Chapter 550: Return to the Homeland

Black Pot looked at him in confusion. "Woof?"

"That's right, no more being the True King."

Chen Shi took off the brocade robe he was wearing and tossed it aside, laughing. "Everyone says being an emperor is great, but I don't see the appeal. It's nowhere near as fun as living in Huangpo Village. This dangerous job, whoever wants it can have it. I'm done!"

Black Pot barked excitedly, "Woof woof!"

"Right! We're both done! I figure being the Dog King has lost its charm for you, and being the True King has lost its charm for me. We're both quitting!"

Chen Shi counted on his fingers. "The boat can only carry eight people. You and your mother, my father and mother, my grandfather and Creation Little Five. Li Tianqing, my brother, has to come along. And Yang Bi also needs to board. The Dao technique legacy of the Western Ox New Continent depends on those two. And Little Duan, she can't die in the Western Ox New Continent. Then there's Granny Sha, Uncle Blue Goat, Uncle Hu, Uncle A Zhuo, Uncle Du..."

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke. His ten fingers had long been used up, yet he still hadn't finished counting.

Chen Shi clenched his fist. The Empress of Earth had said this boat could only send eight people to the Earth Immortal Realm. Her Ladyship's words were as good as gold—if she said eight people, then it was eight people, never a single one more.

"Why can it only carry eight people?"

Chen Shi felt a pang of sadness and hung his head. "I also wanted Xuan Shan to board, and Madam Zhuang, and Zhuge Jian, Yu Tiancheng, Hu Feifei, Zhu Xiu..."

He bowed his head and drank his wine in silence.

Black Pot clinked his cup against his. Man and dog tilted their heads back, downing the fiery liquor in one gulp.

"I can't let go of this one, can't let go of that one!"

Chen Shi was getting a bit drunk, grinning foolishly. "If only I could bring everyone in the Western Ox New Continent along, that would be perfect."

He lay down on his back, hands behind his head, gazing at the bright moon in the sky.

The moon was different now compared to past days. Its light was pure and clear, and behind the Celestial True God's head were eight halos of radiance. Under that glow, one could vaguely make out the Celestial True God's features.

"I can't bear to part with this, can't bear to part with that—it'll only lead to total annihilation. I'm not a savior. Facing an undefeatable opponent, the only option is to flee."

He said in a low voice, "Black Pot, after you go back, bring your mother along too."

Black Pot's heart trembled slightly, and he nodded gently.

Man and dog both drank themselves into a stupor before parting ways.

After sobering up, Chen Shi returned to his usual self. He went alone to the Dejiang River dock. This was the river mouth. Ever since the Empress of Earth had set up seals along the coast, the shoreline had been peaceful, with demonic beasts daring not to attack. Many fishermen now fished in the nearby waters, and cargo ships plied the coastal trade routes, gradually forming a thriving hub.

Such was the way of the people—when roads opened, livelihoods followed.

Chen Shi took out the paper boat the Empress of Earth had given him. The paper boat was folded from gold foil, quite small and delicate.

He placed the paper boat on the water's surface. Watching it grow with the wind, it quickly transformed into a golden ship about two zhang in length.

Chen Shi moored the golden ship at the dock and sent someone to summon Chen Yindu, Chen Tang, and the others. Before long, Chen Tang, Chen Yindu, Creation Little Five, and the rest arrived at the dock. Wu Qingyu laughed and said, "Your Majesty isn't handling state affairs—what brings you to the riverside?"

Black Pot and his mother, the adult Huo Dog, also arrived. The Huo Dog's body was enormously massive, but the moment she stepped into Chen Shi's Dao Field, she shrank to the size of an ordinary black dog.

Chen Shi laughed. "Today is a fine spring day, a perfect time to enjoy the scenery. After Her Ladyship sealed the coastline, we've always been in such a hurry. We rarely get a day of leisure. Why not take this opportunity to go for a boat ride?"

Chen Tang said expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, don't act like a tyrant emperor."

