Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

Xiqi.

The Marquis of Xibo's residence, a secret room.

The candlelight flickered.

Ji Fa and his younger brother Ji Dan sat facing each other, with a huge sheepskin map spread out in front of them, marking the distribution of forces around Xiqi.

Ji Fa frowned deeply.

"My father has been imprisoned in Chaoge for seven years."

"We are secretly accumulating strength, but if we really want to raise the banner against the merchants... our strength is still insufficient."

"Chaoge has Wen Zhong and Huang Feihu, and now there is the mysterious Su Yunbai."

"We have no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation."

Ji Dan, later known as the Duke of Zhou, had sharp eyes.

He pointed to the map: "Brother, look."

"Of all the feudal lords in the land, seven or eight out of ten were dissatisfied with Emperor Xin."

"But why is no one willing to be the first to rise up?"

"Firstly, they feared the military might of the Shang Dynasty."

"Both lack a 'legitimate justification'."

"A just cause?" Ji Fa asked, puzzled.

"Yes." Ji Dan nodded. "Father was known for his benevolence and righteousness, and Xiqi governed the country with virtue, winning the hearts of the people. This is our foundation."

"But that's not enough."

"We need a reason that will convince the world, a banner that will inspire the feudal lords to follow us."

"It can't just be empty talk like 'Emperor Xin was tyrannical'."

"What should we do then?"

A glint of wisdom flashed in Ji Dan's eyes.

"What has Emperor Xin been doing lately?"

"Writing poems that blaspheme Nuwa and forcibly conscripting beauties seem foolish."

"But that's exactly what gave us an opportunity."

"We do not use the 'anti-business' banner."

"We wave the banners of 'honoring the gods,' 'protecting the Way,' and 'protecting the people'!"

Ji Fa was taken aback: "Explain in detail."

Ji Dan stood up and paced around the secret room.

"The first step is to create momentum."

"Send messengers to secretly spread rumors throughout the land: Emperor Xin has blasphemed the gods and angered Heaven, and will surely bring calamity upon the world. Marquis Ji Chang of Xibo is benevolent and has repeatedly advised against this, but has been imprisoned instead. To protect the people of Xiqi, we have no choice but to gather righteous troops, purge the court of corrupt officials, and uphold the Way of Heaven!"

"The second step is to form an alliance through marriage."

"I have already agreed to a marriage with the daughter of Marquis Jiang Huanchu of the East. The land of Donglu has well-trained soldiers and ample provisions, and can serve as a strong ally for me."

"The Marquis of Nanbo, E Chongyu, has a son who is lustful and greedy. He can be befriended with large sums of money and promised great benefits to gain his support."

"In the northern Ji Province... Su Hu is fierce and difficult to win over for the time being, but his adopted son Su Yunbai is currently highly valued by Emperor Xin and may become a variable. We need to pay close attention to him."

"The third step is restructuring."

"We will no longer call ourselves 'Xiqi' or use the title of 'Marquis'."

Ji Dan's eyes shone brightly: "Let's establish the Zhou Dynasty!"

"Brother, you are the 'King Zhou'!"

"We will establish a new system: enfeoffment, the well-field system, rites and music... so that the people of the world can see that Zhou represents order, benevolence, and the future!"

"And the Shang dynasty represents chaos, tyranny, and the past!"

Ji Fa was deeply moved, but still had some doubts.

"Declare yourself king? This is blatant rebellion! Chaoge will surely send troops to attack!"

"Therefore, our fourth step requires 'divine revelation,'" Ji Dan smiled. "We need a figure who can communicate with the heavens and represent 'divine mandate' to bless us."

"You mean... an immortal?"

"Yes." Ji Dan nodded. "The Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain is under the jurisdiction of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable. I have heard that he has a disciple named Jiang Shang, courtesy name Ziya. Although his cultivation is not outstanding, he is proficient in the art of governing the country and using troops, and is also skilled in divination."

"If we could persuade him to come down the mountain and assist our elder brother, we could use the name of 'Heaven's Will' to carry out the campaign against the Shang dynasty..."

"Then the great righteousness and the mandate of Heaven belong entirely to our Zhou!"

Ji Fa took a deep breath.

"This strategy...is brilliant!"

"But how can we persuade Jiang Ziya to agree?"

"I have already made arrangements for this matter," Ji Dan said confidently. "I have sent people to Kunlun three times with great courtesy and sincerity to explain the great principles of the world, the suffering of the people, and to further declare that Emperor Xin of the Ming Dynasty was depraved and immoral, and that Heaven should abandon the Shang Dynasty and establish the Zhou Dynasty."

"The Chan Sect follows the will of Heaven and the people, and Jiang Ziya bears the mandate of Heaven to bestow titles upon the gods... He will definitely descend the mountain."

……

Kunlun Mountain, Yuxu Palace.

Behind the mountain, in front of a simple thatched hut.

Jiang Ziya was sitting by the stream fishing.

His hair and beard were all white, his face was thin, but his eyes were clear and wise.

The fishing rod has no hook.

But he didn't care.

