Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

After Jiang Ziya captured Lu Xiong, he naturally intended to persuade him to surrender as soon as possible. But Lu Xiong was a resolute man.

First, he cursed Jiang Ziya, then he cursed West Qi, and even the ancestors of Ji Fa up to eighteen generations did not escape his venomous tongue. In the end, he chose to starve himself to death.

Although Lu Xiong was steadfast, his actions did not alter the course of events. West Qi's momentum was unstoppable, and when Wen Zhong received the news, he nearly spat blood in fury.

However, Wen Zhong was no rash man. Aware that West Qi would not be an easy opponent, he resolved to personally lead the campaign but knew better than to act without preparation.

Wen Zhong first sent a letter to Li Mingzhu, promising all sorts of benefits and requesting Li Mingzhu's assistance.

Li Mingzhu, in turn, sent the Mo family brothers, along with Huang Feihu, to aid him.

There was a reason for sending these individuals. In their previous lives, the Mo family brothers had perished at the hands of Huang Tianhua, who happened to be Huang Feihu's son. Perhaps this might resolve the calamity destined for the Mo brothers.

With Li Mingzhu's support, Wen Zhong allocated 100,000 troops to Huang Feihu, instructing him to lead them as the vanguard.

Although Huang Feihu agreed to assist Wen Zhong, he kept his involvement a secret. No one was aware that this 100,000-strong vanguard was under Huang Feihu's command.

Even the soldiers under his command were in the dark, let alone the West Qi side.

As West Qi had won several battles recently, their morale was high, and they paid no heed to Huang Feihu's approaching force.

Jiang Ziya, having frozen Qi Mountain, stood tall with his military might. Heroes flocked to his side, and the heavens seemed to favor him.

While Jiang Ziya was discussing military affairs, a scout suddenly reported to the Prime Minister's Mansion, "The Mo family's three generals have stationed their forces at the north gate." Jiang Ziya gathered his generals to deliberate on a strategy to repel the invaders.

Despite the discussions, it was uncertain whether any concrete plan was devised.

Meanwhile, Huang Feihu remained unmoved. He clearly remembered Li Mingzhu's instructions: If Huang Tianhua did not make a move, neither would he.

Huang Feihu's sole reason for being at West Qi was his son Huang Tianhua. He cared little for the disputes of the Sects. What mattered was that Huang Tianhua, as his son, must listen to him!

The following day, the two armies clashed, with the Mo brothers leading the charge!

The Mo family trio observed Jiang Ziya's disciplined troops, clad in their finery, as they approached the battlefield. An accompanying poem painted the scene:

"Golden crowns split like fishtails, aura-bound robes aglow.

Immortal youth and crane-like hair, hung with threads of silver below.

Riding the Four-Unlikes, sword by their hands sways and flows.

Disciples of Yuxu's threshold, bound to enthrone the Divine Chosen's glow."

As Jiang Ziya stepped forth to face the enemy, he bowed slightly and asked, "Are the three of you the Mo Grandmasters?"

Mo Liqing replied, "Jiang Shang, you have forsaken your homeland, sowed chaos willingly, harbored rebels, broken the Court's laws, and led ministers against the West Qi kingdom. Such treachery ensures your doom. Now that the Heavenly Soldiers have arrived, instead of surrendering, you continue to resist. When your cities lie in ruins and you are reduced to dust, regret will come too late!"

Jiang Ziya responded, "Grandmaster, your words are mistaken. We have always abided by the law, serving as loyal officials of the Shang. Entrusted with the Western Lands, how can we be considered rebels? It is the Court that, believing the words of its ministers, repeatedly invades West Qi. Victory or defeat lies with them and is of their making. We have not once crossed the Five Passes with our troops. Yet, you accuse us falsely. How could my sovereign and I accept that unjustly?"

"Moreover, what qualifications do you three brothers have to reprimand a man such as me?"

Jiang Ziya's final sentence contained hidden malice, for he regarded the Mo brothers as nothing more than vile individuals unworthy of chastising him.

"Enough talk! Let us see the truth of our strength on the field!"

Mo Lishou let out a disdainful snort and charged forward fiercely.

The Mo brothers were ferocious, repelling every West Qi soldier who dared to challenge them; none could match their strength.

Nevertheless, after a resounding victory, the three brothers promptly retreated to base, refusing Jiang Ziya any opportunity to deploy his tricks.

The Mo brothers were no fools. They excelled in direct combat but knew they were no match for Jiang Ziya when it came to strategy. Fearful of traps, they dared not grow careless.

They remembered that Li Mingzhu had warned them that this campaign to West Qi carried a significant calamity. Surviving it would bring them peace, but failing to do so would mean death and destruction.

Returning to camp after their triumph, their drums thundered in celebration as the troops eagerly sang victory hymns:

"Joyous the whip strikes the gilded stirrups,

Singing songs of triumph with jubilant smiles."

Back in their tent, the Mo brothers assembled to discuss the campaign against West Qi.

Mo Lihong said, "Tomorrow, let's deploy the troops to lay siege to the city. Attack with all our might—we will surely breach the walls, capture Jiang Ziya, and take King Wu's head!"

