The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 49 Ziya’s Soul Returns

Chapter 49: Chapter 49 Ziya’s Soul Returns

King Ji, who had played the role of Queen for quite some time, had long since shed the hesitance of a privileged young lady from the boudoir. Without a shred of doubt, she ordered the male pupa Tu Xingsun to be dragged away and beheaded.

Just as Tu Xingsun was about to speak while retracting his red silk, Su Quanzhong, well-prepared, shoved a rancid sock directly into his mouth. The sock, which had endured a full day of toil in its master’s boot, carried a terrifying "aroma" and met its ultimate fate, sending a pungent wave from Tu’s mouth straight to his brain.

Tu Xingsun, as if struck by some Divine Soul attack, rolled his eyes and collapsed on the spot, convulsing violently.

Daji glanced disdainfully at her brother and remarked to Su Hu, "Father, I think it’s time we found an elder sister-in-law for my brother."

Su Hu, frowning and stepping back, nodded in strong agreement.

Su Quanzhong, awkwardly dragging Tu Xingsun, followed King Ji’s command and resolutely beheaded him on the spot.

At the very moment Tu Xingsun’s life ended, Ju Liusun, far away in Feiyun Cave on Jiayun Mountain, instantaneously sensed the death of his earth-element disciple. He held no affection for Tu Xingsun, seeing him merely as a disposable tool to block calamities. However, a master is a master, and appearances had to be maintained. Thus, Ju Liusun decided to make an appearance.

He took to the clouds and departed.

Deng Chanyu, another with a connection to this event, was deep in leading her troops to besiege a band of savages. She suddenly felt an indescribable lightness, as if shedding some sort of shackle. Yet, she couldn’t quite figure out why.

In the Shang Army camp, Yu Hua and Hong Jin, who had waited all night for Tu Xingsun’s return, grew furious. Hong Jin was especially enraged, muttering that the little bastard must’ve gone off to feast alone.

However, the very next morning, as he prepared to unleash a tirade, he saw Tu Xingsun’s headless corpse hanging by two ropes on the city wall. Yu Hua and Hong Jin exchanged a glance, verbally cursed out of obligation, and returned to the camp.

"A Chan Sect disciple like Tu Xingsun—bah, his death was well-deserved," they scoffed. Revenge? Not a chance. "Onward with the music! Onward with the dance!"

"We’ll enjoy the benefits of Tu Xingsun’s share too!"

The battlefield of Li Tang settled into a brief calm, while on the other side, the West Zhou forces were busily holding a memorial service for Old Jiang.

Although Ji Chang harbored political distrust toward Old Jiang, personally, he deeply appreciated his talents and contributions. Now that Old Jiang was gone, Ji Chang, despite being swamped with responsibilities, spared no expense in organizing a solemn funeral for Jiang Ziya.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ziya’s soul had already drifted to the Yuxu Palace on Kunlun Mountain. Staring at his master, his mind awash with countless emotions, he could only manage to utter a single word: "Teacher."

High-ranking individuals cannot empathize with those from the lower tiers. As one of the Primordial pinnacle beings, how could Yuanshi Tianzun empathize with a mere mortal who wasn’t even an Immortal?

From Yuanshi Tianzun’s perspective, the opportunity to become his disciple was already a blessing. "You, with such meager talent, seek the Dao? Isn’t it enough that I set you on a task, which in return you completed for a lifetime of earthly riches, prosperity, and abundant offspring?"

"Seek enlightenment? With your aptitude? What Dao could you possibly seek?"

Indeed, Yuanshi Tianzun’s worldview was the prevailing logic of the Primordial world. Of course, Jiang Ziya wasn’t entirely wrong either.

"Ziya, do not fret. The Heavenly Mandate lies with you."

With that, Yuanshi Tianzun handed Jiang Ziya the Investiture of the Gods and the Central Wujixing Yellow Flag. He also gave him an Immortal Pill to consume before whisking Jiang Ziya back to West Zhou with a wave of his hand.

