The three Li brothers nearby had all experienced the Investiture of the Gods War and had also fought Kong Xuan before. They were present when Kong Xuan was defeated by Daoist Zhunti and clearly remembered what the other party had said.
Jinzha and Muzha exchanged glances—was this little prince sent by the Heavenly Court to recruit people from the Western Sect?
Nezha understood even better; these words were exactly what he had told the little prince on their way here. He hadn’t expected Yun Heng’s mind to be so clever, applying what he learned so flexibly, and now he was setting it up for the Peacock Great King.
Kong Xuan hadn’t heard these words for hundreds of years. The last time he heard them was because his skills were inferior, and he was defeated by Daoist Zhunti, forced to follow him.
Now hearing them from a little child’s mouth gave him a strange feeling—very sincere, very pure, very touching.
Kong Xuan’s face still maintained its usual cold and haughty expression, but his tone carried a gentle smile: “I also feel that we have a connection.”
Hearing him say this, Yun Heng was overjoyed. Without thinking, he rushed forward, hugged Kong Xuan’s neck, and kissed him on the cheek with a “smack”: “So will you come back to the Heavenly Court with me?”
The little prince’s initiative left Jinzha and Muzha dumbfounded. They looked at Kong Xuan again, trying to discern something from his face.
That was the always lofty and arrogant Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva—even Tathagata had to give him full respect in front of him. Being treated with such disrespect by a little child, why wasn’t he angry at all, and even seemed somewhat—enjoying it?
Kong Xuan shook his head: “I cannot return to the Heavenly Court with you.”
Yun Heng’s smile immediately froze, replaced by confusion: “Why?”
“Because…” Kong Xuan found a reason he could accept, “because my spiritual practice is not yet complete, I cannot leave here.”
Yun Heng refused to give up: “Can’t you practice at the Heavenly Court?”
“No.”
Yun Heng continued to ask: “Why?”
The green-clad boy behind Kong Xuan snorted lightly: “You little child don’t understand anything. Spiritual practice requires absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon. There’s no logic in changing locations midway.”
Yun Heng’s little face showed disappointment: “I understand.”
Kong Xuan patted his head: “So obedient.”
Yun Heng thought for a moment and asked again: “Then after your practice ends, can you come to the Heavenly Court?”
Kong Xuan was truly defeated by his persistent spirit and could only coax him along: “Alright, I promise you, if there’s an opportunity, I will definitely go to the Heavenly Court to see you.”
Now the little one was happy again, kissing him on the other cheek with another “smack.”
A three-year-old milk baby, endlessly taking advantage, kissing the Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva’s face left and right—who would believe it if told?
The green-clad boy picked up the silver marbles from the ground and returned them to Yun Heng: “You’re really persistent, even wanting my master to be your mount.”
Yun Heng leaned against Kong Xuan’s shoulder: “Not as a mount, as my master.”
The green-clad boy handed the silver marbles back to him: “If my master accepts you as a disciple, then I would be your senior brother.”
Considering that he helped pick up the marbles, Yun Heng reluctantly agreed: “Alright, you can be my senior brother.”
“…”
He was only three years old; whatever he said, no one would take it seriously, only thinking it was innocent child’s talk.
Nezha couldn’t help reminding him: “Prince, we really should go back now.”
"Alright," Yun Heng still nestled in Kong Xuan's embrace, reluctant to come down. "I want you to take me back."
Kong Xuan's temperament, to put it nicely, was a preference for tranquility; to put it bluntly, he was rather aloof. He disliked socializing with other Bodhisattvas and Arhats, cultivating alone in his cave abode, accustomed to solitude.
He couldn't remember the last time he had appeared before so many people. Yet, the little one had already made so many demands of him—to be his mount, his master, to return with him to the Heavenly Court. Kong Xuan couldn't fulfill any of them, but taking him back to the Jade Emperor's side wasn't too much to ask. Refusing would be unreasonable.
"Alright."
The little one raised his hands and cheered, "Yay, I get to ride the peacock!"
"…"
Kong Xuan hadn't expected the little one to be waiting for this. As the dignified Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva, he couldn't go back on his word to a child.
The Jade Emperor, accompanied by Tathagata and several Bodhisattvas, was inspecting the various city-states of the Western Oxen Continent.
