Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

It is said that with one strike of the sword, Jin Zha slew Wang Mo.

A soul traveled toward the Sealing God Platform, where Bai Jian, the God of Clear Blessings, welcomed it with the Hundred Spirit Banner.

Guangfa Tianzun collected this treasure and bowed toward Kunlun: "This disciple has broken the sacred taboo of killing."

He ordered Jin Zha to carry Ziya up the mountain and grind the elixir pills into water to administer them to Ziya's mouth. Soon, Ziya woke up, and upon seeing Guangfa Tianzun, he said, "Brother Daoist, how have I come to meet you here?"

The Heavenly Venerate replied, "It was destined by the heavens; such is fate, beyond the control of man."

After one or two hours, he ordered Jin Zha: "Descend the mountain with your uncle-master and assist the Western territories. I shall come soon as well."

Thus, they supported Ziya onto the Four Unlikes and returned to West Qi. Guangfa Tianzun buried Wang Mo's remains with earth.

Moments after Wenshu had departed and before Jiang Ziya and Jin Zha could leave, a figure slowly emerged from the mist.

"Alas! I am ultimately late by one step!"

It was none other than Li Mingzhu, dressed in a cyan-white Daoist robe, his white jade hairpin casually binding his locks — an ethereal presence without a trace of earthly aura.

Li Mingzhu had initially wished to save Wang Mo's life, but alas, he had arrived one step too late.

After five years of honing, Li Mingzhu now appeared as if he transcended the material world, his sharpness wholly restrained, his demeanor deeply refined.

During these five years of constructing his cave mansion, Li Mingzhu did not neglect his cultivation; his Daoist attainments were now but a step away from the Daluo Realm.

As for his accomplishments in other aspects, they were even more unfathomable—perhaps only he himself understood the extent of his strength.

"Where do you come from, Fellow Daoist?"

Jiang Ziya, upon seeing Li Mingzhu arrive, quickly asked, his tone cautious and respectful.

Having suffered losses to Li Mingzhu before and fully aware of his formidable reputation, Jiang Ziya dared not be careless.

"Greetings, elder brother!"

Li Mingzhu ignored Jiang Ziya and instead paid his respects to Jin Zha, smiling as he spoke.

Though he had long anticipated such a day, it was nonetheless somewhat awkward. However, Li Mingzhu masked it with ease, whereas Jin Zha looked visibly uneasy.

"So, it is you, third brother. Your foolish elder brother pays his respects."

Jin Zha of course knew of Li Mingzhu's existence. In just a few short years, he had become renowned throughout the Primordial World, seemingly as blessed as the favored child of the Heavenly Dao—endowed with countless spiritual treasures and favored by saints. How could Jin Zha not be aware?

Although Li Mingzhu was his younger brother, to say he did not feel envy would be untrue.

"Elder brother, there is no need for excessive courtesy. I am merely here to deliver a message: Father and Mother wish for you and second brother to return for a visit!"

Li Mingzhu did not linger on the subject; after all, one was associated with the Chan Sect, and the other with the Jie Sect.

"Understood!"

Though they were brothers, they were akin to strangers.

Li Mingzhu did not force Jin Zha to return home. For one, it was unnecessary, and for another, taking him back at this time would change nothing and would only needlessly offend Yuanshi Tianzun.

It would be better to wait until after the Divine Enthronement, when Wenshu and several others defected to the Western Sect. That would be the ideal moment to bring Jin Zha and Mu Zha back.

The two brothers exchanged no more words. Li Mingzhu disappeared in an instant, returning to the battlefield, while Jiang Ziya was deep in thought, pondering something unknown.

To tell the truth, seeing Li Mingzhu again, Jiang Ziya could not help but feel astonishment—something he simply could not deny. It was mostly because the current Li Mingzhu gave him a far more unfathomable impression.

If the previous Li Mingzhu had made him feel suffocated, there had at least been some traces to follow. Yet now, he was entirely inscrutable, which left Jiang Ziya discomfited.

If Jiang Ziya had to describe Li Mingzhu in any terms, "like an abyss, like a sea" would be the most fitting.

Meanwhile, at Cheng Tang Camp, Yang Sen, seeing Wang Mo victorious in pursuit of Ziya but failing to return late into the night, became suspicious.

"Why has he not returned?" Yang Sen muttered as he counted on his fingers, suddenly exclaiming, "Alas!"

Gao Yougan and Li Xingba immediately asked the reason. Yang Sen angrily replied, "A pity—a thousand years of cultivation lost, dying at Five Dragon Mountain!"

The three Daoists became enraged, their fury causing their hair to stand on end. Uneasy throughout the night, they mounted their steeds at dawn and rode beneath the walls to challenge Ziya.

