Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 248 Jiang Ziya Freezes Qi Mountain!

Chapter 248: Chapter 248 Jiang Ziya Freezes Qi Mountain!

The scorching weather made it unbearable not only for Lu Xiong’s troops but also for the Xiqi army.

On the ground drenched with blood, even though a layer of dry dust had been spread, it still emitted a pungent, rotting smell. The buzzing of flies filled the air, making it hard to breathe, yet because of the heat, people had to open their mouths to gasp for breath.

"In such a summer heat, how could the Prime Minister order the troops to camp on the mountain without any trees for cover? It’s enough to kill us from the heat." Nangong Shi, the Great General of Xiqi, clad in thin iron armor, was drenched in sweat as the sun baked his armor like a branding iron.

While he obeyed Jiang Ziya’s orders to maneuver the three armies, his mind was full of doubts.

In such weather, never mind fighting, even as the bravest of the military generals, riding his warhorse around the field for a few laps would sap all his strength from the oppressive heat.

The deputy general beside him was even more agitated, cursing under his breath, "In such weather, camping on the mountain will have us all sunbaked within three days!"

As soon as the deputy general finished speaking, he received a lash on his face.

Nangong Shi retracted his whip but lacked the energy to scold, as he himself was full of doubts.

He watched the white-haired old man tirelessly fanning himself at the front of the three armies. If not for the old man’s success in commanding the troops to defeat Zhang Guifang the day before, with well-regulated maneuvers and flexible arrays, Nangong Shi would have rushed up to grab him by the collar and questioned his leadership skills.

The Xiqi army wasn’t alone in this thought; before Jiang Ziya set up his dirt platform, Lu Xiong’s troops had also seen the Xiqi army’s movements and were equally perplexed.

Once the dirt platform was set, Jiang Ziya issued another bizarre military order:

"Order the three armies to take up cotton-padded jackets and bamboo hats, one for each, and put them on immediately."

At this, everyone in the three armies groaned. A bold voice shouted, "If we put on these cotton-padded jackets, we’ll die even faster in this heat."

At this moment, the Great General Nangong Shi could no longer bear it. He urged his horse forward, reporting to Jiang Ziya, "Marshal, at this rate, there might be a mutiny in the army."

Jiang Ziya, however, paid no heed, waving his hand, "Just wait, you’ll soon understand my intentions."

Nangong Shi retreated reluctantly, leading his personal troops to hide in the camp to escape the heat, waiting to see Jiang Ziya make a fool of himself.

Meanwhile, Yang Jian, Nezha, Han Dulong, and Xue Ehu gathered together.

Han Dulong said, "The weather is indeed hot. If Master Jiang wants wind to cool off, adding two more feet to the Taoist platform would be better."

Xue Ehu gave him a shove and said, "In the past, the Taoist platform built by the Great Master of the Eight Scenic Palace was only three feet and two inches high. If Master Jiang adds two more feet, wouldn’t that be overstepping?"

"I see!"

Yang Jian, who had broader knowledge, whispered, "I’m afraid this is the Feng Sha technique."

"Feng Sha?"

Han Dulong was taken aback and said immediately, "In this scorching summer, with Chengtang’s troops only in thin iron armor, how can they withstand the Feng Sha technique? Won’t tens of thousands die?"

Xue Ehu’s face turned deathly pale, "Such karma, if hope remains for crossing the Heavenly Tribulation, it will surely bring divine punishment and death."

"Not only that, if you go insane during cultivation, the karmic fire consuming you is no easier than the Heavenly Tribulation."

Listening to their fearful murmurs, Nezha gently raised an eyebrow: one called Poison Dragon, one called Evil Tiger; their names were fierce, but their temperaments were increasingly simple-minded.

It was his master uncle Jiang Ziya who was truly ruthless, placing no value on the lives of tens of thousands.

Nezha sighed, "As they say, merciful people do not lead troops, and righteous people do not manage wealth. Exactly so."

The invisible and formless wind was the most terrifying to the mind.

