HomePull StringsChapter 714: Wen Zhong's Fatal Destiny, Strategy Offered in Dreams

Chapter 714: Wen Zhong’s Fatal Destiny, Strategy Offered in Dreams

One called him Grand Preceptor, the other Star Lord—each title more formal than the last.

Li Changshou stood behind Wen Zhong with his hands behind his back, inwardly sighing that Wen Zhong hadn’t even sensed his aura yet dared to decisively claim he was who he was.

If the Heavenly Dao had simply created a false appearance, like ‘Yellow Dragon,’ wouldn’t Wen Zhong have fallen for it immediately?

This junior had no sense of vigilance.

Li Changshou nodded and sat directly in a chair to the side, saying calmly:

“You should have this brief moment. Come, let’s talk.”

“Star-Lord,” Wen Zhong bowed with clasped hands, “I don’t know what guidance you have, but now the three armies are mobilizing and need their commander.

Since Wen Zhong has come personally to battle, I cannot keep the army’s soldiers waiting long.”

“To go and throw your life away pointlessly?”

Li Changshou asked gently.

Wen Zhong froze for a moment, then bowed in Daoist fashion, “Wen Zhong bears a royal command, and now has no choice but to stake everything on one battle.”

“Stake everything.”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Don’t you even have tea?”

“Star-Lord…”

Wen Zhong’s words halted, and then he let out a light breath and said softly: “Please wait a moment, I’ll have my disciples bring some right away.”

After speaking, Wen Zhong went to the tent entrance, said a few words in a low voice outside, and also summoned the Ink Qilin to land before the tent before turning back inside.

Li Changshou smiled as he observed the various conditions within the camp, while Wen Zhong couldn’t fathom Li Changshou’s purpose here and could only stand waiting at the side.

Outside the camp, drum sounds thundered like lightning as various army units slowly pressed their attack toward West Qi City’s outskirts.

The Shang army had an absolute advantage in military strength, while the Zhou army could now only rely on terrain advantage.

In the tent, Li Changshou seemed to intentionally find a topic, saying gently:

“What exactly is your thinking behind forcibly attacking West Qi City?”

Wen Zhong considered briefly and respectfully said: “Zhou was originally Shang’s vassal, but they disobeyed royal orders with wolfish ambitions, privately expanding their military and conquering neighboring states—their rebellious intentions are clear to all.

His Majesty was originally merciful and spared Ji Chang’s life, but now…”

A trace of helplessness flashed across Li Changshou’s brow as he said coldly: “You’re thinking that even if you exhaust all the Shang forces here, you must break through West Qi City, at minimum depleting the Zhou nation’s army and damaging their national strength.

Correct?”

Wen Zhong fell silent, lowering his head with a slight sigh.

“Star-Lord, this old minister is foolish and has no other way.”

Li Changshou said:

“The army you’ve mobilized mostly comes from various northwestern passes of Shang territory, half being vassal state forces. Using these to deplete Zhou’s national strength would cause little damage to Chaoge City.

You seem to think that as long as you break Zhou’s destiny, even if Enlightenment Teaching immortals support them from the shadows, they won’t be able to threaten Chaoge City in the short term.

And your disciple, that king, can then complete the internal reorganization of the Shang nation, correct?”

Wen Zhong lowered his head with a sigh: “The Star Lord’s wisdom is sufficient to support the Heavenly Court’s rise from weakness, mediate among the Sages’ great teachings, and finally achieve unmatched fame, but Wen Zhong is merely a disciple of the Severance Teaching and a mortal Grand Preceptor—far from comparable to the Star-Lord.”

“These are just excuses.

Whenever one admits their powerlessness and says they are merely this or that, it’s a form of self-comfort, a commonly used means of escape.”

Li Changshou sighed: “Wen Zhong, you’ve already missed too many opportunities.

In you, I haven’t seen signs of the Heavenly Dao interfering with your thinking, so how have things come to this point?

Do you know how many beings in the Three Realms are cursing you now? Saying you single-handedly caused the deaths of many Severance Teaching immortals, dragging the Severance Teaching into the mortal affairs of the Southern Continent.”

“Where in the world are there perfect solutions,” Wen Zhong said softly, “Wen Zhong has failed the Severance Teaching, failed my master and ancestral master.”

“You have only failed yourself.”

Li Changshou’s voice softened somewhat: “What you’ve done is also a path chosen by the Severance Teaching—you’ve simply used each other.

Do you remember those words I spoke to you when I was still Grand Historian in Chaoge City?”

“I have never forgotten the Star Lord’s words.”

“Then why won’t you see reason?”

