1 The Summoning Of Eight Gods

"Keep up with the work! Lord Zhang Yue is about to enter!" the heavenly ministers yelled at one another.

It was a site in the heaven on the day of the arrival of the gods. The heavenly palaces and gardens were all sought to be kept up for this day.

The heaven probably shone brighter on this day with the aura of the eight gods than any other, so much as the mortals would mistake it for another sun.

Amongst the chaos, a red clad figure marched towards the Chamber of the Eight Gods.

The Chamber of the Eight Gods could not be entered by any other than the gods themselves or their Heavenly Guardians. The Chamber was the tallest building in the heaven, shooting up straight into the heart of the sky. On the outside, it was covered with jade and gold linings and motifs of the gods alone covered the inside.

The red robed man walked with grace, a bright light emitted from his body and everyone else could only watch him with mouths agape. He had a slender figure and his long black hair were tied in a bun, fastened by an equally red ribbon as his clothes.

His face bore a calm, sweetening smile. Behind him, two Guardians marched, in the same red attires but less sophisticated.

"Welcome back Lord Zhang Yue! My Lord is the first to come" a female minister spoke from aside, passing him a shy smile.

Zhang Yue only nodded and walked forward towards the Chamber.

"Lord Xue Min comes as well!" the person at the heavenly gates announced and a silence fell over the eager crowd, waiting for the arrival of the gods.

Xue Min was more or less of a god. If anyone was asked whether they wanted to be locked with Xue Min or a beast in a room, all would choose to be locked with a beast.

Being the tallest in heaven, he walked looking around at the people, all bowing their heads. His green robes fluttered in air as if dancing.

Walking towards the Chamber, Zhang Yue paused in his step and looked back at Xue Min. As if ignoring the presence of the other, he walked in first.

"Lord..... Wu Jing is here!" the person at the gates informed. Hearing the name, everyone sighed and a few began to gossip.

"That Lord Wu Jing is all here for My Lord Zhang Yue...this old witch ugh!"

"What an imposter! Wonder how many layers of skin this old hag has on!"

"Only if she hadn't had any powers I'd spit at her face!"

Wu Jing was the only in the eight gods who was despised by the heavens. Wu Jing was once respected but only after her affair with Zhang Yue became known, she was dissed.

Wu Jing walked effortlessly. She was thin and pale in composure. Her white skin contrasted against her black attire. Her hair swiftly swept on her back as she walked. She didn't have the charm of youth and beauty on her face as Zhang Yue did, she looked rather tired. Even the heavenly light around her was rather dim.

Only after she entered the Chamber did the crowd stopped cursing.

One after the other, the heavenly gods all entered the Chamber, while the Heavenly Guardians all guarded the path and gates to prevent anyone getting too close to the gods.

"Song Cheng! Here I come!" Qin Su spoke as he charged towards Song Cheng. Song Cheng swiftly tackled him and jumping in the air, landed on his feet behind Qin Su.

His long hair were loose on the sides while a ponytail tamed a few of his locks. Swear dripped down his forehead towards his neck, drenching his blue robes.

A dark blue belt was fastened around his waist that revealed his tall and slim figure.

One could say he was built for the heavens. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited for Qin Su to turn around. Once he did, he flung Lan Tian out of the scabbard and pointed it towards Qin Su's neck, catching him unexpectedly.

Song Cheng never thought the gods returning to the heaven was a sight too grand. He always had rathered practising swords with Qin Su. He had seen the gods only a hundred years ago, but he was sure they'd still be the same so he did not really care.

"See? This was what I was talking about." Song Cheng spoke as he cocked an eyebrow up. His thin lips turned up into a small smile as Qin Su threw away his sword.

"Understood. I need to learn the jump." Qin Su spoke stepping back as Song Cheng withdrew his sword. Just as he was to sheath Lan Tian again, Qin Su picked his sword and aimed for Song Cheng's arm. Without effort, he blocked the attack with one swift strike and sent Qin Su's sword flying away.

Qin Su's hand went through his wavy hair bound in a bun and exhaled sharply. His cheeks were red from the heat and the sweat made it unbearable.

"We should probably leave before the ministers come look for us." Qing

Su spoke and walked towards the exit of the Chamber of the Guardians.

