Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

After leaving the Xiqi camp, Zhang Kui did not rush to Mengjin to supervise the transport of grain.

High above the clouds, Zhang Kui weighed the situation repeatedly and concluded that "the battle situation in Xiqi has become a stalemate, where we can neither advance nor retreat. In addition, Zhang Guifang is already suspicious of me. Returning to the front line at this time would only increase the conflict."

"Having accepted someone's orders, one must see them through to the end." Zhang Kui shook his head slightly. "Now that the rift has grown and cannot be bridged, it's time to go back and inform the Grand Tutor, letting him make the final decision."

Having made up his mind, Zhang Kui did not hesitate any longer. His figure transformed into a five-colored rainbow, piercing the sky and speeding towards Chaoge.

Upon arriving in Chaoge City, he went directly into the city and headed to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

The guards at the gate, seeing it was him, dared not stop him and quickly led him inside.

"General Zhang, please wait a moment. The Grand Tutor is handling military affairs in his study. Please allow us to announce your arrival," the steward said respectfully.

"Okay, you can report this first."

Zhang Kui waved his hand, "I'll go directly to the study to see the Grand Tutor."

He walked without stopping, straight through the corridor, and arrived outside the study. Before he could knock, Wen Zhong's voice came from inside: "Is Zhang Kui back? Come in."

Zhang Kui pushed open the door and entered.

The study was brightly lit by candlelight. Wen Zhong was bent over his desk reviewing documents. When he saw Zhang Kui enter, he put down the documents in his hand and gestured for Zhang Kui to sit down.

"How is the war in Xiqi?" Wen Zhong asked directly.

Zhang Kui did not answer immediately. Instead, he poured himself a cup of tea, drank it all in one gulp, and then slowly said, "Grand Tutor, I have returned to apologize."

"Oh?" Wen Zhong raised an eyebrow. "What crime have you committed?"

"My relationship with Zhang Guifang has soured, and we can no longer work together against the enemy," Zhang Kui said frankly. "Continuing to stay on the front lines in Xiqi will not only be of no benefit, but may even cause chaos."

He then recounted his experiences on the trip to Xiqi: from observing the battle at the front line, to discussing countermeasures with Zhang Guifang and Feng Lin, to exchanging blows with Nezha on the battlefield and meeting at night, and finally to Zhang Guifang's suspicion and transfer.

Zhang Kui spoke clearly and logically, without concealing anything.

"...That concludes the account of what happened."

After Zhang Kui finished speaking, he looked directly at Wen Zhong and said, "This humble general does indeed have a past friendship with Nezha, but on the battlefield, this humble general has a clear conscience. Grand Tutor, the matter of Xiqi still needs to be considered separately."

The study fell silent for a moment.

The candlelight flickered, casting dim and bright shadows on Wen Zhong's face. This veteran official, who had served three dynasties, remained silent for a long time.

He then stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the night outside, his face filled with worry: "On both the southeastern and western routes, Jiang Wenhuan and E Shun are launching fierce attacks, and Youhun Pass and Sanshan Pass are under constant threat. I originally intended to quickly pacify Xiqi and then lead my troops to the southeast, but now it seems..."

He turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning: "In your opinion, is the Chan Sect truly supporting Xiqi?"

"Absolutely true."

Zhang Kui said in a deep voice, "Jiang Ziya came from the Chan Sect, and now Nezha, a disciple of Taiyi Zhenren, has come down the mountain to help. It is almost inevitable that more people will come. I am worried that Zhang Guifang alone will have a hard time dealing with them."

Wen Zhong frowned and paced back and forth in the study.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Ji Li and Yu Qing hurried in, each holding an urgent report.

"Master, urgent report from Xiqi!" Ji Li handed over the document.

Wen Zhong took it, unfolded it, and his expression changed drastically.

Although Zhang Kui hadn't seen the contents of the document, he could guess most of it from Wen Zhong's changing expression: "Did Zhang Guifang lose?"

Wen Zhong handed him the document, his voice low: "Recently, Jiang Ziya led his army in a night attack on our camp. Zhang Guifang and Feng Lin hastily engaged in battle but were entangled by Nezha and Huang Feihu respectively. The Zhou army took advantage of the chaos to burn the grain and rescue the captured Nangong Shi. Our army suffered a great defeat and retreated to Qishan, suffering 30,000 casualties and having very little grain left."

