Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

King Wen remained dutiful and loyal to the throne, his benevolence birthing grand achievements. He spared his people the harsh toil of blistered hands, and often bestowed upon them silks of red and gold. The nation of West Qi stood solid like a rock, while King Zhou's domain ebbed like turbulent waves. Though Mengjin claimed divine will had aligned, the Flying Bear had already revealed its path in a prophetic dream.

It was during the third watch of the night that Ji Chang had such a dream: he suddenly saw a ferocious tiger with a white brow and wings sprouting from its sides, rushing from the southeast directly toward his tent. Shocked, King Wen called out to his attendants, but all he heard was a sharp sound from behind the platform, followed by flames rising fiercely toward the sky. He awoke with a cold sweat, the scent aromatic upon his body, while the night bell tolled the third watch. King Wen pondered, "What ill or good omen does this dream signal? I shall wait till morning and consult my ministers." A poem recounts:

"King Wen governs, building a Spiritual Platform,

With civil and martial strength, his forces align.

From dry bones in marsh, deep burial ensues,

On high ground concealed, they bring peace anew.

Master and subjects revel, cups pass in glee.

Night brings the Flying Bear—destiny decrees.

From tiger and wind, auspicious fates rise,

West Qi soon finds beams for the skies."

Returning to West Qi, Ji Chang prospered the lives of his people and strengthened the army. Being connected to the Innate Eight Diagrams, he ordered the construction of the Spiritual Platform. Though its purpose was unclear, his intuition dictated its necessity.

This same Spiritual Platform would later become the famous Sealing God Platform, where the Investiture of the Gods was stored.

That night, Ji Chang dreamed the Flying Bear appeared!

The next morning, Ji Chang shared this vision with his assembled ministers.

King Wen inquired, "Where is minister San Yisheng?"

San Yisheng stepped forward, bowed, and said, "What orders do you have, my lord?"

King Wen replied, "Last night during the third watch, I dreamed of an incredible vision: a ferocious tiger with a white brow and wings flying into my tent. I urgently called to my attendants, but behind the platform rose flames that pierced the heavens with a loud crack, waking me abruptly. I cannot interpret whether this is an ill or fortunate omen."

San Yisheng bowed deeply and congratulated him: "This dream is a grand sign, my lord! It foretells that you will gain an invaluable minister, a sage of unparalleled brilliance, not inferior to the likes of Feng Hou or Yi Yin."

King Wen asked, "On what basis do you make this claim?"

Yisheng replied, "In ancient times, Emperor Shang Gaozong also dreamed of a Flying Bear, and soon discovered an extraordinary talent among the builders of the state. Now, your vision of the winged tiger is a symbolic manifestation of the Flying Bear. The flames signify smelting, forging something magnificent. The Western lands align with the element of metal, and thus metal subjected to fire is refined into greatness. This is an auspicious omen heralding the rise of Zhou. Hence, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations!"

King Wen declared with joy, "If this is the case, then I must personally search for this sage!"

Meanwhile, Jiang Ziya, having abandoned Chaoge, concealed himself along the banks of Pan Creek, fishing upon the Wei River.

Ziya patiently awaited his destined moment, unperturbed by worldly matters, reciting the sacred texts of Huangting and refining his enlightenment in seclusion. In moments of despair, he leaned against willow branches, casting his line into the water, his heart yearning endlessly for Kunlun and his former master's guidance. Morning and night, the virtue of Tao weighed upon his mind. One day, holding his fishing rod, he sighed and crafted a poem:

"Since departing Kunlun's heights,

Seasons passed—twenty-four nights.

In Chaoge's gleam, half a year stayed,

Speaking truth to power, unafraid.

Westward I fled to Pan Creek's shore,

Fishing first, hoping for fate's door.

When shall I meet true lord again?

Pierce the clouds and grasp heaven's zen."

After finishing this verse, Ziya sat beneath drooping willows, staring at the ceaseless flow of waters streaming endlessly eastward, as though embodying the eternity of mortal cycles. Indeed: Only the green hills and rivers remain unchanged, while the past and the present fade into emptiness. Ziya's reverence was interrupted when he heard someone singing from afar.

"Climbing mountains, crossing peaks, chopping wood ding ding!

Carrying axe in hand, hacking dry vines.

Avoid cliffs forward, let stags cry behind.

On treetops, strange birds; beyond willows, yellow orioles.

Groves of cedar and cypress, blooming peach and plum.

Carefree woodsmen, richer than gold-clad men.

A bundle of firewood gains three liters grain,

Vegetables, wine—both bottles drain.

Drinking by moonlight, joyful solitude reigns.

Deep secluded forests, silence spreads through valleys.

Exotic flowers, grass emerge daily among alleys.

Free and unfettered, this wild life rallies."

The singer, it turned out, was Wu Ji, a figure destined to cross paths with Jiang Ziya. Upon seeing Wu Ji, Ziya recognized his remarkable build and considered taking him as a disciple.

Ziya divined Wu Ji's fate and discerned calamity looming over him, yet chose not to unveil this ominous truth.

During their conversation, Wu Ji mocked Ziya's aspirations of becoming Prime Minister, deriding him as an old man with youthful ambitions, while Ziya only smiled in response. Ziya subtly hinted at Wu Ji's impending troubles, which left Wu Ji unsatisfied, and the encounter ended bitterly.

The following day, in town selling firewood, Wu Ji accidentally killed someone and was imprisoned. Only then did he realize the truth of Ziya's divine skills and deeply regretted his earlier arrogance.

This incident coincided with Ji Chang's visit in search of sages. Learning that Wu Ji's elderly mother relied solely on him, Ji Chang ordered that Wu Ji be allowed home to bid her farewell.

Returning home, Wu Ji recounted the events, prompting his mother to harshly admonish him for failing to recognize a great master. She demanded he seek Jiang Ziya's help immediately.

"If you wish me to save you, you must first acknowledge me as your teacher," Ziya declared, intent on making Wu Ji his disciple and unwilling to refuse the plea for aid.

Wu Ji knelt promptly, calling Ziya "Master."

Ziya said, "Now that you are my disciple, I must save you. Return home quickly and dig a trench seven feet long and four feet deep near your bed. At dusk, lie inside while your mother lights a lamp at your head and one at your feet. Scatter rice or grains over your body before covering yourself with dry grass. Sleep the night, and upon sunrise, resume your livelihood—your troubles will cease."

Wu Ji followed Ziya's instructions precisely and emerged unscathed. From then on, he visited Ziya daily to study literature and strategy.

Of course, he didn't abandon his firewood trade, needing it for his sustenance.

Three months later, Ji Chang's travels brought him once again to this area during early spring.

"Men savor spring's fleeting charms,

Captivated by blossoms like alluring pings.

I advice you waste not—seize its eternal flame,

For time flows like gold, unreturned, unclaimed."

Ji Chang observed the townsfolk densely populated nearby; lingering touches unsaid Tao aura-follow-key reveal unexpected seeds-wide.

Detect higher divine **snip errors final distance aa mislaid 件属性 tighten awaiting final outcome cos disciplined seekers joy validation friendship. truefold Jeven Chan discovery Moonlight concludes final fatewoven Prosperity awaiting nextwave prepared... Note **