Chapter 94: The Clarity Sect's Plans Diverge, the Warm‑Hearted Ancient Way of Huanglong True Person

Kunlun Mountain.

Inside the Jade Void Palace.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat cross-legged on the auspicious clouds, closing his eyes to nurture his spirit, Dao patterns flowing around his body, and rosy light shimmering.

South Pole Immortal Elder returned from Morning Song and immediately went to report to Yuanshi Tianzun: "Master, Jiang Ziya's original fate has indeed been changed, and many events that have befallen him show a considerable deviation from our sect's plan."

The fate of Jiang Ziya after descending the mountain had long been arranged by the Clarity Sect; if nothing unexpected occurred, he would follow the arranged Investiture of the Gods path. Yuanshi Tianzun fell silent for a moment: "Has Jiang Ziya recently come into contact with anyone?"

Upon hearing the question, South Pole Immortal Elder said: "According to the information I have gathered, Jiang Ziya's going to the Queen Mother of the West Palace is due to Shen Gongbao's deceit,

I brought him back to East Kunlun; after descending the mountain he should have gone to Morning Song, but instead he ran to the rebellious feudal lords' territory, where he happened to encounter Wen Zhong suppressing the rebellion, aided him in suppressing the rebellion, and thus returned together with Wen Zhong to Morning Song, where, for his merit, King Zhou appointed him as a junior minister."

Yuanshi Tianzun remained silent; many things had greatly deviated from the original fate, and for a moment he could not say how things would proceed from here.

But if Jiang Ziya does not come to believe in his heart that the Shang dynasty's fortune has run out, he will not willingly go to West Qi to support the Zhou court and oppose the Shang; this will affect the Investiture of the Gods plan, making it even harder for the Twelve Golden Immortals to dispel the killing calamity later.

Yuanshi Tianzun frowned slightly; the Twelve Golden Immortals are the foundation of the Jade Void Palace, and he could not bear to see the Investiture of the Gods plan thwarted, which would prevent the Twelve Golden Immortals from dispelling the killing calamity, causing them to fall.

"Many of our sect's schemes have been sabotaged, likely by the Jie Sect. You should go to Morning Song and pay close attention; you must make Jiang Ziya realize that he is the one destined for the Investiture of the Gods, and that going to West Qi to support the rightful ruler is the proper course."

"Master, rest assured; I will handle this matter."

Although South Pole Immortal Elder accepted the task, he currently had no leads, and thinking that Shen Gongbao might be concocting some plot against the Clarity Sect, he asked:

"Master, what should we do about Shen Gongbao? Should we go and deal with him?"

Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a moment: "Shen Gongbao, this sort of hairy‑horned rabble, is not worth worrying about; as long as Jiang Ziya presides over the Investiture of the Gods, he will surely grow jealous and come to obstruct us, drawing out all the Jie Sect disciples so we can defeat them one by one and send them to the list. As for Wen Zhong, although he is a Jie Sect disciple, he is not our pawn but a piece used to lure the Jie Sect disciples out, making it easy for us to pick them off one by one."

"Master, you are wise."

…

Having left the Jade Void Palace, South Pole Immortal Elder was pondering Jiang Ziya's affairs as he walked, when suddenly he saw Huanglong True Person approaching from not far ahead.

South Pole Immortal Elder's heart stirred; he thought perhaps he could make use of Huanglong True Person.

"Senior Brother South Pole," Huanglong True Person hurried forward, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Junior Brother Huanglong, what a coincidence," South Pole Immortal Elder nodded, returned the salute with clasped hands, a simple reply.

Huanglong True Person beamed with enthusiasm: "Senior Brother, it's not a coincidence at all; I don't know what new orders the Master has given you, but do you need help? I, your junior brother, can assist."

South Pole Immortal Elder is a favorite in Yuanshi Tianzun's presence; although he is not among the Twelve Golden Immortals, his status far exceeds that of Guangchengzi, and he is greatly esteemed by Yuanshi Tianzun.

Therefore Huanglong wanted to assist South Pole Immortal Elder, to curry favor; if South Pole Immortal Elder would say a good word for him before Yuanshi Tianzun and share some credit, the Master would surely look upon him more favorably.

Huanglong thought thus.

But South Pole Immortal Elder always had his own considerations; Huanglong, being an outsider, was not valued nor favored by Yuanshi Tianzun, so he dared not get too close to Huanglong, lest he provoke the Master's displeasure and lose his favor.

But now they are short‑handed, and Huanglong happened to offer himself, which could be put to use,

He gave a light smile.

"Junior Brother Huanglong, the Master has indeed given me a task; are you certain you wish to assist your senior brother and complete it?"

Huanglong True Person blinked, thinking he had misheard; usually South Pole Immortal Elder paid him no mind and would not let him join a task, yet now he took the initiative.

Overjoyed, he hastily agreed, fearing South Pole Immortal Elder might change his mind.

"Senior Brother South Pole, certainly, I am determined to assist you."

South Pole Immortal Elder smiled gently: "Then good, senior brother indeed has a matter for you to attend to."

"Please tell me, senior brother; I will certainly obey," Huanglong True Person said without even asking what it was, and immediately agreed.

South Pole Immortal Elder nodded satisfactorily: "The matter is this: the Master ordered Jiang Ziya to descend the mountain and preside over the Investiture of the Gods, but Jiang Ziya's mind is filled with distracting thoughts, he is not prepared, and we need to find a way to make him resolute."

After a pause, South Pole Immortal Elder continued: "I have thought it over and believe that you, junior brother, are the most suitable to persuade him; your character is straightforward, and you are somewhat acquainted with Jiang Ziya, so your words might awaken him, but you must also explain with reason and move with emotion, letting him understand that the Investiture of the Gods is heaven's mandate and cannot be shirked."

Huanglong True Person nodded solemnly; since he is not valued, in the Clarity Sect he usually only chats with marginal disciples, but whenever he passed by Jiang Ziya planting peach trees on the back mountain, they would exchange a few words, so they are indeed fairly acquainted.

"Senior Brother South Pole, rest assured; I will devote my utmost effort and not disgrace the mission."

South Pole Immortal Elder said: "Thank you for your effort, junior brother; this matter is of great importance, you must not be careless, and you must also inform Jiang Ziya that in the palace, Daji, the beautiful lady, is a demon who has been bewitching King Zhou."

"Senior Brother, rest easy; I will now go find Jiang Ziya." Having said that, Huanglong True Person turned and departed.

Watching Huanglong True Person's retreating back, South Pole Immortal Elder smiled with deep meaning.

"As long as Jiang Ziya believes that Daji is a demon and gets rid of her, he will surely not think the Three Demons of Xuanyuan's tomb will remain in power; he will definitely find a way to pull out this thorn, Jiang Ziya."

South Pole Immortal Elder pondered thus in his heart.

Since the Jade Stone Pipa Sprite does not go to Morning Song, we can simply have Jiang Ziya go to the palace to eliminate the demon.

Daji is deeply favored by King Zhou; if Jiang Ziya provokes her, a single command from her will have King Zhou seize him and drag him out to be beheaded.

At that point, to save his life, Jiang Ziya will have no choice but to flee to West Qi and assist the Zhou court.

Having organized his thoughts, South Pole Immortal Elder smiled: "This scheme is flawless and will surely succeed; however, Jiang Ziya's marriage must be pressed by the Stranger Song, who must find a matchmaker to arrange it."