The prehistoric infrastructure maniac

Chapter 162 The Trials and Tribulations of Descending the Mountain
The bright silver spear in Su Quanzhong's hand turned golden, exuding an extremely sharp aura.

However, the giant was thick-skinned and tough. Although Su Quanzhong left wounds on his body, they were all minor injuries.

Enraged by Su Quanzhong, the giant swung his Xuanhua axe and quickly sent Su Quanzhong flying again.

After landing in a sorry state, Su Quanzhong spat out a mouthful of blood, then gritted his teeth and channeled his magical power into the five-wheeled spear in his hand.

The five-wheeled spear vibrated and hummed, its flames erupting with an increasingly fierce and violent aura. Then it transformed into a rapidly spinning streak of crimson-gold light, like a drill, scraping past the giant's Xuanhua axe as it swung down, and in the blink of an eye, it reached the giant's chest.
The five-wheeled spear, with a slightly difficult thrust, entered the giant's body, then emerged from its back with a streak of blood.

The giant, who had been frozen in place, suddenly shrank in pain, his body trembling.
However, when Su Quanzhong recalled his five-wheeled spear and leaped onto the ruins of the city wall, he discovered that the giant who should have been outside the gate had vanished, along with his corpse and the Xuanhua axe.

"Not dead? Escaped using earth magic?" Su Quanzhong frowned. He heard the sound of war drums and shouts of battle, and saw Chong Houhu's army charging towards him like a tidal wave. He couldn't help but urge the five-wheeled spear in his hand, and scorching flames swept out.
Amidst the piercing screams of agony, countless soldiers were instantly reduced to charred remains and ashes. Those behind them retreated in panic, and chaos ensued.

In this way, Su Quanzhong single-handedly repelled a thousand troops, causing Chong Houhu, who was watching from afar, to turn pale and tremble all over.

Ji Chang, the middle-aged Marquis of Xibo, who stood to the side with an air of composure, also frowned and looked grave. He then sighed and said to Chong Houhu, "Brother Chong! Let's retreat! Let's not add any more casualties."

"Send the order to retreat and return to camp!" Chong Houhu said with difficulty, his voice trembling slightly.

The war was suspended, but that evening, Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, took the initiative to go to Jizhou City to meet Su Hu.

What they discussed is unknown to outsiders, but in the end, Su Hu chose to cease hostilities and submit, sending his daughter to Chaoge to plead guilty.
At the summit of Jiuding Iron Fork Mountain and Babao Peak, Shi Mo, who understood all the causes and reasons, couldn't help but sigh, "I never expected that Su Daji would be so sensible as to choose to enter the palace to avoid the suffering of the people and soldiers of Jizhou from war."

"Do you think that Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, was a truly benevolent person who risked the lives of the soldiers and civilians of Jizhou City to persuade Su Hu?" Shi Mo then looked at Kong Xuan and asked.

"He truly deserves to be called benevolent and kind, and under his rule, the people of Xiqi have indeed become prosperous and peaceful," Kong Xuan said, then added:

"However, exchanging a weak woman for the safety of the people and soldiers of Jizhou can hardly be considered benevolent. It can only be said that this is the best course of action at present. Continuing to fight will only lead to widespread suffering. Moreover, even if Su Quanzhong has five rounds of guns in his hand, he is not invincible."

"They couldn't even handle a junior from the Witch Clan; their cultivation is indeed too weak. However, it's rather surprising that the Witch Clan is also involved in the Investiture of the Gods," Shi Mo said, adding...

"Zheng Lun is a disciple of Master Du'e, right? Du'e also came to Jiuding Iron Fork Mountain before, wanting to become my disciple and cultivate in the Spirit Fruit Garden, tending the gardens to hone his Dao heart. I just didn't expect that he would later go to listen to the Dao under your senior uncle, the Human Sect Master."

Kong Xuan said, "Teacher, the reason he was unable to become your disciple is simply because his will was not firm enough and he lacked the opportunity."