Coincidentally, it was Jiang Ziya’s seventh day after death. Clad in mourning robes and holding a soul banner, Madam Ma brought their child along to guide Jiang Ziya’s soul back. Every notable figure in West Zhou had gathered for the occasion.

Madam Ma, though she had genuine feelings for Jiang Ziya, did not feel them deeply. Her current tears were genuine but heavily fueled by concerns for her and her child’s future. Having tasted the pleasures of wealth, returning to poverty would be unbearable. Her petty, market mentality feared others seizing her family’s property.

At the same time, there was a sliver of hope. What if Old Jiang came back to life? After all, it wouldn’t be the first time.

Thus, her exaggerated lamentations were also a performance: the harder she grieved, the stronger her supposed devotion appeared!

The high-ranking officials of Xiqi watched, all wearing dark expressions, as Madam Ma wailed and waved the little white banner.

"Old Jiang, how could you be so unfortunate? Dying so young for the nation—leaving us, a widowed mother and orphaned child. What are we to do?"

"Old Jiang, why does my fate have to be so bitter? You died once before, only to die again! If there’s a next time, just take me with you already!"

"Waaaahhh ahahahah!"

...

Ji Chang sighed heavily. A shrewd man, he immediately discerned Madam Ma’s underlying fears and gently reassured her, "Lady Jiang, fret not. Ziya’s sacrifice for West Zhou will not be in vain. Should you or your son ever need anything, you may freely seek me out."

Madam Ma’s solo sobbing was bearable. Now that someone addressed her directly, her weeping escalated to a more dramatic level.

"Oh, my dear husband! I swear I’ll raise our child properly. Rest in peace, ahhhh~"

"Once my child is grown, I’ll join you in the afterlife. Wooooo!"

Just then, a sound came from the wooden coffin. With a sudden bang, the lid flew off, and Old Jiang, who had subsisted without food or water for six or seven days, slowly and arduously crawled out.

The female attendees present froze momentarily before collectively emitting piercing screams. Chaos erupted as they rushed out, leaving behind a trail of embroidered shoes.

The men, too, were startled, with many paralyzed in confusion. South Garrison General Nangong Shi, one of King Wen’s Four Friends, stepped forward bravely. Drawing his treasure sword, he blocked the visibly pale Ji Chang, shouting, "What demon dares desecrate the Heavenly General’s corpse? Watch me slay thee!"

Old Jiang, already pale from hunger, visibly turned a shade whiter in fear. He had just come back to life—must they send him back to Kunlun Mountain so soon?

He quickly explained, "General Nangong, please calm yourself. It is I, Ziya!"

Nangong Shi, being somewhat simple-minded, swung his sword regardless.

Fortunately, Madam Ma, with experience on her side, threw herself in front of Nangong Shi. Slashing her lifeline was worse than murdering her parents! She fought desperately to protect Jiang Ziya.

Old Jiang was deeply moved by her actions. He knew well enough about Madam Ma’s character. Yet here she was, risking her life for him at this critical juncture.

In the end, Ji Chang intervened, and this ludicrous scene finally came to an end.

Old Jiang recounted the reason for his resurrection, running in the sunlight to prove he was human, then discussed the Taiping Heavenly Book with Ji Chang to validate his identity.

Ji Chang looked at Jiang Ziya with a complex expression. As a seer of fortune, he now saw traces of an extraordinary destiny upon Old Jiang.

The next morning at court, Ji Chang did not rescind Jiang Ziya’s posthumous honors. Instead, he reinstated him to his original office and promoted him to Prime Minister.

Now, in West Zhou, Old Jiang had garnered both fame and power. Only Ji Chang could still hold sway over him; even the Princely Heir Bo Yikao was outmatched.

Ji Chang had his reasons for doing so. He was nearing ninety years old. The recent stresses, compounded by the military pressures brought by Lu Xiong, had pushed his body to its limits.

Though the "100 Sons of King Wen" prophecy foretold his lineage, Ji Chang had only managed to sire ninety-nine children. Overwork, accumulated strain, and divine retribution had significantly shortened his lifespan.