Chapter 111: Jiangyuan's Decision

“Missing your mother?” Jiang Yuan asked with a smile.

Yang Jian was momentarily stunned, not expecting the king to be so direct. Yet, unwilling to lie, he forced a smile and replied, “It’s the same every year; I’ve grown accustomed to it.”

“Come on, let’s go inside and eat some fish. I have something to discuss with you afterward.” Jiang Yuan patted Yang Jian on the shoulder with a smile.

He deliberately kept the news of rescuing Yang Jian’s mother after the new year to himself for the time being.

Fortunately, Yang Jian was not particularly curious. Since Jiang Yuan didn’t mention it now, he didn’t press further, simply nodding before heading straight inside.

Jiang Yuan had planned to follow him, but just as he lifted his foot, he seemed to recall something and stopped abruptly.

Muttering as if addressing the air, he said, “Would the Grand Master be interested in joining us for fish?”

He was calling out to Shen Gongbao, a powerful Da Luo Golden Immortal.

Surely, Shen Gongbao could hear him.

Perhaps he had been observing the palace situation all along?

Indeed, after Jiang Yuan spoke, a black mist materialized before him, soon taking human form—it was Shen Gongbao, who had been keeping watch over the area.

Seeing the king’s cheerful scene, Shen Gongbao felt a pang of emotion.

After all, during his years cultivating on Kunlun Mountain, he had never witnessed such a scene.

Being a leopard demon who had attained the Dao, he was never acknowledged by Yuanshi Tianzun, even during gatherings on Kunlun Mountain.

When he left, he hadn’t even bid Yuanshi Tianzun farewell, and likely, the latter never cared about this neglectful disciple.

Surprised, Shen Gongbao looked at Jiang Yuan and asked, “Does Your Majesty know I have been watching this place?”

Jiang Yuan smiled amicably. “Right now, the Grand Master is probably the most idle person in Chaoge. I was just casually calling out, never expecting you to actually hear me.”

“My apologies if I have offended.” Shen Gongbao said with regret.

After all, spying on the king was no minor offense.

“Your vigilance over the palace affairs is commendable; how could I blame you?” Jiang Yuan waved off the concern with a smile.

“If there’s nothing else, I shall continue my patrol of Chaoge.” Shen Gongbao took his leave.

Jiang Yuan reached out to stop him, smiling, “Grand Master, there’s no need to be so diligent. Nothing major will happen in Chaoge for now. But if you don’t mind, would you like to join me inside for fish?”

He extended an invitation to Shen Gongbao.

“Well…” Shen Gongbao hesitated.

“Is there something the Grand Master is worrying about?” Jiang Yuan asked curiously.

“I am a beast demon who has attained the Dao, while Your Majesty is the Human Emperor…” Shen Gongbao replied slowly.

Before he could finish, Jiang Yuan pulled him close and said nonchalantly, “I thought you were concerned about something else, but it’s this, huh?”

“What is there to worry about? Now that the Grand Master has taken human form, and with your Da Luo Golden Immortal strength, you deserve the respect of the world.”

“So, will you join me for fish?”

Hearing this, Shen Gongbao was deeply moved.

Jiang Yuan was the Heavenly Human Emperor; in terms of status, he was on par with the saints.

To be invited to dine by him was practically the same as being invited by a sage.

“Your Majesty’s kindness is hard to refuse; I shall not decline.” Shen Gongbao said respectfully.

Truly grateful, this showed that the king did not regard him as a mere beast. For the first time in many years of cultivation, Shen Gongbao felt respected.

Originally, he thought his relationship with King Zhou was one of mutual convenience, and the king would not care for him.

His patrol of Chaoge was also for his own purposes, wanting no mishaps to ruin his carefully forged alliance.

He did not want anything to happen to this rare partner he had found.

“Since you won’t refuse, then please come in with me.” Jiang Yuan smiled.

Shen Gongbao followed closely behind.

Upon entering, Jiang Yuan was greeted by a fragrant aroma and glanced at the dining table.