"Let's not talk about him! By the way, Su Daji is quite pitiful. Since her brother has become your disciple, help her escape this calamity! Anyway, the nine-tailed fox demon at Xuanyuan Tomb, ordered by Goddess Nuwa, only wants her physical body," Shi Mo continued noncommittally.

After Kong Xuan nodded and left, Duobao returned with Jiang Ziya, who had undergone a complete transformation.

"Teacher!" Duobao stepped forward first and bowed respectfully, followed by Jiang Ziya kneeling down: "Ziya greets Teacher, and wishes you good health!"

“Ziya, you have been my disciple for some time now, but it seems you truly lack the aptitude to become an immortal,” Shi Mo said, causing Jiang Ziya's expression to change and become somewhat nervous: “Master, I…”

“Go down the mountain! Go to the human world and gain some experience, see the world, assist a wise and virtuous ruler of the human race, become a general or minister of the human world, display your talents, realize your ambitions, and also seek wealth and honor in the human world. It will not have been in vain for your cultivation and decades of hard work,” Shi Mo continued.

“Teacher, Ziya is truly devoted to the path of immortality and has no attachment to the mortal world. This heart is as clear as the sun and moon. I hope you will see this clearly and not send me down the mountain!” Jiang Ziya couldn’t help but kowtow and say repeatedly.

"The path to immortality is hard to find!" Shi Mo shook his head slightly upon seeing this. "Ziya, a great change is about to occur in the mortal world. Even immortals and gods will not be able to escape a catastrophe. I have a heavy responsibility concerning all living beings in the primordial world to entrust to you. You should go down the mountain and wait for us!"

Jiang Ziya had no choice but to agree, and Duobao escorted him down the mountain.

"Senior Brother, I haven't even achieved immortality yet. What important task does Master have to entrust to me?" After leaving the Nine Cauldrons Iron Fork Mountain, Jiang Ziya couldn't help but ask with trepidation and curiosity as he stood on the clouds.

Duobao shook his head and smiled, "Since the teacher hasn't explicitly stated this, it means the time isn't right yet, so junior brother, there's no need to ask further. Your journey through the mortal realm will be a trial for your cultivation. Only by severing ties with worldly affairs can you attain your true self!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. Ziya is off!" After descending from the clouds and bowing to Duobao in farewell, Jiang Ziya used earth magic to leave. Duobao, who had watched Jiang Ziya leave, quickly returned to the summit of Babao Peak on Jiuding Iron Fork Mountain and said to Shi Mo, "Master, Junior Brother Ziya has already descended the mountain."

“Well, now that he’s down the mountain, be careful and make sure nothing happens to him,” Shi Mo said.

"Since Master is worried about Junior Brother Ziya's safety, why doesn't he bestow upon him a protective magic treasure? Why does he just send him down the mountain like this?" Duobao couldn't help but ask.

"What do you think? With his meager cultivation level, even if he were given a protective magic treasure, how much power could he possibly unleash?"

Shi Mo rolled his eyes at Duo Bao and said, "Possessing too much treasure is a crime! Having too many treasures will only bring more trouble, which is not a good thing. Fortunately, you didn't think you were clever and secretly gave him too many elixirs, spiritual medicines, and magical weapons."

Duobao gave an awkward smile: "Teacher, it's not that I'm stingy. Junior Brother Ziya has earned quite a bit in Nebula City over the years, enough for his own use."

"The Great Tribulation of the Gods has begun. All the Nebula Cities should be on high alert to prevent any major chaos," Shi Mo instructed.

"Don't worry, Master! I understand!" Duobao nodded repeatedly.

Shi Mo continued, "Your junior brother Gouchen is about to send a wisp of his soul down to the mortal realm for training. Remember to tell your junior brother Yun Zhongzi about this later, so as not to miss the opportunity. Take him to Zhongnan Mountain and teach him properly."

“Teacher, why don’t you let your disciple teach Junior Brother Gouchen? I’m afraid Junior Brother Yunzhongzi will be too busy,” Duobao said with a smile.

