Chapter 2689 - 2687: Only Reform Can Save Us

Chapter 2689: Chapter 2687: Only Reform Can Save Us

In the Yaochi Immortal Garden, the Heavenly Empress Mother sat at the head, with Long Fei and Sun Wukong seated on either side.

A group of female immortals served them Peaches and Immortal Wine. The Heavenly Empress Mother raised her hand to entertain them and said, "These are the immortal peaches I just had people pick. How does the taste compare to the peaches you’ve had before?"

In the Peach Garden, there was an old peach tree.

The color was bright red, resembling human blood.

Abundant Essential Qi wafted around, energy circulated—it was a veritable energy treasure trove.

Long Fei took a bite and instantly felt every cell in his body pulsate, replenishing a bit of his bloodline even though his flawless physique was already perfect.

Sun Wukong also benefited greatly, clapping his hands and exclaiming, "Good peach, good peach, what kind of peach is this? How come I never tasted this when I managed the Peach Garden back in the day?"

The Heavenly Empress Mother smiled faintly, "Of course you haven’t tasted it; this peach tree is planted in my Yaochi. There’s only one in the world."

"No wonder!"

Sun Wukong and Long Fei exchanged a knowing smile and gobbled down the peach, secretly pocketing the peach pit.

The Heavenly Empress Mother smiled at the sight, "This peach tree cannot propagate; taking the peach pit won’t do the Great Sage any good."

Sun Wukong was a bit curious, "Why is that?"

The Heavenly Empress Mother explained, "This peach tree was transformed from the cane of Kuafu after he perished chasing the sun. It bears fragments of Kuafu’s Great Witch Bloodline, making its peaches exceptionally peculiar. Unlike other immortal peaches that nourish the soul when eaten, these only nourish the body and are useless to those without a physical form. The Great Witch Bloodline cannot propagate on its own, having originally been the Ancestral Witch’s blood from the Six Paths of Reincarnation mingling with human form, so this peach tree cannot reproduce, and there’s only one in the whole universe!"

"Marvelous, marvelous!"

Sun Wukong clapped and laughed heartily.

Long Fei also raised his brow, realizing why the peach had such a profound benefit for his physique—it was tainted with the bloodline of a Great Witch.

The Heavenly Empress Mother clapped her hands and, addressing Long Fei, said, "Eastern Emperor, I have some acquaintances of yours here, might as well have them come up and perform a dance for you today!"

"Such an enticing offer?"

Sun Wukong looked at Long Fei with a mischievous grin.

"Thank you, Heavenly Empress Mother!"

Having eaten his peach, Long Fei collected the peach pit, nodded, and smiled faintly at the Heavenly Empress Mother.

Soon, Yingying led a procession of fairies from the back.

Each one was pure and clean, with slender and beautiful waists.

Their skirts fluttered gracefully, as beautiful as a peacock spreading its feathers, dancing in circles in the air. Their colorful skirts shimmered most delightfully.

As their bodies moved, clusters of flowers bloomed around them.

With a turn of their heads and a smile, even the frost of December would melt away.

Long Fei’s gaze met theirs, recognizing Ye Qingcheng, Bai Fengwu, and Bai Fengling.

A slight smile appeared on his lips; he realized how many masters had laid out chess pieces around him along the way.

Some journeyed alongside him shoulder to shoulder, some he only encountered once, and others he had already severed ties with.

Seeing these three familiar faces here today came as no surprise to him.

Although the Heavenly Empress Mother resided in Yaochi, she also orchestrated affairs in the Mortal Realm, gathering elite disciples under Yaochi Sacred Land.

This wide-net strategy ultimately connected with Long Fei.

After the dance, the fairies stood on the stage, collectively bowing to the Heavenly Empress Mother.

The Heavenly Empress Mother burst into laughter, "Very well, your dance today was excellent. Later, each of you will be rewarded, now step back!"

"Thank you, Heavenly Empress Mother!"

The dancers and musicians retreated in succession.

