The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 250 - 249: The Conclusion of Ji Fa

Chapter 250: Chapter 249: The Conclusion of Ji Fa

Ji Fa ultimately didn’t last long. In the original timeline, he survived for three years after the fall of Shang before passing away; this time, he lasted only seven days.

Primarily, it was due to the Yin Shang dynasty’s Qi Fortune being stronger than in the previous life, and Yin Shou, who was overwhelmingly favored by the people’s hearts, being extraordinarily bold. The Heavenly Dao wouldn’t bear the immense karma of forcing an end to this.

Neither would Yuanshi Tianzun, the one who orchestrated the Rise of Zhou and Fall of Shang.

In the end, the karma could only be shared between Jiang Ziya, the Heavenly Mandate person of the Chan Sect, and Ji Fa, the direct agent for Shang’s demise.

Old Jiang, for his part, was deeply blessed and had a profound connection with the Chan Sect, coupled with his strong ties to Yin Shou. He might simply suffer a few days of bad luck in the end.

As for Ji Fa, he was directly wiped away, and after the Investiture of the Gods was finalized, he wasn’t even granted immortality. He could only continue to bitterly struggle in the cycle of reincarnation.

Ji Fa ultimately entrusted his orphaned five-year-old son to his younger brother, Zhou Gongdan.

At this time, his son was still hiding in a cave on Qi Mountain!

He hadn’t even had time to arrange other afterlife matters before he abruptly breathed his last.

Zhou Dan’s first priority, of course, was to retrieve the current Emperor. Then, he set to work stabilizing the messy situation he inherited.

Old Jiang, as Ji Fa’s Prime Minister, experienced the pain of sending off someone younger while being an elder. To say he had no affection for Ji Fa would be impossible. At this point, he was doing his utmost to help Zhou Gongdan hold the situation together.

The Divine Enthronement? That could wait for later!

Li Jing hadn’t left either—not because he didn’t want to, but because Zhou Gongdan wouldn’t let him. After all, he’d earned merit and had to be rewarded; leaving directly would be against propriety.

Old Li had no choice but to remain temporarily in Chaoge.

Nezha, seeing things finally settle, then emerged to seek out Jiang Ziya.

The two had an excellent relationship, so Nezha didn’t mince words and explained his situation directly.

Old Jiang, upon hearing this, leaned back strategically. He wasn’t sure exactly how grand the position of Central Ziwei Emperor was, but anyone in cultivation knew the importance of the Ziwei Star, not to mention the title of Great Emperor.

"Among our Great Shang Cultivation trio, you, Nezha, are undoubtedly the most successful!"

Nezha, pleased by Old Jiang’s expression, said, "Prosperity without returning home is like wearing brocade in the dark!"

He handed over a compiled booklet to Old Jiang, who immediately understood the intent, memorized the names and positions within, and crushed the Jade Talisman.

"Brother Jiang, what are your plans for the future?"

Old Jiang, nearing the end of his lifespan and with cultivation now out of reach, replied despondently:

"Alas, I do not know."

Nezha, willing to assist this old friend, offered a proposal.

"You may go to the underworld or the Heavenly Court. Ji Chang, the old patriarch, serves as King Yan in the underworld, and Bo Yikao will follow him there eventually.

You can also go to the heavens. As the Lord of the Stars, the Central Ziwei Emperor, I can arrange for you to become a Star Lord. Though the position wouldn’t compare to those listed on the Investiture of the Gods, the benefit is that you’d be free from shackle or oversight.

Brother Jiang, do you have a decision?"

Old Jiang was deeply moved, thinking, "That’s true brotherhood right there."

However, he didn’t immediately agree; he wasn’t that simple-minded. As the one overseeing the Investiture of the Gods, he still wanted to try leveraging the process to secure some benefits for himself.

"Brother Nezha, may I take some time to think over this?"

Nezha, suspecting Old Jiang’s intentions, nodded in agreement.

The two briefly discussed matters regarding Zigeng before Nezha departed.

Turning, Nezha headed to Li Jing’s location, where Old Li was cradling a baby while Linglong Pagoda rested nearby as an offering.