"How's your disciple Huo Ling doing? She's quite popular, getting along so well with the Jie Sect members. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was a Jie Sect disciple!" Shi Mo's words immediately made Duo Bao feel a little embarrassed.
"Master, I have indeed neglected to discipline Huo Ling. I will definitely keep her in strict control in the future. I will send her into seclusion for quiet cultivation as soon as possible."

"Alright, go ahead!" Shi Mo shook his head and waved his hand slightly. Duo Bao also hurriedly and respectfully agreed and left.

After Duobao left, Shi Mo, who was sitting cross-legged under the Peach Tree, let his invisible divine consciousness spread out, sensing the changes in the energy flow, the life and death of all living beings, and the withering and flourishing of plants throughout the primordial world. He felt that everything was perfectly natural and contained profound mysteries.
Immersed in cultivation, Shi Mo soon opened his eyes with a furrowed brow: "Su Daji is actually the reincarnation of Chang Xi? She didn't die even after being forced to self-destruct by Xing Tian. It seems that the fortune of the Taiyin Star is indeed not to be underestimated."

"Now that Su Daji's soul and true spirit have merged with Chang'e, the future cultivation level of the Moon Goddess is somewhat unpredictable," Shi Mo muttered softly, then closed his eyes and continued to immerse himself in cultivation.

On the other hand, despite Kong Xuan's secret intervention, after Su Daji's soul left her body, the nine-tailed fox still managed to take over Su Daji's body without any serious trouble, and thus infiltrated the palace.

After obtaining Su Daji, a woman of unparalleled beauty, King Zhou indulged in pleasure day and night, neglecting state affairs.
If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad, as there are still virtuous ministers like Shang Rong and Bigan in the court to handle state affairs.

However, under the bewitching influence of the nine-tailed fox demon, he brutally murdered loyal and upright ministers who offered advice, and even disregarded human ethics by attempting to kill his wife and children. In doing so, he destroyed his own kingdom and alienated himself from the people.

In fact, setting up a wine pool and meat forest and indulging in excessive luxury are not the biggest problems. The key issue is that King Zhou also introduced cruel tortures such as the branding iron and the pit of scorpions, making everyone feel insecure.

If torture were only used for intimidation, it would be fine, but King Zhou would use the burning torture at the drop of a hat, like baking pancakes. Upright ministers were all burned to death. It was clear that he didn't want his ministers to speak. He could do whatever he wanted, and you couldn't have any opinions or complaints.

Actually, if King Zhou had passed the throne to his son Yin Jiao and become an emperor emeritus, letting his ministers assist his son, that would have been quite good. He wouldn't have had to worry about anything and would have been much more carefree.

But he occupies the position without doing anything, and doesn't even allow the ministers to complain. Isn't that absurd?
King Zhou wasn't satisfied with that! He also wanted to build the Deer Terrace and the Star-Picking Tower, both massive projects that were a drain on the people's resources and manpower, showing no regard for finances or public sentiment.

It can be said that King Zhou nowadays is like an ignorant child who can only be coaxed and indulged. You can't reason with him or distinguish right from wrong.

What can we do? There's nothing we can do! Even if we have outspoken ministers to advise us, what can we do if they won't listen?
With loyal ministers and capable generals, King Zhou still insisted on courting death. Who could stop him?
If it was the nine-tailed fox who bewitched you, then you, as a king, have no judgment or decision of your own. You only want to establish your authority through killing. People are right to say that you are a tyrant!

In reality, he was just too self-centered. When King Zhou gradually stopped regretting or reflecting on his actions, he had become so foolish that he was beyond redemption.

At Jiuding Iron Fork Mountain, upon hearing Yun Zhongzi recount the story of going to the Chaoge King's Palace to deliver the sword and slay the demon, as well as the various atrocities committed by King Zhou, Shi Mo couldn't help but say:
"Heaven's will is to destroy the Shang Dynasty, and the tide cannot be turned! Gouchen's reincarnated soul will descend upon Yanshan. Now go!"

(End of this chapter)