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Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 66

This chapter is titled "A Hero Vows Redemption Upon a Moonlighten Night; A Dragon of Justice Rises from a Sea Filled with Shame". As the unfortunate prince experienced unparalleled pain in such drastic circumstances, he wasted little time in using the Heaven Overturning Stamp to free his lower body from the mountain's grip; and as he was thus free, he swallowed another silver elixer pill to heal his broken body, at which he then mounted his cloud and continued to the east. To his continued detriment, however, mist as white as snow suddenly blinded his eyes from the recently experienced dark of night, as he continued, followed by four metal chains, which lunged from the terrain beneath, wrapping around Yin Jiao's heels and throwing him to the ground. As he struggled to break free from this hold, the chains suddenly began to expand from the earth, wrapping themselves around both of his legs as if being that of a snake. Using his Soul Dropping Bell to stall the chains from expanding to even greater lengths--even though still presently remaining tight around his body--Jiang Ziya suddenly appeared before Yin Jiao's face, content with having captured the runaway prince. Unfortunately for the prince, he had tredded upon a mountain that distinctively possessed metal chains beneath the earth that could be effectively controlled by the hands of any member of Jie Taoism; and as Jiang Ziya had specifically constructed this mountain solely for protecting the lands of the Western Foothills from a neighboring distance, he allowed Yin Jiao to continue on his pathway to the east without having to stop him with his own hands -- which was unexpectedly an impossible task otherwise. Presently, King Wu appeared atop his stallion--having been stationed upon a neighboring vicinity for viewing purposes before Yin Jiao's capture--with Grand Completion by his side. Approaching the captive and being told who he was, King Wu forced the Prime Minister aside and kneeled before Yin Jiao, stating that he would gladly give his life and suffer for 10,000 years in the face of the latter's humiliating condition, while ordering Jiang Ziya not to harm the prince in any form. In retortion, Jiang Ziya boldly stated that even though Yin Jiao is a status symbol before the entire country and its inhabitants, he has opposed the "Will of Heaven", and thus must be put to the sword in the name of true justice. Even with consecutive orders to pardon Yin Jiao from such a fate, the malignant Prime Minister refuted every request, handing Grand Completion his sword, to deliver the fatal blow.

With readiful resolve to put an end to his dangerous disciple--who could risk the entire death of the Western Foothills if allowed to live--Grand Completion presently approached the captive with sword in hand, while Yin Jiao, frantic to escape such circumstances, for the sake of his ambitions and the will of the people, suddenly revealed the Heaven Overturning Stamp within his sleeve, striking it before his master's face and causing the latter to flinch with an intense gravitational pull upon his body. As Yin Jiao immediately followed with a slash from his golden halberd, Grand Completion, with tears gushing from his eyes, shattered the former's blade to pieces with his right arm, and extending his fatal blade with the right, piercing Yin Jiao's throat and rendering his body motionless. Remaining upright after such a fatal blow, Yin Jiao eye's gazed resolutely at his master with the final remaining moment of life that he still possessed, while he dropped the activated Heaven Overturning Stamp from his hand, stepping upon it with his feet; and as it hit the ground, the metal within the mountain equally reacted to the immediate change in pressure, causing the terrain to immediately collapse in a large ripple effect as the magical energy transfered through the metal, as if being electricity. As Yin Jiao unleashed one final grin of achievement right before death, the mountain collapsed in all entirity, causing Jiang Ziya and the others to be buried like sand from within. Alas! Yin Jiao thus died, remembered by the people of China as a true hero, sacrificing his every ounce of life energy to destroy the country's evil in the face of the suffering populace and the war-torn hearts of all that inhabit it.

