Schemes-Nezha and Kong Xuan

"Your general obeys!"

At the command, Zheng Lun cupped his fists and respectfully acknowledged Di Xin, then rode his Fiery-Eyed Golden-Pupiled Beast out toward the gates of Chaoge City.

Although he did not understand why Di Xin was so interested in Li Jing's wife, especially his pregnant wife, he believed that such a great, glorious, and upright ruler as His Majesty must have an honorable reason!

Nezha, Lingzhuzi, let's see which holds greater appeal for you-the Chan Sect or a tyrant like me...

Watching Zheng Lun ride away, Di Xin's lips curled into a faint smile as he murmured inwardly.

Lingzhuzi was lawless, fearless, and reckless. Although he was a demonic child, he was not actually incapable of distinguishing right from wrong or good from evil. Most of the trouble he caused arose because Taiyi Zhenren was far too protective of him, even deliberately indulging him to expand the Investiture of the Gods Calamity!

If Di Xin could teach Lingzhuzi himself, Nezha's path through life might well change!

Just imagine this future great general of Xiqi becoming a capable commander of Great Shang. That would certainly be interesting...

"Prime Minister Shang, post a proclamation seeking talent. From this day onward, Great Shang will recruit all manner of gifted people, regardless of race, background, or origins!" Di Xin then turned to Shang Rong and spoke solemnly before continuing, "Pay particular attention to Mount Mei. I hear there are six brothers there with formidable powers. Invite them to Chaoge. Also, invite Kong Xuan, the commander guarding Three Mountains Pass, to Chaoge... If he refuses, say just one word to him: phoenix!"

Mount Mei naturally meant the Six Monsters of Mount Mei. Minor monsters such as Jin Dasheng and Zhu Zizhen hardly needed mentioning, but Yuan Hong was an indisputably powerful figure. During the Investiture of the Gods War, he had traded blows evenly with Yang Jian, the strongest of the Chan Sect's third-generation disciples. In the end, the Sage Nuwa herself had intervened, using an Innate Spiritual Treasure like the Landscape of Mountains and Rivers to capture him.

Not to mention that, after Yuan Hong's death, his true spirit had split in two. One half had entered the Investiture of the Gods List to become the Four Waste Star Lord, a mere idol of clay and wood; the other wisp of true spirit had fled far away into the Sky-Mending Stone on Flower-Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, becoming a key figure in the later struggle over the Dao during Journey to the West!

Indeed, the instant this occurred to him, Di Xin's heart stirred. He could not help wondering whether Nuwa, recognizing Yuan Hong's great strength, had deliberately arranged for that wisp of his true spirit to fly to Flower-Fruit Mountain after his death, intending to interfere in the future struggle over the Dao during Journey to the West!

As for Kong Xuan, there was even less need for explanation. This wide-eyed red peacock with a slender crest was unquestionably the greatest sweeper in the Investiture of the Gods. The Five-Colored Divine Light radiating from his five-colored feathers had swept aside everything in the Investiture of the Gods War!

Even the Treasure-Dropping Golden Coin, the first mother coin born after heaven and earth were created, could not compare to that power. He could sweep away living beings and Spiritual Treasures alike. Even someone as powerful as the Chan Sect's deputy leader, the future Buddha Randeng of the West, had been swept into a headlong retreat, while the twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls he had taken from Zhao Gongming were effortlessly swept away...

Although Kong Xuan had ultimately fallen to Daoist Zhunti, his manifestation shattered by the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, Zhunti was, after all, the second leader of the Western Teachings and a Sage-level powerhouse. That Kong Xuan could force him to use an Innate Spiritual Treasure such as the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree showed just how formidable his abilities were!

Such fighting strength could absolutely rival the senior second-generation disciples of the Chan Sect, the Interception Sect, and the Western Teachings!

At present, Kong Xuan had entered the mortal world to temper his heart and undergo tribulations, serving as a garrison commander at Three Mountains Pass. If Di Xin had not known of such a powerhouse, that would have been one thing. But knowing he was in Great Shang, would failing to employ him not be a wanton waste, leaving a shining pearl buried in dust?

As for the word "phoenix," the reason was exceedingly simple. The blood flowing through the veins of the world's first peacock was that of the Phoenix Clan-and exceptionally pure true phoenix blood at that!

Once Kong Xuan heard the word "phoenix" and realized someone had seen through his origins, how could he not obediently come here?

