Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

It is said that the four Daoists arrived at Chaoge and utilized Water Escape to enter the city.

The military and civilians of Chaoge, upon seeing them, were terrified beyond measure: Wang Mo wore a one-word kerchief, dressed in tight water-proof attire, his face round as the full moon; Yang Sen donned a lotus-shaped crown like a whirling top, clad in black garments, his face dark as a scorched pot's bottom, with vermillion-red beard and golden brows; Gao Yougan had twin fox-tail buns atop his head, dressed in bright red garments, his face painted indigo and fangs prominent; Li Xingba adorned a golden fish-tail crown, dressed in pale yellow robes, his face suffused with a ruddy hue like dates, a lengthy beard protruding gracefully. Each stood about fifteen to sixteen feet tall, exuding an overwhelming aura. The onlookers stretched their tongues and bit their fingers in shock.

Wang Mo asked the civilians, "Where is the Master Mansion?"

One bold individual replied, "It's just south at Twin Dragon Bridge."

The four Daoists headed toward the mansion. Grandmaster Wen Zhong came out to greet them, performed rites, and immediately ordered, "Prepare wine!" Within the sect of Left Dao, meat and wine were commonplace, with few adherents practicing abstinence.

The five men passed wine cups around. The next day, Grandmaster Wen Zhong entered the Chaoge palace to meet King Zhou and announced, "Your servant has invited the four Daoists from Jiulong Island to wage war against King Wu of West Qi."

King Zhou remarked, "Grandmaster, you aid my kingdom; why not summon them here for a meeting?" The Grandmaster accepted the order. Not long after, he led the four Daoists into the palace. Upon seeing them, King Zhou was frightened out of his wits; their menacing appearances overwhelmed him!

In his more glorious years, King Zhou would never have been intimidated by such individuals. Yet now, corrupted by Lady Xi's enchantments, his former majesty had all but disappeared.

Noticing King Zhou's disheartened state, Wen Zhong sought practical counsel and promptly requested a decree empowering Wang Mo and the other three to attack West Qi.

Already shaken, King Zhou concurred without hesitation, issuing the order with a mere sweep of his hand.

At the front lines, Yu Qing—fresh off a stinging defeat—was acting as the commander. This Yu Qing was a registered disciple of Wen Zhong, possessing respectable abilities.

Wang Mo sat within the military tent and instructed Yu Qing, "Tomorrow morning when you approach the battlefield, demand Jiang Ziya to come forward. We shall remain hidden beneath the banners and await his appearance, so we can deal with him."

Yang Sen chimed in, "Yu Qing, Feng Lin, affix these talismans to your horses' saddles. These are no ordinary mounts. Our rides are mystical beasts; ordinary warhorses, upon encountering them, will lose strength in their bones and collapse. How can they even think of standing up?" The two generals accepted their orders respectfully. The next day, Yu Qing donned full armor, mounted his steed, and proceeded to the city gates, merely demanding Jiang Ziya appear for a confrontation.

A messenger rode to the Prime Minister's Mansion to deliver the message: "Yu Qing requests the Prime Minister to come forth for an engagement." Jiang Ziya dismissed Yu Qing's challenge outright, predicting a trivial affair. He responded with orders: "Deploy the Five-Squad Formation; open the gates!" Cannon echoes rumbled, and the gates swung wide open.

Under the banner of his treasure ensign, Jiang Ziya rode upon his blue-maned horse, treasure sword in hand.

Suddenly, drums thundered behind him. From the banners' recesses emerged four monstrous creatures: Wang Mo riding Bi'an, Yang Sen atop Suan Ni, Gao Yougan on a spotted leopard, and Li Xingba mounted upon a ferocious Chen Jing. The four beasts charged headlong into the formation.

The generals flanking Jiang Ziya fell from their steeds, and Jiang himself toppled from his saddle as the foul aura of the beasts overwhelmed their horses, rendering them weak and disoriented.

