The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 31 Wen Zhong Returns to Court

Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Wen Zhong Returns to Court

Yuanshi Tianzun sensed Jiang Ziya’s thoughts; in truth, the reason he had kept Jiang Ziya around was to sever his desire for Immortal Ascension.

Stop overthinking it and go seal the gods, enjoy a lifetime of wealth and prosperity.

Under the immense pressure from his peers and family, Jiang Ziya finally relented. He knelt before his wife and children and declared, "Master, Ziya has dull aptitude and no connection to the Immortal Dao. I am willing to descend the mountain to assist an enlightened ruler and enjoy a mortal lifetime of wealth."

The "enlightened ruler" Jiang Ziya referred to unequivocally meant Yin Shou. The two were both teacher and friend. Now that Immortal Ascension was hopeless, he decided to focus on governing the kingdom to make Yin Shou’s reign flourish and fulfill his lofty dreams.

Yuanshi Tianzun disregarded those words and simply nodded, saying, "Ziya, it’s good you’ve come to terms. Heaven’s Will decrees the Rise of Zhou and Fall of Shang. This time, when you descend the mountain, head to Xiqi to assist the enlightened ruler and enjoy mortal wealth."

Jiang Ziya: "???"

He desperately wanted to refuse, but there was no room for dissent. Taking the God Beating Whip with a bitter expression, he bowed to the ground and said, "Disciple obeys Master’s decree!"

Planning is within human hands, but success lies beyond; such was the might of Yuanshi Tianzun, one of the six heavens of the Primordial.

The Heavenly Number was already destined; who could say otherwise?

Witnessing this scene, Nezha was also disheartened. Yet, this was the Primordial—a place where destiny was beyond human control!

He kicked Yu Yuan, who was about to speak up, signaling him with his gaze: don’t be foolish at this moment.

Yu Yuan looked disgruntled but ultimately held his tongue.

Yuanshi Tianzun disappeared amidst the hearty laughter of Tongtian Sect Master and Nuwa’s playful teasing.

Yu Yuan and Nezha, however, rose to fame amidst a great battle within the Jie Sect’s high ranks!

For fame, Nezha cared little. As the group departed, Jiang Ziya stared at Nezha’s retreating figure, wanting to say something, only to falter, sighing deeply in the end.

In truth, Nezha had a vague sense of the final outcome. It was impossible for him to bring Old Jiang back wholeheartedly—their relationship wasn’t close enough for that. Living in the mortal world, who hasn’t faced moments where they’re powerless?

The two of them returned to Chaoge. That very night, Yu Yuan sought out Nezha to drink.

He felt like he had mishandled matters. In bringing the child to find his father, he’d ended up losing the child entirely.

Nezha tried to console Yu Yuan: "Look, wasn’t the core goal to reunite the child with the father? Did we not achieve that?"

The family is reunited. You and I have completed our mission perfectly. Jiang Ziya’s family’s departure is beyond our control.

After all, Master’s orders cannot be disobeyed.

In today’s Primordial world, the bond between master and disciple is akin to that of father and son, tied together by Qi Fortune. Nezha’s protection from calamities comes entirely from Nuwa’s backing. The Dragon Clan, the one entity boldly opposing this bond, required Meng Zhang God to personally intervene and settle the cause and effect.

Thinking about how his own Master Jin Ling Saint Mother might one day assist Xiqi, Yu Yuan realized he wouldn’t be able to resist either.

The two clinked glasses over and over again. "Old Yu, liking children is fine, but you must distinguish between real kids and those who merely appear childlike. I’ve heard there’s a condition called dwarfism in the Primordial world. Those afflicted look like children despite their age."

Yu Yuan drunkenly scrutinized Nezha, who promptly smacked him hard in the forehead: "I’m over 1.6 meters tall; dwarfism my ass!"

Yu Yuan hastily replied, "Got it, got it! From now on, any ugly little shrimp I see must have dwarfism!"

Afterward, Nezha resumed his daily cultivation with renewed effort. This episode involving Jiang Ziya deeply impacted him.

Daji and Deng Chanyu, seeing Nezha immersed in his training, also devoted themselves to cultivation.

Meanwhile, peace returned to Chaoge, but the battle at Beihai reached its climax.

Wen Zhong had gone to Golden Turtle Island and invited the Ten Heavenly Lords. Though their character and comprehension weren’t great, their arrays were undeniably masterful.

