Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 230: Three Conditions

Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Three Conditions

After Zhang Guifang’s defeat and capture, the news quickly reached Zhaoge.

In the Chengtang court, an old General named Lu Xiong volunteered to rally the remnants of Zhang Guifang’s troops, reorganize, and attack Xiqi once more.

Although Lu Xiong was old, he was loyal. In private, he had already discussed with Master Wen to use this opportunity to eliminate Fei Zhong and You Hun, the two favored ministers of the emperor.

So, in the palace, he claimed that although he was old, his experience was rich; this expedition needed only two advisers to accompany him, and the battle would surely be victorious.

Master Wen echoed the statement, suggesting Fei Zhong and You Hun.

The two, though reluctant, could hardly refuse as Master Wen had returned to the kingdom, leaving them no choice.

They sought the emperor’s mercy, but seeing Master Wen, the emperor was cautious and indifferent, letting the two follow orders.

Master Wen, a disciple of the Golden Spirit Saint Mother under the Tongtian Sect Leader, was adept at the Five Elements Dao with the ability to move mountains and overturn seas, and could know victory from the wind and deduce military situations from the earth.

He understood that though Lu Xiong was shrewd, he was not superior to Zhang Guifang, and against Jiang Ziya, his chances of success were slim.

Master Wen used the Water Style to travel to the West Sea, seeking help from Daoist friends on an island fairy mountain called Nine Dragon Island.

The Four Saints of Nine Dragon Island were Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba.

The four, along with Lu Xiong, arrived at Qinglong Pass to regroup the troops and planned to attack Xiqi once more.

On the Xiqi side, Nezha had already informed Jiang Ziya, mentioning that he had heard of the Four Saints of Nine Dragon Island and knew their prowess, urging him to return to Yuxu Palace for reinforcements as soon as possible.

Jiang Ziya, however, was reluctant, saying he had just returned and going back would be seen as cowardice before the battle, which his sect would not tolerate.

Nezha rolled his eyes and suggested, "In that case, meet them first and stall, then plan your next move."

"That’s a good idea," Jiang Ziya agreed.

The north wind stirred a crimson dust storm, remnants of blood clinging to the dark armor of the ten thousand-strong Shang army’s recent defeat.

As Fei Zhong’s chariot rolled over the scorched earth, its shaft suddenly caught on a half-buried white bone — the claw wedging itself into the wheel spokes.

Carrion crows fluttered away, dropping a stench of bloody residue on You Hun’s purple robe as they passed overhead.

In just three days, Lu Xiong had gathered another ten thousand troops, but this time, with the recent defeat, the morale was nowhere near what it was before.

Fei Zhong and You Hun, though influential in Zhaoge, were now trembling with fear amid the desolate battlefield, surrounded by blood-soaked sand.

You Hun said, "General Lu Xiong, we have had our differences in the court, but this mission is perilous, and we ask you to protect us."

Fei Zhong echoed, and Lu Xiong laughed, "My lords, do not worry. Matters of the state entail disputes, but there’s nothing unusual about that. Rest assured, Master Wen has invited four immortals from the West Sea to assist us, and we will succeed!"

"Then many thanks to you, General," they responded.

Fei Zhong and You Hun, despite Lu Xiong’s assurances, still felt their fate was sealed.

In the court they had room to maneuver, but now, surrounded by Lu Xiong’s loyal soldiers, they could neither speak nor scheme.

Soon, the army reached Xiqi City. After organizing the troops, Lu Xiong called for battle.

Jiang Ziya, deep in thought, had never heard of Lu Xiong and did not consider him a threat.

He ordered his troops to form the Five Directions Formation and march out. Mounted on his green-maned horse, Jiang Ziya rode out with his sword.

The two armies faced off three hundred paces apart, the silence filled with the heavy breathing of a primordial beast, unsettling everyone.

