Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Ziya was in the Silver Peace Palace when a sudden gust of wind came through, emitting a loud noise and splitting the banner in two. Ziya was greatly alarmed; he hurriedly fetched the incense table, lit the incense burner, and consulted the Eight Diagrams to divine fortune and misfortune. Upon casting the coins and understanding the omens, he slapped the table in shock and exclaimed, "This is bad!"

He commanded the attendants, "Quickly summon King Wu to the Prime Minister's Mansion!"

He ordered, "Hang three mirrors at the main gate in front of the mansion, and five mirrors within the main hall. Tonight, all generals must remain inside the mansion and be on strict guard. Keep bows strung and swords unsheathed to prepare for unforeseen events."

Shortly after, the generals appeared in armor and took position in the hall. A gatekeeper announced, "King Wu's royal carriage has arrived."

Ziya quickly led the generals to greet the king and escort him into the hall, where they respectfully bowed. King Wu said, "Prime Minister, why have you summoned me? What guidance do you wish to provide?"

Ziya replied, "Your loyal servant has been training the generals today in the Six Secret Teachings and has arranged a banquet in your honor, Your Majesty."

King Wu was delighted and said, "How earnest and hardworking you are, Prime Minister. I am deeply moved. May the weapons of war be stilled so I may enjoy peace and well-being with you."

Ziya promptly instructed the attendants to prepare the feast and served King Wu at the banquet, engaging in discussions about state and military affairs but deliberately avoiding any mention of Tu Xingsun's assassination attempt.

Now then, Deng Jiugong drank wine late into the night, and at the first hour, Tu Xingsun bid farewell to Deng Jiugong and the generals before readying himself to enter West Qi City.

Deng Jiugong and the generals stood to witness Tu Xingsun twist his body and suddenly vanish without a trace.

Deng Jiugong clapped and laughed heartily, saying, "The emperor's great fortune has brought such extraordinary talents to aid the nation. How could we fear unrest and turmoil!"

Meanwhile, Tu Xingsun entered West Qi, searching everywhere. Arriving at Ziya's mansion, he saw all the generals with their bows strung and swords unsheathed, standing guard on both sides.

Tu Xingsun remained below, waiting for an opportunity to strike, but grew increasingly anxious. He thought to himself, "Fine, I'll head to the palace and kill King Wu first, then come back for Jiang Ziya later."

Tu Xingsun departed the mansion and sought the royal palace. After only a few steps, he suddenly heard the lively sound of flutes and pipes. Looking up, he realized he was already at the palace, where King Wu and his concubines were enjoying music and feasting. Tu Xingsun was overjoyed.

Tu Xingsun was elated and quietly hid nearby, waiting for his chance.

King Wu said, "Cease the music. Since the enemy is at our gates and the city is in disarray, let us end the banquet and return to the palace chambers for rest."

The palace attendants escorted King Wu inside. After dismissing the attendants, King Wu retired with his concubines, undressing and laying down to sleep. Before long, his steady breathing indicated he was sound asleep.

Tu Xingsun stealthily emerged. The red lanterns were still lit, illuminating the room brightly. Knife in hand, Tu Xingsun climbed onto the dragon bed, pulled aside the curtains, hooked the golden canopy, and saw King Wu sleeping soundly with closed eyes. With one swift motion, Tu Xingsun severed King Wu's head and cast it to the floor beneath the bed.

After killing the fake Ji Fa, Tu Xingsun's lustful desires flared up, and he attempted to indulge himself with the royal concubines, not realizing they were actually Yang Jian in disguise. Yang Jian swiftly captured Tu Xingsun.

Yet Tu Xingsun was no ordinary individual and managed to escape the heavy security of West Qi.

Later, Yang Jian arrived at the hall to meet Jiang Ziya and said, "Master, I went to the celestial cave mansions to investigate Tu Xingsun's background and inquire about the whereabouts of the Immortal Binding Rope."

Yang Jian returned to Yuquan Mountain and questioned his master, Yu Ding Zhenren. After learning of Tu Xingsun's origins, he set off for Jialong Mountain's Flying Dragon Cave.

Yang Jian traveled using Earth Escape to reach Jialong Mountain's Flying Dragon Cave and entered to see Ju Liusun, whom he bowed to and addressed, "Uncle Master."

Ju Liusun quickly returned the courtesy and asked, "What brings you here?"

Yang Jian replied, "Uncle Master, have you noticed the Immortal Binding Rope missing?"

Ju Liusun stood up hurriedly and exclaimed, "How did you find out?"

Yang Jian answered, "A man named Tu Xingsun, along with Deng Jiugong, is waging war against West Qi. They use the Immortal Binding Rope which captured the disciples of Uncle Jiang. I discovered this and came to seek your assistance."

Upon hearing this, Ju Liusun angrily exclaimed, "The wretched creature! He dared to sneak down the mountain, steal my treasure, and cause me trouble! Yang Jian, return to West Qi first—I will follow shortly!"

Yang Jian departed the mountain and returned to West Qi, heading to the Prime Minister's Mansion to report to Jiang Ziya. Ziya asked, "Did you discover the whereabouts of the Immortal Binding Rope?"

Yang Jian recounted everything he had learned, and Ziya was overjoyed to hear that Ju Liusun was on his way.

A Daoist practitioner arrived at West Qi, surrounded by the golden light technique. The attendants reported to Ziya, "Ju Liusun Immortal Master has arrived."

