CHAPTER 569: CHAPTER 507, THE BATTLE OF PUBLIC OPINION BEGINS

"Moreover, Uncle-Master, the West Sea Dragon Queen, who is to be punished more severely, will likely become Yang Jian’s mother-in-law in the future."

"And the West Sea Dragon Son and Dragon Girl you seek to capture will both be Yang Jian’s siblings."

The Jade Emperor’s haughty demeanor dropped significantly.

With a strange look on his face, Bai Jin said, "Unless Uncle-Master, you intend to ruin this marriage arrangement."

The Jade Emperor shivered involuntarily at the thought, knowing that if he ruins Yang Jian’s marriage prospects, upon her return, the Turquoise Pool would probably tear me apart. He coughed and forced a smile, saying, "Nephew, I think what you said makes sense. As a sage ruler, I should reward and punish clearly, and not engage in guilt by association. Just have Emperor Zhenwu go and capture Ao Lie."

Bai Jin then asked, "Under what pretext should he be captured?"

The Jade Emperor thought for a moment and said earnestly, "We cannot use the pretext of West Sea’s betrayal of the Heavenly Court. Wouldn’t that confirm the fact that West Sea has indeed betrayed the Heavenly Court?

Wouldn’t it make it seem like my Heavenly Court is inferior to Buddhism."

"Uncle-Master intends to cover up this matter? I’m afraid that won’t be easy. There were many other celestial beings from different forces present, and both the Demon Clan and Buddhism won’t miss this opportunity to strike at the reputation of the Heavenly Court,"

The Jade Emperor said helplessly, "Even if it’s not feasible, we must try. Let them talk; my Heavenly Court will not acknowledge it, and one day these rumors will vanish into the annals of time."

"It could also become the accepted history."

"I can’t worry about that now. This time, we will just use the pretext of Ao Lie destroying the Imperial Gifted Spirit Pearl and bring him back to the Heavenly Court to face the Dragon-Slaying Platform."

With a peculiar expression, Bai Jin said, "Uncle-Master, actually, I have an even better idea."

Eagerly, the Jade Emperor brightened up and asked quickly, "What idea? Could it be better than mine?"

Bai Jin chuckled and said, "While I certainly do not have your foresight, my Uncle-Master, you are the Heavenly Emperor, and you act with utmost righteousness. But I am different, I am acquainted with some Outer Door’s heterodox methods."

"No matter orthodox or heterodox, as long as it is useful, I will owe you one. Speak quickly," the Jade Emperor urged.

After thinking for a moment, Bai Jin said, "Your Majesty, even though there were some immortals who witnessed the rebellion of West Sea and some will deliberately spread the news to make a laughing stock of our Heavenly Court,

if there was another event with even more sensational appeal to spread, all beings in the world would be attracted to it, and the things they talk about would naturally become irrelevant, drowned out by the rumors."

The Jade Emperor frowned and said, "Something more appealing? The Calamity is about to start; many Great Powers have sealed themselves in their Cave Mansions to avoid being affected by the Calamity. Currently, there are no major events."

"Uncle-Master, it doesn’t matter whether an event is major or minor, as long as it’s sufficiently scandalous."

"Scandalous, are you talking about Fu Xi? Fu Xi presides over the Fire Cloud Cave; what event could there be?"

Bai Jin coughed twice, quickly clarifying, "It’s an adjective, just an adjective. It has nothing to do with the Heavenly Emperor.

What I mean is that the event is interesting, intriguing, suitable for after-dinner conversation, and still related to this matter."

The Jade Emperor asked, "What exactly are you referring to?"

Bai Jin smiled and said, "What could be more explosive than a wedding being interrupted by a bridal kidnapping?

Your Majesty, you could decree that on the night of the Third Prince of the West Sea’s wedding, he discovered his wife’s infidelity with another. In a destructive rage, he destroyed the Imperial Gifted Spirit Pearl and demolished the Crystal Palace of West Sea, and he can be punished based on this account."

"Right, we should also spread the word about the West Sea’s rebellion against the Heavenly Court. By laying out the things we wish to hide in plain sight, it will diminish a lot of suspicions and more easily be overlooked."

