Primordial Era: I rule the great sect and command all immortals.

Chapter 88 Man proposes, God disposes; King Zhou inscribes a poem at the Nuwa Temple

Upon hearing this, Song Yiren exclaimed with delight, "So you also know medicine, Daoist Master! I'll go and bring my child right away. If you can cure my child's illness, I'm willing to give you half of my family fortune as a token of my gratitude."

After saying that, without waiting for Chaos Dao Lord's reply, he hurriedly ran to the backyard.

Soon, Song Yiren came out carrying a swaddled baby.

After handing the swaddling clothes to Chaos Daoist, Song Yiren stared intently at Chaos Daoist's expression and said, "Daoist Master, please take a look at my child's condition."

Li Yunjing looked at the baby, simply waved his hand and gently stroked the baby, thus relieving the child's illness and waking him up.

"Thank you so much, Taoist priest, for saving my child!"

Song Yiren took the baby from Chaos Daoist and hurriedly said to his servants, "Someone come here! Quickly bring a thousand taels of gold and give it to the Daoist."

Li Yunjing smiled and stopped him, saying, "I have already said that I am not here to beg for alms."

"What is it, Your Excellency? If it is within my power, I will not refuse."

"I've heard you have a sworn brother named Jiang Ziya. I've come here to take him as my disciple," Li Yunjing said with a smile, getting down to business.

"It turns out that the Taoist priest came to take Brother Ziya as his disciple, but unfortunately Brother Ziya is not fortunate enough to have a master."

Song Yiren looked at Chaos Daojun and said with a wry smile, "Daoist, your timing is unfortunate. Brother Ziya left ten years ago, and we have no idea where he is now!"

"Alas! What a pity! Is it truly that this person destined for calamity is not meant to be with our Jie Sect?"

After all his scheming came to nothing, Li Yunjing felt utterly disheartened. He exchanged a few words with Song Yiren, then moved with a radiant light around him, riding auspicious clouds back to Wuyi Mountain.

Now, Jiang Ziya left Chaoge and traveled around, seeking immortals and visiting Taoist masters.

After years of arduous travel, we finally arrived near the Kunlun Mountains.

When the person who was appointed to bestow divine titles appeared, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable was moved and overjoyed, knowing that a destined person had come to become his disciple.

This person came to Kunlun Mountain and became his disciple, greatly increasing the chances for his twelve disciples to overcome the tribulation of immortality.

Thinking of this, he summoned the White Crane Boy and asked him to inform his disciples that he was going to preach and that they should all come to listen.

Upon hearing this, the White Crane Boy nodded in agreement, then kowtowed to the Primordial Celestial Venerable before going out to inform Guang Chengzi to ring the golden bell and summon his fellow disciples to the Jade Void Palace to listen to the Dao.

Several years later, Jiang Ziya met a like-minded person on the road, and together they arrived at the foot of "Kunlun Mountain". Looking at the majestic and continuous mountain range, the two of them were stunned.

Kunlun Mountain truly lives up to its reputation as the premier fairyland on earth. The stunning scenery dazzled the two of them. Taking a breath of the mountain air, they felt refreshed and extremely comfortable.

"Brother Shen, this mountain is so high, how can we, with our mortal bodies, possibly ascend this sacred mountain?"

After a long while, the two calmed down. Jiang Ziya looked at the enormous mountain range that seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance, shrouded in mist, and said with a wry smile.

"Alas! This is indeed a problem. This mountain is so vast that even if we spend ten years, we might not be able to reach the summit!"

Shen Gongbao's face was equally grim. "The Kunlun Mountains stretch for eighty million miles, with extremely dangerous terrain. How could ordinary people easily climb them?"

Just as the two were frowning in worry, a clear crane's cry suddenly came from the clouds. In the void, a huge white crane spread its wings and landed on the ground in the blink of an eye, transforming into the appearance of a child.

"What brings you two to Kunlun Mountain?"

After Yuanshi Tianzun began his lecture, he learned that mortals outside the mountain could not ascend Kunlun Mountain, so he sent the White Crane Boy to personally descend and bring the two people up the mountain.