Ziya went out of the mansion to greet him. The two entered the hall, exchanged courtesies, and sat together.

Ziya said, "Your disciple has repeatedly triumphed against my army, unbeknownst to me. Later, Yang Jian uncovered the truth, leaving me no choice but to invite you to intervene. It is fortunate to receive your help, fulfilling the camaraderie of your past collaboration with Randeng. I cannot thank you enough!"

Ju Liusun replied, "Since I returned from breaking the Ten Extreme Formation, I have not examined this treasure. Who would have guessed that this wretched creature stole it to cause trouble! No matter, we must... do this and that, and he will be apprehended in no time."

Ziya was delighted. The next day, Ziya alone rode the Four-Elephants Beast to Cheng Tang's army camp to observe Deng Jiugong's encampment, posing as if scouting.

A patrol scout reported to the central army, "Marshal, Prime Minister Jiang is riding near the gates of the camp, seemingly spying. What should we do?"

Deng Jiugong remarked, "Jiang Ziya is skilled in offense and defense and understands military strategy. We must remain vigilant."

Nearby, Tu Xingsun exclaimed with glee, "Marshal, rest easy. Leave it to me to capture him—success is assured today."

Tu Xingsun secretly left the camp gates and shouted, "Jiang Shang! Spying on my camp means you've delivered yourself to death! Do not run!"

He swung his staff at Ziya's head, but Ziya quickly parried with his sword. After mere moments of engagement, Ziya turned his steed to escape.

Tu Xingsun chased after him and unleashed the Immortal Binding Rope to capture Ziya. He was unaware that Ju Liusun was hidden in the skies, watching him.

Intent on capturing Ziya to claim credit and marry Deng Chanyu, Tu Xingsun pursued relentlessly.

Desire blinds judgment, and true nature is obscured. Preoccupied with capturing his target, Tu Xingsun failed to observe his surroundings. He kept using the rope without pause, unaware it was no longer working. After running less than a mile, the rope was entirely spent. Only then did he realize the danger.

Tu Xingsun stopped and ceased his pursuit. Ziya turned the Four-Elephants Beast around and shouted, "Tu Xingsun, dare face me in three rounds of combat!"

Enraged, Tu Xingsun rushed forward with his staff raised. As he approached the city walls, Ju Liusun appeared and shouted, "Tu Xingsun, where are you going!"

Tu Xingsun looked up and saw his master. He tried to burrow into the earth, but Ju Liusun pointed at him and shouted, "Do not flee!"

The earth hardened like iron, preventing his escape. Ju Liusun lunged forward, grabbed his scalp, tied him up with the Immortal Binding Rope, and carried him into West Qi City.

The generals, learning that Tu Xingsun had been captured, gathered at the mansion to see for themselves. Ju Liusun placed Tu Xingsun on the ground. Yang Jian cautioned, "Uncle Master, watch carefully—he might escape again!"

Ju Liusun replied, "With me here, there's no danger."

He interrogated Tu Xingsun, saying, "You wretched creature! After I returned from breaking the Ten Extreme Formation, I did not check this treasure. Who would have thought you stole it! Speak honestly—who instigated you?"

Tu Xingsun replied, "When you returned from breaking the Ten Extreme Formation, I was idling on the mountain and encountered a Daoist riding a tiger. He asked my name, and I told him. I, in turn, asked who he was, and he said he was Shen Gongbao from the Chan Sect. He told me I lacked the means to attain immortality and could only enjoy mortal riches and honor. He urged me to join Grandmaster Wen's camp but I refused. He then recommended I serve Deng Jiugong at Three Mountains Pass to earn merit. Master, I was briefly tempted—wealth and honor are what all desire, while poverty and lowliness are what all despise. That fleeting greed compelled me to steal your rope and two gourds of elixir pills before descending into the Mortal World. I humbly beg for your boundless mercy to spare me!"

Standing nearby, Ziya said, "Immortal Master, such a wretched creature has undermined our sect. Quickly execute him and report back!"

Ju Liusun replied, "If it were simply ignorance and folly, execution would be appropriate. However, there's another matter—he might still be of use to Ziya in assisting West Qi."

Ziya countered, "Immortal Master, you previously taught him the Earth Escape technique. Yet his malicious nature drove him to infiltrate the city and attempt assassination of both King Wu and myself. It was only with divine protection, an omen from the wind tearing the banner, and careful divination that we were able to fortify our defenses and avoid disaster. A slight delay would have implicated your judgment as well! Thanks to Yang Jian's strategy in capturing him, though he managed to escape, such a vile character is not worth keeping!"

After Ziya finished, Ju Liusun was alarmed. He hurried down from the dais and forcefully shouted, "Wretched creature! You dared infiltrate the city to assassinate King Wu and harm your master uncle. Fortunately, calamity was avoided. If there had been even a moment of failure, I would be held accountable!"

Tu Xingsun pleaded urgently, "Master, please calm down. This wasn't entirely my fault—it was Deng Jiugong's promise to marry his daughter to me as bait, which drove me to attempt the assassination of King Wu. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to do such a thing!"

Frightened, Tu Xingsun placed all the blame on Deng Jiugong.

"If that is the case, then there is some justification!"

Jiang Ziya calmed his anger and let Ju Liusun save face, as he could not truly execute Tu Xingsun.

"Indeed, there is a predestined purpose—perhaps this can be tested!"

Ju Liusun pondered deeply, then exchanged knowing smiles with Jiang Ziya.