Zhang Kui quickly scanned the documents, and as expected, he was right.

The night raid, the burning of supplies, and the rescue were all carried out in one fell swoop. This Prime Minister Jiang's military tactics were indeed shrewd and experienced.

"Zhang Guifang is currently in Qishan, where supplies are running low and morale is low," Yu Qing added. "Without reinforcements, we may not be able to hold out."

The atmosphere in the study was somber.

Wen Zhong sat back in his chair, closed his eyes in deep thought, and after a long while, he opened his eyes and looked at Ji Li and Yu Qing: "What are your thoughts?"

Ji Li stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Master, the situation is critical on both the southeast and southwest fronts. You must not leave Chaoge lightly. However, the matter of Xiqi is also urgent. In my humble opinion, why not invite a few immortals from the Jie Sect to come and help? With ten thousand immortals from our Jie Sect coming to pay homage, we are full of capable people and will surely be able to restrain the disciples of the Chan Sect."

"Great idea!"

Wen Zhong's eyes lit up: "I've been so busy with worldly affairs that I've completely forgotten about these fellow Daoists."

He stroked his beard and laughed, then looked at Zhang Kui: "Zhang Kui, I'm going to invite fellow Daoists to help me in this battle. Would you be willing to accompany me?"

Zhang Kui was taken aback, not expecting Wen Zhong to invite him to go together.

"I am glad to accept the invitation from the Grand Tutor," Zhang Kui said, clasping his hands in greeting.

Wen Zhong was overjoyed: "Good! There's no time to lose, let's set off immediately. Ji Li and Yu Qing, you two stay here and guard Chaoge well. If there's any emergency, send a message using the jade token."

"Disciples obey," Ji Li and Yu Qing replied in unison.

Wen Zhong said no more and strode out of the study. Once in the courtyard, he raised his hand and summoned a black Qilin that rode on the clouds, its scales gleaming with an eerie light, exuding extraordinary power.

After mounting the black Qilin, Wen Zhong said to Zhang Kui, "Fellow Daoist, let's set off now."

Zhang Kui nodded, and with a thought, he took to the air.

The two flew out of the Grand Tutor's mansion, one after the other, and ascended into the night sky, speeding towards the East China Sea. (Author's note: We hope you enjoy the story of "Zhang Kui Asks the Way in the Investiture of the Gods" on Cola Novels.)

Wen Zhong rode the black Qilin in front, with Zhang Kui following closely behind on a cloud.

Both of them possessed extraordinary cultivation levels and quickly entered the Western Sea region.

The vast ocean is turbulent with waves.

The moonlight spilled onto the sea, reflecting a shimmering silver glow.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui," Wen Zhong suddenly spoke, his voice carrying clearly through the wind, "do you know why I invited you to come along?"

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment: "Could it be because I have fought against the disciples of the Chan Sect and am familiar with their methods?"

"That's one aspect," Wen Zhong continued. "Our Jie Sect emphasizes education for all, the worship of all immortals, and the importance of karmic connections."

Zhang Kui sensed the hidden meaning in his words, but did not delve into it, simply saying, "This humble general will remember."

As the two were talking, an island appeared on the sea ahead, shrouded in mist and emanating a faint ethereal light.

"We've arrived. This is Kowloon Island."

Wen Zhong rode the black unicorn down from the clouds and landed on the ground, with Zhang Kui following closely behind.

The moment they landed, they felt a surge of spiritual energy. The island was covered with exotic flowers and rare herbs, and mythical birds and beasts roamed among them; it was indeed a blessed land of immortals.

A young Taoist priest came forward to greet him. Upon seeing that it was Wen Zhong, he quickly bowed and said, "So it is Uncle Wen who has arrived. This disciple will go and inform the four masters immediately."

"No need."

A loud voice came from the island, "Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong, your presence is an honor. We are so sorry for not welcoming you properly."

Before the words were finished, four figures flew out from the island and landed in front of Wen Zhong and Zhang Kui.

These four individuals had different appearances, but all possessed a powerful aura, clearly indicating they were all at the Xuanxian level. The leader, standing sixteen feet tall, wore a headscarf with a single character on it and a water-colored robe. His face was as white as a full moon; he was none other than Wang Mo, the leader of the Four Saints of Nine Dragons Island.

