Shen Gongbao Leaves Nine Dragons Island. Grand Tutor Wen Returns Victorious to the Court!

Nine Dragons Island.

The Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island—Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba—were all filled with indignation after listening to Shen Gongbao's tearful account.

Wang Mo, one of the Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island, sighed. "Fellow Daoist Shen, we deeply sympathize with what you have suffered."

"However, we are merely outer disciples of the Interception Sect. Even if we wished to meet the Sect Master, we would have to go through layer upon layer of reports."

"Fellow Daoist Shen, please understand our difficulties!"

Shen Gongbao clasped his hands. "Even so, Gongbao must still thank you four Daoist brothers!"

The Four Sages—Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba—waved their hands. "Fellow Daoist Shen, we have not truly been of any help to you. There is no need to thank us."

Wang Mo said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, while we cannot take you directly to Jade Wanderer Palace to meet the Sect Master, there is someone who can!"

Shen Gongbao hurriedly asked, "Daoist Brother Wang Mo, who is it???"

Wang Mo replied, "Grand Tutor Wen Zhong of the Great Shang Dynasty!"

Shen Gongbao said, "But Daoist Brother Wang Mo, Grand Tutor Wen is still campaigning in the North Sea and has yet to return!"

Wang Mo said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, go wait in Chaoge City. When Wen Zhong returns, simply have him take you to Jade Wanderer Palace."

Shen Gongbao asked doubtfully, "Four Daoist brothers, why can Fellow Daoist Wen Zhong go directly to Jade Wanderer Palace?"

Wang Mo said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, you do not know this."

"Wen Zhong is a direct disciple of the Sect Master, and Golden Spirit Holy Mother's personal disciple."

"Only direct disciples of the Interception Sect are qualified to enter Jade Wanderer Palace directly and meet the Sect Master!"

Shen Gongbao nodded. "So that is how it is!"

"Thank you, four Daoist brothers, for clearing up my confusion. Gongbao offers his thanks here!" Shen Gongbao said, bowing deeply.

The Four Sages of Nine Dragons Island said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, there is no need for this. If you ever have need of us, just speak!"

Shen Gongbao clasped his hands. "This poor Daoist will."

Then Shen Gongbao took his leave and departed Nine Dragons Island.

Outside Chaoge City, an army of one hundred thousand slowly approached from the distance.

Leading this army were the Mo Family Four Generals under Grand Tutor Wen Zhong of the Great Shang Dynasty, along with Deng Jiugong and Deng Chanyu.

Just then, a voice rang out from within the army. "Grand Tutor Wen Zhong of the Great Shang Dynasty returns triumphant from his expedition to the North Sea!"

"Grand Tutor Wen Zhong of the Great Shang Dynasty returns triumphant from his expedition to the North Sea!"

At the same time, Great Shang Dynasty Prime Minister Shang Rong and Vice Prime Minister Bigan had come on Di Xin's orders to welcome Grand Tutor Wen and his army.

Shang Rong and Bigan said, "Old Grand Tutor, warriors of the Great Shang Dynasty, by order of His Majesty the Human Emperor, we have come to welcome your triumphant return!"

Wen Zhong said, "Prime Minister Shang, Vice Prime Minister Bigan, all this is thanks to His Majesty's great fortune."

"Only then were I and the generals of the Great Shang Dynasty able to wipe out Yuan Futong and the other rebel forces in one stroke."

Shang Rong and Bigan said, "Old Grand Tutor, His Majesty the Human Emperor awaits you in Dragon Virtue Hall. Please come with us to meet His Majesty."

Grand Tutor Wen said, "Prime Minister Shang, Vice Prime Minister Bigan, let us enter the palace together to meet His Majesty!"

Shang Rong and Bigan nodded.

Then Shang Rong, Bigan, the Mo Family Four Generals, Deng Jiugong, Deng Chanyu, and the others followed behind Grand Tutor Wen, heading straight for the imperial palace.

Within Dragon Virtue Hall, Di Xin and the civil and military officials were waiting for Grand Tutor Wen and the generals to arrive.

Just then, the voice of a Great Shang imperial guard outside Dragon Virtue Hall carried inside.

"Grand Tutor Wen Zhong of the Great Shang Dynasty, accompanied by his subordinate generals, seeks an audience!"

As soon as the words fell, Grand Tutor Wen, Shang Rong, Bigan, the Mo Family Four Generals, Deng Jiugong, Deng Chanyu, and the others entered Dragon Virtue Hall.

