Daoist Master of Qing Xuan

Zujia plainly smiled and said, “We are actually sensing a very mysterious feeling right now. Our past memories are gradually awakened, and yet, at the same time, we experience events that seem as though they have already passed when in fact, they have not.”

Finally, Tianyi gave Zujia a profound gaze, “Truth be told, everyone in the world feels that the most incredible person in Yinshang is Tianyi. But they know not that Zujia is not inferior to Tianyi. Twenty years ago, I was actually very curious. Why do you keep returning to a place as secluded as Xirong? Why instruct that commonplace girl and give her knowledge? Now that I look at it, you knew back then that she would become the mother of Shen Lian. Am I correct?” Ever since the event that happened between Shen Lian and Wen Zhong, Tianyi suddenly gained some added memories. He had gone through these experiences many times, but not once did he gain as many memories as he did this time. Before this, it was not as clear nor as profound, but now he understood a lot of things, so much so that it was not inferior to another rebirth.

Under Tianyi’s gaze, Zujia looked down and replied, “Do you know that as long as we are in this world, we are constantly making decisions? Sometimes it is just a thought. Sometimes, a gesture. Other times it could be an expression in one’s eyes. Our life changes with any one of these actions. By right, we should be walking towards a different conclusion. Surely you, of all people, understand that things are not that simple.”

Tianyi thought for a moment, then said, “Of course I know. Obviously our every thought, gesture, and look, could lead us to a different conclusion entirely. In reality, there is only one conclusion for us. No matter how many variables are added into the equation, the ending has already been predetermined. Yinshang will still perish, just like Yinshang itself was predetermined to supplant the Xia kingdom. And just like Shen Lian’s arrival corresponding with your awakening ahead of time.”

Zujia was silent. Finally, he spoke, “In reality, my awakening was but an unexpected occurrence. Do you know Luomo?”

Tianyi replied, “Of course I know Luomo. He is the only one from the Netherworld who is proficient in the Dharma of Kṣitigarbha. That proficiency is of an unfathomable depth.” In truth, however, there was still some things that Tianyi did not speak about. If there was anyone who could transcend from this game of ‘Destiny’, Tianyi was most optimistic not of himself, nor of Shen Lian, but of Luomo.

“In his lower seat, there is a monkey by the name of Hanuman. In his previous incarnation he was of incredible persona, but of course, compared to someone truly incredible he was still quite far behind. However that monkey has beaten up Heaven’s Courtyard, and the evil thoughts of the Great Demon Sage were entrusted to him. With my own eyes, I witnessed that process, it was only then that I was awakened.” Zujia softly said.

He did indeed witness that process. Only then did he know that a magic talisman was invincible if it was heavy beyond comparison. The Simuwu ding came into existence from precisely this, but he neglected to take into account one point – to spur the magic talisman in this manner required a large volume of mana.

The strength akin to the Demon Lord, able to prevail over ten skilled persons and wipe out the universe in one clean sweep, was a result of eating both the peaches of immortality kept by Wangmu and the Golden Elixir of Taishang Laojun. It enabled one to have a thousand lives’ worth of accumulated mana within just a short time.

Zujia did not take this into account, therefore at the present moment, he found himself in a stalled position, unable to advance nor retreat. Looking at it from a different perspective, it could be said that he and the Simuwu ding were now connected with each other.

As long as he moved, the Simuwu ding would move as well. He was thus trapped in Zhaoge.

Zujia revealed everything in his heart, to which Tianyi hesitantly muttered, “Well then it seems I thought wrong. It appears that even ‘he’ has not been able to master it all. Truth be told, I now feel rather grateful for Shen Lian’s emergence.”

“Why is that so?”

“At least now I understand one thing. Since he wishes to turn his destiny around by setting the title of the reigning dynasty to ‘Zhou’ in order to restrain ‘Yinshang’, what if we were the ones to restrain him instead? Would it not be a type of breakthrough as well?” An expression of relief and repose came over Tianyi’s expression.

Zujia gave a plain response, “There is one thing that you forgot. How could you be sure that Zhou will control Yinshang?”

