"The Mysterious Bird of Heaven's Mandate descended and gave birth to Shang! May I take it that Great Shang and you share the same fate?"
A mighty figure, one of the strongest beneath the Sages, was willing to serve Great Shang as an official. He kept a low profile, yet protected the dynasty.
Why was that?
He had to confirm Kong Xuan's identity to be sure they stood on the same side.
"Since the King already knows everything, why ask?" Kong Xuan replied.
"The Mysterious Bird of Heaven's Mandate descended and gave birth to Shang" described the origins of the Shang Dynasty.
The Mysterious Bird appeared and gave birth to Qi. Then Shang was founded, and the Great Shang Dynasty came to be.
From that moment on, the Mysterious Bird became Great Shang's totem, sharing its fortunes and misfortunes.
Why was Kong Xuan willing to help Great Shang?
Because he was the Mysterious Bird itself. Great Shang's prosperity was his prosperity, and its decline was his decline.
As long as Great Shang existed, Kong Xuan could enjoy its destiny. Why would he want to see it destroyed?
That also explained why the destiny surrounding him took the form of a phoenix bathing in black flames.
"Excellent! From today onward, you shall be the Grand Preceptor of Great Shang!"
Once he knew Kong Xuan's identity, Zi Shou's doubts vanished.
Without a doubt, aside from Grand Tutor Wen, Kong Xuan was the greatest support he currently had.
With Kong Xuan leading the army, the Seventy-Two Route Lords of the North Sea?
They were nothing but a pack of useless rabble!
"Your Majesty, Li Jing's wife is about to give birth!" Just then, someone came to report.
Li Jing had come to Chaoge earlier, and at Zi Shou's arrangement, his entire family had come with him.
Just moments ago, after presenting his counsel, Li Jing had barely stepped out of the palace gates when he received word that his wife was about to give birth.
He hurried home, and the news reached Zi Shou immediately.
"Two joyous occasions have come on the same day. Why don't you come with me to offer your congratulations?"
Today, Kong Xuan had become the Grand Preceptor of Great Shang, and Nezha was about to be born. It was indeed a double celebration.
He had to get there as soon as Nezha was born. If he arrived too late, something might change.
Kong Xuan was curious. Why was the Human Sovereign so concerned about the birth of a child?
At that moment, Li Jing was pacing like an ant on a hot pan, anxiously waiting for his child to be born.
When he heard that the King had come in person, Li Jing was stunned and hurried out to greet him.
The King had once said that the child he was about to have would be born amid extraordinary signs and would bring prosperity to Great Shang.
But Li Jing had taken it as a sign that the King valued him and was saying this to encourage him.
Who could have guessed that before his child was even born, the King would come in person?
Such favor was rare in all the world, and Li Jing could not help feeling apprehensive.
Just then, a servant came running over and cried, "This is terrible, Master! Madam gave birth to a monster!"
Li Jing was horrified. Forgetting that the King was right there, he rushed toward the inner courtyard.
Zi Shou only smiled, then followed Li Jing with Kong Xuan.
When they entered a room, they saw it filled with a red glow and a wonderful fragrance. A round ball of flesh spun around like a wheel.
This was Nezha. He was still a ball of flesh, so no wonder the servant had said a monster had been born.
Li Jing was shocked and furious. He raised his sword and struck. The ball split open, revealing a child.
"This child is indeed extraordinary. His origins must be remarkable," Kong Xuan said suddenly.
With his strength, he had naturally seen at a glance that there was something unusual about the child.
Just then, another servant came to report that a Daoist outside was asking to see them.
Zi Shou's heart stirred. Nezha had only just been born, and Taiyi Zhenren had already arrived so quickly.
Li Jing escorted the King and Kong Xuan into the main hall, then told the servants to bring the Daoist in.
Soon, a Daoist with an otherworldly air entered the hall. Seeing Li Jing seated below, with two others sitting above him, he could not help being surprised.
But he had come for an important matter and did not dwell on it. He cupped his hands toward Li Jing and said,
"I am Taiyi Zhenren of Golden Light Cave on Qianyuan Mountain. I heard that General Li has had a son, so I came to offer my congratulations!"
Li Jing had once studied under Duen of West Kunlun. How could he not know who Taiyi Zhenren was?
He was one of the renowned Twelve Golden Immortals of Chanjiao, and a personal disciple of Sage Yuanshi Tianzun.
