Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

The night wind howled outside the tent, making the tent curtains flutter loudly.

Zhang Shan returned to his tent, still seething with anger. Tu Xingsun's lewd face seemed etched into his mind, each thought causing his blood to boil. He unfastened the sword from his waist and slammed it heavily on the table, grabbed a ceramic pot and gulped down a mouthful of cold tea, but it couldn't extinguish the fire in his heart.

"That shorty, ugly guy, he'll get what's coming to him sooner or later," Zhang Shan cursed through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, he sensed a slight movement within the tent, and a wisp of clear light flew out from his arms on its own—it was the Qiankun Map given to him by Zhang Kui. As the scroll unfurled in mid-air, the clear and turbid energies circulated, and Zhang Kui appeared, dressed in a dark black Daoist robe.

"Big brother?" Zhang Shan was taken aback and quickly stood up.

Zhang Kui glanced at his younger brother's still-angry expression and shook his head slightly. He had been hiding in the Qiankun Diagram and had seen everything that happened outside the tent. Tu Xingsun had publicly provoked him with frivolous words. If Deng Chanyu hadn't stopped him, his foolish younger brother probably would have really rushed up and fought that dwarf.

"Still thinking about that Tu Xingsun?" Zhang Kui sat down at the table, his tone indifferent.

Zhang Shan muttered, "That bastard went too far! If Chanyu hadn't stopped me, I would have..."

"What do you mean, 'not what'?" Zhang Kui interrupted him. "Do you even know what level Tu Xingsun is? He's at least a Celestial Immortal, and he's hiding it extremely well. You're just starting out in the Martial Arts Dharma Aspect Realm, and you haven't even figured out his background, yet you dare to rush in?"

Zhang Shan was speechless, but still unconvinced: "But he humiliated Chanyu like that, what kind of man would I be if I didn't say anything?"

Looking at his younger brother's stubborn face, Zhang Kui didn't scold him further. It was only natural for young people to be impulsive. He changed the subject, saying, "Since you care so much about Deng Chanyu, then invite her over. I'd like to meet my future sister-in-law."

Zhang Shan was taken aback at first, then overjoyed: "Brother, what's this...?"

"My father passed away early, and my mother is far away in Mianchi. As the eldest brother, I am like a father to you, so I should take charge of your marriage." Zhang Kui picked up his teacup, his expression calm. "If Deng Chanyu also has this intention, I will personally go to see Deng Jiugong and settle your marriage."

"Big Brother!" Zhang Shan was overjoyed and turned to run outside. "I'll go and fetch Chanyu right now."

Watching his younger brother run off with a smug look on his face, Zhang Kui couldn't help but chuckle. This silly boy, he thought, was perfect for being a sycophant. But then again, he'd seen Deng Chanyu in the Qiankun Diagram earlier; she was dashing and valiant, with an air of righteousness about her. She wouldn't be a bad match for his impetuous younger brother.

He put down his teacup and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

Before long, footsteps could be heard outside the tent.

Zhang Shan lifted the tent flap and led Deng Chanyu in, hand in hand.

Zhang Kui looked up and saw that the girl was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with a leopard skin pouch hanging from her waist. She had a beautiful face but also a touch of heroic spirit. At this moment, she was holding Zhang Shan's hand, and her cheeks were already flushed, clearly quite embarrassed.

As soon as Deng Chanyu entered the main tent, she saw a man dressed in a dark black Taoist robe sitting in the main seat. This man's eyebrows and brows were somewhat similar to Zhang Shan's, but he was a little older, with a calm and composed demeanor, and a pair of eyes as deep as an abyss.

"Big brother," Zhang Shan grinned.

Deng Chanyu then realized what was happening and hurriedly pulled her hand away from Zhang Shan's grasp, her cheeks flushed red to her ears. She composed herself, clasped her hands in a respectful greeting, and said, "Chanyu greets Brother Zhang."

The voice was clear and crisp, yet tinged with nervousness.

Zhang Kui nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Deng Chanyu. The Great Yin-Yang Void True Eye quietly activated, instantly revealing the girl's true nature—excellent physique, cultivation at the peak of Earth Immortal, and a faint five-colored radiance flowing around her.

He withdrew his supernatural powers and said gently, "Miss Deng, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down."