Jade Emperor frowned and doubted, "Will this truly work?"

"Uncle master, the wife of the Third Prince of the West Sea having an affair with another—such news will surely prompt the beings of the Primordial World to investigate.

Then, at an appropriate time, we’ll make up and release a story, guiding public opinion. The gist of the story is that the Nine-Headed Beast and Wansheng Princess had mutual affection for each other, sharing a life together.

Suddenly one day, Guanyin Bodhisattva hosted a Buddhist event and invited Wansheng Princess and the Third Prince of the West Sea to attend. At the great assembly, the Third Prince caught sight of Wansheng Princess and was smitten, thus he sought Guanyin’s assistance in matchmaking, offering her some benefits.

Guanyin Bodhisattva joyfully agreed and sought opportunities to bring the Third Prince and Wansheng Princess together, yet the Wansheng Princess, with deep feelings for the Nine-Headed Beast, ignored the Third Prince.

Chagrined by his fruitless pursuit, the Third Prince angrily went to propose marriage at Emerald Waves Lake in the name of the West Sea. The old Dragon King at Emerald Waves Lake was ecstatic to hear that it was the Third Prince of the West Sea proposing and, despite Wansheng Princess’s objections, he agreed to the marriage.

Before the grand wedding, Wansheng Princess bid a life-and-death farewell to the Nine-Headed Beast. She told the Nine-Headed Beast to forget her and then to start a new life.

Yet on the wedding day, the Nine-Headed Beast secretly infiltrated the West Sea, planning to take Wansheng Princess away but was unexpectedly discovered by the Third Prince, leading to a fierce battle, with the Third Prince defeated.

The Nine-Headed Beast, protecting Wansheng Princess, fought their way out of the West Sea, leaving it a bloodbath, with dragons fleeing and fish scattering in chaos.

From then on, the Nine-Headed Beast and Wansheng Princess lived a happily secluded life in the mountains and wilds."

Jade Emperor opened his mouth slightly, his expression somewhat vacant as he listened to Bai Jin’s narrative as if he had just witnessed a real event.

Bai Jin asked with a smile, "Uncle master, what do you think of my story?"

Jade Emperor doubted, "Is this not true?"

"Of course not, I’ve just made it up. It’s a rough outline that needs more polish. For instance, we have to include stories of our Heavenly Court and the West Sea’s rebellion. My point is to promote and guide the matter from the perspective of the Nine-Headed Beast and Wansheng Princess, not from the West Sea side."

"Hahaha—Bai Jin, you truly have a knack for storytelling."

Bai Jin grinned, "I am the Vice Family Head who is also a novelist, after all!"

Jade Emperor laughed heartily, "This story has suspense, twists, repression, release, and a satisfying ending. Once this allegation spreads, the issue of the West Sea’s rebellion indeed will fade into insignificance.

Bai Jin, this task is yours."

Bai Jin shook his head repeatedly, "Uncle master, I can’t do it. I’m too honest and kind-hearted, unfit for such deeds.

I recommend Marshal Tianpeng. When it comes to spreading rumors and causing trouble, we should look to the Heavenly River Navy. They are professionals at this."

Jade Emperor was confused, "Isn’t the Heavenly River Navy supposed to protect the Heavenly River? How does that relate to spreading rumors and causing trouble? And they’re professionals at that; how could I not have known?"

Yet he didn’t doubt Bai Jin’s words and promptly said, "Since it’s someone recommended by you, Bai Jin, they must be reliable. Starting rumors and causing trouble—no, it should be said, handling the capture of the misbehaving Ao Lie is entrusted to Marshal Tianpeng. Capture him and rectify according to the Heavenly Rules."

Bai Jin said smilingly, "I will thank Your Majesty on behalf of Tianpeng. He will surely fulfill his duty."

...

In the midst of the West Sea, the South Sea Dragon King, North Sea Dragon King, and East Sea Dragon King, with their wounded bodies, sent away their guests.

Inside one of the palaces of the harem, the Three Sea Dragon Kings sat in the guest seats, with the West Sea Dragon Queen in the seat of honor. Outside the great hall, Ao Cunxin and other West Sea Dragon Sons and Dragon Girls waited anxiously.