Lu Jiangxian pondered for a moment, then lightly clapped his hands. The sounds of bustling life returned to the realm once more. As he gazed at this puppet show of his own making, a thought stirred in his heart, The Mirror World truly has changed, and is now capable of so much more... Since I have such a fine place, I can't just let Dangjiang remain idle in my sleeve. Such a good laborer ought to be put to use.
He rode upon radiance, instantly appearing within a palace beside the main hall. A faint headache came upon him, and after careful thought, he mused inwardly, What was the title I devised for Dangjiang back then...? Since he bears the honorific of the Supreme Yin, this palace must show some sign of it.
At a single thought, the palace erupted with Supreme Yin. Patterns of golden-stamened osmanthus appeared everywhere; lunar motifs were carved before and behind the hall. Several jade lampstands, large as tables, turned into glowing moons.
Snow suddenly fell all around, piling into mounds of white. Statues of toads and jade rabbits could be seen everywhere, creating the likeness of a true Moon Palace. After a thorough examination, Lu Jiangxian hung a plaque upon the palace.
Palace of Radiant Purity Supreme Yin.
The words gleamed in silver-white, nearly blending with the plaque's jade-white hue, yet drawing the eye irresistibly. He glanced left and right, but still found it lacking. With a flick of his finger, a strand of Supreme Yin Moonlight fell upon the ground.
White fragments of stone leaped from the corners, merging with the moonlight to form a silver-armored man. Lu Jiangxian reshaped the face several times, finally settling on one resembling Li Xijun, carrying the bearing of an immortal general.
At his thought, the silver-armored man immediately bowed and said respectfully, "I, the Supreme Yin Bright Immortal General, Zhen'gao, pay respects to the Lord of the Palace!"
Lu Jiangxian glanced left and right, then nodded in satisfaction. Though this figure was under his control, it was more than enough to intimidate Dangjiang. Lu Jiangxian returned to the main seat, his garments shifting once more. With a light flick of his finger, a pale green radiance fell to the ground, transforming into a young boy.
The boy was dressed in simple ancient attire, his eyes pale green, his sleeves embroidered with wave patterns. His round face looked only a little over ten years old. Slightly dazed, he glanced around before realizing who sat above.
Alarmed, he dropped to his knees, "Dangjiang greets the Lord of the Palace."
Dangjiang had gone from Anhuai Heaven to this place in just the blink of an eye. He did not know how much time had passed, but seeing the decorations around him, there was no doubt this was an immortal palace.
His heart eased, That foolish child Buzi, shallow and ignorant... Spouting nonsense about the immortal palace having collapsed long ago. Empty bluster, yet in private he insists. Now, when he met the Lord of the Palace, he knelt quicker than anyone!
Though he was now calmer, unease lingered in his heart. From the Lord of the Palace's earlier words, his escape from the palace had been unintentional. Yet Dangjiang's mind was hazy, with no memory of it at all. Such ignorance itself could be counted as a crime, how could he not feel fear?
Seated above, Lu Jiangxian still pondered what use this fellow might serve, and spoke casually, "This is not a place you should have come to. Since your escape was unintentional, remain in the palace for now."
Dangjiang breathed a sigh of relief. Before he could speak his gratitude, Lu Jiangxian had already vanished. He stood there in a daze, then timidly withdrew. As soon as he exited the hall, he saw a silver-armored man standing in the palace.
The man had a dignified appearance, with cheeks so sharp that they seemed chiseled and silver pupils. He held a long spear as he stood within the palace, gazing down at him.
Dangjiang hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "Greetings, Immortal General! I’m the minor official Dangjiang, a steward of Dangjiang Creek's Water Mansion! I wonder, Immortal General..."
The silver-armored man merely said, "Just a minor general of the palace, not worth mentioning... Please..."
Dangjiang quickly agreed and, glancing about the palace, his eyes fell upon the words Palace of Radiant Purity Supreme Yin. It was as if needles pricked his eyes, and he hurriedly turned away, thinking emotionally, So I can now count myself as one who has visited an immortal palace... Once I return below to preside over the Water Mansion, I'll have endless tales to boast of. Chi Buzi? Just a petty little cultivator! How could he ever compare to me?
Though Dangjiang had many memories, Lu Jiangxian had woven them hazy and indistinct, leaving room for denial later. His only true memories were those years with Chi Buzi, and he could not help but compare himself against him in private.
He was soon led to a remote corner of the vast and intricate palace complex. He passed streams of people along the way, and several immortal generals and officials bowed respectfully to the silver-armored cultivator. The shrewd Dangjiang immediately understood that this man's status was far from ordinary.
Of course... someone permitted to stand before the Lord of the Palace could hardly be an ordinary immortal general...
His expression grew far more respectful. When they turned into a small side chamber, he found nothing strange about it.
As a mere water official of the mortal realm, how could I hold any standing in the heavens... It is only because the Lord of the Palace brought me personally that I can reside here, thought Dangjiang.
The silver-armored man brought him into the room, his stern brows and eyes turning toward him as he said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Dangjiang, stay here for now. There are a few matters I must explain to you."
Dangjiang nodded repeatedly, and the silver-armored man said, "The immortal palace has now activated its restrictions. No one may enter or leave the various halls. If you feel restless, stroll within the palace grounds, but do not seek out idle chatter, and absolutely do not step beyond the palace."
Lu Jiangxian was too lazy to fashion more immortal mansions and merely wanted to keep this fellow confined here. Yet Dangjiang, suddenly enlightened, nodded thoughtfully, as if he had understood something profound.
The silver-armored man then pointed to the cabinet in the room and said coldly, "I will not have you stay here for free. This cabinet holds many methods, some ancient arts and some seized from crooked Daos. Immortal Official Li has gone down to the mortal realm, so you will temporarily fill his post. Recompile and expand these arts properly. Each year someone will come to collect them."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Dangjiang slipped into the role quickly, his mind already racing, his heart surging with excitement, If I can render good service, perhaps I might even be transferred to a heavenly post...
Seeing his enthusiasm, the silver-armored man finally allowed a faint smile to ghost across his face. Just as he was about to close the door and leave, Dangjiang hurriedly called out respectfully and asked, "May I ask the honored name of the Immortal General?"
Zhen'gao said in a loud, clear voice, "Zhen'gao, holder of the post of Supreme Yin Bright Immortal General."
Dangjiang was shaken by this string of titles, and his gaze toward him grew even more reverent. He escorted him out, and along the way they passed several Immortal Officials who ignored Dangjiang entirely, greeting only Zhen'gao.
Dangjiang knew his own status was low and did not mind. He hurried back to his quarters, cheerfully looking around. He touched this and that, feeling that everything from the heavens was wonderful.
"Oh, these Supreme Yin patterns are authentic indeed..." muttered Dingjiang.
At last, he came to the small cabinet. First he admired its noble carvings, then cautiously opened it, only to hear a great crash as a flood of jade slips tumbled out, clattering across the floor until they nearly covered it completely.
Dangjiang stood frozen on the spot, staring at the cabinet not much larger than his own body. Inwardly, he could not help but curse inwardly, Damn, this many?! What the hell was that Immortal Official Li doing... He must have failed to finish his work and fled to be reborn in the mortal world! Fine, fine! Heaven curse it, what an unbelievably lazy Immortal Official!
He picked up one of the jade slips from the ground and began to read. Its length alone could fill three whole chests of books. His expression instantly soured as he thought, Immortal Official Li must have been shirking for decades... Even a mule isn't worked like this...