Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Chaoge, Zhaixing Tower

The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments filled the air, King Zhou sat high on his throne, with the alluring Daji by his side, and the musician playing the zither below was Boyi Kao, the eldest son of the Marquis of Xibo.

King Zhou, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, commanded, "Bo Yikao, play another tune for me, and play it with all your heart."

Daji's eyes sparkled with a smile as she nestled in King Zhou's arms and said sweetly, "Your Majesty, I've heard that Prince Boyi Kao has also presented a white-faced, intelligent monkey that can sing and dance. Why not summon it as well, so that I may also broaden my horizons?"

King Zhou has no problem with it.

Bo Yikao felt uneasy but dared not disobey, so he had no choice but to offer up the white ape that was kept in the cage. The white ape was quite intelligent. After entering the Star-Picking Tower, without being taught, it lightly tapped the sandalwood clappers and began to sing. Its voice was clear and melodious, even overpowering the musicians' performance. Everyone in the tower who heard it felt relaxed and refreshed, as if they had drunk fine wine, and were unconsciously intoxicated.

Seeing everyone engrossed in the song, Daji's eyes flashed with a sinister light as she deliberately let a trace of her demonic aura escape. The white ape, a thousand-year-old spiritual beast with exceptionally keen senses, immediately detected the source of the chilling demonic aura, its beastly eyes locking onto Daji in an instant. Protecting its master, driven by instinct, the spirit beast let out a sharp screech, leaping up with lightning-fast claws, aiming straight for Daji's face.

"How dare you, you beast!"

Although King Zhou indulged in wine and women, as a descendant of Tang of Shang, he had cultivated martial arts since childhood, and his foundation remained intact. Seeing the white ape attacking, he flew into a rage, and his blood and qi erupted. A majestic, domineering aura, bearing the mandate of heaven, soared into the sky, and at the same time, a black bird dharma image manifested and condensed behind him.

A black bird was born, which descended and gave birth to the Shang dynasty.

The Xuan Bird Dharma Form exuded a terrifying pressure that suppressed the eight wastelands and made it the only one that was supreme.

King Zhou pointed his fingers like a knife and slashed through the air. A highly refined, void-tearing aura of royal power shot out, like a black bird pecking at the sky.

"puff!"

The thousand-year-old white ape didn't even have time to scream before its head was pierced by this strike, which contained the national fortune of the Shang Dynasty and the martial arts aura of King Zhou. It died on the spot, its body falling off the tower, and its spiritual light dissipated.

Bo Yikao was terrified and immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! This ape is a wild beast from the mountains, ignorant of manners. Seeing the delicacies, its wild nature resurfaced, disturbing Your Majesty's presence. I deserve to die ten thousand times over."

Daji feigned shock and nestled in King Zhou's arms, weeping sadly, "Your Majesty, since the monkey is dead, it is innocent. However... I have heard that Prince Boyi Kao's zither skills are superb, and his music can distinguish between loyalty and treachery. Perhaps we should let him play another piece. If his music truly reflects loyalty, then we can forgive him for startling the king; if it is feigned, then we can punish him for disrespect."

King Zhou, still furious, nodded upon hearing this: "My beloved consort is quite right. Boyi Kao, play another tune, so that I may hear your 'loyal heart'!"

Bo Yikao knew that things would not end well today. Thinking of his father being imprisoned in Youli, and how he himself had been forced to do so despite bearing the heavy responsibility of rescuing his father, a surge of grief, indignation, and determination welled up in his heart: "Scholars die for their principles, warriors die in battle. Since there is no other way out, I might as well use this crippled body to directly remonstrate with the king, and perhaps I can awaken his ears."

He accepted the order and sat on the ground, placing his zither on his lap. He closed his eyes, clearing his mind of all distractions, and his fingers touched the strings. This time, the music was powerful and stirring, filled with sorrow and defiance. He began to sing, his voice clear and mournful, each word a tear of blood:

"May the king distance himself from lust and restore order to the realm, may peace prevail over the world and the empress be deposed swiftly. May the evil influence be extinguished and the feudal lords submit with joy, may licentiousness be eradicated and the state be at peace. May Yi Kao be imprisoned, and may he not fear ten thousand deaths, may Daji be banished and her story be recorded in history."

The lyrics directly accuse Daji of being a demon, plead with King Zhou to stay away from beautiful women, restore order to the court, and even explicitly state that Daji should be eliminated.

"How dare you!" King Zhou roared in fury, slamming his fist on the table. The black bird statue behind him twisted in his rage. "How dare you insult my beloved concubine and curse the state! Guards, seize this traitor and throw him into the pit of scorpions!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger." Daji stopped the enraged King Zhou, a hint of cruelty in her eyes, and smiled, "I have heard that Ji Chang, the Marquis of the West, is hailed as a sage, most skilled in divination and possessing profound insight into worldly affairs. As the saying goes, 'Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs.' Why doesn't Your Majesty make Boyi Kao... into meat pies and send them to Youli for Ji Chang to taste? If Ji Chang truly understands divination and knows it is the flesh of his own child, he will surely not eat it, lest it become a threat to the state, and Your Majesty can execute him immediately; if he does not know and eats it, then he is merely a figurehead, and Your Majesty can then demonstrate your benevolence and pardon him. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Upon hearing this, King Zhou felt it was exactly what he wanted to hear and readily agreed, "My beloved consort's plan is brilliant, just what I desire. Immediately order the kitchen staff to send the meat pies to Youli by fast horse, just as you have suggested. I want to see whether Ji Chang is a sage or a fool."