“Heaven commissioned the swallow, to descend and give birth to Shang. I know, why I know and what I know. You should not forget, our replacing of Xia kingdom does not only fulfil the great trend, but the support of Lady Mother of the Chariot’s disciple Wen Zhong represents that Lady Mother of the Chariot is standing on our side. In the end, our long-cherished wish will come true.” Tianyi said this with assurance, both toward himself and toward Zujia.

Zujia replied, “Whether it will come true or not is a different matter. If in the future a sacrifice is insisted upon, let me be the one.”

Tianyi was silent.

Zujia continued, “Yinshang can be without Zujia, but it cannot be without Tianyi. You were waiting for me to say precisely this, were you not?”

All throughout, Zujia’s expression did not change. It was as if he was not talking about himself.

Without so much as a sigh, Tianyi slowly disappeared.

Having walked to this particular point, words of consolation were merely excess talk for them. Zujia did not need consoling. It was not a must for Tianyi to become the one who secured a big win. Nevertheless, Yinshang needed it.

…

Yinshang could not be without Tianyi, nor could Xiliang be without Shen Lian.

Shen Lian secluded himself for exactly nine years. The new him produced an exquisite feeling in the girls of Xiliang who were created from the Zimu River. It was as if one sentence or one look from Shen Lian could cause them to consecrate themselves to him. Chen Jing was no exception. As a result, no one objected to Shen Lian taking the position of the monarch, and when he changed the official name of the nation to Zhou, no one objected as well.

This time Shen Lian really did establish a nation. He called himself King Wen of Zhou. The Zhou Kingdom was now a completely independent nation. It does not bow to any other power but instead was an imperial order to the whole world.

It was truly a very frightening event. Even if it was better than Yinshang, nominally it was still the subject of Xia Kingdom’s rule. The Zhou Kingdom today was no more than a pellet of land compared to Xia, and yet Zhou dared to take on a stance that demonstrated it to be on an equal footing with Xia.

If Shen Lian was not of such fame, one would think that all the people of Zhou kingdom went mad.

The lessons learned from the mistakes of the Eastern Barbarians were not that long ago. Furthermore, Zhou Kingdom would not necessarily be able to find someone such as Meixi who was able to eliminate the fury from Emperor Xia.

As of today, however, the nation that was most terrified were the neighbors of Zhou Kingdom, especially Kong Sang that had completely surrendered. These nations were at a loss as to what actions they should take. After all, they would have to face an attack from the Xia Kingdom if they subdued the Zhou Kingdom. Would that not be a similar pit to fall into? Even if they did not subdue Zhou, Zhou was a force not to be trifled with.

Before the rest of the world could digest the news of Zhou Kingdom’s formation, another piece of news followed. Tianyi of Yinshang announced that he would sever all ties with the Xia Kingdom, calling himself King Tang.

The East had King Tang of Shang, the West had King Wen of Zhou. It was precisely these two which the Netherworld still accepted as two of the Three Saints. At present, all the cultivators who possess knowledge and experience could sense that the Xia Kingdom was genuinely far from being in prime condition.

This time, things were different. It was not like the time of armed rebellion by Yunyang and his Dongyi Coalition, where pacification could be done at will.

Yinshang had a firm power. Tianyi represented the endless number of cultivators that were behind him. His foundation was deep. This was certainly not like Yunyang who merely relied on his righteousness and identity as the Son of the White Emperor to be on equal terms. It was absolutely impossible for the Xia Kingdom to pacify Yinshang within a short amount of time.

In the Court of Xia Kingdom, Emperor Xia coldly laughed, “There is a King Tang and a King Wen. I kid you not we could have both Tang and Wen. What do you think? Which of them should we go up against first?”

“My king, our front line points out that neither Yinshang nor Western Zhou is a match for the Xia Kingdom. The only concern that your humble servant has is if the both of them decide to cooperate.” The person who said this was none other than Lei Hong. During the past few years, Lei Nuo lost the special generosity accorded to him by the Emperor. Since Lei Hong was Lei Nuo’s father, the former was slowly conferred a greater position, with added importance attached to that position.