Ye Qingcheng, Bai Fengling, and Bai Fengwu exchanged nods with Long Fei before retreating together.

Among the three, only Bai Fengling looked the most emotional, with her eyes turning a bright red.

She and Long Fei were once married; she had always kept him in her heart.

Unexpectedly, fate led them to meet again.

The Heavenly Empress Mother smiled at Long Fei and asked, "Emperor, did the dance suit your tastes?"

Long Fei nodded and replied, "Extremely well!"

The Heavenly Empress Mother said, "As long as the Emperor enjoyed it, since you’ve eaten the peach and watched the dance, let’s get down to business!"

Her face resumed its commanding demeanor, meeting Long Fei’s gaze. "Emperor, you are the Emperor of the Demon Clan, in charge of all the world’s demons. Yet the Ancient Demon Clan is causing chaos in the borderlands, and instead of dealing with them, you come to trouble me and the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Court?"

Long Fei smiled faintly, thinking how familiar the Heavenly Empress Mother was with the carrot-and-stick approach.

But unfortunately, he wasn’t inclined to follow, responding firmly, "The chaos of the Ancient Demon Clan is due to the lack of clear moral principles in the Heavenly Law. If not for the Jade Emperor’s inability to discern right from wrong, only seeking his own power, the Borderland War wouldn’t have escalated to this extent. Had the Heavenly Court offered full support, the Ancient Demon Clan would have been contained Outside the Pass, preventing them from making such a grand show. I’m here in the heavens to trace the root of the problem. Only by rectifying the Heavenly Law can the Three Realms be stabilized."

Sun Wukong laughed heartily, "Well said, well said!"

The Heavenly Empress Mother glared at him and said to Long Fei, "What the Jade Emperor does, he has his reasons. If he fails to maintain his dignity, who would listen to his orders in the future? Who would respect the laws of the Heavenly Court? Don’t need me to say it; just look at Li Jing and the others. They’ve dared to establish a Minor Celestial Court in the Mortal Realm, which is the best evidence!"

Long Fei retorted, "Throughout history, only the virtuous can be invincible. As a ruler, one must govern with humanity and convince people with virtue. Ruling solely through power means punishing and killing at the slightest dissatisfaction. This might force compliance but not genuine allegiance. Gods and immortals might show surface respect, but their hearts are filled with fear and disdain. Such divided hearts and minds prevent them from uniting with the Heavenly Court. Why would they risk their lives for such a ruler?"

"Never, never!"

Sun Wukong waved his furry right hand.

The Heavenly Empress Mother’s expression turned serious, "Emperor, you are indeed eloquent. Not being in a position to govern, you don’t understand the Jade Emperor’s hardships or challenges. If you ever sit in such a seat but maintain this mindset, then I’d truly respect you. Right now, you’re merely making empty talk about state affairs!"

Sun Wukong jested, "Empress, why not let my brother take that seat for a few days? I’m sure he’d do better than the Jade Emperor!"

"Great Sage Equal to Heaven, if you dare utter any more nonsense, I shall have you expelled from here immediately!"

The Heavenly Empress Mother was flushed with anger.

Sun Wukong laughed, waving his hand repeatedly, "Just kidding, Empress, no need to be so upset. I’ll keep quiet."

The Heavenly Empress Mother looked at Long Fei and snorted coldly, "Since it’s not idle talk, do you have any specific measures?"

"Reform!"

Long Fei sipped his wine, uttering just two words.

The Heavenly Empress Mother’s eyes widened, "Only you dare to speak such audacious words to me! Do you think the Heavenly Court is the Human Realm, where laws can be changed at a whim? Do you know that any change in the Heavenly Court could plunge the Three Realms into a storm of blood?"

Long Fei spoke frankly, "A short-term pain is better than prolonged agony; only reform can save the Heavenly Court. People yearn for change, and if we cling blindly to old laws without adaptation, the Heavenly Court will inevitably be abandoned by history."