……

Since Zhang Kui left Luofu Cave on Mount Emei, he has been using flying to conceal his figure and fully utilizing the Five Elements Great Escape Divine Power. His aura is perfectly integrated into the world, making him extremely fast and leaving no trace.

Within a few days, he had quietly returned to Youli City.

He had barely shown himself in his own residence, and before he could even rest, a guard rushed over to report: "General, Marquis Ji Chang of the West left the pass a few days ago. He just sent someone to say that you have returned and to invite you to a chat."

Zhang Kui was taken aback upon hearing this. "Ji Chang has emerged from seclusion, yet he could so accurately know of my return at this moment?" He wondered inwardly. "My flying teleportation technique is already mastered, my aura is primordial, and my form is unpredictable. Logically speaking, even with his profound understanding of the Dao of Change, he shouldn't be able to predict my whereabouts so easily..."

Putting aside his doubts for the time being, Zhang Kui did not delay and immediately set off for the prison where Ji Chang was being held.

Upon entering the cell, Zhang Kui was stunned by the sight before him.

Ji Chang was slumped on the ground, his once neatly combed beard and hair now disheveled like withered grass, his face haggard and withered, his eyes unfocused, as if he had aged twenty years overnight, almost unrecognizable.

"My lord, what's wrong with you?" Zhang Kui quickly stepped forward, supported Ji Chang, and sent a stream of pure true energy mixed with gentle magic power through him.

When Ji Chang saw the person who came, his previously unfocused eyes revealed pain and indignation. He grabbed Zhang Kui's arm, tears streaming down his face, his voice hoarse and trembling: "General Zhang... I... I am heartbroken! A white-haired man sending off a black-haired man... My son Boyi Kao, he tried to save this old man... and... he was cruelly murdered by that tyrannical ruler."

Zhang Kui's heart sank. Boyi Kao had come to Chaoge. So, that tragic human drama destined to be recorded in history was going to continue.

As expected, Ji Chang burst into tears and continued, "That tyrant... he... he actually turned my son... into a meat pie. He even sent someone to deliver it, trying to force me to eat it... Even tigers don't eat their cubs. Heaven, how unjust!" At this point, Ji Chang was overcome with grief and almost fainted.

Zhang Kui immediately increased his magical output, the pure energy nourishing Ji Chang's nearly collapsed mind and body, helping him stabilize his emotions. Once Ji Chang's complexion regained some color and his breathing calmed somewhat, Zhang Kui asked in a deep voice, "My lord, please accept my condolences. He is gone, and the living must go on. Now… how should we proceed?"

Ji Chang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, although he was still grieving, he said in a low and resolute voice, "Do as he says... I have decided to show him foolishness."

At this moment, Zhang Kui clearly realized that Ji Chang in front of him was not only the great sage who wrote the Book of Changes and cared about the human race, but also a hegemon who knew how to be patient, understood gains and losses, was skilled in strategy, and ruled over two hundred vassal states in the west.

Zhang Kui stood solemnly, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "I understand."

He then took out the copy of the Book of Changes that he had kept carefully and returned it with both hands: "My lord, this treasure is returned to you intact."

Ji Chang accepted the Book of Changes, feeling the connection to his own bloodline and the vast human virtue within it. A complex and unfathomable expression appeared on his face as he softly said, "Thank you, General, for keeping it safe."

Having settled this matter, Zhang Kui finally voiced his doubts: "My lord, to be honest, my cultivation has improved recently, and I am confident that I have achieved some success in concealing heavenly secrets. Logically, you shouldn't have been able to calculate the exact time of my return so easily. Yet, I had just arrived in Youli when your messenger arrived. What is this…?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Chang's sorrow lessened slightly. He gently shook his head and raised the Book of Changes, which radiated a warm golden light, in his hand, saying, "Young friend, you worry too much. I truly cannot predict your movements. However... it seems you have forgotten about it."

He gently shook the Book of Changes: "The key lies in this treasure. I didn't divine your future, but rather sensed its return. You are connected to this treasure's aura; when it returns to Youli, you will naturally arrive as well."

"I see!" Zhang Kui suddenly realized, and couldn't help but put his hand to his forehead, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

It turns out I wasn't identified by some profound divination technique, but rather by this meritorious treasure. It's true what they say, reliance on experience is deadly; I was so focused on defense and calculation that I forgot I had a natural "signal device" with me.

After understanding the problem, Zhang Kui's sense of defeat at the thought that his supernatural powers had been broken vanished instantly. At the same time, he felt even more admiration for Ji Chang's ability to maintain such a clear mind and keen observation in such a sorrowful moment.