Chapter 23: Heavenly Court War God?
A mere Taiyi Golden Immortal can't stir up much trouble.
There are countless capable people among the naval commanders, just pick that lazy but mediocre Marshal Tian Peng.
"Thank you, Jade Emperor!"
Meanwhile, the South Sea Dragon King asked for the location, received his orders, and hurriedly left the main hall, flying towards the direction of the Milky Way.
In his eagerness, he wasn't careful and bumped into someone full-on.
"Sorry, Marshal Tian Peng, what are you..." The South Sea Dragon King adjusted his sleeves, puzzled.
Having been bumped into, Tian Peng intended to greet the other, but upon seeing the South Sea Dragon King's face, he forced the words back down and his eyes lit up.
It was just what he needed, even as he had just been longing for some treasure, Big Head showed up.
As the saying goes, don't think the Dragon Palace lacks treasures, his Golden Immortal's magical treasure will have a home.
"Why, if it isn't my old friend the South Sea Dragon King? What kind of wind blew you here?" Tian Peng hurriedly saluted the South Sea Dragon King.
The South Sea Dragon King, looking at the overly enthusiastic Tian Peng in front of him, for some reason, felt a bit uneasy.
He subtly stepped aside.
"Old Dragon, I have been commanded by the Jade Emperor to pick a few from your formidable naval forces to help me go to the Lower Realm and subdue demons."
The South Sea Dragon King didn't hide anything and relayed the entire situation, having already thought of his choices.
He felt the Great Saint of the Heavenly Stars and the Nine Heavens Killing Child under Tian Peng's command were very powerful.
After hearing this, Tian Peng grabbed the South Sea Dragon King in a brotherly manner.
"Old Dragon King, aren't you being a bit distant? Why look far and wide when the ultimate warrior is right before your eyes?"
The South Sea Dragon King looked around, as if searching for the ultimate warrior Tian Peng was talking about.
Tian Peng's face grew somewhat embarrassed, but thankfully he never knew what shame was, he promptly jumped in front of the South Sea Dragon King, and struck a few power poses.
"Am I not the one?" Tian Peng exuded confidence from head to toe.
With his Divine Skills, there were no demons of the same realm that he needed to fear anymore.
"Marshal, you must be joking." The South Sea Dragon King flashed a bright smile, intending to leave, as he didn't want to waste time chatting with someone like Tian Peng.
But how could Tian Peng let the chance of obtaining treasures slip by?
He quickly blocked the South Sea Dragon King's path, looking grim, with a hint of threat in his tone.
"Old Dragon King, I must join the battle today!"
The South Sea Dragon King was nearly in tears.
"Marshal, what on earth do you want?"
His boy was still waiting for him to rush back and help.
"Of course, to protect... protect the South Sea! The reason why I, Tian Peng, can serve as the naval Marshal is because of my passion for justice and my heart that worries about the people of the world!" Tian Peng nearly let slip his true intentions in his excitement.
I don't believe you for a second!
The South Sea Dragon King was beyond speechless. Even as the Lower Realm Dragon King, he had heard of Tian Peng's reputation for laziness and gluttony, and yet he dared to say such words!
Still pretending to care about the people, if it wasn't for your status as a disciple of the Human Sect, why would the Jade Emperor let you hold this position!
You're just a figurehead, the prestige of the Heavenly Court's naval forces was not built by you!
But seeing Tian Peng's determination, the South Sea Dragon King knew there was no way Tian Peng would not go, and although Tian Peng was also a Taiyi Golden Immortal, he was feeling really anxious.
Thinking it over, he decided to find another naval General for backup.
He opened his mouth to say something, but Tian Peng grabbed him and dragged him to the Lower Realm.
While continually shouting, "We Immortals are naturally obliged to rid the world of demons and monsters! What are you dilly-dallying for!"
Even the Guardian General of the South Heavenly Gate was stunned, running to the Palace of the Polestar in panic to report the incident.
