nagpurpolice Chapter 614 Acting as Mandate of Heaven? Conferring Titles upon the Gods?
Chapter 614 Acting as Mandate of Heaven? Conferring Titles upon the Gods?
"Fellow Daoist of Immortality..."
Kong Xuan's breathing became extremely heavy. He looked at Chen Changsheng, his eyes filled with complex emotions that could not be described in words.
"You... what is your purpose in bringing out this treasure?"
He couldn't believe it, or rather, he couldn't bear to think about the possibility that even he himself found absurd.
Chen Changsheng looked at him, laughed, and handed him the Treasure-Falling Coin.
"What else could it be?"
"Of course it's for you!"
"Your brother, the Golden-Winged Roc, is now my mount, so you're practically family to me. I, Chen Changsheng, never mistreat my own people!"
"This item is compatible with your attributes; only in your hands can it unleash its full power. Take it!"
Chen Changsheng's tone was so casual, so matter-of-fact.
It was as if what he gave away was not a top-grade innate spiritual treasure that could drive the entire prehistoric world crazy, but an insignificant trinket.
Kong Xuan was completely dumbfounded.
Looking at the glittering gold coins floating in front of him, exuding endless allure, his heart, which had been proud for countless eons, was completely filled with emotions called "moved" and "shocked" at this moment.
Since his birth, he has traversed the vast wilderness, relying solely on himself.
He was arrogant, confident, and disdainful of associating with others.
But today, Chen Changsheng, a young man he had only met a few times, gave him such a precious treasure without batting an eye.
Is it simply because his younger brother is his mount?
Is it simply because he considered himself "one of his own"?
This sentiment is too heavy!
It was so heavy that even this quasi-saint powerhouse felt a little breathless.
"Thank you... fellow Daoist!"
All of this has been reduced to these four simple words.
Kong Xuan did not refuse again. He knew that any words would seem pale and powerless in the face of such a generous gift.
With utmost solemnity, he reached out and grasped the precious coin in his hand.
He bowed deeply to Chen Changsheng.
"Fellow Daoist, I, Kong Xuan, will never forget your kindness!"
"From this day forward, I will serve you with my life, even unto death!"
After saying that, he couldn't wait any longer and disappeared from the spot in a flash, obviously to find a place to refine this treasure that was of great significance to him.
Chen Changsheng looked in the direction he left, a satisfied smile on his face.
He knew that from this moment on, Kong Xuan, the number one person below the sage, was truly bound to his chariot!
"Tsk tsk, Changsheng, you've really gone all out with this."
The Yellow Emperor, standing to the side, clicked his tongue in amazement.
"That's a treasure-dropping coin! You just gave it away like that? I'm so envious."
"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub," Chen Changsheng grinned.
"With Kong Xuan as a strong ally, our chances of winning this great calamity are even greater."
After settling Di Xin and Kong Xuan in, Chen Changsheng did not leave, but stayed temporarily in Chaoge City.
While waiting for the two to emerge from seclusion, he discussed the Dao with Emperor Xuanyuan and also gave some pointers on the cultivation of the Great Shang Dynasty.
Life was quite leisurely.
However, what he didn't know was...
While he was leisurely making his plans, a massive storm targeting him and the entire Shang Dynasty was quietly brewing in the Kunlun Mountains high above the heavens.
Kunlun Mountain
Jade Void Palace.
This is the Daoist temple of the Heavenly Sage, Yuanshi Tianzun, the ancestral home of the Chan Sect, and the supreme immortal holy land in the hearts of countless beings in the primordial world.
The entire Kunlun Mountain was shrouded in boundless innate spiritual energy, with cranes flying, auspicious beasts galloping, auspicious clouds swirling, and rays of light shining everywhere.
However, the atmosphere in Jade Void Palace today was extremely oppressive.
A cold, murderous aura, filled with endless rage, enveloped the entire Qilin Cliff.
Under that oppressive aura, all the cranes folded their wings, lay prostrate on the ground, and dared not utter a single cry.
All the auspicious beasts trembled, burying their heads in the ground, even their breathing became cautious.
Even the ever-changing auspicious clouds seemed to freeze, no longer daring to move an inch.
Inside the main hall of the Jade Void Palace, the Primordial Celestial Venerable sat high on a cloud bed.
His face was ashen, and in his eyes, which were deeper than the stars, burned a raging fire that seemed to materialize!
Below him, the twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, including Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, Yu Ding Zhenren, and Tai Yi Zhenren, were all silent and trembling, their heads bowed, not daring to even breathe loudly.
They hadn't seen their master so angry in a very, very long time.
This time, they knew that their master's anger was still related to the Jie Sect.
Or rather, it is related to the "variable" of the Jie Sect named Chen Changsheng!
"Xuanyuan!"
"How dare he!"
"How dare he step out of the Fire Cloud Cave!"
The voice of the Primordial Celestial Venerable was icy cold, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, containing a terrifying killing intent capable of freezing time and space.
The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were imprisoned in the Fire Cloud Cave to suppress the destiny of the human race. This is an ironclad law set by the Heavenly Dao!
It is the foundation for maintaining the balance of the primordial world and preventing any one human from becoming dominant!
