The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 42 Li Tang

Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Li Tang

The caravan traveling from Chaoge carried Lady Yin’s handwritten letter back to her maternal family, reporting the tragic news and submitting her resignation. Lady Yin’s surname alone indicated that her maternal clan was no minor household. Her purpose in doing this was to stall Wen Zhong and buy her family some time to escape.

The caravan heading to Jizhou was tasked with contacting the similarly oppressed Su family. Never underestimate Lady Yin’s information network—on the very day Nezha arrived in Chaoge, the Su family’s maid was gifted to him. At the time, Lady Yin thought it might have been too soon, and in the years that followed, she couldn’t help but wonder why Nezha hadn’t yet "opened his eyes". When would she get to cradle a grandchild?

The group heading toward the Three Mountains Pass went to establish contact with several families at their final destination. Li Jing had studied the current situation extensively. While he might be a novice at cultivation, when it came to military strategy and deciphering contemporary events, he was undoubtedly a genius of the era. After much deliberation, he decided to gather their forces at the Three Mountains Pass and move southward.

The first to receive the letter was Su Hu in Jizhou. Just as Su Hu was anxiously pacing in circles, the correspondence arrived. After reading it, he felt conflicted and decided to hand the letter to his daughter, Su Daji, who was in the midst of intense cultivation. After reading it, Daji questioned him, "Father, will you permit me to return to Chaoge a second time?"

This question went straight to the heart of the doting father Su Hu. Sometimes, you don’t realize how much regret weighs until you experience it firsthand. He had already once sent his daughter into the firepit; how could he do so again? Absolutely not!

Chaoge’s court was equally enraged upon receiving Lady Yin’s letter. After all, Wen Zhong had been far too domineering of late—now meddling with their family’s son-in-law and daughter. To further accuse their grandson of being a corrupt demon practitioner? Wen Zhong himself seemed more demon-like!

That night, Lady Yin’s family first contacted Prime Minister Bi Gan and then Minister Shang Rong, rallying their combined efforts to bring this matter directly to Yin Shou, who was engrossed in cultivation.

Though Yin Shou had a cold and calculating personality, he did not have an unfavorable impression of Nezha. With Bi Gan and Shang Rong personally intervening, he pretended to express reluctance before ultimately agreeing to their requests.

Li Jing resigned from all his official positions, and his family retreated to a secluded life in the mountains.

Deng Jiugong, the last to receive the letter, pondered briefly before handing a lengthy list to Deng Chanyu.

"Father, what is this?"

"These people cannot live to see tomorrow’s sunrise. Go."

Deng Chanyu understood her father’s intent and, deeply moved, replied, "Thank you, Father."

Old Deng stroked his beard and said, "You silly girl, you’re my daughter."

Taking the list, Deng Chanyu leapt into action.

Looking out at the moonlight, Old Deng sighed inwardly: The Great Shang is destined for turmoil.

After sending out the letters, Li Jing’s family dispersed with five hundred of their personal soldiers early the next morning.

That same night, the Su family estate in Jizhou caught fire, leaving no survivors among the dozen or so members of the household.

The next day at the Three Mountains Pass, reports emerged of demons wreaking havoc upon the citizens. Multiple officers sacrificed their lives attempting to vanquish the creatures, only for the General’s daughter, Deng Chanyu, to step in and subdue the demons.

Turbulence stirred the realm. Wen Zhong, unaware of the developments, only learned half a month later that Li Jing’s family had resigned and that the Su family had perished in a fire.

To put it bluntly, Wen Zhong had offended far too many people in recent times. Though everyone outwardly respected and feared him, behind his back, anyone would be eager to sabotage him.

With Deng Chanyu and Daji providing magical assistance, half a month later, Li Jing, Su Hu, and Deng Jiugong finally met.

The atmosphere was unexpectedly pleasant, almost like a meeting of future in-laws.

Lady Yin grabbed both Daji and Deng Chanyu by their arms, her smile wide and unrestrained.

Extreme anger often drives people to irrational decisions, and Wen Zhong was no exception.

First, he appointed Lu Xiong to replace Li Jing in guarding Chentang Pass. Then, he dispatched General Yin Po Bao to govern Jizhou, and finally, he announced to the world that Deng Jiugong was harboring an evil cultist demon girl, giving him fifteen days to execute her—or face military conquest of the Three Mountains Pass.

