The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 152 - 151 West Zhou Counterattack

Chapter 152: Chapter 151 West Zhou Counterattack

After a fierce battle, there was no doubt that the Shang Army had suffered a crushing defeat. Huang Tianhua, seeing Yang Ren’s ferocity and realizing the Shang Army was nothing but a paper tiger, charged forward atop the Jade Qilin.

As part of the Qilin clan, the Jade Qilin, though still young, held a commanding presence unmatched by mere mortal horses.

The Shang Army’s horses were terrified, bucking and fleeing in all directions. Huang Tianhua singled out the most vulnerable-looking soldier without a horse—Zhang Jie.

Indeed, Zhang Jie was the weakest among the four, armed only with a spear and lacking any Magical Treasures.

As the ferocious Jade Qilin charged toward him, he raised his spear and shouted, "Big Brother! Second Brother! Save me!"

The eldest, Deng Zhong, with his ghastly face and fang-like teeth, wielded a pair of giant axes. He was formidable against regular military generals but was no match for Yuxu disciples.

Save you?

Who’s going to save me?

Because, at that moment, Yang Ren also charged in.

Among the four brothers, Xin Huan was the most capable. He instantly spread his wings and wielded the Thunder God Chisel, sending two bolts of lightning as thick as wrists toward Huang Tianhua and Yang Ren.

Yang Ren’s arm shifted into a mechanical shield, absorbing the lightning with ease. The energy then stored within transformed into a pitch-black cannon, which released a piercing blue beam toward Deng Zhong, blasting his head clean off.

Deng Zhong’s entire head was scorched to charcoal, and his death was recorded on the divine rankings.

On Huang Tianhua’s side, the Jade Qilin’s speed was so swift that evasion was impossible. He endured a direct bolt of lightning but retaliated by throwing his Magical Treasure, the Heart-gathering Nails, at Xin Huan.

Thanks to the Qilin taking the brunt of the lightning, Huang Tianhua wasn’t critically injured. Without waiting to see the outcome of the Heart-gathering Nails, he hurled the Fire Dragon Spear at Zhang Jie.

The Fire Dragon Spear pierced directly through Zhang Jie’s chest, sending him to the rankings where the eldest Deng Zhong also awaited.

Although Xin Huan reacted quickly, the Heart-gathering Nails still grazed his wing. Looking down and realizing all his brothers had fallen, he didn’t have time to utter a single threat before fleeing outright.

Over a hundred thousand Shang Army troops were routed by just a few Chan Sect Third Generation Disciples.

Their military generals were all wounded.

The veteran general, Lu Xiong, immediately issued the order for the entire army to retreat to Chuanyun Pass. As for other territories? Those could be abandoned. The enemy could have them!

A vast swathe of land had been reduced to desolation by the Asuras—it couldn’t be defended, and surrendering it to the West Zhou would only complicate their supply lines.

The Shang Army fled under the cover of night, banners in tow, while West Zhou pursued. However, they were caught in an array conjured by Shen Gongbao—he had no idea where he’d gotten it from—and could only watch helplessly as the Shang Army retreated.

Having been under constant pressure, the West Zhou erupted in celebration at this victory. Ji Fa spared no effort in publicizing the triumph, as if the Great Shang Empire was already on the verge of collapse.

Though supplies were scarce, Ji Fa wept as he hosted a three-day feast to honor West Zhou’s leadership. By the fourth day, he was left eating leftovers himself.

This was the state of West Zhou—utterly impoverished!

There was no production, only imports. How could they possibly fill this deficit, let alone afford to hire artisans from Nantang?

Unable to sleep day or night, Ji Fa announced on the fourth day that Prime Minister Jiang Ziya would lead the army to conquer King Zhou!

Ji Fa would remain behind, focusing on fortifying the city walls.

"Prime Minister, it’s all up to you!"

You couldn’t say Ji Fa was cowardly; he had indeed been scarred by the Asuras. But this strategy was undeniably effective. Old Jiang didn’t even know when the Shang Army would next show up at the gates—it made perfect sense to build higher walls.

