Return to Biyou Palace

"Master!"

Seeing Golden Spirit Mother come out in person, Wen Zhong felt a warmth in his heart. He called out, kowtowed again, and replied, "Your disciple was ordered by Master to enter the mortal world to assist the Shang Dynasty. It has been twenty-six years since the reign of Emperor Yi. Your disciple has strictly followed Master's teachings and devoted countless efforts to the Shang Dynasty, all for the peace and prosperity of the common people and the tranquility of the Four Seas. Therefore, I have had no time to serve by Master's side. I return to the palace now because there is a matter I cannot decide, and I specially request Master's guidance..."

Then, he recounted the recent events in Chaoge City one by one.

This included the loss of precious treasures by members of the Daoist Sect, the inability to find the thieves, several failed attempts to test King Zhou, and King Zhou's subsequent decision to seek the Dao and request to take him as his master.

After listening, Golden Spirit Mother asked in surprise, "So many things have happened in Chaoge? It's truly strange. Wen Zhong, do you have any leads on the whereabouts of those treasures?"

Wen Zhong's face flushed, and he shook his head, "Your disciple does not know. This matter is indeed peculiar. Even Uncle-Master Gongming and the Three Ladies of the Auspicious Clouds are at a loss."

Golden Spirit Mother sighed softly, "It seems Chaoge City will not know peace for long. You must not agree to Di Xin's request to become your disciple..."

As she spoke, Golden Spirit Mother hesitated slightly and said, "In the past, I ordered you to descend the mountain to assist the Shang Dynasty because the Shang Dynasty was the legitimate ruler of the world. After Emperor Yi's death, Di Xin became extravagant, indulgent, cruel, and inhumane, incurring the wrath of the world, and his destiny is nearing its end. The Ji Clan of Xiqi is diligent in governing and loves the people, striving for revival. The Ji Clan will eventually have a battle, after which the world will change hands, and Di Xin's fate can be imagined. If Di Xin joins the Jie Sect, how can we, from the Grand Master downwards, conduct ourselves? However, you may temporarily serve the Shang Dynasty for the sake of the common people, to prevent Di Xin from acting perversely. If it is impossible, you may return to Biyou Palace."

Wen Zhong was stunned and asked, "Is the Investiture of the Gods real then?"

Wen Zhong had only heard a little about this matter, but he had never had accurate information to verify it. Even Zhao Gongming and the Three Ladies of the Auspicious Clouds were tight-lipped about it.

Golden Spirit Mother nodded slightly, "The signing of the Investiture of the Gods is indeed real, but there is no list yet. As for who will be on it and who won't, it is all up to fate. However, do not think that being able to be enshrined is a good thing. Know that in the future, the God-Beating Whip will appear. This whip is in the hands of the Chan Sect, which is not good for our sect. As for other matters... it is inconvenient for me to say more. Do you still remember the admonition I gave you when you descended the mountain?"

Wen Zhong calmed his mind and respectfully replied, "Your disciple remembers. Master admonished your disciple that after descending the mountain, you must not encounter the word 'Jue' (absolute/sever), and if you encounter 'Jue', you must sever; if there is no 'Jue', you must live."

Golden Spirit Mother nodded slightly upon hearing this, "That is good. Since I see you today, I will bestow upon you the High-grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Four Symbols Pagoda, for self-defense."

As she spoke, Golden Spirit Mother made a gesture, and a small, golden, shimmering pagoda appeared out of thin air before her. In an instant, it severed its connection with her Divine Sense and was handed to Wen Zhong.

Wen Zhong knew that this treasure was his Master's cherished possession, and she was willing to give it to him. Even his senior brother, Yu Yuan the Immortal of One Breath, did not receive such treatment!

After receiving the Four Symbols Pagoda and thanking his Master, Wen Zhong did not linger in Biyou Palace and immediately left Penglai Island, heading west to return to Chaoge.

Along the way, Wen Zhong repeatedly pondered the words his Master had spoken.

He felt something was not quite right.

Master said the Shang Dynasty was destined to fall, and the Ji Clan would replace it.

She also said that King Zhou acted perversely, was cruel and inhumane, extravagant, and indulgent, but that wasn't entirely accurate.

