Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

The next day, it was dawn.

As the first rays of dawn appeared on the eastern horizon, before the morning mist had fully dissipated, the mournful and drawn-out sound of a bugle ripped through the pre-dawn silence, like a war song from ancient times echoing across the wilderness.

The 150,000-strong army marched forward in a winding path, like a giant black dragon. Banners blotted out the sun, warhorses neighed, and swords and spears were everywhere. The sunlight reflected off the weapons, creating a dazzling, cold glint.

Zhang Shan rode on his warhorse, clad in heavy armor, holding a long spear, his face as solemn as a mountain.

His unease grew stronger, and his gaze kept sweeping over the unusually excited Deng Jiugong ahead. The old general's eyes burned with a fierce light, like a beast that had spotted its prey and was ready to pounce and tear it apart at any moment.

"Brother, can you check if Deng Jiugong is alright?" Zhang Shan secretly patted the Qiankun Diagram in his arms and called out to Zhang Kui.

The Qiankun Diagram felt slightly warm, and Zhang Kui's voice rang in my ears, "You ride your horse to Deng Jiugong's side, and I'll give it a try."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shan immediately spurred his horse forward and came to Deng Jiugong's side, about to speak.

Deng Jiugong turned his head and glanced at him, his voice clearly displeased: "Deputy Commander Zhang, are you trying to boost the morale of others while diminishing our own?"

Zhang Shan cursed inwardly, "You stubborn old man, if it weren't for your daughter, do you think I'd be putting up with your attitude?"

Despite his complaints, Zhang Shan remained calm and advised, "General, that's not my intention. It's just that Xiqi is a fortified city with high walls and deep moats, and Jiang Ziya is skilled in strategy. If we rashly launch a direct attack..."

"No need for further explanation."

Deng Jiugong abruptly waved his hand to interrupt him, the movement swift and decisive. He turned his head, his gaze sweeping across Zhang Shan's face like a knife: "Today, I will surely flatten Xiqi and capture Jiang Shang!"

After saying that, he spurred his horse, and the warhorse neighed and charged forward, leaving Zhang Shan standing there dumbfounded.

As Zhang Shan watched Deng Jiugong's departing figure, his unease grew even stronger.

He sighed helplessly, looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then secretly touched the Qiankun Diagram with his divine sense and whispered, "Brother, is there anything unusual about Deng Jiugong?"

The Qiankun Diagram remained silent for a moment, resembling an ordinary scroll.

Then, Zhang Kui's voice rang in his mind, with a lazy tone: "I checked and found nothing unusual. Don't worry, let's wait and see."

"Should we wait and see?"

Zhang Shan grew anxious. "Brother, attacking a city with 150,000 troops is no joke."

"Don't worry!" Zhang Kui's voice was calm and very confident: "Jiang Ziya won't easily come out of the city to fight. You should act according to the situation and not be reckless."

Zhang Shan frowned: "Alright..."

When the army reached a point five li outside Xiqi City, Deng Jiugong ordered them to form ranks.

The 150,000-strong army quickly deployed, their formation impeccable, exuding a murderous aura. Sunlight shone on their silver armor, reflecting a dazzling light.

On the city wall of Xiqi, Jiang Ziya stood atop the city tower, overlooking the Yin Shang army below.

His expression was grave as his gaze swept across the enemy ranks, his brows furrowing slightly. An army of 150,000, banners fluttering like a forest, their killing intent soaring to the heavens—this was no joke.

"Prime Minister, Deng Jiugong is coming with great force. Should our army go out of the city to meet him?" Yang Jian stood beside Jiang Ziya, his three-pointed double-edged sword slung across his back. He looked calmly at the army below the city, his face expressionless.

Jiang Ziya shook his head, his silvery-white beard fluttering in the wind: "No rush."

He paused, his gaze becoming profound: "Deng Jiugong has a large army and many generals, and his morale is high. If our army rashly leaves the city, we will play right into his hands. We should first defend the city and wear down his morale, and then look for an opportunity to defeat him."

Yang Jian nodded without saying a word.

Jiang Ziya pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at Yang Jian: "Yang Jian, go and probe Deng Jiugong's strength. Remember, only probe, don't linger in battle. Return once you've ascertained his true strength."

"Yes, ma'am."

