Chapter 1101 — The Divine Beast Releases First to Catch

Crown Prince Youming had talked with the Northern Emperor for a while and had won no small measure of the latter's admiration; his heart was blooming with joy.

The Dark Emperor said, "The sooner we part ways with the Heavenly Court, the better. We had best set out at once and return to the Northern Pole Heaven."

The Martial Emperor laughed. "They may have the Emperor of Heaven's body in their grasp now, but they cannot agree on how to divide the spoils — this is the perfect moment to break away. If we wait until they have settled every last detail among themselves, then slipping free of the Heavenly Court to live as we please will be ten times harder."

"But for the heavenly palaces to separate from the Heavenly Court is no small matter; I fear there will be obstruction. If we are to make our move, all Four Imperial Emperors must move together!"

The Dark Emperor and the Martial Emperor rose to their feet. "My son, we have already discussed this with the Southern, Western, and Eastern Emperors. This time we leave, we will answer to no command of the Heavenly Court. Each of us shall live free and unfettered in his own domain, each ruling one of the Four Poles of the cosmos, each his own Emperor of Heaven in his own pole — would that not be a joy?"

Joy rose in Crown Prince Youming's heart, yet suddenly a pang of regret followed. "I have many old friends in the Heavenly Court," he said. "Once we leave, I fear it will be many years before I see them again — it would take them that long merely to travel to the Heavenly Court."

"Those friends of yours are a pack of fair-weather companions, nothing but drinking and feasting acquaintances. There is no need to pine for them!"

The Martial Emperor, who had something of the God King Gongyun's brisk competence about her, said, "Casting them off will do you good. Once you reach the Four Pole Heavens, you will be the Crown Prince of the Emperor of Heaven there — what greater joy could there be?"

The Dark Emperor said, "For the four great heavenly palaces to break away from the Heavenly Court is a grave matter, and there will surely be those who make trouble. My son, you shall take command of the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace and fly it out of the Heavenly Court, then follow the Heavenly River north. Your mother and I will remain in the Heavenly Court to hold our ground, guard against petty villains, and see you safely away."

To be entrusted with such a charge delighted Crown Prince Youming.

The Martial Emperor's heart ached for her son. She fetched the Lapis Lazuli Azure Heaven Banner and handed it to him. "This treasure was forged from our family's lifetime of savings. With it in your keeping, every peril on the road north can be turned aside. Remember: do not lose it."

Crown Prince Youming nodded hastily.

When the Northern Emperor and his wife had made all their arrangements, they exchanged a smile. Then of a sudden came a thunderous boom that shook the heavens; the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace shuddered with a deep rumble and began slowly to rise, drawing away from the Heavenly Avenue of the Heavenly Court, climbing higher and higher.

At the sight, the Great Sun Star Lord and the other ancient gods paled with shock and hurriedly mustered troops and commanders to block the way.

At the same moment, violent tremors came from the south, the west, and the east of the Heavenly Court. Before the incredulous eyes of the gods of Heaven, the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Palace, the White Tiger Heavenly Palace, and the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace likewise tore free of the Heavenly Court and soared higher and higher!

In the Heavenly Court, the Seven Dukes, the Five Aides, the Four Celestial Masters, and many other great ministers of state flew in haste to the four heavenly palaces, seeking audience with the Four Imperial Emperors to talk them out of it.

The Northern Emperor Xuanwu and his wife went out to meet them, exchanging pleasantries and going through the motions, while secretly working their magic to speed the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace away from the Heavenly Court.

The Great Sun Star Lord rushed to the Lingxiao Hall to report. Around the Emperor of Heaven sat many Heavenly Worthies and the leaders of the various clans, seemingly deliberating some grave matter; the air was heavy.

The Great Sun Star Lord swiftly recounted what had happened. The Heavenly Worthies and the clan leaders all sat with eyes closed and minds stilled, saying nothing.

The Ancient God, the Emperor of Heaven, spoke. "We have matters of great importance to discuss with several worthy ministers and no leisure to go and dissuade them. Star Lord, go and muster the Heavenly River Navy, the Four Great Sects, and the Ten Guards of the Heavenly Court, the Five Chariots, and the armies of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha. Block their heavenly palaces first."

The Great Sun Star Lord bowed and assented.

The Ancient God, the Emperor of Heaven, waved a hand and gave him the command tally for the Ten Guards of the Heavenly Court.

The Great Sun Star Lord hurried off.

Silence still reigned in the Lingxiao Hall. After a long while, the Fire Heavenly Worthy suddenly laughed coldly. "If we keep deadlocking like this, the Four Imperial Emperors will all slip away! The Ancient God must die, and not one of the Four Imperial Emperors may be spared! Hand the Emperor of Heaven's body over to my control, and I will go kill the Four Imperial Emperors. I do not want the body — once they are dead I will give it back to you, and whoever wants to fight over it can fight."

The others each laughed coldly.

The Fire Heavenly Worthy flew into a rage, abruptly withdrew the primordial spirit he had hidden within the Emperor of Heaven's body, and rose. "I will go kill the Southern Emperor!"

The Yin Son of Heaven hesitated, then said, "I will go take a look at the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace."

The two departed, one after the other.

Those who remained sat as immovable as mountains.

The Cloud Heavenly Worthy suddenly spoke. "Deadlock will get us nowhere. I have a proposal. Let the Emperor of Heaven's seat be held in turn — each of us taking his rotation, each checking the others, until we have drawn up a rule by which no one can monopolize the Emperor of Heaven's body!"

After a moment, the Hao Heavenly Worthy laughed. "I agree."

Aboard the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace, Crown Prince Youming quickly sought out Yan'er and the others. Smiling apologetically at Long Qilin, he said, "My good brother, your insight is truly extraordinary and your eye keen — you saw through the Heavenly Court's situation at a glance. But this time my father and mother have charged me with escorting the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace to the Northern Pole Heaven, and one beam cannot hold up a house. I beg you and my cousin to lend me an arm!"

Long Qilin and Yan'er exchanged a glance. Yan'er was about to agree when Long Qilin, his face troubled, said, "Our cultivation and strength are no match even for yours, elder brother. How could we be of any help?"

Yan'er hastily shut her mouth.

Long Qilin said with a look of difficulty, "To tell you the truth, I have glimpsed the workings of Heaven and studied the arts of divination; my calculations never miss. This time, elder brother, in escorting the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace to the Northern Pole Heaven, you will surely be blocked by the gods of the Heavenly Court. The Ten Guards of the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly River Navy, the Five Chariots, the Heavenly Gang, the Earthly Sha, the true gods of all the stars of the firmament..."

He watched Crown Prince Youming's expression; with each army he named, the prince's cheek twitched.

Long Qilin sighed. "When those armies come, we cannot possibly hold. Without a mighty treasure, never mind holding the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace — we will be hard pressed even to save ourselves! Elder brother, let us leave the Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace and each go back to our own home."