The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 25 Routine Affairs

Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Routine Affairs

Interests must be fought for oneself. If one is intimidated by the Azure Dragon and backs down, then there’s no point in talking about destiny this time.

Though the Azure Dragon came ostensibly to make peace and is in the position that must yield, he cannot concede in terms of demeanor. If he bows his head to two brats, how will the Primordial Immortals perceive the Dragon Clan in the future?

Wouldn’t everyone then dare to come and kick them twice?

Thus, he presented himself with great aggression, a towering Dragon Might pressing down on Yin Shou and Nezha.

Yin Shou felt deeply humiliated by his moment of fear just now. A dignified Human King—yet he behaved worse than a mere youth. Regaining his composure, he strode forward to stand before Nezha, glaring angrily. Against Dragon Might, all he could muster was the aura of a Human King.

Yet it was quite effective. For now, Xiqi had not yet rebelled, and so humanity’s Qi Fortune could still be considered flourishing.

The radiance of the invisible but palpable Human Dao Qi Fortune transformed into a blazing golden light, clashing with the Azure Dragon’s overpowering Dragon Might and even beginning to push it back. Yin Shou glanced at the enormous dragon, thinking it seemed not so terrifying after all.

The Meng Zhang God sighed internally, knowing that after today the matter of temple demolition might be halted, but the grudges would grow even deeper. Yet he had no alternative. Many Great Experts across the Primordial Realm were watching; the Dragon Clan’s weakness must not be displayed.

Nezha had also figured things out by now. If he were "emotionally intelligent," he should have given the Azure Dragon a way out by now. If the Azure Dragon offered a treasure to conclude this affair, then everyone would walk away happy. But Nezha wasn’t inclined to play it that way.

He’d survived the Chentang Pass calamity through his own capabilities. If he were weak, his Path to Immortal Ascension would be cut off. Even if his master revived him, his root bone, fortune, and comprehension would all deteriorate significantly.

Now that I’m standing at an advantage, you expect me to back down? Dream on!

The Azure Dragon didn’t move his dragon body, but a middle-aged man’s voice echoed clearly in all directions: "I’ve come for the matters of the Dragon Clan. The Dragon Clan bears the responsibility of conducting clouds and bringing rain. Yet now we are all entangled by karmic burdens. If this continues, how can we ensure prosperity and balance for any region?"

Nezha remained unyielding: "That’s your Dragon Clan’s problem. The Heavenly Dao is impartial; the karmic burdens of the Dragon Clan didn’t appear out of thin air."

The Azure Dragon gazed at Nezha. On a personal level, he wanted to compliment him—truly deserving of being a Saint Disciple, a hero in his youth.

Thankfully, he’d prepared contingencies. As man and dragon locked eyes, a radiance of countless beams bloomed across the Nine Heavens. Eight enormous dragons dragged a magnificent chariot, approaching amid fairy maidens scattering petals and dragon roars echoing through the skies.

The once-overcast sky was completely cleared of dark clouds.

Nezha frowned at the chariot, feeling inwardly frustrated. "Well, well, Emperor Hao Tian himself has shown up, coming to act as peacemaker and scrape a profit off the top, huh?"

A fairy opened the curtain of the chariot. Draped in imperial robes, crowned with a beaded headdress, and exuding an aura of stately authority, Emperor Hao Tian stepped out.

This was the Azure Dragon’s plan—the Dragon Clan could bow to Hao Tian, but they could not bow to Nezha.

When the Dragon Clan sought Hao Tian’s help, he was delighted. His newly established Heavenly Court had fewer than a thousand people, and it desperately needed manpower. The Dragon Clan offered shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and treasures—he couldn’t possibly refuse.

And so, dressed in his finest and accompanied by the Queen Mother Yaochi’s handiwork on his grand new chariot, Hao Tian had arrived.

Nezha took the initiative: "Nezha greets Martial Uncle."

Hao Tian nodded impassively and said, "The origin of this matter lies with the Dragon Clan. But the Four Sea Dragon Kings are already deceased, and the enmity has been resolved. Nephew Disciple, can you let this matter rest?"