"Greetings, celestial attendant! I, Jiang Ziya (Shen Gongbao), a mortal, have come to Kunlun Mountain seeking immortality and enlightenment. I hope you will take me in!"

Upon seeing the white crane boy appear, Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao were overjoyed. It seemed that there were indeed immortals on Kunlun Mountain, and this trip had been worthwhile.

"Hmph! These two mortals are nothing special. Why would Master specifically send me down the mountain to ambush them on my way up?"

The White Crane Boy didn't answer, but kept scanning the two people in front of him, but he couldn't see anything special about them.

After a long while, seeing the two of them looking uneasy, he said calmly, "Mount Kunlun is too high for you two to climb. The master has specially ordered me to take you up the mountain."

Having said that, before the two could react, he blurred into his true form, his two sharp claws grabbing Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao, one each, and soared into the sky, heading straight for the Jade Void Palace.

On the other hand, the Jie Sect, being the largest sect in the world, had deep ties with the secular world. Many second and third-generation members of the Jie Sect, unable to bear the loneliness, came out of seclusion to assist the Shang Dynasty emperor.

First, to enjoy worldly riches and honors; second, to refine one's heart amidst the mortal world. At this time, the Jie Sect was connected with the fate of the Yin Shang Dynasty, sharing both loss and glory.

Wen Zhong, a disciple of the Golden Spirit Mother, one of the five great true disciples, has become an Earth Immortal since he began cultivating under the Jie Sect.

He was originally a mortal, but although he entered the path of immortality, he was not content with this kind of life. He thought that a fine man should make achievements, be ennobled and appointed as prime minister, so as not to waste the knowledge he had learned.

The Holy Mother of Golden Spirit had long known that her disciple was not someone who would settle down to cultivation, but she accepted him into her fold because she was pleased with his extraordinary talent.

Seeing that Wen Zhong was focused on making a name for himself, he did not stop him. Instead, he gave his disciple a pair of male and female forbidden whips that he had crafted for self-defense, and also gave him a spirit beast, the Mo Qilin, for transportation.

Wen Zhong bid farewell to his master, took the forbidden whip in his hand, and rode down the mountain on the black Qilin.

During his travels in the lower realm, Wen Zhong encountered Wen Ding, the ruler of the Shang Dynasty.

After their conversation, Wen Ding was extremely impressed by Wen Zhong's literary and military talents and took the initiative to invite Wen Zhong to serve as an official in the Shang Dynasty.

Wen Zhong had always intended to make a name for himself in the secular world, so he didn't refuse and readily agreed.

With Wen Zhong's assistance, Wen Ding strengthened the management and infiltration of the eight hundred vassal states, led by the four major vassal states in the east, west, south, and north, and through various means, made the country even stronger.

Wen Ding naturally understood how much effort Wen Zhong had put in, so in addition to appointing Wen Zhong as Grand Tutor, he also made the Jie Sect the state religion of the Shang Dynasty.

With Wen Zhong gaining power, under his recommendation, many third-generation disciples of the Jie Sect descended to the mortal realm to join the Shang Dynasty and serve it.

Until Emperor Yi ascended the throne, the connection between the Jie Sect and the Shang Dynasty became increasingly close. Those from the Jie Sect made up about a third of the powerful and influential people in the court, which made the Jie Sect even more prestigious. In the secular world, the Jie Sect could now fully represent the Xuanmen (Taoist school).

In that year, Emperor Yi died, leaving the young emperor in the care of Grand Tutor Wen Zhong. King Shou ascended the throne as Emperor Zhou, with his capital at Chaoge.

With Wen Zhong, the Grand Tutor, as a civil official, and Huang Feihu, the Martial King who protects the country, as a military leader, the nation was well-positioned to govern and stabilize the country.

Empress Jiang, the first wife of the Empress, Huang, the concubine of the Western Palace, and Yang, the concubine of the Xinqing Palace; all three empresses and concubines were virtuous, quiet, gentle and kind.