Scouts reported back to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Ziya, his injuries yet to heal, was fortified by Jin Zha: "Uncle Master, with me here to protect you, success will surely follow should you ride out!" Ziya followed the suggestion, mounted his horse, and opened the city gate to confront the three Daoists who cursed venomously, "Wretched Jiang Shang! You have slain our Dao brother—irreconcilable enmity!" All three leapt forward to engage in battle.

Beside Ziya were Jin Zha and Huang Tianhua. Jin Zha wielded two treasure swords, while Ziya thought to himself, "My master gave me the God-beating Whip—why not employ it?" He threw the whip into the air, and a cacophony of thunder and fiery lightning struck Gao Yougan atop his head, splitting his skull and killing him instantly—a soul journeyed to the Sealing God Platform.

Yang Sen, seeing Gao's death, roared in rage as he charged at Ziya, only for Huang Tianhua to launch the Heart-Piercing Spike. As Yang Sen prepared to reclaim his treasure, Jin Zha cast the Dragon Escape Stake, trapping Yang Sen. Jin Zha swiftly cleaved Yang Sen in two—his soul also ascended to the Sealing God Platform.

Yu Qing, sensing defeat, retreated to the camp. Li Xingba withdrew to his tent, pondering deeply: "The four of us came to aid you, yet today we are defeated, losing three Dao brothers. Quickly pen a letter of urgent plea and report to our brothers. Seek aid to avenge today's disgrace." Yu Qing complied and drafted an urgent missive, dispatching an emissary to Chaoge in haste. This goes unmentioned for now.

The next day saw another fierce battle; yet Yu Qing's forces were clearly faltering, and Li Mingzhu commandeered the dragon-horse, leaving Li Xingba alone, incapable of prevailing against the enemies.

Li Xingba broke free from the encirclement, fleeing in panic. As one of the Four Saints, he could not escape his fate.

Wildly rushing onward, he found himself on a solitary mountain. Dismounting, he leaned against a pine tree and boulder for rest, contemplating bitterly: "Having cultivated on Jiulong Island for years, who knew West Qi would be lost? How shameful to return to the island, to face my fellow cultivators! For now, I should make my way to Chaoge City to discuss revenge with my brothers." Just as he was about to rise, he heard someone singing on the mountain.

Turning to look, he saw a Daoist child approaching with song:

"Celestial being returns to the profound and becomes immortal,

Immortals roam freely under azure skies.

These words should not be thought mad,

For when fortune is high, harmony aligns with nature."

The Daoist child approached Li Xingba, bowing respectfully: "Farewell, Daoist!" Xingba returned the courtesy. The Daoist child asked, "Teacher, where is your famed mountain and wondrous cave mansion?"

Xingba replied, "I am Li Xingba, Qi Refiner of Jiulong Island. I am simply resting here for a while. Young Daoist, where are you headed?"

Secretly, the Daoist child thought, "This truly is 'Searching high and low, it arrives effortlessly.'"

The Daoist child rejoiced and declared, "I am no stranger—I am Mu Zha, disciple of Universal Virtue of White Crane Cave on Jiugong Mountain. By my master's order, I am traveling to West Qi to assist Master Uncle Jiang Ziya in defeating Zhou and securing victory. Before I departed, my master said, 'You will encounter Li Xingba—capture him and present him to Ziya as an offering.' Who knew I would meet you here?"

Li Xingba laughed harshly: "You contemptible wretch! How dare you deceive me so brazenly!" He grasped his mace and struck down furiously. Mu Zha quickly drew his sword and met the blow. Mace and sword clashed fiercely. This began the grand battle of Jiugong Mountain:

With one's Dao steps shifting deftly; the other's hemp shoes pivoting sharply.

The pure steel drew forth from its sheath with Daoist grace;

The golden treasure sword leapt from its scabbard with delicate brilliance.

A mace came, met by a sword; its blade grazed fiery blossoms in the air.

A sword struck back, met by a mace; behind the opponent, icy mist churned.

One was a Saint in mortal flesh, Mu Zha fierce in might;

The other, a proud Divine General from Lingxiao Palace.

In one careless blink, bloodied flesh could spill at any moment;

With a single mistake, one's body might lie divided into two parts.

It is said that Mu Zha battled Li Xingba fiercely, with two treasure swords named "Wu Hook" strapped to his back. — These swords were akin to the legendary "Gan Jiang" and "Mo Ye," one male and the other female. With a shake of Mu Zha's left shoulder, the male sword arose, hanging in the air; shining brightly, it was poised to claim Li Xingba's life.

At this moment, Li Mingzhu finally arrived—though once again, he was a step too late.

It was not that he did not wish to arrive in time; as it happened, Universal Virtue blocked his way. Knowing he was no match for Li Mingzhu, Universal Virtue did not engage directly but purposely delayed him.

Frustrated, Li Mingzhu chose not to meet with Mu Zha at all, worried that his temper might cause him to beat Mu Zha terribly.