Nezha organized the morial and directly handed it to Taibai Gold Star to deliver to Hao Tian.
Hao Tian glanced at it but ultimately said nothing. Saying anything would only expose his conflict with Nezha and undermine his authority.
He rely symbolically reassigned a few unimportant positions, implying that he remained the ultimate authority in the Heavenly Court.
Hao Tian glanced at Taibai Gold Star. This ti he didn’t bother to argue with him. It wasn’t that Hao Tian was magnanimous, but ever since the end of the Investiture of the Gods, the original Immortals of the Heavenly Court had been marginalized by the newly-appointed gods, handpicked from the roster.
One group consisted of contract employees, the other of "black slaves" whose Divine Souls were completely controlled. If it were you, whom would you choose to use?
The disciples of the Great Sect who still managed to maintain their dignity under the Investiture of the Gods were a minority; the majority consisted of mortals and loose cultivators bound by the roster. They couldn’t maintain their cultivation without diligently working to gain enough incense offerings.
Thus, there was only one solution: compete.
The original gods of the Heavenly Court couldn’t out-compete them, as their very nature was fundantally different.
Lately, Hao Tian’s most valued individual was Randeng, the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Chan Sect. While Randeng’s divine position wasn’t particularly high, he had once been part of Zixiao Palace’s audience, soone who had listened to the Dao. To Hao Tian, befriending Randeng was a show of prestige.
As for Nezha’s title as Emperor Ziwei, it indeed made Hao Tian slightly uncomfortable. However, he truly looked down on Nezha—how can a re Golden Immortal compete with him for power?
Hao Tian often visited Randeng.
Unfortunately, Randeng had his own plans and rarely paid Hao Tian any attention.
Taibai Gold Star was intimately familiar with Hao Tian, having assisted him for countless Yuan Hui. He knew exactly what kind of person Hao Tian was. As for any sentint born of years of companionship?
There’s only sentint if you’re useful; if not, what sentint can there be?
Serving a king is like serving a tiger—a light comparison here, as Hao Tian is a thousand tis harder to handle than a tiger!
At this mont, Taibai Gold Star bowed his head and left to relay a ssage to Nezha.
Nezha received the submitted morial, glanced at it, and didn’t pay much attention. He estimated that, given Hao Tian’s character, he wouldn’t so easily flip out; Hao Tian wouldn’t sabotage the foundation of his own rule.
The construction of the main structure Nezha was overseeing would likely take thirty-so years—an imnse project that couldn’t be rushed.
Moreover, thirty years wasn’t long at all for Immortals.
Once it was completed, the inauguration ceremony could proceed. Although Nezha already wielded the authority of Emperor Ziwei, in the bureaucratic system, processes needed to be followed; anyone familiar could understand.
Shi Ji was indeed a reliable female Immortal. Nezha surveyed the project several tis and was highly satisfied. He ultimately assigned Shi Ji the position of Star Lord of Saturn.
...
In the Mortal Realm, Old Li returned to Nantang with Zigeng. The Zhou royal family was in turmoil, Jiuzhou once again embroiled in war, while Nantang continued to maintain a spectator’s stance.
The entire family was currently residing in the South Capital. At this mont, Lady Yin held Zigeng in her arms, utterly unwilling to let go.
She had longed for a grandson not just for a year or two. Despite her desperation, there hadn’t been the slightest progress, leaving her restless yet powerless.
Lady Yin ca from the Yin Family, and Zigeng was sowhat related to her by blood. Additionally, he had lost both parents, which evoked great pity from her.
Daji and Deng Chanyu also took turns teasing Zigeng. In truth, both had deeply desired a child earlier in life, but as ti passed and Nezha’s cultivation grew ever higher, such a wish had beco subject to "fate."
Lady Yin had discerned the crux of the matter and refrained from ntioning the topic further over the years. Now, seeing Zigeng stirred a thought in her heart.