This final query was really for Nuwa’s sake. Otherwise, with the Heavenly Dao suppressing both Earth and Humanity Dao at present, Hao Tian, as the representative of the Heavenly Dao, could have easily subdued Yin Shou, who wielded Human Dao Qi Fortune.

As for comparing strength?

One was not yet an Immortal, while the other was a Second Corpse Quasi-Saint—there was no contest.

From beyond the heavens, Nuwa pursed her lips. "That Dao Ancestor’s servant boy is truly petty."

Nezha silenced Yin Shou, who was about to speak, and said, "The late Four Sea Dragon Kings flooded Chentang Pass. I killed them and was gravely injured. My treasure was damaged—how shall that be accounted for?

If I hadn’t arrived in time, would an entire city’s lives have been wasted in vain?"

Hao Tian, feigning seriousness, nodded and turned to the Azure Dragon: "This indeed was the fault of the Dragon Clan. Have them compensate, and we’ll consider this matter resolved. What say you?"

Nezha no longer pressed the issue: "That depends on the sincerity of the Dragon Clan."

Given that Hao Tian, as the initiator of the Divine Enthronement Tribulation, had intervened, Nezha couldn’t outright refuse to give him face. After all, not only did Hao Tian have more power, but his backers were even stronger.

The Azure Dragon let out a long roar. From his body, several enormous dragons emerged, each carrying treasure chests, which they set before Nezha and Yin Shou. Then, the lids were lifted.

The treasures within were dazzling, a testament to the East Sea’s wealth.

Nezha, however, remained unmoved. Master had already stated there would be a destiny involved—was this paltry offering meant for children?

Yin Shou, at least aware of his station as the Great King, resisted showing his greed despite his longing. Finally, when the supply of treasures ceased, twelve bright blue water pearls emerged before Nezha from the Azure Dragon’s horns.

"With this, can the matter of temple demolition be resolved?"

"It can."

The Azure Dragon retreated in satisfaction, the Dragon Clan’s dignity preserved. Losing some treasures was no significant blow to the wealthy Four Seas.

Hao Tian also left content, having gained both tangible and intangible benefits from the affair.

Yin Shou felt pleased as well; the temples were sufficiently demolished, and he had gained treasures, which would surely speed up his cultivation.

Nezha swept his sleeve over the twelve blue water pearls, refining them slightly. They were, as expected, the Ocean Stabilizing Divine Pearls—a prize made possible only by his master’s influence.

He squinted off into the distance. Though the matter of the Four Sea Dragon Kings flooding Chentang Pass was now settled, his personal grudge against the Dragon Clan remained unresolved.

If there were an opportunity, Nezha wouldn’t mind trampling the Dragon Clan again.

As for Hao Tian, matters involving me, Li Nezha, aren’t so easily smoothed over.

Refusing Yin Shou’s offer to share the treasures, Nezha teleported back to his residence, releasing Daji. Daji immediately ran over anxiously, touching him up and down, asking if he was injured.

Nezha, almost sixteen years old now, might still count as a child in modern times, but in the Shang Dynasty, he was already an adult.

Nonetheless, he intended to pursue cultivation and Immortal Ascension, so marriage wasn’t on his agenda. Still, he had heard from Daji that Old Jiang had a son now.

At the time, Nezha had even marveled—Old Jiang sure still has some vigor left!

As he was about to spend a tender moment with Daji, someone came to report that a girl outside requested an audience with the Great Sage Master.

This visitor turned out to be Deng Chanyu, who had been waiting in Chaoge for three years. She had initially resolved to give up but couldn’t bear the thought of returning home to be ridiculed by her family. Her youthful pride had kept her holding out.

Her original intention was to at least catch a glimpse of the legendary Great Sage Master before going home. But after witnessing Nezha, dressed in white, standing alone against the towering dragons earlier that day, an unprecedented feeling had surged in her heart. A noble woman ought to be like this!

So when Nezha disappeared, she immediately rode on horseback to seek an audience. Today, she was determined to secure her path to cultivation!

Upon hearing that the visitor was a beautiful young maiden, Daji immediately recalled a certain someone from three years ago, her heart full of suspicion. Why is this person back again?

On guard, she dashed back to her room to start touching up her makeup.

Nezha, on the other hand, had already grown accustomed to inexplicable visits from strangers.