It was also the foundation upon which his Chan Sect was able to "follow the mandate of heaven," support Xiqi, take charge of the Investiture of the Gods, and thus flourish!
But now, this foundation has been shaken!
The ancient human emperor Xuanyuan, who was in charge of killing and whose combat power was overwhelming, actually walked out of the Fire Cloud Cave!
It's obvious to anyone with a brain which side he'll be on!
He will definitely go and help Di Xin, who has also cultivated the path of the Human Emperor!
This is absolutely ruthless!
This directly negates the legitimacy of his teachings on "mourning the people and punishing the guilty" from the root!
At that time, how will his disciples of the Chan Sect have a legitimate reason to attack the Great Shang?
Wouldn't that make him a traitorous rebellious subject?
"Chen! Chang! Sheng!"
Yuanshi Tianzun gritted his teeth and uttered the name he hated to the core.
He didn't need to deduce anything to know that all of this was definitely related to that evil scoundrel from the Jie Sect!
It is him again!
This variable again!
Now, they have even released Emperor Xuanyuan from the Fire Cloud Cave, completely disrupting all his plans!
He has repeatedly thwarted his important mission of spreading the teachings!
If this child is not eliminated, he will surely become a major threat!
The killing intent in Yuanshi Tianzun's heart had reached its peak.
For a fleeting moment, he even considered disregarding the dignity of a sage and personally descending upon Chaoge to completely erase that wicked creature, along with the entire Great Shang Dynasty, from the primordial world!
But he couldn't.
Even setting aside the fact that with that madman Tongtian around, he had no chance of succeeding.
The mere fact that Xuanyuan was born made him hesitant to act rashly.
If he dares to attack the Human Emperor, the remaining seven old guys in the Fire Cloud Cave will probably rush out and fight him to the death at all costs!
By then, things will truly be beyond repair.
"snort!"
"Since you, Chen Changsheng, are determined to break this deadlock and defy the heavens!"
"Then I will follow the will of Heaven and make this game even bigger!"
A cold glint flashed in Yuanshi Tianzun's eyes, and he had already made up his mind.
His gaze swept over the twelve trembling Golden Immortals below, and finally, he spoke slowly, his voice regaining its usual majesty and indifference.
"Transmit my decree."
"I hereby order my disciple Jiang Shang from the back mountain to come to Yuxu Palace to see me."
Upon hearing this, all twelve Golden Immortals were taken aback.
Jiang Shang?
Jiang Ziya?
That disciple who had cultivated for decades but had not even established a foundation in the path of immortality could only chop wood and carry water in the back mountain and do odd jobs.
Master, why did you suddenly summon him?
Although they were filled with doubt, they dared not disobey in the slightest and quickly bowed to accept the order.
"Your disciple obeys!"
……
Kunlun Mountain, the back mountain.
An old man with white hair and beard, a weathered face, and dressed in a simple Taoist robe was laboriously carrying a load of freshly chopped firewood back to his thatched hut.
He was Jiang Shang, courtesy name Ziya.
He was taken to Kunlun Mountain by Guang Chengzi to cultivate.
However, his talent was far too mediocre.
Decades have passed, and most of his fellow disciples who entered the sect with him have now become Earth Immortals, Celestial Immortals, or even True Immortals.
Only he remained trapped in the mortal realm, unable to even cross the threshold of immortality.
Gradually, he gave up on that idea and spent his days just farming, chopping wood, doing odd jobs, and passing the time on the back mountain.
Just as he put down the firewood, preparing to start a fire and cook,
A beam of celestial light descended from the sky and landed in front of him.
The person who came was the Dharma-transmitting attendant of Jade Void Palace, the White Crane Attendant.
"So you are Jiang Shang?"
The White Crane Boy glanced at his senior brother, who looked even older than an ordinary farmer, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
"Disciple Jiang Shang greets Senior Brother."
Jiang Ziya quickly bowed and paid his respects, his heart filled with fear and unease.
As a menial servant in the back mountains, he wasn't even qualified to see a formal disciple, let alone the White Crane Boy under his master's command.
I don't know what I did wrong to alarm this person.
"No need for such formalities."
The White Crane Boy waved his hand and spoke in a businesslike tone.
"The Holy Lord has decreed that you must immediately proceed to Jade Void Palace to pay your respects to His Majesty."
boom!
The words of the White Crane Boy were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in Jiang Ziya's mind!
He was completely stunned.
He pointed to his nose, looking incredulous, wondering if he had misheard.
"Senior brother...you mean...the sect leader wants to see me?"
How...how is this possible?
I am but a menial disciple who is not even an immortal. What virtue or ability do I possess to be summoned by a sage?
This was the first time in his seventy-two years in Kunlun Mountain that he had heard someone say they would take him to see the legendary saintly master!
"Enough with the nonsense, come with me now!"
The White Crane Boy impatiently urged him on, then transformed into a beam of light and flew towards the Jade Void Palace.
Jiang Ziya dared not be negligent in the slightest. He quickly suppressed his shock and fear, took a few steps, and stumbled after him.
His heart was pounding wildly.
He had no idea what fate awaited him.