As Yin Jiao's spirit took flight through the skies and gazed down upon the enormous reckage as a result to the mountain's collapse, the prince was justifiably infuriated that his ambitions have been evidentially sullied, but was still relieved that the rebel commander is indeed dead, allowing him some form of opportunity to easily take the Western Foothills if any new body is to be found. In resolution to this, the first worry that struck Yin Jiao was seeing whether his respectable comrades had succeeded in their initial defense of the Shang encampment; but as he arrived to inspect, corpses laid desolate along the region's perimeter, with his encampment having been breached and desolated in all entirity. Seeing the evidence that many soldiers of Shang had scattered to variable distances after the dominant use of fire, Yin Jiao wrathfully altered the clouds of the sky and uprooted neighboring trees, as he loudly lamented the death of his fellow allies. Following this incident of lamenting, Yin Jiao realized that some form of gravitational force was pulling him in the direction of the east, and nonetheless resisted such a force, arriving before the grounds of Capital Morning Song and searching widely for his father, who he intended on seeing, as opposed to initially killing him, which would provide a heavy weight of populace support to the side of Zhou, considering that his aspirations to be seen as the country's influence would be harmed by such circumstances, and recovery would be almost impossible. Therefore, Yin Jiao eventually found his father--who was presently dozing off by means of heavy drinking outside the Happy Terrace--and stood before his father, informing him of his identity, the past circumstances taken place within the Western Foothills, and that the able and powerful should be convinced to negotiate and tear apart the Zhou influence -- for by no other means is such a resolution possible. Following this, Yin Jiao created an enormous gust of wind, soared through the skies, and arrived before the Terrace of Creation in which his body was innately drawn towards; at this initial point in time, Yin Jiao allowed himself entry within the terrace, after being elaborated to by the guardian, knowing that even with Jiang Ziya dead, he did not possess any actual body or magical item to reinforce his authority. The crown prince thus took rest, vowing upon the moonlighten night that he would rest for the time being, awaiting the moment in which he will be able to reinforce his eternal ambitions once again.

The following morning, King Zhou sat concentrated on the message that he received from his "deceased" son, but nonetheless grew frenziful when receiving an urgent report that stated that Crown Prince Yin Jiao was indeed present on the battlefield; and as the worst possible circumstances would have it, he and that of Zhang Shan had both been killed while in the ultimate attempt of destroying the Western Foothills. Unhesitant to act in some means of retortion to this detriment, King Zhou immediately held a council within the Royal Hall, where he announced the entire situation before every minister, accordingly asking who should be chosen as the following expeditionary commander to enact vengeance. In response to this, Supreme Minister Li Deng stepped forward from the others, stating that Commander Hong Jin of Sanshan Pass possesses both unparalleled magicaly capability and is additionally successful in military strategy -- someone who should thus be employed and tasked with such an obligation. Initially accepting this recommendation, King Zhou sent a messenger with royal decree to Sanshan Pass, where Hong Jin accepted the proposal, equipped himself with the Commander's Seal and 100,000 soldiers, and appointed his subordinate--Kong Xuan--as Sanshan's new head guardian. He then took leave of the pass and lead his army towards the direction of the Western Foothills.

At the present time at which Crown Prince Yin Jiao gave his final stand by collapsing the Western Foothill's Guardian Mountain, Grand Completion and the others were initially buried by the rubble that encased upon them, but the former immediately deployed thousands of lotus flowers that protected them from the weight of the rocks' pressure, escaping with both Jiang Ziya and King Wu before any furthered amount of detriment could result. Regardless, both Jiang Ziya and Grand Completion were heavily wounded, and were thus handed by Zhou generals silver elixer pills that were retrieved from the fallen Shang encampment, which were previously identified by the Prime Minister as only being consumable by a man of immortal characteristics. The Zhou soldiers had also located the respective grave of Luo Xuan and freed the citizens that were held by Yin Jiao, so proclamations were immediately spread about the city that appeased the people from their strife, and reconstruction immediately took place within Phoenix City as many days passed by in conviction. Meanwhile, Hong Jin and his army of 100,000 had made their way deeply into the Western Foothills after a straight week of marching, where they presently made themselves an encampment secluded within a forest region that laid to the south. Scouts were then sent to report on the current circumstances present within Phoenix City. After some time, information had been received that many escorts of provisions, silver, and iron were being transported regularly, and many soldiers were being drilled apart from one another in variable regions, suggesting that the Western Foothill's were quick on their feet to ensure that further invasion was well-defended from, and that such an opportunity to strike shouldn't be avoided. Thus, Hong Jin distributed his soldiers to specific strategic positions, drilled the sword, bow, and spear units beneath his command, and ordered General Ji Kang to take the field the following morning. As dawn arrived the next day, Ji Kang marched a grand army of 70,000 soldiers before Phoenix City, ordering his soldiers to pounce upon its western gates and besiege it as quickly as physically employable. At this initial time, General Nangong Kuo charged through the gates that presently suffered from besiegement and furiously ordered his unit of 20,000 to fit arrows to their bows and barrage the Shang soldiers from the city's walls, additionally meeting Ji Kang one-on-one, prepared to fight to the death if the need be.

