The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 40 You Are No Worse than Her

Chapter 40: Chapter 40 You Are No Worse than Her

Upon waking up again, Nezha saw Princess Long Ji holding the Plain Cloud Realm Banner, glaring aggressively like a mother hen at a woman dressed in a golden Daoist robe.

"You’re awake!" *2

Nezha instinctively glanced downward, worried the two might follow up with another "the surgery was a success."

The two women shot each other another fierce glare.

Nezha rubbed his temples; this experience had been filled with information and realizations, and he needed time to fully absorb and process it all.

After briefly calming the now-agitated "little sister" Long Ji, Nezha turned to the woman in the golden robe: "This humble Daoist, Li Nezha. May I ask what’s the matter?"

Golden Light Saint Mother spoke sincerely: "I am Golden Light Saint Mother of Golden Turtle Island. Many thanks to Daoist Friend for avenging my brother and our fellow Jie Sect disciples. If you ever need assistance in the future, I will do all I can to aid you!"

Nezha glanced at Golden Light Saint Mother, who stood there alone, looking somewhat puzzled. Did she come with a team? Did the whole group get wiped out?

Sensing Nezha’s questioning look, Golden Light Saint Mother seemed a bit embarrassed. Originally, three or four dozen Jie Sect disciples had survived, but one by one, they had fled, looking at her as if she were a walking disaster.

Her situation was, in fact, far from good. Of her once-close group of ten brothers, nine were dead. Her reputation in the Jie Sect was ruined, and she had no idea how to survive on her own moving forward.

Nezha’s gaze shifted to Xingtian’s lifeless body, still emitting black smoke from dangerous Earth Vein mechanisms. He couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on—how was he supposed to handle this?

His current body could never withstand such malignant energy.

Golden Light Saint Mother noticed Nezha’s dilemma and pulled out an array map from her chest, handing it to him: "Daoist Li, this array map might be of help to you."

"This is?"

"The array map for the Earth Intense Array."

Nezha sized up Golden Light Saint Mother again—this lady seemed to know how to play the game.

He didn’t refuse her offer, naturally.

He manipulated the array map to wrap up Xingtian’s body and followed Long Ji and the others into the Palace of the Polestar. It was Nezha’s first time there, and as he glanced around, the place certainly exuded celestial elegance. However, he felt it lacked a little something without the "Heavenly Palace Dance" in the background.

All around, celestial immortals of various ranks dispersed here and there like a makeshift crew.

Standing to the side with Long Ji, Nezha listened as Gold Star Taibai began his report. Something Nezha thought was relatively simple had been turned into an elaborate narrative by Taibai, complete with dramatic highs and transitions. Of course, Nezha thought the parts describing his courage and prowess in demon-slaying were spot-on and worthy of high praise.

From his lofty seat, Hao Tian, the Heavenly Emperor, droned on like an old leader, taking ages to finally announce the decree: "Li Nezha has performed great service in descending to slay demons. He is hereby bestowed the title of Yuzhen Yaoling Immortal Master to honor his meritorious deeds."

Nezha bowed to accept the title. Following that, he went with Gold Star Taibai to receive his official seal and robe. As for his office? The options outside were nothing but a pile of rubble—he was free to choose among them.

Nezha didn’t mind. In this area, he considered himself quite the expert. Let him rebuild it himself? He might as well craft another Palace of the Polestar!

That would be a bit excessive, though. Nezha picked a location near the South Heavenly Gate and constructed a grand celestial mansion. As for materials? The surroundings provided plenty—why waste his own funds?

He refined the materials to make use of them, with Long Ji tagging along to help. The task carried a distinctively "wedding house" vibe, with her constantly requesting various changes—this addition, that adjustment—and Nezha obliging her whims since he wasn’t planning to live there, anyway.

This place would serve as his vacation home at most; Nezha certainly wouldn’t be staying here regularly.

Once the grand palace was completed, Long Ji gazed at it with increasing fondness, her eyes glinting as she schemed about how to move in. "Hey Nezha, you’re not familiar with the Heavenly Court yet, right? How about I give you a tour?"