The ten scattered themselves strategically, setting up arrays that gradually compressed Yuan Futong’s activity space. Ultimately, they annihilated Yuan Futong’s demon soldiers, and he personally fell into Zhao Jiang’s Earth Intense Array. There, Zhao Jiang extracted earth vein killing energy, eroding him and finally sending him to the divine rankings to enjoy karmic blessings.

Wen Zhong, after years of campaigning in Beihai, finally quelled the turmoil ahead of schedule, free from rear disruptions this time.

After hosting the Ten Heavenly Lords with high regard, he tidied up preparations to return home.

The Ten Heavenly Lords didn’t return to Golden Turtle Island immediately. While the Ten Absolute Arrays were immensely powerful—requiring the Twelve Golden Immortals to sacrifice one member before daring to enter—the consumption of the array’s energy could not be ignored.

During Yuan Futong’s imprisonment and demise within the Earth Intense Array, the earth vein killing energy inside had been nearly depleted. Deciding to replenish this energy, the brothers planned to venture deep into the earth for extraction.

News of Wen Zhong’s march back to Chaoge brought near-New Year-level celebrations in the city. To the Great Shang, Wen Zhong was truly their Ocean Stabilizing God Needle and their pillar-like Jade Pillar.

Even Yin Shou, still recovering from his health issues, personally managed the preparations to welcome Wen Zhong.

Initially, Nezha hadn’t wanted to attend, but Yin Shou sent abundant spiritual materials to invite him, all for the sake of providing backing for Wen Zhong.

That day, drums boomed, horns blared, banners fluttered, and the city was packed with a sea of people.

Yin Shou waited early outside the city—one side flanked by civil officials, the other by military generals.

Just as Nezha began growing impatient, Wen Zhong arrived, riding the Mo Qilin and flanked by four small giants. Behind them stretched an impossibly vast army of armored soldiers, finally returning to the capital.

Seeing the eagerly awaiting court members, Wen Zhong raised his hand, halting the army with perfect discipline. He then rode ahead alone, while Yin Shou led a delegation to greet him.

The jubilant crowd returned to the Royal Palace, where Yin Shou enacted Shang Rong’s drafted decree to issue rewards and then hosted a banquet for scholars and warriors alike.

Throughout the celebration, Wen Zhong spoke little, persistently allowing the spotlight to remain on Yin Shou. His unwavering devotion to the Great Shang deeply influenced his demeanor.

At the banquet, Yin Shou frequently toasted Wen Zhong and formally introduced Nezha to him.

Wen Zhong, well, what could be said?

Perhaps he’d spent too long immersed in mortal affairs, prioritizing worldly considerations in his relationships. He treated Nezha similarly now.

Disregarding titles like Great Sage Master, he thought: Your father, Li Jing, stands before me like a mere underling; how much less can you—a mere child—be worth?

Unintentionally, his words carried the arrogance of an elder addressing a younger generation: "While I was away from Chaoge, I appreciate your care. However, leading the Great King toward cultivation, writing unorthodox texts, and aiding in Ji Chang’s release were unbecoming of a loyal minister. It would do you good to behave and repay the Great King’s recognition of your worth."

But Nezha held no such regard. He thought: I’ve slain the Four Sea Dragon Kings already. You, a mere Earth Immortal, dare speak so arrogantly to me? Are you mad?

Without hesitation, Nezha retorted: "The Great King sent lavish gifts inviting me to your celebration, not to endure your reprimands. Besides, by hierarchy, you ought to call me ’Master Uncle.’

"Grandmaster Wen, such adherence to rules and etiquette—I trust you wouldn’t muddle relations, would you?"

Grandmaster Wen hadn’t acknowledged Nezha as an Immortal from the start. Furious at his boldness, he considered his advice an act of kindness. After all, he’d once mentored Li Jing during his early days in Chaoge—extending guidance to Nezha seemed logical. For Nezha to respond thus was sheer stubbornness!

Yin Shou, sensing the growing tension between the two, quickly intervened to smooth things over. Both Wen Zhong, a revered Grandmaster, and Nezha, his cultivation mentor, were individuals he couldn’t afford to offend.

He chuckled, saying, "Come, come, let’s drink on this joyous occasion!"

Observing Wen Zhong’s still furious demeanor, Nezha decided he couldn’t be bothered with him anymore.

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