Ji Kang, relatively being overwhelmed by Nangong Kuo's stand of desperation and rage, presently recited many incantations, causing an enormous cloud of darkness to appear directly above his respective head, at which a wolf of bronze fur lunged from the darkness, piercing its fangs into Nangong's flesh and rendering him screaming in pain. Ji Kang then stabbed his sword relentlessly upon the wounded warrior, causing Sun Yanhong, who gazed at such a sight from the city walls, to spray an enormous torrent of fire down upon Ji Kang, who initially fled in great surprise at such a display, knowing that such a monster may have been the justification as to why the Shang encampment's remnants were found as being mainly nothing more than deeply incinerated ashes. Ordering his soldiers to retreat less they were to be killed in mass by this incredible beast, Ji Kang and the Shang army fled the day, and Nangong Kuo was immediately carried back into the Zhou encampment, where he was treated. As the circumstances involving Sun Yanhong's appearance was presently reported to Hong Jin after the time at which Ji Kang effectively returned to his commander's encampment, Hong Jin was delighted that the source of the previously seen catastrophy had now been filled in with partial evidence, and he thus chose to send General Bai Xianzhong to due battle the following day with 10,000 pikemen and crossbowmen alike, while meanwhile forming a fixed strategy on how to destroy such a beast and its conspirators.

As the warrior of Shang approached Phoenix City's gates, he aligned his pikemen in a pincer formation, while his respective bowmen formed towers out of mounds of mud in the rear, so as to have a mounted position that would allow them to spray upon the enemy soldiers like rain. With these formations having been aligned, Deng Jiugong alone commanded a frontal army of half the number; and after failing in the controversial attempt to convince Xianzhong that his course of action will only result in death, Deng Jiugong fearlessly charged upon the enemy's pincer formation, ordering his fire-arrow ambush units on his right and left to clear a pathway of fire that would separate the opposing pikemen from his body. As the pincer formation became distorted by this show of unexpected bravery, Deng Jiugong whipped his noble steed until he obtained great agility, at which he closed in upon the enemy commander--who remained at the middle--and felled him in a single cut of his blade, presently fending off volleys of arrows at the same initial time. As Deng Jiugong ordered his soldiers to then begin to spray their flaming arrows upon the mounds of mud, the morale of the Shang soldiers diminished, and they fled back to their encampment while Jiugong took the enemy commander's head and made his return to Phoenix City, much to the praise of Jiang Ziya, who ordered the head to be hung upon a pole before the city gates as a showing of their conviction. As Hong Jin was naturally distressed to hear of such a detriment upon hearing report, he still relatively harbored a very keen interest in the capable men of the Western Foothill rebel faction, and more than anything desired to visit their city personally, where he would be able to engage in some form of controversy.

The following day, Hong Jin equipped his body with full-plated armor and led an enormous front before the eastern gates of Phoenix City; and as Jiang Ziya and his men exited the city gates to repel this enemy force, Hong Jin took notice of the rebel army being of perfect discipline, consisting of many a general and celestial, who showed such a look of resolve and furiosity that the Shang commander grinned in admiration. Approaching Jiang Ziya and receiving his name with full respect, Hong Jin began by informing the Prime Minister that he has been sent by royal order of King Zhou to cease their rebellion and make ultimate peace between both of their respective factions.