Nezha thought for a moment and figured it might not be a bad idea. He activated his False Dao technique, summoning a white-robed replica of himself. Holding the official seal and robe, this double walked into the main hall of the palace.

Long Ji blinked and asked, "Who’s that?"

"Just a mere simulacrum. I don’t have time to sit around here."

Disappointed, Long Ji pouted slightly. "Oh."

In truth, this simulacrum was more akin to an artificial intelligence bearing a sliver of Nezha’s awareness. It functioned by following preset commands, handling minor administrative work. Its body carried a spatial marker, capable of acting as a teleportation point. Due to the False Dao ability, unless someone directly came to confront it, others—even experts—would believe it was truly Nezha. (Apart from the most powerful beings, of course.)

The tradeoff, however, was that Nezha had to constantly expend mana to sustain its operation, and it couldn’t perform complex tasks. Still, it worked fine as a stand-in.

With her cheeks puffed, Long Ji led the real Nezha on a tour of the Heavenly Palace. Overall, the Heavenly Court remained in a state of disrepair, and Hao Tian wasn’t eager to actively rebuild it. What, was he going to create lavish venues and then whine to Daoist Ancestor for sympathy?

Couldn’t he at least keep up appearances?

"Look over there—that’s the Moon Palace. I heard Chang’e was crowned the Three Realms’ number one beauty!"

Long Ji pointed gracefully at the enormous Taiyin Star in the distance with an elegant finger.

Leaning against the stone railing of the Heavenly River, Nezha rested his head on one hand, glancing sideways—not at the Taiyin Star, but at Long Ji herself.

The cool moonlight illuminated the young woman’s bright, lively face as she enthusiastically babbled to Nezha about various whimsical stories.

"I think you’re no less beautiful than her."

Turning toward him, she asked with sparkling eyes, "Really?"

Nezha solemnly nodded.

A mix of joy and shyness swept over her. Covering her slightly flushed face, she said bashfully, "That’s probably because you haven’t met Fairy Chang’e. She’s way prettier than me."

"Well, at least until I meet her, you’re just as beautiful as anyone."

"Ugh, stop it!"

After wandering for a while, Long Ji took Nezha to the Immortal Peach Orchard. Seeing the place, Nezha hesitated. He’d heard these peaches were incredibly precious.

But Long Ji didn’t seem to care, grabbing his hand and dragging him in. She ignored the 1,000- and 3,000-year peaches entirely, heading straight for the 5,000-year trees, plucking fruit nonstop and stuffing them into Nezha’s hands.

"Long Ji, isn’t this a bit inappropriate? I heard the peaches are accounted for."

"Don’t worry. No one will know I took them."

She punctuated her sentence by shoving an 8,000-year peach directly into Nezha’s mouth. Pure mana instantly coursed through his body, forcing Nezha to store the excess and find a chance to refine it later.

Surely these peaches weren’t included in her household’s headcount?

And what about the orchard’s caretakers? Did anyone report her? Evidently not?

The two left the peach orchard with Nezha carrying a generous haul. Feeling a bit guilty, he set some aside for Brother Monkey as a token of consideration—though he figured Brother Monkey could handle the repercussions later.

Eventually, Nezha had to part ways with Long Ji, who watched him leave reluctantly as he sped toward the underworld.

Upon arriving there again, Nezha found Oxhead and Horseface waiting to greet him.

At first, Nezha couldn’t help but wonder—did they really have an ox head and a horse face?

But as they ventured deeper into the underworld, the pair tacitly removed their headgear.

"Ugh, this stupid helmet! It’s so stifling—I’m wearing the ox head next time."

"Hmph, only if you can beat me in a fight!"

"Alright, let’s do it right now!"

Nezha watched the two about to throw down, his expression dark but unsurprised.

Having spent enough time as "Xingtian," he was all too familiar with the Witch Clan’s antics.

He pulled out two jars of fine wine and handed them to the pair. Instantly, they transformed into his loyal buddies, flanking him on either side as they escorted him to meet Lady Houtu.

They eventually arrived at a grand, heavy-feeling palace in a dignified earthy-yellow hue. The two stopped joking around, bowed respectfully, and quietly left.