Yuanshi Tianzun had handed down the Scripture of Deliverance, founded the Palace of Vermilion Mound, and forged the Court of Flowing Fire. At first, Zi Shou had thought nothing of it. It would not interfere with his plans; at most, it would leave him disgruntled at having to follow Yuanshi Tianzun's wishes. He could still earn Foolishness Value steadily.
Besides, as Zi Shou recited the Scripture of Deliverance and watched the heroic souls undergo deliverance and refinement, he gradually began to think it was rather good. Whatever Yuanshi Tianzun's stance, he was both delivering the heroic souls and earning Foolishness Value.
But then the problem grew serious.
With this move, Yuanshi Tianzun had brought deliverance out into the open, making it perfectly natural to perform rites for soldiers who had died in battle.
Had Tongtian created the Scripture of Deliverance, Jiang Ziya might have hesitated. But the one chanting scripture to deliver the dead was his own Master. He copied the practice faithfully, erecting an identical Yin-Yang Altar in the Zhou Camp opposite Sishui Pass that very day, complete with bonfires.
Now it had become a righteous cause.
Jiang Ziya led the Zhou people in delivering the dead, while Shen Gongbao led the Shang people in doing the same. That was a righteous cause.
Opposed to delivering the dead? Then you were against Zhou and against Shang.
Shang might lack virtue, but its centuries of heritage had given it formidable national strength. Zhou might have little territory, but it held the mandate of heaven and enjoyed the aid of immortals. Between the Son of Heaven of Zhou and the First Emperor of Shang, you had to back one. The other assorted cats and dogs could remain neutral at best. Wanted to object? Weigh your own worth first!
Heaven and earth