Just as they passed a place called Fengxian County outside the kingdom of Tianzhu, they happened to witness the county magistrate and his wife in a dispute, the couple quarreling fiercely.
This matter shouldn't have concerned the Jade Emperor, but in a fit of rage, the magistrate overturned the altar table, scattering the offerings meant for the Jade Emperor all over the ground.
That wasn't all—the magistrate then ordered dogs to be brought in to eat the offerings.
This made the Jade Emperor feel disrespected and insulted by mortals. Enraged, he immediately decided to end the inspection and return to Lingshan to discuss the matter further.
Tathagata, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and others had no choice but to accompany him back. During this time, aside from Tathagata offering a few perfunctory words of comfort to the Jade Emperor, no one else spoke.
Just as they returned to Lingshan, before even entering Leiyin Temple, they saw a flash of golden light on the horizon from afar. Immediately afterward, five-colored divine light—azure, yellow, red, black, and white—manifested, enveloping the sky above the entire Lingshan.
Amidst the five-colored divine light, a massive peacock flew from the back mountains, blotting out the sky and casting a vast shadow over the land.
Guanyin Bodhisattva exclaimed in surprise, "This is… the Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva."
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva added, "And it's actually his true form."
Manjushri Bodhisattva was also quite astonished. "He hasn't appeared before others for several hundred years."
Venerable Ananda beside Tathagata squinted slightly and suddenly pointed at Kong Xuan, saying, "There's someone riding on the Bodhisattva's back."
In the blink of an eye, the enormous peacock flew right above the crowd. Only then did everyone see clearly—the one riding on Kong Xuan's back was none other than the little prince of the Celestial Realm.
Yun Heng still clung to Kong Xuan's slender neck, his small hand gently stroking the glossy feathers from time to time. As they were about to land, he remained reluctant to dismount, wishing they could fly another round.
Kong Xuan transformed back into human form upon landing, still holding Yun Heng securely in his arms.
The true form of the Peacock Great Bright King was a rare sight, and the Peacock Great Bright King himself was seldom seen. Many disciples of the Western Sect nearby bowed to him, saying, "We pay our respects to the Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva."
Kong Xuan didn't even glance at them, nor did he look at the Jade Emperor or Tathagata. He simply pinched Yun Heng's chin and set him down on the ground. "Alright, I've brought you back. Farewell for now, little one."
Yun Heng nodded obediently. "You promised to come see me at the Heavenly Court once your spiritual practice is over. Don't forget."
"I will never break my promise." Kong Xuan turned to leave, but then remembered something and bent down to hand Yun Heng an object. "Take this, keep it with you."
As Yun Heng took the item from his hand, a flash of golden light appeared before his eyes, and Kong Xuan vanished without a trace.
"…"
His coming and going this time was simply to return the child. He did not glance at anyone else, nor did he speak a word to anyone.
After Kong Xuan departed, Yun Heng opened his small hand, and the object emitted a faint, multicolored glow.
The little one raised it up, examining it carefully under the sunlight, exclaiming in awe: "So beautiful."
Those around also marveled: "That is a feather from the true form of the Peacock Great King."
"The feather is infused with magical power; if the wearer encounters danger, the Peacock Great King will be able to sense it."
This object was quite rare, and especially so since it was personally given by the Peacock Great King.
Yun Heng did not understand the practical value of this item; he only knew it was a gift from Kong Xuan, and he must keep it safe.
So, the little one turned and ran to the Jade Emperor, presenting the feather like a treasure: "Father Emperor, Father Emperor, look quickly, this is a gift from the Great Peacock."
Seeing his son's innocent, smiling face, the Jade Emperor's anger from the journey suddenly dissipated considerably. He patted Yun Heng's head: "Keep it safe."
The little one immediately treasured the peacock feather and placed it into his portable pouch.
After this small interlude, the Jade Emperor entered Leiyin Temple. Yun Heng had already met Kong Xuan, fulfilling the purpose of this trip to Lingshan, and was also somewhat tired from playing, so he no longer ran around but obediently followed beside his Father Emperor into Leiyin Temple.
At this time, Tathagata again brought up the matter of Fengxian County, saying that the magistrate of Fengxian County had always been like this, with no regard for gods or Buddhas, and forbidding the people of Fengxian County to worship them.
