As soon as Yun Heng uttered these words, the surrounding Immortals, both great and small, were left somewhat bewildered.
Could it be that the little prince, after riding the Mo Qilin for a lap in the sky, was not satisfied and wanted to try another mount?
The four guardian Heavenly Lords—Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao—along with the deities of the Thunder Department behind them, all looked at Yun Heng in unison before shifting their gazes toward their superior.
Who was Wen Zhong? A disciple of the Golden Spirit Mother under Lord Tongtian, the Grand Preceptor of the Shang Dynasty, and a trusted minister entrusted with the care of the orphaned heir. During the Investiture of the Gods, he single-handedly stabilized the dynasty of Chaoge and preserved the fate of the Yin Shang.
In the end, he died in battle at Juelong Ridge, and his true spirit was enshrined as the Heavenly Lord of Universal Thunderclaps Responding to the Primordial, overseeing the twenty-four chief deities of the Thunder Department, commanding clouds and rain, and issuing orders for thunder and lightning.
A figure comparable to Jiang Ziya during the Investiture of the Gods, he had fought countless battles in life, never tasting defeat. After his deification, he upheld justice with impartiality and unwavering integrity. His subordinates revered him, and none dared show disrespect.
Yet today, he had his mount stolen by a three-year-old toddler. What was more, the Mo Qilin, known for its loyalty to its master, had cooperated willingly. The key issue was that this toddler was the Jade Emperor’s son. For a moment, Wen Zhong was at a loss for words. He could only reply truthfully, “No. The Mo Qilin ascended to the Immortal Realm with me and is my only mount for attaining the Dao.”
Hearing that the Mo Qilin was his only mount, Yun Heng could not hide his disappointment. The little one sighed regretfully, “What a pity.”
Wen Zhong was puzzled. “Why does the prince think it’s a pity?”
Yun Heng bit his lower lip. “It’s a pity you only have one mount.”
Divine beasts were rare, let alone taming one to become a mount. Most Immortals had only one mount, and some even had none.
The deities could not fathom the child’s thoughts and did not understand why this was a pity.
Yun Heng walked over to the Mo Qilin again, crouched down, and stroked its nose. “The Heavenly Lord of Universal Thunderclaps only has one mount. I can’t take you back to the Jasper Pool. If I took you away, he would have no mount.”
“!!!”
The deities were stunned!
The little prince was not merely joyriding on the Mo Qilin; he actually wanted to claim the Heavenly Lord’s mount as his own!
The Heavenly Lord, having weathered countless trials, was now at a loss for what to do.
The key was that the child appeared remarkably reasonable, knowing that the Heavenly Lord had only one mount and thus refraining from taking it.
Though he said he wouldn’t take it, Yun Heng remained crouched before the Mo Qilin, reluctantly stroking its ears. “Be good and listen to me. I’ll come see you again next time.”
“…” The Mo Qilin twitched its ears, as if responding to him.
Yun Heng patted its head again. “After I leave, remember to miss me, okay?”
“…” The Mo Qilin snorted through its nostrils once more, actually leaning forward to nuzzle Yun Heng’s hand with its head, as if trying to keep him there with its actions.
Witnessing their reluctant parting, even the usually detached and serene Immortals could not help but feel moved.
Wen Zhong watched in even greater astonishment. The Mo Qilin had followed him through life and death, was struck in two by Lei Zhenzi’s staff for his sake, and ultimately ascended to the Immortal Realm with him. Who would have thought that today it would develop divided loyalties, as if he had no choice but to agree to…
However, in the very next moment, Yun Heng suddenly burst into loud sobs, wrapping his arms around the Mo Qilin’s neck. “You can’t bear to part with me, right? I can’t bear to part with you either.”
“…”
Beside them, Nezha could no longer hold back and raised a hand to cover his eyes. Li Jing, Marshal Wang, and the Four Heavenly Masters stood behind the Jade Emperor, eyes lowered, minds focused.
The deities of the Thunder Department truly witnessed something extraordinary today. They had long heard that the Crown Prince was mischievous and that the Jade Emperor doted on him excessively—indeed, the rumors were not unfounded.
It was then that the Jade Emperor finally spoke, scolding his son: "Heng'er, no mischief!"
The little one pouted. Though reluctant to part with his new friend, he still walked up to the Jade Emperor, raising his small hand to grasp his Father Emperor's hand.
"Let us depart!" Without another word, the Jade Emperor bent down, personally picked up his son, and together they boarded the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage.
Yun Heng leaned over the Jade Emperor's shoulder, still turning back to wave at the Mo Qilin. The Mo Qilin, which had been lying on the ground, also stood up, watching as the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage rode away on the clouds.
Wen Zhong glanced at the Mo Qilin; the beast had returned to lie beneath the tree, reverting to its usual ferocious appearance that kept strangers at bay.
Once aboard the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage and after eating some immortal fruit, Yun Heng remained fixated on the Mo Qilin: "Father Emperor, I want a mount too."
The Jade Emperor, busy handling celestial duties, replied without looking up: "The immortal cranes by the Jasper Pool, the red-crowned phoenixes of Taiwei Yuqing Palace—whichever catches your eye can become your mount."
Yun Heng pouted again: "I don't want them."
"Why not?" the Jade Emperor chuckled. "Having an immortal crane as a mount is something many newly enlightened Immortals dream of."
Yun Heng shook his head: "They don't seem special at all. I want a special mount, like the Mo Qilin."
The Jade Emperor thought for a moment and smiled: "Taming a divine beast to become your mount requires not only boundless magical power but also fate. When you grow up and master Immortal Arts, you will naturally encounter the mount meant for you."
