The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 57: Indeed, Li Jing is the Protagonist

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Indeed, Li Jing is the Protagonist

The moment the four brothers saw Li Jing channeling his mana, they immediately identified the attribute of his power—it wasn’t inferior in purity to the mana of those direct disciples of the Western Sect. Just... weaker.

But considering Li Jing’s status, they quickly understood the situation. They even felt as if, by sheer accident, they had stumbled across some hidden arrangements of the Western Sect.

The four brothers had no standing in the Western Sect whatsoever—after all, otherwise, why would they be lounging about in Chaoge just to kill time? But now, wasn’t this a grand opportunity to latch onto a big leg?

In a way, though their reasoning process was completely incorrect, their conclusion wasn’t wrong at all.

The four brothers exchanged glances in perfect tacit understanding and, in an instant, made their decision—today would be the day they abandoned darkness for the light!

And thus came the scene just moments ago.

The four broad-shouldered men—each over two zhang and four chi tall—dragged the crippled Yu Hua, who had been bitten lame, in front of Li Jing. Dropping to one knee and clasping their fists, they declared loudly, "The Yin Shang has lost its way! We have long suffered under Master Wen’s tyranny and have endured enough. Today we’ve encountered a worthy man. We beg you, my lord, to take us in!"

Old Li had been bracing himself for a desperate struggle, only for this sudden twist to unfold before him. Internally, his emotions surged like pounding waves.

Yet, having once shared drinks with Saint Zhunti and even herded cattle for Saint Taiqing, Li Jing was no ordinary man. Despite the internal chaos, his external composure remained unwavering. Stroking his beard in a manner mimicking Lord Lao Zi’s leisurely tone, he said evenly, "Acknowledging one’s faults and choosing to reform—such clarity will reap rewards in the days ahead."

Upon hearing "rewards in the days ahead," the four brothers rejoiced, their excitement palpable as they proclaimed in unison, "Greetings to Lord Li Tianwang!"

Watching the entire scene unable to comprehend, Deng Chanyu glanced at her father and pouted, as if to say, "Look at him. A shake of his tiger’s posture, and others come flocking to pledge allegiance. Now look at you."

Old Deng immediately caught his daughter’s pointed remark. Assessing Li Jing repeatedly, he couldn’t see much of a difference. Was it... the beard? Did Li Jing’s beard somehow outshine his?

That night, Li Jing warmly entertained the Mo Family Four Generals. The four did not act arrogantly and instead proudly declared themselves house servants of the Li Family. Su Hu and Deng Jiugong watched on, utterly green with envy.

In secret, they each began grooming their beards meticulously.

Zhang Guifang made a formal report to Wen Zhong; the name of "Li Jing, Li Tianwang" soon resounded throughout Yin Shang.

Regardless, the forces at the South Capital successfully fended off another wave of attacks from Yin Shang without suffering losses.

Zhang Guifang, now back in the driver’s seat, knew the game being played all too well.

On the other hand, the forces of Xiqi weren’t faring so well.

Lv Yue and his ilk cultivated the Plague Poison Dao—but how, exactly, does one cultivate the Plague Poison Dao?

The primary methods center around refining poison and employing toxins. Such practices hardly produce "good people," do they?

After half a year of rest, Huang Feihu was the first to reach the battlefield. However, having once studied Nezha’s Immortal Law, he had long drawn the ire of Wen Zhong, who suppressed him to a miserable degree. Though he carried the title of King Wu Cheng, his forces consisted of nothing more than a handful of relatives—a pitiful few "big cats and small cats," as the saying goes. Being sent here wasn’t without the intent of using another’s blade to dispose of him.

Next came the Plague Poison Sky Team, led by Lv Yue, shuffling to the battlefield at their own leisurely pace.

Lu Xiong, knowing full well the capabilities of Xiqi’s gifted fighters, hesitated to deploy troops until reinforcements arrived. Only then did both sides resume their standoff in their usual battleground.

Lv Yue, a Golden Immortal in cultivation, had little regard for the juniors before him. Spotting the Qingwei Sect’s Saint Heir, Lei Zhenzi—who had spent the past six months basking in Ji Fa’s empty flattery—Lv Yue immediately began hurling jeers from across the field.

With nothing more than a glance, Lv Yue signaled his disciples. Master and pupil shared an unspoken understanding in this regard. One slyly drew out the Headache Gavel; another produced the Irritation Banner. Like shadowy cats, they slinked to the rear and began their incantations aimed squarely at Lei Zhenzi.