Li Changshou frowned and said: “I am a Star Lord of the Heavenly Court, a disciple of the Human Teaching, and also the manager of the Investiture of the Gods. From the perspectives of Heaven and Earth, the Dao School, and the Great Tribulation, I must maintain a neutral position.

Only in that Chaoge City did I deliberately try to enlighten you several times!

Of course, this was all just slight bias within the Heavenly Dao’s permitted range.”

Wen Zhong was full of confusion: “You… what did you point out?”

“What was the question I asked you most often? Think carefully.”

“This…”

Wen Zhong pondered for several moments, thought for a while, and calculated internally, then said: “It seems to have been, what should your ideal Great Shang be like?”

“Correct, what should your ideal Great Shang be like.”

Li Changshou sighed lightly several times: “At that time I was reminding you to at least envision a complete prospect, then use that prospect to convince those of like mind.

But you and King Zhou were good at external conquest and military force, internal cruel punishments, and pure intimidation.

King Zhou has grand aspirations, but how many in the world have aspirations? What use are they? Looking at it now, it’s nothing but having eyes bigger than one’s stomach!

You shouldn’t admire a young man who loudly proclaims his aspirations; you should pay attention to those strivers who work silently toward their goals.

As King Zhou’s teacher, you failed to fulfill a teacher’s responsibility.

As an important minister of the Human Emperor, you failed to offer strategies for governing the nation.

As a disciple of the Severance Teaching, you dragged Severance Teaching immortals into the Great Tribulation.

Wen Zhong, how do you view your positions as Junior Preceptor and Grand Preceptor? Have you ever thought in your heart about where exactly you want to lead Great Shang?

What kind of Great Shang do you want to create?

Reform is not reform for reform’s sake, nor is it an emergency remedy to save an ailing elder.

Do you know why so many nobles in Chaoge City fear King Zhou and fear you, Wen Zhong?

You never told them what kind of new Great Shang you wanted to establish; you only told them there was no place for them in the new Great Shang.

Why not try to get them to change too? To become your helpers?

To give the simplest example, why not win over and cultivate minor nobles, get them to voluntarily give up some powers, like abandoning evil practices such as burying slaves in tombs and hunting slaves, then let them squeeze out the great nobles—was there any need for King Zhou to use cruel punishments to intimidate?

Pedantic!

Foolish!”

“I…”

Wen Zhong trembled slightly, his old eyes reddening as he lowered his head with a long sigh. His knees slowly bent as he knelt down with bowed head.

“Please teach me, Grand Historian, please teach me!”

Li Changshou gave a cold laugh and continued: “Do you know why I came to scold you today?

Because you’re about to die.

Today’s battle will be your fatal moment—the Investiture Platform has long hung above your head.”

“Grand Historian…”

Wen Zhong’s voice trembled, his fists unconsciously clenching, then he said firmly: “If the Grand Historian can save His Majesty, Wen Zhong willingly goes to his death today! Willingly and without complaint!”

“My appearance today is because the current situation of Heaven and Earth has undergone some changes.”

Li Changshou leaned back in the Grand Preceptor’s chair, speaking earnestly:

“I don’t like King Zhou—he’s martially brave but irresolute, not a qualified Human Emperor.

But now, Heaven and Earth need him to try, to see if he can resist the Mandate of Heaven somewhat.

Not for long—ten years will suffice.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou threw a jade talisman before Wen Zhong.

“There are a few words inside—comprehend them yourself, however much you understand.

After your death, I will block the Investiture Platform briefly, giving you a chance to enter King Zhou’s dreams.

Use your death to awaken King Zhou—make one final attempt.

I won’t place any hope in King Zhou, nor will I have any pity for Great Shang. Today, act as if I was never here.”

As the words fell, Li Changshou’s form silently dispersed from the seat.

When Wen Zhong looked up, where was there any trace of Li Changshou? He hurriedly bent down to pick up the jade talisman and looked at it—the writing within was rapidly fading, so he quickly memorized those words.

When the writing had completely vanished, the jade talisman transformed into a jade pendant, and the dao charm around the great tent also dissipated with the wind.

Everything was like a dream.

As if he had been imagining it all.

Something occurred to Wen Zhong, and he immediately stood up, crushed the jade pendant in his hand, and stored the fragments in the storage treasure in his sleeve.

After pondering for several moments, Wen Zhong digested the various words within, then let out a light breath.

Outside the tent, the sunlight was just right, showing traces of fine dust.

Wen Zhong walked step by step toward the outside of the tent, and around his body seemed to appear layer upon layer of phantom images, revealing various scenes.

