Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 166 Bo Yikao Presents Tribute

Chapter 166: Chapter 166 Bo Yikao Presents Tribute

After seven years had passed and Ji Chang remained confined in Zhaoge unable to depart, Bo Yikao in Xiqi felt like a knife twisted in his heart every day, his mind as if sizzling in oil.

Recalling the day Nezha came to the palace to advise him, another message arrived, saying that Nezha was actually the son of Chentang Pass Li Jing, and had first audaciously attempted to assassinate King Zhou, then set the city on fire and beheaded Beibo Hou Chong Houhu.

In his heart, he felt that such a reckless person was probably sent by his father to deliver a message, fearing for the safety of his son should he go to Zhaoge himself.

But with danger present, should I just stand by and watch helplessly?

Ji Chang dearly loved his eldest son Bo Yikao, and Bo Yikao, thinking of his father, quickly decided that even if Zhaoge were a den of tigers or wolves, he had to make the journey.

This child Bo Yikao was decisive from a young age. When he said he would go, he went. His mother Tai Chi couldn’t dissuade him, and later entrusted internal matters to his brother Ji Fa, external matters to San Yisheng, and military affairs to Nangong Shi.

Before leaving, he saw Ji Fa and patiently instructed him, "Brother, you must get along with our brothers harmoniously. The existing rules and laws of Xiqi must not be changed. I will set off for Zhaoge for at most three months, at least two months, to bring father back home."

After giving these instructions, he gathered his treasures and chose an auspicious day to depart, accompanied by his ninety-eight brothers left by his father, as well as the courtiers, to bid farewell at the ten-mile pavilion.

They traveled along the road, spurring their horses forward, passing through the Red Apricot Fragrant Forest, walking along the shaded ancient path by willows, and soon the group reached Sishui Pass. They proceeded smoothly through the Five Passes, arrived at Mianchi County, crossed the Yellow River, reached Mengjin, entered Zhaoge City, and took a rest at the Imperial Splendor Inn.

With this held to his chest, he approached the Wu Gate.

Seeing no major officials and visiting Zhaoge for the first time, unfamiliar with the way, he dared not venture into forbidden grounds and respectfully knelt outside the Wu Gate, his back straight and upright.

"Kneeling so straight must be exhausting."

Hearing this from Nezha, Ao Yu asked, "Why, do you have experience with this matter?"

By now, a crowd had gathered outside the Wu Gate to watch the spectacle, pointing and discussing. Nezha and Little Dragon Girl hid among them, remaining inconspicuous.

Nezha said, "Often punished to kneel in the ancestral hall at home, of course, I have some experience. But if we just whisk away Bo Yikao like this, it will surely alert Mo Lishou in the city. If he releases the Flower Fox Mink, you and I might not escape."

"Is the Flower Fox Mink really that formidable? Just a beast, the two of us together can’t defeat it?"

Little Dragon Girl furrowed her brows; she had seen many spiritual beasts and hadn’t heard of one as formidable as Nezha described.

Nezha laughed and said, "Don’t underestimate that beast; in terms of combat strength alone, it’s comparable to a Taiyi Golden Immortal."

Just then, a courtier rode by, and Nezha whispered to the Little Dragon Girl, "Look, Bi Gan is here. He should be able to resolve this so he doesn’t have to kneel anymore."

"You recognize quite a few figures in Zhaoge."

"Of course, right, you mentioned you are adept at the Transformation Technique. If you transform into a guard from Ji Chang’s entourage, can Mo Lishou recognize you?"

Little Dragon Girl replied, "According to you, Mo Lishou relies entirely on the Flower Fox Mink, and his realm is not that high. It seems unlikely that he can see through my disguise."

"That’s perfect. I have a medicine here. You disguise as a guard, escort the treasures into the palace with Bo Yikao, and find an opportunity to dose his meal."

Receiving the medicine, Little Dragon Girl widened her eyes and said, "You want to poison him?"

"That’s right. If he takes even a bit of this medicine, he’ll turn into pus and blood in an instant."

"Hmph, putting on airs. I don’t believe it." Little Dragon Girl pocketed the medicine.

"Not believing is correct, for if he takes this medicine, there might still be a chance for him to survive. If he can endure this moment, there may truly be a way to save him and his father."

Little Dragon Girl asked, "Last night, you said if Bo Yikao survives, the one who might not become the Holy Master of Xiqi is that Ji Fa, right?"

"Who cares, I’m not Ji Fa. What happens to him is none of my business."

"One last question."

"Go ahead."

"You describe Mo Lishou and the Flower Fox Mink as so formidable. What if I get discovered in the palace, then what?"

