own fortune.”
Jin Xiu smiled. “I am far less gifted than Your Majesty.”
The Divine Emperor let out a low scoff and, almost offhandedly, remarked, “I heard you went to the mortal realm again recently.”
Jin Xiu was slightly surprised but nodded. “For a minor matter. Two peach demons were causing trouble in the lower realm. I saw that they had great potential for immortality, so I made a special trip.”
The Divine Emperor said, “The mortal realm is not like the heavens. Human life is but a fleeting few decades. Even that girl from back then must be fully grown by now.”
Catching the hint of mockery in his words, Jin Xiu paused for a moment before chuckling. “Is Your Majesty teasing me?”
The Divine Emperor cast him a sidelong glance. “Am I wrong? A few short decades pass like a dream. In our world, a thousand years of cultivation is barely enough to be considered a young girl. But in the mortal world, a girl of sixteen or seventeen is already quite clever.”
Jin Xiu said, “Your Majesty is right. The human world is fleeting—it cannot compare to the eternal path of the immortals.”
The Divine Emperor finally looked satisfied, but his tone grew heavier. “She had already severed her ties to immortality. It is rare that you are so sentimental, going through such effort to win her another chance. What more is there to worry about? You should be more concerned with your impending tribulation.”
Jin Xiu said, “She remains fixated on mortal emotions, believing that birth, aging, illness, and death are simply natural laws. If she cannot come to terms with this in this lifetime and misses her chance at immortality, it would be a pity.”
The Divine Emperor frowned. “She is obsessed, and so are you? Even if you have the power to defy fate and alter destiny, whether you yourself can truly attain immortality is still subject to the will of the heavens. There is an old saying in the mortal world: Man proposes, but Heaven disposes. It serves as a reminder not to become too attached.”
Jin Xiu sighed. “I never expected that even after ten lifetimes, she would remain so stubborn. Perhaps she has always resented what happened back then.”
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