Deng Chanyu sat down next to Zhang Shan, her heart pounding with unease. Although she and Zhang Shan were deeply in love, being suddenly dragged to meet his parents caught her completely off guard. She secretly glared at Zhang Shan, only to find the simpleton staring at her blankly, which only fueled her embarrassment and anger.

Zhang Kui observed their subtle exchange and found it amusing. He casually remarked, "I've heard that Miss Deng received guidance in Taoist arts from Senior Kong Xuan?"

Deng Chanyu was taken aback, then nodded and said, "Yes. When I was young, I met a senior who taught me a few Taoist techniques. The method of using the Five-Colored Divine Stone was taught to me by him. However, I was young at the time and did not know that the senior was Kong Xuan."

Zhang Kui nodded slightly: "Senior Kong Xuan and I have a history. Back when I watched Lü Yue undergo his tribulation on Kowloon Island, he gifted me the Five Elements Feathers of My Destiny, which helped me comprehend the Five Elements Great Escape. In a way, you and I are fellow disciples."

Upon hearing this, Deng Chanyu's eyes showed surprise. She only knew that Zhang Kui's cultivation was extremely high, but she did not expect that he had such a connection with Kong Xuan. For a moment, she felt even closer to this "elder brother".

Zhang Shan listened with delight as his brother and his sweetheart chatted amiably. But as he listened, he noticed Zhang Kui rambled on about everything from Kong Xuan to the Five Elements Daoist arts, never getting to the point. He grew increasingly anxious and tried to interject several times, but Zhang Kui silenced him with a single glance.

Finally, Zhang Shan couldn't hold back any longer.

"Brother, get down to business!" He suddenly stood up. "I want to marry Chanyu, so you'd better go and propose to my father-in-law right now."

Upon hearing this, the tent fell silent.

Deng Chanyu was taken aback at first, then her cheeks flushed, her eyes reddened, and she was both ashamed and angry: "Zhang Shan, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Upon hearing this, the tent fell silent.

Deng Chanyu was taken aback at first, then her cheeks flushed, her eyes reddened, and she was both ashamed and angry: "Zhang Shan, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Seeing her like this, Zhang Shan panicked and quickly went over to apologize: "Chanyu, I, I didn't mean that... I meant, my older brother said he would help us propose marriage, I was just in a hurry..."

"You...who wants to marry you?" Deng Chanyu's tears were almost falling. "You...you said this to my face..."

"I was wrong, I was really wrong!" Zhang Shan was at a loss. In his panic, he pointed at Zhang Kui and said, "It was my elder brother who said it. He said he wanted to see you and help me propose marriage, so I went to invite you."

Zhang Kui paused slightly in the hand holding the teacup.

He slowly raised his eyes, looked at his younger brother, and barely managed to restrain himself from slapping him across the face.

Deng Chanyu looked at Zhang Kui with teary eyes, her gaze filled with shame and embarrassment.

Zhang Kui put down his teacup, forced a smile, and said slowly, "Miss Deng, although my younger brother is impulsive and speaks without thinking, I, as his elder brother, have seen his feelings for you."

Deng Chanyu lowered her head, her ears turning bright red.

Zhang Kui continued, "You are intelligent, decisive, and heroic. If Zhang Shan can marry you, it will be his greatest fortune and a blessing for my Zhang family."

These words praised Deng Chanyu and also expressed sincerity.

Deng Chanyu felt a surge of warmth in her heart upon hearing this, and her shyness lessened slightly. She whispered, "Brother Zhang, you flatter me. I... I'm not that good... It's my good fortune to have met Zhang Shan."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shan's face lit up with joy, and he grabbed Deng Chanyu's hand tightly, refusing to let go: "Chanyu, you agreed?"

"Who agreed!" Deng Chanyu was so embarrassed that she tried to pull her hand away, but Zhang Shan held it tightly. She struggled a few times but couldn't break free, so she just let him be.

Zhang Kui watched this scene with great satisfaction. The two were clearly in love and well-matched. He said solemnly, "In that case, I will choose a day to see General Deng and finalize your marriage."

"Thank you so much, brother!" Zhang Shan bowed repeatedly in delight.

Deng Chanyu blushed and bowed to Zhang Kui, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhang."

Zhang Kui waved his hand, indicating that the two men did not need to be so polite. He then gave them a few more instructions, telling Zhang Shan to behave himself in the next few days so as not to give the military camp any reason to criticize him, before letting the two men leave.

