Chapter 1

Outside the gate, exotic flowers spread like a brocade, and the air by the jade-stone bridge is fragrant with precious herbs. Occasionally, the gentle sound of babbling brook can be heard, and a glimpse of a dark bird soaring through the sky is caught; looking down, there are spots for spiritual birds to perch, and looking up, one sees phoenixes gliding leisurely. Mist wraps around the white pool, and green moss thrives on the rocky cliffs-a truly serene and blessed fairyland!

A woman in green walks through the mist, while the immortal in white strides above the clouds. With a fan in one hand and a jug of wine in the other, he lets out a long, carefree laugh; evading reincarnation, enjoying the longevity as vast as mountains and rivers-a scattering of paradise’s colors, a shimmering of deity’s light!

Yet in the end, even beautiful landscapes can harbor sorrowful souls, and even deities have their troubles. You say it’s a blessed paradise, but why are there traces of sorrow? You say deities are like loving couples, but why are there separations between heaven and earth?

From a distance, a woman is seen wearing a tight-fitting shirt striped in dark green and white, paired with a floor-length skirt that flows straight and soft like water. Upon closer inspection, the shirt features mystical cloud patterns on the sleeves, and the skirt is adorned with dragon motifs along the edges, with willow leaves slanting across it as if they’ve grown right out of the fabric. As the woman walks, the leaves on her skirt seem to come alive with movement.

Looking at the woman’s hair, it’s loosely tied up in a long, flowing style, adorned with four unique gold hairpins-varying in length and thickness. From longest to shortest, they are crafted with figures of a Qilin¹, a phoenix, and a lotus flower, with the shortest topped intriguingly with a sycee² as the head of the hairpin, suggesting that this woman is not only of notable heritage but also of considerable wealth.

Her eyebrows are like soft feathers, gently arching up, exuding ultimate grace; her slightly long eyes are clear and lustrous as jade, complemented by the bangs on her forehead, enhancing her watery charm to the fullest. Her cheeks are neither hollow nor protruding, with a sharp nose bridge and a long nose that perfects her beautiful face. Her philtrum is just right, her slightly thick upper lip delicately turns up, followed closely by a thinner lower lip, and her slightly parted cherry lips curve like a crescent moon-delightful. Her round lips give her handsome face a perfect finish.

Her slender neck is flawless, and the flat, round collar seems designed just to showcase this neck. A hint of pink underwear peeks out, adding a touch of sensuality to her already fair skin.

As her shadow has yet to cross the corridor, her immortal sleeves are suddenly caught in a gust, fluttering abruptly. This woman is escorted by two celestial soldiers dressed in white battle garments from outside the Southern Celestial Gate³ towards the Lingxiao Palace⁴.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, the seven fairies⁵, Great White Venus⁶, Barefoot Immortal, Admiral Tianpeng⁷, Chang’e, the fairy of the moon⁸, Mysterious Goddess of the Nine Heavens⁹, twelve celestial maidens, and the pagoda-bearing celestial king Li Jing¹⁰ all faced the Southern Celestial Gate, their expressions anxious.

Standing directly in front of the Jade Emperor¹¹ on the colorful cloud carpet of the Lingxiao Palace was none other than Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth! He held a sycee in one hand and a steel whip in the other, his demeanor distracted and his eyes vacant. His once full beard and dark face now appeared haggard, for even deities are not made of iron and can grow weary without food and rest for days and nights.

His only child, his dear daughter, today faced execution or banishment to the mortal world. Pacing back and forth, leaving trails of tears in his wake, who says deities are devoid of emotion? It seems the God of Wealth is not so!

The three gods of Fortune, Emolument and Longevity, and God of Happiness had also arrived at the Lingxiao Palace-not for the peach banquet or a grand ceremony. Why were they here? Their faces were heavy, their eyes dull, their garments not tattered, but lacking their usual vitality, like wilted flowers. These gods were close friends of the God of Wealth, and naturally regarded his daughter as their own.

“Rebellious immortal Zhao Yixuan is here!” Two celestial soldiers tossed Zhao Yixuan onto the colorful cloud carpet before retreating with pride.

