Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Seeing Zhang Kui enter the room, Gao Lanying asked with some confusion, "Husband, Yu Qing has already left?" Gao Lanying, who was already a Xuanxian, sensed that Yu Qing had already left and was somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, Yu Qing has left," Zhang Kui handed the silk scroll to Gao Lanying, "leaving only this, saying it was written by Grand Tutor Wen."

Gao Lanying took it and opened it. Inside, she saw that it read:

"Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, the rebellion in Xiqi is now a foregone conclusion. To nip it in the bud, I have ordered Zhang Guifang to personally lead a large army to quell the rebellion. To ensure absolute success, I now request that you condescend to go to the front lines and lend them a helping hand. I hope you will set off soon. Wen Zhong thanks you!"

Zhang Kui took the letter, quickly glanced at it, and said, "Lan Ying, thanks to you, Grand Tutor Wen now calls me Fellow Daoist."

"Wen Zhong and I are both third-generation disciples of the Jie Sect. It's not wrong for him to call you 'fellow Daoist'!" Gao Lanying said with a smile.

"To get back to the point, my husband, what are your plans regarding the matters mentioned in the letter?" Gao Lanying asked.

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "I think we still have to go, after all, there's no escaping this matter. Moreover, Grand Tutor Wen specifically sent Yu Qing to deliver the letter personally, which shows that he cares a lot about this matter."

Seeing that Zhang Kui had made up his mind, Gao Lanying stopped trying to persuade him. "Husband, be careful in everything you do. If things become unbearable, get out of there in time."

"Okay, don't worry!"

Zhang Kui held his wife's hand and said gently, "I have now become a Xuanxian (a high-level immortal), and I also possess the supernatural powers of a spirit sorcerer. Even if I encounter a Jinxian (a high-level immortal), it will not be difficult for me to escape by using the technique of flying and teleporting."

He paused, a profound glint in his eyes: "Besides, if all else fails, there's still that deity."

Thinking of the existence of the Great Emperor of Fengdu in the Northern Yin, Gao Lanying felt relieved.

With the matter settled, Zhang Kui didn't delay any longer. He instructed Gao Lanying to take care of the family, then made a hand seal and cast a spell, making his figure appear and disappear—this was the Heavenly Gang Divine Power "Flying Body Leaving a Trace".

After he inscribed this supernatural ability into the essence of the Golden Core Dao, it reached a state of perfection. Not only could it conceal his whereabouts, but it could also merge with the meridians of heaven and earth, making it far faster than ordinary escape techniques.

"I'm off!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhang Kui had already disappeared from the quiet room.

……

Under Xiqi City

After quietly arriving in Xiqi territory, Zhang Kui did not go directly to the Shang army camp. Instead, he concealed his presence and chose a high ground outside the city to observe the battle.

Zhang Guifang personally led a large army, with banners waving and military might in a formidable display, to confront Zhou's army beneath the city walls.

On the walls of Xiqi, the Zhou army was heavily fortified, and tensions were high between the two sides.

At this moment, Vanguard General Feng Lin had just killed Ji Shuqian, the son of King Wen.

Feng Lin rode a black-maned horse, wielding an iron mace. The red jewel on his chest was clearly a heretical magical artifact crafted using secret methods, specifically designed to harm the soul. "Traitors of Xiqi! You have no ruler, no father, you plotted rebellion, your crimes are unforgivable! Surrender now!"

Zhang Kui activated the Great Yin-Yang Void-Piercing True Eye, his eyes circulating with the Yin and Yang energies, taking in every detail of the battlefield.

"Zhang Guifang actually has such a person under her command," Zhang Kui thought to himself. "It seems that this trip to Xiqi is bound to be fraught with twists and turns."

……

Inside the city of Xiqi, in the main hall of the royal palace.

Upon learning of Ji Shuqian's death in battle, King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa, was overcome with grief. "Prime Minister, what should we do?"

Jiang Ziya pondered for a moment and then said, "My lord, rest assured, I will personally lead the troops out of the city to meet the enemy tomorrow."

The next day, Jiang Ziya led his army out of the city in formation.

"Please invite General Zhang Guifang to come forward for a chat." Jiang Ziya specifically requested Zhang Guifang to appear and answer questions.

The banners of the Yin Shang army fluttered in the wind. Zhang Guifang, dressed in silver helmet and white armor, holding a long spear, rode forward.

Zhang Kui stared intently and saw that his former comrade-in-arms, who had fought alongside him in suppressing the rebellion in Beihai, was becoming increasingly composed, with a faint aura of menace surrounding him. Clearly, his martial arts skills had improved compared to the past.

"Jiang Shang, you were originally a subject of the Shang dynasty, yet you betrayed your lord without cause. Now you are colluding with the rebels of Xiqi, which is a heinous crime. Today I am ordered to punish the disobedient. You should all dismount and surrender immediately!" Zhang Guifang shouted sternly, her voice echoing across the battlefield.