Wu Qingyu poked him in the side with her finger, signaling that if he couldn't speak properly, he shouldn't speak at all.

"You've all been working hard these past few days. You really should rest well."

Wu Qingyu was the first to hop onto the boat. She glanced back at Chen Tang. "Aren't you getting on?"

Chen Tang boarded the ship.

Chen Shi smiled. "Tianqing, you should come aboard too."

Li Tianqing raised his hand and smiled. "Your Majesty, after you."

Chen Shi shook his head. "I'll wait a moment. Minister Yang, you go with Tianqing."

Li Tianqing stepped onto the ship and looked back, seeing that Yang Bi was examining the golden ship but hadn't boarded. He laughed. "Brother Yang, what are you hesitating about?"

Yang Bi snapped back to attention, jumped onto the ship, and said, "This vessel is forged entirely from gold, yet it doesn't sink in water. Quite strange indeed."

"It's most likely a magic treasure refined by the True King. Just a bit too extravagant," Li Tianqing guessed.

Yang Bi thought it over—that was indeed possible. He mused inwardly: "Chen Shi becoming the True King, he can't help but indulge in luxury and extravagance, so he refined a golden ship. I must report this to the Emperor Father and ask him to admonish Chen Shi."

Li Tianqing said, "Brother Yang, have you studied the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection for cultivating both immortal and demonic paths? I've run into several difficult problems."

Yang Bi's spirits lifted. "I've encountered some difficulties too. Let's exchange our insights!"

Wu Qingyu tugged at Chen Tang, leaning in. She smiled. "We also ran into some trouble during our own contemplation. We'd like to ask you two gentlemen for guidance."

Li Tianqing and Yang Bi quickly said, "We wouldn't dare."

The four of them whispered among themselves, completely absorbed, delving into the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection.

Chen Shi said to Black Pot, "Black Pot, you and your mother should board too."

Black Pot hesitated for a moment, then looked back. He saw that beside the ship were still Little Duan Immortal, Chen Yindu, Creation Little Five, and also Sha Qiutong, Blue Goat, Du Yiran, the celestial fox, and others. He was puzzled—wasn't the boat only supposed to hold eight people? What about the rest?

Chen Shi urged him again, and Black Pot boarded the golden ship with the Huo Dog.

Chen Shi's gaze swept back and forth over Chen Yindu, Creation Little Five, A Zhuo, Sha Qiutong, and the others, unable to make a choice.

Wu Qingyu's voice carried over: "Little Ten, why haven't you come aboard yet? Little Duan, come up and help Mother figure out how to cultivate here."

Little Duan Immortal acknowledged and boarded the golden ship, going to Wu Qingyu's side.

Chen Shi raised his hand, as if to stop her, but then pulled it back.

Chen Yindu looked at his retreating hand in surprise, then looked at the golden ship.

Chen Shi seemed to have made some kind of resolution. Suddenly, his face broke into a smile. "This ship can only carry eight people. One more and it'll sink. Grandpa, you board first. Fifth Uncle, Granny Sha, and the rest of us will take the next ship."

Chen Yindu stepped to the edge of the boat, about to board the golden ship, but then stopped. He turned back to look at the crowd on the dock, opened his mouth, yet couldn't utter a single word.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Little Five, you board. I'll ride with Little Ten on the same ship."

Chen Shi's heart pounded twice, his voice a bit hoarse. "Grandpa..."

Chen Yindu also seemed to have made up his mind. He smiled. "Let Little Five take this ship. Little Ten, you and I haven't had a chance to sit together in a long time. It's perfect that we share a ship and have a good chat."

Chen Shi fell silent, then nodded.

Creation Little Five sauntered lazily to the edge of the golden ship, wearing a half-smile. "Dad, why me?"

Chen Yindu's expression remained calm, but his eyes dimmed. "I owe you."

Creation Little Five was briefly stunned, then silently boarded the golden ship. He was like a restless child, unable to sit still on the ship. Suddenly, with a whoosh, he jumped off the ship. "I'll take the next one too."

