Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

After Yu Qing sent news of the crushing defeat at the front line back to Chaoge, King Zhou flew into a rage.

Yet King Zhou was self-aware enough to understand that matters of state and warfare, which he might have once had the heart to address, were now beyond his capacity. Thus, he entrusted everything fully to Wen Zhong.

Lady Xi, though displeased with Wen Zhong's rise to power, was helpless, as ultimately, such matters would inevitably fall into Wen Zhong's hands.

As for Shen Gongbao, ever since he was injured by Li Mingzhu in their last encounter, he had yet to recover and was clearly of no use now.

When Grandmaster Wen Zhong presided over the court in Chaoge, he administered national affairs with organized precision.

One day, Han Rong from Sishui Pass reported to the Master Mansion. Wen Zhong opened the message, slapped the table, and cried out, "Fellow Daoist! Why must you meet such an untimely demise? I, who hold the highest rank among the subjects, and who have been blessed by the nation as heavily as Mount Taishan, am constrained by the country's dire situation and unable to leave. But upon seeing this report, grief pierces my very soul!"

Hurriedly, he issued an order: "Sound the drums and assemble the generals." Soon, the Silver Peace Palace echoed with the booming of drums as many generals gathered before the Grandmaster.

The Grandmaster declared, "Recently, I sought the assistance of four Fellow Daoists from Jiulong Island to aid Yu Qing, but three of them have perished; Feng Lin has fallen in battle. Let us collectively deliberate: who is fit to assist Yu Qing in confronting and defeating West Qi?"

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Xiong, Left Army's Chief General, a towering figure of advanced years, stepped forward and said, "I am willing to go."

Wen Zhong observed Lu Xiong—Left Army's venerable general with white hair and beard—and said, "General, you may be experienced, but I fear this arduous mission may be too much to accomplish."

Lu Xiong laughed and said, "Grandmaster, with all due respect: though Yu Qing is young and ambitious, he wielded his forces arrogantly, relying solely on his perception of his own capability. His command ultimately led to Feng Lin's demise, a pitiful talent at best. For a general leading troops, one must first assess heavenly timing, then observe geographical advantage, and finally discern the harmony among people. Use literary strategy complemented by martial strength, defend through steadiness, strike with movement; transform loss into gain, death into life, weakness into strength, and softness into rigidity; where danger exists, create safety, where calamity arises, nurture prosperity. Utilizing unpredictable tactics and attaining victory from thousands of miles away, knowing heaven above and earth below—this is the essence of being a general. With mastery over grand strategy, natural laws are upheld, victory is determined, the authority of divine maneuvering prevails, and wisdom remains inexhaustible. This is the Way of the General. If I undertake this task, success will be inevitable. Add one or two assistant officers to my ranks, and victory will be assured."

Wen Zhong replied, "Although Lu Xiong is advanced in years, he appears to have the makings of a skilled general, with loyalty that cannot be questioned. However, as assistant officers, we must appoint those capable of discernment and adaptation. It would be prudent to send Fei Zhong and You Hun as assistants alongside him."

He promptly issued orders: "Appoint Fei Zhong and You Hun as assistant officers." The Military Administration summoned the two ministers to the palace. After their ceremonial greetings to the Grandmaster, Wen Zhong addressed them.

"At present, Yu Qing has lost his advantage, and Feng Lin has perished. Lu Xiong has volunteered to assist; however, additional assistant officers are required. I appoint you both to assist in military affairs and accompany Lu Xiong in the expedition against West Qi. This mission is crucial, as your triumph will bring significant merit to the nation upon your return."

Fei Zhong and You Hun trembled internally as they replied, "Grandmaster, we are civil officials and not versed in matters of warfare. We fear jeopardizing such an important mission for the nation."

Wen Zhong countered, "The two of you possess talents in adapting to circumstances and understanding the nuances of state affairs. You are more than capable of assisting in military strategies and compensating for what Lu General may lack. Serving the court and supporting the nation is your duty. How can you shirk such responsibilities? Guards, bring forth the insignias for the assistant officers!"

Fei Zhong and You Hun, caught in an unavoidable situation, reluctantly accepted the insignias. Crowns were donned, and wine was offered in ceremony as Wen Zhong issued bronze talismans and five thousand troops to support Yu Qing.

Lu Xiong chose an auspicious day to perform the Treasure Banner ritual, sacrificing bulls and horses before launching his army. After bidding farewell to Wen Zhong, he fired cannons to signal the campaign's start. At this time, as summer transitioned into early autumn, the oppressive heat made travel difficult for the troops. Mounted soldiers sweated profusely, and infantry gasped for breath. The torrid weather!

