Chapter 5:

"Light Immortal Juying seeks an audience with the Heavenly Emperor!" A guard of Xuanji palace announced.

Runyu, who was writing up an official document, paused mid-stroke, wondering if he heard right. His servant, Kuanglu, who was all too familiar with her master's temperament towards the Light Immortal spoke up, "Shall I ask the guards to send her away?"

The Heavenly Emperor thought for a moment, then responded, "No, send her in." Kuanglu dutifully relayed his command and it wasn't long before the doors to Xuanji Palace's main hall opened to welcome an unimpressed Juying.

Xuanji Palace, while possessing a grand and elegant exterior, had a plainly decorated interior and was surprisingly bare. It turned out to be true, what they said about the Heavenly Emperor's disinterest in material possessions. It posed a huge contrast to Juying's own Yongxia Palace, which was decked out in vibrant colours, with ornaments, precious stones, statues, paintings and objects made of the finest porcelain displayed everywhere.

Runyu set down his brush and narrowed his eyes as the Light Immortal approached him. What could she possibly want?

"Juying greets the Heavenly Emperor," she bowed, and so did the servant beside her.

"Rise. What brings the Light Immortal to Xuanji Palace?" Runyu asked.

"Replying to your majesty, Juying remembered that you enjoyed my peach blossom cakes yesterday. I have prepared some for you and am here to deliver on my promise." With a wave of her arm, her servant approached Kuanglu, who accepted the box of cakes on Runyu's behalf.

The dragon spirit was stunned by her thoughtful gesture. He hadn't expected Juying to actually make good her word, and much less since he was sure that she disliked him as much as he disliked her. He frowned, thinking that she had to have some ulterior motive. Things were never that simple with her.

"Speak. What kind of reward are you seeking?" He asked, eyeing her sceptically.

Juying's eyes widened. "Reward? What does your majesty mean?" She looked genuinely puzzled.

"Is she really not after some sort of compensation?" Runyu wondered.

A mesmerizing half-smile appeared on Juying's face. "Is your majesty offering me one?" She teased.

Runyu felt his throat go dry. He clenched his jaw and returned his attention to the papers before him. The Heavenly Emperor clearing his throat before replying, "That would depend on what the Light Immortal wants."

Juying took a moment to consider. She then replied, "If Juying may be so bold to ask of the Heavenly Emperor, may I borrow a few scriptures from Xingjing Court? I've never had the opportunity to read the Victorious King of Heaven Doctrines and the Diamond Sutra."

The dragon spirit was stunned. He had expected her to ask for jewels, delicacies, garments, priceless artifacts, or make some other outrageous request. And yet, she chose books? "I did not expect the Light Immortal to be so studious," he said drily.

"Replying to your majesty, the sea of learning is limitless. Only diligence will lead you to its shore,*" Juying quoted.

"Well said," Runyu gave a single, approving nod. "In that case, I shall repeat to you the words that the previous Heavenly Emperor once spoke to me - as long as you have the heart to learn, the doors of Xingjing Court will always be open to you. Go ahead and borrow as many scriptures as you'd like."

Juying couldn't believe that the normally ill-disposed Heavenly Emperor had actually granted her request. "Thank you, your majesty! I shall proceed to Xingjing Court right away. Juying takes her leave."

"When you've finished studying the scriptures," Runyu unexpectedly called out as she walked away, "return to Xuanji Palace so that we can have a discussion."

"Your majesty actually cares to hear my opinion?" Juying asked, surprised.

He looked up from his work to meet her shocked gaze. "You are a student of a High Immortal belonging to Supreme Clarity Heaven," Runyu said pointedly. "I'm sure you must have some interesting and profound insights regarding self-cultivation and the art of war."

The Light Immortal felt her spirits lift. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope in developing a friendship with the Heavenly Emperor after all. "Juying receives the Heavenly Emperor's command."

Contrary to Juying's assumption that the dragon spirit was finally warming up to her, Runyu, in actual fact, only extended the invitation in order to set up an opportunity where he could put her to the test. His strengths were in his capacity to quote thousands of different scriptures and be able to come up with strong, convincing arguments. No matter her beliefs, Runyu was confident in his ability to topple them all and hopefully send her back to her master crying, with her tail between her legs.

"Kuanglu, what do you think of the Light Immortal?" Runyu asked.

"Kuanglu is just a lowly servant. I have no right to comment on Immortal Juying," she said mildly.

"You may speak your mind. I will pardon you."

Kuanglu hesitated, unsure of how to reply. What would please the Heavenly Emperor, yet not put her in the precarious position of openly defaming an immortal? "Kuanglu knows that the Heavenly Emperor harbours some enmity towards the Light Immortal," she began carefully. "My Lord is wise and has a good judge of character, hence there must certainly be a good reason for your hostility. For that reason, Kuanglu will also remain vigilant against her."

"Mm," Runyu nodded slowly, only half-satisfied with her answer. "In my opinion, the Light Immortal is crafty and scheming, and not someone we should easily trust. Her uncanny ability to manipulate people makes her dangerous. Until I find a way to get rid of her, I'd like for you to keep an eye on her. Report back to me the moment she does anything suspicious."

"As you wish, your majesty," Kuanglu complied. "Shall I dispose of the peach blossom cakes as well?"

The silver dragon froze. "No," he said abruptly. "Just... just leave them on my desk. She might have tampered with them and I wish to inspect them for evidence-"

"My Lord, you mustn't," Kuanglu interjected worriedly. "Let Kuanglu do it instead. If they are indeed poisoned, they pose a danger to your health. I won't let you take that risk."

"Worry not. I, obviously, know to be careful. Leave them to me. I will personally dispose of them," Runyu said dismissively.

His loyal servant, still unconvinced, opened her mouth to say more. But before she could speak, the Heavenly Emperor interrupted, "I'm quite thirsty. Could you go to the Imperial Kitchen and brew me some tea?"

"Kuanglu will do it now," she received his instructions.

As the doors to Xuanji Palace's main hall were closing, Kuanglu glanced back at the Heavenly Emperor. "Was he...? No, it couldn't be," she thought. It had to be a trick of the light. Kuanglu hurried off, confused and unsettled.

She could have sworn that she just witnessed the Heavenly Emperor pulling a peach blossom cake out of the box and taking a bite.

Glossary:
The sea of learning is limitless. Only diligence will lead you to its shore: 学海无涯, 唯勤是岸 (xué hǎi wú yá, wéi qín shì àn), diligence, persistence, and hard work while learning is important for success. (proverb)