Many children, many blessings; the twelve ancestral witches forced marriages throughout the primordi

Kunlun Mountain, Yuxu Palace.

Yuanshi Tianzun's eyelids have been twitching these past two days, and he has a general feeling of unease.

Logically speaking, Jiang Ziya has been down the mountain for some time now. According to the script, he should be having a terrible time in Chaoge, then becoming disillusioned with the Shang Dynasty, and finally going to Xiqi to fish.

But now, why is there no movement at all?

Even the secrets of heaven were a chaotic mess, like paste, and nothing could be seen clearly.

"White Crane, go and see where your Uncle-Master Jiang is?" Yuanshi Tianzun couldn't help but ask.

Before the White Crane Boy could even leave, a Taoist priest dressed in a black robe with a small mustache walked in. This man had a somewhat shifty appearance, but his eyes were exceptionally lively; it was none other than Shen Gongbao.

Shen Gongbao was not well-liked in the Chan Sect. He was a leopard spirit who attained enlightenment, belonging to the "furry and horned" type that Yuanshi Tianzun disliked the most. Although he had become a disciple, he was only a nominal disciple and often suffered disdain.

But he was resentful. Why could that good-for-nothing Jiang Ziya be the one to confer the titles of gods, but I couldn't?

"Master," Shen Gongbao bowed respectfully, "this disciple wishes to go down the mountain to find Senior Brother Jiang. Senior Brother Jiang is an honest man; perhaps he has been blinded by worldly desires or deceived by some wicked person."

Yuanshi Tianzun thought for a moment and nodded. Although Shen Gongbao's background was not good, he was quite clever in handling affairs.

"Alright. Go and see what he's doing. If anything goes wrong, report back immediately."

"Disciple obeys!"

Shen Gongbao was secretly delighted. "Jiang Ziya, you just wait," he thought. "If I catch you slacking off or doing something stupid, I'll come back and complain about you."

Shen Gongbao rode on a cloud, speeding all the way to Chaoge.

Upon reaching the skies above Chaoge, Shen Gongbao descended from the clouds, intending to first consult with a local deity.

He was dumbfounded as soon as he landed.

This...this is Chaoge?

On the official road outside the city, a bustling scene unfolded. But this was not the kind of forced labor he had seen elsewhere, but rather a group of strong men dressed in uniform shovels, holding iron shovels they had never seen before, mixing a gray slurry (cement).

There was also a dedicated kitchen nearby, with meat stewing in large pots, the aroma wafting for miles. The workers all had ruddy complexions, singing as they worked.

"One, two, three, let's get this job done! We'll treat ourselves to a big meal after this!"

Shen Gongbao rubbed his eyes, thinking he had gone to the wrong place. These days, can you even eat meat while performing corvée labor?

Just as I was wondering, I saw a high platform in front of me for command. Standing on the platform was an old man dressed in a purple official robe, with a jade belt around his waist, looking very imposing.

The old man was holding a command flag and pointing down, shouting, "Over there! Lay a thicker layer of cement! This road is for chariots; if it cracks, I'll deduct your wages!"

Shen Gongbao's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

That voice... why does it sound so familiar?

Upon closer inspection, I saw the old man's face.

Holy crap?!

Jiang Ziya?!

Is this still the same Jiang Shang who was so clumsy at even starting a fire on the mountain that he was scolded mercilessly by the Old Man of the South Pole?

Look at his attire now. His official robe is made of the finest Shu brocade, his jade belt is made of warm jade from Hetian, and even the command flag he holds faintly exudes the aura of a magical artifact.

"Jiang... Senior Brother Jiang?" Shen Gongbao called out tentatively.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Ziya on the platform turned around and was taken aback: "Junior Brother Shen? What brings you here?"

Jiang Ziya quickly had a ladder set up and climbed down it himself. Although he was now the prime minister, he hadn't completely shaken off the inferiority complex he had developed in his sect.

"Junior brother, are you here to take me back?" Jiang Ziya asked nervously. "I... I've only just started to make a name for myself."

Shen Gongbao circled Jiang Ziya three times, looking at him as if he were a monster.

"Senior brother, you...you've struck it rich?" Shen Gongbao pointed to the road under construction. "Weren't you supposed to be going down the mountain to assist a wise ruler? What are you doing here...as a foreman?"

"What foreman! This is the Grand Chancellor!" A foreman nearby couldn't stand it any longer and interjected, "Our Grand Chancellor is overseeing the construction of the 'Chaoge Highway No. 1,' a major undertaking that benefits the country and its people!"

Right Chancellor?

Shen Gongbao felt his worldview had been shattered.

Jiang Ziya, that good-for-nothing, became the prime minister of the Shang Dynasty in less than a month after descending the mountain?

"Senior brother, you're foolish!" Shen Gongbao cried out in anguish. "Master sent you down the mountain to follow the will of Heaven. The fate of the Shang Dynasty is sealed..."

"Shh!" Jiang Ziya quickly covered Shen Gongbao's mouth, looking around. "Junior brother, you can't say things like that. What do you mean by 'their fate is over'? You haven't seen Chaoge now; it's thriving. Besides, I get a monthly salary of five hundred spirit stones, plus meals with meat every day. What can Xiqi give me?"

Shen Gongbao yanked Jiang Ziya's hand away: "Senior brother, you're just greedy for worldly riches! Have you forgotten the original aspirations of us cultivators?"

"Original intention?" Jiang Ziya sighed, his eyes suddenly becoming profound (imitating Lin Xuan). "Junior brother, what are we cultivating on the mountain for? Isn't it to help the world and save people? I'm building roads, constructing bridges, and enriching the people—that's the greatest way to help the world. Must we watch the world descend into chaos and millions die before we're considered to be in accordance with the will of Heaven?"

Shen Gongbao was stunned.

That statement... seems to make some sense, but something feels off.

Just then, a clear voice came from behind.

"Well said! Prime Minister Jiang's words deserve a hearty toast."

Shen Gongbao turned around abruptly and saw a young man walking towards him with a smile, fanning himself with a folding fan. There was no trace of magical power emanating from this man, but his aura made even Shen Gongbao, a Golden Immortal, feel a chill run down his spine.

"Lord Lin!" Jiang Ziya quickly bowed.

Lin Xuan waved his hand, looked at Shen Gongbao, and his eyes were filled with a hint of amusement.

"This must be Daoist Shen Gongbao, I've long admired your name. I heard you're not doing so well in the Chan Sect?"

These words struck Shen Gongbao squarely in the heart.

[Ding! Side quest triggered: Deceiving Shen Gongbao.]

[Mission Objective: To recruit Shen Gongbao as our spy within the Chan Sect.]

[Reward: Defection Aura (Increases credibility of speech by 50%).]

Lin Xuan's smile deepened. "Great timing! Buy one, get one free!"