The arrival of Purple Child Xiao Li and Water Child Lingzhuzi added a lot of fun to King Zhou Di Xin's birthday banquet, creating a cheerful and lively atmosphere.
Meanwhile, in a secluded palace within the royal palace, overgrown with weeds and abandoned for nearly a century.
A subtle fluctuation flashed, and three people appeared.
"Act quickly; the Great Venerable's treasure cannot be concealed for long."
" Earth Traveler, you're in charge of getting them there."
"Don't worry, I've got it covered." The short, thin, and somewhat monkey-like man smiled as he lifted the swaying, unconscious person beside him, his movements somewhat comical and funny.
Before long, the Earth Traveler led the man into the palace where King Zhou resided.
"Done."
Back at their original meeting point, Tu Xingsun said, "It's done. The palace maids cleaning the palace won't be able to find out for long."
"Okay, it's time to go back."
At the birthday banquet, Master Xuandu frowned, his gaze sweeping towards the direction of the Cold Palace, but he saw nothing, and he was slightly puzzled.
Is it just my imagination?
While drinking with Xiao Li, King Zhou Di Xin heard the voice of his bound Martial Soul — the Feng Huang Clan Chief, First Phoenix— in his mind.
"A powerful being once broke into the palace."
King Zhou was surprised.
"Please enjoy your meal, everyone. I have some matters to attend to."
Civil and military officials, along with numerous powerful immortals, bid farewell to King Zhou.
Xuandu sensed something was wrong and followed King Zhou.
Xuandu's movement piqued the curiosity of Guangchengzi and Duobao, who secretly followed him.
This time, we've really stirred up trouble.
Inside King Zhou's palace, the palace maids, seeing their lord return, were filled with fear, their bodies went limp, and they immediately knelt down in worship.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant saw nothing."
King Zhou raised an eyebrow at the woman on the fairy couch, who was wrapped in a silk quilt, revealing her exquisite and beautiful features.
"Interesting."
The palace maid who was cleaning was nearly scared out of her wits when she heard this.
"Don't be afraid, go about your business." With a flick of his finger, King Zhou sent a gentle magical force to the palace maid who had lost her strength and whose heart was filled with fear, helping her regain her strength and bodily sensation.
The palace maid felt a warm sensation all over her body and involuntarily got up.
In an instant, the palace maid's intelligence kicked in. She realized that although the beautiful woman wrapped in the silk quilt was stunningly beautiful, her appearance was not as good as the Queen's. With this thought, her fear lessened considerably. She bowed slightly, acknowledged the message, and left.
After the palace maid left, Xuandu, Guangchengzi, Duobao, Xiao Li, Lingzhuzi, and other immortals who had followed him revealed themselves one by one.
"To be able to secretly deliver someone to Your Majesty's palace right under our noses, this person is no ordinary individual," Xuandu said, frowning.
"Senior Brother Xuandu, could it be..." Guangchengzi's eyes narrowed, a bold guess forming in his mind.
Xuandu smiled slightly, "It's best not to make hasty judgments."
"Hmph! It must have Zhunti that old bastard Zhunti who did it! That scoundrel! He's so ruthless!" Xiao Li said angrily in his childish voice.
Xuandu, Guangchengzi, Duobao, and the others felt ashamed, admiring and envying Xiao Li's courage.
Although they were disciples of the Sage, they dared not discuss the Sage in private. After all, the Sage could communicate with the Deva Path, understand Yin and Yang in an instant, know all things, and comprehend all things; he was almost omnipotent.
"If it's the Sage Zhunti to set up this scheme personally, wouldn't he be afraid that the other Sage would also get involved?" Lingzhuzi asked doubtfully, blinking her big, bright eyes.
King Zhou turned around and laughed, "Although the Sage Zhunti may have been involved, it was definitely not the Sage Zhunti who entered the palace, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to sense it."
Xuandu, Duobao, Guangchengzi, and other powerful figures were alarmed. They hadn't sensed anyone infiltrating the palace, yet King Zhou could. Was this because he was too familiar with his homeland?
"Girl, go and wake up that Sleeping Beauty."
Upon hearing King Zhou's words, Lingzhuzi responded with an "oh," and skipped over to the Immortal's Bed. She raised her chubby, snow-white hand, condensed divine water, and awakened the Sleeping Beauty.
