Chapter 113: The Six Departments of the Water Division (First Update)

Chapter 113: The Six Departments of the Water Division (Part One)

As the supreme authority governing the Three Realms, the Heavenly Court comprised numerous departments, each with its own hidden cards.

Yet officially, there were only eight divisions: Thunder, Fire, Plague, Combat, Tai Sui, Smallpox, Water, and Wealth.

The heads of these eight divisions were first-rank deities, among whom was the Star Lord of the Water Virtue.

Before the onset of the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm, only the Combat Division functioned normally because the Jade Emperor had reclaimed the Star Gods, ensuring its operation.

The other divisions were mere facades, serving only to uphold appearances.

Despite being such idle departments, Taibai Jinxing understood them thoroughly.

This revealed that, as a trusted confidant of the Jade Emperor, Taibai Jinxing was far from a mere secretary or attendant.

Instead, he possessed the stature of a grand chancellor overseeing the Three Realms, managing yin and yang, and balancing the powers of the various departments.

If not the prime minister of the Heavenly Court, he was at least a senior elder.

Along the way, he spoke eloquently, clarifying the powers and duties of the Star Lord of the Water Virtue.

The Northern Star Lord of the Water Virtue was the essence of water, auxiliary deity to the Black Emperor, embodying the celestial heart of water virtue, a star of the Purple Constellation, positioned directly opposite the peak of Kunlun Mountain. The Palace of the Purple Tenuity was the master of primordial energy, descending in essence as the god of agriculture, overseeing all living beings.

The Star Lord wore a star-crowned headdress, red-soled shoes, and robes of black rosy cranes symbolizing longevity. He held a jade tablet, bore a seven-star treasure sword, and wore a white jade ring pendant. He governed the water tribes, including merfolk and dragons, fish, hail, and frost.

He was the grand head of the Five Phases, the root of all life, overseeing the seas, lakes, and rivers.

Simply put, the Star Lord of the Water Virtue was the Black Emperor’s auxiliary deity, in charge of all changes in wind and rain across the world, and the myriad water veins in the Three Realms. All aquatic life were his subjects.

The more Luo Feng listened, the more peculiar it sounded. Was this really the Star Lord of the Water Virtue?

It bore no resemblance whatsoever to the water element authority he himself wielded.

Taking a sip of immortal tea, Luo Feng tentatively asked, “Old Star Lord, aren’t the affairs of the Water Division too vast?”

“Too many affairs? Not at all. In the divine path, the more affairs one has, the greater one’s authority.”

According to Taibai Jinxing’s description, the Star Lord of the Water Virtue truly governed heaven and earth, and even the air itself.

He effectively overshadowed the chief god, the Black Emperor.

Luo Feng had no idea he was so formidable.

Taibai Jinxing chuckled softly, stroking his white beard, and said ambiguously, “The Black Emperor, the Ancestral Dragon, has perished for many years. The Five Directional Star Lords were appointed by His Majesty.”

“The Star Lord of the Water Virtue must still follow the example of the sages and continue to strive.”

Seeing Taibai Jinxing’s awkward yet polite smile, Luo Feng immediately understood.

The leader of the Water Element lineage, the Black Emperor Ancestral Dragon, had been gone for many years. Although great transcendents are immortal, who knew how many cosmic calamities it would take before his return?

The Heavenly Court’s supreme, the Jade Emperor, had seized the opportunity to establish the positions of the Five Directional Star Lords.

Regardless of the actual situation, the titles and statuses had been fixed first.

With the Black Emperor gone, who dared oppose the Heavenly Court established by the Three Purities and supported by the Ancestor Dao?

Of course, while the titles and statuses were in place, the real benefits and powers still needed to be fought for by the Heavenly Court itself.

Or rather, by the current Star Lord of the Water Virtue, Luo Feng.

Watching Luo Feng nod thoughtfully, Taibai Jinxing laughed heartily, “You will surely help ease the burdens of the Heavenly Court.”

Taibai Jinxing nodded with satisfaction; speaking with a clever person was easy.

He then pointed toward a cloud-shrouded celestial pavilion ahead.

“Star Lord of the Water Virtue, let us discuss matters in detail inside.”

Luo Feng smiled calmly, “Please lead the way, Old Star Lord.”

They walked to the pavilion and sat down for discussion.

Taibai Jinxing, an old hand in these matters, spoke while Luo Feng listened attentively.

Half an hour passed before they finally clarified the many affairs of the Water Division.

Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse: if the water element of the Three Realms were divided into ten parts, the Star Lord of the Water Virtue held nearly two.

