Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Jin Zha asked, "Who are you, Daoist?"

Zhou Xin replied, "I am Zhou Xin, a Qi Refiner from Nine Dragons Island. I have heard that you rely on Kunlun Skill to destroy our Jie Sect—how utterly hateful! Today I have descended the mountain to compete with you and determine victory or defeat once and for all."

With swift steps, he brandished his sword and advanced. Jin Zha parried hastily with his sword in return. After just a few exchanges, Zhou Xin turned and fled. Jin Zha immediately pursued him.

Zhou Xin lifted his robe, took out a chime, turned around, and struck it three or four times at Jin Zha.

Jin Zha shook his head twice, and instantly, his face turned the color of golden paper. He staggered back to the Prime Minister's Mansion, crying out, "This headache is killing me!"

Jiang Ziya inquired in detail, and Jin Zha recounted the incident of chasing Zhou Xin. Jiang Ziya said nothing. Jin Zha remained in the Prime Minister's Mansion, wailing in pain day and night.

By the next day, another report came to the Prime Minister's Mansion: "Another Daoist has issued a challenge."

Jiang Ziya asked his attendants, "Who will go to face him in battle?"

Mu Zha stepped forward and said, "Disciple is willing."

Mu Zha exited the city and met a Daoist with hair tied in twin topknots, dressed in pale yellow robes, his face as radiant as a full moon, and a long wispy beard hanging in three strands.

A face like the full moon, eyes like shining pearls,

Clad in pale yellow robes embroidered with birds.

A sash fluttering with auspicious light,

His mind as profound as the depths of the sea.

Mastering Daoist Skill of the Five Elements,

He turns beans to soldiers with unparalleled precision.

A harbinger of pestilence from the Western direction,

Aligned with the element of Gengxin Metal.

Mu Zha bellowed angrily, "Who are you to dare use such left-hand path sorcery to torment my elder brother and give him this unbearable headache? It must be you!"

Li Qi replied, "Not so. That was my Daoist brother, Zhou Xin. I am Li Qi, a disciple of Lüzu."

Mu Zha furiously exclaimed, "All of you are but followers of the left-hand path!"

He took a quick step forward and, sword in hand, struck toward Li Qi.

Li Qi countered with his own sword, meeting the attack face-on. The two engaged in a fierce duel, their swords crossing repeatedly as they fought to determine a victor: one was Mu Zha, a Saint in the flesh, wielding courage and might, while the other was Li Qi, an infamous fiend from the plague department, unleashing malevolent energy. After five to seven rounds, Li Qi fled.

Mu Zha gave chase. After less than the distance of an arrow's flight, Li Qi pulled out a banner, held it in his hand, and shook it several times toward Mu Zha. Mu Zha shuddered and stopped pursuing.

Li Qi paid him no further mind and proceeded directly into his camp.

Meanwhile, Mu Zha soon found his face as pale as white paper, his body burning as though set aflame, and his chest tight and boiling as if doused in oil. Stripping off his robes, he ran bare-chested to Jiang Ziya, crying out, "Something's wrong!"

Jiang Ziya was shocked and urgently asked, "How did you return in such a state?" Mu Zha collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth, his body like a fiery coal. Jiang Ziya ordered him carried to the rear chambers.

Jiang Ziya questioned the battle overseer, "What happened to Mu Zha to cause him to return like this?"

The overseer recounted the chase and the shaking of the banner. Jiang Ziya was mystified, declaring, "This, too, is left-hand path sorcery!" and was deeply troubled in his heart.

Meanwhile, Li Qi returned to camp and paid respect to Lv Yue. The Daoist asked, "Who did you face today?"

Li Qi replied, "Today, I faced Mu Zha. With but a shake of my enchanted banner, he succumbed completely. Thus I triumphed and now return to see Master."

Lv Yue was overjoyed and composed a song, singing:

"Faithful to the Profound Sect's teachings,

Diligence in refinement bears results.

Determining good and evil within the furnace,

And discerning the Three Talents in fire.

Left and right governed by Yin and Yang,

Talismanic arts are wonders profound.

Even Immortals who encounter this skill,

Cannot escape their fated doom."

When Lv Yue finished singing, Zheng Lun, who stood nearby, remarked, "Master, within just two days, though we have been victorious, I haven't seen any captives brought back. Hearing Master's brilliant song now fills me with delight—surely it holds deeper meaning. Will you explain?"

Lv Yue said, "You do not understand. The items my disciples use contain profound skill; merely displaying them seals one's fate. Why bother with blades and swords to kill?"

Zheng Lun was full of admiration upon hearing this. The next day, Lv Yue instructed Zhu Tianlin: "Today, it is your turn to go. It is your destined time to descend the mountain."

Zhu Tianlin accepted the command, carrying his sword to the city and calling out loudly, "Let West Qi send out one capable of facing me!"

A scout reported this to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Jiang Ziya, frowning deeply, asked those around him, "Who will take this challenge?"

"Disciple is willing!" Jiang Ziya's direct disciple, Wu Ji, stepped forward to reply.

"Excellent!"

Wu Ji took spear in hand, mounted his horse, and rode out to meet the challenge, where he saw a Daoist waiting for him.

A slanted headband adorned with lily tassels,

A face of plum-colored hue, eyes like bells.

Dressed in a fiery red robe that seemed ablaze,

With hemp shoes glimmering like crystal glass.

A sash tied in a Yin-Yang knot,

A Treasure Sword wielded to startle gods and ghosts.

A harbinger of pestilence aligned with the fire department,

Complying with the element of Nanduo's Bing-Ding Fire.