Shen Gongbao

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.

"Jiang Ziya."

The voice of the Yuanshi rang out.

Jiang Ziya was startled and respectfully knelt down on the ground.

"Disciple is here!"

"You have been cultivating on Kunlun Mountain for forty years now," came the voice of the Yuanshi Tianzun.

Jiang Ziya's heart skipped a beat, and a look of shame immediately appeared on his face.

Forty years!

For ordinary people, this is already half a lifetime.

For immortals, it's nothing more than a snap of the fingers.

Yet, despite forty years of arduous cultivation, he has not even been able to cross the Daoist Sect and remains a mortal to this day.

Compared to those senior brothers who cultivate for thousands or tens of thousands of years, it's simply a joke.

"This disciple is foolish and has failed to live up to Master's teachings!" Jiang Ziya kowtowed on the ground, his voice trembling.

However, Yuanshi Tianzun suddenly changed the subject.

"Though you may find it difficult to attain immortality, you possess the Auspicious Sign of the Flying Bear and are destined by Heaven. A great calamity is about to befall the mortal world. The Shang dynasty is Yin Shang Dynasty, Xiqi is destined to rise. It is precisely because of this that you are needed to descend from the mountain."

Investiture of the Gods on behalf of Heaven!

These four words, like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploded in Jiang Ziya's mind, leaving him completely stunned.

"Master, this... this disciple..."

Yuanshi Tianzun did not give him a chance to refute, and waved his hand.

Two treasures appeared out of thin air and hovered in front of Jiang Ziya.

A scroll of golden scrolls, none other than the Investiture of the Gods!

An ancient and mysterious wooden whip—it is the God-Beating Whip!

"These are the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip; please keep them safe."

"Go to Xiqi to assist a wise ruler. When you achieve your goal, you will enjoy endless riches and honors."

The voice of Yuanshi Tianzun is beyond question.

"Remember this mantra: follow the will of Heaven and obey the will of the people; never disobey it!"

Jiang Ziya was shaken, looking at the two supreme treasures before him, feeling the divine blessing bestowed upon them.

That's fate!

He took a deep breath, his hands trembling as he accepted the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip, and kowtowed heavily.

"Disciple Jiang Ziya will obey Master's orders!"

After saying this, he walked out of the Jade Void Palace, looking back every few steps.

He had not yet achieved immortality, yet he was about to be conferred the Investiture of the Gods.

What kind of mess is this?!

Just as Jiang Ziya was feeling uneasy and staggering down the mountain, a hurried shout suddenly came from behind him.

"Brother Daoist, please wait!"

Jiang Ziya turned around and saw a dark shadow chasing after him at lightning speed.

The newcomer was dressed in a black robe and had a lean face; he was her junior sister, Shen Gongbao.

Shen Gongbao was still carrying a newly crafted magical artifact, but he was panting heavily, clearly because he had been chasing after them too fast.

"Senior brother, where are you going?"

Shen Gongbao stopped Jiang Ziya, but his gaze was fixed on the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip in Jiang Ziya's arms, his eyes burning with desire.

"Why did Master choose only you to descend the mountain? I, Shen Gongbao, have cultivated on Kunlun Mountain for five hundred years! In terms of cultivation and magic, in what way am I inferior to you?"

Jiang Ziya sighed and said with a wry smile, "Junior brother, this is the will of Heaven, not something that can be forced by human power. Master has his own arrangements; you should not be so attached to it."

It's fate again!

Upon hearing those two words, Shen Gongbao reacted as if a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with fur!

"What a destiny bestowed upon me! I, Shen Gongbao, was born a leopard spirit and have now embarked on the path of immortality."

Just because I'm born a demon, does that mean I deserve to be ostracized and ignored? The world is unjust!

Resentment!

A surge of resentment!

Meanwhile, Chaoge was filled with jubilation.

The seventy-two princes of the North Sea rebelled, and Grand Tutor Wen Zhong was ordered to lead an expedition. After fifteen years, he finally quelled the rebellion and returned in triumph!

Di Xin was overjoyed and, disregarding the decorum of a monarch, personally led all civil and military officials thirty li outside the city to welcome him!

Banners fluttered, and armor gleamed.

When Wen Zhong's iconic mount Black Qilin, appeared on the horizon, the entire welcoming party erupted in cheers.

"The Grand Tutor is back!"

"The Heavenly Pillar of the Great Shang Dynasty has returned!"

Wen Zhong stepped off the Black Qilin, dressed in military attire.

The Celestial Eye opens and closes, its divine light appearing and disappearing, exuding astonishing power.

"Your Wen Zhong pays his respects to Your Majesty. I have been fortunate enough to fulfill my mission and have pacified all seventy-two vassal states of the North Sea. The northern border is now at peace!"

Upon seeing this, Di Xin laughed heartily, strode forward, and personally helped this pillar of the state to his feet.

"Grand Tutor, please rise! You have fought for the country and rendered great service; you are the Heavenly Pillar of our Great Shang! There is no need for such a grand ceremony!"

The ruler and his ministers were in harmony, and they enjoyed a peaceful and happy relationship.

Prime Shang Rong, standing to the side, was also beaming with pride. He stroked his beard and laughed, "Grand Tutor's great victory this time has not only stabilized the northern border, but also greatly boosted the prestige of our Great Shang Army!"

