Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 26

The group left the Yanshan Mountains. The official road was still muddy after the rain, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and earth. Sunlight pierced through the thin clouds, casting golden rays that made the water droplets on the leaves along the way sparkle.

However, this tranquility was soon broken by a figure that quietly appeared by the roadside.

The man seemed to appear out of thin air, yet also as if he had always been there, blending seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and waters. He wore a cloud-shaped crown, a flowing robe, a silk sash around his waist, and hemp shoes. He was elegant and refined, with an unusual appearance, and exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura.

He stood quietly in the middle of the road, a smile on his face, watching the approaching procession with a peaceful gaze, his eyes fixed on the carriage of Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo.

Zhang Kui's heart skipped a beat. He immediately raised his hand, and the three hundred Xuanjia personal guards behind him reined in their horses in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, instantly spreading a chilling aura. Wu Wenhua also gripped his giant club tightly, his copper bell-like eyes warily fixed on the suddenly appearing Taoist.

"Who goes there? Why do you block my way?"

Zhang Kui spoke in a deep voice, his tone naturally carrying the imposing aura of a Celestial Immortal cultivator. He could sense that the Taoist before him possessed unfathomable cultivation, far surpassing his own, and was by no means an ordinary rogue cultivator.

Upon hearing this, the Taoist remained calm and composed. He bowed respectfully, his voice clear and melodious like the clinking of jade stones: "May the Heavenly Venerable bestow boundless blessings upon you. I am Yun Zhongzi, a Qi Refiner from the Jade Pillar Cave of Zhongnan Mountain. I have been waiting for you all here not to obstruct you, but because of a predestined connection."

"Jade Pillar Cave in Zhongnan Mountain... Yun Zhongzi." Zhang Kui immediately understood. So this was the famous Fude Zhenxian from the Chan Sect. During the Investiture of the Gods, he had attempted to use a wooden sword to eliminate demons and enlighten King Zhou.

Hearing the commotion, Ji Chang, who was inside the carriage, lifted the curtain and stepped out, carrying the infant. Seeing the Taoist's extraordinary bearing, he was already somewhat convinced and respectfully asked, "May I ask what brings you here, Immortal? And what do you mean by 'fate'?"

Yun Zhongzi looked gently at the infant in Ji Chang's arms, his eyes revealing admiration: "Today, while meditating in the mountains, I suddenly sensed a tremor in the heavens, a gathering of thunder spirits, and the birth of a great star, destined to be your son. Therefore, I have come to seek you out. Presumably, this is the child you conceived during that thunderstorm?"

Ji Chang was shocked. This matter had only happened a moment ago, yet the Taoist already knew about it. He was indeed an immortal. He quickly said, "Immortal, you are wise. It is indeed this child. I will name him Lei Zhenzi."

"Lei Zhenzi... a fine name, in accordance with the times and his origin." Yun Zhongzi nodded slightly, then said solemnly, "To be honest, my lord, this child has extraordinary potential, possessing a natural body of thunder spirit, which cannot be nurtured by ordinary people. If he remains in the mortal world, his talent may be buried, or even bring disaster upon him. I intend to take him as my disciple, take him to Zhongnan Mountain, teach him the orthodox path of the Xuanmen, guide him towards goodness, and in the future he may assist a wise ruler and achieve great things. I wonder what my lord thinks?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Chang's face showed reluctance and hesitation. Although he knew this boy was extraordinary, he had just acquired him, and now he was to be separated from his flesh and blood; he found it difficult to make a decision. He couldn't help but turn his gaze to Zhang Kui beside him, seeking his opinion.

Seeing this, Zhang Kui's mind raced. Yun Zhongzi's acceptance of Lei Zhenzi as a disciple was a matter of destiny, a tremendous opportunity for Lei Zhenzi, and a crucial step for the future of Xiqi. He immediately nodded slightly to Ji Chang and secretly transmitted his voice, saying, "My lord, Daoist Yun Zhongzi is a highly respected figure of the Chan Sect, with profound Daoist skills and a stellar reputation. Lei Zhenzi's becoming his disciple is a blessing, not a curse. In the future, once he has mastered his skills, he will surely be a great help to you and Xiqi. This is the will of Heaven; we should let nature take its course."

Having received Zhang Kui's affirmation and seeing Yun Zhongzi's ethereal demeanor and earnest words, Ji Chang realized he was no wicked person. Finally, he sighed deeply, his eyes filled with reluctance. He carefully handed the infant in his arms to Yun Zhongzi: "What you say is very true, Immortal Master. It is this child's good fortune to have received your favor. I... entrust him to you, Immortal Master, hoping you will teach him well so that he may become a person beneficial to the world in the future."