"General, you are mistaken. If a ruler is wicked, the whole world will follow him. Now you are leading your troops to invade our territory. Are you not courting your own destruction?" Jiang Ziya reined in his horse, stroked his beard, and laughed.

"I've heard you've been cultivating Taoism in Kunlun Mountain for many years, but I wonder how much you've attained?" Zhang Guifang sneered, then ordered, "Feng Lin, seize Jiang Shang for me."

Upon receiving the order, Feng Lin immediately spurred his horse forward.

In the Xiqi camp, General Nangong Shi also spurred his horse and engaged in a fierce battle with Feng Lin.

Nangong Shi wielded a broadsword, his swordsmanship sweeping and powerful, each strike accompanied by a sharp, whistling sound. Feng Lin countered with an iron mace, his moves cunning and ruthless, targeting vital points.

The two exchanged blows for more than ten rounds, the sounds of clashing weapons filling the air and sparks flying everywhere.

Zhang Kui could see clearly that although Nangong Shi was highly skilled in martial arts, Feng Lin was obviously holding back his strength, as there was a faint black aura swirling around the iron mace.

Sure enough, after a dozen or so rounds, Feng Lin pretended to be defeated and fled, luring Nangong Shi into pursuit.

As Nangong Shi gave chase, Feng Lin suddenly turned around and exhaled black smoke, which instantly spread and enveloped Nangong Shi. Nangong Shi's vision was disrupted, and his movements faltered. Seizing the opportunity, Feng Lin tossed out a red pearl the size of a bowl.

The red bead streaked through the air like a streak of blood, striking Nangong Shi squarely in the right shoulder. A sharp crack echoed as his bone broke, and Nangong Shi screamed in agony, falling from his horse and being captured on the spot by the Shang army.

"What a vicious magic weapon." Zhang Kui frowned slightly. The red bead seemed to have hit Nangong Shi's shoulder, but in reality, it struck his soul directly.

Seeing Nangong Shi captured, Huang Feihu immediately urged his Five-Colored Divine Ox to fight, shouting sternly, "Zhang Guifang, stop your arrogance!"

Huang Feihu wielded a golden-handled spear, riding a five-colored divine ox that strode through the air with overwhelming momentum. Zhang Guifang parried with her spear, and the two instantly clashed.

Huang Feihu truly lived up to his name, the Martial King; his spear skills had reached a state of perfection. What was even more remarkable was his extensive combat experience; every move he made was concise and effective. Zhang Guifang was equally impressive, her spear skills were steady and seasoned, and her defense was impeccable.

Both were seasoned generals with distinguished military achievements. Their spears flashed and their fighting spirit was overwhelming. They fought fiercely for a long time but were still unable to determine who was better.

After fifty rounds, Zhang Guifang suddenly feinted, creating distance, and then shouted, "Huang Feihu, if you don't dismount now, when will you?"

This drink was no small matter; Zhang Kui felt a strange fluctuation coming from Zhang Guifang's mouth.

The technique of calling out a name to dismount a horse!

This method is a strange and unorthodox technique from unorthodox schools, specifically designed to attack a person's soul. By calling out a person's true name, it can cause their soul to tremble and temporarily lose consciousness.

Upon hearing this, Huang Feihu shuddered instantly, his eyes lost their sparkle, and he swayed precariously, about to fall off the ox's back.

"Huang Feihu cannot die here. Grand Tutor Wen ordered me to help Zhang Guifang quell the rebellion, but he never mentioned taking Huang Feihu's life." Thinking of this, Zhang Kui quietly made a hand seal, drawing upon the essence of the plants in the earth's veins, transforming it into a gentle force that lifted Huang Feihu.

As a result, Huang Feihu leaned slightly and landed perfectly on the back of the Five-Colored Divine Ox.

The five-colored divine ox, as expected of a rare spiritual beast, sensed its master's abnormality, let out a long moo, and with clouds rising from its four hooves, it turned and fled back to the Zhou army camp, carrying Huang Feihu.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Zhang Guifang wanted to give chase, but seeing that Huang Feihu had already been rescued by the divine ox, she had no choice but to give up.

"Zhang Guifang's 'Calling Names to Fall from the Horse' evil technique is indeed difficult to deal with," Jiang Ziya sighed inwardly. Although he had the Jade Purity Immortal Law protecting him, he might not be able to resist this technique, let alone his generals, most of whom were mortals. How could they possibly resist it?

Seeing that victory was not an immediate possibility, Jiang Ziya had no choice but to order a retreat.

The Xiqi army slowly retreated into the city, and Zhang Guifang did not pursue them; both sides ceased fighting.

On the high ground, Zhang Kui decided to go to the Shang army camp that night to meet with Commander Zhang Guifang.

Night has fallen, and the sky is full of stars.

