(editing in progress)

 

Xie Lian, with the help of his friends, organised a couple of activities to promote recycling and minimise food wastage. Xie Lian started by setting up campaigns to gather leftover foods from the restaurants. People were encouraged not to over-order in order to minimise food waste. The food waste could be used as organic fertilisers for the plants and must be separated from the other general waste. Food offerings for the gods must not be discarded and must be consumed before they spoil either by the temple workers or donated to the needy.

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Xie Lian, along with Feng Xin set off to put up notices around the capitals, towns and villages. Feng Xin had ordered some of his disciples to stand in and demonstrate to the people directly. Shop owners and temple zealots were set up by the disciples around towns and cities to encourage such behaviour and to lead by example. Having caught the wind currents, Mu Qing started the campaign before Xie Lian could visit his inner sectors.

In their ‘Chu-Chu’ carriage, the duo went. When they were back at the Puqi Shrine, a familiar face was sweeping the grounds. Xie Lian's eyes widened in recognition.

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Xie Lian ‘Mu Qing!’

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Mu Qing ‘Yeah. Well, I figured there was no one here to sweep all these leaves… So I volunteered.’

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He turned away and continued sweeping.

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Feng Xin ‘Unbelievable. Did you come to sweep the yard of your own accord? You must be drunk or I am hallucinating.’

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Mu Qing ‘Oh yeah? Don't think you can get ahead of me just because you accompanied him on some welfare services without bothering to send me an invitation.’

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Feng Xin ‘We thought perhaps you would be tired from being a part of the Revamping Squad Trio and all.’

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Mu Qing ‘Hah. Don't underestimate me!’

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Xie Lian ‘All right fellas. Time to break it up and call it the night. We have more important things to discuss tonight.’

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That night the trio sat around the campfire with their apples and tea which the gods have collectively gathered from their offerings. They pondered on their next campaign to benefit the common people.

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Better transport systems were built between villages and towns for faster medical transportation. Roads were repaired and reinforced. Charities were set up by the Heaven’s Medics under the Crown Prince’s instruction to offer the poorer families better medical care. In the heart of the buzzing cities where traffic was to be expected, Xie Lian had personally written the ruling houses of the seven nations to delegate a path for medical transportation and an indicator for the carriages carrying patients and other medical equipment so that the crowd can make way for them. It was all about educating the public and Xie Lian was very patient in his project.

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He proposed to have the children study basic courtesy and virtues from a young as well as minimising the societal gaps and segregation with equal opportunities for all. Education must step in to stop bullying and the Prince made it his lifetime goal to end discrimination and bullying once and for all. A step at a time if he must. Xie Lian's thoughts drifted to Mu Qing and the lesser fortunate mortals that he had encountered during his time in the mortal realm. He was flabbergasted at how shallow some of their mentality could be. At times, his colleagues were no better.

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The general people began to pray to Xie Lian as the ‘Prince of the Common Folks’ but Xie Lian cared for none of the titles that were given to him. Every day he would busy himself with the social work. By nightfall, he would enjoy the cold embrace of the coming winter winds. Something was missing this coming winter; the warmth that even the flames of a fireplace could not provide. Perhaps even the heat of the active Mount Tonglu could not provide. It will be a cold, chilling and lonesome winter indeed. He cupped his tea for a little of its warmth. The moonlight was bright but no brighter than the twinkle in his eyes. He sighed and laid down his cup.

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He sat on top of the straw mat and reminisced the old memories. A soft giggle left his lips. Using this excuse, he allowed himself a tear before wiping it off. He did just invite a ghost King to sleep on a straw mat. After all, the floor is the biggest bed! He thought about how his companion would burst out laughing when he declared it casually. Xue Lian let out a few more chuckles before returning to his usual calm demeanour.

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Xie Lian ‘I missed you. You will return, I know you will. Right?’

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He whispered.

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Life continued in peace and harmony for a couple of centuries more amongst the Heavens with much rejoicing and celebrations. Some of the festivals held were the Fruits Festival Party and Martial Arts Performance. The time came when the new Heavenly Emperor was to be elected. The new palace was, however, greeted by silence. Some closed their eyes while others darted around the room with curiosity. Finally, an outspoken general broke the silence.

