Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Su Hu's army marched for days. A scout reported to the central command: "Ahead is West Qi City." Su Hu issued an order: "Set up camp and fortify." He ascended to the command tent and took his seat. The generals saluted him, and the command banner was raised.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ziya was in the Prime Minister's Mansion, rallying forty thousand allied lords to petition King Wu to wage war against Zhou.

Suddenly, a messenger rushed into the mansion: "Report, Master: Marquis Su Hu of Jizhou is approaching to attack West Qi."

Jiang Ziya pondered briefly, then decided to send Yang Jian out first to test Su Hu's strength. After all, Su Hu was no ordinary figure—he had to be handled with caution.

Yang Jian mounted his horse and rode out with his blade, while Su Hu dispatched his general Zhao Bing to face Yang Jian. Alas, Zhao Bing, being a mere mortal, was no match for Yang Jian. In just twenty exchanges, he was captured alive.

Yang Jian returned to report the capture of Zhao Bing.

Yang Jian saluted and said, "I have captured Zhao Bing alive; awaiting orders for further action."

Jiang Ziya ordered, "Bring him forward." The soldiers brought Zhao Bing to the hall, but Zhao Bing stood defiantly, refusing to kneel.

Jiang Ziya said, "Having been captured, how dare you still defy courtesy?"

Zhao Bing replied, "I was ordered to attack and hoped to succeed. Unluckily captured, I am prepared to die. Why waste words?"

Jiang Ziya commanded, "Imprison him for now."

When Su Hu heard the news of Zhao Bing's capture, he bowed his head in silence.

At his side, Zheng Lun said, "Marquis, Yang Jian is arrogant and domineering. Allow me to capture him tomorrow and send him to Chaoge, sparing the people from unnecessary suffering."

The next day, Zheng Lun mounted his Fire-Eyed Golden-Eyed Beast, wielding his Demon-Subduing Pestle, and rode to the city gates to issue a challenge. News of this was reported to the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Jiang Ziya ordered, "Yang Jian, head out to confront the challenger."

Yang Jian received the command and rode out of the city, where he saw a fierce-looking warrior with a face like a purple jujube, seated atop the Fire-Eyed Golden-Eyed Beast.

"An extraordinary mastery of Daoist Skill; the Demon-suppressing Treasure Mallet unmatched in the land. A loyal and righteous heart worthy of praise, yet bound to a foolish king lost in debauchery."

Yang Jian shouted, "Who are you?"

Zheng Lun replied, "I am Zheng Lun, under the banner of Marquis Su Hu. Yang Jian, you traitor! It is because of you that the people have suffered from years of warfare. Now that the Heavenly Soldiers have arrived, you will meet your end! What is your intention?"

Yang Jian said, "Zheng Lun, retreat for now and summon your commander for a dialogue. If you're ignorant of the situation, you will meet the same fate as Zhao Bing, walking into danger yourself!"

Zheng Lun, infuriated, swung his pestle and attacked. As he charged forward, three thousand Crow Troops moved with serpent-like coordination. White rays of light emanated from Zheng Lun's nostrils.

Yang Jian was momentarily caught unprepared, but it ultimately mattered little—he captured Zheng Lun alive as well.

Just as Yang Jian was preparing to return to camp with his captive, a Daoist clad in a water-pattern robe appeared, singing a verse:

"Heaven and earth, yin and yang, the chaos divides;

The Demon Master's name reverberates across the North Sea.

From Two Principles to Four Symbols, Eight Trigrams emerge;

Of all origins, I am the foremost.

Innate Divine Techniques slaughter thousands;

I now fight in service of Yin Shang against the Three-Eyed One.

Ascending freely nine thousand leagues;

Chaos and infinity decide life and death!"

Only Fu Yao could possess such arrogance. Having heard of Yang Jian's prowess, Fu Yao had come specifically to meet him today.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. Might I inquire which famous mountain you trained upon?"

Yang Jian observed Fu Yao's celestial aura, with yin and yang energies swirling atop his auspicious clouds. Sensing Fu Yao's formidable presence, he dared not treat him lightly.

"The North Sea, Fu Yao!"

Fu Yao returned the courtesy with a bow and formally introduced himself.

Yang Jian asked, "Fellow Daoist, being the son of the Demon Master, why not enjoy cultivation and blessings in the North Sea? Why involve yourself in this great calamity?"

Yang Jian attempted persuasion, clearly reluctant to engage in battle. The title of the Demon Master's son was no idle boast, and Yang Jian dared not underestimate him.

Fu Yao laughed and replied, "Such words are mistaken. We cultivators must brave forward. If mere seclusion could lead to becoming Saints, wouldn't that be the height of absurdity?"

"Since that's your stance, then let us fight!"

Yang Jian was not one to hesitate. Seeing persuasion fail, he chose battle without retreat.

"Excellent!"

Fu Yao laughed heartily and advanced. Yin Yang Qi emerged as a shadowy projection of Kunpeng appeared, blotting out the sky—clearly aiming for a swift confrontation. Fu Yao unleashed the Kunpeng True Form immediately.

The Kunpeng True Form was a lethal arcane technique of the Kunpeng Clan and Fu Yao's strongest attack. Though perfectly suited for him, Fu Yao understood that to ascend further, he would eventually need to break free from the Kunpeng True Form's limitations.

This was a lament common to the Kunpeng and other Innate Divine Beasts. Despite their mighty lineage giving them power in their early stages, their advancement in later stages required far greater sacrifices than others like Li Mingzhu.

Take Kong Xuan, for example—though incomparably powerful now, who could truly know the cost of his strength?

The difference between the truly powerful and the weak lay in understanding the reasons behind power, not just its surface appearance.

Yang Jian wielded his blade and laughed, entering a state of Human and Sword Integration!

For the first time since the Demon Clan's era, Yang Jian unleashed his full strength.

Fu Yao remained fearless; his Yin Yang True Form was unparalleled in defense and formidable in attack. This time, Fu Yao chose to confront Yang Jian head-on rather than defend.

Their clash in midair produced a massive fireball, causing all soldiers to retreat. Fu Yao's Kunpeng True Form disintegrated, and Yang Jian was forced to end his Human and Sword Integration, coughing up blood.

The outcome was clear: While Fu Yao emerged unscathed after exiting the Kunpeng True Form, Yang Jian suffered injuries.

A wounded Yang Jian avoided further entanglement, retreating directly to West Qi's main camp. Ultimately, his lack of cultivation was to blame.

If Yang Jian had Golden Immortal Cultivation, the battle's outcome would have been uncertain.

Alas, there is no "if."

"We'll fight again another day!"

Yang Jian uttered his parting words and returned to the camp to report to Jiang Ziya, while Fu Yao took Zheng Lun back to the Yin Shang Camp and departed without lingering.