Soon, the Jade Emperor arrived at the next inspection site. Immortal Officials came to welcome him, and as the Jade Emperor listened to their reports on celestial duties, Nezha accompanied Yun Heng to play nearby.
There was a pond beside them, where lotuses bloomed beautifully—white, pink, and yellow hues shimmering amidst the ethereal mist. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would pass, causing their forms to sway gracefully, utterly captivating.
Yun Heng reached out, lightly touching a lotus petal, but his fingers passed right through it, feeling nothing.
Nezha revealed the truth beside him: "The lotuses are conjured through Immortal Arts, forever maintaining their blooming appearance."
As he spoke, Nezha also used magic to conjure a pink lotus bud, holding it up for Yun Heng to see.
The little one, ever skilled at flattery, clapped his hands and jumped up and down: "Brother Nezha is amazing!"
Nezha twitched the corner of his mouth: "What do you see when you look at me?"
Yun Heng tilted his head: "I see Brother Nezha."
Suddenly, Nezha's form gradually faded, revealing instead two lotus flowers and three lotus leaves: "This is my true form. Are you afraid?"
Yun Heng shook his head: "No, I'm not afraid. No matter what form you take, you're still my Brother Nezha."
Nezha was taken aback, feeling a touch moved, and ruffled the little one's head: "Go play."
As he played, Yun Heng leaned halfway over the edge of the pond.
In the pond, several koi fish frolicked among the lotus leaves, leaping high before splashing back into the water.
Fascinated, Yun Heng reached out to catch them, his small body lunging forward and nearly losing balance, almost tumbling into the pond.
Fortunately, Nezha was quick to react and caught Yun Heng by the waist. Spotting a large rock nearby, Nezha simply sat down and placed Yun Heng on his lap. "Now let's see how you'll run around," he said.
Yun Heng lowered his head to play with his Hun Tian Ling. "I'm the most well-behaved, I wouldn't run around."
Nezha rested his hands behind his head, leaning leisurely against a large tree behind him. "I don't believe you."
Yun Heng fiddled with the Hun Tian Ling for a while, finally tying it into a bow and hanging it on Nezha's chest. He tilted his little head, admiring his handiwork. "So pretty."
"…"
Nezha sighed inwardly, looking utterly resigned. As long as the little prince didn't run off, he had to let him be—after all, his current task was to babysit for the Jade Emperor.
As he played, Yun Heng remembered Mo Qilin and asked, "Brother Nezha, are the Wind-Fire Wheels also a divine beast you tamed?"
"The Wind-Fire Wheels are a Magical Treasure, not a divine beast. They don't need taming—my master, Taiyi Zhenren, passed them down to me."
"What about the Hun Tian Ling?"
"My master gave it to me."
"And the Qiankun Ring?"
"My master gave it to me."
"The Fire-Tipped Spear?"
"My master gave it to me."
"…"
Yun Heng asked again, "Does Taiyi Zhenren have any other Magical Treasures?"
Nezha nodded. "Yes, there's the Precious File, the Horsetail Whisk, the Yin-Yang Twin Swords, the Shan He She Ji Tu…"
Yun Heng slapped Nezha's leg. "Then, does Taiyi Zhenren still take disciples?"
"???"
Well, well—Nezha finally realized he'd been tricked. The little prince had been setting him up all along.
He quickly waved his hands. "No, no more disciples…"
Yun Heng wasn't ready to give up and pressed on, "A well-behaved, sensible, and especially cute one—one who can eat, sleep, and dress by himself."
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Nezha nearly died laughing. "Your Highness, although everything you say is true, my master really isn't taking any more disciples."
Yun Heng sighed softly, leaning limply against Nezha's shoulder. "What a shame."
"…"
During the day, Nezha could take Yun Heng around to play. The little one was indeed obedient, following whatever Nezha said without fussing to find his Father Emperor, allowing the Jade Emperor to focus on his celestial duties in peace.
But when night fell and it was time to sleep, the little one became unusually clingy, wanting no one but his Father Emperor.
The Jade Emperor had no choice but to hold him while soothing him to sleep, all while reviewing memorials sent by Immortal Officials from various regions.
After a long while with no movement from the little one in his arms, the Jade Emperor thought he had fallen asleep and prepared to place him on the bed.
But as soon as he stood up and took two steps, Yun Heng suddenly opened his eyes. "Father Emperor!"
"You said you were sleepy early on—why aren't you asleep yet?"
Yun Heng tugged at his Immortal Robe. "You said you'd find me a master after we returned."
That was indeed the case, but later, the little rascal had distracted him, and the matter had been brushed aside.
Afterward, the Queen Mother also said Yun Heng was still too young to begin practicing Immortal Arts. So, the Jade Emperor had temporarily set the matter aside.
"Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Yun Heng replied, "All Immortals have masters. I want a master too."
The Jade Emperor asked him, "What kind of master do you want?"
Yun Heng thought for a moment. "A master like Taiyi Zhenren."
"Taiyi Zhenren?"
"Yes!" Yun Heng reminded him, "He's Brother Nezha's master."
The Jade Emperor was puzzled. "Why a master like Taiyi Zhenren?"
Yun Heng stretched out both arms, gesturing in the air: "Because he gave Nezha brother lots and lots of Magical Treasures. I also want a master who will give me Magical Treasures and a mount."
"!!!"
The Jade Emperor closed his eyes for a moment, his anger surging to the top of his head before he forcefully suppressed it. He casually gave Yun Heng a pat on the bottom: "Go to sleep now!"