Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

"What a handsome little brother. I wonder why you're intent on ruining your elder sister's plans?"

The Nine-Tailed Fox cast a fleeting glance at Li Mingzhu with her mesmerizing autumn-water-like eyes, smiling lightly as she spoke. Though she hadn't deliberately enchanted him, her natural charm was undeniable—truly a beauty born of heavens.

"Nine-Tailed Fox, I, a humble Daoist, ask you: why have you unjustly sought to harm the life of Daji?"

Li Mingzhu paid no heed to the fox's inherent allure and instead replied in a deep voice. While he understood the situation, his companion Ao Yu did not.

It turned out that Daji's death wish was caused by the Nine-Tailed Fox's secret manipulation.

"Oh? So, you're a little Daoist, after all. I, a humble demon, act under Nuwa's decree to descend to the mortal world and undermine Cheng Tang's fate. Are you, little Taoist brother, here to stop your elder sister?"

The Nine-Tailed Fox slowly walked forward as she spoke, even throwing a coquettish glance at Li Mingzhu. If not for his exceptional composure and focus, he might have fallen victim to her wiles.

"How audacious!"

Seeing the Nine-Tailed Fox dare to use her Bewitching Technique, Li Mingzhu shouted and caused his Immortal Slaying Sword to emit a strand of Sword Qi. While it did not target the fox, its pressure was substantial.

"You speak nonsense! Nuwa is the Saint Mother of the Human Clan—why would she act in such a manner?" Ao Yu roared angrily. This Fox Demon was unbearable—not only lying, but also brazenly attempting to seduce Li Mingzhu.

"She's not lying. King Zhou profaned Nuwa's temple, and in her wrath, she summoned the Three Demons of Xuanyuan Tomb to undermine Yin Shang's fate," Li Mingzhu explained calmly, shedding light on the matter.

"Ah, the Daoist truly knows much. As expected, worthy of the Profound Sect," the Nine-Tailed Fox said, this time more respectful and refraining from any playful tricks.

"Enough words! If you are willing to return to Xuanyuan Tomb to continue your cultivation, I shall, in deference to Nuwa, spare your life. But if not, do not blame me for slaughtering you today!"

Li Mingzhu's voice turned cold, shaking his Immortal Slaying Sword once more.

Truthfully, if not for Nuwa's connection, Li Mingzhu would have already taken action instead of wasting time with empty words.

"You dare to disregard Nuwa's decree?" The Nine-Tailed Fox asked sharply. She knew she was no match for the two before her, so Nuwa's authority was her sole remaining leverage.

"I am Nuwa's Immortal Child incarnated in human trials. If you were acting under another Saint's instruction, I might hesitate. But now? You tell me—do I dare?"

Li Mingzhu replied sternly, unsheathing the Immortal Slaying Sword. Its overwhelmingly sharp Sword Qi surged toward the Nine-Tailed Fox, halting just an inch from her forehead.

Li Mingzhu had no intent of genuinely offending Nuwa, hence he refrained from killing the fox outright.

"Ah!"

The Nine-Tailed Fox let out a cry of alarm, stumbling back in fear. She hadn't expected Li Mingzhu to act so decisively, showing no room for compromise.

"Daoist, please wait! This humble demon also wishes to return to Xuanyuan Tomb, but I cannot!"

The Nine-Tailed Fox hastily fell to her knees, begging for mercy.

"What do you mean?" Li Mingzhu withdrew his Immortal Slaying Sword.

"To the south of Xuanyuan Tomb lies Lady Shi Ji's Skull Mountain. Recently, terrifying energies have been emanating from that place. Moreover, beneath Xuanyuan Tomb, a formidable ancient demon is awakening. I dare not return!"

The Nine-Tailed Fox, her voice trembling, explained with tears streaming down her face. Though she kept her head lowered, she occasionally peeked at Li Mingzhu's expression. Noticing his face soften, her anxious heart began to ease slightly.

"Cease your attempts at enchantment—they are useless against me!" Li Mingzhu, noticing Ao Yu's displeased expression, said coldly.

"Daoist, this is innate—it cannot be helped!" The Nine-Tailed Fox replied with a hint of smugness, glancing at Ao Yu as she stood. Clearly, the demoness excelled at reading human emotions.

Seeing that Li Mingzhu held no killing intent toward her, she regained her confidence. And indeed, as she claimed, her charms were natural-born.

"To Xuanyuan Tomb!" Without acknowledging her antics, Li Mingzhu waved his sleeve and decided to venture to Xuanyuan Tomb to investigate. At the same time, he intended to meet Lady Shi Ji and see if she could be persuaded to guard Chentang Pass.