The remaining eighty percent was divided among the great water systems of the primordial continent, the four seas’ dragon clans, and the underworld’s water systems.

Of that, twenty percent belonged to the Heavenly Realm’s water system and the natural regulation of clouds and water vapor, overseen by the Heavenly Court.

Another five percent derived from the Heavenly River; the final five percent came from Mercury, also called the Star of the Water Element, symbolizing the water element star.

Where the authority lay was the domain of the Water Division.

Luo Feng suddenly recalled that the Beidou Star Lord’s invitation to the morning assembly might be related to the Star of Mercury.

After all, Mercury was also a star, part of the Star God lineage.

The Sun, Moon, and Purple Tenuity were the three noble stars, followed by the Five Virtue Stars, which symbolized the cosmic foundation and the laws of the Dao.

He resolved to find an opportunity to pay a visit.

As the saying goes, one more friend means one less enemy.

If he could build relations with the Star God lineage, his safety in the Heavenly Realm would be assured.

After all, the entire cosmos was bathed in starlight.

Taibai Jinxing paused, then said earnestly, “The Heavenly Court was established not long ago; the Star Lords must quickly finalize their statutes.”

Luo Feng smiled, “Naturally. However...”

Before he could finish, Taibai Jinxing laughed, “If you have something to say, say it freely. The Heavenly Court does not punish speech.”

Luo Feng smiled and said, “I’ve heard that the Heavenly River seems to have a water army.”

Since ancient times, ministers associating with the military was a great taboo of emperors.

Even in the Heavenly Court, where power belonged to itself, the Jade Emperor was not afraid of such things.

Yet, as a subject, it was still necessary to be cautious.

Taibai Jinxing laughed brightly, “Star Lord, there is no need for such concern. The Heavenly River’s naval force is commanded by Marshal Tianpeng, a trusted confidant of His Majesty.”

“You need not be so wary.”

Is Tianpeng a confidant of the Heavenly Emperor?

Luo Feng pondered whether the Marshal Tianpeng of the vast primordial universe was the same “pig” figure.

According to records, Tianpeng was a divine name; Zhu Bajie, the pig, represented the kidney water, not a human.

Chatting with Taibai Jinxing, Luo Feng made his way toward the Water Division of the Heavenly Court.

...

“Atop the golden palace of Haotian, the Supreme Sovereign, the naturally wondrous and true Jade Emperor’s edict reads: The Water Division is a vital region of the Heavenly Court, essential for the beings of the Three Realms and the harmony of the four winds and rains. It cannot be left without a master even for a day. Now, a scattered immortal from the lower realm, Daoist Tianyi, who leads the upper heaven with commendable virtue, is hereby appointed as the Northern Star Lord of the Five Qi of Water Virtue, entrusted with the Water Division, creator of myriad beings. You shall honor this decree!”

In the northern part of the Heavenly Court, where the Water Division was located, a host of divine generals and celestial officials gathered to hear Taibai Jinxing proclaim the Jade Emperor’s decree.

Once the reading was complete, the assembled gods and officials, many of whom were incense spirits, erupted in shouts of loyalty, kneeling to express their gratitude.

More than ten earth immortals, the chief officers of the Water Division, bowed slightly in respect.

While thanking him, their eyes scrutinized the newly appointed Star Lord.

Seeing only an earth immortal Daoist approach, their attitude gradually became perfunctory. Though respectful, the sense of urgency that usually accompanied the arrival of a superior was absent.

Luo Feng remained calm and smiled.

After Taibai Jinxing departed, leaving Luo Feng alone to face the Water Division, numerous celestial officials and divine generals watched intently.

Under their gaze, Luo Feng strode to the chief seat of the Water Division and sat down.

Facing the assembled gods and officials, he called out loudly, “Where are the heads of the departments?”

“The Wind Department chief is here, the deputy chief greets the Star Lord!”

“The Rain Department chief is here, the deputy chief greets the Star Lord!”

“The Cloud Department chief is here, the deputy chief greets the Star Lord!”

“The Mist Department chief is here, the deputy chief greets the Star Lord!”

“The Inspection Department chief is here, the deputy chief greets the Star Lord!”

“The Documentation Department chief is here, the deputy chief greets the Star Lord!”

Surrounded by numerous divine generals and celestial officials, none dared step forward alone.

They were all formidable figures.

Seeing this, Luo Feng’s smile grew even more kindly.

[Part Two will be released early tomorrow morning.]

(End of Chapter)