Mo Liqing agreed, saying, "Well said, younger brother." The next morning, they advanced to encircle West Qi, shouting loudly as they charged to the city's gates, calling for Jiang Ziya to face them in the field. Scouts quickly carried the report back to the main hall.

Jiang Ziya instructed, "Hang the 'No Battle' plaque atop the walls." Mo Liqing, in turn, ordered, "Erect ladders on all sides and attack with fire cannons." The situation grew dire.

Suddenly, a fierce wind tore through the battlefield, snapping their war banners in two. Alarmed, Jiang Ziya hurried to burn incense and consult the Eight Diagrams. His face turned ashen with dread; he immediately purified himself, donned fresh robes, and offered prayers to Kunlun Mountain. Thus began Jiang Ziya's reversal of fortune to save West Qi.

The Mo brothers unleashed various magical treasures, but these were all neutralized by Yuanshi Tianzun, who wielded the Three Light Divine Water from Yuxu Palace.

What else could be done? Jiang Ziya was destined to reign over the Divine Enthronement. The heavens permitted him to bend the rules and even cheat.

If not for such divine favor, Jiang Ziya would have faced countless deaths during the Divine Enthronement saga.

As things stood, West Qi had ample supplies, skilled generals, and countless soldiers. The only concern was avoiding injury from the formidable magic treasures wielded by the Mo brothers. Hence, Jiang Ziya opted for a defensive strategy, refraining from reckless moves. Meanwhile, the Mo brothers persisted for over a year without success; eventually, they sent a report back to Grandmaster Wen Zhong, commending Jiang Ziya as a gifted fighter and now a skilled defender. Let us pause here on their accounts.

One day, Yang Jian, dispatched by Yu Ding to aid Jiang Ziya, arrived. Yet the Mo brothers avoided direct combat with Yang Jian, frustrating him greatly.

With his abilities, defeating the Mo brothers would have been no issue.

However, the brothers, heeding Li Mingzhu's warnings, knew better than to provoke the three-eyed deity.

In a past life, Yang Jian had used his Profound Skill shapeshifting technique to allow himself to be swallowed by the Flower Fox Mink, ultimately slaying it and destroying the Mo brothers' treasures.

But in this life, Li Mingzhu's forewarning prevented Yang Jian from exploiting such an opportunity.

Now, the Profound True Adept of Qingxu at Purple Sun Cave in Qingfeng Mountain was struck by intuition. He called his Golden Mist Disciple and said, "Fetch your senior brother."

The disciple obeyed, and before long, his senior brother arrived. Huang Tianhua knelt before the Biyou bed and said, "Master, how can this disciple serve you?"

The Adept said, "Prepare to descend the mountain. Your Uncle Master Jiang Ziya is currently short on manpower. Come with me."

Huang Tianhua followed his master to a Peach Garden, where the Adept handed him two hammers. Familiarizing himself with them instantly, he wielded them with practiced ease.

The Adept declared, "I will also grant you my Jade Qilin to ride and the Fire Dragon Flag to carry. Disciple, remember your origins and always uphold the Dao."

Huang Tianhua vowed, "How could I dare forget, Master?" He bid farewell to his mentor and exited the cave, mounting the Jade Qilin. With a tap of its horns, winds and clouds thundered beneath its hooves.

This beast was the Adept's steed for leisure rides across the Three Mountains and Five Peaks.

Huang Tianhua swiftly arrived at West Qi, dismounted the Qilin, and went to the Prime Minister's Mansion, where he sent a gatekeeper to announce his arrival.

"Prime Minister, a Daoist seeks an audience."

Jiang Ziya replied, "Let him in." Huang Tianhua ascended the hall, bowed, and said, "Respected Uncle Master, I am your disciple Huang Tianhua, sent by my teacher to serve you."

Jiang Ziya inquired, "Which mountain do you hail from?"

Huang Tianhua answered, "This disciple is Huang Tianhua, under the tutelage of the Profound True Adept of Qingxu from Purple Sun Cave on Qingfeng Mountain."

Jiang Ziya rejoiced, "So you are a gifted disciple of my Qingxu brother? Remarkable, truly remarkable!"

The following day, Huang Tianhua left to face off against the Mo brothers. After exchanging names, the Mo brothers immediately ceased their aggression and withdrew to a corner. Suddenly, from within their main camp, emerged a golden-robed general riding a Five-Colored Divine Bull.

"You wretches, surrender at once!"

This man was none other than Huang Feihu, who stormed forth and stopped directly in front of Huang Tianhua.

"Father?"

Huang Tianhua was utterly stunned to see Huang Feihu and had no clue how to respond.

Whatever powers or magical treasures he possessed, he dared not use them against his father!

Huang Feihu, however, was unbothered by such feelings and had no intention of showing leniency. Why should he?

What was wrong with a father disciplining his son?

With a single strike, he brought his hammer down on Huang Tianhua's head. Poor Huang Tianhua, caught entirely off guard, was struck down from his mount and captured back to camp.

Huang Feihu's attack was so swift and domineering that it left Jiang Ziya and his men with no time to respond!

The Mo brothers, who had been entangled with West Qi for over a year, had bought enough time for Wen Zhong in Chaoge to complete his preparations. Everything was in order, and Wen Zhong himself now led an army to march against West Qi!