The Chamber of the Guardians was built on the eastern corner of the heaven. Besides the resting chambers forming a boundary, the hollow inside was the Martial Ground.

The Martial Ground was as it's name suggested. It was huge patch of land where the guardians could practice their combat skills and gain experience.

Song Cheng sheathed Lan Tian and followed Qin Su towards the exit.

He steadied his belt and looked down at it. It was a dark blue belt printed with motifs of white tigers. He ran his hand over it before walking forward.

As he exited the Chamber, he heard a female voice calling him. "Ah- General Song! Here you are. The Lords ask for you in their Chamber."

Song Cheng looked at the direction of the voice. He saw Ling Rui rushing towards him. Ling Rui ran errands for the ministers and was the a maiden at Lord Yuan Jin's palace.

"General Song! The Lords ask-"

"I'll be there" Song Cheng spoke as he turned towards the Path of Will.

The Path Of Will was the path that lead to the Chamber of the Eight Gods. While before, people must have crowded around it to watch the gods,now it was deserted.

Song Cheng followed Ling Rui to the Chamber. The woman stopped at the doors of the chambers and gestured Song Cheng to proceed.

Song Cheng walked into the Chamber. The interior reflected gold and jade in beautiful patterns and designs. From the ceiling above, hung a white jade plaque with two lines that ruled the heaven.

"Follow The Heaven's Will. The Will Is Pure."

The eight gods were seated on eight thrones of gold distributed in the gigantic chamber. In the middle sat Lord Zhang Yue, as the symbol of the most powerful god in the room.

"My Lords." Song Cheng bowed his head.

He looked at Zhang Yue as he smiled and nodded.

"General Song. Even after a hundred years, still the same." It was Xue Min who spoke, pursuing his lips.

"As the heaven wills." Song Cheng spoke. "But My Lords ask for me, I hope it's not to just see me."

"There's a matter of hand we wish you look into." Zhang Yue spoke. "The mortal world has been in a ruckus against the Heaven's will. And there's no one more able to restrain the cause than you."

"Afterall, you turned Lu Feng into ashes for the Heaven's will." A female voice ushered from the corner of the chamber.

It was Lord Qing Fuhua. Qing Fuhua was the only other female god in the eight. What could be said about her was only that she had a sharp tongue.

A silence swept over the Chamber as Zhang Yue looked at Song Cheng growing uneasy.

"My Lord wishes you to accompany a subordinate, who can help you. As from this chamber, one god must also accompany you." Wu Jing spoke.

Each word seemed to be measured and careful.

Zhang Yue looked at her and smiled, before turning back to Song Cheng.

"You haven't turned back to the mortal world ever since coming here. You need to remember that once you step down, you will no longer be immortal." Zhang Yue said.

"If this is the Heaven's will, then I must follow it." Song Cheng spoke.

"From the Chamber, Lord Yuan Jin will assist you." Zhang Yue spoke.

It seemed that Yuan Jin must have been sleeping the whole while, as when he heard his name he stood up abruptly.

Song Cheng looked at the young man in a purple attire. His black hair were fastened in a lopsided bun. He looked handsome and his expression was that of confusion. He looked at Song Cheng for a while.

"Ah-My Lord. I've just returned from the mortal world." Yuan Jin mouthed.

"That is why you must assist him, pfft! When will you even grow up and take responsibility?" Xue Min spoke.

"You're not his father Xue Min." Qing Fuhua muttered.

"If Lord Yuan Jin is unwilling, My Lord must allow me to assist General Song" Wu Jing spoke.

Zhang Yue hesitated for a while.

"Lord Wu Jing, you must think-"

"I'll go My Lord! Don't trouble Lord Wu Jing for it." Yuan Jin interrupted and descended from his throne and walked towards Song Cheng.

Song Cheng couldn't help but wonder about Yuan Jin. First, he was so reluctant to accompany him but as soon as Wu Jing stepped in, he decided to tag along.

"We must take leave then." Song Cheng spoke and bowed once more while Yuan Jin waved frantically at the others, to whom except for Qing Fuhua nobody cared to respond.

"General Song. Another word," Zhang Yue spoke as they turned to leave.

"The Heaven's will lays upon you. The will is pure."

***