Throughout the journey, Jiang Ziya's heart was in his throat.
He followed behind the White Crane Boy, passing through layer after layer of sea of clouds and crossing one fairy bridge after another.
The closer one gets to Jade Void Palace, the more terrifying the oppressive aura of a sage that permeates the heavens and earth becomes.
With his mortal body, every step he took felt as if he were carrying a divine mountain on his back. His legs trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat had already soaked through his Taoist robe.
He didn't even dare to look up at the magnificent fairyland scenery around him.
In my heart, only endless fear and awe remained.
saint!
That is an unparalleled being who is high above, in control of the Heavenly Way, and regards all living beings as ants!
Why would such a being personally summon me, a mere mortal?
Is it a blessing?
Or is it a disaster?
Jiang Ziya dared not think about it.
Finally, just as he felt he was about to be crushed to pieces by that oppressive force, the voice of the White Crane Boy rang in his ears.
"We're here, let's go in."
"The sect leader is waiting for you inside."
Jiang Ziya suddenly looked up, and a magnificent palace, simple yet exuding endless Taoist charm, appeared before him.
Jade Void Palace!
He took a deep breath, straightened his faded Taoist robe, and with an extremely apprehensive heart, stepped into the sacred Taoist temple that he had looked up to for seventy-two years.
As soon as Jiang Ziya stepped into the main hall, he felt the terrifying pressure around him suddenly ease.
He raised his head and cautiously surveyed the legendary palace.
The main hall was spacious and imposing.
Twelve figures, their auras as deep as the sea and surrounded by celestial light, stood on either side.
These are the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect!
Each and every one of them was a big shot whom he wouldn't even have the right to look up to on a normal day!
At this moment, these twelve important figures stood solemnly with their hands at their sides.
Their gazes were all turned in awe to the cloud bed at the very top of the hall.
Jiang Ziya followed their gaze and looked over.
On the cloud bed sat a Taoist priest dressed in an apricot-yellow robe, his face indistinct, his body seemingly integrated with the entire universe.
He simply sat there quietly, as if he were the center of the entire universe.
Everything revolves around him.
With just one glance, Jiang Ziya felt his soul being assimilated by the endless Daoist charm, and utterly succumbed to it!
He was so frightened that he immediately lowered his head, not daring to look any further.
"Disciple Jiang Shang pays respects to the Sage Master! May the Sage live ten thousand years!"
With a "plop," Jiang Ziya prostrated himself on the ground, using all his strength to shout loudly.
"Jiang Shang".
A detached, majestic voice, devoid of any emotion, slowly drifted down from the heavens.
That voice seemed to be the embodiment of the Way of Heaven; every syllable contained the supreme power of words becoming law.
"Do you know why, after seventy-two years of cultivation, you still cannot even step onto the path of immortality?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziya trembled, his face revealing endless bitterness and shame.
"Disciple...disciple is dull-witted, of poor quality, and unworthy of being cultivated, thus disgracing the sect."
"No."
The voice of the Primordial Celestial Venerable slowly rang out.
"Your fate is such that you will find it difficult to attain immortality. However, you will have earthly blessings, and you will enjoy the honor of a general or minister, acting as the representative of Heaven and bestowing titles upon the gods."
What?
A blessing for humankind? The prestige of a high-ranking official?
Acting as a representative of Heaven's mandate? bestowing titles upon the gods?
Jiang Ziya was completely bewildered. He couldn't understand what his high and mighty sage master was saying at all.
He only wants to cultivate immortality, not become a general or minister!
Yuanshi Tianzun ignored his doubts and spoke to himself.
"Now, the Heavenly Tribulation is descending. The saints and the Zixiao Palace have discussed and established the 'Investiture of the Gods' to fulfill the number of calamities."
"However, the Shang dynasty was tyrannical, the emperor's virtue had declined, and the Mandate of Heaven had been lost. It was time for the sage ruler of Xiqi to emerge and punish them on behalf of Heaven, in accordance with the will of Heaven."
"You are the one destined to hold the list during this great calamity of the gods, the chosen one to assist a wise ruler and bestow divine titles on behalf of Heaven!"
The voice of the Primordial Celestial Venerable echoed solemnly in the vast hall.
With just a few words, he defined the nature of this grand undertaking concerning the survival of the Three Realms and the lives of countless beings.
The Shang dynasty was tyrannical, and the Western Zhou dynasty was destined to rise.
Those who follow the will of Heaven prosper, those who defy it perish!
And you, Jiang Ziya, are the key pawn for my Chan Sect to carry out this matter in accordance with the will of Heaven!
Jiang Ziya was completely bewildered and his heart pounded with fear.
Although he was slow-witted, he understood.
Master, this is to send him down the mountain to help a lord called Xiqi to overthrow the current Emperor!
Isn't this... a rebellion?
Moreover, according to Master, this means fighting to the death with other sects to fill in that "Investiture of the Gods" list.
How could an old man who isn't even an immortal do such a head-risking job?
"Master! Your disciple only wishes to stay on Kunlun Mountain, serve you, and devote himself to cultivation. He does not seek immortality, but only peace and tranquility! I beg you to rescind your decree!"