The other three are Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba.

"Four fellow Daoists, how have you been?" Wen Zhong greeted with a cupped-hand salute and a smile.

Wang Mo returned the greeting, but his gaze fell on Zhang Kui: "And who is this fellow Daoist?"

"This is Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, who now serves under me," Wen Zhong introduced. "Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, these four are all outstanding talents of my Jie Sect."

Zhang Kui cupped his hands in greeting: "Junior Zhang Kui greets the four seniors."

Wang Mo looked Zhang Kui up and down, a strange light flashing in his eyes: "He is also a Xuanxian cultivator, with a solid foundation and abundant blood and qi... Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong, you truly have a wealth of talent under your command."

Wen Zhong smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui is indeed extraordinary. However, I have come here today with a request."

He briefly recounted the battle of Xiqi, and concluded by saying, "Now that Zhang Guifang has been defeated and retreated to Qishan, our supplies are running low, and we also have disciples of the Chan Sect assisting Xiqi. I am unable to attend to everything, so I have come to ask you four fellow Daoists to come down from the mountain and help us in this urgent situation."

Upon hearing this, Wang Mo exchanged glances with the other three, then burst into laughter: "So it's something trivial. The disciples of the Chan Sect have gone too far, daring to interfere in human conflicts. How can we stand idly by?"

Yang Sen replied, "Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong, rest assured, we will pack our things and head to Xiqi immediately. We will make sure those disciples of the Chan Sect know that our Jie Sect is not without its share of troubles."

Gao Youqian and Li Xingba also expressed their willingness to go.

Wen Zhong was overjoyed: "With the help of these four fellow Daoists, the siege of Xiqi can be lifted!"

Zhang Kui watched quietly from the side, but his mind was racing with calculations.

He had read about the Four Saints of Kowloon Island in his previous life in the novel "Investiture of the Gods". Each of the four possessed magical treasures and was quite powerful, but they all perished in the war of the Investiture of the Gods.

As he was pondering, Wang Mo suddenly looked at him and asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, since you have come from the front lines of Xiqi, do you know who those members of the Chan Sect who are assisting Xiqi are?"

Zhang Kui composed himself and replied, "This junior has only ever met Nezha, a disciple of Taiyi Zhenren."

"Nezha?" Wang Mo sneered. "Just a third-generation disciple of the Chan Sect, nothing to worry about. If it's just a junior like him, one of us can handle him."

"Four fellow Daoists, we must not be careless," Wen Zhong said. "As far as I know, Jiang Ziya has returned to Kunlun Mountain, and he has probably invited more than one person. We must be cautious on this trip."

Wang Mo waved his hand: "Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong, rest assured, we know what we're doing. Besides, my sect has ten thousand immortals paying homage, while his Chan sect only has a few people. If it really comes to a battle, who's afraid of whom?"

These words were spoken with such boldness that Wen Zhong could not persuade him any further, and could only say, "Then I will trouble the four of you. Zhang Guifang is currently in Qishan, and the provisions will only last for ten days at most. I urge the four of you to set off as soon as possible."

"No problem." Wang Mo nodded. "We'll pack up and set off tomorrow."

With the matter settled, Wen Zhong and Zhang Kui settled down on the island, waiting to set off with the Four Sages the next day.

……

Before we knew it, the east had turned white.

At dawn, Wen Zhong and Zhang Kui arrived at the center of the island, where the Four Saints of Kowloon Island were already waiting.

Wang Mo rode a Bixie, Yang Sen rode a Suanni, Gao Youqian rode a spotted leopard, and Li Xingba sat on a ferocious beast. All four beasts were extraordinary, their fierce auras adding to their imposing presence.

"Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong, Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, we shall depart now," Wang Mo announced loudly.

Wen Zhong cupped his hands in greeting: "Thank you all for your trouble. I still need to return to Chaoge to oversee things, so I will not accompany you. Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui will be going to Qishan with you. He is familiar with the situation at the front and can serve as your guide."

"Alright!" Wang Mo looked at Zhang Kui, "Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, please lead the way."

Zhang Kui nodded, took off, and flew away from Kowloon Island towards Xiqi.

Between the sea and the sky, five streaks of light pierced the sky...