South Heaven Gate.
Master Taiyi led Master Clearwater, Master Rowan Redflame, Master Golden Dragon, Grandmaster Spirit-Treasure, Lord Wayfarer, and Lord Pureheart—seven in all—storming forward with imposing momentum. All around them, the garrisoned Heavenly soldiers and generals shut their mouths tight, not daring to make a sound.
At the city gate, King Northmore hurried to greet them, clasping his hands and saying, "This humble general pays respects to Master Taiyi, Master Clearwater, Master Rowan Redflame, Master Golden Dragon, Grandmaster Spirit-Treasure, Lord Wayfarer, and Lord Pureheart."
After speaking, he planted his feet firmly, clearly not intending to move.
The group halted their steps.
Master Taiyi, still fuming, pressed his lips together and stared wide-eyed at King Northmore. After a long moment, he finally said, "We are here to pay respects to our master, Lord Genesis. Kindly step aside, King Northmore."
Upon hearing this, King Northmore immediately nodded and replied, "General Lee is already aware of this. He specifically instructed me to properly receive our esteemed guests."
With that, he stepped to the side and gestured, "Please."
Master Taiyi glanced at King Northmore, sneered disdainfully, and strode forward.
His fellow disciples—all members of the Twelve Golden Immortals—followed close behind, one after another.
"Do we really need him to host us when we come to Heaven? We've always come and gone directly—those Celestial Sect people think far too highly of themselves."
"Didn't you get it? It's not the Four Heavenly Kings of the Celestial Sect who are to blame—if anyone's at fault, it's our own General Lee from the Daoist Sect."
"Clearly, General Lee caught wind of things early and sent a tagalong to follow us, just to keep tabs on our movements."
"Tch, old fox!"
The Golden Immortals began chatting as if no one else were present, making King Northmore's green face flush red. Still, he could only grit his teeth and silently follow behind.
...
Inside the Imperial Study, the Jade Emperor reached out to lift his teacup, but his hand trembled, making the cup clink and rattle.
For a long moment, he couldn't bring it to his lips and had to set it back on the desk.
"What... what does he mean by this? Does he want a repeat of what happened six hundred years ago?"
General Lee furrowed his brow and, after a long silence, simply stood there without saying a word.