"I am Senior Advisor of the Leftern House, Hong Jin, and I come before you today to put forth an agreement that can settle our differences in a manner differing from lowly barbaricy. As I see that your army is of perfect discipline and formation, yet you carry the name of a rebel, it is obvious that you possess hatred towards the name of King Zhou and intend on his overthrownment. Now would it ultimately benefit your position by using moral influence to strengthen the swords of your soldiers and create a furthered amount of chaos in this country? I see such an action as being nothing less than folly, as you and your people consider yourselves men of peace that await the times, but in reality, you are treacherous snakes that wish to bite back at your master! Have you taken into consideration the consequence in acting in such a manner? You may possess the capacity to overthrow the dynasty and declare yourselves as heroes, but is barbaric violence truly something that you should carry out as if being nothing less than a normality? In the name of justice, I cannot allow someone such as yourself to destroy the Shang Dynasty and bind the people's minds to petty delusions of grandeur and peace. If you value your life and the hearts of your people, I order you to throw down your weapons and speak of submission: for what can animals such as yourself perform against men of my ability, other than using celestials as tools to carry out your own evils?"

Smiling with an aura of great resolve, Jiang Ziya responded: "So, the common class general of the Shang forces declares me as being a rebel of the country and someone who should ultimately be eliminated for the sake of the greater good. I am nothing more than a simple Taoist-man that has risen up in the name of Heaven, and I will strike down anything that opposes such a will, even if I am forced to destroy every last one of your kind with the sword that rests at my side. The will of Heaven is vast, and I am the figurehead of destiny that has been ordered to strike down the evil Shang Dynasty and its ruler, so that my benevolent ruler King Wu can rise up and rightfully claim the throne as his! You state my intentions as being nothing less than a passing whim held by a barbarian, yet how can you deny the resolve of my blade as being delusions of peace when I possess the full capability to create such peace?! I am a ruler among men, and nothing can deny what I have chosen to do for this country, as my actions will create a future that everyone shall prosper from, no matter what needs to be sacrificed within the process. My people fight as my arms and legs, and I treasure them the same: How can one such as yourself dare talk of justice when my actions are for righteousness and universal happiness!"

Laughing aloud in full determination, Hong Jin boldly stated: "So it seems that you believe yourself to be a hero of the common man, and use your direct followers as evidence to prove that what you are doing is for the best possible resolution to the present circumstances. Is that not nothing less than truly pathetic--eh? You foolish ape for a human! It seems that no reason can diminish that disparity within your breast, and that you are determined more than anything to bring this country to a greater height of chaos, simply due to your own petty views of justice! Righteousness, love, honor, resolve -- are these words that you truly believe will somehow save the people from their consistent despair, and that you will be seen as a hero among men? Listen to reason, you useless old fool! Even if you are able to destroy the Shang Dynasty with the backing of those evil righteous-driven celestials, think that I will simply stand down and allow your actions to pave a pathway of destruction through this country, in face of my ultimate duty and reputation beneath the sword of Shang?! If you refuse to set aside your delusions even in the face of reason, then I have little other choice then to show that my blade has been carved from the blood of thousands of rebels, and you shall simply be another corpse that litters the death-paved ground of shame once my justice tears open your very heart!"

With these words having been spoken, Hong Jin resolutely ordered his pikemen and spear units to charge to his right and left as they advanced to the enemy's position from the front; his bowmen would begin to construct forts to the south and north to use as fortifications; and the mounted cavalry would create a wide pincer formation around the rebel army, expanding the effectiveness of Hong Jin's forward charge. As Hong Jin neared Jiang Ziya's position, he would be momentarily confronted by the 72nd son of King Wu, known as Wu Shimeng, who was naturally of intense physical ability, and thus subsequently able to beat back Hong Jin's assault with only a small unit of soldiers. Seeing that this new foe possessed a high level of strength to back his resolve, Hong Jin concluded that such a confrontation would not prove fruitful by means of his own martial prowess, and he thus gave a signal with his right hand before stabbing his silver flag into the ground, at which he ran inside of a void door that appeared to his right. With this void door having been opened, Wu Shimeng knew not what fate would befall him if he were to enter; but as such circumstances opened an opportunity for him to potentially seize the head of the enemy commander, he unhesitatingly charged onward through the door. Little could he actually comprehend, however, is that Hong Jin immediately took to hiding as he was present within his void; and by the time at which Shimeng had entered, the Shang commander's cutless fell upon him like a heavy guiotene, slicing the general into two vertical halves and subsequently placing fear into the hearts of Jiang Ziya and each of his subordinates.

