Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

With swift and decisive action, Li Mingzhu gave a soft cry, and the Fire-tipped Spear ended the life of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden.

Speaking of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, she hadn't actually done anything wrong—it was merely that she followed the wrong person and provoked someone she shouldn't have.

Li Mingzhu's execution of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden didn't escape Hao Tian's knowledge far above in the Nine Heavens. However, he did nothing, for although the powers and influence of Yaotian in the Heavenly Court were lesser than Hao Tian's, they were sufficient to counteract him!

To Li Mingzhu, executing the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden was merely the first step. Compared to what came next, it was only the beginning of the true endeavor ahead.

After killing the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, Li Mingzhu did not linger in Chaoge. Instead, he prepared to return to the North Sea, as the upcoming tasks still required careful preparation.

"Hmm?"

On his hurried journey, Li Mingzhu suddenly halted midway as a paper crane flew toward him.

"Hurry to the Upper Pure Heaven to meet me!"

A decree from Tongtian, delivered by the paper crane!

Since Tongtian had issued this command, Li Mingzhu naturally wouldn't defy it and immediately changed his course toward Chaos.

Meanwhile, back to the other thread of events—on the day Yuanshi and Laozi joined forces with Zhunti and Jieyin to break the Myriad Immortals Formation, Yuanshi returned to Kunlun Mountain.

Yuanshi ascended to Yuxu Palace, while Shen Gongbao, after the collapse of the Myriad Immortals Formation, attempted to flee to other mountains.

Little did he know his sins were beyond redemption. Riding a tiger in escape, Shen Gongbao was seen ahead of White Crane Child, who darted after him like lightning and clouds. White Crane Child immediately informed Yuanshi Tianzun: "That's Shen Gongbao fleeing ahead."

Yuanshi said, "He once vowed an oath. Order the Yellow Turban Strongman to use my Three Jade Ruyi to capture him and take him to Qilin Cliff for punishment."

The child received the Ruyi and handed it to the strongman. The strongman caught up and shouted, "Shen Gongbao, don't flee! By decree of the Heavenly Venerate, you'll be captured and taken to Qilin Cliff for punishment!"

The Ruyi was thrown forth, and Shen Gongbao was captured midair and brought to Qilin Cliff.

Yuanshi Tianzun arrived at the cliff, alighting from his Nine Dragon Incense Chariot. The Yellow Turban Strongman obeyed his command and brought Shen Gongbao before Yuanshi.

Yuanshi said, "You once made an oath to plug the North Sea Eye. Today, your words bind you; you are left with no defense."

A shame-filled Shen Gongbao bowed his head in silence. Yuanshi ordered the Yellow Turban Strongman: "Roll up my mat and seal him within the North Sea Eye!" The strongman complied, sealing Shen Gongbao in the North Sea Eye.

How laughable—the Chan Sect's Shen Gongbao, who sought to overthrow King Wu to protect Cheng Tang, now finds his end sealing the sea, unaware of the passage of countless years under the red sun.

The Yellow Turban Strongman returned to Yuanshi to report after sealing Shen Gongbao in the North Sea Eye.

Shen Gongbao was, indeed, a tragic figure—merely struggling for fleeting victory, only to become a pawn on the Saint's chessboard and end sealed within the North Sea Eye.

Though he was ultimately bestowed the title of North Sea Water-parting General, what use did that bring him?

An official deity of the Heavenly Court, yes, but forever trapped in the North Sea Eye with no hope of escape.

Meanwhile, Shen Gongbao's rival, Jiang Ziya, was spirited and triumphant at the moment, breaking Chaoge and preparing to perform the Divine Enthronement!

During his battle with King Zhou, Jiang Ziya had even listed Zhou's ten crimes. While perhaps exaggerated, many were undoubtedly true.

As Son of Heaven, inheriting divine mandate, he should rule with wisdom and uphold virtue... but his unparalleled evil through the ages was his first crime.

The Empress, as mother of the nation, should lead with moral excellence… yet he established a villainous consort, breaking human ethics, which was his second crime.

The Crown Prince, as successor of the nation... yet he severed ancestral ties and forsook his lineage, which was his third crime.

Senior ministers, pillars of the nation… yet he disregarded his advisors and favored villains, destroying the way of monarch and minister, which was his fourth crime.

Trust, the foundation of human relations, and the ruler's call to all lands… yet he betrayed the vassals, breaking the unity of the realm, which was his fifth crime.

The law, meant for fairness, and punishment, meant to maintain balance… yet his poisonous flames veiled the heavens, causing grief and wrath among all beings, which was his sixth crime.