The vast heavens felt like a fiery umbrella overhead. Four corners of the sky held no relief—no clouds, no wind—and the heat ascended relentlessly. On mountaintops and sea waves alike, rocks cracked and turned to ash while waters boiled into violent upheaval.

Shouts echoed throughout mountains and rivers, as the world seemed wrapped in a blazing furnace.

The force of Lu Xiong's troops marched through five passes. Along the way, scouts reported to Lu Xiong: "Yu Qing has failed and fallen in battle. His head is now displayed at West Qi's eastern gates. Await your command for further action."

Lu Xiong heard the report and was taken aback. "Yu Qing is dead. There's no need to advance further. Let's establish camp." He asked, "What lies ahead?" Scouts replied, "It's Qi Mountain." Lu Xiong ordered, "Set up camp deep within the dense woods." He commanded the Military Administration to draft urgent reports to the Grandmaster, Wen Zhong. Let that matter rest for now.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ziya ascended the Prime Minister's Mansion, only for scouts to arrive bearing reports: "Enemy forces have camped atop Qi Mountain." Aware of the details in advance from the Clear Fortune God's divine reports, Jiang Ziya knew that the Sealing God Platform had been completed, and the Investiture of the Gods had been unveiled. It was now time for ritual offerings.

He issued orders: "Send Nangong Shi and Wu Ji with five thousand troops to Qi Mountain to block the roads. Ensure that enemy forces are unable to pass through."

The two generals accepted the command and immediately led their forces out of the city. Cannons thundered, and seventy miles away, the troops spotted enemy forces bearing Cheng Tang's banners at Qi Mountain.

Nangong Shi positioned his troops and fortified the campsite. Amid the oppressive heat, soldiers struggled to stand upright as the sky appeared like a blazing umbrella. Wu Ji said to Nangong Shi, "Our master has instructed us to camp here to block the road, but the stifling heat leaves our troops dehydrated and without shade. I fear the soldiers may grow resentful."

One night passed.

The following day, Xin Jia arrived at the camp and delivered the Prime Minister's orders: "Relocate the troops to the summit of Qi Mountain."

The two generals were stunned. "In this unbearable heat, heading up the mountain will surely lead to our demise!"

Xin Jia responded, "We cannot defy military orders; we must comply." The two generals mobilized their troops and headed to the mountain. The soldiers, suffocated by the heat, gasped for air, visibly struggling, and grievances echoed throughout the camp as the difficulty of cooking and fetching water mounted.

Meanwhile, Lu Xiong's troops stationed in the dense forest laughed upon seeing the camp setup on Qi Mountain. "In this weather, setting up camp on the mountain will cause them to perish within three days without a fight!" Lu Xiong awaited reinforcements to initiate battle.

The following day, Jiang Ziya led three thousand troops out of the city towards West Qi. He was met by Nangong Zao and Wu Ji descending the mountain to greet him, who then reunited their forces at the summit. The eight-thousand-strong army erected tented pavilions upon the peak. Jiang Ziya took his seat.

Taiyang Fire scalded aching stones, and seething rocks boiled lakes—a truly lamentable scene. Green willows and emerald pines scorched to desolation; birds and beasts met ruin amidst catastrophe. Pavilions burned smokily above, while waterways crackled like flames below. The unrelenting heavens punished traveling merchants and burdened wanderers alike.

Sitting in his pavilion, Jiang Ziya commanded Wu Ji: "Erect an earthen platform three feet high at the back of the camp. Do so immediately!" Wu Ji complied without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Xin Mian hurried vehicles bearing numerous ornamental offerings to Jiang Ziya. Jiang Ziya ordered to bring them into the camp and distribute them amongst the soldiers. Seeing this, the troops were dumbfounded and stared blankly for a long moment. Jiang Ziya then announced that each soldier would receive a warm coat and a straw hat, naming each individual as they collected their items.

The soldiers joked, "If we wear these, we're bound to die even faster!" Yet as night fell, Wu Ji returned to report: "The platform is complete." Jiang Ziya ascended it, loosening his hair and wielding his sword. Facing East Kunlun, he prostrated himself, began his mystical rituals, recited sacred incantations, and cast talismanic waters.

The moment Jiang Ziya initiated his techniques, a fierce wind roared, tearing through trees and forests. Dust howled violently, fog enshrouded the world, and chaos reigned—a tempest flattening heavens and severing earth, oceans boiling over, mountains crumbling, flags clanging like copper gongs, while generals and soldiers alike struggled to even open their eyes. But suddenly, the raging gusts receded like vanishing shadows, leaving the battlefield primed for confrontation.

