Chapter 119: Jiang Ziya Opens the Deal

On the other side.

After leaving the White Bone Cave.

Gu Xiu, San Xiao and the others took the two child disciples Bi Yun and Cai Yun back to Golden Ao Island.

Bi Yun and Cai Yun, on their first visit to Golden Ao Island, saw auspicious omens filling the sky, immortal clouds swirling, spirit birds flying, a scene of utter peace, and they couldn't help but stare in awe.

After Duo Bao Daoist arranged their lodging, Gu Xiu and San Xiao returned to Three Immortals Island.

On the way back, Yun Xiao's expression grew solemn, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

Gu Xiu asked, "Master, are you contemplating the Investiture of the Gods?"

Yun Xiao lightly nodded, her eyes filled with worry: "The Chan Sect indeed intends to act against the Jie Sect disciples abroad; if, as you say, the Chan Sect wants to use my Jie Sect disciples' lives to erase the killing calamity on them, they will surely strike at my Jie Sect."

Speaking so, Yun Xiao lightly frowned and let out a sigh.

"I, along with my second sister and third sister, have been cultivating on Three Immortals Island, avoiding conflict, living freely, yet never imagined that the Chan Sect, after committing its own crimes, would expect my Jie Sect to remedy them; such deeds of the Chan Sect are utterly intolerable."

Gu Xiu said gravely, "Master, do not worry; the Jie Sect as a whole is stronger than the Chan Sect. Now that we know the Chan Sect's intentions, with a little preparation we can surely strike them hard."

Yun Xiao nodded; this matter had already been conveyed by Gu Xiu, and she did not know what to do, so she could only follow Gu Xiu's lead.

"Hopefully so."

After the few of them returned to Three Immortals Island.

At this moment, in Jade Wandering Palace.

Duo Bao Daoist was reporting the incident to Tong Tian.

Tong Tian slightly furrowed his brows.

Hongjun Daozu drafted the Investiture of the Gods; upon his return he ordered his disciples to enter seclusion. To preserve the harmony among the Three Pure Ones, he yielded, but did not expect the Chan Sect to scheme against the Jie Sect disciples.

He pondered silently.

The Chan Sect is probably plotting against Shi Ji.

But Shi Ji has taken a post in the Heavenly Court, disrupting the Chan Sect's plan.

Tong Tian thought of Gu Xiu and began to consider.

"Could it be that Gu Xiu had foreseen all this in advance?"

"Elder Brother, Second Brother, truly disregard the Three Pure Ones' harmony?"

Tong Tian's brows tightened.

"First, observe further; if they truly intend to scheme against my Jie Sect disciples, I must be ready."

…

At this moment.

Zhaoge.

Now the Chan Sect's biggest headache is Jiang Ziya.

He is still serving as an official in the Shang, and even the 68‑year‑old maiden Ma introduced by Song Yiren is not taken as a wife.

This thwarts many of the Chan Sect's schemes,

Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi were ordered to resolve the matter.

The two have been observing in Zhaoge these past days.

Jiang Ziya's unwillingness to leave Zhaoge stems from a problem with King Zhou's part.

Their forms concealed among the clouds, Chi Jingzi spoke.

"Senior Brother Guang Chengzi, Jiang Ziya remains stagnant, quiet; this cannot continue…"

The original plan was to have Jiang Ziya clash with the three demons of Xuanyuan Tomb.

But the three demons disobeyed.

They could only point out that Su Daji was a demon, sending Jiang Ziya to subdue her, yet Jiang Ziya made no move at all.

Guang Chengzi thought for a moment.

"Junior Brother Yun Zhongzi, Senior Brother Nanji, have achieved little in Zhaoge; if we resolve this, Master will surely reward us."

Chi Jingzi nodded, "Good, Senior Brother, what you say is reasonable. Regarding the Investiture of the Gods, since the list was signed we have been scheming a thousand years in advance; the two Shang princes were to be taken by us, becoming the destined calamity people, cutting off Shang's chance to rise, but the Jie Sect had defenses, causing our plan to be thwarted."

Guang Chengzi sneered, his eyes full of contempt.

"The petty Jie Sect, a bunch of fur‑clad, horn‑wearing scoundrels; even if they have defenses, how can they contend with us? We will go down and explain this to Ziya, tell him his destiny lies not in Shang but in Western Qi; if he listens, fine, if not, we will have to force him."

"All will obey Senior Brother."

…

Jiang Residence.

Jiang Ziya, aside from attending the morning court, spends most of his time in his study practicing calligraphy; his days pass rather comfortably.

One day, while he was concentrating on his calligraphy, a voice sounded.

"Ziya."

