Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 173 Uncle Master Help Me!

Chapter 173: Chapter 173 Uncle Master Help Me!

Over at Youli, it wasn’t long before the Emperor’s Envoy arrived to decree the release of Ji Chang.

The party knelt in the direction of the Imperial Palace to express their gratitude, and then left Youli.

As Ji Chang departed, he saw the people of Youli lining the road to bid farewell, leading sheep and carrying wine.

An esteemed elder of Youli, trembling, grasped Ji Chang’s hand, weeping bitterly, and said, "My lord, today the dragon meets clouds, the phoenix perches on the paulownia, the tiger climbs the mountain, and the crane rests on the pine. For seven years, under your teachings, the old and young learned loyalty and filial piety, women learned integrity, customs became pure, and all residents, regardless of gender, are grateful for your great benevolence. Now, with this farewell, it is regrettable that we will no longer bask in your grace."

Hearing this, those around were moved to tears.

Ji Chang bid farewell to the people of Youli again and soon arrived at the Wu Gate of Zhaoge, where the court officials had long been waiting with lanterns and decorations.

Among them were Wei Ziqi, Jizi, Bi Gan, Wei Ziyang, Meng Yun, Meng Zhi, Huang Feihu, eight advisory doctors, all present to see Marquis Xibo.

This time, Ji Chang was enfeoffed as a king.

What people didn’t know was that in Zhaoge, there was an unwritten rule that anyone granted rewards by the Emperor must host a grand banquet in Zhaoge, praising the Emperor’s kindness for three days.

This was called: "Praise the Official."

The Little Dragon Girl used a spell to disguise Nezha, and they both indulged in the feast.

"This pork is authentic black pork—I wonder who bred it. The meat is fatty yet not greasy, truly a fine product."

Nezha took another bite and added, "It’s the greatest treasure I’ve discovered since coming to this world."

Ao Yu, however, was unimpressed. Having tasted things in the great sea much better than pork, this lavish feast seemed mundane to her.

The wealth of the Dragon Palace of the East Sea surpasses the Four Seas. To the princess, a banquet ten times more extravagant than this would be ordinary fare.

She asked, "The foolish king is unpredictable, changing decrees frequently. Ji Chang is so wise, why does he dare stay here boasting about his title instead of leaving quickly?"

"After being imprisoned in Youli for seven years, regaining freedom today, such a lapse in caution is understandable. However, in my view, if he leaves now, it would endanger Bo Yikao."

"So, ignore it?"

"Of course not. At the very least, tell him not to leave Zhaoge at this time, regardless of who urges it."

"I think that’s wrong. Waiting for three days to leave Zhaoge, what if something goes awry at Ji Chang’s place—wouldn’t it be too late then?"

Nezha found that the Little Dragon Girl’s questions were unusually numerous and patiently replied, "Ji Chang is blessed with fortune, even if problems arise, they will turn into blessings."

To the Little Dragon Girl, Nezha’s words seemed even more illogical, but who would have thought that as soon as he spoke, Nezha stood from his seat and went to find Ji Chang.

Nezha spoke to Ji Chang in this way, and sure enough, Ji Chang praised the officials in the city until the second day, when King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu, arrived.

Huang Feihu originally meant well.

In his view, the current Emperor favored wicked flatterers and did not heed honest advice. The punishment and threats silenced loyal ministers, the populace was in panic, and weapons were drawn everywhere.

The East and South had already rebelled with four hundred vassals; even with Marquis Xibo’s loyalty, Youli remained a challenge.

Since today he was granted clemency, it is akin to a dragon returning to the sea, a tiger returning to the mountains—why not awaken to this?

Without a three-day official rule in court, why does Marquis Xibo boast of his officialdom and kingship at this time in Zhaoge?

Why not escape the cage early, return to his homeland, reunite with his father and wife? That is the sensible thing to do.

Huang Feihu’s words seemed reasonable, but even then, assuming Bo Yikao was truly turned into mincemeat, this would still be a bad idea.

King Wen was supposed to praise the officials in the city for three days. If he quietly vanished on the second day, wouldn’t those with ill-intentions in the court be suspicious?

Wouldn’t Daji be suspicious?

Wouldn’t King Zhou be suspicious?

Once suspicion arose, how could Ji Chang, a mere mortal, possibly escape the Five Passes even with Huang Feihu’s token?

Of course, if Nezha assisted, or Ji Chang experienced a stroke of luck on his journey, that would be a different story.