"Your Majesty, Marshal Tian Peng has taken the South Sea Dragon King down to the Lower Realm!"
Haotian, Immortal Clans: ???
What the heck?!
Tian Peng has taken the South Sea Dragon King down to the Lower Realm? That was just a moment ago!
Haotian brought out the Haotian Mirror, and his mana made the image appear. The voice was mostly Tian Peng's, and he was mostly asking about the whereabouts of demons.
Everyone suddenly realized, so Tian Peng was going to the Lower Realm to subdue demons.
However, the next moment, the expressions of the Jade Emperor and the Immortal Clans became peculiar. It was acceptable for anyone in the Heavenly Court to descend to the Lower Realm to subdue demons, but it was exceedingly incongruent for Tian Peng to do the same.
He had the rank but lacked everything else; he might not beat any notable Golden Immortals, let alone subduing a Taiyi Golden Immortal demon?
Haotian, however, found it amusing and did not put away the Haotian Mirror.
Elsewhere, Tian Peng took the Dragon King to a location in the South Sea.
"Is this the place, Old Dragon King?" Tian Peng asked, looking down at the vast ocean below.
The South Sea Dragon King nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with dread, while Tian Peng let out a heh-heh laugh and summoned his Nine-toothed Rake.
Mana poured into it, and with a fierce smash downwards, the ocean surface was split by nine rakes, albeit briefly.
The next moment, as the once-calm ocean surface recovered, it instantly formed a whirlpool that grew larger and larger, eventually spawning a waterspout that revealed a red-faced, fanged demon.
"What's this? Ao Ming, can't beat me, so you've started calling for help?"
Upon seeing Tian Peng, the demon was startled, then noticed the South Sea Dragon King behind him, and disdainfully laughed, "All four of you Dragon Kings couldn't beat me, what, brought another one to die today?"
"Impudent demon, unaware that I, Marshal God of War Tian Peng of the Heavenly Court, am here? Surrender at once!"
Tian Peng glared fiercely, holding the Rake in one hand and carrying it with an imposing stance on his back, looking somewhat majestic.
Only the spectating Immortals of the Heavenly Court had twitching lips, what a Marshal God of War indeed!
Since when did Tian Peng acquire such a title?
The demon, upon hearing 'Marshal God of War,' was visibly startled.
It had thought it was the infamous Yang Jian who had slain Lingji Bodhisattva ten years prior, but instead, Marshal Tian Peng?
What a joke.
"Don't spout nonsense, you tubby! I've never heard of the Heavenly Court having a so-called Marshal God of War!" the demon yelled, brandishing the chilly long halberd in its hand.
"To me, you seem like nothing but a makeshift stand-in brought in by that old mudfish!"
The demon's mouth showed no mercy, and Ao Ming, the South Sea Dragon King, nodded along, thoroughly impressed. How did it guess Tian Peng was a mere stand-in?
However, it was not his intention to fight just anyone; this annoying figure had blackmailed him into it.
Even Haotian Quasi-Saint could hardly contain his mirth.
"This demon does have some discernment."
The Immortal Clans treated it all as a joke, for they knew Tian Peng definitely lacked equivalent combat strength. While Tian Peng could bully the weak, facing a foe like this might end in a hasty retreat within a few moves.
After being ridiculed by the demon, Tian Peng could no longer keep his cool and descended from the clouds.
"Take this, demon!" Tian Peng shouted, raising his Rake and smashing it towards the demon.
The demon smirked coldly, unfazed, and parried Tian Peng's Nine-toothed Rake with an elegantly lifted halberd.
A master shows his skill with a single stroke, and with this self-proclaimed Marshal Tian Peng's move, it was clear to the demon he was nothing but a big talker.
What Marshal God of War, probably all made up by himself!
The demon swung its Square Sky Halberd fiercely, and in just a couple of moves, it had Tian Peng running for his life.