Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Cola Novels: This is where dreams begin, and where dreams come true.

After putting away the treasure-dropping gold coin, Zhang Kui turned to look at Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi.

The two men knelt before Zhao Gongming's corpse, tears streaming down their faces. Chen Jiugong trembled violently, then suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with madness: "I will kill Jiang Ziya to avenge my master!"

As he spoke, he prepared to charge out of the formation.

Zhang Kui stepped forward and blocked his way.

"Get out of the way!" Chen Jiugong's eyes were bloodshot. "General Zhang, I, Chen Jiugong, will forever remember your kindness in saving my master. But if I don't avenge this, I will be unworthy to be your disciple."

"You can't report it," Zhang Kui said in a deep voice. "Do you know who shot the seventh arrow? If you rush in like this, you'll probably be reduced to ashes before you even see their face."

"So what!" Chen Jiugong hissed, "Even if it means death, I'm willing."

"madness!"

Zhang Kui let out a thunderous roar.

This shout contained the oppressive power of a Golden Immortal's Dao Fruit, causing Chen Jiugong's mind to tremble violently, stagger back a few steps, and fall to the ground.

Chen Jiugong shuddered, and the madness in his eyes gradually faded.

Yao Shaosi stepped forward to support him, and the two embraced and wept bitterly.

Zhang Kui silently turned around, walked to the side, and stopped looking at him.

Wen Zhong approached Zhang Kui and whispered, "Zhang Kui, is Fellow Daoist Zhao really..."

Zhang Kui nodded, his voice hoarse: "The soul has been completely dispersed, and the physical body is dead."

Wen Zhong sighed and closed his eyes.

Zhang Shao stood to one side, his face ashen. Of the Ten Deadly Formations and the ten Heavenly Lords, he was now the only one left. How many could understand this desolation, this loneliness?

After a long while, Chen Jiugong's sobs gradually subsided. He raised his head, looked at Zhang Kui, and said in a hoarse voice, "General Zhang, I... I want to send my master back to Mount Emei."

Zhang Kui nodded: "That's how it should be."

Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi got up and carefully put Zhao Gongming's body into the jade box.

"Farewell, gentlemen!" Chen Jiugong looked at the three men and bowed deeply. "If you ever need my help, my brother and I will go through fire and water for you."

Zhang Kui quickly helped him up, saying, "You flatter me. Senior Gongming has been kind to me by imparting his teachings. Be careful on your journey, and if anything happens, send me a message immediately."

Chen Jiugong nodded and slowly left the Red Sand Formation with Yao Shaosi.

Zhang Kui watched them leave, remaining silent for a long time.

……

Meanwhile, Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi traveled eastward.

Ahead lay a range of steep, precipitous mountains shrouded in mist. Just as Chen Jiu was about to circle around these mountains, he suddenly heard a voice:

"Fellow Daoist, please wait!"

The voice was gentle and warm, like meeting an old friend or reuniting with a long-lost acquaintance.

Chen Jiugong subconsciously stopped and looked in the direction of the sound.

Ahead, on the mountain path, a Taoist priest rode a white-browed tiger, slowly approaching. The priest wore a blue turban and a black robe, with a sword hanging at his waist. He had a gentle smile on his face and a kind gaze.

If Zhang Kui were here, upon hearing these words, he would not hesitate for a moment and would immediately flee a thousand miles away.

After all, none of those who heard those words and turned back ended up well.

Shen Gongbao, a man whose mouth contains the word "calamity".

But Chen Jiugong was unaware of these things. Seeing that the other party was a Taoist priest with an extraordinary bearing, he stopped and bowed slightly: "Greetings, fellow Daoist. May I ask what brings you to stop my fellow disciple and me?"

Shen Gongbao dismounted from the tiger and stepped forward. His gaze fell on the jade box in Chen Jiugong's hand, and his expression changed slightly: "What's inside..."

Chen Jiugong's face darkened, and he said in a low voice, "This is the remains of my master, my master Zhao Gongming."

"Zhao Gongming?" Shen Gongbao exclaimed in surprise, "Is that Zhao Gongming from Luofu Cave on Mount Emei? The eldest outer disciple of the Jie Sect?"

Yao Shaosi nodded, his eyes reddening: "Exactly."

Shen Gongbao's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed repeatedly, "This...how is this possible? Brother Zhao's cultivation is profound, reaching the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm. Who could possibly harm him?"

Overwhelmed with grief, Chen Jiugong nearly shed tears again.

Shen Gongbao stepped forward and slowly said, "Fellow Daoists, I have something to say. The Jie Sect claims that ten thousand immortals come to pay homage; why not invite a few of them to seek justice?"

Chen Jiugong's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again: "But...but most of my uncles and senior brothers are cultivating in their own caves and may not be willing to come down the mountain."

"Then let's go and invite someone who is willing to come down the mountain," Shen Gongbao said. "I have heard that Brother Zhao has three younger sisters who are cultivating on the Three Immortal Islands, with the Taoist names Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao."

