Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

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At the third quarter of midnight, the moon was bright and the stars were few.

Two figures silently flew out of Xiqi City, speeding along the ground.

Nezha rode on his Wind and Fire Wheels, his Fire-Tipped Spear slung behind his back. The flames beneath the wheels were deliberately suppressed to a faint red glow, like a candle flickering in the wind. Lei Zhenzi spread his Wind and Thunder Wings, his golden staff slung across his waist. With each flap of his wings, he carefully avoided the air currents, not daring to make the slightest sound.

The two concealed their presence and crept along the foot of Qishan Mountain toward the Shang army camp.

As Nezha stealthily made his way forward, he cursed inwardly, "The defenses of this merchant camp are even more stringent than I expected."

Lei Zhenzi suddenly tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Brother Nezha, look over there."

Nezha looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a black-robed general standing on a mound three miles away. The man was burly, holding a large axe, and his eyes were like lightning as he scanned his surroundings. In the moonlight, his shadow was extremely long, yet eerily still.

"Wu Wenhua." Nezha's heart skipped a beat. "The number one warrior under Brother Zhang, with boundless strength."

The two men lay down behind a boulder and observed carefully.

The camp stretched for more than ten miles, with a faint golden light emanating from it, flowing and sometimes dense. Within that golden light, one could vaguely see winding, meandering streaks of light, like a sleeping ancient dragon breathing in and out the primordial energy of heaven and earth.

"The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation," Lei Zhenzi said softly. "Are Brother Yang Jian and the others there?"

"That should be right." Nezha gripped his Fire-Tipped Spear tightly, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Let's sneak in, find them, and take them away."

Lei Zhenzi was silent for a moment, then nodded gently: "Alright, I'll go with you."

The two exchanged a glance, about to take action...

Suddenly, a faint sound came from behind.

"Who goes there!"

Nezha suddenly turned around, his Fire-Tipped Spear held horizontally in front of him, the flame at the tip of the spear instantly igniting and illuminating the area three zhang behind him.

Under the moonlight, a figure quietly emerged.

The man was dressed in a long black robe, with a resolute face. A dragon-sparrow sword hung at his waist, its scabbard faintly showing mottled dragon patterns. He stood there quietly, as if he had emerged from the moonlight, or as if he had always been there, unnoticed by anyone.

"Brother Zhang!"

Nezha was overjoyed and immediately put down his Fire-Tipped Spear, almost dropping it. He never expected that the person who came would be Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui raised his index finger, gesturing for silence. His gaze swept over the two men, then turned to Wu Wenhua on the distant mound. He subtly extended his divine sense to confirm that no one was watching them before whispering, "Follow me."

He raised his right hand, and a scroll appeared in his palm. The scroll was half-unfurled, with the pure and turbid energies flowing slowly, and the yin and yang energies swirling within it; it was the Primordial Spiritual Treasure, the Qiankun Diagram.

The moment the scroll unfurled, Nezha felt a warm and profound power envelop him. That power was like the first gentle breeze at the beginning of time, soft yet irresistible. He instinctively tried to struggle, but then heard Zhang Kui's voice in his ear: "Don't move."

With a flash of light, the two were captured in the image.

Zhang Kui put away the Qiankun Diagram and stood with his hands behind his back. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching before using his flying teleportation technique, transforming his body into a wisp of frost and quietly merging into the night.

A moment later, Zhang Kui arrived at his tent.

The tent was simply furnished with a small table and a couch. On the table sat a bronze lamp, its dim light casting a warm, yellowish glow. Zhang Kui sat cross-legged on the couch, raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, two beams of light emerged from the Qiankun Diagram, landing on the ground and transforming into Nezha and Lei Zhenzi.

"Brother Zhang, how did you know we were coming?" Nezha asked as soon as he entered the tent, his tone full of surprise and curiosity. He looked around at the furnishings in the tent and clicked his tongue in amazement, "Your tent is much simpler than I expected."

Zhang Kui smiled slightly and gestured for the two to sit down: "You two little rascals, do you think I don't know your personalities? With Yang Jian and the other two trapped, it would be strange if you didn't jump out. I was waiting for you tonight, and sure enough, you came."

He sat down on the prayer mat and poured a cup of tea for each of them. The tea was warm, clear, and had a faint medicinal aroma.

Nezha chuckled, and without any ceremony, plopped down opposite Zhang Kui, picked up his teacup, and drank it all in one gulp. Lei Zhenzi, however, bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Uncle."

Zhang Kui waved his hand: "No need for formalities, sit down and let's talk."

Lei Zhenzi sat down as instructed, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip. His movements were quite different from Nezha's, revealing a degree of restraint and formality.

Nezha stared at him suspiciously: "Uncle? What's going on?"

Zhang Kui smiled wryly and explained to Nezha his connection with Ji Chang, Lei Zhenzi's father, and Yun Zhongzi, his master. He also mentioned his past experiences of cultivating "flying and manifesting traces" in Zhongnan Mountain. Those years, he discussed Taoism and metaphysics with Ji Chang and exchanged magical techniques with Yun Zhongzi, were rare and joyful times.

"That old Marquis..." Nezha paused, then his tone suddenly became serious, "...is a good man."

Zhang Kui nodded: "He is a good person, even a saint."

Nezha was silent for a moment, then put his arm around Lei Zhenzi's shoulder, teasingly saying, "Lei Zhenzi! So, shouldn't you call me uncle? Be good, call me 'Uncle Nezha,' and I'll give you candy!"