When the news spread, all the feudal lords were terrified and sent envoys to pay tribute. The might of our Great Shang is unprecedented!

Upon hearing this, Di Xin was filled with even greater pride.

With wise ministers within the court and fierce generals without, the people are loyal to the country, and the fortunes are prosperous!

The omen of the Phoenix Cry was indeed true!

He seemed to already see the glorious future of the Shang Kingdom, which would last for ten thousand generations.

Will Xiqi rise to prominence?

Hmph! What a joke!

The Mandate of Heaven has its own master.

While the Yin Shang Dynasty rulers and their ministers were celebrating, in the distant territory of Xiqi, on the banks of the Wei River...

An old man with white hair was sitting on a large blue stone, leisurely fishing.

Strangely, his fishhook was straight.

This person was none other than Jiang Ziya, who had been down the mountain for several days.

He obeyed his master's orders and came to Xiqi, but instead of seeking an audience, he changed his name to Mister Flying Bear and lived in seclusion there.

He was waiting for someone who could bear the mandate of heaven.

On this day, King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, the ruler of Xiqi, had a strange dream.

He dreamed of a black bear with wings growing from its ribs, which roared and pounced into his arms.

Upon waking, Ji Chang was uneasy and immediately summoned ministers such as San Yisheng to interpret his dream.

San Yisheng calculated with his fingers and was overjoyed. "Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations! The flying bear appearing in my dream is an omen of a great sage descending from heaven to assist our Xiqi!"

King Wen was overjoyed upon hearing this, and immediately fasted for three days, bathed and changed his clothes, and personally led a group of people out of the city to search for him.

After some twists and turns, they finally found the strange man fishing with a straight hook on the banks of the Wei River.

The guard stepped forward, looked at the straight hook three feet above the water, and asked with a puzzled expression, "Old sir, how can you catch any fish by fishing like that?"

Jiang Ziya didn't even lift his eyelids; he simply smiled faintly.

"I am here not to fish, but to fish for kings and nobles."

"A curved hook is for fishing, a straight hook is for catching people. We are after the one who can bring peace to the world. Only those who are willing can take the bait."

What a boastful tone!

Just as the guards were about to retaliate, King Wen of Zhou arrived and stopped them.

King Wen Ji Chang, looked at the unassuming old man before him, but his mind was perfectly clear.

A flying bear in my dream, a master before my eyes!

He's the one!

Without the slightest hesitation, Ji Chang straightened his clothes, bowed deeply to Jiang Ziya, and performed the rites of a disciple.

"Ji Chang of Xiqi pays his respects to you, sir! I earnestly request that you leave your seclusion, assist Xiqi, and save the people from their suffering!"

Jiang Ziya then slowly opened his eyes, looked at the humble Ji Chang before him, and stroked his beard with a smile.

The fish has taken the bait.

Kunlun Mountain, side hall of the Jade Void Palace.

At the same time that Jiang Ziya Wei River, Shen Gongbao once again knelt before Yuanshi Tianzun.

She was unwilling to accept it!

On what grounds?

"Master! I implore you once again to give me a chance! I am willing to descend the mountain immediately to assist a wise ruler and make contributions to the Chan Sect! I am confident that I am no less capable than my senior brother Jiang Ziya!"

However, Yuanshi coldly shook his head, "Shen Gongbao, your obsession is too deep, and your desire to kill is too strong."

Moreover, you are of demonic origin, with a shallow foundation, and I fear you are ill-equipped to shoulder the heavy responsibility ordained by Heaven. This matter need not be brought up again."

Born of the demon race!

These four words again!

Like a curse, it shattered all of Shen Gongbao's efforts and hopes!

She froze, staring at her master in disbelief.

Behind them, the immortals of the Chan Sect, who usually considered themselves to be of noble lineage, could no longer help but let out bursts of snickers.

"Ha, how presumptuous of them."

"A beast with fur and horns dares to dream of controlling the great undertaking of the Investiture of the Gods? What a delusional thought!"

"The fact that Master allowed him to join the sect is already an immense favor; how dare he presume to ask for destiny?"

Each sarcastic remark was like a poisoned steel needle, piercing deeply into Shen Gongbao's heart.

She slowly stood up, then laughed in extreme anger!

"Excellent! Excellent! What a fine example of a prestigious and authentic lineage! What a perfect example of following the will of Heaven and the will of the people!"

When have you ever tolerated anything different from the righteous path you so constantly preach? What you call destiny is nothing but judging people by their birth and background! I've seen through it all today!

She suddenly turned to Yuanshi Tianzun, this time standing ramrod straight, "I'm going to defy the heavens! I'm going to show you all!"

I, Shen Gongbao, am here to prove that hard work is always more important than one's background!

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around abruptly, her black robe drawing an arc in the air.

She had absorbed enough of the ethereal energy of the Kunlun Mountain.

I've seen through the hypocrisy of the Chan Sect.

Since the heavens are unjust and the world is unfair, then she will personally step in and turn this world upside down!

Xiqi, Jiang Ziya...

You just wait!

Whose name should appear on this Investiture of the Gods is up to me, Shen Gongbao!

He stepped out of the Jade Void Palace, his figure disappearing into the sea of clouds...

PS: I've updated a long chapter, making up for the lost chapter 251.