King Zhou enjoyed peace and prosperity, the people lived in happiness and prosperity, the weather was favorable, and the country was peaceful and prosperous; the barbarians from all directions submitted to him.

There were four major vassal states leading eight hundred minor vassal states: the Eastern vassal state Jiang Huanchu, residing in the eastern Lu; the Southern vassal state E Chongyu; the Western vassal state Ji Chang; and the Northern vassal state Chonghouhu. Each of these vassal states led two hundred minor vassal states, totaling eight hundred vassal states under the Shang dynasty, all of whom submitted to it.

That spring, an urgent report arrived in Chaoge from the north: the seventy-two warlords of Beihai, led by Yuan Futong, had all rebelled.

King Zhou was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and immediately summoned his ministers to discuss the matter.

Some suggested that it would be better to let Grand Tutor Wen Zhong lead troops to attack.

Therefore, Grand Tutor Wen Zhong received the imperial edict and personally led a large army out of Chaoge to conquer Beihai.

Half a month after the army set out on its expedition, King Zhou held an early morning court session, gathering civil and military officials to discuss state affairs.

King Zhou asked, "Those with memorials, step forward; those without, dismiss the court."

As soon as he finished speaking, a man stepped forward from the row of civil officials on the right and said, "Your subject Shang Rong has something to report. Tomorrow is the fifteenth of the third month, the birthday of the Goddess Nuwa. I request Your Majesty to come to the Nuwa Palace to offer incense."

The moment Shang Rong spoke, a faint golden light came from the west, landed between King Zhou's eyebrows, and then disappeared.

The golden light came and went quickly, and no one in the court noticed it.

Outside the Great Shang Imperial Palace, Chaos Daoist smiled coldly. What was bound to happen had finally arrived. This sage, Zhunti, was truly shameless. Every time a great calamity came, this person would always come to the East to stir up trouble.

Last time it was aimed at the Heavenly Court of the Demon Clan, but this time, they have used their schemes against my Jie Sect. In any case, we cannot let Goddess Nuwa hold this grudge against the Jie Sect.

However, the last time, Li Yunjing failed to intercept the person who was to bestow divine titles on behalf of Heaven. After returning to the mountain to make some plans, he went into seclusion in Chaoge, keeping a close eye on the movements of the imperial palace and preparing to deal with those behind-the-scenes manipulators.

At this moment, Li Yunjing used the "Water Mirror Technique" to record everything that happened in the palace and seal it in a jade slip.

At this moment, King Zhou in the palace was behaving extremely strangely. When Shang Rong mentioned Nuwa, King Zhou was about to answer when he suddenly felt his mind go blank. The name Nuwa was completely unfamiliar to him, and he subconsciously blurted out, "What merits has Nuwa performed that I, the king, would personally go to offer incense?"

These words caused an uproar in the court. The ministers looked at each other, wondering what was wrong with the king today.

Nuwa is the Holy Mother of the human race. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors all paid homage to her. Human kings throughout the ages have offered sacrifices to her. The great king of the past also offered sacrifices to Nuwa. Why have you forgotten her today?

If it weren't for the king's dignity, any other person would have been severely reprimanded by the ministers.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to inform you that Nuwa is the Holy Mother of Humanity. She created humans from clay to form humanity; she mended the sky with stones, her merits are immeasurable. She is a righteous deity who blesses the country and protects the people. Your Majesty should go to the Nuwa Temple to offer incense!"

As the prime minister, Shang Rong frowned, but still offered an explanation.

Upon hearing this, King Zhou's doubts were somewhat relieved. After careful consideration, he realized that there seemed to be such a thing, so he nodded and said, "Since it is the God of Fortune and Virtue, I shall personally go to offer sacrifices. I grant your request."

Early the next morning, King Zhou set off from the palace, accompanied by three thousand iron cavalry, eight hundred imperial guards, and all the civil and military officials. Chaos Dao Lord also followed at a distance of several miles, accompanying King Zhou to the Nuwa Temple. He wanted to see it for himself and confirm some things.