Ji Chang praised the officials for three days and then left Zhaoge with the officials seeing him off.

At this moment, inside the Imperial Splendor Inn, Bo Yikao found Nezha again.

"Is it time to leave yet?"

Nezha shook his head and said, "If we must go, then wait a bit longer."

"Wait until when?" Bo Yikao asked anxiously.

"Wait until your father and those five hundred civilians return to the nation."

Bo Yikao gritted his teeth and finally sighed, saying, "Imagine, I, having to stay in Zhaoge to please Daji, it’s truly a great humiliation!"

Seeing his resolve, Nezha hesitated for a moment and said, "There might be another way, wait here, and I will find someone. If he agrees to help, perhaps you can leave today."

"Really?"

"Really."

The person Nezha wanted to find was Jiang Ziya.

He wasn’t certain if Jiang Ziya would help him with this favor.

After all, Jiang Ziya had been fishing for marquises with a straight hook at Panxi, and before he even waited for Ji Chang to return to the country, he introduced him to Ji Chang’s son.

This senior uncle of his was adept at divination and deeply understood the secrets of heaven—would he really let himself act so recklessly?

...

Afternoon.

Panxi.

"Who the hell do you think you’re looking down on!"

Jiang Ziya snapped the fishing pole over his knee; the bamboo rod instantly broke into two.

The old man seemed to feel that even this couldn’t express his determination, so he simply tossed the broken rod into the river, grabbing Nezha’s collar and said, "That’s the Princely Heir of King Wen, Bo Yikao, the nobly standing young master of Xiqi, renowned for his integrity and charity. How could I, Jiang Ziya, idly watch as he perishes by King Zhou’s hand?"

"Uncle master,"

Nezha knocked Jiang Ziya’s hands off his collar, "I’m not used to seeing you this earnest and serious."

"Look at what you’re saying, damn it, I’m your uncle master!"

Jiang Ziya pursed his lips, straightened his waist, and said, "Use your pig brain to think. The Princely Heir will become the Lord of Xiqi one day. This time, saving his life, even if he is ignorant of social affairs, upon knowing my abilities, he wouldn’t bear to abandon a great talent like me to fish in such a desolate place again."

Nezha saw the resoluteness in Jiang Ziya’s eyes, pondering that although his uncle master might rise to prominence in the future, he was presently living in hard times. Feeling guilty, he said, "If you are so skilled in divination, why not cast a hex now?"

"I did, but the auguries are peculiar."

"In what way?"

Jiang Ziya stared into Nezha’s eyes and said, "I calculated that Bo Yikao should have been dead for several days."

Nezha replied nervously, "It seems you have neglected this art for too long, your calculation is inaccurate."

"Perhaps."

These three words Jiang Ziya spoke lightly.

Momentarily, Nezha couldn’t discern whether his uncle master truly miscalculated or discovered something and chose to feign ignorance.

He only felt that everyone in this world seemed to harbor their own secrets.

Fortunately, Jiang Ziya agreed to help. Nezha and the Little Dragon Girl brought Bo Yikao out of Zhaoge, meeting Ji Chang’s convoy in Mengjin, reuniting with Ji Chang.

The hundreds in the convoy were led by Jiang Ziya towards Xiqi.

Speaking of Jiang Ziya, although only in the God Absorption Realm and not adept at combat, he was nevertheless a direct disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun, possessing many secret arts.

He told the hundreds, "If you wish to cross the Five Passes, today, wait until dusk. When I tell you to close your eyes, close them, and if you hear the sound of wind in your ears, don’t open them. Otherwise, if you smash your heads, don’t blame me."

Turns out, the Earth Style of Nezha and the Little Dragon Girl could only transport three to five people, yet Jiang Ziya, relying on secret arts, could take hundreds, if not more.

When the Earth Style commenced, everyone heard the whistling wind in their ears. Before long, they traveled hundreds of miles, reaching Lingtong Pass.

Passing through Lingtong Pass, then Tong Pass, Chuanyun Pass, Jiepai Pass, Sishui Pass, finally arriving at Golden Rooster Ridge.

Meanwhile, Nezha, along with the Little Dragon Girl, used Earth Style to carry Ji Chang, Bo Yikao, parting their paths from Jiang Ziya to head towards Xiqi together.

However, while Jiang Ziya continued without hindrance and soon arrived at his destination, Nezha encountered unexpected challenges on the road.

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