Yao Shaosi perked up: "That's right! Senior brother, let's go and ask our three senior uncles to uphold justice."

Chen Jiugong bowed deeply: "Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist."

After saying this, the two turned and flew eastward.

Shen Gongbao watched them leave, a slow smile creeping onto his lips.

He flipped himself onto the white-browed tiger, patted its head, and said softly, "Let's go, it's time for us to go too."

The white-browed tiger let out a low roar, its four hooves creating a gust of wind as it sped off towards the east.

……

East China Sea, Three Immortal Islands.

This island is located deep in the East China Sea, far from the world, with exotic flowers and plants everywhere, rare birds and animals, and springs and waterfalls dotting the landscape.

On this day, the Three Immortals were discussing Taoism in their cave when a young Taoist boy came in to report: "Your Majesty, Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi request an audience... saying that something has happened to Uncle Gongming."

Upon hearing this, the three immortals all changed color.

Suppressing his unease, Yunxiao said in a deep voice, "Please let them in."

A moment later, Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi were led into the cave, their faces filled with sorrow and tears still wet on their cheeks.

Qiongxiao's face paled: "What are you all doing...?"

Chen Jiugong knelt on the ground, choking back tears, and said, "My three senior uncles, my master... my master he..."

"Big brother!"

Bixiao cried out in grief, collapsed onto Zhao Gongming's corpse, and wept bitterly.

Qiongxiao swayed slightly, barely managing to stand, tears welling up in her eyes.

Yunxiao's face was deathly pale, and she was trembling all over. She forced herself to step forward and reached out her trembling hand to touch Zhao Gongming's forehead.

It was ice-cold to the touch, completely devoid of any life.

"Big brother..." Yunxiao murmured softly, his voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible, "You... how could you..."

After a long while, Yunxiao opened her eyes, looked at Chen Jiugong, and asked, "Tell me, who is it?"

Chen Jiugong raised his head and gritted his teeth, saying, "It's Jiang Ziya of the Chan Sect, and Lu Ya."

"Jiang Ziya, Lu Ya..." Yunxiao murmured repeatedly.

"Big sister?" Qiongxiao and Bixiao were about to speak.

Yunxiao waved her hand, signaling them not to ask. She suppressed her emotions and said in a deep voice, "Tell me the whole story in detail."

Chen Jiugong nodded and began to recount in detail the events from when Zhao Gongming accepted the invitation to descend the mountain.

Yunxiao listened quietly, his expression growing colder and colder.

After Chen Jiugong finished speaking, Yunxiao remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Master had long ago instructed that disciples of the Jie Sect were not allowed to leave the mountain, and those who violated this rule would be listed on the Investiture of the Gods. I never expected..."

"Elder sister!" Qiongxiao suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with tears but also with anger. "What do you mean by that? It's clearly the shamelessness and despicable behavior of the disciples of the Chan Sect."

"It's the eldest sister!"

Bixiao was also furious. "My brother is a Great Luo Golden Immortal. If we fought fairly and squarely, which of those people from the Chan Sect would be his match? What kind of destiny is this? It's clearly a man-made disaster!"

Yunxiao closed his eyes and did not answer.

Chen Jiugong knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly: "My three senior uncles, I beg you to seek justice for my master."

Yao Shaosi also knelt down on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

Yunxiao opened her eyes, looked at the two of them, and said softly, "Get up. We sisters will handle our brother's matter ourselves."

She turned to Qiongxiao and Bixiao, and slowly said, "My two sisters, are you really going to go down the mountain?"

Qiongxiao gritted her teeth and said, "Eldest sister, how can we sisters sit idly by while our brother is murdered?"

Bixiao also said, "Eldest sister, if you don't agree, second sister and I will go by ourselves."

Yunxiao was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright! We sisters will go down the mountain. You two can take my brother back to Mount Emei first."

Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the cave again. A young Taoist boy entered and reported, "The three ladies, Fairy Hanzhi and Fairy Caiyun, are outside the cave requesting an audience."

Yunxiao paused for a moment, then nodded: "Please let them in."

A moment later, the two female immortals entered together. The one in the lead, dressed in green, possessed an elegant demeanor; she was none other than Han Zhixian, who had met Zhang Kui once on Jin'ao Island. Behind her was the other woman, dressed in colorful robes, with a face as beautiful as a lotus flower; she was none other than Fairy Caiyun.

Yunxiao said softly, "Junior Sister Hanzhi, Junior Sister Caiyun, you've come at the right time. My brother... has been murdered."

Han Zhixian gasped, "Senior Brother Zhao... how could he be?"

Fairy Caiyun was also shocked and speechless.

Yunxiao briefly recounted what had happened.

After listening, Han Zhixian's expression turned solemn: "Senior Sister Yunxiao, I am willing to go down the mountain with the three senior sisters to seek justice for Senior Brother Zhao."

Fairy Caiyun also said, "I am also willing to go."

Yunxiao gave the two of them a deep look, nodded, and said, "Alright! Let's pack up and set off immediately."

……

The Shang army camp.