An hour later, King Zhou arrived at the Nuwa Temple, dismounted from his carriage, entered the hall to offer incense, and after he finished praying, civil and military officials followed suit to offer their congratulations.

After all the elaborate rituals were completed, King Zhou felt a desire to tour the temple and led his officials to admire the scenery.

Just as they were watching, a sudden gust of wind arose.

The wind was very strange; it neither stirred up sand and dust nor swayed willows and waves, but simply passed through the hall, causing the curtains inside to flutter high.

King Zhou and his ministers were blown about by the strong wind. Everyone held King Zhou tightly, unable to open their eyes. Only Chaos Daojun had eyes as sharp as lightning, coldly observing everything that was about to happen through the strange wind.

The strange wind came quickly and went even faster. When the wind stopped, King Zhou and his ministers tidied their appearance and stood still. When King Zhou looked up, he saw that the layers of curtains had been blown away, revealing the statue of the goddess Nuwa inside.

The statue of Nuwa was beautiful, with auspicious colors shimmering, possessing a national beauty and grace, and appearing lifelike.

"Your Majesty's virtue is boundless!"

Upon seeing this, Shang Rong and the other civil and military officials quickly composed themselves and knelt down in unison.

Only King Zhou was bewitched; instead of kneeling in worship, he harbored a deep desire to possess the saint.

King Zhou wanted to touch the statue of Nuwa, but with his ministers around, he had to suppress his desire and had his attendants bring him writing materials.

King Zhou took a brush and, with flowing, elegant strokes, inscribed a poem on the wall inside Nuwa's Palace:

The phoenix and luan jeweled tent is a magnificent sight, adorned entirely with exquisite gold leaf decorations.

The distant mountains are verdant and winding; the graceful sleeves of dancers reflect the rosy clouds.

Pear blossoms, glistening with rain, vie in their delicate beauty; peonies, shrouded in mist, display their alluring charm.

But if she were to possess a captivating beauty and the ability to move freely, she could be brought back to serve the king in Chang Le.

After writing it down, King Zhou looked at it from left to right, feeling extremely satisfied.

The civil and military officials standing nearby, looking at the obscene poem on the wall, were all filled with fear and unease. Shang Rong, barely suppressing his anger, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Nuwa is a primordial deity, the Holy Mother of humanity, and the benefactor of the Shang Dynasty. As a ruler, how can Your Majesty compose a poem that is obscene and devoid of reverence for the Holy Mother? This is an offense against the divine and is not the proper way for an emperor to make a pilgrimage. Please, Your Majesty, wash it away with water."

"Prime Minister, you are overthinking it. I merely admired the unparalleled beauty of the Goddess Nuwa and thus composed a poem in her honor. I had no other intentions."

King Zhou waved his hand dismissively, and without waiting for his ministers to speak again, he set off for the palace.

"What a Western saint! Truly shameless!"

As King Zhou returned to the palace, Li Yunjing appeared in the hall and saw everything. Naturally, he couldn't let the Jie Sect take the blame. With a thought, he flicked his wrist, and the jade slip flew up to the Thirty-Three Heavens.

On the birthday of the goddess Nuwa, she suddenly felt inspired to travel, so she mounted a golden phoenix, left the Nuwa Palace, and headed towards the human world.

Nuwa traveled around and unknowingly arrived outside Chaoge City.

Upon entering his own temple and seeing the abundant offerings presented by the Shang Dynasty's subjects, he was overjoyed, for the human race still remembered his kindness.

But this good mood didn't last long, for they soon saw the lewd poems that King Zhou himself had inscribed on the wall.

Nuwa's face instantly turned ashen, and she cursed inwardly, "This wicked and incompetent ruler! I am the Holy Mother of the Human Race, yet he dares to compose a poem to flirt with me! How hateful! As a human king, he should cultivate virtue and govern the world, but he neglects both literary and military achievements, instead blaspheming me with a poem. He is truly unworthy of being called a son!"

(End of this chapter)