Choices

29 - Extra: Ascension

a.k.a: The aftermath of Donghua Dijun's emergence from "seclusion".

A/N: To the lovely readers wondering about the fate of the perceived love rivals, and those who dared to disrespect Dihou -- I hope this extra does not disappoint. :)

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The reawakening of Donghua Dijun -- an auspicious event that coincided with yet another joyous occasion, the two hundredth birthday of his son, Bai Gungun -- came about in a similar fashion as the day His Majesty was born, quiet and uneventful. In contrast to the day that he "went into seclusion", no official announcement was made, either by Taichen Palace or his domain in the Southern Realms, and the courtiers that served both palaces proceeded with their activities as if nothing momentous had occurred within their walls.

As a result, the whole of Jiuchongtian reeled in shock upon seeing a silver-haired, purple-robed deity in court one morning, sitting up the dais sipping tea, as if he had not been missing in action for the past two centuries.

"Dijun is out of seclusion?" The courtiers whispered among themselves, using the official term that Taichen Palace had remained firm upon out of pure courtesy. After all, who in the Nine Heavens had not seen the falling stars, or heard various versions of the debacle at Bihai Cangling two hundred years ago? "So His Majesty didn't intend to retire from the realms' matters for good, after all?"

From their seats at the lower tiers, the courtiers threw furtive glances up the dais, eyes shifting from Dijun's unfathomable face to the Heavenly King's slightly vexed one. "It appears that not even Tianjun expected Dijun's presence today. What could be so compelling that His Majesty deemed it fit to grace court so soon after his seclusion?"

Speculations abounded and rumors went flying past, but in the end, none of their burning curiosities were answered, because court commenced and ended just as it always did, except for the imposing presence of the silver-haired deity in their midst.

But perhaps, there is no one more curious about the appearance of Donghua Dijun, than the person cultivating in the Underworld for the past two hundred years, quietly awaiting his ascension.

"Fengjiu's steadfastness had not been in vain," Lord Xie Guchou remarked, gazing at Ye Qingti over the rim of his wine cup. "Now that Dijun is back, those who were fussing about the Jade Lotus Pond naturally had nothing more to say. All His Majesty needed to do was appear in court, and they very quickly agreed among themselves about the necessity of reopening it."

With spare grace, Qingti disengaged himself from the lotus position he had been reposing on for the past day or so, and went over to pay his respects to the Lord of the Underworld. "Her Majesty has sent word?"

Since he awoke two hundred years ago in this realm, soul encased in the immortal shell that Bai Fengjiu had spent considerable effort to obtain for him, Ye Qingti had only seen Her Majesty once, when she descended to the Underworld for a quick visit to its Lord. During that brief interlude, she had set aside a few minutes to greet Qingti and check on the progress of his cultivation.

"There are roadblocks at present, but rest assured that everything possible is being done so you can ascend without issue. Fret not, Qingti, for we will be fellow immortals soon."