"General Curtain pays respects to Marshal Silver." Curtain bowed deeply with utmost reverence.
Marshal Silver returned the bow with equal simplicity. "General Curtain, you are too polite. May I ask, what urgent matter has prompted His Majesty to summon me today?"
"As a minister, how could I dare to speculate on His Majesty's intentions?" Curtain replied respectfully.
Though he spoke thus, his hand quietly gestured to the side. In the swirling clouds, the vague outline of a tall tower could be seen.
Marshal Silver understood at once and asked no further questions.
Turning slightly, Curtain said softly, "Marshal, this way please."
Marshal Silver stepped across the threshold of the great crimson doorway.
The vast, empty hall was lit by countless tall candles. Their radiant glow reflected off ornate golden patterns on the walls, mingling with faint mist and a tapestry of gold and red, creating an atmosphere of lofty, unapproachable grandeur.
Curtain led Marshal Silver through a side door into the inner corridor. Soon, they arrived before a pair of massive red wooden doors.
Looking up, he saw that the doors were inlaid with gold leaf within the openwork carvings, glittering brilliantly under the light of the candelabras on either side.
Curtain announced in a loud voice, "Marshal Silver has arrived!"
With that, he pushed open the pair of red wooden doors and stepped aside, making a gesture of invitation.
Silent, Marshal Silver nodded to Curtain and stepped into the room.
The main hall was grand, but this inner chamber was exquisitely refined to the point of being breathtaking.
It resembled the parlor of an ordinary household, yet every table, chair, flower, and tree reflected a sense of luxurious beauty in the interplay of light. Even the walls were adorned with intricate carved murals and delicate flower alcoves.
Directly ahead, a bamboo curtain divided the room in half. Behind the curtain, a spacious lounge chair was visible, upon which a figure sat sideways, gazing out at a sea of flowers. His face was obscured from view.
Squaring his shoulders and raising his cloak, Marshal Silver knelt on one knee in a formal military salute. "Commander of the Heavenly Fleet, Marshal Silver, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
At that moment, Curtain also entered from outside, standing by the bamboo curtain with his Demonbreaker Staff in hand.
The Jade Emperor gently stroked his long beard and said, "Marshal Silver, you have worked hard."
The voice from behind the bamboo curtain was rich and magnetic, carrying an understated air of authority.
"For Heaven and for Your Majesty, hardship is of no consequence. May I ask what urgent matter has prompted Your Majesty to summon me?"
The Jade Emperor paused briefly, then casually picked up a memorial from the side table and glanced through it. "I have read your memorial," he said.
Marshal Silver, kneeling on the ground, raised his head slightly, his bright, keen eyes fixed on the bamboo curtain. Yet no matter how he tried, he could not see the Jade Emperor's expression.
The Jade Emperor gently closed the memorial and tossed it onto the low table beside him. "Just now, General Lee has left this place," he continued.
Marshal Silver lowered his head slightly, maintaining his salute, unmoving as he waited for the Jade Emperor to finish speaking.
"What he discussed with me was nothing more than the matter you raised in your memorial. On this issue, I wish to hear your opinion—what should be done?"
Marshal Silver clasped his hands and replied in a clear voice, "When a general commits a crime, judgment is not my place; I dare not presume to decide."
"Speak freely. Here in this inner chamber, you need not be as constrained as in the formal court." The Jade Emperor lifted his teacup, blew gently on it, took two slow sips, and said leisurely, "I want to hear your opinion."
Only then did Marshal Silver clear his throat, bow deeply, and say, "A general colluding with lower-realm demons is already a grave offense. This time, the collusion is with the infamous Drake King, whose name tops the wanted list. The repercussions are widespread—everyone at South Heaven Gate knows of it, and it has utterly disgraced Heaven. If the facts are confirmed, the punishment should be execution without pardon, to serve as a warning to all."
His words rang out forcefully, yet behind the bamboo curtain, the Jade Emperor only gazed in silence at the sea of flowers outside the window.
After a long silence, the sound of the Jade Emperor sighing and stroking his beard drifted out. "Marshal Silver, earlier I asked General Lee how he would judge this matter. His answer differs somewhat from yours. Would you like to hear it?"
Marshal Silver bowed his head and clasped his hands in silence, his gaze calm as still water.
The Jade Emperor nodded. "For such things to happen in the South Heaven Gate, it is no sudden misfortune, but the result of long-standing corruption. The reasons are complex and cannot be explained in a moment. In the future, I will dedicate myself to reform. Yet, if we pursue this matter to the end, it may shake the morale of our troops. What do you think, Marshal Silver?"
Marshal Silver took two slow breaths, raised his head and clasped his hands. "In troubled times, strict laws must prevail—this is a principle every official in the mortal realm understands. If King Lee's statement were to spread, not a single immortal above or below would accept it. As the guardian king of South Heaven Gate, he ought to reflect on himself, not seek to evade responsibility!"