"Great King, Zigeng is pitiful and parentless, and he shares so affinity with Nezha. Why don’t you and Ah Yu adopt him as your symbolic son?"
Daji and Deng Chanyu felt enthused but wanted to hear Nezha’s opinion.
Ultimately, Old Li made the decision: adopt!
Daji and Deng Chanyu had no objections. Late at night, however, they ntioned the matter to Emperor Ziwei.
Nezha, feeling a sense of resonance in the starry sky, finally responded with celestial light, approving the proposal.
This Old Li—raising Yin Shou’s son was one thing, but now he wanted to adopt him as his symbolic son?
Nezha’s mindset wasn’t that of this era’s people. Since arriving, he had focused primarily on cultivation. He understood that Daji and Deng Chanyu greatly wished for a child.
But regarding this matter? He found it implausible.
The Primordial world was far too dangerous. At his current juncture, as he ventured forth recklessly, there was no telling whether he might et his end. How could he protect his offspring?
Bringing a child into existence would only add to his burdens.
Daji and Deng Chanyu, having lived in the Mortal World long-term, naturally thought differently from himself. If they wanted to adopt a symbolic son now, then so be it.
The two were thrilled with Nezha’s agreent, and Lady Yin was equally delighted.
A grand ceremony was subsequently held. The Nantang King and Regent King officially adopted Zigeng as their symbolic son, renaming him Li Geng.
It had been one month since King Wu Ji Fa conquered Chaoge.
Currently, Chaoge was guarded only by Zhou Gongdan, who found himself surrounded in the royal palace by crowds of Yin Shang citizens.
Ji Fa had died too quickly, the Zhou familial turmoil had escalated too swiftly, and none of Yin Shang’s issues were resolved before Great Zhou fragnted entirely.
It felt like the mandate of heaven had willed it.
The brothers in Ji’s family each took tens of thousands of troops, splitting the remaining 200,000 troops significantly. Zhou Gongdan was left with only 30–40,000 n.
No matter how capable Zhou Gongdan was, there was no way he could suppress the unified will of the Yin Shang Old People with such modest numbers.
Kill?
You couldn’t possibly kill them all.
Slaughtering 500,000 pigs would be exhausting, let alone an organized group of humans.
Zhou Gongdan didn’t dare act rashly.
At this mont, the nobles of the Yin Shang Old People took advantage of the chaotic state of the Zhou royal family and quickly organized a rebellion, donning yellow turbans as they stord the palace!
As Zhou Gongdan gazed upon the seemingly endless sea of people, he fell into despair. Could the empire his second brother had fought so hard to conquer have collapsed in just a month?
Among the crowd, a highly elderly man leaned on his cane, protected by surrounding individuals, as he approached.
"Zhou Gong, internal strife has shattered the Zhou Family. The tides have turned; this realm has been warring for over thirty years. Although Yin Shang was defeated, the conflicts in this land cannot drag on any longer."
At this mont, Zhou Gongdan’s expression darkened, his heart filled with reluctance. Clearly, Chaoge had been taken, the empire unified...
Taking a deep breath, he struggled to remain composed and asked, "What is the esteed Upper Doctor’s suggestion?"
"I humbly ask Zhou Gong to surrender to Tang and assist King Li in sweeping across the Six Directions."
Zhou Gongdan sighed deeply, ultimately nodding in helpless acknowledgnt.
The next day, with the full support of the Yin Shang Old People, Zhou Gongdan completely stabilized the situation, successfully fending off attacks from his brothers and regaining control.
anwhile, a secret letter was hastily dispatched to Nantang, facilitated through Lady Yin’s family connections.
The elder leading the rebellion that night was, in fact, Lady Yin’s cousin.
The secret missive, employing secure ans, arrived in King Ji’s hands within just ten days.
Daji first convened Old Li’s family and Deng Chanyu to discuss the matter.
To refuse a gift of destiny would invite misfortune.
Old Li was wise, not foolish, and he indeed felt considerable disappointnt over the Zhou royal family.
Rebellion!
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