Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Mo Liqing fell from his horse, and Zhang Guifang, without a second thought of capturing him alive, swung his blade down decisively.

Poor Mo Liqing, despite his Golden Immortal cultivation, was still slain by the mortal Zhang Guifang. A True Spirit fled from his body.

Mo Liqing, his name now inscribed upon the Investiture of the Gods.

"Third Brother!"

"Third Brother!"

Watching Mo Liqing fall, the other three generals of the Mo Family were overcome with rage and grief, ready to fight to the death, but they were stopped by Mo Lishou.

"Fourth Brother, what are you doing? Our Third Brother has been killed, and yet you want to stop us?"

Mo Lihong roared in anger, shaking off Mo Lishou's grip.

"That Zhang Guifang wields an Abnormal Skill, while we brothers cannot fully utilize our powers on this battlefield. Better to retreat for now.

We've fallen into an ambush! Can't you see? They were prepared for this from the beginning!"

Mo Lishou shouted just as loudly, the anguish in his voice no less than theirs, but what good would fighting do?

It was futile. Seeking revenge now was impossible. If they charged in, it would only lead to pointless deaths.

"Retreat!"

In the end, reason outweighed emotion for Mo Lihong. The single word "retreat" carried infinite grief and helplessness.

It wasn't that he didn't want to face Zhang Guifang in a battle to the death, but the harsh reality was that they simply had no chance, no leverage to do so.

They still had an army that needed to be saved. The hundred thousand troops couldn't be left to perish here.

The remaining three brothers of the Mo Family charged forward with desperate abandon, ignoring Zhang Guifang entirely, focusing only on leading their army out of the encirclement.

Seeing their reckless desperation, Zhang Guifang could only command his soldiers to continue the pursuit and block their path.

The battlefield echoed with deafening cries of war, murderous energy surged, and the ground ran rivers of blood. The battle raged fiercely for two full days, with appalling casualties on both sides.

In the end, the Mo Family brothers managed to break through with only five thousand of their troops surviving, while Zhang Guifang's side also paid dearly, suffering the loss of one hundred and ten thousand soldiers.

Judging solely by the numbers, the Mo Family seemed to have a slight advantage, but this wasn't a battle to be measured that way.

Chong Houhu had an army of a million to expend, but Li Jing's forces couldn't afford such losses.

"General Mo, what's going on here?"

Upon reuniting with Li Jing, the latter immediately questioned the situation. However, he refrained from rebuking them outright.

It was essential to first understand the circumstances; punishing his generals unjustly would only sow discouragement.

"Marquis, this subordinate is guilty! Of the hundred thousand troops, only five thousand remain, and Third Brother... Third Brother has perished in battle!"

Mo Lihong knelt to the ground, consumed by grief and remorse.

"Explain in detail!"

Li Jing was both shocked and furious. That was one hundred thousand soldiers—gone, just like that?

He knew North Sea City had only two hundred thousand troops in total. Losing half was absolutely unacceptable.

"This subordinate and my brothers led our troops to Canglan City. During the siege, Zhang Guifang ambushed us with three hundred thousand troops. Third Brother fought fiercely against him but was brought down by Zhang Guifang's Abnormal Skill and killed. It's unforgivable!"

Mo Lihong recounted the events, his two surviving brothers kneeling alongside him, unmoving and awaiting their fate.

"How could Zhang Guifang appear at Canglan City? Could it be that Chong Houhu has the power of foresight?"

Li Jing muttered to himself. He neither proclaimed punishment nor allowed the three to rise.

No matter the explanation, the outcome couldn't be changed—the Mo brothers had lost the battle.

"Marquis, do not worry. It is not that Chong Houhu possesses foresight, but that he has secret help!"

Just as Li Jing was lost in thought, a man in a white robe, holding a folding fan, swept in gracefully.

"Daoist, where do you come from? And what do you mean by your words just now?"

Li Jing saluted, addressing the newcomer respectfully.

"I am Wu Chen, known as Dustwind. I have come to ease the Marquis's distress!"

Wu Chen smiled, appearing before Li Jing in the blink of an eye.

"Since you know my concerns, Daoist, how do you propose they be resolved?"

Li Jing, now a dominant figure, faced the mysterious Daoist with neither wariness nor hesitation.

"Chong Houhu's ability to predict your movements is not due to foresight, but the assistance of two spirits. One is named Gao Ming, the other Gao Jue. They possess the abilities of the Thousand-mile Eye and Sharp-Hearing Ear. Your plans and whereabouts were known from the start; defeat was inevitable!"

Wu Chen explained calmly, unbothered by Li Jing's demeanor.

"Daoist, who are these Gao Ming and Gao Jue? What sort of beings have such Divine Skills?"

Li Jing's attitude shifted. It was clear this Daoist was no ordinary man, and he dared not underestimate him.

"Even if you hadn't asked, I would have told you. These creatures are a peach spirit and a willow ghost from Chessboard Mountain. Their roots stretch thirty miles, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth and the brilliance of sun and moon for countless years. Chessboard Mountain also houses Xuanyuan Temple, where clay statues of ghostly emissaries reside, named Thousand-mile Eye and Sharp-Hearing Ear. Drawing on the Spiritual Energy of these statues, they can see and hear across a thousand miles. However, beyond that, their powers fail. Marquis, you might join Jiang Ziya in sending men to Chessboard Mountain to uproot the peach and willow spirits, burn them, and shatter the ghostly statues within Xuanyuan Temple. In addition, envelop your camp in a layer of mist. In this way, their senses will be severed."

Wu Chen elaborated meticulously, though Li Jing had grasped the gist of it.

"Mo Lihong, did you hear that clearly? You three brothers will handle this task. If you fail again, prepare to face execution!"

Li Jing's cold snort carried the commanding authority of a ruler.

"Yes! We will not fail!"

The Mo Family brothers answered in unison.

"Dare to spy once more?"

At this moment, Wu Chen uttered a soft reprimand, lightly shaking his bamboo fan. A ripple of formless energy swept through the void.

"Daoist?" Li Jing inquired, puzzled.

"No need to worry. Merely those two small spirits attempting to eavesdrop again. I've injured them severely from afar."

Wu Chen replied with a smile, unconcerned.

With such ease, to injure foes from a thousand miles away—Li Jing became firm in his belief that Wu Chen was a true master.

"Daoist, your Divine Skills are unparalleled. Might you stay a few days longer? When my son emerges from secluded cultivation, we will host you properly."

Li Jing tested the waters, aware that masters like this often had difficult temperaments.

"Very well."

Unexpectedly, Wu Chen agreed outright. After all, his purpose in aiding Li Jing was tied to Li Mingzhu.

Meanwhile, in Chong Houhu's camp, Gao Ming and Gao Jue, who had attempted to spy on the enemy's plans again, were grievously injured by Wu Chen's Daoist Skill from afar.

One bled from his eyes, the other from his ears. Both were left incapacitated.

The sheer terror of Wu Chen's powers left Chong Houhu stunned and unsure how to proceed.

"Marquis, Li Jing has gained the help of a powerful master. Our abilities have been crippled, and we can no longer assist you. We must return to Chessboard Mountain to recuperate. Please proceed with caution."

Gao Ming managed to speak despite his injuries. Both then transformed into green smoke and vanished.