The phoenix bowed her entire body to Longwang.

The divine creature chirped like a small bird in front of the king of beasts.

​​

Longwang listened to her chirps, and replied, "You want to use an uninhabited island in the East Seas as the location for their first rebirth?"

The small 'chicks' on her back clucked.

The phoenix chirped in response.

Longwang said, "Go ahead, do you want me to send an emissary over as an extra protection measure?"

The phoenix seemed to shake its head.

However, as it rose to leave, it suddenly became agitated.

This change occurred in a fraction of a second when it saw Alex.

Longwang frowned and asked it, "What's wrong? Did this young man ever do anything wrong to your kin?"

The phoenix shook its body and chirped in an incomprehensible language.

Longwang nodded and stared at Alex with an enigmatic expression.

Alex was scared of the outcome of this exchange, but unexpectedly, Longwang smiled, and remarked, "You wanted to ask for my assistance? Speak freely..."

The change in attitude was extremely noticeable, and the rest of the group all wondered what Alex had done.

He somewhat understood what had happened, and found it joyful that he had been so fortunate.

Yan Wang had mentioned that Longwang favored those who treated its underlings well, and since he recovered that phoenix's child, it remembered his favor and spoke of it to the king of beasts.

This was the best outcome for them.

Alex smiled and explained their predicament.

"We have been embroiled in a misunderstanding with the heavenly court, and need the backing of an equally powerful faction such as yours to clear up the misunderstanding."

Longwang frowned, though he inquired, "Go into detail."

"We met with a....."

Alex recounted every single detail of their misfortunate encounter.

Longwang's facial expressions eased up, and he occasionally bit through some of the precious gems on his platter.

"I understand, and seeing as an important ally of the heavenly court and the commander of the underworld armies both support your claims, you need another credible testimonial?" Longwang softly asked him.

"Yes..."

"However, what makes you think words will convince an emperor without any solid evidence?" Longwang gave him a sharp stare.

Alex gulped.

"I-

"If that were really the case, couldn't the entire heavenly court start doubting the decrees of Yudi on basis of their status and initiate a coup?"

Though, Longwang quietly muttered, "Not that a coup would work anyways with those two monarchs..."

'He's right....'

Longwang continued, "The story is actually unreasonable, no diplomat in their right mind would murder a heavenly court member, so I don't even think the Jade Emperor believes in the truthfulness of the story."

"However."

"For reputation reasons, the emperor chose you two as a scapegoat to demonstrate the prowess of the heavenly court."

"Don't get me wrong, as a monarch, that is the only right decision he could have done to maintain the face and domination of his organization."

'It seems like solving this is going to be more complicated than I previously thought...' Alex frowned and clenched his fists.

As he fell into a meaningless string of thoughts, Hou Yi took him out of this unhealthy trance.

"As far as I know, there is one person that Yudi would listen to without hesitation..."

Longwang harrumphed, and replied, "He's been gone for almost half a century."

Then, he faced Alex, and stated in a joking tone, "Unless you can bring back Esteemed Lao Zi, I don't think there is any way for you to proceed with the negotiations safely."

In the burst of the moment, Alex took out two stone tablets.

"I think I can find Lao Zi."

*BAM*

Longwang's fist destroyed the table, and a crack appeared on the floor.

"You're telling me that YOU can find him even when the entire forces of Qin have not found him after half a century?! Please tell me you're joking!"

Alex forgot that this man had a reputable short temper.

"Read this, Sir Longwang," Alex passed him the two stone tablets.

Longwang breathed heavily, but he gently took the tablets from him and began reading.

As he attentively read through the two tablets, his expression took a few turns.

When he was done with it, his anger retreated and was replaced by a poker face.

"I suppose, this is what gives you the confidence to say that you can find him?"

"Yes!" Alex was scared of the man's sharp and fickle psyche, but he replied with resolve.

"Hahahahaahahahaha...!"

"Xuanwu!" Longwang called the Black Tortoise.

The woman from earlier opened the sliding door and entered.

"Yes, Lord Longwang?"

"Send over a decree to the heavenly court immediately."

Xuanxu's eyes widened, but she calmly asked, "The contents, Lord?"

"The two foreign 'criminals' are under my protection for a month!" Longwang had a smile of pure excitement on his handsome face.

Alex's jaw remained wide open.

Zhong Kui whispered to him, "He's giving you one month to find Lao Zi, or it will all be over."

The stakes were higher than ever, but he was excited.

Alex turned to Hermes.

"Hermes, are you ready?"

"Absolutely so, Alexei-boy!" Hermes bit his lips.

"Alright now, I want time to meditate, I want everyone to leave my domain!" Longwang roared.

The group happily ran out of the temple and went back to Mazu.

"Did it go well?"

"Excellently so, Mazu!" Zhong Kui exclaimed.

Hou Yi suddenly asked, "Can I come with you three?"

"Of course!"

With that, a great tale was about to spin itself.

A group composed of two foreign gods, the commander of the underworld armies, and the greatest archer were going to move together, in order to unearth the mystery behind the disappearance of the father of Cultivation and Daoism, Lao Zi!

_________

-Back in Longwang's Temple-

Xuanwu politely inquired, "Lord, isn't one month rather short?"

"Xuanwu?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know that feeling you get when you're still young and irresponsible? When you know you're making a bad or unreasonable decision, but you make it anyways?"

"I am quite familiar with that sentiment, Lord."

"Well."

"I somehow had a feeling that...in spite of all odds, they might succeed..."

"I trust your intuition, Lord."