Jiang Ziya is Punished

Dawn had barely broken when a crisp birdcall pierced the morning silence, jolting the sleeping Wu Ji awake from his dreams.

"Not good! How did I fall asleep?!" Wu Ji sprang awake, his heart lurching as he hurriedly got to his feet and looked frantically toward the bluestone.

Jiang Ziya was still seated atop the bluestone as he had been every day, fishing rod in hand, eyes lightly closed and expression tranquil, as though he had been fishing there for quite some time.

The instant he saw Jiang Ziya, the massive weight in Wu Ji's heart dropped away. He let out a huge sigh of relief, his eyes brimming with wild joy and hope.

Not even bothering to brush off the dust on himself, he hastily smoothed the wrinkles in his robe and rushed toward Jiang Ziya, his steps hurried and unsteady.

Reaching Jiang Ziya's side, Wu Ji did not hesitate in the slightest. With a thud, he dropped to his knees before the bluestone, pressing his forehead tightly against the ground as he wept bitterly and kowtowed again and again in apology. His voice choked with tears yet filled with reverence. "Old sir! No, Immortal Elder! Please forgive me, Immortal Elder! Yesterday, I was muddleheaded and arrogantly blind to everyone else. I spoke disrespectfully to you, Immortal Elder. I beg you to be magnanimous and forgive my offense!"

He struck his head against the ground more than a dozen times. His forehead soon became red and swollen, yet he did not notice at all, doing nothing but repent fervently.

Jiang Ziya remained seated and continued fishing, his eyes closed and his expression unchanged, as though he had neither heard Wu Ji's words nor seen his state.

Seeing no response from Jiang Ziya, Wu Ji grew ever more anxious and