Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 119: Wishing Brother Ziya a Journey of Thousands of Miles

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Wishing Brother Ziya a Journey of Thousands of Miles

As soon as Nezha saw Jiang Ziya in such a sorry state, he immediately knew something had happened.

He wanted to laugh but felt it would be inappropriate to do so directly, especially since it was a rare occasion where his amusing Uncle Master didn’t start by cursing.

He said, "Uncle Master, did you fail to sell the noodles?"

"Oh, you figured it out, you’re so clever." Jiang Ziya rolled his eyes at him, instantly becoming impatient, "Enough with the nonsense, either lend me the money or leave."

Nezha said, "Uncle Master, what’s the rush? Everything in the world has its predetermined path. You might not sell your noodles today, and tomorrow’s business might not be good either, but the world always has a way; it’s just that the timing hasn’t come yet."

Hearing Nezha’s consolation, Ziya sighed and said, "I just don’t know how much more suffering I’ll have to endure before my luck turns around."

Nezha thought to himself that the suffering was self-inflicted.

If he had just listened to Yuanshi Tianzun and sat quietly by the Panxi Stream, fishing every day, watching flowers, and raising birds, he would naturally take up the position of Prime Minister and Marshal when the time came. Wouldn’t that be more comfortable than now?

"Okay, let’s talk about you. Such a big change has happened to you. Is it possible that you’ve formed a Golden Core, reborn anew with great fortune? The quality of that Golden Core must be high."

Nezha remained silent, and Jiang Ziya knew Nezha had succeeded. He sighed again and said, "I heard there was a big fire in the city the other day. When water from the mortal world was used, not only did the fire not go out, it spread everywhere along with the water, destroying over a hundred houses and killing more than seventy people. It was clearly another battle over treasures."

"You celestial beings, can’t you sympathize with the hardships of the mortal populace? With this mess, so many people are left homeless and destitute."

Jiang Ziya lamented, and Nezha recalled how during the fight for the Star River Divine Sand, Spirit Pearl had used his Wind Fire Wheel to set the city ablaze. Fortunately, the Fire-tipped Spear was seized in advance, otherwise the city would indeed have faced a great disaster.

"Uncle Master, aren’t you also a disciple of the immortals?"

"Ha, a disciple of the immortals doesn’t equate to being an immortal. I’m just an old man who hasn’t formed a Golden Core."

Jiang Ziya lamented his own misfortune and soon trudged back with the carrying pole.

After all, they were acquaintances, and seeing him like this, Nezha couldn’t bring himself to have fun alone at the Spring Breeze Building, so he followed him in the direction of Song’s village.

Both of them used the Five Elements Style Technique to fly, returning home early morning.

When Ma saw Ziya returning with empty baskets, she thought he had sold out of all his noodles. She rejoiced and said, "Dry noodles are such a hit in Zhaoge City."

With Nezha standing beside him, Jiang Ziya felt even more embarrassed. He walked up to Ma, tossed the carrying pole and baskets to the ground, and scolded, "It’s all your fault, you meddler."

Ma felt puzzled and asked, "Isn’t selling out of dry noodles a good thing? Why are you scolding me?"

Nezha tried to mediate, thinking why were they bickering all day long, not understanding why Jiang Ziya had such a stubborn temper. He had messed up himself, so how could he come home and take it out on his wife?

Ma didn’t recognize Nezha and kept demanding Jiang Ziya explain.

Regardless of Nezha trying to block him, Jiang Ziya jumped up and shouted, "I carried a load of noodles into the city, walked dozens of miles, and couldn’t sell any? And only made one cent by the afternoon."

Ma asked, "If that’s the case, why is your basket empty?"

Ziya fumed and said, "Because the warhorse slipped its tether, the rope tripped its leg, and the entire load of noodles spilled all over. Then a fierce wind blew it all away. Not only did I not earn any silver, but I also lost two baskets of dry noodles. Isn’t it all your fault?"

"Uncle Master, that’s not right. This was an accident; how can you blame Aunt for it?"

Nezha pushed Jiang Ziya aside and tried to console Ma, "Good Aunt, Uncle Master is indeed skilled, but his skills aren’t in carrying loads or business. Don’t worry, I have an idea that’ll earn you some silver."

Before Ma could get upset, Jiang Ziya was already annoyed, saying, "You damn Nezha, explain yourself. Are you saying I’m no good at business? Zhaoge isn’t suitable for selling dry noodles and strainers! I’m Yuanshi Tianzun’s disciple. How could I not know how to do business?"

Nezha turned to glare at him, thinking, old fool, can’t you see I’m trying to mediate?

Why start cursing at me?

Seems like I shouldn’t have come today.