A young boy hurried over and bowed respectfully: "Uncle-Master Jiang, Xiqi has sent someone again. They bring generous gifts and speak earnestly, requesting that you descend the mountain to assist a wise ruler and follow the will of Heaven and the people."

Jiang Ziya didn't even lift his eyelids.

"How many times has this happened?"

"This is the third time, Uncle-Master."

Jiang Ziya remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

"That's enough."

What's meant to come will come.

He put away his fishing rod.

At the end of the fishing line, there was a faint, almost imperceptible golden light flowing around, as if it were connected to some mysterious destiny.

He stood up and looked eastward.

His gaze seemed to pierce through mountains and rivers, seeing the clamor of Chaoge, the blood and fire of the North Sea, and the schemes of the two brothers in the secret chamber of Xiqi.

"Emperor Xin... Su Yunbai..."

"The Mandate of Heaven is with Zhou..."

"But why do I always feel... that this 'fate' isn't monolithic?"

He shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions.

Master Yuanshi Tianzun has given orders for him to descend the mountain, assist Zhou in overthrowing Shang, and preside over the investiture of the gods.

This is ordained by Heaven and cannot be defied.

"Tell the envoy from Xiqi."

"I will go to Xiqi in three days."

"Let them...prepare what they need to prepare."

"Yes!" The boy accepted the order and left.

Jiang Ziya returned to the thatched hut and tidied up briefly.

A satchel, a fishing rod without a hook, and a few scrolls of bamboo slips.

There was nothing else.

He walked out of the thatched hut and took one last look at Kunlun Mountain, where he had lived for decades.

Clouds and mist swirl around, and cranes flutter gracefully.

But he knew that this journey would lead him into the vast mortal world, where he would be beset by calamities.

"Master," he bowed deeply towards the direction of Jade Void Palace, "this disciple is departing."

"Hopefully, the path to godhood will involve less bloodshed and more chances of survival."

He turned around and started walking down the mountain.

Their steps seemed slow, yet they moved with incredible speed, disappearing into the distance at the end of the mountain path in the blink of an eye.

……

Three days later.

Outside Xiqi City.

Ji Fa and Ji Dan led all the civil and military officials to personally go out of the city and travel thirty miles to welcome them.

In the distance, a figure was seen, dressed in hemp clothing and straw sandals, carrying a satchel and holding a bamboo pole, drifting towards them.

Seemingly ordinary, yet possessing a unique air of elegance.

Ji Fa quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Ji Fa of Xiqi welcomes Mr. Jiang Shang!"

The officials behind him all bowed in unison.

Jiang Ziya accepted the courtesy without hesitation and helped Ji Fa up.

"My lord, there's no need for such formalities."

"Ziya descended the mountain on his master's orders to assist a wise ruler, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people."

"From now on, I hope you will give me your guidance."

Ji Fa was overjoyed: "To have your assistance, sir, is a great fortune for Ji Fa, a great fortune for Xiqi, and a great fortune for all the people of the world!"

He stepped aside to lead the way: "Please enter the city, sir. A residence has been prepared to welcome you and give you a proper welcome."

Jiang Ziya waved his hand.

"No rush."

He looked up at the sky above Xiqi City.

He activated the Jade Void Immortal Technique, and his eyes shone with divine light.

To everyone else, the sky above Xiqi City appeared completely ordinary.

But in Jiang Ziya's eyes, he saw a condensing azure aura, like a dragon lurking in the abyss, poised to unleash its power.

However, within this fortune, there are several intertwined streaks of mixed colors, seemingly creating an obstacle.

He did some quick calculations with his fingers, then frowned slightly.

"My lord, the matter of establishing the Zhou dynasty should be done sooner rather than later."

"But before that, there are three things that need to be done."

"Please speak, sir!"

"First, seven days later, an altar was set up at Qishan to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and the state was officially established as 'Zhou,' with Ji Fa honored as 'King Wu of Zhou.'"

"Second, the 'Rites of Zhou' were promulgated to clarify the system, stabilize the people's hearts, and attract talented people."

"Third," Jiang Ziya's gaze sharpened, "we must eliminate internal threats. Within Xiqi, there are those who secretly collude with Chaoge, and those who are two-faced. We must thoroughly purge them before establishing the state!"

Ji Fa and Ji Dan exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with shock.

Jiang Ziya, a newcomer, had already discerned the instability within Xiqi.

"Sir, your calculations are divine!" Ji Dan exclaimed in admiration. "I have already made arrangements for this matter, and I will ensure that it is resolved before the establishment of the nation."

"Good." Jiang Ziya nodded. "Only in this way can we gather fortune and inherit the mandate of heaven."

He paused, then added, "There's one more thing."

"The situation in the North Sea needs to be closely monitored."

"That Su Yunbai is no ordinary person."

"If he swiftly pacifies the North Sea... it will be a huge variable for the great cause of our Zhou Kingdom."

Ji Fa's expression turned solemn: "What do you mean, sir...?"

"Find a way to stall him." Jiang Ziya's tone was calm, yet chilling, "or perhaps make the chaos in the North Sea even more chaotic."

"If necessary... we can cooperate with certain 'external forces'."