At first, Lu Xiong’s army found the wind pleasant, cooling them and relieving the heat.

But this great wind was like a northern cold wind; after blowing for three days, the sky was covered with clouds as thick as iron, and snow began to fall.

At night, the cold wind roared like a sharp sword through the night, striking the trees with sharp cries.

Chengtang’s troops huddled in their tents around fires, shivering, unsure how many would wake up come morning.

The snowfall became heavier, blanketing the wilderness. Looking out from the tent’s gaps, the outside world seemed veiled in a thin mist.

In the central camp, Lu Xiong said to Fei Zhong and You Hun, "Snow falling in July autumn, truly rare in the world."

Lu Xiong, old and feeble, could hardly bear the cold.

Not only did he need to huddle by the fire, but he also donned several layers of clothing. Fei Zhong and You Hun had no alternatives; the troops were frozen.

In contrast, the Xiqi army, all wearing cotton-padded jackets and boots, was full of morale. Even Nangong Shi, who had waited to see Jiang Ziya’s failure, was sincerely convinced. He laughed heartily thrice and carried military instruments to Jiang Ziya’s tent to apologize.

Jiang Ziya pardoned his disrespect; since then, the general and prime minister worked harmoniously, becoming a tale of trust and cooperation.

The next noon, Jiang Ziya summoned Wu Ji, "How deep is the snow?"

Wu Ji replied, "Two feet deep on the mountaintop, four or five feet deep at the base where the wind has gathered it."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziya climbed the dirt platform, took a deep breath, and looked back at Nezha, who nodded firmly at him, solidifying his resolve.

With his hair disheveled and sword in hand, he muttered incantations and sent a lightning bolt to scatter the dark clouds, revealing the blazing sun.

The sun’s rays shone like a fire umbrella, instantly melting the snow. The water rushed down the mountain like an avalanche, flooding the valleys below.

Seeing the snow melt and the water surge down, Jiang Ziya quickly used a talisman seal, and with a thunderclap, another fierce wind blew.

The dark clouds converged overhead, concealing the sun. The wind howled fiercely, as harsh as deep winter.

Soon, Qi Mountain was frozen into a vast ocean of ice!

Jiang Ziya rode out of the camp, followed by Yang Jian, Nezha, Xue Han, Huang Feihu, Nangong Shi, and other fierce generals, standing tall and emboldened.

Who would have thought that the old man who once sold noodles in Zhaoge City would have such brilliance today?

Seeing the Zhou camp’s banners fallen, he ordered Nangong Shi and Wu Ji to take just twenty executioners down the mountain to capture Lu Xiong.

The two generals, brave as tigers, led their twenty men down the mountain. At the base, they saw the three armies frozen in ice, with many dead.

They found Lu Xiong, Fei Zhong, and You Hun in the central camp. The executioners stepped forward to capture them, as easy as picking something out of a bag, and brought the three up the mountain to Jiang Ziya.

Lu Xiong, captured before the tent, faced complete defeat, worse than Zhang Guifang’s past failings. He was pale, sweat dripping from his forehead.

Jiang Ziya stood before him, his eyes like torches, his voice low but imbued with undeniable authority.

"Lu Xiong," he began slowly, tinged with regret, "you should understand, trends are like tides, those who follow prosper, those who resist perish.

Heaven’s will cannot be defied, nor people’s will resisted. King Zhou’s tyranny is well known, with vassals across the land turning from darkness to light, joining the Zhou Dynasty.

The outcome is certain; Zhou now holds two-thirds of the realm.

Why persist in folly, going against fate, seeking your end?"

Pausing for emphasis, his gaze sharp as knives, he continued, "Now in my hands, what defense do you have?"

"Jiang Shang!" Lu Xiong roared, filled with scorn and rage, "You served King Zhou, a great vassal, enjoying glory! Now you’ve betrayed your old master, groveling to the new regime, what kind of hero are you? I’ve been captured, but I served and remained loyal! Defeated today, I’d rather die honoring my duty than waste words here!"

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