Chen Yindu glared at him and growled in a low voice, "Get back on!"

Creation Little Five grinned. "Dad, I'm just your creation. If I'm gone, you can just make another one..."

Chen Yindu clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it. "A Zhuo, you board!"

Qiao Zhuo acknowledged and walked onto the golden ship.

At that moment, Black Pot jumped off the golden ship, barked once at the Huo Dog on board, and came to Chen Shi's side.

Chen Shi gently shook his head, but Black Pot remained unmoved.

Chen Shi looked at Chen Yindu.

Chen Yindu understood his meaning. His gaze wandered back and forth over Du Yiran, Sha Qiutong, Blue Goat, and Hu Xiaoliang.

Only then did he feel how agonizing it was to choose which loved one would survive.

"Blue Goat..."

He forced a smile onto his face. "You... you board the ship. I'll take the next one with the rest of them."

Blue Goat was stunned. He muttered, "A dog comes off, and a goat goes on..."

Chen Yindu patted his shoulder, smiling. "I owed you a life before. Don't be so impulsive in the future—don't always rush into life-and-death struggles."

Blue Goat hopped onto the ship, laughing. "I'm not impulsive. Next time I'll just watch you all get beaten to death."

With a thought from Chen Shi, the golden ship slowly departed from the Dejiang River dock.

Chen Shi and the others boarded another passenger ship. The passenger ship slowly followed the golden ship, sailing down the Dejiang River toward the Sea of Darkness. On the sea surface, cargo ships raised their sails. Boatmen ignited Wind Talismans to stir up great winds, filling the sails until they billowed full, and sailed along the coastline toward other cities in the distance.

Chen Shi urged the golden ship forward, watching as the small vessel gradually picked up speed, heading straight for the Dark Sea.

On the golden ship, everyone was captivated by the voices of Yang Bi and Li Tianqing interpreting the Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection, lost in absorption. By the time they snapped back to awareness, the golden ship had already sailed into the Sea of Darkness!

The Huo Dog woke first and urgently roused everyone. The people on board hastily looked around—where was the other ship?

Darkness surrounded them on all sides, vast and boundless. Not to mention the Xinxiang Imperial Capital, even the Western Ox New Continent was nowhere to be found.

"What's going on?" Chen Tang asked.

Li Tianqing immediately took out the Celestial Court token and furrowed his brow. After activating the token, the portal that appeared behind it revealed no minor heaven within.

Yang Bi grew frantic and was about to jump off the golden ship. Everyone quickly blocked him. Li Tianqing shook his head. "No one knows where the Western Ox New Continent is right now. Brother Yang, don't panic!"

Yang Bi raged, "My wife and children are still in Tianyu County!"

Wu Qingyu murmured, "Why didn't Little Ten follow us? A Tang, what did Little Ten mean by sending us onto this ship? Where is this ship heading?"

The golden ship raced across the Sea of Darkness, its speed increasing more and more, like a fleeting shadow. Countless sea monsters flashed past in an instant.

Suddenly, Blue Goat made a discovery and shouted, "A ship! There's a ship in the sea!"

Everyone followed the direction of his finger and indeed saw a wooden boat battling wind and waves on the sea. Someone on board held a pole, desperately fighting against a giant sea creature.

But the golden ship was moving too fast. With a whoosh, it flew past that wooden boat.

When everyone looked back, the wooden boat was already out of sight.

"That seemed to be Qingyuan Daoist."

Chen Tang was astonished and murmured, "He's still alive?"

Qingyuan Daoist also noticed the golden ship, his heart filled with terror.

Back at Tiandao City, when the Celestial Venerable had killed Feng Ruotong and the others, he had seized the chaos to flee, immediately driving his wooden boat into the sea and escaping far away.

He had crossed the Sea of Darkness many times before, but this time he wasn't bound to the mast as an exile, so he was much more composed. He just hadn't expected that a ship could actually catch up to him.