The beautiful woman, her eyes still sleepy, opened them and was momentarily stunned when she saw the adorable little girl. But then, noticing there were still many people behind her, she couldn't help but scream in surprise.
"What are you yelling for? What's your name? How much land do you own? How many people are in your family?" Xiao Li stepped forward, acting like an adult, and questioned him.
Deng Chanyu was charmed by Xiao Li adorable appearance. However, upon realizing she was wrapped in a silk quilt and seeing King Zhou's face clearly, she was terrified.
"Your Majesty King Zhou."
"Beautiful lady, where do you live? What's your name?" King Zhou asked.
"Your Majesty, I... I am called Deng Chanyu. I live in Three Mountains Pass. My father Deng Jiugong." Deng Chanyu said timidly, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she carefully examined King Zhou.
"Is this the legendary King Zhou? He's even more handsome and majestic than in the portraits! Am I in the palace? What should I do? Am I going to be taken as a concubine? That wretched father, why didn't you discuss this with me first! I'm so angry! If King Zhou forces himself on me, should I resist or submit...? Maybe I should resist first, and then..."
"Is there such a place as Three Mountains Pass?" King Zhou frowned and muttered to himself.
Deng Chanyu was dumbfounded.
"Ahem." Guangchengzi reminded him, "Your Majesty, Three Passes Mountain belongs to the territory of the Great Shang. I remember that Deng Jiugong was the commander-in-chief there."
"Is that so? Guangchengzi, you know quite a lot." King Zhou said in surprise.
Guangchengzi explained, "I did some special homework."
"Oh? Homework? What exactly are you immortals plotting?" King Zhou asked in surprise, his expression showing no recollection of being caught in the Investiture of the Gods Calamity of the Gods, a game of chess among the sages.
Guangchengzi, quick-witted, hurriedly continued to explain, "Our master, Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi, instructed that His Majesty is destined to be the Human Emperor, and the Human Clan should be unified. We, the immortals of the Chan Sect, should assist His Majesty in achieving this great undertaking."
"Oh? Interesting. Then thank you, Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi, and all the great immortals. If you can truly unify the Great Shang Dynasty, you immortals can open branches within its borders to recruit disciples."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Although Guangchengzi had no intention of taking on disciples, King Zhou's words indicated his willingness to cooperate deeply and amicably with the Chan Sect.
"Um, Your Majesty," Deng Chanyu said timidly, "I... how did I get here?"
Xiao Li snorted coldly, his voice sharp and childish, "That's a question for you to answer! You don't actually think that King Zhou took a liking to you and secretly ordered someone to kidnap you, do you? Don't flatter yourself, I'll tell you..."
King Zhou quickly picked up the troublesome little brat and covered his mouth.
" Deng Chanyu, recall the events before you lost consciousness."
Deng Chanyu was almost driven to despair by Xiao Li's words. Hearing King Zhou's gentle voice, she thought to herself, "Your King Zhou is so much better. That little brat is so fierce. Just who is he? Look at those people around His Majesty, they all have an air of otherworldly wisdom and seem very powerful."
"Your Majesty, I remember that before I fainted, I was too tired from practicing martial arts, so I took a bath, changed into my pajamas, and went to sleep."
"That's all?" King Zhou raised an eyebrow.
"Mmm." Deng Chanyu looked at King Zhou with wide, honest eyes.
King Zhou secretly relayed the information to his true self, Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian, who was eating and drinking for free in the Huo Yun Cave of the Three Sovereigns Human Clan, couldn't help but look at the Human Sovereign Fuxi.
"Brother Fuxi, please tell me about the situation with King Zhou."
Fuxi frowned and said, "The secrets of heaven Chaos and difficult to fathom. Moreover, King Zhou's fate is the same as our Three Sovereigns; he is the master of Great Tribulation. I will give it a try."
Fuxi took out the River Chart and Luo Book.
A short while later.
"Interesting. Western Qi launched an operation against the Shang Dynasty to frame them."
Xiao Tian's gaze swept across Zhaoge Royal City, and he secretly relayed the message to King Zhou.
After receiving the message, King Zhou sent a message to the palace maids outside to bring in some clothes. Then he said to Deng Chanyu, who was wrapped in a silk quilt, "Wait a moment, I will order someone to contact your father, Deng Jiugong, and then dispatch a team to escort you back."
"Ah," Deng Chanyu said, blushing, "Your Majesty, I... I'm not in a hurry."
