Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

A mountain breeze rustled through the bamboo grove. A pot of tea and two teacups appeared on the stone table, their fragrant aroma soothing and comforting.

Grand Master Xuandu waited quietly, without urging him.

Coming to his senses, Zhang Kui forcibly suppressed the overwhelming joy in his heart.

He raised his head, looked at Xuandu, and asked his first question: "Senior, if I were to become your disciple, would I need to give up everything I currently have?"

This question is very direct and crucial.

A hint of approval flashed in Xuan Du's eyes. To be able to remain clear-headed in the face of such temptation was a rare quality.

"unnecessary."

Xuandu shook his head. "The Human Sect is not like the Chan Sect and the Jie Sect; it doesn't have as many strict rules and regulations. When the sages spread their teachings, they emphasize the word 'natural.' You are still Zhang Kui, still the human incarnation of the Great Emperor of Fengdu."

He paused, then added, "There is only one rule: in pursuing the Dao, one must not go against one's conscience, must not indiscriminately kill the innocent, and must not bring chaos to the common people."

Zhang Kui was shocked.

These conditions are... too lenient.

"Then..." Zhang Kui hesitated for a moment before asking his second question, "As a junior who carries the blood of the Witch Clan and inherits the authority of the Netherworld, will this conflict with the traditions of the Human Sect?"

This is his biggest concern.

Xuan Du smiled, but this time there was a deeper meaning in his smile: "Young friend, do you know how vast the word 'Dao' is? All things in heaven and earth are contained within the Dao. The bloodline of the Witch Clan is the Dao, the authority of the Netherworld is the Dao, and the Golden Core of the Human Race is also the Dao. In the eyes of a sage, all laws have the same origin and lead to the same destination."

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "You attained the Golden Immortal status through the Five Elements, following the most orthodox path of 'evolution of all things.' This path aligns with 'the Way of Nature.' As for witch blood and the Netherworld... those are merely different manifestations of the 'Way.'"

Zhang Kui understood.

At the level of Grand Master Xuandu, one has long transcended the limitations of race and lineage. He sees the essence of the "Dao," not its appearance.

"Any more questions?" Xuan Du put down his teacup, his gaze calm.

Zhang Kui remained silent for a moment.

Some questions need time to be verified; some answers need to be experienced firsthand.

Finally, Zhang Kui asked one last question: "Why did you choose me, senior?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of reminiscence flashed in the eyes of Grand Master Xuandu.

He gazed at the distant sea of ​​clouds and slowly said, "Because you are the 'variable'."

"The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods has been decided by Heaven. The Chan sect supports the Zhou dynasty, the Jie sect protects the Shang dynasty, and the three sects jointly sign the Investiture of the Gods. All of this was foreseen by the sages long ago."

"But the sage's deductions can only see the 'general trend,' not the choices of each 'individual.' And you, Zhang Kui, are that 'variable' outside the sage's deductions."

Xuandu withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Kui again. "You started as a grain transport officer in the North Sea, cultivated witch blood, refined golden pills, obtained the power of the Netherworld, made friends with fellow Daoists, protected Ji Chang, killed Western followers... Every step you took along the way was outside the predetermined path."

"I'd like to see where you, this 'variable,' can lead this great calamity."

Zhang Kui was deeply shocked.

It turns out that everything about me was under the watchful eye of this great being.

Just like a chess player observing the movement of each piece on the board and deducing countless possibilities.

"So..." Zhang Kui took a deep breath, "was it your own idea to take me as your disciple, senior?"

"It is my 'choice'," Xuandu said slowly. "The Sage passed on his teachings to me and granted me the right to take on disciples. I observe that you have a solid foundation, a resolute character, and are also a 'variable' in this great calamity. Therefore, I am willing to take you as my disciple and pass on my teachings to the Humanist School."

He paused, a deeper meaning creeping into his voice: "This is both your opportunity and my journey of 'seeking the Dao'."

After a long while, Zhang Kui opened his eyes.

Five colors shimmered in his eyes before finally settling into stillness.

He stood up, took three steps back, and respectfully performed the three bows and nine kowtows ceremony towards Grand Master Xuandu: "Disciple Zhang Kui wishes to become your disciple, to inherit the teachings of the Humanist School, and to listen to your venerable teachings!"

Grand Master Xuandu looked at Zhang Kui with a satisfied expression in his eyes.

He accepted Zhang Kui's full bow, then reached out to help him up with a gentle force: "In that case, from this day forward, you are a disciple of Xuandu, the direct descendant of the third generation of the Human Sect."

"Yes, Master," Zhang Kui replied respectfully.

Xuan Du nodded and took out an object from his sleeve—a simple jade pendant with an ancient seal character for "person" engraved on the front and a Tai Chi pattern on the back, surrounded by cloud patterns, with a small "Xuan" character faintly visible in the center.

"This is my token. With this token, you may freely enter and leave Shouyang Mountain. When you encounter difficulties, you can also show this token to others. Within the Three Realms, most beings will give you some face."

Zhang Kui accepted the jade tablet with both hands. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, and he could faintly sense the vast Daoist charm contained within it, as well as a mysterious aura that originated from the same source as Xuandu.

Xuandu raised his hand again and unfurled an ancient scroll that appeared from the void and slowly landed on the stone table.

The scroll looked ordinary, lined with gray cloth, with the wooden shafts at both ends gleaming with a warm luster, but Zhang Kui felt an extremely ancient and primordial aura, as if he were facing the chaos at the beginning of time.

"This is a primordial spiritual treasure—the Qiankun Diagram."

