Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The caravan moved slowly, but Li Mingzhu didn't interfere—after all, there was no rush.

Lying on a large cart filled with grain, Li Mingzhu felt utterly at ease. Calculating the timeline, Ji Chang had just entered Chaoge not long ago. Seven years of imprisonment awaited him.

It was only after that time that the Divine Enthronement War would officially begin. For now, the world was rarely at peace. While undercurrents flowed beneath the surface, on the face of it, the nation appeared stable and prosperous.

In Li Mingzhu's grand plan, the North Sea must become unshakable in these seven years. That way, no matter how the battles between West Qi and Yin Shang turned out, he could reap the benefits as the fisherman catching both ends.

This overarching strategy was already nearly halfway complete, and naturally, Li Mingzhu felt significantly more at ease.

"What are you thinking about?"

Out of nowhere, Little Zhu Xiong appeared beside Li Mingzhu, holding a small wine gourd. Judging by its appearance, it was clearly a Magic Artifact. If this carefree posture belonged to a young man like Li Mingzhu, it could be called free-spirited. But on Little Zhu Xiong, it appeared rather peculiar.

"Thinking about why the sky is so blue, and thinking about all the living creatures under heaven!" Li Mingzhu replied with a smile, his words half a joke, half the truth. As for what he truly meant, even he didn't know.

After all, everyone indulges in idle thoughts. Even if he had already reached the cultivation level of a Taiyi Profound Immortal, did that mean he couldn't let his mind wander?

It was a month later when the caravan finally arrived at Jiameng Pass.

Jiameng Pass was one of the most important frontier military towns of Yin Shang, with a garrison of fifty thousand troops. The Mo Family Four Generals presiding over Jiameng Pass held the position of Generals, their status quite prominent.

Li Mingzhu ordered the caravan to stop and spoke briefly with Li Jing, then decided to enter the pass alone to meet with the Mo Family Four Generals. If he could persuade them, that would be best; if not, then at least it would establish a good rapport.

Bringing Little Zhu Xiong along, Li Mingzhu took out several decent Acquired Magical Treasures and proceeded toward the pass at a leisurely pace.

Clad in a white Daoist robe, Li Mingzhu's youthful appearance was offset by an aura of extraordinary refinement. He told the guards at the gate that he was there to visit senior members of their sect. The guards, recognizing his distinctiveness, did not stop him.

Upon entering the city, Li Mingzhu headed straight to the General's Mansion. Repeating his message to the guards outside the mansion, he again encountered no resistance.

After all, their Generals had indeed learned the Dao overseas, so it wasn't unusual for fellow Daoists to pay visits. If the guards indiscriminately blocked someone who turned out to be a high master, it could bring disaster upon themselves.

"Where are the four Senior Uncles? Li Mingzhu of the Jie Sect seeks an audience!"

Entering the General's Mansion, Li Mingzhu called out loudly, confident that the Mo Family Four Generals would come out to meet him upon hearing his voice.

"We dare not accept the title of Senior Uncle. Fellow Daoist's great talents are far beyond us. Let us engage as equals instead!"

A hearty voice rang out from within the mansion. In the blink of an eye, four burly men appeared before Li Mingzhu—the Mo Family Four Generals.

Zengzhang Heavenly King, Mo Liqing, stood at two zhang and four chi tall, with a face resembling a live crab and a beard like copper coins.

He wielded the Green-Edged Treasure Sword, inscribed with talismanic symbols and four characters: "Earth, Water, Fire, Wind." The wind was a black gale filled with tens of thousands of spears. Anyone caught by this blade would see their limbs pulverized. The fire conjured golden serpents winding in the air, filling the ground with black smoke that obscured vision and burned everything in its path.

Holding King, Mo Lihai, wielded a spear and carried an emerald green pipa on his back. Its four strings also corresponded to "Earth, Water, Fire, Wind." Plucking the strings conjured wind and fire simultaneously.

