Chapter 41: Meeting Senior Brother

On the next day, Soft Feather wakes up early, feeling refreshed and excited for the day ahead. She gets dressed and goes to find Zenith Heaven Emperor, eager to tell him about her plans to visit her old friends at the Chu Family.

"Good morning, my dear Soft Feather," Zenith Heaven Emperor greets her with a smile as she enters the room. "What brings you up so early?"

Soft Feather beams with excitement. "I want to visit some old friends today! I haven't seen them in a while. Now that I can fly with a flying sword, I decided to make a trip and visit them."

Zenith Heaven Emperor nods in understanding. "That sounds like a great idea. I hope you have a wonderful time."

Soft Feather looks at him curiously. "What about you, my beloved? Will you be joining me?"

Zenith Heaven Emperor shakes his head. "No, I have some business to attend to on the Heavenly Realm Island. But don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Soft Feather pouts a little, but then brightens up again. "Okay, I understand. Have a safe trip, my dear. I'll see you when you come back."

Soft Feather gives him a warm smile and a gentle kiss before leaving. Once she's gone, he quickly makes his own preparations for his trip to the Heavenly Court's new headquarters.

Once Soft Feather left, Zenith Heaven Emperor took a deep breath and focused his energy on opening a space gate. He visualized the Heavenly Realm Island in his mind and concentrated on his destination. After a few moments, the space gate appeared before him, and he stepped through it, emerging in a room made entirely of ice.

The room is spacious, with walls and floors made of shimmering, translucent ice. The light in the room is cool and white, casting everything in a pale, ethereal glow. In the center of the room, there is a throne made out of ice, and sitting upon it is a figure dressed in white and silver robes, trimmed with delicate patterns of ice crystals. Long, silver-white hair is hidden behind a hood, and a mask covers the person's face.

Zenith Heaven Emperor approaches the throne and bows deeply. "Greetings, Senior Brother," he says respectfully. "Your surrounding is as cold as ever, I see."

This person is Ah Chang, also known as Gold Trigram, and he is the one and only disciple of the Heavenly Emperor. However, there is more to his identity than just that. He is the prototype of the Heavenly Court project of the Current Heaven. The Wielder of the Heaven originally intended to let him found the Heavenly Court, but this plan was put an end to due to the interference of Song Shuhang. As a result of this failure, he was replaced by the Heavenly Emperor, who coincidently also took him in as a disciple.

Ah Chang nods in acknowledgement. "It is good to see you, Senior Brother," he says, his voice cool and precise. "What brings you to the Heavenly Realm Island?"

"I have come to speak with you about the rebuilding of the Heavenly Court" Zenith Heaven Emperor replies. "Seeing that you already decided to use this place to rebuild the Heavenly City, I want to lend you a hand in doing so."

Ah Chang looks at him with interest. "Oh? And what do you propose?"

Zenith Heaven Emperor straightens up and looks him in the eye. "I plan to send out coordinates to the remnant forces of the Heavenly Court to gather here and bring their Heavenly Court fragments with them. We will then work together to rebuild the Heavenly Court, stronger than ever before."

Ah Chang nods thoughtfully. "That is an ambitious plan. But how do you plan to handle the different factions of the Heavenly Court and their conflicts?"

Zenith Heaven Emperor smiles confidently. "Simple, who dares to resist in the face of absolute strength!" he says before continuing," Also I have an offer for you, that I am sure you can't refuse."

"What is it that you offer?" Ah Chang asks, his interest piqued.

"I have been working on a technique related to the position of Prime Minister of the Heavenly Court. It is a Way of Eternal Life that could greatly benefit the one who holds this position," Zenith Heaven Emperor explains. "And I would like to offer it to you, if you are willing to accept the position of Prime Minister in the rebuilt Heavenly Court."

Ah Chang raises an eyebrow. "And why would you offer me this position?"

"Because I believe in your abilities and your loyalty to the Heavenly Court," Zenith Heaven Emperor replies. "And I know you can't become an Eternal Life Being otherwise, due to my mother teaching you only about her own Way of the Heavenly Court, meaning you either require the Way of the Heavenly Court or a similar one related to it like the one I created for you, to become a Eternal Life Being."

Ah Chang's eyes widen slightly in surprise at the mention of a new Way of Eternal Life related to the Heavenly Court. "I see," he says slowly, processing the information. "You created a Way of Eternal Life related to the position of Prime Minister?"

Zenith Heaven Emperor nods. "Yes, that's correct," he says. "It's a modified version of the Way of the Heavenly Court, designed specifically for the Prime Minister of the Heavenly Court. It allows the user to use upon the power of the other Eternal Life Beings under the Heavenly Emperor just like the Way of the Heavenly Court, but it does not grant the privilege of recruitment of new members. Furthermore, to ensure the Heavenly Emperor's safety, the user cannot rebel against the bearer of the Way of the Heavenly Court."

Ah Chang's expression becomes thoughtful as he considers the offer. "I am humbled by your trust in me, Senior Brother," he says finally. "I accept the position of Prime Minister and your offer to impart this new Way to me."

Zenith Heaven Emperor nods, a small smile of satisfaction on his lips. "Excellent. We will discuss the details further once we have gathered the remaining Heavenly Court fragments and rebuilt the Heavenly Court."

Ah Chang bows respectfully. "Thank you, Senior Brother. I will do my best to assist in the rebuilding efforts."

Just as the conversation between Zenith Heaven Emperor and Ah Chang is wrapping up, the door to the room opens and two people enter. The first to step through is a woman named Nine Lanterns, who happens to be Ah Chang's disciple. Following closely behind her is Zenith Heaven Emperor's own disciple, Song Shuhang.

Zenith Heaven Emperor is surprised by the sudden appearance of his disciple, but he is also pleased to see him. "Shuhang! What brings you here?" he asks with a smile, thinking just how broken his luck must be to meet his own disciple now of all times.

"I could ask you the same thing, Master," Shuhang replies, equally surprised to see his master in the Heavenly Realm Island.

Nine Lanterns turns to Ah Chang. "Master, who is he?" she asks, gesturing to Zenith Heaven Emperor.

Ah Chang looks at Zenith Heaven Emperor and then back at Nine Lanterns. "This is Zenith Heaven Emperor, my master's son," he explains.

Nine Lanterns nods in understanding. "I see. It's an honor to meet you, Zenith Heaven Emperor," she says respectfully.

After Shuhang entered the room, the story proceeds similarly to the original. Ah Chang still created him a size reducing pouch, after all, in this world it is customary for a senior to give a small gift when meeting a junior for the first time.