Chapter 14: The Prestige of Heaven's Court

People are like that.

When they catch even a glimmer of hope, they cling to it constantly, determined not to be distracted for a moment.

At this moment, Peter Parker held a similar thought.

He gritted his teeth and pleaded with a group of strangers he had never met before.

But Jiang Wang did not respond to Parker again.

He was very busy!

Although he was just a celestial soldier assigned to guard the gates of Heaven, the Southern Heavenly Gate was unlike any other place.

The Southern Heavenly Gate was the face of Heaven’s Court.

To be stationed there required very high qualifications.

First and foremost, one had to look the part.

Immortals prized clarity of spirit; generally, even after achieving immortality, one’s appearance wouldn’t change drastically—perhaps only the skin would improve significantly, earning the phrase “white-haired with a youthful face.”

Thus, an immortal’s image was essentially fixed the moment they became one.

In Heaven’s Court, a single brick could knock down several celestial soldiers.

This made competition for these positions fierce.

Not only did one need to have the right patron, but also the right appearance and ability.

Those with poor looks but strong abilities were assigned to roles that required no public exposure—three words: just be capable.

These roles often came with very high salaries.

Those with neither good looks nor strong abilities were often sent to desolate places where no gods or immortals would pass all year round.

Such posts were havens for slacking off, but if anything went wrong, the entire chain of command would be held accountable, and in severe cases, one would be stripped of their immortal bones and cast down to the mortal realm.

The last kind of role was what Jiang Wang was doing now.

Good looks and decent ability meant being assigned to places like the Southern Heavenly Gate, where gods and immortals frequently came and went.

What was required was nothing but a respectable appearance.

Guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate was not just about watching the door; often, the celestial soldiers stationed there also served as the “face” of Heaven.

For instance, when the Old Dragon King of the Eastern Sea came to pay respects to the Jade Emperor, regardless of whether his requests were granted, the Jade Emperor had to show proper courtesy upon his departure.

At such times, the celestial soldiers guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate proved their worth.

They were needed to “escort” the Dragon King back to the mortal realm.

Though the Dragon King was a powerful Golden Immortal, the importance of appearances remained paramount.

Sure enough, not long after the Old Dragon King entered, Taibai Jinxing accompanied him back out on a cloud.

The Old Dragon King and Taibai Jinxing chatted and laughed, clearly indicating success.

The celestial generals guarding the gate gave a subtle nod to the soldiers.

As the Old Dragon King, accompanied by Taibai Jinxing, stepped out of the Southern Heavenly Gate, some celestial soldiers instinctively formed ranks, following behind them.

The Old Dragon King quickly waved his hand, saying, “General, no need to be so formal. I can return to the Eastern Sea myself.”

The general hurriedly returned the salute, “Dragon King, please do not refuse. This is a matter of etiquette. If you decline, the Jade Emperor will be displeased.”

Only then did the Old Dragon King fall silent and respectfully bow to the general and the soldiers.

He lowered himself completely.

Jiang Wang watched every move of the Old Dragon King within the ranks of celestial soldiers and inwardly admired him.

Look at the Old Dragon King—he truly embodied what it meant to be a dragon.

As a Golden Immortal, he showed no disdain toward the celestial soldiers or generals.

Even though the general guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate had earlier given him a customary show of force.

Though it was partly because of the authority of Heaven’s Court, it still showed the Dragon King’s mastery of his role.

However, Jiang Wang also knew this was likely the Dragon King’s way of showing submission to the Jade Emperor.

In the past, the dragon clan’s power was too overwhelming, provoking all under heaven to unite against them.

Now that their strength had waned, if they didn’t curb their pride, they would surely be marked by Heaven’s Court, strictly guarded against, and might even face extinction.

These thoughts crossed Jiang Wang’s mind.

Then, at the general’s command, the soldiers formed two lines behind the Old Dragon King to escort him back to the mortal realm.

Taibai Jinxing watched the Old Dragon King depart from the clouds.

After the Dragon King left, a strange expression flickered in his eyes. Shaking his head, he flew toward the Lingxiao Palace.

Jiang Wang was unaware of Taibai Jinxing’s odd reaction, but inside, he felt a stirring.

Since his transmigration, he had been a celestial soldier in Heaven, entirely unfamiliar with the mortal realm.

He knew nothing of mortal affairs.

Following the Dragon King might allow him to see the mortal world.

But this trip was destined to disappoint him.

The Old Dragon King laughed and chatted with the general all the way, showing no gaps, while the soldiers behind them kept solemn and silent.

Upon arriving in the mortal realm, the general immediately ordered:

“Celestial soldiers, heed my command! Conceal your forms. If mortals see us, prepare to face punishment upon return.”

The soldiers responded obediently.

Jiang Wang was no exception.

What left him speechless was that as he concealed his form, the mortal world became hazy to his eyes.

It wasn’t that his eyes were failing, but rather some special rule seemed to obscure his vision.

When viewing the mortal realm from the high heavens, everything was clear, but here, the mortal world’s beauties blurred.

“Could this be a heavenly law?” he suddenly wondered.

The legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl came to mind, and he muttered in his heart, “Could it be that the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother think the mortal world’s temptations are too alluring, so they forbid immortals and gods from fully observing mortal scenes?”

Thinking this way, it seemed plausible.

After all, even their own daughter had been taken by mortals; without strict rules, Heaven’s Court would descend into chaos.

Under the general’s guidance, the soldiers continued to fly orderly on clouds.

They arrived above the Eastern Sea.

The sea was calm; along the shore, fishermen were casting their nets.

The Old Dragon King invited the general, “General, why not come to my Dragon Palace for a few cups of wine?”

The general hesitated, “That... might not be appropriate?”

It was well-known that the Dragon Palace housed the most treasures in the world.

Even the Jade Emperor’s treasury might pale in comparison.

The general certainly knew this; the wine in the Dragon Palace was no mere swill as the Dragon King claimed. The celestial brew was so prized the Jade Emperor requested several jars every year.

“Why refuse, General? You’re escorting me to the mortal realm. If I don’t mention it, you won’t either. Who would hold you responsible?” The Old Dragon King urged sincerely.

Seeing his earnestness, the general no longer hesitated.

He ordered the soldiers, “Brothers, listen well. The Old Dragon King invites us for a few cups of wine. Those willing, follow me; those unwilling, stay above the Eastern Sea. We’ll return soon.”

The celestial soldiers were no fools. Why refuse a good thing?

“I’ll go!”

“Count me in!”

One after another, the soldiers followed, Jiang Wang among them, joining in. Even immortals shouldn’t be too solitary.

What unsettled him slightly was how unusually calm the Eastern Sea was.

He gazed thoughtfully at the sea surface.