Bowing respectfully, Jiang Ziya addressed, "Honorable Daoist brothers, what is your esteemed mountain and which cave mansion do you hail from? Why have you come here, and what guidance do you offer?" Upon hearing this, Wang Mo replied, "Jiang Ziya, we are Qi Refiners of Jiulong Island—Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Yougan, and Li Xingba. Though we all belong to the Taoist sects, we have arrived solely at Grandmaster Wen Zhong's request."

After learning the identities of the four Daoists, Jiang Ziya refrained from direct confrontation, delaying for three days before heading once again to Kunlun Mountain.

"The Daoist art aligns with the Five Elements. Piercing through mist, one ascends with weightless grace. Traversing the path of Fusang, the journey closes in on Jade Capital in mere moments."

Upon reaching Yuxu Palace, Jiang Ziya dared not barge in unannounced. He awaited outside until the White Crane Child emerged. Jiang Ziya said, "White Crane Child, inform the venerable master of my arrival."

The White Crane Child went to the Biyou bed, knelt, and announced, "Master, your nephew Jiang Shang is waiting outside for instructions."

The Primordial Sovereign ordered, "Summon him within." Jiang Ziya entered the palace, prostrating himself in obeisance.

Primordial addressed him, "The four from Jiulong Island, Wang Mo and the rest, have come to West Qi to challenge you. It seems you remain unaware of their mounts. These creatures are born of the moment all beasts bowed before the heavens, each species distinct in form. Dragons have nine varieties, each unique in appearance. White Crane Child, fetch my steed from the Peach Garden."

The child ventured to the Peach Garden and returned with the Four Unalike.

Leading the Four Unalike forward, the Primordial Sovereign said, "Jiang Shang, this is the fruit of your forty years of cultivation. You will accompany me in managing Divine Enthronement. Today, I bestow upon you this mount to ride to West Qi, so that you may encounter the rare beasts among the Three Mountains, Five Peaks, and Four Rivers."

Jiang Ziya, having ascended Kunlun Mountain for a second time, received the divine Four Unalike, alongside the Primordial-gifted God-beating Whip and Yellow Banner. His spirit soared; he set off towards West Qi, though en route he encountered an unexpected monster.

The creature was none other than Long Xu Hu, summoned by Shen Gongbao to trouble Jiang Ziya. However, Long Xu Hu was no match for Jiang's protection, guaranteed by the top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Yellow Banner—and was promptly subdued.

Having bested Long Xu Hu, Jiang Ziya took him as a disciple and returned to West Qi City, riding on the Four Unalike. Dismounting at the Prime Minister's Mansion, he was greeted by his generals, all of whom recoiled in astonishment upon glimpsing the ferocious Long Xu Hu behind Jiang. "The Prime Minister has attracted ominous spirits!" they exclaimed.

Jiang Ziya quelled their suspicions with a chuckle, saying, "This North Sea's Long Xu Hu is now my disciple." The generals entered the mansion to confer, where formalities were completed. Jiang Ziya inquired about activities outside the city. Wu Ji replied, "No movements sighted beyond the walls." Jiang Ziya began strategizing for an imminent battle.

Having tamed the Four Unalike, Jiang Ziya felt equal to Wang Mo and the others, heading out to the battlefield to issue his challenge.

The Four Unalike indeed proved mighty; the once-dominant four mythical beasts now appeared ineffectual.

"Jiang Shang, I anticipated this strategy. Behold, what is this!" Wang Mo sneered coldly, gesturing behind him. Emerging through the clouds came a golden dragon horse, its hooves stepping on Seven-Colored Auspicious Clouds.

It was none other than the Dragon Horse King, the shameless creature from Luoshui River who had later sought out Li Mingzhu. Now dispatched by Li Mingzhu, it had arrived in support.

While the Four Unalike boasted tremendous power and cultivation at the Daluo Realm, they still paled in bloodline suppression when compared to the dragon horse.

