Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

After leaving the Yanshan region, Zhang Kui and the Marquis of Xibo, Ji Chang, rode side by side southward. After passing Lintong and entering the heart of the Central Plains, the guards at the passes along the way, seeing that it was the elite troops under Grand Tutor Wen and the entourage of the Marquis of Xibo, dared not be negligent and let them pass smoothly.

On this day, Zhang Kui and his group arrived at the border of Mianchi County. They saw that the terrain gradually became flatter and the population became denser, making it a far more prosperous place compared to the harsh cold of the north.

The official road was lined with neat farmhouses, crisscrossed by paths, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard everywhere. Although it could not be described as luxurious or wealthy, it exuded a sense of tranquility unique to the heart of the Central Plains.

Upon reaching a fork in the road, the carriage of Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, slowly came to a stop.

The old marquis slowly lifted the carriage curtain and said to Zhang Kui, who was riding beside him, "General Zhang, Chaoge is just over a hundred li ahead. I need to go directly to the post station to settle in and await His Majesty's summons. Does the general intend to go directly to the court to report back?"

Zhang Kui reined in the unicorn-like black smoke beast, gazing at the road leading to Mianchi County, a road that was both familiar and somewhat unfamiliar, a complex and unfathomable emotion flashing in his eyes.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Kui cupped his hands and said, "My lord, my hometown is Mianchi County. Now that I have arrived, I wish to return home first to visit my elderly mother and fulfill my filial duties before going to Chaoge to pay my respects to His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Ji Chang showed an expression of admiration: "General, you have fought countless battles, yet you still do not forget filial piety. This is truly commendable. In that case, let us part ways here. I hope you will take good care of yourself in Chaoge City. If you need any assistance, please come to the post station to find me, and I will certainly do my best to help you."

"Thank you, Your Excellency. Take care." Zhang Kui returned the greeting solemnly.

The two parted ways, and Ji Chang's carriage, surrounded by guards, continued along the official road towards Chaoge.

Zhang Kui watched Ji Chang and his entourage depart until they disappeared on the horizon, then slowly turned his horse around and continued on his way.

Looking towards the familiar county town not far away, Zhang Kui's longing began to surge.

"culture."

"Your subordinate is here!" Wu Wenhua responded in a deep voice, carrying the giant club as he stepped forward.

"Take the brothers and find a suitable place outside the city to set up camp. Without my order, no one is allowed to enter the city and disturb the people," Zhang Kui instructed. "Later, I will enter the city alone."

"General, let me go with you. What if things go wrong in the city..." Wu Wenhua was a little worried. Although Zhang Kui was highly skilled, in his simple understanding, when the general returned home, there had to be someone to make a good impression.

Zhang Kui smiled, patted his strong arm and said, "It's alright, this is my hometown, what could possibly happen? Just keep your men in check and make sure nothing goes wrong, that'll be a great achievement."

"Yes, General, rest assured." Although Wu Wenhua was honest and straightforward, he never disregarded Zhang Kui's orders. He immediately turned around, called out to the three hundred Xuanjia cavalrymen, and headed towards the outside of the city. They eventually found a secluded forest to set up camp.

Zhang Kui gently tugged at the unicorn-like black smoke beast, and the beast, seemingly sentient, strode forward with light, quick steps toward the city gate of Mianchi County.

The closer Zhang Kui got to the city gate, the more pronounced his feeling of being both homesick and apprehensive became. The city walls seemed more weathered than he remembered, and the soldiers guarding the city were unfamiliar faces, checking passersby.

Zhang Kui did not reveal his identity, but a trace of military aura slowly emanated from his body. Seeing that Zhang Kui's mount was magnificent and his armor was extraordinary, the gatekeepers did not dare to ask any questions and respectfully let him pass.

Stepping into the town, the familiar atmosphere of Mianchi County immediately hits you. Shops line both sides of the street, and the cries of vendors, the sounds of bargaining, and the laughter of children weave together a vibrant and bustling symphony of everyday life, full of genuine human warmth.

Zhang Kui dismounted, made a hand seal, put away the unicorn-like beast, and walked slowly on the cobblestone street.

Zhang Kui's gaze swept over the familiar signs on both sides, and childhood memories flooded back like a tide. There was Wang's blacksmith shop, where he used to hunt with hunting spears; that old locust tree, where Zhang Kui and his younger brother Zhang Shan used to play in the summer; and the old man selling flatbread, who seemed much older, but the aroma of his baked flatbreads remained unchanged…

Zhang Kui strolled along, stopping at a sugar figurine stall. He bought a simple monkey figurine, put it in his mouth, and the sweet maltose melted in his mouth—it tasted just like he remembered. He then walked to a long-established noodle shop and ordered a bowl of mutton stew noodles. Steaming hot, the broth was thick and the meat tender. Eating it warmed his stomach, as if even the chill from years of battles and warfare had been dispelled.

Enjoying this rare tranquility and familiarity, Zhang Kui's heart gradually calmed down. However, when he turned into a slightly secluded street as his younger brother Zhang Shan had indicated in his letter and found the pharmacy called "Jishantang," his brows began to furrow.

That's not right. My brother clearly said in his letter that the "Jishantang" shop that our mother runs is doing very well because of its high-quality medicinal materials and reasonable prices.

The shop in front of me, bearing the plaque "Jishantang," was closed and deserted, a stark contrast to the surrounding shops that were open for business. The plaque was even covered in dust, giving it a somewhat desolate appearance.

"What's going on?" Zhang Kui wondered. "My mother is a kind and skilled doctor. Even if her business isn't as booming as my brother said, it shouldn't be this quiet. Could something have happened at home?"

A sense of unease swept over Zhang Kui. He quickly stepped forward and saw that the pharmacy door was not locked from the outside, but only slightly ajar.

He reached out and gave it a gentle push.

With a creak, the old wooden door groaned, as if a weary bird had been startled, and reluctantly spun inward.

The shop was dimly lit and filled with a faint medicinal smell. This smell seemed to be more than just ordinary herbs; it also carried a very faint, almost imperceptible, sweet and fishy odor and a burnt smell.

The light inside the door was dim and unclear, with only the outline of the shelves clearly visible, on which various medicine boxes were neatly stacked.

Before Zhang Kui's eyes could adjust to the light and he could see the scene inside the shop, a clear but angry shout rang out, like an ice bead falling onto a jade plate, suddenly exploding:

"Yu De, you despicable scoundrel, how dare you spy on me! Take this!"

Before the words were finished, a sharp, piercing sound came hurtling through the air.

In the dim light, a dozen or so golden lights suddenly shone brightly, extremely dazzling, like fragments of the blazing sun suddenly bursting forth. With a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air, they transformed into a deadly storm, heading straight for Zhang Kui's face, throat, heart, and other vital points on his body.

Those were no ordinary golden needles. They were incredibly fast, clearly infused with pure and powerful magic. Each one was scorching hot, its light almost burning the eyes. They also carried a scorching, sharp aura, enough to pierce through metal and stone, precisely locking onto his aura and sealing off all space for evasion, leaving him with no way to avoid it but to withstand it head-on.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Kui didn't even have time to fully see the person who made the move. He only vaguely glimpsed a slender red figure and a pair of eyes that were exceptionally bright with shock and anger, like stars suddenly lit up in the dark night.

Danger!

At the critical moment, Zhang Kui's instincts as a Celestial Immortal cultivator instantly erupted.