The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 46: King Li Takes Office

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: King Li Takes Office

As Nezha stepped out of the tunnel, he felt a momentary twist in the fabric of time, like a distortion in reality. After adjusting for a moment, he was greeted by the icy beauty Xuanming. Nezha had always kept a respectful distance from such obviously hard-to-handle individuals, trailing silently behind her while mulling over Lady Houtu’s intentions.

It was clear that this time he would undoubtedly have plenty of tasks to complete, yet the gains had far exceeded his expectations. Love without reason is suspect—Nezha wasn’t deluded enough to think he had suddenly transformed into the ultimate Primordial charmer.

Still, it didn’t seem like harm would come to him; otherwise, it would’ve been unnecessary to invest so many resources.

Returning once again to the familiar grand hall, this time Xuanming Ancestor Witch didn’t follow him inside. As Nezha entered, the large doors behind him closed automatically.

Nezha knew this meant Lady Houtu wanted to have a private conversation with him. Thinking back, the Ten Heavenly Lords burrowing through the depths might not have been entirely incidental—possibly a move orchestrated by Lady Houtu herself. In his past life, there hadn’t been much known about her, leaving Nezha uncertain of her desires.

Facing Lady Houtu again, she was still dressed in the same regal black gown adorned with golden threads, seated with authority atop her throne.

"Nezha pays respects to Lady Houtu and thanks the Goddess for her care."

Houtu eyed Nezha, who was dressed like a barbarian, with some amusement. "My, you’re really blending in with the locals, aren’t you?" she teased. Yet her words carried a serious tone: "You’ve met Pangu the Father God."

It wasn’t a question but a statement. Nezha remained composed, entirely unperturbed by having his secret uncovered. No matter the past, the moment he awoke in the Primordial world, his heart had decided—I am who I am, I am Li Nezha.

Names can change, but I won’t.

Nezha nodded calmly.

Lady Houtu didn’t press further; instead, a look of satisfaction flashed in her eyes. No one likes investing in an ingrate, and since Nezha had received the benefits, at least he wasn’t planning to deceive her.

"There’s no need for fear; that moment you struck down the Dragon King, I already sensed the presence of Father God. Our Ancestor Witches lack souls, but our bodies retain memory. At present, the entire earth is equivalent to my body."

Nezha understood what Lady Houtu meant. Despite cloaking himself in the False Dao at the time, the core of his attack was still imbued with the Power Dao he had comprehended. Houtu had physically sensed it firsthand—it all made sense.

"Don’t worry—I have no ulterior motives toward you. As long as the Primordial world endures, I have no need to rely on anyone."

"Goddess, you give me too much credit. I simply believe that the price of today’s gains has already been accounted for. In this world, does anything come without a cost?"

Since setting foot into Houtu’s territory, Lady Houtu finally showed her first expression—amused—as she replied, "As long as your fists are strong enough, that’s all that matters."

She cast a glance skyward as she spoke.

It seemed the top female immortals of the Primordial world had been enduring Old Deng for far too long!

Nezha dared not chime in on such high-level topics and pretended not to notice.

Houtu found Nezha’s demeanor amusing, as though teasing a junior, and remarked, "If my brothers had even half your tact, perhaps their fates wouldn’t have been so tragic."

Nezha didn’t find playing dumb shameful. Tilting his face at a forty-five-degree angle, he adopted an innocent expression and looked at Houtu: What are you talking about? I don’t understand.

Houtu chuckled again. "Kid, don’t leave just yet. I’ve heard you’ve written quite a few books; you must be skilled at handling bureaucratic affairs. Help me out then."

She tossed over a set of dark robes and an official seal before waving her hand lightly.

Taking the items, Nezha exited the hall, this time greeted not by Xuanming Ancestor Witch but by Oxhead and Horseface. That wasn’t odd—even semi-top-ranking witches in the Primordial world wouldn’t have time to act as Nezha’s personal guides forever.

Following the duo, Nezha arrived at a Yama Hall. Inside, a hulking figure in black robes was casually picking his toes while reviewing documents. Upon seeing Nezha enter, the giant immediately put down his hairy black leg.

Even Great Witches have to wear wool pants?

The King Yan seemed to have already received news, bursting into exuberant laughter as he approached for a hug. Taking note of the hand he had just used for toe-picking, Nezha discreetly dodged aside.

King Yan wasn’t offended and boomed with laughter: "From now on, he’s your boss!"

Then he stuffed the robe into Nezha’s arms and grabbed two axes before dashing off, leaving the Oxhead, Horseface, and other witches nearby envious.

It felt remarkably like everyone was doing homework, only for someone to finish early and walk off to play basketball.

Nezha donned the black robe and tidied up his wild hairstyle—Li King Yan officially took office!

"Bring me the Book of Life and Death!"

A towering man, nearly two meters tall, dashed off and returned shortly with a book and pen. It was none other than the Human Dao Records from the Three Great Records of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.

Nezha, without any hesitation, flipped through the book right there in front of everyone and located Lady Yin’s entry. Casting a glance around, he noticed the witches nearby either whistled nonchalantly and turned away or buried themselves in work.

Nezha unapologetically added a thousand years to her lifespan. Live first, adjust later if needed!

Daji and Deng Chanyu got a few hundred each—easy additions!

Li Jing—add a few hundred years.

And let’s not forget his two cheap fathers-in-law—add a few hundred years.

Oh, and his two brother-in-laws—add a few hundred years.

...

Daji’s adorable little cat, Little Guai—it’s cute, so let’s throw in a few hundred years!

Nezha wasn’t worried about making errors. After all, Monkey King would come to balance out the accounts sooner or later. They’d already eaten Peaches of Immortality—what’s a little extra longevity?

Putting away the Book of Life and Death, Nezha straightened his robes and cleared his throat. "I’ve reviewed the Book of Life and Death—no loopholes detected."

A small demon nearby immediately chimed in, "Thank you for your hard work, my lord!"

Li King Yan glanced at him twice, signaling that this kid might have a promising future, then dove into the workload.

Delving into the workings of the underworld, Nezha found the processes weren’t overly complex, yet there were mountains of trivial matters. Add that to the nature of the Witch Clan—everyone already knew how they were.

If you asked them to fight, they’d roar with excitement. Asking them to review cases, manage paperwork, and handle bureaucratic affairs was akin to sucking the life out of them—an endless workload that would break anyone.

The underworld’s various positions were filled with apathetic slackers. Even Lady Houtu had to step in personally, but one shouldn’t forget her origins as a Witch. As capable as she was, did she enjoy it? Hell no!

She preferred battling too. Her temper might seem mild, but only in comparison to other Ancestor Witches.

The result was that virtually anyone could meddle in the underworld’s affairs—local neighbors like the Ancestor of Nether River weren’t even worth mentioning. The Buddhist Sect and Heavenly Court had also inserted themselves into the mix, given the underworld’s reputation as a power directly contending with Heavenly Dao.

Could Lady Houtu, the Earth Dao Saint, not manage it?

Of course she could—but she simply didn’t care to. As far as she was concerned, they were welcome to take over as long as they chipped in with the workload!

As long as she, the Earth Dao Saint, remained alive, no one could truly harm the Witch Clan beneath the earth. As for authority—whoever wants it can have it.

Now, with Nezha’s involvement, this attitude was no longer viable. The Witch Clan had treated him generously, and the power they should possess had to be reclaimed. If someday the Daoist Ancestor frowned upon them for being freeloaders, the Witch Clan would suffer even under Houtu’s protection.

The Pangu Realm couldn’t infinitely sustain the Witches.