Chapter 1480: 532: The Heavenly Tribulation Approaches
Chapter 1480: Chapter 532: The Heavenly Tribulation Approaches
Persuaded by the Eastern King, Li Ping’an, who had just relaxed for a short while, became busy again.
This is the downside of being the Heavenly Emperor, having to worry about everything.
He first returned to the Lingxiao Hall to hold a celebratory court meeting, mainly to boost the morale of the Immortals, urging all the deities of the Heavenly Court not to be complacent and to be wary of potential troubles from the Western Sect.
Afterward, he called the key ministers of the Heavenly Court in groups of three to the Lingxiao Hall, showing concern and offering encouragement and admonishment.
These were all within the normal scope of the Heavenly Emperor’s duties.
Li Ping’an then summoned the main person in charge of the Heavenly Square Pavilion, instructing them to establish a ‘Heavenly Court Etiquette Department,’ specifically to check whether the deities of the Heavenly Court were neglecting their duties or receiving merit in vain.
If any incidents of laziness were discovered, they would be handled in the same case as embezzlement.
After completing these tasks, Li Ping’an spent half a month dealing with affairs in the Lingxiao Hall;
He spent most of the time sitting on the throne, using his Heavenly Dao authority to carefully study the character of each mid-level and high-level deity in the Heavenly Court and their ‘circles.’
Just as the Eastern King mentioned, the power of the Immortal deities originating from the Human Race was the strongest, and due to the Queen Mother’s continual tightening of the heavenly regulations, most of these deities had become at odds with her.
Li Ping’an analyzed many specific events.
The heavenly regulation that forbade the Heavenly Court deities from pursuing romantic relationships brought the most dissatisfaction.
This regulation restricted only the professional deities, but not the authoritative deities, which was a severe double standard.
What are professional deities?
Deities like Yue Lao, responsible for a specific duty, are the gears of the Heavenly Court’s operation and indispensable screws of the Heavenly Dao; the position must exist, but anyone can hold it.
What are authoritative deities?
Like the heads of various departments, who oversee all the professional deities in their section, they are considered authoritative deities.
The position of an authoritative deity can remain vacant for a short time without affecting the operation of the Heavenly Dao and the Heavenly Court.
Authoritative deities can find Dao companions, form families, and dual-cultivate freely, while professional deities must uphold the strict rules and cannot fall in love.
This is the most unreasonable rule among the current heavenly regulations.
Even the reasoning of the Queen Mother holds some merit.
If professional deities have private feelings, they can become unstable, and if unstable, they are prone to favoritism, hindering the operation of the Heavenly Dao. Just like the professional deities of the Ministry of Wealth, if they are indulgent in emotions and desires, how could they withstand the temptation of the countless treasures that flow into the Heavenly Court from all realms?
If Yue Lao harbors private feelings and takes a fancy to some fairy, wouldn’t chaos ensue if he casually wove a matchmaking thread for her?
The best example is Ye Zisang, who had already gone to the small world on the border of the Desolate Era to care for his father in his last days.
Although Ye Zisang did nothing himself, his family leveraged his name and his brotherly bond with the Heavenly Emperor to reap immense benefits outside.
The newly established Heavenly Court with its new regulations will naturally encounter resistance in implementation.
Once the current term of the Heavenly Court’s deities ends and a large-scale replacement of professional deities occurs, the effects of this heavenly regulation can be perfectly demonstrated.
Currently, there are only three to five authoritative deities in the Heavenly Court. The Eastern King already has a family. As for Li Ping’an and the Queen Mother, it goes without saying; they entered into an alliance and then turned a feigned relationship into a real one.
“Emotions and desires are the root of divine calamities. The Queen Mother’s remark has its point.”
Li Ping’an felt a headache.
To enjoy the many blessings and merit offerings available to divine beings, they must make certain sacrifices. This logic is, in fact, sound.
The deities’ grievance mainly lies in the lack of consistency between superiors and subordinates, with the heavenly code practicing double standards.
If even the authoritative deities were restricted, would he start living a life of asceticism? Would he and the Queen Mother have to divorce and separate? What about Ningning?
Was he simply going to resign as the Heavenly Emperor?
This was actually irrelevant.
He now placed greater emphasis on his personal strength, and the stronger he became, the more he felt that something was amiss with the Heavenly Dao and the world.
‘Ah, this matter is truly difficult to handle.’
Li Ping’an shook his head, deciding to think it over slowly and consult his master and teacher for advice later.
‘For the time being, let’s go and have a chat with the Jade Pool.’
Thus, the Heavenly Emperor returned to the Jade Pool, where a few days of happiness will be set aside for now.
He and the Queen Mother enjoyed the song and dance together, watching the graceful figures of the Chang’e, when he brought up the topic.
The divine stage hosting the Peach Banquet is generally known as the Peach Stage, which has already become the most prestigious ‘stage’ in the Heavenly Court.
Chang’e serve as female officials in the Heavenly Court, specializing in dance and music, mainly tasked with performing during celestial banquets.
This is also a part of the Heavenly Court’s etiquette.
At this moment, Li Ping’an was sitting on the central throne, with the Jade Pool seating at the side, clearly distinguishing the principal from the subordinate.
Even when watching song and dance, one had to sit properly, which made Li Ping’an feel slightly uncomfortable.
During a brief pause, Li Ping’an said:
“Yao Er, many deities in the Heavenly Court have grievances about that heavenly regulation. What do you think about this matter?”
“Have any deities come to you to complain, Your Majesty?”
Yao Er seemed unconcerned and said softly:
“Your Majesty, you needn’t worry. Such heavenly regulations precisely aim to restrain those deities harboring grievances.
“Being appointed to a position in the Heavenly Court is already a great blessing. Every term of deities has been informed long ago that they cannot indulge in emotions and desires during their tenure, and this is reasonable and logical.
“Should deities succumb to emotions, the Three Realms would surely fall into chaos.
“Since the Heavenly Court serves as the central hub of the Heavenly Dao, even the slightest disturbance here would affect countless beings.”
Li Ping’an nodded and said, “But this heavenly regulation only constrains professional deities, while authoritative deities like us can roam freely outside. Is this reasonable?”
“Why is it unreasonable?”
Yao Er replied calmly:
“The Heavenly Court was established by authoritative deities. The heavenly regulations not applying to authoritative ones should naturally be part of the rule.
“Your Majesty emanates from the Human Race, thus valuing those of humankind more, and this is perfectly normal, but times have changed.
“Since the return of the Six Saints, there has been a qualitative change in the Heavenly Dao, and even placing a few dogs without spiritual intelligence on divine thrones would allow them to be enlightened by the Heavenly Dao, rapidly becoming qualified deities.