Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The Military Administration urgently reported to the Marshal to ascend the hall: "A thousand-year envoy has arrived to personally invite the Marshal to mount the chariot."

Ziya hurriedly donned the ceremonial attire and stepped out. King Wu slightly bowed and said, "Please, Marshal, ascend the chariot."

Ziya quickly expressed his gratitude, and together with King Wu, they proceeded side by side to the great gate. King Wu leaned forward with a bow. On both sides, attendants helped Ziya onto the chariot. Yisheng invited King Wu to personally steady the phoenix-tail (of the chariot), moving forward three steps together.

As Ziya's procession departed the city gates, they saw a span of seventy li entirely adorned with massive red banners, stretching all the way to West Qi Mountain. The people of West Qi, young and old alike, gathered to witness the scene. When Ziya reached Qi Mountain, near the General Platform, there stood a majestic archway displaying a couplet:

"Three thousand states return to the Zhou ruler,

An entire realm of Hua Yi belongs to King Wu."

The assembled generals parted ways to proceed. When King Wu reached the General Platform, he beheld its lofty height, immensely grand and imposing.

Jiang Ziya, clad in full ceremonial armor, stood atop the platform. The Military Administration issued the command: "Bring the seal and sword to the platform."

The military officers reverently carried the sword and the seal to the platform, along with a stand. The stand held three items symbolizing imperial authority and alliance with feudal lords—namely, the Emperor's Flag, the Emperor's Command Sword, and the Emperor's Command Arrow. They presented the seal and the sword on the platform.

The Military Administration carried the seal and sword to present them before Ziya.

Ziya took the seal and sword with both hands, raising them high over his brows. San Yisheng invited King Wu to pay homage to the Marshal.

From below the platform, King Wu performed eight grand bows. After King Wu completed his bows, Ziya commanded Xin Jia to hold the Emperor's Flag and invite King Wu onto the platform.

Moments later, Xin Jia held the flag aloft and shouted loudly, "By order of the Marshal, we invite King Wu to ascend the platform!"

Following the call of the flag, King Wu ascended the platform. Ziya then issued a command: "Unseal the imprint and the sword." He invited King Wu to sit upright, facing the south.

Ziya concluded his rituals of gratitude, knelt down, and announced: "This old servant is humbled to acknowledge that a nation cannot be governed from the outside, and an army cannot be commanded from the center. Divided loyalties cannot serve one's lord, and doubts cannot confront an enemy. Having received such a heavy mandate, with the solemn authority of seal and blade, how dare I not exhaust myself like a lowly horse, to repay the grace of such recognition?"

King Wu replied, "Prime Minister, now you are appointed as the great commander for the Eastern Campaign. I only hope you can swiftly arrive at Mengjin, gather the allied forces, and return quickly. That would be my fortune."

Ziya expressed his gratitude for the charge. King Wu descended the platform, and the assembled generals awaited their orders. Ziya proclaimed: "Let the Military Officers and generals prepare; in three days' time, you will all convene at the training grounds to await inspection. Today, I am honored by the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, along with fellow Dao brothers, who are coming to bid me farewell." Xin Jia acknowledged the command and conveyed it to all the generals. King Wu, along with the civil and military officials, gathered together at the Golden Platform.

Jiang Ziya ascended the Golden Platform to accept his marshalship. Yuanshi Tianzun and his twelve disciples arrived together.

Purple mists enveloped the heavens above the Imperial City; ethereal flutes sounded as white clouds drifted. Azure phoenixes and crimson peacocks followed the imperial procession, feathered fans brushing against flags and canopies. Pairs of golden boys emerged amid clouds; twin jade maidens jingled with distinct melodies. Auspicious radiance and divine brilliance exuded mystical marvels—the Zhou dynasty's rise matched by celestial omens of red fire.

Yuanshi Tianzun's grandeur descended, and the followers bowed low in respect to welcome him.

Ziya prostrated himself, exclaiming, "This disciple offers wishes for Master's eternal health and boundless longevity!"

The assembled disciples led the way, offering water and burning incense, guiding the phoenix carriage in ceremonial reverence. Yuanshi Tianzun took a seat beneath a reed canopy. Ziya bowed again.

Yuanshi said, "Jiang Shang, your forty years of accumulated deeds and virtue have made you the teacher of an emperor, to enjoy mortal blessings and fortune. This is not to be taken lightly. Your Eastern Campaign to defeat Zhou and establish achievements will expand territories, bring enduring prosperity to your descendants, and prolong the destiny of the nation. I have come today specifically to bid you farewell."

He commanded the White Crane Boy, "Bring wine."

A half-cup was poured; Ziya knelt to receive it and drank it in one gulp. Yuanshi said, "This cup wishes you success in supporting the Sacred King."

Another cup was offered: "May governing bring enduring peace."

A third cup followed: "May you swiftly unite the feudal lords."

Having consumed all three cups, Ziya knelt again. Yuanshi said, "Why do you kneel once more? What do you have to say?"

Ziya replied, "Benefiting from the boundless benevolence of the Master's teachings has enabled me to command the Eastern Campaign. However, this disciple does not know whether this journey will bring fortune or misfortune and sincerely requests guidance."

Yuanshi said, "On your journey, you shall face no great calamity. Remember this poem, and it will eventually prove true. The verse goes: Passing Jiepai Pass, confront the Slaying Immortal Formation; beneath Chuanyun Pass, beware illness. Heed 'Attain brilliance by honoring prior virtue'; after Wanxian Pass, your body shall recover."

Ziya heard the verse, bowed deeply, and said, "This disciple wholeheartedly reveres this prophecy."

Yuanshi said, "Now I shall return to my palace. Let all of you disciples bid him farewell."

The gathered immortals escorted him out of the canopy until a gust of immortal wind carried the phoenix carriage away.

Then, the immortals gathered to toast Ziya, each offering three cups of wine; the Southern Pole Immortal Elder also offered Ziya farewell wine, three cups, before preparing to take their leave.

Seeing Ziya inquire after his journey's fortunes before the Teacher, Jin Zha hurried to ask Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun, "Master, what of this disciple's own fortune on this journey?"

The Daoist replied, "You: With cultivated self and nature transcending mountains, why fear lacking strategy to traverse five passes?"

Mu Zha approached and asked Universal Virtue Realist, "This disciple accepts the decree to descend the mountain. What will my eventual fate be?"

The Realist answered, "You: Passing gates depends on the Wu Hook Sword; you will uphold the immortal teachings across nine halls."

Wei Hu likewise inquired of Dao Xing Tianzun, "This disciple aids Uncle-Master Jiang en route to Mengjin; what perils may lie ahead?"

Dao Xing Tianzun declared, "You differ from the others. Know you not: Through ages of cultivation, countless adepts arise, but you alone surpass all, the foremost of the perfected ones!"

Yang Jian also asked Yu Ding Realist, "This disciple sets forth; what fate shall befall me?"

The Realist pronounced, "You, too, differ from them: Master of Eight-Nine Mystic Arts, free to roam and dominant within the mortal world."

Jiang Ziya ascended the platform, accepted his marshalship, as all disciples of the Chan Sect gathered. Even the third-generation disciples pledged their allegiance.

This marked a great turning point; no longer was Yin Shang waging war upon West Qi. With Jiang Ziya taking the lead, West Zhou now commenced its conquest of Yin Shang, to establish a unified dominion under Heaven!