Watching his younger brother lead Deng Chanyu out of the tent, Zhang Kui picked up his teacup and took a sip.

……

Inside the central command tent, the lights were dim.

Deng Jiugong sat upright behind his desk, with his son Deng Xiu standing beside him. Inside the tent, there was a figure completely shrouded in a black robe, his face hidden in the shadow of his hood, with only a pair of deep, dark eyes vaguely visible.

Tu Xingsun knelt on the ground, his expression extremely respectful.

"Get up, all of you." The voice of the man in black robes was deep and hoarse, making it impossible to discern his age or gender.

Deng Jiugong, Deng Xiu, and Tu Xingsun then got up.

Tu Xingsun spoke first: "Master, I have acted according to plan and have provoked Zhang Shan in public several times in the past few days. That kid is indeed impatient. If it weren't for Deng Chanyu stopping him, he probably would have already attacked me."

The man in black robes nodded slightly: "No rush, take your time, be patient."

Having said that, he took out three pills from his bosom. The pills were golden in color, with cloud-like patterns and a faint glow. A refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted out, and just one whiff was enough to stir one's internal magical power.

"This golden pill, one of it is equivalent to a hundred years of arduous cultivation." The black-robed man distributed the pills to the three men. "Do your job well, and I will not treat you unfairly."

Deng Jiugong accepted the pills with both hands, a glint of fervor flashing in his eyes. He quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior!"

Deng Xiu and Tu Xingsun bowed in gratitude and carefully put the elixir into their pockets.

The man in black robes continued, "Zhang Shan is not a concern, but Zhang Kui behind him is a variable. This man's cultivation has reached the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, and he possesses several innate spiritual treasures. Even the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect have suffered losses at his hands."

Upon hearing this, a hint of apprehension flashed in Tu Xingsun's eyes: "Teacher, is Zhang Kui really that powerful?"

"Heh, your master's death might be related to this person. Don't you think he's formidable?" the black-robed man said calmly. "Right now, all you need to do is continue to provoke Zhang Shan and force him to make a move. As long as he makes the first move, capture him and force Zhang Kui to show himself. At that time, I will take action."

Tu Xingsun's eyes darted around, and he chuckled lewdly, "Don't worry, Master. Zhang Shan is a brute; provoking him will be a piece of cake. It's just that Deng Chanyu..."

He glanced at Deng Jiugong secretly.

Deng Jiugong's face darkened, and he snorted coldly: "Chanyu is young and ignorant, and has been bewitched by Zhang Shan. After this is done, I will make her understand who is the right match for her."

Tu Xingsun was overjoyed upon hearing this and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, father-in-law."

Deng Xiu watched coldly from the side, her lips twitching, but she didn't say anything.

The man in black robes said no more, and with a flick of his sleeve, his figure vanished like smoke. Only a faint wisp of sandalwood incense remained in the air, lingering there.

The three people inside the tent looked at each other, and no one spoke for a moment.

After a long silence, Deng Xiu whispered, "Father, who exactly is this senior? The golden elixir he gave me..."

Deng Jiugong

Deng Jiugong glanced at him and gave a faint "hmm".

Tu Xingsun wisely took his leave.

After he left, Deng Xiucai whispered, "Father, this man is utterly despicable. Are we really going to marry my sister to him?"

Deng Jiugong closed his eyes and after a long while said, "I have my own considerations. You may leave now."

Deng Xiu hesitated for a moment, then bowed and left.

Only Deng Jiugong remained in the tent. He sat alone in the darkness, his hand resting on the golden elixir in his robes, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

……

Zhang Kui withdrew his divine sense, and the yin and yang energies in his eyes slowly faded away.

The man in black robes possessed extremely high cultivation; even with his True Eye of Insight, he couldn't see through his true nature. But that wisp of sandalwood incense... he couldn't be mistaken.

"Light the lamp..."

Zhang Kui murmured the name, a flash of murderous intent crossing his eyes. This vice leader of the Chan Sect was truly a persistent ghost.

Zhang Kui rose and stood with his hands behind his back in the tent.

The moonlight outside the window was like water, and campfires flickered in the military camp.

If Ran Deng wants to play, then let's play along. Zhang Kui's lips curled into a cold smile.