Nezha looked into Little Dragon Girl’s eyes and said with utmost seriousness, "Then you send word to me, and I’ll break into the palace to save you, even if it costs my life."

"Alright!"

...

Over here, Bi Gan saw Bo Yikao, noted his handsome appearance and extraordinary demeanor, and was quite surprised, asking, "Who is kneeling there?"

"Reporting to the lord, I am Bo Yikao, the eldest son of the guilty minister Ji Chang."

Hearing this, Bi Gan was amazed. He dismounted his horse and helped Bo Yikao up, saying, "Worthy young master, please rise."

"What brings the young master here?"

Bi Gan was also puzzled. As a friend of Ji Chang, he knew that once the seven-year period was up, Ji Chang would be released back to Xiqi. Why then had Bo Yikao come to Zhaoge now?

Bo Yikao replied, "My father offended the Emperor, and thanks to the Prime Minister’s protection, narrowly escaped with his life; such kindness is as high as heaven and profound as earth. My father, brother, and I remember it forever.

But seven years have passed. With my father long confined in Youli, as his son, my conscience is uneasy. The Emperor must miss a kind and virtuous official and cannot bear to let him suffer.

Yikao, together with San Yisheng, decided to present the strange treasures left by our ancestors to the Royal Court to redeem my father’s sins, hoping the Prime Minister will open his heart of mercy and pity Ji Chang’s long suffering in Youli, for all the people of Xiqi are grateful for the Prime Minister’s great grace."

Bi Gan thought Bo Yikao indeed loyal and filial. However, King Zhou loved amusement; ordinary gold, silver, and jewels held no interest for him. Only rare and fascinating treasures of the world would do.

He asked, "What treasures have you brought?"

Bo Yikao said, "Starting from the Seven Fragrant Cars, Hangover Mat, White-faced Ape, and ten beautiful maidens left by my ancestor Danfu, to redeem my father’s sins."

"Sounds mystical. Describe them to me so that I can plead on your behalf when I meet the Emperor."

Hearing this, Bo Yikao was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister. Reporting to the Prime Minister, the Seven Fragrant Cars are treasures left by Emperor Xuan Yuan when he defeated Chi You at Beihai. If someone sits on them, there’s no need to push or pull; they can go east if desired, or west if desired, making them heirloom treasures.

The Hangover Mat, as the name implies, allows a drunk person to sober up in no time once lying on it.

As for the White-faced Ape, though a beast, it is skilled in three thousand light tunes and eight hundred major melodies. It can sing songs before banquets and dance delicately, reminiscent of a warbler’s song or a willow’s graceful sway."

Upon hearing of these strange treasures, Bi Gan also found them remarkable but sighed internally.

He thought, though these treasures are precious, since the Emperor indulges in pleasures, presenting amusements will only further entice and mislead the Holy consciousness, making the court more chaotic.

Bi Gan said, "Very well, as the young master acts with benevolence and filial piety for his imprisoned father, with genuine intention, I will convey this to the Emperor to ensure your intentions are known."

Then Bi Gan met with the Emperor at the Star Pick Building and truthfully reported Bo Yikao’s intentions. King Zhou immediately summoned Bo Yikao to the Star Pick Building for an audience.

Yikao ascended the Star Pick Building, proceeding forward on elbows and knees, cautiously reporting, "Subservient minister’s son, Bo Yikao, presents himself."

King Zhou exclaimed, "Ji Chang committed grave offenses against the Emperor, yet today you come personally to offer tributes and redeem your father’s sins, demonstrating your virtue and filial piety."

Bo Yikao replied, "Minister Ji Chang, guilty of crimes against the Emperor, was granted the Emperor’s grace and spared death, allowed instead to be temporarily confined in Youli. Our entire family is grateful for Your Majesty’s vast benevolence, grand as the heavens and deep as the earth. Today, despite any personal risk, we implore to offer substitutes for our father’s sins. If my father Ji Chang can return to the country, the Ji Family of Xiqi will surely cherish the Emperor’s kindness, loyalty, and virtue throughout generations."

King Zhou, not having had any drinks yet today and hearing such loyal words of filial duty, saw Bo Yikao’s sincere and earnest demeanor, felt touched, and granted Yikao permission to rise.

After thanking for the grace, Bo Yikao stood temporarily outside the railing, admiring the songs and dances along with others in the hall.

At this point, King Zhou had not yet given any certainty about releasing Ji Chang. Bo Yikao felt uneasy, knowing that since King Zhou hadn’t yet decided, he was still pondering, and now wasn’t the time to press further.

His thoughts were in constant turmoil, yet he hadn’t realized he had already caught someone else’s attention.

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