He let out a bitter smile. “Empress, I asked you to prepare fish, but it seems we’re only eating fish tonight?”

Looking at the array of dishes—steamed fish, braised fish, fish soup—Jiang Yuan was a bit taken aback.

Empress Jiang seemed to realize her misstep. The king had requested plenty of fish, fearing it might not be enough.

Yet she worried that having only one preparation would be monotonous, so she made every fish dish she knew.

This resulted in a table full of fish dishes.

“It was my oversight; I will prepare some other dishes immediately,” Empress Jiang hurriedly said.

Jiang Yuan smiled and gently held the slender, well-maintained hand of the Empress. “No need, Your Majesty. This spread is more than enough—there’s plenty of fish.”

“Adding more dishes would be superfluous.”

The Empress blushed slightly at Jiang Yuan’s teasing, a trace of shyness crossing her mature, graceful face.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

“Then, what are we waiting for? Let’s take our seats.” Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

He then looked at Shen Gongbao. “Grand Master, please join us.”

Shen Gongbao nodded somewhat reservedly; he had long forgotten how it felt to dine with so many others.

Though he had friends on Kunlun Mountain, all cultivators, they rarely gathered for meals.

Thus, he was unaccustomed to such a convivial atmosphere.

As a Da Luo Golden Immortal, he appeared somewhat at a loss.

“There’s no need for formality, Grand Master. Consider this a family banquet,” Jiang Yuan smiled warmly.

He hadn’t expected a Da Luo Golden Immortal to be intimidated by such a setting.

At Jiang Yuan’s words, Shen Gongbao settled down slowly.

He had thought he should wait for the king’s signal to begin eating, but just as he sat, Nezha looked at Jiang Yuan expectantly and asked, “No one else is coming, right?”

Jiang Yuan shook his head with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Nezha was delighted and immediately started grabbing food with his chopsticks, followed by Yin Jiao.

Soon, the fish on their plates was devoured.

Shen Gongbao stared at Jiang Yuan in surprise.

“Grand Master, don’t mind them. They’re just children, a bit reckless. Please eat with us,” Jiang Yuan said with a chuckle, picking up his chopsticks.

Shen Gongbao then reached for the fish.

“How is the taste?” Jiang Yuan inquired.

“Excellent.” Shen Gongbao’s eyes gleamed.

“That’s good. I was worried it might not suit your palate.”

Jiang Yuan’s easygoing nature was something Shen Gongbao had never anticipated.

At their first meeting, Shen Gongbao had formed a rigid impression of Jiang Yuan as a proud yet formidable hero, but now he saw a different side.

“Empress Jiang is both skillful and clever; naturally, her fish dishes are exquisite,” Shen Gongbao complimented.

“I shall convey your praise to the Empress,” Jiang Yuan replied with a smile.

“It is all due to the Empress’s efforts.”

Jiang Yuan smiled and let the subject drop; Shen Gongbao probably still wasn’t used to his candidness.

His sudden friendliness was partly to win over Shen Gongbao—after all, if disaster struck, would Shen Gongbao abandon him?

Despite his great grievances, Jiang Yuan knew they were inconsequential compared to his own life.

He did not believe Shen Gongbao would be willing to risk everything solely for past grudges.

This was one of Jiang Yuan’s tactics; fortunately, political cunning was not yet so advanced that his clumsy efforts were easily exposed.

Shen Gongbao was no fool; on the contrary, he was quite intelligent, or he wouldn’t have reached the Da Luo Golden Immortal realm.

It was just unfortunate he had taken Yuanshi Tianzun as master and never received proper recognition.

Fortunately, Jiang Yuan’s invitation was sincere, not a mere ploy, so Shen Gongbao’s goodwill came naturally.

Jiang Yuan also felt pity for Shen Gongbao, enduring thousands of years of neglect on Kunlun Mountain—he must have turned dark out of resentment for how incompetent Jiang Ziya was favored by Yuanshi Tianzun.