Grand Tutor Wen and the others immediately bowed respectfully to Di Xin. "This humble minister, Wen Zhong, together with my subordinate generals—the Mo Family Four Generals, Deng Jiugong, Deng Chanyu, and the other generals—pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Di Xin smiled. "Old Grand Tutor, you have worked hard. My ministers, rise."

Wen Zhong, the Mo Family Four Generals, Deng Jiugong, Deng Chanyu, and the others rose.

Weizi Qi waved his hand. "Begin!"

Soon, palace maids began bringing forth exquisite dishes and all kinds of fine wine.

After all the food and wine had been served, Di Xin raised his cup and said, "Grand Tutor Wen, Mo Family Four Generals, Deng Jiugong, Deng Chanyu, and all officers and soldiers!"

"I raise this cup to you for annihilating Yuan Futong and the other rebels, greatly elevating the national prestige of our Great Shang Dynasty!"

"Drink this cup with me, and celebrate your triumphant return to court!"

After speaking, Di Xin drained his cup in one gulp.

Afterward, Grand Tutor Wen, the Mo Family Four Generals, Deng Jiugong, Deng Chanyu, Shang Rong, Bigan, Weizi Qi, Weizi Yan, and the other high ministers all drained their cups as well.

After finishing the wine in his cup, Grand Tutor Wen looked at Di Xin in confusion. "Your Majesty, why is Wu Chengwang Huang Feihu nowhere to be seen?"

Di Xin said, "Grand Preceptor, this matter cannot be explained in just a few words."

"Later, I will explain it to you in detail, Grand Preceptor."

Wen Zhong nodded. "All right!"

Time slipped by in an instant.

After the banquet ended, Di Xin kept Wen Zhong behind alone.

In the study of Longevity Immortal Palace.

Wen Zhong sat across from Di Xin.

Di Xin said, "Grand Preceptor, are you wondering why you did not see King Wucheng, Huang Feihu?"

Wen Zhong said, "Indeed."

"King Wucheng Huang Feihu is the Grand Marshal of Great Shang's armies. The safety of Chaoge is all under King Wucheng Huang Feihu's charge!"

"Moreover, on such an important occasion today, it is impossible for King Wucheng Huang Feihu to be absent!"

Di Xin said, "Grand Preceptor, all of this is because of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation."

Wen Zhong asked in confusion, "The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation?"

"Your Majesty, what is the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation???"

Di Xin said, "Grand Preceptor, please allow me to explain carefully!"

Afterward, Di Xin roughly told Wen Zhong about the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.

As he listened, Wen Zhong's expression changed from calm to shocked, then to utterly furious.

Wen Zhong shot to his feet in alarm and looked at Di Xin. "Your Majesty, is everything you said true???"

"The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation—this is all Hongjun's scheme. Hongjun ordered the Six Sages of the Heavenly Dao to jointly sign the Investiture of the Gods List and begin the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation!"

"Among the Six Sages of the Heavenly Dao, the other five Sages excluded Tongtian Sage."

"In the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, the Great Shang Dynasty is the main stage. The major sect forces support Western Qi and scheme against the Interception Sect."

Di Xin nodded. "Grand Preceptor, of course all of this is true!"

"Now, the Western Earl Ji Chang has established the Great Zhou Dynasty in Haojing, Western Qi!"

"The Great Zhou Dynasty's new Prime Minister is Jiang Shang, the Flying Bear Daoist and disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun of the Elucidation Sect."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhong flew into a towering rage. "Your Majesty, please immediately issue an edict allowing this minister to lead troops once more and campaign against Western Qi!"

Di Xin said, "Grand Preceptor, campaigning against Western Qi is not so simple."

"Everything must wait until the Great Shang Dynasty grows stronger."

"At present, both our Great Shang Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty are secretly accumulating strength."

Wen Zhong nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, Wen Zhong seemed to recall something. His eyes lit up as he looked at Di Xin.

Wen Zhong said, "Your Majesty, this minister has a question and wishes to ask Your Majesty for an answer."

Di Xin said, "Grand Preceptor, please speak."

Wen Zhong said, "Your Majesty, this minister led one hundred thousand troops of the Great Shang Dynasty to wipe out Yuan Futong's rebel army in the North Sea."

"During that time, a terrifying expert assisted us. Does Your Majesty know of this matter?"

Di Xin nodded. "I do!"