Many-Heard Heavenly King, Mo Lihong, carried the Hunyuan Pearl Umbrella. Its name was a play on the concept of "rain," and on it were inlays of Grandmother Green, Grandmother Seal, Grandmother Emerald, Luminous Pearl, Green Dust Bead, Bihuo Pearl, Bishui Pearl, Cooling Bead, Nine Curves Pearl, Color Fixing Pearl, and Wind Stabilizing Pearl, as well as pearls threaded into the words "Contains Heaven and Earth." This umbrella was not to be opened lightly—once opened, it plunged the heavens into darkness, obscuring the sun and moon. A single turn of the umbrella sent the world reeling.

Broad-Seen Heavenly King, Mo Lishou, wielded two whips. Within his pouch was a creature resembling a white weasel called the Purple Gold Flower Fox Mink. When released, it transformed into a giant white elephant with wings sprouting from its ribs, devouring everything in its path.

Though Mo Lishou ranked fourth in seniority, his Daoist cultivation and methods made him the leader among the brothers. The origin of their fortunes remained a mystery, but their Spiritual Treasures rivaled Innate objects and were exceptionally formidable.

Even more remarkable was their unity as brothers. When fighting together, their strength multiplied. That Li Jing valued them was no mystery.

"I dare not… I dare not! You four Senior Uncles are my elders—such generational distinctions must not be confused!"

Li Mingzhu stepped forward, smiling as he spoke.

"Then let's each address the other as we prefer. After all, in the Primordial World, seniority is determined by strength!"

Mo Lihong chuckled. Indeed, for outer disciples of the Jie Sect, their status was closer to that of Loose Cultivators, with few rules binding them. Seniority was typically determined by strength alone.

"What brings you here, Fellow Daoist?"

Mo Lishou, the most thoughtful of the four and the brothers' strategist, was the first to ask Li Mingzhu's purpose. Though they were fellow disciples of the same sect, as mere outer disciples, they had no prior connection with someone like Li Mingzhu.

Moreover, they had recently heard of Li Mingzhu's impressive exploits, so it was wise to tread carefully.

"My journey takes me to the North Sea, yet I happened to pass through the territory of my four Senior Uncles. Naturally, I came to pay my respects!"

Starting off by directly asking them to join Li Jing would undoubtedly provoke hostility. Li Mingzhu was here to recruit, not to create conflict.

"An honor indeed! Fellow Daoist, please come in."

Mo Liqing gestured to invite Li Mingzhu into the inner mansion for a conversation. They didn't believe for a moment that Li Mingzhu would visit without reason. If his purpose was trivial, then so be it.

After all, they shared sectarian ties, and as a younger disciple, it was only right to offer assistance if needed.

Inside the mansion, a lavish feast awaited them. Unlike the food of ordinary households, the dishes were crafted entirely from Spiritual Objects of Heaven and Earth, carrying considerable value.

"Thank you, Senior Uncles, for the hospitality. I have brought some gifts in return for the four of you."

"Little Zhu Xiong!"

Hearing Li Mingzhu's call, Little Zhu Xiong immediately jumped down from his shoulder. From seemingly nowhere, he pulled out a box like a bottomless pit and continued to retrieve items. Four Magical Treasures in total—all Acquired Spiritual Treasures.

Storage Wood Stick, Meteor Whip, Flying Leaf Sword, Butterfly Dart!

The treasures gleamed brilliantly. Though merely Acquired Spiritual Treasures, displayed together, they were dazzlingly eye-catching.

"What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist?"

Mo Lishou fixed his gaze on Li Mingzhu. Such a generous gift surely came with significant strings attached.

"I wish to invite the four Senior Uncles to take up posts in the North Sea!"

Li Mingzhu spoke candidly, seeing no use in further preamble. The groundwork had been sufficiently laid—it was now up to the Mo Family Four Generals to decide.

"The newly appointed Marquis Beihai, Li Jing, is what relation to you?"

Mo Lihai asked. Though they had heard of Li Mingzhu's reputation, they knew little of his background and certainly didn't know that Li Jing was his father.

"He is my father!"

Li Mingzhu made no effort to conceal this fact. If they were to fight side by side in the future, it was better to clarify everything from the start.