"There seem to be a few people on that ship, and they've got a goat and a dog with them." He was worried, suspecting his eyes were playing tricks on him.

The golden ship raced through the Sea of Darkness as time passed, little by little. Unnoticed, the ship's speed gradually slowed. The ship had originally been empowered by a thread of the Empress of Earth's divine power. After such a long journey, the divine power had been greatly depleted, no longer what it once was.

Still, its speed remained considerable. The residual divine power of the golden ship should be enough to reach the destination.

Time passed—one day, two days, five days, ten days, one month, two months...

The golden ship continued onward, but its speed had dropped significantly from before.

On this day, a massive shadow gradually came into view across the Sea of Darkness.

The shadow grew closer and closer until finally, an ancient multi-decked ship appeared in their sight.

"It's the Ming treasure ship!" Blue Goat exclaimed excitedly.

On the Ming treasure ship, corpses stood erect on the deck, solemn in bearing, armor neatly arranged, blades gleaming brightly, guarding an emperor.

The True King.

This Ming treasure ship, carrying the corpses of the True King and the civil and military officials of the True King's Era, continued to sail across the Sea of Darkness, stubbornly heading toward their homeland.

This treasure ship had already been traveling for nine years.

"Our course is different from this ship's!" Chen Tang noticed and alerted the others.

The golden ship and the Ming treasure ship intersected, passing each other.

"This treasure ship is being driven by the True King's obsession, sailing toward the ancestral land, the Divine Continent of China."

Li Tianqing had experienced the Ming treasure ship incident together with Chen Shi and knew quite a bit about it. He said, "They want to return to their roots."

Yang Bi suddenly spoke up. "Where is our ship heading?"

Li Tianqing shook his head.

Wu Qingyu suddenly said, "The ancestral land has been cut off from the Western Ox New Continent for over six thousand years. With the ancestral land's power, shouldn't it be able to wipe out the Celestial Venerable?"

Everyone exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up. Suddenly, they all soared into the air, abandoning the golden ship, and landed one by one on the Ming treasure ship.

The warriors guarding the Ming treasure ship paid no attention to their arrival, still watching their surroundings. Any sea monster that tried to board the treasure ship was slain on the spot.

"When they return to their homeland, their obsession will probably dissipate," Chen Tang observed in a low voice after surveying the scene.

Little Duan Immortal hesitated, then said, "I can't return to the ancestral land. I'm one of the criminal subjects..."

Wu Qingyu wrapped an arm around her shoulder, comforting her. "The Great Zhou Dynasty has been dead for who knows how many years. What criminal subjects? They don't exist anymore. How long until we reach the ancestral land?"

Li Tianqing said, "Back then, the Three Treasures Eunuch spent seventeen years searching for the Western Ox New Continent, but after the sea route was opened, it only took eight or nine years."

"Then the ancestral land should be close!"

Everyone was overjoyed.

Once they returned to the Divine Continent of China, they could seek out the deities or immortals of the Divine Continent to deal with the Celestial Venerable!

The Ming treasure ship sailed for another half month. Suddenly, a glimmer of light appeared in the darkness ahead. The light grew brighter and brighter, and gradually, a magnificent world came into view.

Their hearts surged with emotion. The Divine Continent of China—they had finally arrived.

At the coastline, a powerful divine light swept toward them, and an authoritative voice bellowed, "Who goes there?"

Chen Tang suppressed the excitement in his heart and declared in a clear voice, "Chen Tang, special envoy from the Western Ox New Continent, dispatched by the True King, returning to our homeland to pay respects to the Ming Emperor, the Grand Supreme Great Cosmos Immortal, Master of the Five Thunders, Great Cultivator of the Xuan Capital Realm, the Longevity Emperor!"

"What Ming Dynasty?"

A great general stood atop the city wall across from them, his gaze sharp as he swept his eyes over. "The Ming Dynasty fell long ago, and the Longevity Emperor is dead and gone! Let me inform you—this is now the Great Shun Dynasty!"