Lei Zhenzi was speechless, looking at the unreliable fellow in front of him, his lips twitching. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back.

张奎差点没忍住要揍哪咤，「别闹了，说正事。」他抬手在哪咤脑门上弹了一下，力道不轻不重，刚好让哪咤哎呦一声。

Nezha clutched his forehead, grimacing, "Brother Zhang, your grip is getting stronger and stronger!"

"Stop talking nonsense." Zhang Kui glared at him and said seriously, "So, what are you two little rascals doing here tonight?"

Nezha put away his playful smile and asked seriously, "Brother Zhang, how are my two elder brothers and Brother Yang Jian?"

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment and said, "The three of them are trapped in the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, but their lives are not in immediate danger."

"Then..." A glimmer of hope flashed in Nezha's eyes, "Brother Zhang, could you please release them? Nezha would be eternally grateful!"

Zhang Kui shook his head, his expression serious: "I can't do this."

Why?

Nezha said anxiously, "Brother Zhang, you hold a prestigious position in the merchant camp, and even Grand Tutor Wen treats you with great respect. If you just say the word, perhaps Lady Yunxiao will..."

"Nezha." Zhang Kui interrupted him, his voice deep and gentle, "The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation is personally controlled by Lady Yunxiao. Not to mention me, even your master, a Great Luo Golden Immortal, would have to suffer a lot if he entered the formation."

He paused, then continued, "Nezha, assuming the situation reverses and we, the generals of Yin Shang, are captured by Xiqi, would you spare our lives?"

Nezha fell silent.

Although he was impulsive, he was not unreasonable. He understood and heeded Zhang Kui's words.

Lei Zhenzi said softly, "Uncle, is it really not possible?"

Zhang Kui looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. This child, with his honest and persistent demeanor, bore a striking resemblance to Ji Chang.

"Lei Zhenzi," Zhang Kui said in a deep and gentle voice, "the way of heaven and earth is to take from the excess and give to the deficiency. The fact that Yang Jian and the other two are trapped this time is not necessarily a bad thing."

Lei Zhenzi was taken aback: "What do you mean by that, Uncle?"

Zhang Kui said, "On the path of cultivation, there are some tribulations that must be overcome by oneself. If others interfere, it will only harm them."

Lei Zhenzi seemed to be deep in thought.

Zhang Kui continued, "Being trapped in the Nine Turns Yellow River Formation is both a calamity and a blessing in disguise for them. If they can escape on their own, their Dao heart will surely be strengthened, and their cultivation will reach a higher level."

Lei Zhenzi was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I understand, Uncle."

Nezha curled his lip and said, "Brother Zhang, your profound principles are exactly the same as what my master says. How boring!"

Zhang Kui chuckled and flicked him on the forehead again: "You little rascal..."

Nezha covered his forehead, chuckling, but a hint of warmth flashed in his eyes.

Zhang Kui said seriously, "Alright, let's get down to business. You two shouldn't even think about rescuing anyone. The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation is extremely dangerous. If you two juniors go in, you'll only be throwing your lives away. Even if you manage to get into the formation by sheer luck, you won't be able to rescue anyone; you'll just end up getting yourselves killed instead."

He paused, then continued, "In the coming days, when breaking through the formation, you two need to be careful and not rush forward recklessly. Listen to your master, understand?"

Nezha picked at his ear, looking disdainful: "Alright, alright, I know, Brother Zhang! You've said it eight hundred times already."

Lei Zhenzi replied respectfully, "Understood, Uncle. I will definitely listen to my master."

Zhang Kui nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two men. Suddenly remembering something, he took out two jade slips from his robes and handed them to the two men.

"This is……"

Nezha took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense, and was immediately surprised. The jade slip contained the essence of "Mastering the Five Thunders", as well as Zhang Kui's own insights into this supernatural power.

"Brother Zhang, this is too precious!" Nezha quickly declined.

Zhang Kui waved his hand: "Take it, you two are quite compatible with this supernatural power."

Zhang Kui raised his hand and gently patted Lei Zhenzi on the forehead. "Remember my words, take care of yourself."

The two nodded in unison.

Zhang Kui took out the Qiankun Diagram from his robes. As the scroll unfurled, the clear and turbid energies circulated, and the yin and yang energies intertwined, casting a hazy glow in the tent. He whispered, "I'll escort you out of the camp. Remember, once you return, act as if you've never seen me tonight."

Nezha chuckled, "Don't worry, Brother Zhang, my mouth is sealed tight!"

Zhang Kui glanced at him, a half-smile on his face: "You're good with your mouth? Last time at Chentang Pass, you turned around and told your master everything I told you."

Nezha gave an embarrassed smile: "That's not...that's not a special case."

Zhang Kui shook his head, not bothering to argue with him. He activated the Qiankun Diagram, and a gentle power surged from the scroll, enveloping the two of them.

With a flash of light, the two disappeared from the tent.

……

Xiqi City, Prime Minister's Residence

Two figures silently landed on the roof of a side hall. Nezha and Lei Zhenzi exchanged a glance, quietly slid down from the eaves, and pushed open the door to enter.

Inside the hall, Jiang Ziya was reviewing official documents when he saw the two return. He asked, "Was everything alright?"

Nezha and Lei Zhenzi exchanged a glance and replied, "Uncle Qi, we couldn't find an opportunity, so we withdrew in time to avoid being exposed."

Jiang Ziya watched the two men's clumsy performance but did not expose them. He told them to rest early and then continued to read through the official documents.