Zhou Wang Offers Incense

Do Bao wanted to take a look too, but within the entire formation, he was nothing more than a mortal...

Not to mention him—even Tongtian could only be beaten around by Uncle.

"Grandson, come on. Let's go take a look at the edge of the formation."

Leave the mountain?

No, no, no—the Primordial World was far too dangerous!

Wang Yuan was too cowardly. He had to lie low... lie low until the day he could defeat a Heavenly Immortal!

The grandfather and grandson sneaked to the edge of the formation like thieves. It happened to be at the foot of the mountain, where this procession was passing by. There were several thousand people, with armored soldiers at the front.

Seeing this group, Wang Yuan felt that he had guessed wrong.

"Little Mouse, this isn't ordinary people marrying off a bride."

Do Bao nodded. "Definitely not! It should be some high-ranking official getting married."

Wang Yuan nodded. "That makes sense."

But then he reconsidered. "Pah, what nonsense! You nearly led me astray. This isn't a wedding at all."

Do Bao definitely had no idea what was happening outside the formation.

"Grandpa, I'll go investigate!"

With that, he darted outside the formation. Wang Yuan wanted to stop him, but Do Bao moved quickly and left the formation in an instant. Wang Yuan could only sigh. "Young people... damn."

Do Bao left the mountain gate and came beside the procession. Some commoners were kneeling by the roadside. With a thought, Do Bao concealed himself.

Just then, a soldier from the procession passed by him. Do Bao stirred his magic power, and in the next moment, both the man and Do Bao vanished.

"You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say will be used as evidence in court." Do Bao looked at the soldier before him, imitating Grandpa's way of speaking. He felt as though he had become an expert like Grandpa.

Though the soldier had been captured by Do Bao, he was a subordinate of the Human Emperor. How could he fear some demon?

"You foul demon, what audacity! Do you know who I am?"

Do Bao froze. This mortal had some nerve! He actually wasn't afraid of him.

He released a trace of his aura. Though it was merely the tip of the iceberg, it was still more than a mortal could endure.

The soldier instantly fell to his knees, yet his gaze remained cold. "You wicked demon cultivator! How dare you use demonic arts?!"

Do Bao scratched his head. What was this? Why didn't this guy know to respect an immortal?

Were mortals nowadays all this brave?

"Open your eyes and look carefully at who I am! I am Daoist Duobao, first disciple of the Jie Sect!"

"Daoist Duobao?" The soldier stared at Do Bao in surprise.

Do Bao stroked his sideways-growing beard. "Of course. This daoist is he."

"Never heard of you. Release me, or I'll make you regret it!"

Do Bao was so angry that he wanted to slap this stubborn mule to death.

But killing a mortal would truly damage Do Bao's reputation. In the end, helplessly, he brushed a hand over the soldier's head and seized his soul.

Countless memories immediately surged forth, and Do Bao understood what was going on. With a flick of his sleeve, a gust of sand swept past. By the time the soldier regained his senses, he had returned to the ranks.

The people around him naturally fell into a panic, but the general at the front barked a few orders, and everyone immediately fell silent.

Having obtained the information, Do Bao followed the procession for a while longer. Before long, he saw Immortal Light swirling ahead. Do Bao restrained every trace of his aura and followed at the rear, appearing no different from an ordinary mortal.

"Goddess Nüwa Temple?"

Do Bao blinked as he looked at the place. So it really is Nüwa's birthday. The Human Emperor has come here to offer incense—no wonder it's so grand!

A hint of delight appeared on his face. He had investigated the matter so thoroughly; Grandpa would praise him, wouldn't he?

Perhaps, if Grandpa was pleased, he might even give him some treasure!

At this moment, Human Emperor Di Xin began offering incense. Do Bao secretly observed this Human Emperor, and the sight gave him quite a shock. What a Human Emperor! Eight feet tall, with sword-like brows and tiger eyes, broad-shouldered and powerfully built, his expression resolute as imperial aura surged around him.

This Human Emperor seemed to fit Grandpa's saying: truly an immortal farting—extraordinary beyond compare.

"This Zhou Wang doesn't look like the ruler of a fallen dynasty..."

(An explanation: Zhou Wang was a posthumous title. His name was Zi Xin, and after ascending the throne, he was called "Di Xin." Zhou Wang was an insulting name given by the Zhou Dynasty, but for everyone's convenience going forward, Di Xin will be referred to as Zhou Wang.)

The surrounding commoners knelt devoutly, but they were not kneeling to Heaven or to gods. They were kneeling to Zhou Wang.

This Great King had reformed old laws and established new ones, improving the lives of the people. The people sincerely loved him.

Even Do Bao grew curious. No matter how he looked at it, something felt wrong. A man like this possessed flourishing fortune—how could things turn out this way?