At least during the time he was campaigning in the Northern Sea, although the Great King rarely attended court, he had accomplished a major feat of reducing the annual tribute of the entire realm. He was also able to, with great magnanimity, cease hostilities directly with Yuan Futong of the Northern Sea.

This was a great act of merit!

One must know that the Shang Dynasty had eight hundred vassal states, and each vassal state paid tribute to Chaoge annually according to the tribute system set by the imperial court. If the tribute was high, the tribute paid was high; if it was low, the tribute paid was low.

The Great King reducing the annual tribute by thirty percent was equivalent to reducing the tribute by thirty percent, directly cutting off his own lifeline.

It must be known that thirty percent of the annual tribute was by no means a small sum.

Each vassal state could originally set its own tribute standard based on its own situation, and only needed to pay tribute proportionally to the amount set by the imperial court.

Now that the Great King had lowered the annual tribute, the vassals would certainly have to lower it accordingly, otherwise, if internal affairs were not managed, and the common people revolted, those vassals might not even be able to hold onto their positions.

Take Marquis of the West, Ji Fa, for example. The annual tribute from his territory was the lowest, but it was only reduced by twenty percent compared to the standard set by the Great King before.

This was equivalent to the Marquis of the West showing concern for his people, taking less himself, and paying the full tribute, thus gaining immense popular support.

However, with the decree to reduce tribute, it was likely that the two hundred vassal states under the Marquis of the West would have to further reduce their tribute. Otherwise, the Great King would have gained the reputation, and the good name that the Marquis of the West had painstakingly earned would be ruined overnight.

If the Marquis of the West reduced it by thirty percent, the common people would certainly be grateful for the Great King's kindness.

They could only reduce it by more than thirty percent to continue to win over the populace.

And the Great King would also receive the gratitude of the people of Xiqi.

No matter what, the Great King was in a win-win situation.

If the Marquis of the West truly reduced the annual tribute by more than thirty percent, their financial resources would be greatly reduced. Facing the Great King's five hundred-plus vassal states with his two hundred vassal states, there would be no hope at all.

He had forgotten to ask if his Master knew about this.

In short, after much thought, Wen Zhong still felt that the Great King's decision to reduce the annual tribute was truly brilliant.

And ceasing hostilities with Yuan Futong was also a very wise move.

Not only could it save a large amount of financial and military resources, but it could also directly shake the hearts of the people in the seventy-two vassal states.

If Yuan Futong and the others followed the Great King's decree to reduce the annual tribute, it would mean that they still prioritized the Shang Dynasty, and their act of raising an army against the Shang would be morally disadvantaged.

If they did not follow the Great King's decree to reduce the annual tribute, how could the people of the seventy-two vassal states continue to strongly support them?

This was such a brilliant move, capable of benefiting so many people, how could it be said that his destiny was nearing its end?

Moreover, since he had gone on his campaign, the sycophants in the court, Fei Zhong, Fei Lian, E Lai, and others, had all been executed, and the people of Chaoge rejoiced.

Had he lost the hearts of the people?

Also, the so-called extravagance and indulgence were not seen this time.

The Great King, aware of his past mistakes, repented in the Ancestral Temple. Could destiny not be changed?

Wen Zhong put himself in the Great King's shoes. If he had to make the decisions himself, he might not have done better than the Great King!

After much deliberation, he couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile. His Master had been in Biyou Palace for a long time and might not know about these matters.

She didn't even know about major events like fellow disciples losing treasures, let alone other things.

Returning to Chaoge City, Wen Zhong went directly to the Royal Palace to see the Great King.

"How was it?"

Upon hearing that Wen Zhong requested an audience, Di Xin excitedly came out to greet him from Shouxian Palace.

After bowing, Wen Zhong said, "Your humble servant met with my Master and spoke of the Great King's matters. My Master said that as the ruler of the Shang Dynasty, the Great King possesses the destiny of the Human Emperor. Ordinary Daoist Sect members like your humble servant are simply not qualified to be the Great King's Master. If one insists on defying heaven, their lifespan will be greatly shortened. Therefore, the Great King should no longer mention this matter. If there are any questions, your humble servant will do his best to answer them for the Great King."