Yang Jian clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, then turned and descended the city wall.

A moment later, the gates of Xiqi opened wide, and Yang Jian led three thousand men out of the city.

Three thousand elite soldiers, all clad in full armor, their banners gleaming, marched in perfect unison. Yang Jian, sword drawn, rode at the very front, his three-pointed, double-edged blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight, making him appear like a drawn sword.

Beneath the city walls, the two armies faced each other.

Yang Jian reined in his warhorse, brandished his three-pointed, double-edged sword, and shouted, "Deng Jiugong, do not defy Heaven, lest you bring about your own demise! Quickly dismount and surrender!"

The sound was as loud as a bell, so loud that it made people's eardrums hurt.

Deng Jiugong was furious, a cold glint flashing in his tiger-like eyes. Just as he was about to personally lead the attack, Tu Xingsun rushed out first.

"General, I volunteer to lead the attack and capture this man!"

Tu Xingsun clasped his hands and bowed, but a cunning glint flashed in his eyes. He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

Deng Jiugong glanced at him and nodded: "Alright, Tu Xingsun, go and meet him."

"Yes, sir!"

Tu Xingsun was overjoyed and activated his earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to escape from the ground). His speed was astonishing, and he disappeared from the spot in a flash.

The next moment, he appeared before Yang Jian's horse, like a venomous snake emerging from the ground. He swept his iron cudgel out, accompanied by a whistling sound, the blow swift and ruthless, aimed straight for Yang Jian's waist and abdomen.

Yang Jian sneered, and with a flick of his three-pointed double-edged sword, the blade flashed like a bolt of lightning, precisely blocking the iron rod.

With a clang, metal clashed, sparks flew, and the two men each took a half step back.

Tu Xingsun felt a chill run down his spine, realizing he had met a tough opponent.

He held nothing back, wielding his iron cudgel with ferocious speed and power, each move faster and more ruthless than the last. The shadows of the cudgel overlapped, like a torrential downpour, crashing down on Yang Jian.

Yang Jian remained calm and composed, using his three-pointed double-edged sword to parry and deflect, slashing and parrying, neutralizing Tu Xingsun's attacks one by one.

The two exchanged blows for more than ten rounds, the sound of their weapons clashing like popping beans, dense and rapid.

While fighting, Yang Jian secretly observed Tu Xingsun's fighting style. This dwarf's staff technique was cunning and ruthless, specializing in attacking the lower body, and his movements were unpredictable, always able to launch attacks from unexpected angles.

But that's how it is.

Yang Jian deliberately revealed a weakness and turned his horse to leave.

Seeing this, Tu Xingsun was overjoyed, thinking Yang Jian was no match for him, and gave chase, shouting, "Don't run!"

He was so focused on making a name for himself that he didn't notice the cold smile on Yang Jian's lips.

Yang Jian led Tu Xingsun down the city wall. The archers on the city wall received the signal and unleashed a volley of arrows, which rained down on Tu Xingsun like a storm.

Tu Xingsun remained calm and composed, his figure flickering as he used his earth-walking technique to burrow underground.

All the arrows missed their mark and landed on the ground, resembling a dense thicket of reeds.

The next moment, Tu Xingsun appeared on the city wall, emerging from the ground like a ghost. His iron rod swept across, the wind as sharp as a knife. Before several archers could even scream, they were tumbling down the city wall, bows and all, their cries of agony echoing around them.

Jiang Ziya's pupils contracted sharply, and he waved his hand abruptly, saying, "What a shorty! Jinzha, Muzha, quickly capture him!"

Jin Zha was the first to leap out, his hands forming a hand seal, and the Dragon-Hiding Stake shot skyward. Golden light surged, instantly transforming into a dazzling cage, with dragon patterns swirling on all sides, descending upon Tu Xingsun.

"Let's see where you can crawl now!" Jin Zha sneered.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Mu Zha unleashed both swords simultaneously. The Wu hooks transformed into two crescent-shaped rainbow lights, blocking the retreat route from the left and right, their sword cries piercing the ear.

Tu Xingsun grinned and said, "Heh...that's all?"

He ducked, his body moving like an oiled eel, twisting and sliding left and right through the gaps in the golden light. The dragon-patterned chains of the Dragon-Hiding Stake were clearly clinging to the hem of his clothes, but he managed to dodge them by shrugging his shoulder and squeeze through the palm-width gap.