Inside Nüwa Temple, Zhou Wang rubbed his head and asked in confusion, "Why am I here?"

Beside him stood a man dressed in a python robe, a jade belt around his waist. He looked scholarly and frail, yet his face radiated righteousness. He too felt that Zhou Wang had been acting strangely today.

He had felt something was off since morning. Had the Great King overworked himself these past few days?

Alas, the Great King worked too hard. He attended court before dawn every day, then reviewed official documents until deep into the night.

It was a pity the Grand Tutor was absent. Otherwise, he could surely help the Great King.

Some time ago, the seventy-two regional lords, led by Yuan Futong, had shown signs of rebellion. Grand Tutor Wen Zhong had led troops out to suppress the unrest. The ministers had thought that, without the Grand Tutor's restraint, the Great King would surely slack off. Yet after the Grand Tutor left, the Great King became even more diligent!

He was more disciplined than when the Grand Tutor was present. The ministers were all greatly comforted. With such a Great King, why should their Great Shang fear not prospering?

But why had the Great King spoken such nonsense this morning?

Today was Goddess Nüwa's birthday, and incense should be offered. As the minister in charge of rites and music, Shang Rong naturally had to remind him. Though they had discussed it all yesterday... the formalities still had to be observed.

Early that morning, Shang Rong had arrived at court and yawned. "Great King, today is the fifteenth day of the third month, Goddess Nüwa's birthday. I ask that Your Majesty proceed to Nüwa Temple to offer incense."

He had thought the Great King would certainly say, "Granted."

Who would have thought Zhou Wang would murmur dazedly, "Who is Nüwa? What does she amount to? What achievements does she have? Why should I offer incense to her??"

Shang Rong: ...

Great King! You can't mess around like this! Didn't we discuss this until late last night? Didn't we decide what rites and music would be used today?

When Shang Rong looked at Zhou Wang, he noticed that Zhou Wang's eyes were dull and his expression seemed off.

Hmm??

Could it be... because he was too exhausted?

Still, he forced himself to say, "Born of the Heavenly Dao, a Sage came into being. Goddess Nüwa possesses immense grace and virtue. When Buzhou Mountain collapsed, Heaven leaked and floodwaters surged across the land..."

"The roof of Heaven leaked? What craftsman was responsible? It infuriates me! That bastard should be sliced to death!"

Shang Rong was dumbfounded...

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Could you let me finish?

"Cough, cough. No, Great King. Later, Goddess Nüwa used Five-Colored Stones to mend Heaven, and only then was the Human Race saved. This was a tremendous kindness to the Human Race, so the Human Race built Nüwa Temples to thank your ladyship for her great grace."

"Oh, so that's how it is. Then let's go. Granted."

After court was dismissed, Zhou Wang returned to his study, and Shang Rong requested an audience.

Shang Rong said, "Great King! Why did you say such things in court just now!!!"

"Ah?"

Zhou Wang looked at Shang Rong in confusion. "What did I say? Why does my head... hurt so badly?"

After Shang Rong finished speaking, Zhou Wang shook his head. "Impossible! How could I have said such things?"

Shang Rong curled his lip. "If the Great King doesn't believe me, you can ask someone else!"

Zhou Wang denied it repeatedly. "Impossible! You and I, ruler and minister, discussed the matters of rites, music, and attire last night. How could I have said that?"

Shang Rong realized Zhou Wang did not seem to be faking it, but why had this happened?

Could there be some demon at work?

He kept the matter in mind, but then felt that could not be right either. The Great King was protected by nine dragons and was the Human Emperor. How could ordinary demons and evil spirits come near him?

Now that they had arrived at Nüwa Temple, Zhou Wang seemed confused again. Seeing that Shang Rong said nothing, Zhou Wang darkened his face and said, "Shang Rong! I'm asking you a question! Why am I here?"

Shang Rong examined Zhou Wang closely and discovered that his eyes were gloomy and his aura sinister, vastly different from usual!

Shang Rong secretly gritted his teeth. Nothing must go wrong. He could only force himself to say, "Today is Goddess Nüwa's birthday, Great King. We have come to offer incense."

At the same time, he quietly advised, "Great King, every household has burned incense and lit fires, every home is decorated in celebration. Three thousand iron cavalry, eight hundred imperial guards, Martial Accomplishment King Huang Feihu protecting you, and the entire civil and military court accompanying you—please do not speak recklessly!!!"

Zhou Wang darkened his face and snorted.

Do Bao, hiding in the shadows, had divine light flashing in his eyes. He saw that something was wrong!

What was this thing?

A mass of black qi had gathered above Zhou Wang's head, and an aura of evil shot straight into Heaven and Earth!

Even the qi of the nine dragons had been suppressed deep within Zhou Wang's body, unable to emerge. This showed just how powerful that evil qi was.