Before he could say anything, Ma spit at Jiang Ziya’s face, "You’re just useless, blaming everyone for everything. A good-for-nothing, no wonder that so-called Tianzun sent you down the mountain!"

This touched a nerve for Jiang Ziya. He raged, "Wretched woman, how dare you spit on your husband with such audacity!"

The two were entangled together wrestling, and Nezha watched from the side, feeling exhausted and couldn’t be bothered anymore.

He actually felt at peace within, just thinking that knowing Jiang Ziya in advance seemed to have no big impact on his life. The world seems to naturally correct deviations, bringing things back on track.

Unless the deviation is too big.

For example, if he were to now strike this annoying old man dead with his Qiankun Ring.

At this moment, Song Yiren arrived with his wife, Sun.

Sun persuaded, "Uncle, why are you fighting with Aunt?"

Ziya recounted the noodle-selling incident.

Song Yiren smiled, "How much could a load of noodles be worth? Fighting with your wife for this? Stop, come with me, dear brother."

Ever since entering the mundane world, the only person Jiang Ziya truly respected at heart was this sworn brother, to whom he always showed utmost respect.

The two entered the study, Nezha listened by the door, chewing on a grass stalk, looking up at the ginkgo leaves flying in the courtyard.

Two sparrows hopped around the trunk arguing over a bug, with the sound of the wind and birds under perfect sunshine.

Jiang Ziya and Song Yiren sat face to face, and Song Yiren poured him a cup of tea, with sunlight streaming through the window onto the table, reflecting in the tea.

Ziya, with a face of guilt, lowered his head and said, "Thanks for your brotherly kindness and guidance. I am in unfortunate times and unaccomplished, truly ashamed."

Song Yiren, hearing this, merely smiled slightly and said, "People rely on fortune; flowers bloom when it’s time. There’s an old saying, ’The Yellow River has its moments of clarity’, how can people not have their lucky times? Dear brother, don’t be so self-pitying, it’s just making a living. Zhaoge has about fifty inns and eateries, all mine. I’ll let you run one each day, rotating, so no need to wander around suffering."

Listening carefully, Jiang Ziya realized this was indeed feasible, feeling both grateful and joyful, he clasped his hands to thank his sworn brother.

Nezha, overhearing outside, could only sigh.

He really wondered if fate truly existed in this world. As Nezha had said before, if Jiang Ziya were to do business, regardless of his capability, unless he turned to selling himself, he would always fail in this line of work.

After this ordeal, Nezha lost the mood to go to the Spring Breeze Building to seek pleasure with Yumao’er, and arranged to bring people to support Ziya tomorrow, then returned to the inn to continue his practice.

Every day he meditated, accumulating Primordial Qi, using the power of the Golden Core to temper his body, building a solid foundation, simple yet monotonous.

The next day early morning, Song Yiren opened a hotel near the Zhaoge South Gate for Jiang Ziya.

Located near the military drill grounds and government offices, the place was bustling with people and merchants, lively even without water routes, and the hotel’s business was surprisingly good.

Early in the morning, as the inn opened, Nezha brought Ding Ce, Dong Zhong, and Guo Chen over, ensuring splendid meals with good wine three times a day.

Though the guests weren’t packed, Jiang Ziya was happy to see them come, looking at the bustling tavern in Zhaoge, ambition soared, wanting to make achievements to show off and earn face with Ma.

But somehow, from morning until the time of the Snake, the shop remained cold and barren, devoid of people.

By noon, a torrential downpour stirred up mud and ash in the streets, preventing Huang Feihu from training his warhorses at the drill ground.

Despite it being autumn, today was terribly hot and stifling, the slaughtered pigs and sheep quickly spoiled in the heat, and both snacks and wine were visibly going bad.

Jiang Ziya sighed deeply, feeling utterly discouraged, and had the staff give away the wine and dishes to eat before they spoiled.

He himself grabbed a stool and sat next to Nezha’s table, took hold of the wine jug, and downed three large gulps, trying to drown his sorrows, yet only finding sorrow deepened by drinking. He finally laughed helplessly, saying, "Heaven gave birth to me in the mortal realm, idly spending time on earth. The great bird’s wings sometimes soar a thousand miles, but they must pass over nine mountains first."

Guo Chen beside him praised, "Brother Ziya is so carefree. Though business is bad today, this toast cannot be missed, come, brothers, let us toast to Brother Ziya’s bright future!"

"To Brother Ziya’s bright future!"

The four of them proclaimed in unison, draining their cups. As Nezha watched the cheerless Jiang Ziya drink his melancholy wine, he calculated the time, and thought it was nearly time for this old man’s fortune to turn around.

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