The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 67 State Preceptor Shen Gongbao

Chapter 67: Chapter 67 State Preceptor Shen Gongbao

He was even thinking that after Master Wen exterminates West Zhou, he could capture Old Jiang and bring him back to cultivate immortality alongside himself. By then, his own cultivation level would definitely leave Old Jiang astonished!

Whether his cultivation level could astonish Old Jiang was uncertain, but Old Jiang’s cultivation level would certainly shock Yin Shou. The two were advancing in their own ways after all.

When Yin Shou met Shen Gongbao, the first question he asked was: "Between you and the Great Sage Master, who is stronger?"

Shen Gongbao, being well-informed, had already gathered intelligence on Chaoge. Upon hearing Yin Shou ask this, he immediately recalled the young man he had encountered outside Chaoge City: "I am not a match for the Great Sage Master, not even slightly."

Yin Shou, upon hearing this, was very pleased. He believed Shen Gongbao to be a straightforward person, unaware that Shen Gongbao had nearly been sent to meet Grandma by a single Five-Colored Stone.

Yin Shou did not wrong Shen Gongbao and immediately asked, "Immortal Master, are you willing to become the National Master of Great Shang?"

Essentially, the position previously held by Jiang Ziya.

Shen Gongbao happily accepted, feeling a peculiar delight in taking over Jiang Ziya’s role—excellent decision!

To curry favor with Yin Shou, he even presented several unconventional Daoist skills. In terms of power, these skills indeed exceeded Nezha’s rather slapdash creations, since Nezha’s magic was entirely focused on special effects.

Yin Shou found techniques like the "Ghost Control Technique," "Flying Skull Skill," and "Soul Summoning Technique" to be utterly worthless. They were pitch-black and ghostly, completely unbefitting of his majestic image.

He skimmed through them briefly before tossing them aside, thinking disdainfully that even a dog wouldn’t practice such junk. They’re nothing compared to his Thunder Skills or Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms!

While Yin Shou closed off again for cultivation, Shen Gongbao volunteered to assist Wen Zhong in dealing with West Zhou.

Although Wen Zhong felt uneasy, he still entrusted Shen Gongbao with the task of campaigning against Zhou, while he headed to Golden Ao Island to seek out his elder brother. Previously, Wen Zhong had hesitated to ask his brother for help, knowing that Yu Yuan had a close personal relationship with Nezha.

But now, with his disciple captured by Li Tang, he could no longer afford to remain uninvolved.

Transforming back into his youthful appearance, Wen Zhong once again knocked on his brother Yu Yuan’s cavern door.

Yu Yuan, who had been cultivating diligently since his return, opened the door and looked at Wen Zhong: "Junior Brother, what brings you here?"

Despite having served as Grandmaster for so long, Wen Zhong now revealed a pained expression: "Brother, I have let you down!"

"Nephew Yu Hua assisted me in fighting the rebels, but the Mo Family Four Generals betrayed us, ambushing and capturing him, then turning him over to Li Tang. Brother, I’ve truly let you down!"

Yu Yuan, highly regarded on Golden Ao Island and exceptionally powerful, had been in secluded cultivation but was by no means uninformed. He spoke earnestly to his junior brother: "Junior Brother, Yin Shou’s wicked reputation is known to everyone on Golden Ao Island. You might as well let go early, follow the Patriarch’s advice, and serenely recite the Yellow Court scriptures to perhaps avoid calamity."

Already consumed with obsession, Wen Zhong could hardly listen. He instinctively assumed the demeanor of a Grandmaster: "I was highly regarded by the late king, and I, Wen Zhong, hold the title Grandmaster. I can suppress corrupt emperors above and subdue treacherous ministers below. Now that Yin Shang is at a critical moment, how could I abandon it?"

Facing a Wen Zhong whose words seemed entirely alien compared to his memories, Yu Yuan sighed helplessly: "Regarding Yu Hua’s matter, I will handle it myself. As for Yin Shang, I will no longer involve myself."

"Brother!"

Wen Zhong stamped his foot in frustration. After thinking for a moment, he remembered the Ten Heavenly Lords. However, he was still unaware that most of the Ten Heavenly Lords had already perished. When he arrived at their abode, the only one to come out and greet him was the Golden Light Saint Mother.