Using his flying and teleportation technique, Zhang Kui transformed into a wisp of wind and silently drifted towards the Shang army camp ten miles away.

The military camp was brightly lit, and patrolling soldiers came and went in an endless stream. Zhang Kui easily passed through the outer defense line and arrived near the central command tent.

Inside the tent, Zhang Guifang was discussing matters with Feng Lin.

"General, if it weren't for the alertness of that five-colored divine ox, Huang Feihu would already be a prisoner today." Feng Lin's voice was filled with resentment.

Zhang Guifang pondered for a moment and said, "I have a feeling that something is amiss with what happened today. Although the five-colored divine ox is intelligent, its reaction was a bit too fast."

Zhang Kui, who was outside the tent, heard everything clearly and his heart stirred slightly: "Zhang Guifang is indeed no ordinary person; she was able to detect something unusual."

Without further hesitation, he appeared in front of the central command tent in a flash.

The guards only saw a blur before their eyes, and a Taoist priest in a green robe was already standing in front of the tent. They were shocked and exclaimed, "Who is it?!"

Zhang Guifang and Feng Lin, who were inside the tent, also came out upon hearing the noise.

Zhang Kui bowed respectfully and said in a calm voice, "General Zhang, I am Zhang Kui. I have come to assist you on the orders of Grand Tutor Wen."

As he spoke, he took out Wen Zhong's handwritten letter, the Grand Tutor's seal on the silk gleaming faintly in the moonlight.

"So it's General Zhang Kui." Zhang Guifang took the letter, carefully examined it, and after confirming its authenticity, said, "Please come inside and talk. It's been several years since we last met in Beihai. I wonder how your younger brother Zhang Shan is doing these days?"

"It's been a long time. I'm so grateful for your concern, General. My brother Zhang Shan is currently stationed in Mianchi and is doing well." Zhang Kui bowed to Zhang Guifang and then stepped into the tent.

Feng Lin followed closely behind, his gaze towards Zhang Kui filled with curiosity.

After the three were seated, Zhang Guifang went straight to the point: "Did Fellow Daoist Zhang watch the battle today?"

Zhang Kui nodded frankly: "We arrived in the afternoon and have been watching the battle from a distance. General Zhang's military strategy is brilliant, and General Feng Lin's bravery and decisiveness are admirable."

Upon hearing this, Feng Lin's face lit up with a smug expression.

Zhang Guifang shook her head and said, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. Although we won a small victory today, Xiqi did not exert its full strength."

He looked at Zhang Kui, "The Grand Tutor said in his letter that you, fellow Daoist, possess great supernatural powers, especially adept at breaking unorthodox and evil spells. I wonder if you have any insights into this 'calling a name to dismount' technique?"

Zhang Kui smiled slightly, knowing that Zhang Guifang was testing his abilities. He didn't hold back and said frankly, "General, this technique is specifically designed to attack the soul. It uses a special musical rhythm to vibrate the opponent's spirit, combined with the activation of true energy, causing their soul to temporarily leave the body and lose consciousness."

"Fellow Daoist is indeed knowledgeable." Zhang Guifang nodded repeatedly, all her last doubts vanishing.

"In your opinion, fellow Daoist, how should we proceed tomorrow?" Zhang Guifang humbly asked for advice.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Kui said, "Jiang Ziya's retreat today must be because he is pondering a way to break the deadlock. If he goes to war again tomorrow, he will certainly be prepared. In my opinion, it would be better to remain still and wait for the right opportunity."

"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."

After a moment's thought, Zhang Kui slowly said, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Xiqi has just been established, and all its food and supplies need to be transported from other places. We can divide our forces to cut off their food supply routes and disrupt their supply lines. At the same time, we should send out scouts to investigate the movements within Xiqi City. It will not be too late to launch a decisive battle after we have a clear understanding of their situation."

Zhang Guifang pondered for a moment, then clapped her hands in praise, saying, "Fellow Daoist's insight is brilliant; I was too hasty."

Feng Lin, however, was somewhat unconvinced: "What Master Zhang said makes sense, but our army has come from afar. If we delay any longer, something unexpected may happen."

Zhang Kui glanced at Feng Lin and said calmly, "General Feng's words are not without reason. Therefore, I can personally lead the troops tomorrow to meet the people of Xiqi and find out their strength."

Upon hearing this, both Zhang Guifang and Feng Lin were taken aback.

"Fellow Daoist, are you going to personally lead the charge?" Zhang Guifang was somewhat surprised.

Zhang Kui nodded: "Exactly. I am new here and should make a gesture. Moreover, if I were to take action, we could either test the strength of Xiqi or preserve our own power, which would be more prudent than a large army launching a rash attack."

Zhang Guifang pondered for a long time before finally nodding, "Alright! Then I'll have to trouble you tomorrow, fellow Daoist."

The three discussed some more details until late at night before finally parting ways...