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Xuan Du's voice carried a hint of solemnity: "Its origin is refined from the primordial membrane of chaos, which is in harmony with the wonder of 'all things returning to their origin.' Within the diagram lies an unformed world, existing between the real and the unreal, capable of reflecting, containing, and even reconstructing all things."

He pointed to the scroll and continued to explain, "This painting has three wondrous uses. First, it allows you to control the Yin and Yang energies to protect yourself, rendering all magic ineffective and making it difficult for ordinary supernatural powers and magical treasures to approach you; second, it can trap people and seize objects, containing the universe within it, encompassing everything; third, and most importantly—"

Xuan Du's gaze was far-reaching: "The unformed world within the diagram will evolve as your cultivation grows. If he can comprehend the principles of creation, he might be able to transform it into a real world."

Zhang Kui was utterly shocked.

A primordial spiritual treasure, and such a profound and wondrous treasure at that!

Refined from the primordial membrane, it contains its own world, which transcends the concept of ordinary magical treasures and touches upon the origin of creation.

"Master, this is too precious..." Zhang Kui took a deep breath.

Xuandu waved his hand and smiled, "No matter how precious a magic weapon is, it is ultimately an external object. This diagram, though wonderful, requires a corresponding level of cultivation to master. Now that you have attained the Golden Immortal realm and are following the path of the Five Elements Evolution, you are perfectly in accord with the true meaning of this diagram. Moreover—"

He paused for a moment: "In the midst of this great calamity, danger lurks everywhere. Since you are a variable, you will inevitably be watched by many. With this map protecting you, your teacher can feel more at ease."

Zhang Kui no longer declined and respectfully accepted the Qiankun Scroll. The scroll felt extremely light in his hand, and as soon as his divine sense touched it, he immediately sensed the vast and boundless space within, with the Yin and Yang energies flowing endlessly, and a hazy world slowly evolving.

"Thank you for bestowing this treasure upon me, Master!" Zhang Kui solemnly accepted it and then carefully put the Qiankun Diagram away from his body.

"Furthermore," Xuandu continued, "now that you have attained the Golden Immortal realm, you may continue to cultivate the 'Way of the Golden Elixir.' In the Scripture Pavilion of Shouyang Mountain, there is a copy of the 'True Scripture of the Great Purity and Morality' handwritten by a sage. You may go there to study it at any time. If you have any questions, you may come and ask your master."

"Remember, magic treasures are ultimately external things; self-cultivation is the foundation," Xuandu concluded.

"I will remember this!" Zhang Kui said with heartfelt gratitude.

Xuan Du waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities. He stood up and looked towards Qinglong Pass in the distance: "Your journey to Xiqi is fraught with danger. Although Wen Zhong is strong, fate favors Xiqi. This battle... will be difficult."

Zhang Kui remained silent.

How could he not know?

In the original story, Grand Tutor Wen's defeat at Jue Long Ridge was the result of this battle. Although he himself has become a variable now, the overall trend is difficult to change.

"However," Xuan Du changed the subject, "in the midst of this great calamity, life and death are predestined. You only need to remember one thing—"

He turned to look at Zhang Kui, his gaze deep:

"The skillful labor, the wise worry, and the incompetent have no desires, drifting like an unmoored boat, aimlessly roaming. We should teach people to act in accordance with our true nature and follow the natural order."

Zhang Kui solemnly wrote down: "Disciple will remember Master's teachings."

Xuan Du nodded and flicked his sleeve.

The surrounding scenery began to blur; the bamboo forest, thatched cottage, stone table, and distant mountains all faded away like an ink painting. Zhang Kui felt the space shift again, and that familiar sense of separation washed over him.

"Go."

Xuandu's voice echoed in my ears: "If you are in mortal danger, you can tap the jade tablet, and I will sense it."

As the last word fell, Zhang Kui found himself back on the dirt road.

Bi'an continued its forward march, Wu Wenhua was still turning back to say something, and the three thousand Xuanjia soldiers had just raised their hooves when the birds in the air had only flown three zhang away.

Time seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Kui lowered his head. The jade tablet of the People's Education Foundation and the Qiankun Diagram lay quietly in his arms. The warm and ancient touch reminded him that everything just now was not an illusion.

He took a deep breath, focused his mind on the Qiankun Diagram in his arms, and felt the vast Yin and Yang energies within it and that hazy world. An unprecedented sense of confidence welled up in his heart.

I looked up at Qinglong Pass.

As the sun sets, the outline of the fortress is bathed in golden-red hues.

The road ahead is long and fraught with peril.

But at this moment, Zhang Kui felt an unprecedented calm.

Because he knew that from this day forward, he was Zhang Kui, a disciple of the Supreme Saint, a direct disciple of the Grand Master Xuandu, a third-generation direct descendant of the Human Sect, and possessing the innate spiritual treasure Qiankun Diagram.

This identity and this supreme treasure will be his greatest source of confidence during this great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods.

"My lord?" Wu Wenhua's voice came. "What's wrong? You seemed to be lost in thought just now."

Zhang Kui snapped out of his daze, looked at Wu Wenhua, and smiled slightly.

"Nothing, just remembered something."

He tightened the reins, and the bixen raised its head and neighed loudly.

"Let's go through customs."

Three thousand iron cavalrymen thundered toward Qinglong Pass.

The setting sun cast their shadows long, very long.

High above, Grand Master Xuandu stood with his hands behind his back, watching the army depart. His eyes reflected the vast landscape, and finally, he let out a soft sigh: "The variables have entered my hands. This calamity is becoming more and more interesting."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds.

It's as if it never happened...