“Zhao Yixuan, do you know your crime?”

The dragon-embroidered throne, the sole authority of the Celestial Palace, was occupied by one who could, with a wave of his sleeve, part mountains and create armies; with a word or a cough, shake the three realms; and with a nod or a wave, decree life, death, and reincarnation. He was the almighty Jade Emperor!

The Jade Emperor looked down at Zhao Yixuan on the colorful cloud carpet and asked, his demeanor seemingly kind but his eyes filled with murderous intent. What enmity lay between him and this young woman?

“I have neither broken celestial law, nor shown disloyalty or disrespect. Jade Emperor, what crime do you accuse me of?” Zhao Yixuan stood tall, speaking with righteousness and courage, her words lacking no less in spirit than thunder or the willingness to burn bright as jade.

As Zhao Yixuan’s words fell, every immortal present was left staring in disbelief.

“My dear girl, my dear Yixuan! Just admit your wrongdoing,” urged the God of Wealth, standing to Yixuan’s right. He seemed unable to control his hands and feet, rubbing his hands together and pacing back and forth.

“Father! What wrong have I done? Why should I admit to something I haven’t done?”

The beauty’s indignation was evident, her bangs fluttering, her eyelashes slightly curled, her white teeth and red lips parting and closing with a valiant statement;

She turned her head gracefully, and her words were firm. Her lithe body, willow-like waist, if this woman were not a national treasure, then that would be pure nonsense!

“Fine! Let me tell you what crimes you’ve committed! First, you secretly added 20 billion taels¹² of silver to the mortal world without consulting the God of Prosperity! This caused prices to soar and public discontent to rise, their resentment reaching the heavens. It left me sleepless; second, you stealthily took the thread of longevity from the God of Longevity, granting each mortal an additional ten years of life. You didn’t foresee that this would exacerbate the aging population in the mortal world, causing various nations to strengthen their research and production of biochemical weapons to compensate for the decline in military recruitment, weakening national defense strength; third, and most unforgivable, you impersonated me and ordered the local Gods of Land in the mortal world to ‘hoard land without releasing it.’ What use are those barren lands left untended?” The Jade Emperor spoke each point forcefully, his words reasonable and logical, so much so that even a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the mortal world could not present such an unassailable argument!

“Alright! Then let me respond. First, supplementing the mortal world with 20 billion taels of silver was because they were amidst a financial crisis. People had money but weren’t spending it; they wanted to eat but weren’t buying. Wouldn’t a lot of things go to waste as a result? How is this different from the waste and destruction of resources? Second, with the rapid advancement of healthcare in the mortal world, an average life expectancy of 73 years is no longer suitable. If the God of Poison had to maintain a pitiful 73-year life expectancy by unleashing viruses like SARS or H1N1, causing more people to die untimely deaths, wouldn’t that stop the mortal world from lamenting? Wouldn’t that ease the pressure on the Lord of Hell¹³? Do you know how many people would become wandering spirits? Have you ever calculated that? Third: ‘hoarding land without releasing it’? Have you checked how much barren land in the mortal world has been bought up cheaply by real estate developers? Look at the housing prices; how many times have they fallen over the years? How much is a piece of land worth? Just building a single layer on land can return the investment! What if it’s ten stories, twenty stories? With current housing prices, can ordinary people afford to live? Mortals getting married now trend towards buying houses and cars. How many people can’t afford a home, have you calculated that…”

“You! Zhao Gongming, how could you have raised such a sharp-tongued daughter? It seems there’s no need to banish her to the mortal world; just take her outside the Southern Celestial Gate and execute her right away! Guards, take her away and behead her!” The Jade Emperor shouted at Zhao Gongming, pointing at Zhao Yixuan.

“Mercy, Jade Emperor, I beg of you!”

“Mercy, Jade Emperor, I beg of you!”

Zhao Gongming knelt to plead for his daughter, followed by the other immortals who also lowered their heads to intercede. Seeing the immortals all bowing low, the Jade Emperor’s anger only intensified. He roared, “Anyone else who pleads for her, I’ll execute without mercy!”