Ji Li was patrolling the camp when he suddenly saw five streaks of light flying across the sky. He was startled and quickly focused his attention to take a closer look.

Five beams of light descended outside the camp gate, revealing the figures of five female immortals. The three in the lead possessed extraordinary bearing, their bodies radiating spiritual light; they were none other than the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao. Behind them, one dressed in green and the other in colorful robes, were none other than Han Zhi Xian and Caiyun Xianzi.

Ji Li hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Ji Li, a disciple of the Jie Sect, greets you seniors."

Yunxiao nodded slightly: "No need for formalities. Is Wen Zhong in the camp?"

Jili nodded: "Yes, please follow me."

He led the five female immortals through the camp and arrived at the central command tent. At the same time, he secretly ordered his personal guards to quickly go and invite Wen Zhong, Zhang Kui, Zhang Shao, and others.

The tent flap was lifted, and Wen Zhong strode out to greet them. Upon seeing the Three Immortals, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly bowed and said, "Wen Zhong greets the three senior uncles."

Yunxiao waved his hand: "No need for formalities. Wen Zhong, we have come to inquire about my brother."

Wen Zhong's face darkened, and he stepped aside, saying, "Please come in, my fellow martial uncles."

The group entered the main tent and took their seats according to their status as guests and hosts. Wen Zhong personally poured tea for them, but for a moment he didn't know how to start the conversation.

Yunxiao looked at him and got straight to the point: "Nephew Wenzhong, how exactly did my brother die? I want to hear the truth."

Wen Zhong remained silent for a moment, just as he was about to speak, when footsteps sounded outside the tent.

Zhang Kui stepped inside, followed by Zhang Shao, whose face was filled with grief.

Upon seeing the Three Immortals, Zhang Kui sighed inwardly and stepped forward to bow, saying, "Zhang Kui greets you seniors."

Han Zhixian, whom she had met once before, smiled and nodded.

Yunxiao also remembered Zhang Kui. She had met him once when Lu Yue was undergoing his tribulation on Kowloon Island. Later, when Gao Lanying became a disciple of the Holy Mother Wudang, she had heard the Holy Mother Wudang mention him a few times.

"No need for formalities," Yunxiao said. "Zhang Kui, I heard you once saved my brother?"

Zhang Kui nodded, his expression complex: "This junior did try, but unfortunately... I ultimately failed to save Senior Gongming."

Yunxiao looked at him intently: "I want to know what exactly happened before my brother died."

Zhang Kui took a deep breath and recounted the whole story.

Zhang Kui took a deep breath and recounted the whole story.

He spoke carefully and thoroughly, without hiding anything.

Yunxiao listened quietly, his expression growing colder and colder.

Qiongxiao and Bixiao's eyes burned with anger, their hands clenched tightly.

After Zhang Kui finished speaking, Yunxiao remained silent for a long time before slowly asking, "General Zhang, you said that the seventh arrow was shot by Ran Deng?"

Zhang Kui shook his head: "This junior dares not be certain. But when the seventh arrow was shot, this junior sensed a familiar power, a power... exactly the same as the aura this junior sensed back at Lingjiu Mountain."

"Lingjiu Mountain?" Yunxiao was slightly taken aback.

Zhang Kui nodded: "I once fled into Lingjiu Mountain for some reason and sensed an aura in the mountain, deep, cold, and carrying a sense of annihilation. That aura was exactly the same as the power that killed Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Yunxiao closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.

The tent was deathly silent, save for the flickering candlelight that made a soft crackling sound.

After a long while, Yunxiao opened her eyes, looked at Zhang Kui, and said softly, "Thank you for telling me! My sister and I will remember your kindness in saving my brother."

Zhang Kui quickly waved his hand: "Your Majesty is too kind."

Yunxiao shook his head: "That Seven Arrows Nailhead Book is an ancient incantation. It is already commendable that you were able to protect my brother's soul for a time."

She stood up, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the tent, and said, slowly and deliberately, "We sisters will remember this debt."

Qiongxiao and Bixiao also stood up, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

Han Zhixian and Caiyun Fairy also stood up, their expressions solemn.

Just then, the tent flap was lifted, and a person strode in.

It was Zhang Shao, the master of the Red Sand Formation.

His face was filled with grief and tears in his eyes. As soon as he entered the tent, he knelt down in front of Yunxiao: "Senior Sister Yunxiao, I... I failed to protect Senior Brother Zhao."

Yunxiao quickly helped him up: "Junior Brother Zhang, get up quickly. This matter has nothing to do with you; you have already done your best."

Zhang Shao shook his head, tears streaming down his face: "If I hadn't been so incompetent, allowing those people from the Chan Sect to break the Red Sand Formation, Senior Brother Zhao wouldn't have..."

Yunxiao pressed down on his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Zhang, this is not your fault, there is no need to take it to heart."

Tears welled up in Zhang Shao's eyes, and he nodded emphatically.

Zhang Kui stood aside, watching this scene, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

"Brother!"

Yunxiao murmured to herself, "Rest in peace. Your sister will go now and seek justice for you."