[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-603":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317883,4532,"Chapter 603: Persuasion","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-603",603,"\u003Cp>Beneath Fuxiang Peak, beside the Hot Spring, moonlight flowed like water, shimmering with silver glimmers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was accompanied by Fuyao, Xianzhu, and several Protectors; his junior sister was followed by her disciples and apprentices and Xiao Hua; all stood atop a five-colored auspicious cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the elder present?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no response from the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am about to leave Yishan and return to Fengshan; I came specifically to bid you farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That doesn’t sound right,” came a voice from the mountainside, instantly familiar. “With your current abilities, how long would it take you to travel from Fengshan to Yishan? Besides, you have my divination talisman—if you wish to find me, you can always summon me through spirit mediumship. Why come in person to say goodbye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! I actually have a matter to ask your advice on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you ever heard of any treasure, or any technique or divine power, capable of altering a person’s innate talent and destiny, allowing someone unfit for cultivation to become a cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though all things in the world have their changes and their constants, altering innate talent and destiny is no easy matter—making an unsuitable person capable of cultivation is no simple feat,” the voice continued from the forest. “In ancient and modern times, I’ve heard of a few Immortals who possessed such ability, but only a handful. Such power is something one desires before becoming an Immortal; after becoming one, its usefulness often diminishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue nodded repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most Immortals, before their ascension, remained deeply entangled with the mortal world. But ascension is no easy thing; those who achieved it often spent decades or even centuries. Looking back then, they found themselves surrounded by Immortals, Daoists, and spirit children—while those of the mortal world had long since vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know which Immortal possessed this ability?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only a few ever had it, and all perished in the Great Calamity. The last one was named Zhenren Menghua. Hah—they say he was slain by the Long She Shenjun for protecting his own spirit beast and demonic child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must ask other spirit beasts and divine beings—or awaken it yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue bowed respectfully, bidding farewell once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five-colored auspicious cloud slowly rose into the air, drifting beneath the moon; mortals below saw nothing on the cloud, only mistook the ordinary white cloud as having been dyed colorful by moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fengshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilions remained, the immortal trees still stood; a giant serpent, large enough to swallow a house whole, slithered among the forest and immortal trees. The trees emitted radiant light, illuminating its scales and outlining its terrifying form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white heron perched atop a tree on the mountain peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zi Yun had returned to Hongye Pavilion—she was now its abbess; his junior sister, accompanied by Xiao Hua and Lin Jue, was cultivating here in quiet seclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new pavilion had been built on the cliff face—hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five-colored auspicious cloud drifted toward the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder when my senior brother and second sister will return,” Lin Jue said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xianzhu was puzzled—why did his master mention only the senior brother and second sister, not the junior brother? Then his master spoke again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much of your senior brother’s and second sister’s cooking have you learned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xianzhu immediately grew wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master! I’m a rabbit—I eat grass! I don’t cook!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group continued their quiet cultivation on Fengshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Master Jiang had said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within days, a spirit from the south arrived to pay homage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a white cloud descending from the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, besides Lin Zhenren, the Immortal of Emperor-level power, the eight-tailed white fox, the Great Immortal of Five Elements, and the two Immortal-adepts Wan Xinrong and Xianzhu, the divine officials naturally observed propriety—the white cloud halted far off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilion’s Protectors examined closely: though the leader was not Master Jiang, he was an old acquaintance of Lin Zhenren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Qingxuan Daochang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Daoist priests who received the talisman ordination held official posts in heaven, meaning they could ascend as gods after death. But most ordinary Daoists never became more than minor deities or low clerks, often waiting years for vacancies. Qingxuan Daochang was no ordinary case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He served under Master Jiang and rendered great service in the final years of the previous dynasty; after death, he became a divine official under Yili Shenjun, then later left Yili Shenjun’s service to become a divine official before Yujian Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he was accompanied by several Supreme Immortals and Great Deities—some of whom likely held higher status than Qingxuan Daochang within the southern divine hierarchy—to show their regard for Lin Zhenren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Protectors informed Lin Jue, who immediately went out to greet them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dao brother, we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Indeed. I still remember your thousand-day wine from that day, Dao friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An old friend’s visit calls for endless fine wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reunion with an old friend should bring joy, yet Qingxuan Daochang’s purpose—whether for him or for Lin Jue—was a distraction, and so their moods were not as light as they had been days prior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking and chatting awhile, one of the divine officials glanced at Qingxuan Daochang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingxuan immediately understood, sighed, and turned to serious matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dao friend, the former Heavenly Emperor was tyrannical—he slaughtered demons without