After all, he couldn't stay at Chentang Pass forever. With Lady Shi Ji's current cultivation, likely reaching Daluo Golden Immortal, she would make a formidable guardian.

"And what about her?" Ao Yu asked, pointing at Daji with a cold expression.

"Bring her along for now. Teach her some Daoist Skills so she can protect herself, then send her to West Qi."

Li Mingzhu, after some thought, replied. Truth be told, Daji was too troublesome to bring back to Chentang Pass, where her presence would cause even greater issues.

This hot-potato problem was best handed off to Ji Chang. After all, Daji harbored deep affections for his son. Li Mingzhu smirked inwardly at the thought.

Meanwhile, far away in West Qi, the Western Marquis Ji Chang seemed to feel something amiss, sneezing several times in a row. Attempting divination with the Acquired Eight Diagrams, he found himself unable to discern anything.

Perhaps once he mastered the diagrams fully, clarity would come, but for now, the answers eluded him.

Following Li Mingzhu's instructions, Ao Yu employed her magic to revive Daji. Realizing that Daji was not dead after all, the Nine-Tailed Fox grew increasingly curious about Li Mingzhu's identity.

"Who are you?"

Still dazed from her abrupt awakening, Daji couldn't fathom why she was alive, but seeing three strangers in her room prompted her immediate question.

"The ones rescuing you!" Li Mingzhu curtly replied. Before Daji could say more, a whirlwind engulfed them, and all four vanished without a trace.

"Were you sent by my father?"

Now in a grassland a hundred miles away from the previous site, Daji questioned Li Mingzhu.

"No. Just passing by and found you pitiful—dying only to have your body claimed by demons. So, I saved you in passing."

Li Mingzhu's tone was calm. Hearing this, however, Daji's mood fell, disheartened that her father and brothers hadn't come to rescue her.

"Can you take me to West Qi?"

Daji, disappointed, decided against returning to Jizhou after being freed.

"No."

Li Mingzhu's response was cold and indifferent. Beside him, Ao Yu looked satisfied, her own stance subtly shifting without her realizing it.

"Let's go—to Xuanyuan Tomb!"

Without further delay, Li Mingzhu employed the Daoist Skill "One Step to the Horizon," whisking the group toward Xuanyuan Tomb. Daji, who wanted to press Li Mingzhu, found no opportunity to do so. Without protection, her body couldn't endure the technique, prompting Ao Yu to shelter her along the way.

As they traveled to Xuanyuan Tomb, Ao Yu gave Daji some pointers, explaining that if she wished to go to West Qi, she would have to rely on herself. Learning some Daoist Skills from Li Mingzhu and Ao Yu excited her immensely.

The Nine-Tailed Fox, meanwhile, observed coldly from the side, but couldn't help agreeing with Li Mingzhu's approach.

Traveling swiftly, the group arrived at Skull Mountain in just two quarters of an hour but chose not to proceed directly to Xuanyuan Tomb.

Outside the White Bone Cave at Skull Mountain, Bi Yun, a lone Immortal Child, was idly keeping watch. Upon spotting Li Mingzhu and the others, his previously bored expression lit up with joy. Finally, living people—and familiar ones at that!

Before Bi Yun could greet them, the gates of the White Bone Cave opened, and Lady Shi Ji's figure emerged like a gentle breeze.

"What brings the Immortal Child here?" Lady Shi Ji asked with a smile.

"Greetings, Lady Shi Ji. To be honest, Senior, this disciple has a minor issue to resolve here. But more importantly, I seek to invite you to guard Chentang Pass," Li Mingzhu replied with a smile. Though he addressed her as "Senior," he refrained from offering a junior's formal greeting, knowing she would not accept it.

"I see. Congratulations, Immortal Child, on joining Senior Sister Wudang's tutelage. As for your invitation, I shall gladly accept!"

Lady Shi Ji, already a Daluo Golden Immortal, quickly deduced Li Mingzhu's connection to Wudang. Without hesitation, she agreed to his request, not even mentioning any conditions or rewards.

Indeed, this stemmed partly from her karmic ties to Li Mingzhu and Nuwa, but mainly from the camaraderie and unity intrinsic to the Jie Sect members.

A final note: In reality, Xuanyuan Tomb is located near Chaoge, consistent with the original text. However, for narrative purposes, I've written it this way instead. I hope history buffs and fans of the classic tale will understand and forgive me.