Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 240: Five Dragon Mountain

Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Five Dragon Mountain

The seventy-year-old Grand Doctor San Yisheng was vigorously engaged with his newly acquired fifteen-year-old favored concubine when an imperial edict arrived from the Xiqi Palace, nearly scaring him to the point of joining his recently deceased wife.

He dressed hastily and rushed to the palace, where he saw Ji Fa wrapped in bandages from head to toe, sitting somberly in the main seat.

"My king, who dared to..."

"Stop. I fell by myself."

"Fell by yourself? You must take care of your health, my king." San Yisheng didn’t believe it. Knowing Ji Fa’s stingy nature, if anyone in the city had beaten him, he would’ve had to endure it silently. Apart from the aging Lady Taiji, it could only have been that sudden appearance of Nezha.

The old fox knew that some things were better left unsaid; feigning ignorance was an acquired skill.

"So, my king, what is the agenda for today?"

"I ask you, if I want to become a wise and virtuous ruler, what should I do?"

San Yisheng didn’t understand the reason for the question, but having been an official for many years, he knew he couldn’t remain silent.

He replied, "Your Majesty’s virtue already rivals that of Yao and Shun, why do I need to elaborate?

If you truly seek advice, I dare to propose three strategies—

First, hold more lectures on classic texts, giving historians material to praise Your Majesty’s virtues;

Second, reduce meals for three days, letting the common people praise Your Majesty’s frugality;

Third, reward the advisors generously, even if their words are bold, it will show Your Majesty’s broad acceptance.

Thus, with favorable weather, national prosperity, and the people living in peace, all due to the Holy Master’s great fortune!"

After hearing this, Ji Fa grew even more impatient and waved his hand, "Roundabout words, is there any immediate solution that can show results by tomorrow?"

San Yisheng thought for a moment and said, "If you want instant results, there’s a way."

"Oh? Speak quickly!"

"First, open the granary and distribute old rice, set up a porridge booth for three days in the outskirts, and the refugees will praise Your Majesty;

Second, release three hundred light prisoners, publicly execute a few corrupt officials on the streets;

Third, have the Astronomical Bureau observe the stars tonight, and report auspicious signs of ’Ziwei Shining’ at the morning court tomorrow.

Thus, gaining the people’s hearts, stabilizing the officialdom, and securing the mandate of heaven will clearly show that Xiqi and the king are ordained by destiny."

San Yisheng’s quick response demonstrated that he was not just a man of small cunning as Jiang Ziya had remarked, without strategies for governance, he simply hadn’t devoted his thoughts in this direction, making others perceive him as such.

A ruler not knowing the minister, and a minister not knowing the ruler, numerous decrees were issued in a muddled manner.

"Alright, pass down the orders and carry out this plan."

...

The next morning, Nezha looked at the queue at the street corner porridge booth, his brows slightly relaxed.

As for how much rice was actually in that pot of porridge, heavens knew, he wouldn’t concern himself with such trivial matters.

He went to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to meet Jiang Ziya.

"Uncle Master, how are the affairs?"

Jiang Ziya cast him a glance and seeing that no news of Ji Fa’s death had spread from the palace, he sighed in relief and said, "Last night, I already sent people, Fei Zhong and You Hun cooperated, saying if we temporarily form a mutual restraint with them, Zhaoge’s good words will naturally come from them."

"Of course they’d agree. As far as I know, Master Wen has long wanted to get rid of them. Placing them in Chengtang’s army now is for this opportunity. If news of their defeat reaches Zhaoge, they wouldn’t have a good time even if we spared them."

Jiang Ziya laughed, "I didn’t expect you to see through the situation and people’s minds so clearly at such a young age. However, this isn’t a long-term solution, you should still think about how to deal with the Demon Four Generals at Jiameng Pass."

"It’s the Demon Three Generals, Mo Lishou is still in Zhaoge protecting Yin Shou’s safety with his Flower Fox Mink."

"That could be seen as a good thing." Jiang Ziya nodded.

Nezha smiled, "Of course it is, otherwise, I’d directly charge into the Zhaoge Palace and chop Yin Shou into a meat paste, how would you, the Grand Marshal, find a reason to conquer the world?"

"Don’t talk about me. Yuxu Palace is probably not much help. Last time I asked for more assistance, my master even declared himself a poor Taoist living in the mountains. Among all the Taoists in this world, who could be wealthier than him?"

After contemplating, Nezha decided to leave the matter of stalling Lu Xiong to Jiang Ziya while he would personally visit various mountains and rivers to see what’s going on.

Mounting the Wind Fire Wheel, a red beam of light spread through the pink clouds in the sky, casting a shadow in the solemn Sun Dial.

There is an art to seeking aid.

Even the closest Daoists can’t compare in ties to his two brothers, who were supposed to come to help.

Though he killed their father, it shouldn’t be a big issue.

Nezha first decided to go to Five Dragon Mountain to find Heavenly Venerate Manjusri, who later became Manjusri Bodhisattva of Buddhism; his eldest brother Jinzha, whom he had never met, was there training with Manjusri.

Flying with the wind, he soon arrived at Five Dragon Mountain.

Raising his eyes, he saw the mountain range winding like a giant dragon. The mountain was covered with lush trees, thick vegetation, and in the breeze, leaves rustled gently.

Clouds and mist swirled in the mountains, the wisps of mist floating like light silk amid the forest.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting dappled shadows that swayed on the ground.

Nezha took a deep breath, feeling the rich Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi rushing towards him, like countless little spirits dancing around him, invigorating his spirit.

Though the Spiritual Energy here couldn’t match Kunlun Mountain’s, it was incomparably pure, making one feel comfortable, as if every pore was greedily absorbing the essence of the heavens and earth.

After surveying from the sky for a while, he spotted several simple houses on a lonely peak, arranged in a way that subtly gathered the mountain’s spiritual energy.

On his first visit, Nezha dared not be negligent, he descended through the clouds, finding a winding path up the mountain.

Following the mountain path, the stone-paved road twisted and turned, enduring countless ages but still sturdy.

Beside the road, occasional exotic flowers and rare herbs bloomed with vibrant colors, emitting faint fragrances.

As he ventured deeper, he faintly heard the sound of trickling water echoing in the valley. Following the sound, he saw a clear stream flowing down the mountain, its water splashing against rocks, creating white sprays.

By the stones, two Daoist robes lay stacked, already soaked by the water sprays, yet the two figures bathing in the pool were so engrossed that they hadn’t noticed.

Nezha intended to ask for directions but upon seeing the naked figures in the water at a glance, he knew that speaking now might only add two more enemies.

Walking on the mottled stone steps, towering ancient trees flanked his sides.

Nezha kicked pebbles with his toes, with the Chaos Sky Silk swirling into a red circle behind his neck, singing a self-composed wild tune:

"In the Furnace of Eight Diagrams, refine mandarin ducks; before the image of Three Pure Ones, untie sheaths of silk."

"After morning recitation of the Yellow Court Scripture, at midnight, dual cultivation debates short and long!"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