As Hong Jin exited his void door and resumed it to its original state as a flag, he began to loudly boast before Jiang Ziya: "You stated earlier that you possess the full capability to create peace within this country, yet how can one deny the power that I wield as being something subtle and easily conquered, even as one of your men have now reached River Sphynx and cry out in resent at their own unknowing! If you wish to take my life and continue with your petty ambitions of grandeur, then call forth those worthless celestials of chaos and use them to your present advantage, otherwise the scent of blood shall echo throughout the countryside as my blade erases your every cell of existence! Don't take me lightly, you barbarian: I have slain thousands of rebels with this resolved sword of justice, and your streaming blood shall simply be another passing page in history, while I shall be looked upon as this country's true hero!" With this having been spoken, Hong Jin re-awakened his void door and disappeared within, concentrating every ounce of his magical energy to sprout from the ground beasts comprised of dark matter, who roamed across the battlefield in enormous number, tearing apart soldiers of the Rebel Army limb by limb. As these beasts were a part of Hong Jin's subconscious, he was forced to remain in a meditative state while within the void; but with Deng Chanyu's immediate and brave showing of agility, she was able to scatter many soldiers of Shang before entering the door that held the commander, barraging him with a multitude of reinforced pebbles and subsequently causing Hong Jin to yell out in thriving pain and despair. Attempting to grab ahold of her body with his Hands of Darkness, he had already maxed out the majority of his remaining energy and struggled in such an attempt, causing Ji Kang to initially pierce forward like a shadow and purge the entire battlefield in mist. Taking ahold of his wounded master while in the midst of such a showing, Ji Kang ordered a full-scale retreat back to their encampment, thus scoring for Jiang Ziya a moderate but resentful victory.

As Ji Kang and the rest of the Shang forces had returned to their respective encampment, Hong Jin had immediately treated his wounds with advanced medicine and rested for the evening, vowing that he would unconditionally dispose of the woman that had given him such deep wounds, ultimately for the sake of his credibility. Acting upon these words, Hong Jin departed from the encampment the following afternoon, taking with him a 3,000-strong unit of archers to back his assault, determined to solely tear apart Deng Chanyu, the woman who had humiliated him so deeply. As Hong Jin appeared before the eastern gates of Phoenix City shortly following and ordered the appearance of the "rock-throwing whore", Princess Long Ji, who had taken ear to the ability of Hong Jin's flag and had happened to possess a weapon that could counter such a detriment, rode from the city gates and confronted Hong Jin upon Jiang Ziya's consent. As Hong Jin was both enraged at the fact that Deng Chanyu refused to show her face, but satisfied that he could enact his revenge on another respective arm of the rebel commander, he initially awakened his void and ran inside, preparing to unleash the largest amount of dark energy that he could sum forth, tearing his enemy into pieces. To his shock, a large silver portal carrying Princess Long Ji was suddenly awakened from within the void, and she strode outside with incredible speed, smashing Hong Jin's back with such force that his armor shattered to pieces, additionally throwing him a great distance before he had reattained his footing. In a state of great panic, Hong Jin abandoned his flag and fled to the north on his mount, ordering his 3,000 archers in ambush to unleash volleys of arrows at Long Ji, who was presently in pursuit at the rear. Returning to a natural state of mind and fully confident that the woman could never survive such a heavy onslaught, Hong Jin steadied his horse and turned to look at his opponent; but to his intense fear and dismay, the Shang soldiers fell in masses as Long Ji unleashed from her magical vase an enormous sum of fire, which had been originally obtained during Luo Xuan's former attack upon Phoenix City. Gazing all around him and seeing trees falling apart with flames scattered to the very skies, Hong Jin, no matter how bold, wished to live another day, and frantically sped his horse to the north until he had reached the North Sea, at which he dismounted, throwing into the waters an imperial seal that was granted to him by noble birth, carrying with it the will of ancestors.