Yun Heng never liked listening to his Father Emperor discussing matters with the Immortal Officials, nor could he understand what they were talking about, so he lowered his head to play with the jade pendant at his waist. Hearing Tathagata speak, he still looked up to glance at him.
After glancing at Tathagata, the little one raised his neck to look at his Father Emperor. Although Tathagata's words seemed intended to calm the Jade Emperor's anger, Yun Heng felt his Father Emperor was even more angry than when he was mischievous.
So, afterward, he listened to them talking back and forth, becoming more and more confused.
The Jade Emperor was the supreme ruler of the Heavenly Court; not only the Immortals of heaven, but even Tathagata of the West respected him. How could a mere mortal dare to offend him so? Disrespecting him meant disrespecting the entire Celestial Realm.
Crucially, Fengxian County belonged to Tianzhu Kingdom, which was at the foot of Lingshan, essentially Tathagata's territory, and its faith was in the Western Sect.
Tathagata had just said that the magistrate of Fengxian County did not believe in gods or Buddhas and forbade his people to worship them, likely trying to excuse himself.
The Jade Emperor remained silent, pondering, giving no clear or implied instructions on how to handle this matter, only listening to the discussions among the Four Heavenly Masters, Taibai Jinxing, and the various Bodhisattvas of the Western Sect.
There, Tathagata and Guanyin Bodhisattva exchanged a glance. The latter, holding a purification vase in one hand and a willow branch in the other, nodded slightly toward the Jade Emperor: "The Lord of Fengxian County offended Your Majesty and provoked heavenly wrath, indeed deserving a small punishment. However, I hope Your Majesty will show leniency and not harm the innocent people of Fengxian County."
After speaking, Bodhisattva recited a Buddhist chant, compassionate toward all beings. The other Bodhisattvas and Arhats also followed with a chant, praising Guanyin Bodhisattva's great mercy and salvation of suffering.
The Jade Emperor remained silent, but the little one beside him couldn't sit still anymore.
Yun Heng tilted his head, looking puzzledly at Guanyin Bodhisattva: "Strange, my Father Emperor hasn't spoken yet, how come you're already pleading for others?"
He slightly raised his chin, his big eyes filled with innocence: "Who are the innocent people? What does this matter have to do with them?"
Tathagata: "…"
Jade Emperor: "…"
Guanyin Bodhisattva: "…"
Upon hearing this, everyone was enveloped in a subtle atmosphere—some dared not speak their anger, some wanted to laugh but dared not. Only from behind the Jade Emperor came a light chuckle of a youth, sounding particularly clear in the quiet, solemn Great Hall.
Yun Heng turned around and saw Nezha standing there holding his Fire-Tipped Spear. When Yun Heng turned, Nezha discreetly gave him a thumbs-up.
Li Jing was nearly driven mad by his son. The Crown Prince was young, unaware of propriety and occasion, and this rebellious son was meddling again.
In this bizarre and awkward moment of anger, Tathagata's deep voice suddenly resonated throughout the hall: "How to punish Fengxian County, please let the Great Heavenly Sovereign decide."
Yun Heng had always heard all Immortals in the Heavenly Court refer to his father as "Your Majesty." Hearing "Great Heavenly Sovereign" for the first time felt odd.
With numerous celestial duties across the three realms, a small Fengxian County wasn't a major matter. Punishments by Immortals upon mortals were merely natural disasters and calamities, repeating the same few types.
The Jade Emperor had already decided how to handle it and was about to speak. But the little one beside him restlessly climbed onto his lap.
Yun Heng looked at Tathagata: "This is your territory, you should solve it yourselves. Just have that Fengxian apologize to my Father Emperor. My Father Emperor says, recognizing and correcting mistakes makes a good child!"
"…"
The little one then leaned on the Jade Emperor's shoulder: "Father Emperor, I'm tired. Let's hurry back to the Heavenly Court. I haven't seen Mother Empress for so long."
With his son's interjection, the Jade Emperor's immense anger dissipated almost entirely. A mere Lord of Fengxian County wasn't worth his attention.
Thus, the Jade Emperor picked up his son and walked out: "This matter, you handle it. Guanyin Bodhisattva spoke rightly—do not harm innocent people."
Tathagata: "…"
Guanyin: "…"
They never expected that a carefully planned step for their future scripture dissemination plan would be disrupted by a three-year-old child.