For a while, the table’s atmosphere was harmonious—here was no court intrigue or strife.

Well, perhaps only a little strife.

At that moment, Yin Jiao and Nezha began bickering again.

“This is my mother’s cooking—why are you eating so much?” Yin Jiao complained to Nezha.

He, who loved competing with Nezha, found himself outdone in one thing: eating.

Though slight in build, Nezha had an impressive appetite.

Yin Jiao was naturally displeased.

Nezha was even more so, feeling that Yin Jiao’s ability to eat this fish was thanks to him.

“I want to ask you the same—if I hadn’t mentioned this to your father, would you be eating the Empress’s personally prepared fish?”

“So what if not? Once you leave, I’ll have my mother make fish for me every day!” Yin Jiao boasted.

“Well, then I won’t leave!” Nezha said shamelessly, quite pleased with himself.

“You…!” Yin Jiao was at a loss for a retort.

Jiang Yuan found their banter amusing.

He thought back to before he transmigrated—his own children must have been just as unruly and outspoken.

Sometimes, lacking immortals was a blessing.

Mortals need not live in fear or pray daily; as long as the nation was strong, there was no worry of starvation.

But now, the stronger one was, the more they could trample rules, killing mortals as casually as crushing ants.

Suddenly, Jiang Yuan’s mind was flooded with a wild idea: to annihilate the gods!

Of course, this was unrealistic; even the once-powerful human race had failed, let alone him.

A more feasible goal would be to establish rules among immortals.

As Jiang Yuan pondered, Nezha, who had been eating heartily, looked up and asked, “Did you say earlier that after the New Year you would take me to fight?”

Jiang Yuan was taken aback; everyone’s attention turned to him.

Especially Yin Jiao, whose eyes lit up at the mention of battle, eagerly asking, “Father, where are we fighting? Why not take me along?”

“I had forgotten about that.” Jiang Yuan murmured, ignoring Yin Jiao.

Instead, he looked at Yang Jian. “I plan to take you to the Celestial Tribe to rescue your mother after the New Year. What do you think?”

Yang Jian was stunned; he hadn’t expected Jiang Yuan to bring it up willingly, let alone offer help.

It left him somewhat overwhelmed. He had planned to serve the king for only three years before leaving.

He hadn’t imagined the king would hold this matter in his heart, and he was deeply moved.

“I can go alone; there’s no need to trouble Your Majesty. The Celestial Tribe is no ordinary place, and Your Majesty’s esteemed status makes it unwise to take risks,” Yang Jian declined.

He didn’t want the king to be trapped by him. The Celestial Tribe was hostile; even the Human Emperor would find no advantage there.

“Are you determined to throw your life away, General Yang, wanting to deprive our Great Shang of a mighty warrior?” Jiang Yuan questioned.

Yang Jian hurriedly shook his head. “I only wish to spare Your Majesty from danger. This is my personal matter and not something to trouble you with.”

“Personal matter? What nonsense is this, General Yang?” Jiang Yuan waved his hand.

“You are now the illustrious General of Great Shang, a future stalwart of the Shang dynasty. Losing you would be a great misfortune.”

“So this is no longer just your personal matter.”

Jiang Yuan reasoned with him.

Even Nezha chimed in, “Yeah, Third Eye, we’re all friends. We won’t refuse to help. It’s just a fight, after all.”

“Exactly! I’ll help too!” Yin Jiao added.

Jiang Yuan glanced at the two young rascals, recognizing their righteous zeal was all about going to battle.

“But…” Yang Jian hesitated.

“What’s there to hesitate? My mind is made up. General Yang, don’t refuse. If not, we’ll discuss it again after the New Year. Now, let’s continue eating,” Jiang Yuan said, dismissing the matter.

Watching this, Shen Gongbao’s eyes shone brightly.

The king was willing to risk offending the entire Celestial Tribe for a single general. Clearly, his opinion of Jiang Yuan had to be revised once more.