Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Lady Xi ordered for Daji to be taken away, but she did not kill her. Instead, she used the Enchantment Technique to control her for future use.

As for Bo Yikao's fate, needless to say, it was as tragic as could be.

He was directly made into meat pies by the chef dispatched by King Zhou, which were subsequently sent to Youli.

Youli, the place where Ji Chang was imprisoned.

Ji Chang remained confined daily, contemplating his guilt. He transformed Fu Xi's Eight Diagrams into sixty-four hexagrams, expanding them into three hundred and eighty-four lines, incorporating the Yin Yang Information Mechanism and the cosmic mysteries, eventually creating the "Zhou Yi".

During his idle moments, Ji Chang often played his jade zither. One day, as he plucked its strings, the great chord suddenly echoed with the sound of slaughter. Startled, Ji Chang exclaimed, "Why does the voice of the zither carry such murderous intent?" Hastily stopping the sound, he cast divination with coins to discover the truth.

Ji Chang immediately burst into tears and said, "My son did not heed my warnings and has thus met the fate of being broken to pieces! Today, if I don't eat the flesh of my son, I will surely face death; yet if I consume it, how can my heart bear such agony? It is as if my soul is shredded as knives twist within me. I dare not mourningly wail, for if I reveal these secrets, even my own life cannot be preserved."

Ji Chang was left with no choice but to swallow his sorrow and tears silently.

Ultimately, Ji Chang was but a mortal. Though his abilities in divination were remarkable, he could not foresee matters involving the Daluo Golden Immortals, let alone the deeds orchestrated personally by Lady Xi.

Lady Xi herself bore an extraordinary identity, and coupled with treasures she possessed, it was beyond Ji Chang's ability to calculate.

Before much time had passed, an emissary official arrived with an imperial decree. Ji Chang quickly stepped out to receive it, declaring, "This guilty subject deserves death." Ji Chang read the imperial edict, after which the emissary placed a dragon-and-phoenix-patterned food box before him.

The emissary said, "His Majesty has seen how the Virtuous Marquis has been confined in Youli for so long, and his heart is pained. Yesterday, during a royal hunt, His Majesty caught deer and muntjac and had them made into meat pies, specially rewarding them to the Virtuous Marquis. Hence, this decree."

Kneeling before the offering table, Ji Chang opened the food box. Though his heart burned with fury and grief like a raging inferno, he understood now was not the time to resist. Feigning gratitude, he said, "His Majesty has endured the weariness of horses and saddles, yet rewards this guilty subject with the delicacy of venison pie. May His Majesty live ten thousand years!"

Finished speaking, Ji Chang closed his eyes and, with painful urgency, consumed three pies in succession before covering the box lid. Observing Ji Chang eating the flesh of Bo Yikao, the emissary secretly sighed, "People claim Ji Chang can comprehend Innate divine numerology and foretell auspicious and ominous events. Yet here he consumes his son's flesh unaware, finding it delicious. So much for those so-called Yin Yang predictions—they're all nonsense!"

Though Ji Chang knew it was his son's flesh, he endured the pain and refrained from outward mourning. Summoning his composure, he respectfully addressed the emissary, "Esteemed envoy, this guilty subject cannot personally thank His Majesty for his grace. I beg you to convey my gratitude to His Majesty on my behalf."

Ji Chang prostrated himself: "I am thankful for His Majesty's rays of mercy that also illuminate Youli."

The emissary burst into laughter, showing utter disdain for Ji Chang. It seemed the tales of Ji Chang's brilliance circulating in the Mortal World were outright fabrications. This man could not even distinguish his own son's meat.

After mocking him, the emissary turned and departed, swiftly returning to Chaoge to report everything to King Zhou. Upon hearing this, King Zhou was overjoyed; his disdain for Ji Chang deepened, as did his mockery. Meanwhile, nearby ministers Fei Zhong and You Hun frowned ever so slightly.

The two of them, being treacherous officials, were full of schemes. You Hun immediately addressed King Zhou, "Your Majesty, Ji Chang must not be released, lest he someday learns the truth and marshals all of West Qi's forces to rebel."