Jiang Ziya halted his feather brush, raised his head, his eyes filled with puzzlement.

Earlier he seemed to have heard someone calling his name, thought it was an auditory hallucination and paid it no mind.

Just as he was about to resume writing, he heard the call again.

This time Jiang Ziya was certain it was not a hallucination; he heard it clearly.

His mind was puzzled.

He opened the door, stepped into the courtyard, and saw Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi.

Jiang Ziya was slightly startled, stepped forward and bowed.

"Ziya, I have seen the two senior brothers."

"Ziya, you should understand our purpose, right?" Guang Chengzi asked.

Jiang Ziya's face was full of doubt, his brows tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with a bewildered look.

"Senior Brother Guang Chengzi, why have you come looking for me, your junior brother? I really don't know."

Seeing Jiang Ziya so obstinate, Guang Chengzi couldn't help but frown slightly, feeling a bit displeased, and his expression darkened a little.

"Ziya, do you remember what the teacher said to you when you came down the mountain?"

Jiang Ziya pondered for a moment, recalling the scene before he descended the mountain when Yuanshi Tianzun summoned him to the Jade Void Palace, then slowly spoke: "The teacher said my fortune is meager, I have no affinity with the Immortal Dao, and told me to go down the mountain to seek wealth and honor; I have always followed the teacher's teachings, and now I have indeed achieved wealth and honor."

Guang Chengzi let out a cold snort and said: "Hmph, the teacher meant for you to go down the mountain to assist the enlightened lord and accomplish a great undertaking; the time has come, yet you are so clueless, staying in Zhao Ge all this time—how can you repay the teacher's painstaking efforts?"

These words made Jiang Ziya unhappy, and his stubborn temperament flared: "Senior Brother, the king of Yin Shang is currently the leader of humanity; am I not already supporting the enlightened lord?"

"Ziya, Yin Shang has lost the Mandate of Heaven, the people cannot survive, its fate is exhausted, the Zhou house is destined to rise; the enlightened lord you should assist is in Xi Qi, you have already delayed some days in Zhao Ge—these few days you should set out for Xi Qi and await the enlightened lord's appearance."

Jiang Ziya slightly furrowed his brows: "Senior Brother, do you want me to preside over the Investiture of the Gods?"

Guang Chengzi did not deny it.

"The Investiture of the Gods is a major affair of our sect, of utmost importance, but this does not conflict with you presiding over the Investiture of the Gods."

Since Jiang Ziya realized that the Chan sect intended to use him to carry out the Investiture of the Gods, the karmic responsibility would fall on him.

Nowadays, across the mortal realm, feudal lords rise in rebellion; behind them, the Chan sect is the instigator, seeking to stir up the Investiture of the Gods in the mortal world to fulfill the killing calamity of the Twelve Golden Immortals—Jiang Ziya could not possibly go.

"Senior Brother, I am already a subject of Yin Shang; now demons and monsters run rampant across the world, feudal lords rebel—I ought to share the king's worries, yet you want me to go to Xi Qi to assist the enlightened lord—this would not only implicate me in wrongdoing but also make me a traitor? Senior Brother, please excuse my inability to accept this; please find someone else."

Guang Chengzi said angrily: "Jiang Ziya, how can you be so stubborn? Going to Xi Qi to assist the enlightened lord is your fate—do you really think you can defy heaven?"

No matter what Guang Chengzi says, Jiang Ziya just wants to enjoy blessings in Zhao Ge.

"Senior Brother, I am merely a mortal who has not attained the Immortal Dao and knows only a few tricks—how could I defy heaven?"

"Anyway, as a mortal who has not attained the Immortal Dao, I will likely die within a hundred years; if my junior brother truly could defy heaven, that would be the highlight of my life, Jiang Ziya—so my life would not be wasted."

Seeing Jiang Ziya act this way, Guang Chengzi's heart burned with anger.

"You! Jiang Ziya, I'll give you a few days to consider; if you remain obstinate, don't blame us for resorting to force!"

After saying that, Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi let out a cold snort and departed.

If Jiang Ziya were not the one chosen to preside over the Investiture of the Gods, they, as the exalted Twelve Golden Immortals, would fundamentally have no connection with him.

They originally planned to conclude the Investiture of the Gods, fulfill the Dao Ancestor's task, dispel the killing calamity, and then discard Jiang Ziya—yet they never expected Jiang Ziya to be so disobedient.

Seeing Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi walk away.

Jiang Ziya's gaze turned toward the distance.

"It seems that since I won't go for the Investiture of the Gods, the senior brothers have become anxious; it's time to see off the eldest brother."

Then he rummaged through his bundle, took out a bottle, and headed for Song Family Village.