distinguishing good from evil, harming mortals and Immortals alike. All who opposed him he deemed enemies. He even oppressed the mortal realm, stripping the people and the imperial court of their right to enshrine deities, forcibly consolidating his own divine authority—no different from extorting incense offerings. This violated heavenly law and divine edicts: he lost both virtue and the people’s trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingxuan paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that he has been defeated and confined by you, Dao friend, the Nine Heavens cannot remain without a ruler. What is your view on this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do not agree with your words,” Lin Jue replied. “The mortal realm certainly cannot be without a ruler—most people are foolish and selfish. But divine beings are governed by virtue. Even if the Nine Heavens had no ruler, the celestial order would not be disrupted for a time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet Zi Di has lost virtue. The Lord of the Nine Heavens must be one of virtue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed,” Lin Jue nodded, sitting upright to discuss with his old friend. “Yet examining Zi Di’s conduct—he was tyrannical and rigid, especially in his demon-slaying, often going too far. But his virtue was not entirely lacking; he did not commit many acts that harmed mortals. On the contrary, his demon-slaying benefited the mortal realm. If he could be persuaded to correct himself, to purge evil demons and wicked spirits, it would be a great blessing to the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the several Supreme Immortals and Great Deities exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does Lin Zhenren intend to restore Zi Di?” asked an old god in yellow robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is still the Heavenly Emperor. I am merely a cultivator—how could I dare depose a Heavenly Emperor?” Lin Jue smiled in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Zhenren, you must know: since ancient times, Immortals and gods have kept spirit beasts, taken mounts, and adopted demonic children. Many demons and spirits serve as divine guardians or hold positions as Star Jun and Martial Gods. Many earthly deities were never human—many mountain and river gods are naturally born spirits. Yet most were deposed or suffered by Zi Di’s actions. Now, aside from the deities Zi Di brought from the north, countless divine beings in heaven and earth oppose him. The mortal emperor, though young, has great ambition and no longer reveres Zi Di. How can you still consider restoring him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old god in yellow robes spoke politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Supreme Immortals and Great Deities quickly chimed in:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Supreme Deity speaks wisely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Emperor possesses virtue and prestige, and his incense offerings surpass those of all other Emperors. Had it not been for Fuchi Shenjun, our Emperor would have ruled the Nine Heavens in the previous dynasty… You, Zhenren, cultivated in Huizhou and have ties with our Emperor, Yili Shenjun, Yuezhao Yuanjun, and Kunian Shenjun. Why not assist our Emperor in ascending the Nine Heavens?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed! Yujian Emperor is benevolent and magnanimous—he has governed the south with order. Even during the chaos of the previous dynasty, when demons and ghosts ran rampant elsewhere, the south remained the most peaceful. If he ascended the Nine Heavens, he would purge demons and evil spirits as Zi Di did, yet without Zi Di’s indiscriminate cruelty—without slaughtering even demons tamed by gods or raised by Immortals. He would govern well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Emperor also has ties with you. When you fought Zi Di, our Emperor’s Yili Shenjun and Yuezhao Yuanjun lent aid; divine officials in the Nine Heavens mediated on your behalf. Later, our Emperor personally intervened to block the Western Miaoming Emperor. If you reciprocate, when our Emperor ascends the Nine Heavens, you, your immortal fox, your mountain gods, and all benevolent spirits across the land will rest easy. The mortal realm will enter an age of prosperity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue knew most of what they said was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did indeed have ties with Yujian Emperor; among the four divine regions, he was closest to the southern deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern deities were indeed skilled in governance; Yujian Emperor had indeed ruled the south well; during the final years of the previous dynasty, when the world was in chaos, the south had indeed been the most stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yujian Emperor ascended the Nine Heavens, he would likely continue his previous policies and govern both heaven and earth well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, even if Yujian Emperor later changed his stance and resumed demon-slaying, the fire would not reach Lin Jue or Yishan—nor likely even the gods of the Nine Heavens. Yujian Emperor was far more skilled in governance than Zi Di.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was slightly wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yujian Emperor had blocked Miaoming Emperor to help Lin Jue—but fundamentally, he acted to help himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was not a serious flaw; he truly had helped Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lin Jue had already taken the side of Fuchi Shenjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No other reason—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only uprightness and justice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the establishment of the Nine Heavens, there have been many dynasties, many Heavenly Emperors—chosen or evolved like a natural process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps what the Nine Heavens truly needs is a Heavenly Emperor with no factional roots, only uprightness, justice, and universal respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then might the celestial divine system truly stabilize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your words are wise,” Lin Jue said to Qingxuan Daochang, “but I have just finished fighting the Celestial Deities. I cannot now entangle myself in the struggle for the legitimate succession—it would make others think I opposed Zi Di only to seize his throne. Moreover, I have become a chess partner of Fuchi Shenjun and promised him I will not contend with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you mean…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am grateful for Yujian Emperor’s help, but I also aided him—I feel no debt. The mortal realm is relatively stable; the Heavenly Emperor’s faith still endures. It is not yet time to overturn heaven and earth. And even if that time comes, the divine beings of heaven and the people of the mortal realm will choose the next Heavenly Emperor themselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1871,"2026-06-20T14:45:38.319Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e99284a87b9b0f34744bc7cacb1890c95d33938432039fdcc4121b7867ba7b15","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-604","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-602",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]