The creation of wealth is finite; its reckless misuse for luxury depletes resources… yet he taxed the poor and exploited the populace, spreading poverty and corruption, which was his seventh crime.

Integrity, the defense against savagery… yet he destroyed the Three Bonds, leaving no semblance of decency, which was his eighth crime.

Actions define a ruler's virtue, yet he indulged in cruel amusements, slaughtering life in horrific ways, such as severing the limbs of soldiers, dissecting the wombs of pregnant women, and conducting gruesome experiments… which was his ninth crime.

A ruler's feasts should honor balance… yet he eradicated the descendants of countless families with unparalleled cruelty, a grievance unmatched through the ages, which was his tenth crime.

Jiang Ziya enumerated King Zhou's ten great sins and finally defeated him outside Chaoge City. Though Zhou fled back to Chaoge, he was consumed by despair and eventually burnt himself to death atop Star-plucking Tower.

With Zhou dead, Ji Fa led his army into Chaoge, but as expected, no looting or turmoil ensued.

Whether it was genuine righteousness or feigned benevolence, at least such chaos did not occur. More so, Ji Fa opened Lu Platform and distributed wealth to the people of Chaoge.

Indeed, sometimes—even if righteousness is feigned—if one consistently follows such actions, false righteousness can transform into genuine virtue.

Take Liu Xuande from the later Three Kingdoms era, for example. People said he was a hypocrite, feigning virtue and righteousness. Yet he never committed a single act to tarnish his image. Thus, in the end, even a hypocrite became a true benevolent ruler and virtuous gentleman!

After Jiang Ziya accomplished all this, he also returned to Yuxu Palace.

Now speaking of Ziya—he utilized the Earth Escape technique to arrive before Yuxu Palace but dared not enter without permission.

Shortly after, White Crane Child appeared, noticing Jiang Ziya and promptly asked, "Master Uncle, why are you here?"

Jiang Ziya responded, "Please help inform my teacher that I've come to pay my respects."

The child entered the palace and approached the Biyou bed to report: "Master, Uncle Jiang is waiting outside to see you."

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Let him enter."

The child came out, relaying the message to Ziya. Ziya entered the palace, arriving humbly before the Biyou bed, bowing deeply: "Disciple Jiang Shang wishes teacher eternal life without bounds! I have come today to pay respects and respectfully request the Jade Talisman and decree to bestow ranks upon the fallen loyal ministers, filial children, and calamity-affected immortals. May their wandering souls finally find peace, removing their longing. I beseech teacher to show great compassion and grant these actions swiftly, to bring joy to the divine and mortal realms. Disciple would be deeply grateful!"

Yuanshi replied, "I am already aware. You should return for now—soon, talismans will arrive at the Sealing God Platform. You must hasten back."

Ziya bowed in thanks and left Yuxu Palace, returning to West Qi. The next day, he reported the Divine Enthronement preparations to King Wu: "Teacher will have someone deliver them."

Time passed swiftly, and soon, the day arrived. In the skies, music resonated brightly, fragrant smoke rose, banners and canopies swayed. Yellow Turban Strongmen escorted the talismans, and White Crane Child personally delivered the decrees to the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Golden Talismans of the Purple Mansion descended upon the Jade Platform, banners and canopies illuminated the Three Platforms. Thunder, plagues, and fiery stars came in succession, the celestial constellations opened one by one.

Impartial judges praised supreme virtue, life flourished and talents were nurtured. From now, immortals, saints, and mortals each had their destined places, avoiding endless wandering in the wilderness.

Jiang Ziya received the Jade Talisman and Golden Decree, placing them respectfully on the incense altar to offer thanks to Yuxu Palace. Afterward, White Crane Child and the Yellow Turban Strongmen returned to Kunlun.

Ziya personally carried the talismans, using the Earth Escape method to reach the front of Qi Mountain and arrive quickly at the Sealing God Platform. Bai Jian, the God of Prosperity, came forward to greet Ziya.

Ziya placed the talismans within the platform, then ordered Wu Ji and Nangong Shi: "Set up Eight Diagram banners to suppress directions and coordinate branch flags."

He further instructed the duo to lead three thousand troops to arrange them according to the Five Directions.

Once everything was settled, Ziya bathed, changed into ceremonial robes, offered incense on the golden altar, poured wine, presented flowers, and circled the platform three times. Upon completing the ritual, Ziya ordained Bai Jian, the God of Prosperity, to stand by at the altar awaiting further commands.