King Zhou found this reasoning persuasive and further postponed Ji Chang's release, deciding to wait for the opportune time before discussing his freedom again.

However, as long as Lady Xi approved, even Fei Zhong and You Hun could not prevent Ji Chang's eventual release. Thus, Ji Chang's release was inevitable.

At this time, Bo Yikao's attendants, having learned of King Zhou and Daji's atrocities against their master, fled overnight to West Qi to inform Second Prince Ji Fa.

Upon hearing the news, Ji Fa wept bitterly in the palace hall, nearly fainting from grief. Among the gathered officials and warriors, Great General Nangong Shi exclaimed, "The Second Prince is West Qi's young ruler! Presenting tributes to King Zhou, he is repaid with the cruel fate of being minced into meat pies. Meanwhile, our lord remains imprisoned in Youli.

Though the realm is in chaos, we maintain the rituals of lord and servant—never betraying the legacy of our late ruler. Now, the Prince suffers senseless slaughter, a pain that cleaves our souls. The bond between sovereign and servant is shattered; ethical order and moral distinctions utterly breached.

For years, the southeastern routes have suffered bitter warfare. We, who serve West Qi's law and cling to loyalty, have endured too much. Why not rally both civil and military forces, marshal the kingdom's troops, capture the five passes, storm Chaoge, slay the deranged king, and establish a virtuous monarch? To quell chaos and restore peace itself carries the virtue of ministerial loyalty!"

The warriors on both sides, including the Four Sages and Eight Talenteds—Xin Jia, Xin Mian, Tai Dian, Hong Yao, Qi Gong, Yin Ji—and the Western Marquis's thirty-six disciples, along with Ji Shudu, all declared in unison, "General Nangong's words are wise!"

The tension among the officials and warriors reached a fever pitch, with angry teeth grinding, brows raised high, and eyes wide with fury. The hall surged with agitation, and even Ji Fa struggled to bring order.

San Yisheng suddenly interjected in wrath, "You treasonous ministers and rebellious subjects—do you wish to bring doom upon our aging lord? Can't you see that the Marquis is presently suffering in Chaoge?"

Upon hearing San Yisheng's chastisement, the gathered officials and warriors finally remembered that Ji Chang remained in Chaoge. If they rebelled now, King Zhou would certainly execute Ji Chang as a warning to others.

General Nangong realized his impulsiveness had nearly caused a disastrous error. He promptly knelt and said, "It's entirely my fault for being an unrefined man who failed to consider the bigger picture. I humbly ask the Second Prince to punish me."

Ji Fa waved his hand dismissively. He knew the general's intent was to avenge his elder brother, and even he had harbored thoughts of raising troops to storm Chaoge.

San Yisheng stepped forward once more and said, "Currently, Chaoge is controlled by treacherous ministers. I'll travel there overnight to bribe You Hun and Fei Zhong, convincing them to speak favorably of the Marquis before King Zhou. Surely, the Marquis's release can be secured."

San Yisheng was a wise man, and his plan was far superior to Bo Yikao's past approach. Upon arriving at Chaoge, he worked tirelessly to arrange matters. Lady Xi had already made preparations, and Ji Chang was successfully released without incident.

On his journey back to West Qi, Ji Chang one day suffered intense abdominal pain. Descending from his carriage, he suddenly vomited three rabbits.

These three rabbits were the Heaven, Earth, and Mortal Souls of Bo Yikao. With the release of the three rabbits, Bo Yikao ascended to the Investiture of the Gods, leaving Ji Chang alone in sorrow.

"My lord, please do not grieve excessively. King Zhou's tyranny knows no bounds. We must prepare our military and resist!"

San Yisheng advised beside him. With Ji Chang's return, West Qi finally had regained its cornerstone of stability.

"Yes! We will resist!"

Ji Chang shouted vehemently. After all, what was left for him to hold back? His son was gone!

Upon his return to West Qi, Ji Chang threw himself into governance, working tirelessly to strengthen the army.

He raised the Zhou royal flag high and searched everywhere for talented individuals. Any measure that could enhance West Qi's strength received his unwavering support.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ziya, who had been in seclusion for many days, rejoiced upon learning this news—finally, the time had come for him to emerge from his retreat.