‘From now on I shall call the Grand Preceptor teacher, from now on please guide me much, disciple Zi Shou will certainly follow the teacher’s guidance to become an accomplished ruler.’

‘Teacher, look at how I can lift this cauldron!’

‘Teacher, I am so full of hate! So full of hate! Ministers collude with vassals, nobles secretly communicate—could it be the ancestors’ foundation will be destroyed in my hands!’

‘What should I do—calling myself “this one” and “we” don’t bring their fear, and who would truly show three parts respect for this title of king?’

‘Teacher, how much destiny remains for Great Shang?’

‘Teacher…’

‘Teacher…’

“Master, what’s wrong?”

Wen Zhong was awakened from his trance, looked toward his disciple who had transmitted the magic, and revealed a kindly smile.

“How are the army’s preparations?”

“The three armies are ready, arranged in battle formation. We can engage in close combat with the Zhou army in one hour.”

Wen Zhong slowly nodded, accepting the golden whip presented by a soldier at his side, and leaped onto Ink Qilin’s back.

“Let the drum sounds be louder, I can’t hear them!”

“Yes!”

In the clouds, Li Changshou’s paper avatar sat quietly, conjuring a low table from clouds and mist, taking out a jar of Jade Pool’s special brew, drinking alone in the high sky.

A killing air filled Heaven and Earth, the black mass of people seemed to add seven or eight feet to the Earth’s thickness.

Who knows who let out the first shout—bowstrings twanged in waves, chariot wheels rolled continuously, strange beasts neighed, horse hooves thundered in waves, hundreds of thousands of mortals roared together, streams of blood qi rushing skyward.

The great battle had begun.

Immortals mixed among mortal auras, flying swords taking lives, magical treasures dazzling;

Each battle general had the valor to match a thousand horses, groups upon groups of warriors swinging heavy hammers, sweeping away enemy troops like dried twigs.

Shang nation, Zhou nation, Severance Teaching, Enlightenment Teaching—both sides displayed their abilities, fighting in deadly struggle.

Both sides had Qi Refiners like Wen Zhong, deeply entangled in mortal affairs and unable to extricate themselves, now ignoring the karmic bonds entangling them as they used magic to kill enemies.

There was no other reason—they were all small immortals who had lost themselves amid calls of “Immortal Master” and “Senior.”

Meanwhile, those like Yang Jian, Nezha, and Thunder Child focused on competing with Severance Teaching immortals, not touching mortals.

Look at that Wen Zhong, riding the Ink Qilin with his vertical eye opened on his forehead, his golden whip defeating more than ten Enlightenment Teaching immortals in succession, seemingly about to tear open a gap in the Zhou army’s battle formation.

Suddenly thunder crashed as Thunder Child attacked from the left, his body wrapped in lightning, his Diamond Rod steadily blocking Wen Zhong.

Wen Zhong directly ignited his Primordial Spirit, recklessly killing in all directions;

The Shang army’s morale surged greatly, the entire army pressing forward, regardless of how mysterious the Zhou army’s formations were or how sharp the traps before their formations.

After half a day of slaughter, blood flowed like rivers.

By dusk, West Qi City had fallen.

The Shang soldiers’ eyes were red with killing, but the Zhou army’s remnants were quite tenacious, fighting while retreating, actually surrounding the Shang elite forces near West Qi City’s east gate.

The Shang army’s remaining forces suddenly received Wen Zhong’s order to retreat, carrying some confusion as they each withdrew toward the nearest fortress.

After they withdrew, two armies killed their way to West Qi City’s outskirts from south and north—two allied armies of vassals who had “happened” to arrive.

Inside West Qi City, Wen Zhong led the remnant forces in desperate battle—his disciples had fallen, and his beloved generals had perished.

The Ink Qilin was shattered by Yang Jian’s punch.

The golden whip was knocked away by Nezha’s Fire-Tipped Spear.

The divine light shot from Wen Zhong’s vertical eye couldn’t harm Thunder Child’s wind and thunder wings.

Those more than ten Severance Teaching Qi Refiners who suddenly rushed to aid were steadily blocked by Enlightenment Teaching immortals, becoming more than ten piles of tribulation ash.

“Wen Zhong!”

Jiang Shang sat on the back of the strange beast Sibuxiang, wearing plain white clothes, surrounded by several layers of warriors condensed from magical arts for protection, holding a wooden whip as he shouted at Wen Zhong:

“You were originally an otherworldly immortal, why do you still aid King Zhou’s tyranny?

Now that you’re trapped in deadly straits, why not surrender and lay down your arms? Considering your loyalty and virtue, your life can be spared!”

