Chapter 1: The War God’s Edict

  *

  The third day of the third lunar month, in the center of the Celestial Realm, White Elephant City.

  Goumang, the supreme of the Three Realms, stood at the banks of the Celestial River with his trusted ministers, facing west, awaiting the sacred arrival of his mother, the War God Meiluo. In times past, her visits demanded no such pomp. This time was different.

  *

  “Came.” Shao Siming, Shuhu, whispered softly.

  Goumang straightened his body and braced for the moment.

  Meiluo descended from the clouds. The ministers stepped forward, bowing in reverence.

  She nodded faintly at Gou Mang, sparing him no glance, and turned toward the Daluo Palace. Goumang stood up, following her, while the others followed in silent deference.

  *

  Meiluo took her seat, her voice icy: “Kneel.”

  Goumang led the way, and the celestial ministers—big bugs of the Three Realms—knelt at the same time.

  A young fairy offered tea; Meiluo waved her away. Her gaze swept downward, finding the assembly breathless, yet her eyes held no pity. With a cold sneer, she said, “Da Siming, Shao Siming, High Priest, Grand Mage, Generals, and the Medical Deity—do you feel wronged?”

  “Dare not,” they chorused.

  “And you, Emperor? Any consciousness?”

  Goumang bowed deeper. “Mother, I’ve made arrangements, proceeding apace. Rest assured, news will come soon.”

  “Arrangements? Talk about it.”

  “Engulfed in celestial duties, I seldom visit the Mortal Realm or the Monsters' Realm, missing chances to meet exceptional people. As no suitable match exists in the Celestial, I plan to descend soon to the Mortal and the Monsters' for inspection. Opportunities will abound, and I’m earnest in my search. This matter shouldn’t be difficult.”

  Meiluo snorted, mocking: “A promise without a deadline is mere hot air.”

  Goumang paused, then said, “I pledge to Mother: within ten years, I shall wed.”

  “Ten years? No need for such toil. Your father and I have arranged everything. The Asura Clan’s High Princess, three thousand years old, is a formidable warrior, newly named War God. I met her once—unlike me, she’s gentle and charming, her mortal form is twenty-three, prime for bearing heirs. I’ve written to the Asura King; he heartily agrees. You two will wed within a year.”

  Goumang’s heart sank.

  Ages ago, during the Three Realms’ wars, his father’s marriage to Meiluo turned the rebellious Asura Clan into allies, neutralizing the Emperor Ancestor’s greatest threat and helping he got to the throne from the other brothers. Meiluo’s conquests later pacified the flames of war of the Three Realms, her feats legendary. Yet her simple mind and fiery temper were infamous—who in the heavens didn’t know the Emperor Father’s silent suffering?

  The Asura Clan had long declined, their new War God a pale shadow of Mei Luo. What use was such a marriage? It would only let the Asura King exploit him, demanding concessions.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  And gentle? The Asuras were barbaric, unrefined. Goumang would never consider their women.

  *

  Seeing his hesitation, Meiluo said, “The Emperor seems displeased with our plan.”

  Goulang’s mind raced. Since he succeed to the throne nine thousand years ago, Meiluo had retired with the Emperor Father and drifted apart from the Asura Clan. She’d met the princess only once—hardly a bond. This was a bluff to pressure him. Clearing his throat, he declared, “If ten years displeases Mother, how about five?”

  “One year,” Meiluo countered.

  Aha, the princess was indeed a ruse.

  “One year’s too fleeting for a matter tied to the Three Realms’ fate. It demands care. Please, Mother, allow three years.”

  “One year.” Meiluo was unyielding. “Ten, five, three—what’s the difference? You just don't do anything, and things won't change a bit. Haven’t nine thousand years passed in a blink?”

  Goumang was awkward, feeling regretting. Nine millennia of procrastination, now cornered into one year—a self-inflicted wound. With no room to argue, he relented: “As Mother decrees, within one year, I’ll choose an Empress.”

  “Your father and I demand you wed within a year.”

  Goumang forced a smile. “Even with a suitable match, I’d need time to court, assess her character, and seek your approval. One year’s too rushed.”

  Meiluo’s brow furrowed. After a long pause, she sighed, “Fine, so be it.”

  “Thank you, Mother!”

  *

  “Those three absurd wife-choosing criteria of yours—never mention them again.”

  “Yes.”

  “Nowadays the Three Realms are peaceful, why seek a formidable ally as your wife? Are your ministers so useless in your eyes?”

  “Of course not. Those criteria were mere jest, spread by some loose tongue to trouble you. I was once arrogant, but as a twelve thousand years old deity, am I still so naive?”

  “Hmph! The naive stay naive till death.” Meiluo’s voice hardened. “Since you took the throne, your elders have fretted endlessly, retired immortals nagging like village landlords desperate for grandsons. Laughable! We can’t even die in peace.”

  Goumang winced, shamed. “Your words truly humbled me, Mother. But rest assured—parents, Supervisory Elders—I’ve set one year and won’t break my word.”

  Meiluo smirked. “You’re always compliant to faces, defiant behind backs. Broken promises? Hardly new.” She conjured a celestial decree, tossing it to him. “Sign it.”

  “Is this necessary?” Goumang chuckled nervously, picking it up. His eyes widened in shock.

  Meiluo’s face grew stern. “Your marriage is the Three Realms’ affair. You all will sign. If it fails within a year, everyone resigns to seclusion. Da Siming, your burden’s heaviest—fail, and you’ll serve the Emperor Father and me at Changliu to atone.”

  “Mother,” Goumang pleaded, grasping for reprieve.

  But Zhuyan, the Da Siming, took the decree, pressing his handprint first. “Serving you and the Emperor Father would be my honor. Until then, I’ll ensure the Emperor finds a worthy Empress.”

  Meiluo nodded. “We trust you more than him.”

  Zhuyan passed the decree; each minister signed, until it returned to Goumang. Helpless, he added his print and handed it back to Mei Luo with a bow.

  *

  Notes:

  Goumang: Emperor, ruler of the Three Realms.

  Meiluo: War God, Gou Mang’s mother, a fierce Asura-turned-celestial.

  Three Realms: the Celetial，the Monsters' and the Mortal.

  Da Siming Zhuyan: one of the celestial fate officials.

  Shao Siming Shuhu: one of the celestial fate officials.

  White Elephant City: Celestial capital.

  Asura Clan: Barbaric warrior race, historically rebellious.

  Changliu: Mortal city, mountain, retiring god, and Mei Luo’s retreat, respectively.