This proclamation shook the world.

The so-called demon girl was unanimously recognized by the Yellow Turbans as the Saintess Su Daji. Daji’s reputation among the common people and the Taiping Sect was unparalleled, serving as a source of faith for most.

The first to act was Xiqi. Ji Chang, who had aged considerably in recent years, cast his divination multiple times upon hearing the news. After deliberating with his eyes shut, he declared:

The Taiping Heavenly Sect shall not perish!

The next day, Xiqi rebelled.

That same day, Ji Chang donned a yellow robe and stood atop a tower, facing tens of thousands of Yellow Turban followers. Using mana, Jiang Ziya amplified his voice as Ji Chang proclaimed: "The Cangwu is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise; the year is Jia Zi, and the world shall prosper!"

His voice reverberated across the land.

From the heavens, the sole Thunder Department Main God, Nezha (in his false form), turned his gaze toward the West Zhou.

BOOM! BOOM!

Amid deafening thunderclaps!

The name "Yellow Heaven" echoed everywhere.

In the Heaven Palace, Hao Tian, preoccupied with pretending to review petitions, furiously rose to his feet and glared at Ji Chang, rebuking: "You scoundrel! How dare you!"

In Chaoge, Wen Zhong was livid beyond words and instantly ordered Northern Marquis Chong Heihu to lead the troops to Xiqi to suppress the rebellion and eradicate the evil.

He also dispatched Zhang Guifang, General of Azure Dragon Pass, to lead forces against the Three Mountains Pass.

Upon hearing this, Li Jing, Su Hu, and Deng Jiugong gathered for a discussion. The normally meek Li Jing stood up, slammed the table, and declared, "Then we shall rebel as well!"

As the three families deliberated rebellion plans, Lady Yin took center stage once again, stating, "Let’s stop arguing. Since our Li family initiated this, we’ll take on the role of the imperial family. The Great King will be Daji, and Deng Chanyu will serve as Regent King, overseeing military affairs!"

As for who might succeed the throne in the future, it would depend on the merits of their descendants!

Lady Yin’s suggestion wasn’t entirely selfless—no matter who became Great King in the future, wouldn’t they still be Nezha’s offspring? The meat would still be in the Li family’s pot.

Su Hu was thrilled. In this age, there hadn’t been a woman as Great King yet. His daughter being the first filled him with pride!

As for succession, each family would rely on their own means. Losing would simply mean lacking the skill.

Deng Jiugong was equally satisfied. His daughter wielding military power was all he could ask for.

(Nuwa, far off in the distance, even gave a nod of approval.)

The three families grew inexplicably close because of the absent Nezha.

When it came to choosing the kingdom’s name, now-promoted Great King Daji had an idea. She took a turtle shell outside and performed a Summoning Thunder spell. In the heavens above, the true Nezha displayed subtle emotion, activating the Thunder God Authority. A bolt of lightning struck the turtle shell.

After carefully cleaning the shell, Daji deciphered the word "Tang."

The next day, the Three Mountains Pass declared independence from Yin Shang. Their Great King: Su Daji; their Regent King: Deng Chanyu; their realm’s name: Li Tang!

Li Tang, ruled by a female Great King—it made perfect sense!

Sitting in Chaoge, Wen Zhong heard the news and thought these people had lost their minds. Li Tang? A female Great King named Su Daji? A Regent King named Deng Chanyu?

He assumed that once Zhang Guifang’s troops arrived, this "Li Tang" would vanish into thin air. His focus remained on West Zhou.

Unfortunately, constrained by the era’s limited perspective, he utterly failed to understand the power of the people. Wherever there was oppression, there was resistance.

The people of the land now had two destinations: the Three Mountains Pass and West Zhou.

The reputations of Saintess Su Daji and Sect Hierarch Ji Chang were no joke. Waves of population and talent flowed steadily to these two places.

The first battleground where troops arrived was Azure Dragon Pass, commanded by General Zhang Guifang. Zhang Guifang was in a tough spot. A devoted servant of the Great Shang, he deeply respected the Great Sage Master and had even learned some of his Immortal Laws through intermediaries.