“Hmph!”

Wen Zhong gave a cold snort, and the few hundred armored soldiers remaining behind him also glared at Jiang Shang.

“Nothing but treasonous subjects! How dare you speak such wild words! Where is that Huang Feihu, come out here!”

Jiang Shang shouted: “You don’t recognize Heaven’s numbers and remain obstinately unenlightened! That King Zhou is tyrannical, having lost virtue, lost trust, lost heart! King Wu Cheng couldn’t endure it and came to Zhou to join a bright ruler—what wrong is there in that?

Perhaps you don’t know that King Zhou tried to take advantage of King Wu Cheng’s wife while drunk? Even forcing her to jump from a high building!”

“Hahaha, hahaha!”

Wen Zhong’s eyes were full of desolation as he raised his head and cursed:

“How this matter truly was, we Qi Refiners know crystal clear!

King Zhou’s rear palace has but a few consorts—if he were truly one who coveted female beauty, how could this be so?

Huang Feihu!

Can you truly face His Majesty’s high regard for you, face these two characters ‘Wu Cheng’ on your shoulders!”

“Different paths cannot work together.”

Jiang Shang raised his wooden whip high, about to bring it down on Wen Zhong.

“Wait!”

A low shout, and a sound of armor rubbing, Huang Feihu came riding the Five-Colored Divine Bull, flipping down from the bull’s back, lifting his robe’s hem as he slowly knelt on one knee.

“Feihu has failed the Grand Preceptor, but not His Majesty!”

Wen Zhong cursed in anger: “You treasonous minister!”

Huang Feihu clasped his hands, pain in his eyes as he slowly closed them: “Feihu will send the Grand Preceptor on his way.”

Wen Zhong gave a bitter laugh, the anger in his eyes receding somewhat as he looked around, his gaze sweeping over the various divine generals in the Zhou army, sweeping over the numerous Enlightenment Teaching immortals hidden among the Zhou forces.

Great Tribulation, Mandate of Heaven.

“When will this Mandate of Heaven become the mandate of humans.”

Wen Zhong muttered, his eyes gaining several parts of serenity.

He suddenly showed an angry expression, his form exploding upward, striking a palm toward Huang Feihu!

From the side suddenly surged fire light, a stone pillar glowing red throughout appeared behind Wen Zhong, chains appearing upon it that forcibly pulled back Wen Zhong’s body.

Fire dragons spat tongues of flame, fire light rising vertically, causing many mortals to continuously retreat.

Wen Zhong’s form was immediately swallowed by the flames, unable to make half a sound before instantly turning to ashes.

A wisp of residual soul leaked out from the firelight, directly escaping into the void.

In the clouds, Li Changshou raised his hand slightly, and Wen Zhong’s residual soul suddenly vanished as the Investiture Platform’s divine power showed a moment’s stagnation.

At the same time, in the Shang King’s palace in Chaoge City.

Within several layers of pink curtains, King Zhou, who was embracing a jade beauty in sleep, suddenly broke out in cold sweat on his forehead, his eyes trembling lightly.

‘Your Majesty, Your Majesty…’

‘Grand Preceptor! Grand Preceptor, why are your armor and clothes so withered?’

‘Your Majesty, this is in a dream.

This old minister, alas, died today within West Qi City, but Your Majesty need not grieve too much—this old minister can still go to that Investiture Platform, not truly dead, merely returning to the immortal realm.

To make a long story short, this old minister has but a moment’s chance in this dream, and has excellent strategies for governing the nation to report to Your Majesty!

This old minister has failed the teaching, failed my master, yet uniquely does not wish to fail Your Majesty. Please listen carefully, do not miss half a word.

First strategy: blame yourself, announce throughout Shang territory, examining your faults.

This old minister’s death is an opportunity—Your Majesty can push all blame onto this old minister, speaking of how this old minister previously used evil magic to bewitch and so on. Now cruel punishments can no longer suppress those vassals and nobles, instead becoming their evidence to speak of Your Majesty’s loss of virtue.

Second strategy: gather merchants, unite the merchants around yourself—what we did before was far from enough…’

In the dream, Wen Zhong spoke each word rapidly yet quite clearly.

The next morning.

King Zhou woke shouting “Grand Preceptor” three times, weeping endlessly on his bed until he vomited blood and fainted.

On the Investiture Platform, Wen Zhong stood silently, looking bewilderedly at the familiar figures around him who were smilingly gazing at him, unable to help to give a long sigh as he lowered his head and made a Daoist bow.

“Sinful immortal of the Severance Teaching, Wen Zhong, hereby requests punishment.”

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