Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

Li Mingzhu's calm words frightened Huang Feihu. He had wanted to explain himself, but Li Mingzhu didn't give him the chance, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

After leaving the street corner, Li Mingzhu casually found an inn, chose a room, and stayed there.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Li Mingzhu waved his hand through the void before him, summoning a light mirror. Reflected in it was the image of Bi Gan and his entourage.

The Peach Wood Sword bore his Sword Intent and Divine Thought. Achieving this was naturally no challenge.

Meanwhile, after Jiang Ziya returned to Chaoge City and heard of Li Mingzhu's deeds, he wasn't overly concerned. Since Li Mingzhu intended to eliminate demons, Jiang Ziya naturally supported him wholeheartedly. However, he was puzzled as to why Li Mingzhu acted under his name.

Lacking the cultivation to calculate the reasons, Jiang Ziya let it go without insistence.

For those on the Immortal Path, everything should follow nature's course. Forcing things was contrary to their beliefs; it was best to conform to Heavenly Will.

From Jiang Ziya's mindset, it was clear that though he hadn't received the Primordial True Inheritance in magic, he had profoundly grasped its philosophy.

To conform to Heavenly Will was not merely about adhering to the Heavenly Dao's flow but also about accepting the myriad things in the mortal world. If all disciples of the Saint in the Jade Purity lineage could internalize this mindset, the Twelve Golden Immortals' Realm would far exceed its current level.

Regrettably, among them, few truly understood.

In the inn, the light mirror continued to reflect the movements of Bi Gan and Huang Feihu, showing them entering the Royal Palace, navigating the labyrinthine Nine Curves and Eighteen Corridors, until they finally reached King Zhou's grand hall.

"This subject, Bi Gan, pays respects to Your Majesty."

"This subject, Huang Feihu, pays respects to Your Majesty."

Within the grand hall, ministers were already engaged in discussions. Huang Feihu and Bi Gan both bowed with the utmost respect before King Zhou.

King Zhou, tall and imposing, his thick black hair casually draped over his shoulders, exuded authority despite his somewhat haggard demeanor.

Who could imagine that the King Zhou now seated on the throne was once capable of lifting five tripods and tearing tigers apart with his bare hands—a figure rivaling the Overlord himself?

Seated to King Zhou's left was a woman, presumably Lady Xi. Clad in a resplendent crimson phoenix robe and adorned with a Nine Dragon Phoenix Hairpin, her mere attire radiated peerless nobility, let alone her breathtaking beauty.

In terms of appearance, Li Mingzhu was certain that among all the women he had encountered, none could rival Lady Xi.

Of course, judging a woman shouldn't rely solely on her looks. Nuwa's divine grace, the allure of enchantresses, Yang Chan's ethereal charm—these qualities were distinct and unattainable for Lady Xi.

Her entire being seemed to exist solely for her beauty—at least, that was Li Mingzhu's impression.

Despite these musings, Li Mingzhu continued to watch the events unfold in the mirror without betraying any emotion.

"Uncle Wang and King Wu Cheng, there's no need for formalities. What brings you to the palace suddenly?"

King Zhou gently picked up the wine goblet on the table, draining it in one go. Lady Xi promptly refilled it.

In the past, King Zhou would never drink while discussing state affairs.

"Your Majesty, while patrolling the streets today with King Wu Cheng, we encountered an old Immortal from Kunlun Mountain. He claimed that there was a demon causing havoc in the Royal Palace!"

Bi Gan spoke deliberately, careful not to disclose everything. Artful restraint was key to speech—when one uncovered the truth through their own investigation, it held greater value and importance.

"Nonsense! The Yin Shang Palace is the heart of the nation, guarded by the Divine Black Bird. How could there be talk of demons?"

King Zhou roared in anger, though he restrained his reprimand out of respect for Bi Gan. Otherwise, given the King's current temperament, anyone else would have likely been imprisoned immediately.

This wasn't an exaggeration, but a reality.

When Bi Gan uttered those words, Li Mingzhu focused all his attention on Lady Xi, finding no trace of emotional response.

Logically speaking, if Lady Xi were truly a demon, she would have appeared flustered upon hearing Bi Gan's words.

Was Lady Xi fearless, or was she genuinely not a demon?

Li Mingzhu could not determine and chose to keep observing.

"Your Majesty, that was my initial response as well. Yet, the old Immortal merely laughed and pointed to the crowd, exposing a Pipa Demon, forcing it to reveal its true form on the spot. Such abilities leave me no choice but to believe!"

Bi Gan knelt, his voice heavy with solemnity.

"If it's true that such abilities exist, then his words may indeed hold some truth. Uncle Wang, please continue."

King Zhou pondered for a moment, finding some logic in Bi Gan's account.

"The old Immortal then handed me this Peach Wood Sword, claiming that hanging it above the main gate would reveal the presence of demons, if any."

Bi Gan promptly presented the Peach Wood Sword. At the sight of it, Lady Xi's expression finally shifted ever so slightly. Though subtle, Li Mingzhu caught it nonetheless.

Yet her expression confused Li Mingzhu—it did not display fear but rather astonishment and doubt.

King Zhou took the Peach Wood Sword, examining it closely. Though he couldn't discern its extraordinariness, he ultimately followed Bi Gan's advice and ordered the sword to be hung above the main gate.

"Your Majesty is sagacious!"

....

Upon hearing this, Bi Gan immediately knelt and exclaimed loudly in praise. The ministers behind him also knelt, their unified cries filling the chamber. In their eyes, King Zhou had finally made a commendable decision. Their gazes toward Lady Xi shifted from malice to pity.

After all, why hold grudges against someone doomed—a walking corpse, nothing more?

King Zhou, observing the ministers' display, grew weary and waved them off impatiently, signaling them to leave.

"Beloved Consort, do you think there's truly a demon in my palace?"

After the ministers departed, King Zhou jokingly asked Lady Xi.

"What does Your Majesty think?" Lady Xi turned her head with a dazzling smile, rendering King Zhou spellbound.

"If you ask me, of course not! The Yin Shang Dynasty has stood for five centuries—demons in the palace? Preposterous!" King Zhou replied indignantly.

"Then why hang the sword, Your Majesty?"

Lady Xi spoke softly, her charm boundless—a natural enchantress.

"If I didn't follow their suggestion, wouldn't they pester me to death?"

King Zhou replied helplessly. Though he was the king, even he couldn't completely do as he pleased.

"Oh, I see."

......

Li Mingzhu wiped away the light mirror and immersed his Divine Thought within the Peach Wood Sword, beginning his search. Naturally, his focus was on Lady Xi.

Why must the Peach Wood Sword be hung above the main gate to permit an extensive search of the palace? The reason was simple: the Yin Shang's national fate was still intact. Without cultivation at the Quasi-Sect Leader level, the kingdom's destiny severely limited exploratory capabilities.

However, with King Zhou's consent, it was an entirely different matter.