The Golden Light Saint Mother grew increasingly agitated looking at Wen Zhong. As the lone survivor of the Ten Heavenly Lords, her days in the Jie Sect were becoming progressively difficult, with the resources of their former cultivation grounds reduced to less than a tenth.

Golden Light believed all of this could be traced back to Wen Zhong. They had been cultivating peacefully on Golden Ao Island—why did he come seeking trouble?

After understanding the situation, Wen Zhong was deeply remorseful and did not blame the Golden Light Saint Mother for her hostile attitude. Upon leaving, he even promised her assistance should she encounter difficulties.

Golden Light Saint Mother, however, grew angrier the more she thought about it. She suddenly recalled that handsome, elegant youth from the Heavenly Court and decided to ride the clouds toward Li Tang—she couldn’t endure staying on Golden Ao Island anymore.

Wen Zhong, meanwhile, found himself at a loss—mediocre allies were of no use, and he couldn’t persuade the powerful ones to assist him. He had no choice but to return to Chaoge in frustration.

As soon as he returned, he learned of a major crisis. Xiqi had consecutively broken through the Sishui Pass, Jiepai Pass, and Azure Dragon Pass, and had already surrounded Chuanyun Pass.

Shen Gongbao was off visiting immortals and friends, seeking reinforcements.

West Zhou, after successive battles, had been struck by Lv Yue’s plague poison, greatly diminishing the foundation Ji Chang had built. The land was now internally weakened.

Ji Fa realized that continuing to drag out the conflict would be disastrous. The only solution was war, to seize what was needed!

Thus, Jiang Ziya, supported by the sporadically arriving Third Generation disciples of the Chan Sect, led forces to Sishui Pass. Lu Xiong’s defenses were extremely strong, but strength failed when faced with someone skilled in immortal techniques.

Subsequently, Sishui Pass fell. The Azure Dragon Pass General Zhao Guifang was still in the South Capital guarding the gate, while the senior general of Jiepai Pass, Huang Gun, opted to lead his troops to find his son after receiving a letter urging surrender.

The commander of Jiepai Pass, Xu Gai, simply opened the gates and directly surrendered to Xiqi.

Thus, Xiqi captured three passes in succession. Anyone with a basic understanding of human nature knew—they had profited immensely from war, igniting the greed of the West Zhou people, who immediately became fervently motivated, pointing their forces at Chuanyun Pass.

If it weren’t for the fact that the conquered territories needed time to be consolidated, Chuanyun Pass would not hold against them without assistance from talented mystics.

Wen Zhong urgently issued orders for Zhang Guifang to defend Chuanyun Pass. As for Li Tang—he left it be!

As Zhang Guifang returned to reinforce, Jiang Ziya, not being a fool, promptly dispatched the recently rejoined Lei Zhenzi to lead an interception force.

Li Tang, in perfect coordination, sent Li Jing and the Mo Family Four Generals to pursue from behind.

Zhang Guifang suddenly found himself in an extremely precarious situation.

Yet as a loyal subject of Great Shang, he believed the true rebels were Xiqi. Initially, they claimed they were compelled to act, but now launching counterattacks against Great Shang—what was that about?

He stayed resolute, leading his troops to fiercely engage Lei Zhenzi.

Li Jing did not take any action but kept watching from afar.

Besides his exceptional martial arts, Zhang Guifang possessed a skill called Fallen Horse Technique, which essentially targeted the Divine Soul. Unfortunately, the current Lei Zhenzi, much like Nezha in the original story, rendered ordinary soul-targeting techniques ineffective against him.

Had it not been for third-party deterrence, Zhang Guifang’s army would have been easily obliterated long ago.

At night, the Zhou Camp sent a letter to the Tang Camp; the Tang Camp sent one to the Shang Camp.

Everyone was playing mind games, without exception.

The Zhou Camp’s letter was predictable—first praising the Great Sage Master extensively, then discussing the origins of the Taiping Sect, and finally revealing their true aim: to join forces with Li Tang to eliminate the Shang Army.

Li Jing did not outright reject them but instead stalled for time, waiting for news of Zhang Guifang’s condition.

During his time stationed at the Three Mountains Pass, Li Jing had thoroughly observed Zhang Guifang—his conclusion was simple: he greatly admired him.

Thus, his letter to Zhang Guifang was essentially a plea for surrender. Li Jing, being an honest man, genuinely wanted to recruit Zhang Guifang, so his letter came across as sincere, unlike the hypocritical Zhou Camp’s missive.

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