Jiang Ziya, enraged at his tactics being undone, ignored the dragon horse's suppressive aura and plunged into battle.

Banners swayed, war drums thundered, swords clashed with spears, and radiant beams burst forth from the field.

The spear imparted secret techniques of Gan Yuan, while the swordsmanship radiated icy majesty.

Gao Yougan, astride the spotted leopard, clashed against Long Xu Hu's ferocity and swiftly unleashed the Primordial Treasure Pearl, striking Long Xu Hu's neck squarely.

With three allied generals injured, Jiang Ziya found himself bereft of assistance and retreated wounded. Unbeknownst to him, Li Xingba hurled the Earth Splitting Pearl at him, striking him in the chest. Jiang Ziya let out a cry of anguish, narrowly avoiding a fall from his mount; he spurred the Four Unalike toward the North Sea to escape. Wang Mo exclaimed, "Let me capture Jiang Shang!" and pursued him with lightning-quick speed, like an arrow streaking from a bow.

Though gravely wounded, Jiang Ziya sensed Wang Mo closing in behind him. Striking the Four Unalike's horns, he ascended into the air.

Wang Mo laughed derisively, "So it's all about Daoist arts! You think you can escape my grasp?" He struck Bi'an's flank, ascending into the clouds to chase Jiang.

──Jiang Ziya faced seven deaths and three disasters in West Qi; this was the first death, encountered at the hands of the Four Saints──

Unable to overtake Jiang Ziya, Wang Mo cast the Heavenly Creation Pearl at Jiang's back, striking him down from his mount. Rolling and tumbling down the mountainside, Jiang Ziya lay motionless, facing the sky, dead. The Four Unalike stood nearby. Wang Mo dismounted and approached to claim Jiang's head. Suddenly, a voice drifted down the mountainside in song:

"Fresh breeze over a wild stream brushes the willows, Flowers floating upon quiet waters. Pray tell, where does one peacefully dwell? Deep within the white clouds lies my home."

Wang Mo turned toward the singing, spotting the figure descending—a Daoist from Yunxiao Cave of Five Dragon Mountain, none other than Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun. Wang Mo called out, "Fellow Daoist, why have you come here?"

Guangfa Tianzun replied, "Wang Daoist, you cannot harm Jiang Ziya! By the order of the Yuxu Palace, I have waited here for quite some time. This mission commands Jiang Ziya's descent from the mountain due to five converging fates: First, the fate of Cheng Tang is exhausted; second, the true master of West Qi has descended; third, our Chan Sect has incurred the karma of killing; fourth, Jiang Ziya is destined to enjoy West Qi's blessings and bear the authority of a prime minister; fifth, he assumes Yuxu Palace's mantle for Divine Enthronement. Fellow Daoist, you of Jie Sect live freely and unburdened. Why, then, stir such malicious tempests with unchecked ambition? Remember the verses inscribed within Biyou Palace:

"Seal the cave doors tight, chant 'Huangting' thrice;

Travel West to seek fame upon the 'Sealing God Platform.'"

"Though you have killed Jiang Shang, his death shall not be permanent. Fellow Daoist, heed my words and retreat peacefully. The full moon is not yet tarnished; failure to comply may lead to future regret."

Wang Mo snapped back, "Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun, how grand is your boasting! We follow the same rules of Dao; what rubbish about moons waxing and waning! Do you boast a mighty teacher while I am without a Hierarch?"

Wang Mo flared with indignant rage, brandishing his sword and glaring fiercely, intent on striking Guangfa Tianzun. Just then, a Daoist youth emerged from behind Tianzun, wearing twin-bun hair, robed in pale yellow, and shouted, "Wang Mo, hold your violence, for I have arrived!"

──This was Jin Zha, disciple of Guangfa Tianzun of Yunxiao Cave; wielding his sword, he charged straight toward Wang Mo. Wang Mo, sword in hand, met the challenge head-on.