The Jade Emperor was blinded by his fury, and at this point, even the most persuasive words would not sway him. Zhao Yixuan, standing before the Jade Emperor, was seized by two celestial soldiers and led toward the Southern Celestial Gate.

“Stop!” The voice came from the ethereal heights of the celestial clouds, unseen, yet every immortal present knew who it belonged to. To say “no” to the Jade Emperor and speak so calmly could only be her!

She was none other than the Jade Emperor’s sister, Fengxia Jade Mother!

Hearing this voice, not only did the two celestial soldiers halt, but all the immortals present froze as well, for the timing of this voice could not have been more perfect.

“As deities, we usually endure with patience. Considering she’s still young and naive, let her be banished to the mortal world to endure some hardship, rather than staining the ground outside the Southern Celestial Gate with blood. Besides, today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, when mortals welcome the God of Wealth; let him visit the mortal realm properly.”

Fengxia Jade Mother wore a golden, crownless cap adorned with a jade hairpin; her brows were thick and straight, her eyelashes curled like crescent moons. Her eyes were as clear as West Lake¹³, her beauty striking; earrings shaped like lotus flowers hung from her ears, and a willow-leaf necklace graced her neck. Her presence was as blessed as the ocean, and her face radiated an aura of longevity like a mountain.

Fengxia Jade Mother spoke gently, her long gown trailing as she walked across the colorful cloud carpet, looking kindly at Zhao Yixuan. It was clear from her eyes that she held great fondness for the young woman before her.

“This…” Seeing Fengxia Jade Mother, the Jade Emperor seemed to lose half of his anger and was rendered speechless.

“What? Can’t you grant this favor for your sister?” Fengxia Jade Mother smiled faintly. Heaven knew that Fengxia Jade Mother’s favor was not to be underestimated!

“Very well, we’ll do as the Jade Mother suggests-banish her to the mortal world! She shall never become an immortal again!”

With that, the Jade Emperor took Zhao Yixuan’s immortal bone and destroyed her official rank.

Fengxia Jade Mother could not say any more. Zhao Gongming lifted his head, eyes wide, nearly fainting from the shock. After all, compared to execution, being banished to live as a mortal was a far better fate. The other immortals wisely chose to remain silent, while Zhao Yixuan stood in quiet resignation.

Zhao Yixuan was escorted out of the Southern Celestial Gate by two celestial soldiers. The God of Wealth wanted to check on her, but he was right under the Jade Emperor’s watchful eyes. He slyly signaled to Li Jing, then nodded towards the three gods of Fortune, Emolument and Longevity. They quickly moved in front of Zhao Gongming, blocking him, and the four of them exclaimed in apparent unison, “Jade Emperor, your wisdom is unparalleled!” Taking advantage of the distraction, Zhao Gongming’s spirit slipped out and flew towards the Southern Celestial Gate.

“Yixuan!”

“Father!”

“Just a little something, brothers, just a little something…” The God of Wealth hurriedly retrieved some pearls, agates, and jades from his sleeve, stuffing them into the hands of the celestial soldiers. It seems money not only moves mortals but can delay even the punishments of immortals for a moment.

Seeing the two celestial soldiers preoccupied with the jewels, Zhao Gongming quickly pulled his daughter aside, grasped her hands firmly, and let streams of immortal qi flow from his hands into Zhao Yixuan’s palms.

“This is all I can give you. Always remember, as long as you focus your thoughts, you can manifest wealth. Take care, my daughter. I must leave now!” Zhao Gongming knew he had no time for a long farewell, and Yixuan understood her father’s plight. She gently released his hand and watched his retreating figure disappear, leaving her with only a memory, while the God of Wealth was left with a broken heart…

“My heart can’t take this! If she becomes a big celebrity, I’d spend every last penny to hire someone to ruin her looks!”

“Is it really that serious? It’s just another ‘Supergirl’-she won’t stay popular for long. Ah, being poor means we have to tolerate things we don’t like, so save it!”

“Yeah, Mingzi, just let it go. We’re not in a position to change anything. This isn’t college… just focus on your studies.”