Old Jiang resigned himself and set off. The next day, he departed with the ten thousand new recruits Ji Fa had forcibly conscripted, as well as the Chan Sect Third Generation Disciples. With no obstacles in their path, they pursued the Shang Army all the way to Chuanyun Pass.

It seemed as if nothing had changed from years ago—but had it really remained the same?

Who would speak for the hundreds of thousands of civilians who had perished?

In the Primordial World, weaklings had no voice, no matter what.

Shen Gongbao paced anxiously, knowing that Yin Shang’s generals couldn’t hold back the ferocious Chan Sect Disciples. He resolved to leave in search of allies.

Wen Zhong, having received news from the front lines, was troubled. Not long ago, wasn’t their position secure? How had things turned so dire so quickly?

His only conclusion was that Chan Sect Immortals had stepped in, explaining the Shang Army’s crushing defeat.

Left without options, Wen Zhong reverted to his youthful form and rode the Mo Qilin toward East Sea’s Golden Turtle Island to seek help. This time, he turned to Fire Spirit Saint Mother, a disciple of Duobao Daoist, who had always been on good terms with him.

The Fire Spirit Saint Mother had a similar origin to Jin Ling Saint Mother, for she was formed from the first wisp of innate fire energy. Her luck, however, was far worse than Jin Ling’s!

The Great Dao of Fire was far too popular, with numerous Great Experts like Yuan Feng and Zhu Rong vying for it, each devouring a portion of its essence.

As a result, both the Fire Spirit and Jin Ling Saint Mothers lagged far behind their peers in cultivation. The former not only suffered delayed Transformation but also had severely diminished root bone and fortune—she had yet to break through to Golden Immortal and was currently only at the Peak of Mystic Immortal.

Duobao, injured during the earlier battle with the Demon Ancestor’s clone, had taken on his master’s karmic burden. After returning, he remained in seclusion. But even setbacks bring opportunity—through facing Luo Hou’s methods and gaining Merit, he recovered while glimpsing a faint path forward.

As Duobao’s disciple and the nominal Third Generation Head Disciple of Jie Sect, Fire Spirit Saint Mother held a lofty status. Her title as the "Head Disciple" came entirely from her master’s face, unlike Yang Jian, who earned his title through battles and bloodshed.

Even Guang Chengzi, after sending her to her death for the divine rankings, had to personally visit Biyou Palace to beg forgiveness. Regardless of any ulterior motives Guang Chengzi may have had, the Fire Spirit Saint Mother’s status was beyond reproach.

As a being formed from innate fire energy, her temperament was, in short, impulsive, quick-tempered, and impatient. Initially, Duobao diligently worked to temper her character.

But when his efforts yielded little progress, he lost interest and instead devoted himself fully to his own cultivation.

The Fire Spirit Saint Mother was kind-hearted by nature, but her fiery personality made her difficult to get along with. Jie Sect’s disciples tolerated her out of respect for Duobao, but others dared not manage her, instead going out of their way to curry favor.

As Jie Sect’s administrator, Duobao wielded authority rivaling that of the ancient East King.

Thus, while the Fire Spirit Saint Mother was technically a "princess," few people truly wanted to befriend her. Wen Zhong was one of the rare exceptions.

Firstly, Wen Zhong’s status was worthy of respect—he was a disciple of the Inner Sect’s senior sister, Jin Ling Saint Mother.

Secondly, when Wen Zhong first arrived at Golden Turtle Island as a child, his soft and adorable demeanor won the Fire Spirit Saint Mother’s favor as his senior sister. Even as he grew into a charismatic young man, her fondness for him persisted.

And yes, Fire Spirit Saint Mother was quite the admirer of beauty. Although it was her childhood friend Yu Yuan who seemed destined to be a close companion, his less-than-pleasing appearance made her somewhat reluctant to get close.

Of course, Yu Yuan didn’t care. He preferred the company of innocents and found no charm in beauties—a preference that Nezha and his brothers might understand better.

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