Not to mention that the Phoenix Clan's current plight was much like the Dragon Tribe's. Kong Xuan's entry into the mortal world was hardly as simple as tempering his heart and undergoing tribulations. Naturally, he had other aims as well: to accumulate merit and, just as the Dragon Tribe had submitted to the Heavenly Court, use that merit to cleanse the karmic debt incurred during the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, when heaven and earth had been shattered and living beings plunged into misery!

The Chan Sect was unwilling to grant him this merit, and the Interception Sect could not provide it. When Zhunti converted him in the future, he must also have promised to use the merit from the Western Teachings' eventual flourishing to cleanse his karmic debt and help revive the Phoenix Clan! What Zhunti could offer, Di Xin could offer too!

"Your subject obeys!"

Although Shang Rong did not quite understand, he still nodded respectfully in assent.

Di Xin immediately smiled and nodded in satisfaction. So long as Yuan Hong and Kong Xuan came to Chaoge City, they could put up a fight against anyone from the Chan Sect, the Interception Sect, or the Western Teachings, provided no Sage came in person. As for the Sages, they were reluctant to entangle themselves in karma lightly and would naturally stay out of it.

When that time came, he could act with even greater confidence and boldness, doing whatever he wished!

"Little Sister Ximei, Little Sister Linglong, hello!"

After giving his instructions, Di Xin approached Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong. He looked at the petite girl on his left with her range upon range of peaks, then at the delicate, graceful airhead on his right, and smiled in satisfaction.

"Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong pay their respects to... Brother-in-law."

At his greeting, Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong exchanged a glance, then bowed to Di Xin.

"There's no need for such ceremony, little sisters. We're all family, so there's no need to be so formal." Di Xin laughed heartily and helped them up, one with each hand.

[Affection and loyalty from Daji +5, cumulative total +80...]

Almost the instant Di Xin finished speaking, a notification arrived in the system's backend.

Even that raised it?

Di Xin froze for a moment, then understood. Daji truly regarded Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong as her own sisters, and hearing him call them all family had moved her.

"Brother-in-law, our sister didn't explain things clearly just now. Could you explain why she abandoned Nu... that lady's arrangements?"

Blunt and outspoken, Hu Ximei frowned and questioned Di Xin.

"Rest assured, little sisters. Daji and I share a deep love. Naturally, I would never harm her or either of you. Let me explain..."

Di Xin chuckled, then repeated to Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong what he had previously told Daji.

"Nu... that lady actually plotted so ruthlessly! And to think we believed she would truly grant us spiritual fruition. She really is..."

At first, Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong were somewhat unconvinced, but as Di Xin continued, their brows gradually furrowed. Hu Ximei flew into a rage and nearly cursed, "What an inhuman wretch!" Before the words escaped, however, she hastily stuck out her tongue and dared not say another word.

After all, a Sage like her could send her spirit roaming in all directions and was united with the Heavenly Dao. A single careless remark might draw her notice. If she sent down a tribulation as punishment, they would face a hundred deaths without a single chance of survival!

"What should we do? Maybe we could find somewhere to hide for a few tens of thousands of years. Perhaps Her Ladyship would forget..."

For a moment, Yu Linglong was at a complete loss. She looked pitifully at Di Xin and pleaded for help.

"Hide? Do you think hiding would be that easy? If that lady wished it, what good would fleeing to the ends of the earth do?"

Hu Ximei gave a cold laugh.

"We can't hide, and we can't carry out her orders. What are we supposed to do? Brother-in-law, what should we do?"

Yu Linglong felt her head spinning. Her eyes reddened as she clutched Di Xin's hand, tears brimming in them.

"Rest assured, little sisters. As long as I'm here, I will never let that happen! The spiritual fruition she cannot grant you, I will!"

Hearing this, Di Xin chuckled and reassured Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong with complete confidence.

Although his voice was not loud and his cultivation was not high, the composure in his tone somehow put Hu Ximei and Yu Linglong's hearts much more at ease.

[Affection and loyalty from Hu Ximei +5, cumulative total +5...]

[Affection and loyalty from Yu Linglong +10, cumulative total +10...]

Immediately afterward, Di Xin saw a string of data flash through his system's backend. After glancing over it, he could not help looking at Yu Linglong, who had given him five more points of affection than Hu Ximei. Could playing a tune on her have made it rise a little faster?

Still, I can play the jade pipa often enough, but how am I supposed to build affection with Hu Ximei, the Nine-Headed Pheasant Spirit? Surely I can't catch some earthworms for her?

Even if that did increase her affection, what use would that kind of affection be?!