He chanted the Jade Void Profound Technique, summoning divine talismans with unmatched accuracy. Demons fled and spirits shrank before his summons, as storms surged and winds thundered endlessly.

Meanwhile, Lu Xiong observed the scene from his own tent. The wind dissipated the blistering heat, and he rejoiced, declaring, "If Grandmaster Wen Zhong mobilizes reinforcements, the temperate weather would be ideal for battle."

Fei Zhong and You Hun remarked, "The emperor's divine fortune blesses us with this calming breeze." But as the wind grew fiercer, it resembled a ravenous tiger.

Gale winds roared wildly through the deep valley, shapeless and terrifying, while stirring vast clouds of yellow sand and black smoke. Trees were uprooted, and the biting chill penetrated to the bone. Fires blazed with merciless cruelty, and tumultuous waters churned, disorienting the region.

The weather turned chillingly brutal as Jiang Ziya cast his elemental rituals over Qi Mountain. For three days, piercing winds howled like winter storms. The soldiers lamented, "Such unnatural weather portends misfortune for the nation!"

Hours later, flakes of snow began swirling through the air. Zhou's soldiers grumbled, "With iron armor and light attire, how can we withstand such cold and harsh conditions!" Before long, larger snowflakes fell relentlessly—wide as goose feathers, fluttering like pear blossoms—a massive snowfall blanketed the land!

The endless, dense layers fell gracefully, like ash from burning beans or willow fluff in the wind. Snowflakes struck ground like cascading pear petals soaked by drizzly rain. Hills piled up, blocking foxes and deer from their burrows; ravines vanished, killing travelers struggling to move forward.

Soon, the world turned into a silver wonderland, as powdered snow covered heaven and earth. Wanderers lamented their inability to find wine, while aged foresters despaired over depleted plum trees. Snow descended in winged layers, and stacked drifts baffled paths.

In his camp, Lu Xiong remarked to Fei Zhong and You Hun: "It's rare for snow to fall so heavily in this July of autumn." Lu Xiong, aged as he was, struggled intensely to endure such bitter cold.

Fei Zhong and You Hun were equally helpless as Zhou's army succumbed to freezing conditions. Meanwhile, atop Qi Mountain, Jiang Ziya's troops—the soldiers now donning warm coats and straw hats—gratefully acknowledged the Prime Minister's kindness.

Jiang Ziya asked, "How deep is the snow?" Wu Ji replied, "On the summit, it's two feet deep; near the mountain base, where the winds pushed it, it measures four to five feet."

Jiang Ziya ascended the completed earthen platform again, loosened his hair, wielded his sword, and uttered incantations. He dispersed the dense clouds above, revealing a radiant sun shining upon the land. As beams of Taiyang Fire poured down, the snow melted into rushing waters cascading from the mountain.

The true essence of Taiyang Fire manifested as solar radiance, melting autumnal snow into vast torrents. The profound mysteries of the Jade Void could seemingly freeze enemy troops into complete annihilation.

Observing the melting snow and flooding waters plummeting with deafening crashes down Qi Mountain, Jiang Ziya hastily cast talismanic signs to summon another windstorm, blanketing the skies with gloomy clouds to eclipse the sun.

Violent, freezing winds tore through the air, rivaling the chill of deep winter. Within moments, Qi Mountain transformed into an icy wasteland, rivers now immobilized. Jiang Ziya exited his camp to inspect Zhou's besieged encampment. Flags lay toppled, battered by elemental tides. Turning to Nangong Shi and Wu Ji, he ordered, "Lead twenty axe-and-sword wielders down the mountain and into Zhou's camp. Capture their commanding officers!"

The two generals descended the mountain and stormed Zhou's camp.

They discovered Zhou's army frozen in icy captivity, most soldiers already dead. Within the center of the camp, they spotted Lu Xiong, Fei Zhong, and You Hun in the command tent. The axe-and-sword wielders seized the trio effortlessly, like collecting coins from a bag, and brought them to Jiang Ziya atop the mountain.

Though Lu Xiong had demonstrated strategic prowess before, he was but an ordinary mortal, unable to counter the divine magic deployed against him.

Indeed, Jiang Ziya spared no effort, leaning entirely on his virtue as one chosen in the Investiture of the Gods ritual, showing no fear of karmic repercussions as he unleashed such ruthless magic.