 

裴茗 ‘真的没选项？’

 

The Heavenly Emperor held the most prestigious title in the heavenly realm. It is a position of honour, responsibility and power. The Emperor is responsible for ensuring that the realm remains peaceful and prosperous, guiding the mortals in their worship and teachings, keeping the forces of darkness at bay, and ensuring balance between realms. The Emperor was also tasked with leading the other Gods in their duties, and ensuring that they uphold the law and order. With the list of duties and responsibilities laid before their very eyes, the masses stared at the large empty seat before them with disdain.

 

青玄 ‘既然你那么在乎，不如你来试试？’

 

Ty laughed. 裴茗 was having none of his teases and dismissed the crowd.

 

裴茗 ‘I am merely concerned for the future of Celestial. It is not good to leave such a prominent seat without a proper candidate. It couldn’t be you now could it?’

 

青玄 'Hehe. Why didn't the great general of Ming Guang take the spot then? He seems like a good candidate, I am sure the Heaven Officials would all agree with me. The general of True Virtue and Honor. The General who would rather break his sword than betray his country, no?’

 

The last sentence was enough to earn theeself a grimace from the said figure. Though the general recovered from the jest quickly, his lips were still curled with an unsatisfied smile.

 

Mass ‘Would you seriously consider the proposal to be the next Heavenly Emperor?’

 

裴茗 ‘I am still far too young to be one. I shall decline the offer.’

 

Mass ‘Where is Xie Lian by the way? Shouldn’t he be the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne?’

 

All eyes fell before the General of the Southeast. His golden eyes widened at the attention before answering.

 

Feng Xin ‘Ahem, he is in the mortal realm. Helping the commoners. He has come up with a few grandiose ideas that I think we can discuss further again.’

 

Mass ‘Yeah, but what he really should be doing is taking over the role as the heir to the throne!’

 

Feng Xin ‘I will find time to talk to him. As you know, such roles cannot be forced upon. He has to ascend willingly. It will do the Heavens no good if the Crown Prince is forced to take on the title. It may be so in the mortal realm, but in the Heavens, that should not be the case. Do you all agree?’

 

The gathering of Gods and deities stroked their long beards and fanned their fans. After a moment of silence, the masses nodded in agreement.

 

裴茗 ‘Then let us adjourn today’s meeting to another date since we cannot decide who should be the next Heavenly Emperor. Or, when the Crown Prince finally decides to ascend the throne.'

 

Mass ‘But before we do, we need a temporary deputy general. Would you be keen to take on the role of the deputy general? Ming Guang?’

 

裴茗 ‘I suppose but the final decision still lies with the Crown Prince. He is, after all, the Heir to the throne of Heavens. It would not be right for us to supersede or exclude him from the decision-making.’

 

Mass ‘Agree. Shall we form a Council of Order? Then the reports can go to the Crown Prince for review.’

 

Feng Xin ‘I will also tabulate the plans conjured by the Crown Prince during his time in the mortal realm. I must say he is very innovative. I think the plans are doable.’

 

裴茗 ‘Mn.’

 

His firm voice echoed through the silent halls. Within the Order were three martial gods and three civil gods with Pei Ming as the leader of the group. Namely: Pei Ming, Feng Xin, and San Dian as the martial gods' representatives, and Ling Wen, Xuan Jing and Han Qing as the civil goddesses.

 

As the gods began to disperse, the general of Ming Guang cast his gaze at the fire master briefly. With a sigh, he retired to the tranquillity of his Palace. The fire master turned and stared at the figure with a puzzled look on his face.

 

Just as the gods left the Divine Palace, a purple lightning flashed across the horizon with the cracking of thunder. The gods looked amongst the clouds and noticed a crack had appeared amongst the clouds. Like a cosmic latte, the vibrant colours of the unknown galaxy littered the skies.

 

裴茗 ‘What is that?’

 

As abrupt as it had appeared, the cosmic rift closed as if it had never happened. Those who witnessed its presence looked up in the skies with perplexion. Amongst them, Xie Lian looked at the necklace in his palm and smiled. His intuition nudged him.

 

A knock startled the owner of the Ming Guang Palace. He did not expect anyone to move boldly within his inner sector, much less his private sector. Pei Ming got up from his secret pavilion and opened the door. To his astonishment, it was a figure he never expected to see face to face again. His eyes widened.

 

Pei Ming ‘It is you! 15 degrees!’

 

Shi Wudu ‘Yes, after a long journey of twists and turns in the Liminalrial, I am finally back in town. I will never do that ever again!’

 

Pei Ming ‘Liminalrial?’

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