Chapter 21

The Heavenly Emperor Runyu sat at his desk, tapping his index finger against lips, deep in thought. The Beast of Dreams had brought an intriguing report.

"She went to the moon?" he thought incredulously. That was very far.

He pulled up another dream bubble from Yanyou. The voice of the Immortal Taisi echoed, "You didn't happen to run into the Moon Immortal when you were down there, did you?"

Runyu pursed his lips.

"The Immortal Taisi has his daughter looking for Uncle" he thought, irritated. He tapped his chin lightly with a crooked finger. "Even if they can find him, Uncle will not come here again" he concluded. He was yet one more person who had abandoned Runyu. A small lump started to form in his throat. He coughed it away.

"When they give up looking for Uncle, what will their next step be?" he asked himself. He thought about the various power players in the Heavenly Realm. Finally he came to the conclusion that whatever they decided to do, it would have to involve the Supreme Lord Lao. He was the next level power player in seniority. Runyu needed to place someone inside Doushuai Palace. He had the perfect person in mind.

For the third time in as many weeks, Runyu found himself back in the Mortal Realm. He summoned Zhang Fude and waited for what seemed like an inappropriately long time. Finally, Zhang Fude arrived with a loud BOOM and a puff of white smoke.

"Zhang Fude!" said Runyu commandingly. Zhang Fude lowered himself to his knees. "I am here Your Majesty" he said anxiously. "How can I serve you?" he asked.

Runyu pulled a small red pouch out of his robe. "Zhang Fude, do you know what is in here?" he asked the Earth Immortal. Zhang Fude shook his head.

Runyu continued, "Inside this pouch is 1,000 years of magical prowess."

Zhang Fude looked at the pouch in awe.

"I was going to give this to you last week when I summoned all of the Earth Immortals, but you arrived late. You didn't get yours." Runyu told him.

Zhang Fude looked stricken. Runyu shrugged.

"Should I reward someone for tardiness?" he asked facetiously.

Zhang Fude looked down. "I am so sorry for my earlier lateness" he apologized.

Runyu looked down at him. "Still, I really would like to reward you" he said.

Zhang Fude looked up, hopeful.

"But it wouldn't do to appear to be too lenient" he stated, appearing to ruminate the situation.

Zhang Fude shook his head adamantly.

"What do you think I should do?" he asked Zhang Fude.

Zhang Fude looked startled. He was clearly out of his element. Finally he kowtowed.

"Please have mercy on me Your Majesty!" he begged.

Runyu glared at his back. Good help was so hard to find.

"I have an idea" Runyu said. "I will sentence you to ten years of stoking the furnace at Doushuai Palace."

Zhang Fude groaned. "Not that Your Majesty!" he pleaded. "It's so hot in there! It wasn't long ago that I had to serve 100 years at that furnace. The smell is still in my clothing!"

Runyu shook the little red pouch.

"That is, I mean, whatever you think is best, Your Majesty" Zhang Fude said circumspectly.

Runyu squatted down to look at Zhang Fude's face. He spoke very seriously.

"You will go to Doushuai Palace. You will tell no one about my business. You will keep an eye on the Grand Supreme Lord Lao. If there is ever an occasion where the Immortal Taisi and his daughter Kuanglu both come to visit the Supreme Lord at the same time, you will notify me immediately. Do you understand?"

Zhang Fude nodded slowly, his eyes wide. Runyu held out the pouch to him. Zhang Fude took it eagerly.

"It'll be good to see my old buddies at the furnace again" said Zhang Fude optimistically. "I can't wait to tell them about the wild goose chase you sent me on!" He laughed.

Runyu sucked at his teeth with a loud 'tsk'. "Now that is exactly the business that I wanted you to tell no one about" he said firmly.

Zhang Fude looked at him quizzically. "You don't want anyone to know that you bought a mortal bride?" he asked.

Runyu's eyes narrowed. Perhaps Zhang Fude was more of a threat than he had supposed.

"I mean, I haven't told anyone about that, Your Majesty" Zhang Fude backpedaled. "If you don't want anyone to know about your mortal bride, I won't tell anyone about your mortal bride. I can be very tight-lipped" he reassured Runyu.

Runyu stayed silent for a moment, then he replied,

"Let's just say that I don't want anyone to know yet... The announcement is mine to make."

Zhang Fude nodded in understanding. "As you wish, Your Majesty" he said. His eyes appeared sharper than normal.

Runyu looked at him seriously, really seeing him, then slowly nodded back. He had just come to the realization that this servant was far more capable than he let on. He gave him instructions on how to get ahold of him in the Heavenly Realm, and then dismissed him.

Runyu was really tempted to go and look in on Lia since he was down in the Mortal Realm, but he reluctantly decided against it. It was just too risky.

"I'll visit her tonight in the Dream Realm" he decided. That was risk free, and the girl acted more like herself when she thought it was just a dream. Consoling himself with this thought, he headed back up to the Heavenly Realm.