As the waters began to part from one another with violent waves churning consistently, an enormous guardian dragon leaped from the depths of the ocean, allowing Hong Jin to mount it as if he were its master. With Long Ji having caught up to him his position, Hong Jin stood atop his beast and loudly proclaimed before his opponent: "You are a mere tiger that has been uncaged by a rebel who wishes to overthrow the country, and you still consider yourself as being superior to I, a man of true noble birth who even the skies proclaim as their equal! Is the present situation not anything less than laughable?! I am a man that has been chosen by the Shang Dynasty to lead the masses to unconditional victory, never severing my path of duty nor giving up in the face of any opposition! You on the otherhand are nothing more than a test-animal who has been granted supreme power at birth, while at the same time you prove yourself as being too incompetent in knowing how to wield such a power, even to the extent that you shamelessly attempt to take the life of one such as I, known by all as a man of justice! If you give in now and show to me that your life is better off saving than to meet a humiliating death in the face of service beneath a deluded man of the common class, then I shall treat you as if you are my own right arm, an individual who deserves respect and gratitude, and someone who is treasured by the people alike as being a hero that has awakened from ignorance.

My ancestors have long been known throughout the land as prodigies, individuals of both great talent and respect, and saviors of nations and kingdoms, never allowing themselves to falter or give in to unfavored circumstance, but living on to fight for their resolve another day, destroying any opposition to the throne and securing themselves as men of true repute! Set your eyes upon reason and become a beacon of light as my ancestors have shown themselves to be: only then shall you make a name for yourself in this pathetic country gutted with every whim of evil and become a figurehead that is deserving of praise and power! My conviction for the people has never decayed even after so many years of service beneath a land dreaded with incompetency: think that I will simply give in to a force driven with nothing else than unconditional barbarity and lose an opportunity at guiding the masses with the power and authority that resides within these very fingertips?! The circumstances are futile for any means of victory, as even the gods have answered my noble call, and together we shall both strike down the evil in this country and blossom the future as a sword of unparalleled conviction and truth!"

In response to this, Princess Long Ji approached the sea that stood before her and casted into it her own hereditary seal, effectively summoning forth an enormous dolphin-like creature that bordered the size of Hong Jin's dragon. Mounting her respective beast, Princess Long Ji began to shout: "As you are indeed a man worthy of my respect and admiration, I shall tell you my name and title. I am none other than other than the daughter of Golden Mother of Jade Pond, Princess Long Ji, wielder of the 10,000-armed vase! Now that you are competent of my position in this world, by what means could I betray the expectations of my mother and all who serve under my right arm, simply to save my own present life? What you state is not the present way of things, as Jiang Ziya is a man guided by Heaven, destined to allocate freedom to the people and reign forth an era of unparalleled peace! No matter how noble you believe yourself to be, the will of my lord and the aspirations of the people are something that you shall never understand, and the waves of the time shall ensure that a person of greater capability rises up and seizes peace for all, and that man is Jiang Ziya! How dare you speak of delusion when you yourself are the one who is ignorant of the present circumstances! I refuse to give in to your swindler ways of trickery!"

"It is a sad state of affairs to see a woman of your beauty succumb to such a shallow understanding of this country and the figureheads that are essential in running its every ligament. Can you not comprehend that even with such a position of influence, you are nothing more than an animal bound in rope that longs to see the light of freedom, feeling every form of resentment as you are forced to unconditionally follow petty codes of filialty? If you are unable to awaken from your primitive ways of thought and see my absolute reasoning, than you are fated to be regarded within history as a fool who was destroyed out of nothing less than their own blindness and irrationality. Do you intend on such a detrimental resolution as being your fate within this world? I would hardly consider that as being reasonable by any means, as you will thus have tained any reputation you previously possessed with the blood of resent and ignorance, forever looked upon as a mere nobody that was unable to adapt to the times, let alone crushed by a man of unparalleled repute such as myself."