The Jade Emperor burst into laughter, causing Marshal Silver's brow to furrow slightly.
"In my view, the corruption at South Heaven Gate cannot be separated from General Lee's negligence. He has admitted as much and is willing to accept punishment. I have ordered his salary docked for two years and his rank reduced by half a grade, which he accepted gladly. Still, spreading word of collusion between a Heavenly General and a demon king would disgrace Heaven, and General Lee's argument is not without merit. I am considering a compromise: punish King Virūḍhaka, but preserve Heaven's reputation. Do you have any advice, Marshal Silver?"
Marshal Silver's breathing quickened slightly. Though his expression remained unchanged, his fist clenched quietly. After a brief silence, he struck his breastplate with a heavy fist and bowed. "I am of dull wit, Your Majesty. Please enlighten me!"
"Heh heh heh." The Jade Emperor stroked his long beard and said calmly, "How about this: You return at once and release King Virūḍhaka. By imperial decree, he will be punished for poor command at Bluewave Lake—ten years' salary docked, rank lowered by three grades, but allowed to keep his post and redeem himself through service. Does that suffice?"
After a long silence, Marshal Silver raised his head and asked, "Then, if I may be so bold, Your Majesty—how will the matter of collusion with the demon king be handled?"
The Jade Emperor paused, then replied slowly, "In that case, there will be no talk of collusion with the demon king. If anyone mentions it, we will say King Virūḍhaka was acting under orders to sow discord among the demons—a covert campaign to weaken them. What do you think?"
At these words, Marshal Silver's towering frame trembled.
With so much left unsaid, Marshal Silver could only bow and reply, "I shall obey, Your Majesty!"
He had thought his weakness lay in politics, not martial skill, but in the Heavenly Court, reality favored cunning over strength.
Perhaps to comfort him, the Jade Emperor forced a laugh and stroked his beard. "All these years, you have led the Heavenly Fleet, fighting on all fronts for Heaven. Your victories against mortal demons and your reforms within have not gone unnoticed. I have been considering how to reward you. Marshal Silver, this time you must suffer some grievance."
Marshal Silver replied in a clear voice, "To serve Your Majesty with all my heart is my duty. I dare not speak of grievance."
With that, he bowed deeply to the ground.
The Jade Emperor laughed. "Such loyalty is rare. I have heard that a blossom has appeared on the Moon Tree, and it is related to you. Is that true?"
At these words, Marshal Silver's heart trembled, yet his expression did not change.
After a long hesitation, Marshal Silver spoke plainly, "It is true."
The Jade Emperor sighed deeply and raised his head. "I will discuss this with Lord Lao and find a way to remove the blossom, so you need not worry further."
To remove the blossom is to break the bond of romance.
For a moment, Marshal Silver seemed to see Fairy Nisha's radiant smile—like March sunshine, melting ice and sweetening his heart.
Break the bond of romance...
His heart became a tangled mess, and his clasped fingers tightened.
He blinked, kneeling in silence for a long time. Somehow, he found himself saying, "Your Majesty, if it is Heaven's will, let it bloom or wither as it may."
"Oh?" The Jade Emperor straightened slightly. "You do not wish to remove it?"
"No," Marshal Silver replied expressionlessly.
"Very well, as you wish. That saves me some trouble. But if you violate Heaven's laws because of this in the future, I will not be lenient. Have you considered this?"
Marshal Silver pressed his lips together and said quietly, "I have considered it."
The Jade Emperor nodded and sighed. "I have heard you spent a fortune building Cloudrealm Sky Harbor in the Western Isle, and funds are running short. In recognition of the Heavenly Fleet's loyal service, next month's treasury grant of Gold Essence will be doubled. Is that satisfactory?"
On behalf of all living beings in the Western Isle, I thank Your Majesty for your grace!
As he left, the sunlight was dazzling.
Marshal Silver looked up at the endless blue sky, his gaze confused. Distracted, he stumbled, and General Curtain quickly stepped forward to steady him.
Be careful, Marshal.
Supported by General Curtain, Marshal Silver seemed dazed and could not speak for a while.
After a long while, he turned his face and said, "Thank you."
His expression was odd, with beads of sweat visible on his forehead.
After a brief farewell, Marshal Silver hurried away along the path he had come.
Watching Marshal Silver's lonely figure disappear, General Curtain muttered, "This business with King Virūḍhaka has shaken the Marshal so deeply. I've never seen him in such a state... It truly is hard on him."
Quickly leaving the Celestial Palace, Marshal Silver walked with his head bowed, his mind tangled, haunted by that unforgettable face.
What is happening? Why... why did I refuse? Could it be that I..." He clutched his chest and quietly tightened his fist.
...
In the Moon Palace, Fairy Nisha stood in a red dress, leaning on the railing, staring blankly toward the rolling clouds around Cloudrealm Sky Harbor.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.