Nezha saluted the Pagoda, then glanced at Old Li playing the role of babysitter. Surprisingly, he appeared pretty competent.

Though Nezha personally didn’t like children, he found chubby little ones amusing and tolerable.

Yin Shou and the Queen Jiang were the cream of the crop among the Human Clan. Naturally, their offspring couldn’t be unattractive.

After playing with the child briefly, Nezha noticed a jade pendant on his chest.

The pendant was something he’d refined back in the day to trick Yin Shou. While Yin Shou had seen it as a treasure, now Nezha barely deemed it worth a second glance.

Holding the jade, a strong sense of "this child is fated to cross paths with me" surged within Nezha’s heart.

Zigeng didn’t whimper or fuss; instead, he stared at Nezha with wide-open eyes and flashed a cheery grin—endearing himself further.

Nezha extended his finger, purple Spirit Light entwined around it, leaving five Divine Runes on Zigeng’s forehead, palms, and soles. Then, he refined the jade pendant on his chest anew.

"Little fool, if you work hard in the future, you will surely reunite with your parents."

Li Jing silently watched Nezha play with the child, his thoughts unknown.

Nezha refrained from worrying about Old Li, being an adult after all.

A few Magical Treasures he’d crafted during practice were handed over to his currently empty-handed brothers, Jinzha and Mu Zha.

Their previous treasures had been confiscated by their master for personal use, leaving them nothing worth showing. Nezha, on the other hand, had an abundance of Magical Treasures he rarely used. What he considered unimpressive were often coveted treasures for other Immortals.

Jinzha and Mu Zha took them without hesitation—what "Outer Dao"? They were family, after all.

Each brother obtained two Fangtian Halberds, three Big Axes, one yoyo, one bamboo dragonfly, and one Seventh-Grade Lotus Platform.

With weapons for attack, defense, escape, and entertainment, they had it all.

After leaving Chaoge and returning to the Heavenly Court, Gold Star Taibai, Golden Light, and Yang Chan were still occupied with their tasks.

Nezha began his cosmic wandering, constantly merging his Divine Soul with the origin of stars.

In the Palace of the Polestar, Hao Tian, the old Deng, evidently noticed Nezha’s actions. His face darkened in fury—this Investiture of the Gods was coming to an end, and yet Nezha was still brazenly snatching opportunities.

However, Hao Tian couldn’t penalize him. In the Heavenly Court, rules were paramount. Though he held the title of Heavenly Emperor and oversaw the Three Realms, his authority was governed by the Heavenly Rules, not his own whims.

Nezha operated within his domain of Divine Authority, leaving Hao Tian helpless.

Nezha’s maneuvers were perfectly aboveboard. The Heavenly Court had few people to begin with, so the sudden influx of unfamiliar faces quickly revealed its source upon inquiry.

These new Immortals had joined the Heavenly Court but weren’t under Hao Tian’s control as True Spirits from the Investiture of the Gods. They were more like freelancers—paid to work, with no personal initiative or passion. They had already lowered themselves for survival but wouldn’t degrade further into mere beasts of burden.

Thus, they maintained a relatively cordial attitude toward newcomers such as Zhang Guifang and others who had recently ascended.

Long Ji rushed over upon hearing the news and immediately sought Nezha, demanding to become Ziwei Empress.

Nezha was utterly dumbfounded at her request.

"Is there such a Divine Position?"

"Why have I never heard of it?"

Long Ji justified herself confidently, reasoning that every Great Emperor needed an Empress.

Nezha retorted, "Besides your father, can you name another Great Emperor who has an Empress?"

This question stumped Long Ji. Unable to refute, she resorted to hugging Nezha and acting coy.

"Doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter! I want it anyway!"

Coyness proved futile, as the heavens genuinely lacked such a position. Ultimately, Long Ji gleefully self-declared the title and even designed a matching ceremonial outfit modeled after Nezha’s Central Ziwei Emperor Robe.

"Do you know what the biggest taboo is for exceptional individuals?"

Long Ji’s big bright eyes spun in thought before answering, "I don’t know."

Nezha, speaking with an air of profound reliability, said solemnly, "It is arrogance."