Yun Zhongzi solemnly took the baby. The child stopped crying as soon as it was in his arms, and looked at him curiously with its big, dark eyes. The faint lightning around the child gradually disappeared, as if it had never been there.

"Rest assured, my lord, I will teach you with all my heart and live up to your expectations," Yun Zhongzi promised, looking at Lei Zhenzi with increasing fondness.

The matter was settled, and Yun Zhongzi should have left, but he did not immediately ride away on a cloud. Instead, he turned his gaze to Zhang Kui with a playful scrutiny.

Zhang Kui felt extremely uncomfortable under the gaze of this renowned immortal from the Chan Sect, as if all his secrets were about to be exposed in those clear yet unfathomable eyes. The golden core within his body spontaneously accelerated its circulation, and the four divine power runes glowed faintly, resisting this invisible probing.

Zhang Kui was inwardly alarmed, but outwardly maintained his composure, cupping his hands and saying, "Immortal Master, is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?"

Yun Zhongzi did not answer, but looked Zhang Kui up and down, his gaze lingering on Zhang Kui's dantian for a moment. He muttered to himself, "Strange, strange... He clearly has thick witch blood and hidden baleful aura, so he should be following the reckless path of proving the Dao through force... How come his dantian has a perfectly formed golden core and a natural Daoist charm? He is actually practicing the orthodox Xuanmen 'Golden Core Great Dao' and has already reached the fourth level of the Heavenly Immortal realm."

Although his voice was low, Zhang Kui and Ji Chang, who were both extraordinary people, heard it clearly. Ji Chang looked at Zhang Kui with surprise. Although he knew that Zhang Kui was a cultivator, he did not know that his background was so complex and astonishing.

Zhang Kui was deeply shocked; Yun Zhongzi's insight was truly remarkable. He had seen through Zhang Kui's trump card completely. Was this the power of a master from the Chan Sect?

Yun Zhongzi calculated with his fingers, his body radiating Daoist energy, seemingly communicating with the secrets of heaven. After a moment, his eyes widened in astonishment, tinged with confusion: "The secrets of heaven are obscure and involve vast complexities... It seems to be related to that senior master? When did Senior Master Xuandu leave behind such a legacy? No... it seems somewhat different. This Golden Core Dao seems to have been modified, incorporating other elements... using witch blood as a guide, supernatural powers as patterns... This is simply..."

Finally, Yun Zhongzi stopped his calculations, seemingly understanding something. He revealed a very meaningful smile, a smile tinged with amusement.

As Zhang Kui felt a chill run down his spine from that smile, Yun Zhongzi finally spoke, his voice low but clear: "Interesting... truly interesting... It seems that Senior Brother Xuandu's loneliness in the Eight Views Palace... is probably coming to an end soon."

After speaking, Yun Zhongzi said no more. He nodded slightly to Ji Chang and Zhang Kui, held Lei Zhenzi in his arms, and auspicious clouds rose from beneath his feet, lifting him up into the air. Then, he turned into a beam of light and disappeared into the sky in an instant, as if he had never existed.

Ji Chang was left standing there dumbfounded, while Zhang Kui was filled with turmoil.

Senior Brother Xuandu, Eight Views Palace.

That's none other than the chief disciple of the Humanist School, and Lao Tzu's only direct disciple—Grand Master Xuandu.

What does Yun Zhongzi mean by that? Could it be because he has cultivated the "Golden Elixir Path"?

Countless questions instantly filled Zhang Kui's mind, leaving him in a state of utter confusion. He felt as if he had unknowingly stepped into an unfathomable game of chess.

"General Zhang?" Ji Chang called out with concern when he saw Zhang Kui's changing expression.

Zhang Kui snapped back to his senses, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He took a deep breath and his expression returned to calm: "My lord, it's nothing. It's just that what Immortal Yun Zhongzi said just now was somewhat profound, and this humble general was unable to comprehend it for the time being."

Ji Chang was a wise man. He could tell that Zhang Kui was unwilling to say more, so he did not press the matter further. He simply sighed, "What happened today is so bizarre and unbelievable. If I hadn't experienced it myself, I would hardly believe it. It seems that the world is truly about to change."

Zhang Kui nodded silently, his gaze turning back towards Chaoge, but his mood was even heavier than before.

"My lord, let's continue on our way," Zhang Kui said in a deep voice.

The group set off again, heading towards Chaoge. The sun was still shining brightly, but Zhang Kui felt that the fog ahead seemed even thicker. Yun Zhongzi's prophecy was like a brand, deeply imprinted in his heart.

Grand Master Xuandu...Eight Views Palace...

What does all of this signify?