Xiao Li broke free and made a face at Deng Chanyu, saying, "Shame on you, Brother King Zhou isn't interested in you."
Deng Chanyu couldn't help but feel angry. She glared at Xiao Li like a tigress and scolded, "Whose child are you? Even if His Majesty isn't interested in me now, who knows what the future holds?"
"Ahem, stop."
Three Mountains Pass, Deng Jiugong's Residence.
"Old Deng, come to Western Zhou. You've been a general here for so many years, it's a real waste of your abilities. With your skills, you could become a Flying Dragon Marshal in Western Zhou, with hundreds of generals and hundreds of thousands of soldiers under your command. Wouldn't your salary be much better than what you're here?"
Deng Jiugong listened to his friend Daoist Jin Shi's advice but didn't take it seriously.
"Master! Something terrible has happened!"
"Miss, something's happened!"
A maid rushed in, looking flustered, carrying a letter.
"What's all the fuss about? Let me see what you're holding!" Deng Jiugong frowned, wondering what his troublesome daughter was up to now.
After reading the letter, Deng Jiugong's expression turned grim.
"Old Deng, King Zhou wants to take concubines, can you tolerate that? That's your daughter's lifelong happiness! The harem is treacherous; do you think your daughter can be as favored by King Zhou as Su Daji? I think King Zhou is just lustful, only seeking momentary pleasure. Chanyu is bewitched."
"Hmph! King Zhou!" Deng Jiugong's face darkened even more. He couldn't help but recall five years ago when the young King Zhou passed through Three Mountains Pass and took the opportunity to attack the Demonic Snake Territory. He enthusiastically asked if he should bring more men, but King Zhou didn't give him a friendly look.
"No need, Deng Jiugong can simply stick to his duties."
Deng Jiugong was worried that King Zhou would perish in the Demonic Snake Territory. After much hesitation, he still brought some elites with him. After all, he had fought many battles with the evil demons and monsters of the Demonic Snake Territory, and their methods were extremely insidious and ruthless. The Great Shang could not be cut off from its lineage.
When he arrived, he only saw that the Demonic Snake Territory had been razed to the ground, with many corpses of evil demons and monsters, and King Zhou's Kamui- inspiring power.
Deng Jiugong held King Zhou Deng Jiugong in awe and reverence, but the thought that King Zhou had reprimanded him for neglecting his duties, reduced his salary for ten years, and forced him to write a 10,000-word letter of apology because of his reinforcements infuriated him.
Wasn't he doing this for the sake of the Cheng Tang dynasty's foundation and the future of the Great Shang?
He was supposed to be promoted four years ago, but because of that incident, his promotion was stalled, and Deng Jiugong has been quite resentful these past few years.
Seeing Deng Jiugong's gloomy face, Daoist Jin Shi thought to himself, "There is hope. Old Deng is extremely strong. Once he arrives in Western Zhou, he will definitely be a major force. The Great Shang really doesn't know how to use people. Even if King Zhou is born with divine strength and Kamui, invincible to ten thousand men, can one person, no matter how powerful, withstand a massive army?"
"Old Deng, I understand Chanyu's personality. Once she's made up her mind, it's hard to change it. Since she's chosen to go with King Zhou, then..."
"Hmph! If this girl really wanted to be a concubine, my Deng family wouldn't have such a person!" Deng Jiugong was so angry that his teeth ached.
"Hey, Lao Deng, I've learned about your situation over the years. Come to Western Zhou. Wang Bing as wise and benevolent as the people imagined."
Deng Jiugong glanced at his friend Daoist Jin Shi and said in a rather cold tone, "Don't joke around. I consider you a friend, so it's good enough that I haven't arrested you. The Western Zhou has rebelled, and there are traitors and rebels. Although I dislike King Zhou, even if he had three wives and six concubines and took my Chanyu away, I would accept it. I, Deng Jiugong, will defend this Great Shang Dynasty to the death."
"Old Deng! You! You're confused!" Daoist Jin Shi exclaimed angrily.
" Jin Shi, you're the fool! For the sake of our years of friendship, you should leave!"
"My lord! Something terrible has happened! Inspector Liu has led a large army into the city and surrounded the mansion."
" Deng Jiugong! You harbor traitors and plot rebellion! Surrender at once!" A cold, angry voice boomed from the outside world.