Jiang Ziya recognized Lu Xiong and called out, "Lord Lu, it’s been a while. Losing more teeth since we last met? Couldn’t chew a pancake back then, and now you come to fight?"

"Ha ha ha, Jiang Ziya, you were but a fence-mending flour seller and now a Grand Marshal. I, a three-generation general with decades of battlefield experience, why not also lead an army?"

The soldiers laughed heartily at this.

Seeing he couldn’t outtalk Lu Xiong, Jiang Ziya remembered Nezha’s advice to delay the battle and test the enemy.

He said, "Lord Lu, yet even if you can mount a horse and wield a blade, how do you compare to Zhang Guifang? Leading a band of defeated soldiers, you’re courting death."

"Victory and defeat are common in war. Zhang Guifang’s capture was unfortunate, but today I will rescue him!"

Before he finished speaking, drums sounded, and four strange beasts emerged.

Wang Mo rode a Bi’an, Yang Sen a Suan Ni, Gao Youqian a flower-spotted leopard, and Li Xingba a ferocious beast. The four beasts charged forward.

Warhorses collapsed under the foul aura, soldiers falling, and even Jiang Ziya struggled to stay seated.

Only Nezha on his Wind Fire Wheels and Huang Feihu on his Five-colored Divine Bull remained unshaken.

The four Daoists laughed at the fallen Jiang Ziya, mocking him, "Don’t panic! Take your time getting up."

Jiang Ziya hastily adjusted his attire and saw four Daoists on strange beasts with daunting presence.

"Such power, could they be Golden Immortals?"

Nezha frowned slightly. Though he was new to the Golden Immortal Realm, he was powerful and undaunted.

But the strange beasts had frightened Xiqi’s horses, making them unable to stand. If the Chengtang army charged, Xiqi would crumble.

Jiang Ziya stood, saluted the four, and asked, "Which revered mountain or cave are you from?"

Wang Mo replied, "Jiang Ziya, we are Qi Refiners from Nine Dragon Island, Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba. We were invited by Master Wen and mean no harm to you. Will you agree to three conditions of ours?"

Jiang Ziya smiled lightly but cursed inwardly.

Thinking they had frightened his horses and caused him to fall, nearly breaking his bones, yet claimed no ill intent?

"To hell with you."

Understanding the situation, he smiled, "Daoist brother, even if there were thirty conditions, it would be no problem. Please state them."

"First, Xiqi must submit."

Jiang Ziya retorted, "Daoist brother, my lord Ji Fa is loyal to Chengtang, adhering to laws and showing no rebellion. Submission is natural."

Wang Mo nodded, "Alright, second, you must open Xiqi’s treasury for Qinglong Pass’ army as compensation. Third, bind Huang Feihu and send him and Zhang Guifang out respectfully. What do you say?"

Jiang Ziya replied, "I understand. Allow me to discuss with my ministers and respond in three days. Meanwhile, thank the lords in Zhaoge."

"As you wish."

The fierce confrontation subsided quickly.

Seeing Jiang Ziya’s conciliatory attitude, Lu Xiong’s army also relaxed, and Fei Zhong and You Hun sighed with relief.

However, as an old general, Lu Xiong knew the value of surprise and discussed attacking today with the Four Saints, giving Xiqi no time to react.

But the Four Saints, considering Lu Xiong a mere mortal, rebuked:

Stating they had agreed with Jiang Ziya and would act in three days, not breaking their word.

Lu Xiong, scolded, held his anger and returned to his tent.

In Xiqi, just as Jiang Ziya returned, Huang Feihu knelt with his family before him: "Prime Minister, bind my family and send us to Zhaoge to spare Xiqi from disaster."

Nezha found no surprise, having seen rivers of blood and corpses on the battlefield, he was long tired of it.

But both he and Jiang Ziya knew the Divine Enthronement was Heaven’s mandate, requiring countless deaths, unstoppable until the war’s end.

Perhaps there were those who could stop it, but those with the power chose not to act, letting the war engulf the world.

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