Jade Pool.
A boundless lotus lake, its blossoms towering higher than a grown man, while the enormous lotus leaves resemble great trees.
General Lee walked slowly along the long, narrow white-jade corridor, clad in golden armor and holding the Exquisite Pagoda.
The Immortal Peach Orchard was under the Queen Mother of the West’s control, and its Peaches of Immortality were mostly reserved for the Grand Peach Banquet, with few uses beyond that. On ordinary days, even the Jade Emperor himself would have to defer to the Queen Mother of the West if he wanted a Peach of Immortality—let alone now, when a hundred peaches were needed at once to ransom King Broadgaze.
The difficulty was such that, in the hands of an ordinary immortal, it would truly be an impossible task.
But General Lee was a seasoned deity whose authority reached far. In just half a day in Heaven, he had already met privately with Grandmaster White. Grandmaster White promised to persuade the Queen Mother of the West to grant Peaches of Immortality for rewarding the South Heaven Gate corps after their campaign, but Jade Pool’s expenses were vast and Heaven’s allocations limited. Thus, the Gold Essence originally meant for military rewards would have to be transferred to the Queen Mother of the West instead.
General Lee naturally accepted this arrangement with pleasure.
After all, the main rewards for merit would come from Heaven’s extra allocations; what the corps provided was merely symbolic. Calculating it out, even fifty thousand units of Gold Essence would leave a surplus—still less than one-tenth the value of the five immortal herbs gifted to Grandmaster White.
He walked on until he reached the end, where General Lee saw the open-air hall.
On the dazzling golden hall, immortal music resounded. Nearly a hundred immortal musicians played in grand procession, each one of Spirit-Refinement rank or higher. Groups of beautiful fairy maidens came and went, their dances so enchanting that any ordinary soldier visiting would be utterly spellbound.
At the main seat, a regal woman bathed in auspicious light sat in repose, with Grandmaster White standing beside her.
General Lee struck his breastplate with one fist and bowed deeply. "General Lee, pays respects to the Queen Mother of the West."
"No need for formalities." The Queen Mother of the West gently waved her hand, giving General Lee only a brief glance before continuing to enjoy the immortal music.
"Thank you, Queen Mother of the West."
"I hear from Grandmaster White that you wish to obtain some Peaches of Immortality to reward the officers who fought in Eastrealm."
"That is exactly the case," General Lee bowed again. "This time, my South Heaven Gate corps, under the Jade Emperor’s command, fought to subdue Eastrealm, and every soldier fought with blood and fire. Soon, we shall return victorious. At that time, Heaven’s rewards will be distributed, but the corps must also show its appreciation. If we grant Gold Essence, it seems rather mundane. After discussing with the Four Heavenly Kings, we agreed that rewarding with Peaches of Immortality would truly inspire the troops. Such an unreasonable request—I ask the Queen Mother of the West to remember the hardships of the soldiers and grant it."
With that, he stole a glance at Grandmaster White.
Grandmaster White straightened slightly, his gaze slanting toward the Queen Mother of the West.
After a brief moment of consideration, the Queen Mother of the West smiled faintly. "General Lee is truly considerate of his subordinates—no wonder he is so beloved in the corps. Those who have rendered merit should indeed be rewarded. How could I refuse? However..."
As she spoke, the Queen Mother of the West paused and glanced at General Lee. "It’s just that asking for a hundred peaches seems a bit much. Every year, even for the Grand Peach Banquet, the supply from the Immortal Peach Orchard is tight. It’s not that we can’t spare them, but if I grant them so freely, soon every corps will come seeking Peaches of Immortality to reward their officers. How then could we hold the Grand Peach Banquet?"
With that, Regina West picked up her crystal goblet and took a delicate sip of elixir wine.
Hearing this, Simon Lee’s brows knit slightly. He glanced at Albert White, saw his calm expression, and then bowed: "Regina West speaks truly. If we receive Eden Peaches from you, the Gold Essence originally set aside for rewards will be freed up and can be donated to Emerald Lake as a token of gratitude from South Heaven Gate. If any other corps wish to follow suit, they must abide by this precedent. Would that be acceptable?"
Seeing Regina West nod silently in response, Simon Lee finally felt a bit relieved.
Those five immortal herbs had not been given in vain after all.
After a moment’s thought, Regina West smiled and said, "That is one way to handle it. In that case, Simon Lee, please send ten million units of Gold Essence over."
Her casual words struck Simon Lee’s heart like a boulder thrown into a tranquil lake, stirring up a storm within.
Ten million Gold Essence? The South Heaven Gate corps’ entire annual budget is only sixty million!
Simon Lee’s expression changed slightly. He forced a dry laugh and said, "Ten million Gold Essence... Isn’t that a bit..."
"Eden Peaches are sacred treasures of Heaven," Albert White suddenly interrupted in a loud voice. "If not for the South Heaven Gate troops shedding blood for Heaven, Regina West would never break precedent. When the day of triumph comes, such a reward will surely boost morale—every soldier will remember Regina West’s generosity."
With that, he bowed obsequiously to Regina West.
Regina West waved her hand modestly, smiling. "Soldiers who have earned merit deserve to be rewarded. A hundred Eden Peaches is indeed a lot, but since they have shed blood for Heaven, how can we be stingy?"
"Regina West is absolutely right." With that, Albert White turned to Simon Lee and asked, "Simon Lee, don’t you agree?"
How could they not be generous? Was that meant for him to hear?
Simon Lee smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth twitching as his teeth clenched beneath tightly pressed lips. Yet he could only bow in thanks, resigned.
......
The June after Belle arrived at Blossom Mountain.
A hundred miles from Blossom Mountain, six ragged demons of varying forms were fleeing across the open wilderness at breakneck speed.
Ten miles behind them, high in the sky, a light Heavenly warship thundered its battle drums.
On the deck, nearly a hundred Skyward Legionnaires armed with various weapons, led by a Celestial General, soared into the air, racing after the six nearly exhausted demons.
"Damn it, if I had a cloud-riding spell, we wouldn’t be in this mess!" The lead demon, an ivory-broken elephant spirit, gasped and cursed bitterly.