Mingzi glanced at Ye Chen, swallowing his frustration but acknowledging the truth. In this world, without money, you’re just a nobody. Want to be someone important? Find those poorer than you, stand among them, and you’ll stand out as a leader. If that’s the kind of leader you want to be, society can always accommodate you.

Puhua Street in Hailing City, Xiahua Country, was bustling with neon lights and vibrant signage. Words like foot massage, KTV, cybercafe, billiards hall, and KFC painted a picture of trends and fashion on the street. Three young men in their early twenties, dressed in blue work uniforms with “Qingong Industrial” printed on them, strolled down Puhua Street, chattering animatedly like thieves planning a heist. All three were covered in grime, and if caught by urban management, they probably wouldn’t escape detention. On Puhua Street, any private car without license plates full of the numbers 8, 6, or 9 was not allowed, and driving over sixty miles per hour was only possible if the first letter on the license plate was followed by all zeroes.

Footnote:

1. Qilin(麒麟): The Qilin is a mythical creature from ancient Chinese legends, often regarded as a symbol of good fortune and peace.  Its appearance typically combines features from various animals, generally described as having the head of a dragon, antlers of a deer, body of a horse, and tail of an ox, with its entire body covered in scales.
2. Sycee(元宝): A type of silver or gold ingot used as currency in imperial China, known for its unique boat-shaped design. It symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
3. Southern Celestial Gate(南天门): In Chinese mythology, this gate is one of the primary entrances to the celestial realm or heavenly court. It is often depicted as the grand entrance to the abode of deities, including the Jade Emperor, and signifies the boundary between the mortal world and the divine.
4. Lingxiao Palace(凌霄宝殿): In Chinese mythology, the Lingxiao Palace is the grand palace of the Jade Emperor. It is often depicted as a magnificent and divine structure located in the celestial realm, serving as the center of administration for the celestial court.
5. Seven Fairies(七仙女):In Chinese mythology, these are often depicted as the daughters of the Jade Emperor.
6. Great White Venus(太白金星): Great White Venus, known as Taibai Jinxing in Chinese mythology, is depicted as a wise and respected advisor to the Jade Emperor. He plays significant roles in various mythological stories, often responsible for conveying the Emperor’s orders and mediating disputes.
7. Admiral Tianpeng(天蓬元帅):Also known as Zhu Bajie in “Journey to the West,” he was originally a heavenly admiral who was banished to the mortal world and reborn as a pig-like creature due to his misdeeds.
8. Chang’e, the Fairy of the Moon(广寒宫仙子嫦娥): Chang’e is a prominent figure in Chinese mythology, known as the goddess of the moon. According to legend, she lives on the moon with the Jade Rabbit after consuming an elixir of immortality. Her story is often associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese culture.
9. Mysterious Goddess of the Nine Heavens(九天玄女): The Mysterious Goddess of the Nine Heavens is a deity in Chinese mythology. She is known for her wisdom and mystical powers and is sometimes depicted as a guide or protector, particularly in military contexts. She is believed to impart knowledge of martial arts and strategy to legendary heroes.
10. Pagoda-bearing Celestial King Li Jing(托塔天王李靖):Li Jing, also known as the pagoda-bearing celestial king, is a prominent figure in Chinese mythology and literature. He carries a magical pagoda that can trap demons and evil spirits. Li Jing is revered as a deity of protection and martial prowess.
11. Jade Emperor(玉帝):Jade Emperor is one of the most important deities in Chinese mythology and Taoist tradition. He is considered the ruler of Heaven and all other deities, overseeing the cosmos and maintaining order.
12. Taels(两): The tael is a traditional Chinese unit of weight and currency, historically used in East Asia, equivalent to approximately 37.5 grams of silver.
13. Lord of Hell(阎王): Lord of Hell is the ruler of the Netherworld in Chinese folk religion and Taoism, similar to the Grim Reaper or Hades in Western culture. He is responsible for managing the souls of the dead, judging their actions during their lifetime, and determining their punishment or reward in the Netherworld.
14. West Lake(西湖): West Lake refers to the famous scenic area in Hangzhou, China, known for its picturesque beauty and cultural significance.