Jin Zha's expression changed drastically: "This is impossible..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tu Xingsun's iron cudgel shot out like a venomous snake, aiming straight for his abdomen. Jin Zha hurriedly retreated, and Mu Zha quickly swung his sword to block.

However, halfway through, the stick suddenly changed direction.

"That's exactly what I've been waiting for!" Tu Xingsun flicked his wrist and swept his iron rod horizontally.

A muffled "bang!"

The sound of bones cracking was crisp and piercing. Mu Zha groaned as the Wu Hook Sword flew out of his hand, his entire left arm drooped limply, and his face was as pale as paper.

"Mu Zha!" Jin Zha's eyes widened in fury.

Using the recoil from that blow, Tu Xingsun leaped up like a bullet, somersaulted in mid-air, and landed lightly on the city wall.

"Old man Jiang, you want to catch me? Train for a few more years!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already disappeared into the yellow earth, leaving only a mess on the city wall and Mu Zha's suppressed groans of pain.

A moment later, Tu Xingsun returned to Deng Jiugong, his face full of pride. He clasped his hands and said, "General, I have not failed in my mission."

Deng Jiugong was overjoyed and praised, "Excellent! Tu Xingsun, you are indeed exceptionally brave. From this day forward, you are appointed as the vanguard officer, commanding 30,000 elite troops in the front."

"Thank you very much, General!"

Tu Xingsun quickly kowtowed in thanks, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

He stood up, gave Zhang Shan a defiant look, and said sarcastically, "Deputy Commander Zhang, I have already distinguished myself. When will you be going to the front lines to fight the enemy?"

His tone was full of sarcasm, like a thorn piercing straight at Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan's face darkened, and he was about to speak when Deng Chanyu spoke first.

"Tu Xingsun, stop with your sarcastic remarks." Deng Chanyu's voice was crisp and sharp, her eyes full of disdain. "Zhang Shan is a deputy commander-in-chief; how could he easily go into battle? You only succeeded by luck; what's there to be proud of?"

Her words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Tu Xingsun's head.

Tu Xingsun's expression changed, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. That sinister glint disappeared in an instant, and he immediately returned to his smiling demeanor, but the coldness in his eyes had intensified.

He looked at Deng Chanyu and said with a forced smile, "Miss Deng is right. I was just lucky." His gaze swept over Deng Chanyu as if he were appraising a piece of merchandise, with a disgusting greed in his eyes.

Tu Xingsun chuckled, his eyes growing even more sinister. He thought to himself, "Little wench, one day you'll fall into my hands."

Zhang Shan's face was ashen, and he gripped his precious sword, ready to chop the short, ugly man in half.

"Don't be impulsive, he's dead meat, your brother told me."

Zhang Kui's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with solemnity: "This audacious and ruthless dwarf is no simple man; he is at least a Celestial Immortal. Moreover, he has never used the Immortal Binding Rope, clearly concealing his strength."

Zhang Shan's heart skipped a beat. Suppressing his anger, he whispered, "Brother, are you saying he's deliberately provoking me?"

Zhang Shan's heart skipped a beat. Suppressing his anger, he whispered, "Brother, are you saying he's deliberately provoking me?"

"Very likely." Zhang Kui's voice carried a hint of coldness, like a winter wind. "He wants to provoke you into making a move, and then take advantage of the situation to attack you. If you actually fight him, you'll fall into his trap."

Zhang Shan secretly rejoiced that his elder brother was there to remind him; otherwise, given his temper, he probably wouldn't have been able to resist taking action.

He suppressed his anger, looked at Tu Xingsun, and said coldly, "Tu Xingsun, now that you have been promoted to vanguard officer, you should properly command the vanguard, instead of just talking nonsense here."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Tu Xingsun's expression changed, and he was about to retort when Deng Jiugong spoke up.

"Alright, enough talk." Deng Jiugong frowned and waved his hand impatiently. "Tu Xingsun, go back to the front and prepare to attack the city at any time."

"Yes, sir!"

Tu Xingsun clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, then turned and left.

Before leaving, he glanced back at Zhang Shan, his eyes filled with resentment, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.