Daring not to slight him, Li Jing hurriedly said, "It is an honor that you came to offer your congratulations in person. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"
The King was right there. Though Li Jing had come from a Daoist background, he could not afford to be too warm toward Taiyi Zhenren.
At the same time, he wondered why Taiyi Zhenren had come.
"I divined that your son and I are destined to become master and disciple, so I took the liberty of coming to your home," Taiyi Zhenren explained.
After stating his name and the reason for his visit, Li Jing would naturally agree.
There was no suspense. He was a personal disciple of a Sage and one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chanjiao.
For his son to become Taiyi Zhenren's disciple was a blessing Li Jing could not have earned in ten lifetimes. How could he possibly refuse?
But Taiyi Zhenren waited and waited, and never heard Li Jing express his gratitude.
He glanced at Li Jing in surprise, only to see him looking conflicted as he turned toward the person seated above.
Who was that person sitting above? Taiyi Zhenren was asking to take Li Jing's son as his disciple, yet he had to get that man's approval?
Li Jing was indeed conflicted. Naturally, he wanted Taiyi Zhenren to take his son as a disciple.
But the King valued him, and he had to consider the King's opinion before deciding whether to agree.
After all, the King had come in person today. If Li Jing made the decision on his own, how could that be proper conduct for a minister?
Seeing Li Jing's conflicted expression, Zi Shou nodded to himself. It seemed his efforts had not been in vain.
Li Jing had not immediately agreed to Taiyi Zhenren's request. Instead, he wanted Zi Shou's consent. That alone said a great deal.
"This child is destined to bring prosperity to Great Shang, so the matter of his tutelage must be considered carefully. I happen to have another suitable candidate in mind."
If Zi Shou had wanted Taiyi Zhenren to take Nezha as his disciple, he would not have come in person today.
In other words, since he had come today, Taiyi Zhenren would absolutely not be taking Nezha as his disciple.
At these words, Taiyi Zhenren furrowed his brow and began sizing up the man before him.
He had never expected to encounter the King of Great Shang here in Li Mansion.
"Greetings, Human Sovereign. Though I am a hermit who cultivates in the mountains, I believe I have attained some skill. Could there be another expert here?"
The man before him might be a mortal king, but he was the Human Sovereign of this age. Taiyi Zhenren had no choice but to treat him with care.
Besides, he had come to take a disciple, a matter tied to the coming Great Calamity. How could he allow the King of Great Shang to interfere?
And he was not boasting: he was a Golden Immortal. Who could be more qualified than he to become Nezha's master?
"This is Kong Xuan, the Grand Preceptor of Great Shang. In my view, he is the most suitable candidate."
Taiyi Zhenren certainly had reason to be proud, but it depended on who he was standing before.
In front of Kong Xuan, what was Taiyi Zhenren? Even if all the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chanjiao came together, what could they do?
"Kong Xuan? May I ask which famous mountain you come from, and who your master is?" Taiyi Zhenren asked gravely.
If the Human Sovereign had not mentioned him, Taiyi Zhenren might have forgotten there was another person here.
But no matter how he looked, Kong Xuan did not seem like someone with profound cultivation. He seemed like an ordinary mortal.
"I come from no famous mountain and have no master," Kong Xuan said flatly.
Everyone could tell that Kong Xuan had not taken Taiyi Zhenren seriously. That was why his manner was so cold.
Taiyi Zhenren was instantly furious. No famous mountain, no master—so he was just a Rogue Cultivator?
A mere Rogue Cultivator dared to treat him this way?
"Do you truly intend to compete with me for this disciple? Then let us fight and see who prevails!" Taiyi Zhenren said sternly.
He was determined to take this disciple today. Neither the Human Sovereign's interference nor Li Jing's refusal would stop him.
He would just have to demonstrate the wonders of the Jade Void Dao Arts and let this group see for themselves.
"If you want to fight, then fight," Kong Xuan replied.
As he spoke, he raised a hand and swept it outward. Five-colored light flashed, and he and Taiyi Zhenren instantly appeared outside Zhaoge.
Taiyi Zhenren looked at Kong Xuan, his face filled with uncertainty and suspicion.
He had thought Kong Xuan was a mere mortal. Who could have imagined that with a wave of his hand, the man would carry him outside Zhaoge?
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