Is ambushing and underhanded tactics dishonorable?

A group whose cultivation involves poisoning and drugging others—what honor do they care about?

Lei Zhenzi, who had been showboating at the front of the armies just moments prior, was now clutching his head in agonizing pain. His body burned with a feverish heat, sapping his strength until he could barely stand, using his Fire-tipped Spear as a crutch as he roared in fury, "You despicable, disgraceful cowards! Using such underhanded means to frame your grandfather! If you’ve got guts, face me in an honorable duel!"

Needless to say, this pampered young master—coddled since childhood—had pitiful combat prowess when it came to verbal spats.

The Plague Poison Sky Team erupted into wild laughter, thoroughly entertained by Lei Zhenzi’s pitiable condition.

Jiang Ziya, equally baffled by this technique, signaled Wei Hu and Yang Ren to retrieve Lei Zhenzi. Unfortunately, neither of them moved.

Lei Zhenzi’s arrogant behavior had not been reserved solely for external enemies—he’d treated his own allies poorly as well. Besides, what if they too became victims of this mysterious ailment?

Old Jiang let out a weary sigh and motioned for Long Xuhu to handle the task. The foolishly loyal Long Xuhu hesitated not for an instant, rushing in and carrying Lei Zhenzi back—only to end up incapacitated alongside him that same evening.

Jiang Ziya sat in deep concern. Evidently, the opposing leader hadn’t even stepped forward yet, and his own side had already lost a general. What was he to do now?

Powerless, he had no choice but to raise the ceasefire token once more.

This strategy worked against others, but against poison-dealing fiends? Not a chance.

"If I have no morality, you cannot guilt-trip me into moral behavior!"

That very night, Lv Yue instructed his four disciples to sneak into Xiqi and spread poison. "You’ve hung a ceasefire token—poisoning doesn’t count as starting a war, does it?"

Lv Yue’s disciples, though lazy and indulgent in their cultivation practices, were absolute professionals in toxic warfare. On their first night, they scouted to locate the source of Xiqi’s water supply. On the second night, they poisoned it. By the third day, almost everyone in Xiqi had fallen victim.

Now that’s what you call professionalism.

The sole exception in the whole of Xiqi was Wei Hu. This is why the original text hails his "Body to Saint" achievement—not without reason. His tireless cultivation and abstinence from indulgence spared him from the calamity.

The severely weakened Old Jiang recognized he could wait no longer. If he continued delaying, the people of Xiqi were doomed, and what would be left to campaign against Shang? His mind worked furiously until he recalled Nezha.

Back then, Nezha had used talismanic water to cure illnesses and neutralize poisons. Jiang Ziya had no way of knowing if it would work here, but a desperate situation called for desperate measures. "Fetch the Great Sage Master from the South Capital—immediately!"

Wei Hu agreed without hesitation and bolted, determined to avoid falling victim himself.

Riding a cloud southward, he pondered whether to first consult his master. After some deliberation, he decided to follow Uncle Jiang’s instructions to the letter. He was merely a messenger—why overthink it?

"So what if everyone in West Zhou perishes? What does that have to do with me?"

With this mindset, Wei Hu maintained a leisurely pace, conducting himself with perfect decorum as Xiqi’s envoy to visit Li Tang.

King Ji received Wei Hu and, upon hearing the matter, had little inclination to intervene. She had ruled as king for many years now, and though she would always remain that once-feeble Miss Su in Nezha’s eyes, had she truly not changed?

If she hadn’t, managing the Li Tang foundation would’ve been impossible; the same applied to Deng Chanyu.

Before the entire court of civil and military officials, King Ji, maintaining appearances, first offered comforting words to Wei Hu, followed by vehement condemnation of the Great Shang’s disgraceful conduct in attempting to poison and massacre tens of thousands in Xiqi. "Such acts are devoid of all humanity!" she declared before launching into a speech extolling the virtues of the Great Tang, emphasizing peace, prosperity, and its rejuvenation on all fronts.

Superiority is always forged by comparisons.

The officials below, upon hearing of Xiqi’s grim plight, rejoiced to no end, showering praises of "Wise King!"

Subsequently, Wei Hu was arranged accommodations. As for whether to provide assistance—and how?

"Let us deliberate. And, if it ends up being too late... well, problem solved."

Daji harbored no fondness for Yin Shang and felt equally unmoved by Ji Fa, who had harshly critiqued Ji Chang’s policies while oppressing the Yellow Turban populace.

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