With this having been spoken, Hong Jin leapt to the skies atop his one-mile long golden-scaled dragon and fell upon Long Ji's beast with incredible speed and valor, tearing apart the dolphin's upperbody and etching the sea with a coating of blood. With this having been initiated, Hong Jin's dragon began to bear its heavy fangs into the flesh of Long Ji's dolphin; and taking advantage of this situation, Hong Jin leaped upon his foe and landed a crucial blow to her flesh with his sword. Taking immediate advantage of this, Long Ji pressed Hong Jin aside with all her might and ordered her Dragon Binding Rope to bind the Shang commander's body and effectively render him immobilized. Struggling to free himself with every ounce of strength as the rope tightly began to bind his ligaments from any form of movement, Long Ji grabbed ahold of Hong Jin and quickly fled back to Phoenix City, the same initial time being forced to evade many consistent attacks by his dragon, which burned with a great flushing of rage over the position of its master. Nonetheless, Long Ji was able to safely return to her respective city, at which she threw Hong Jin before the very feet of Jiang Ziya.

Categorized Events

 * The Guardian Mountain's treachery; Prince Yin Jiao's last resort
 * Meeting with King Zhou; A vow upon moonlight is elaborated
 * Political contention is aroused; Commander Hong Jin takes leave with Seal
 * Ji Kang's assault upon Phoenix City; Deng Jiugong's valiant showing against General Bai Xianzhong
 * Hong Jin takes the field in battle; The controversy between philosophies develops
 * Activation of void door; Dark matter creates universal chaos
 * Deng Chanyu's brave stand; the Shang army's forced retreat
 * Hong Jin's newly developed hatred towards Deng Chanyu
 * The retortion of Princess Long Ji; Fire is initiated from a legendary vase
 * Summoning of ancestral dragon of Hong; The words of reason
 * Mystics clash upon heightened waves; The Shang commander is humiliated through capture

封神演義/卷066


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Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 67

This chapter is titled "The Outspoken Warrior is Granted Honors of Lordship; Royalty and Justice Become Twisted to Circumstance". As Jiang Ziya took the hands of Long Ji and bowed before her in respect and acknowledgement at having captured the enemy commander, he then gazed before the humiliated Hong Jin--who was presently still bound to the Dragon Binding Rope--and stated: "So, this justice of yours seems to have brought about nothing less than failure and defeat at the hands of a superior enemy, while you now stand before me as figure of humiliation that was unable to uphold his bold words. What can you state now, General? I control your life within my very fingertips and possess the complete jurisdiction to end it at this moment if I were to will for it. As your boldness and conviction surpass any other warrior that I have confronted within the past, I indeed express my utmost respect towards your noble cause, even though it is distorted, confused, and all together misled. With this having been stated, I shall allow your life to end honorably, for you have proven to be true to your conviction and dreams -- and that is reason enough to allow for you the death of a hero who believed in his own words, as we both are so little apart in our manner of thought, no matter what another may dare state. Guards, away with him to the grounds of execution!" However, as Hong Jin was brought to the grounds of execution and fully prepared for his life to meet the sword, a Taoist-man by the name of Heavenly Matchmaker arrived in a sweat, ordering the executioner to ready his hand, as Incantations Immortal of Jade Pond has provided written decree stating that Long Ji and Hong Jin are destined by Heaven to join in marriage. With these words having been passed on to Jiang Ziya, he initially went to see Heavenly Matchmaker, forthwith leading him to the residence of Long Ji so as to come to a justified conclusion on how to respond to the mandate involving her marriage.

Upon entry into the princess's residence, Heavenly Matchmaker and Jiang Ziya approached Long Ji, at which the former began: "My lady! I am humiliated at the fact that I could not approach you with this matter at a sooner time, but our respective master Incantion has only just recently received written decree stating you are to be married to Shang Commander Hong Jin so as to secure peace between both respective factions; and I have consequently arrived with the most immediate of speed, intent on employing the command of our lord. However, your words, my lady, shall determine whether such a resolution is to come about, as I am nothing more than a stone in the riverside in comparison to your nobility and reputation, and will willingly meet the sword if you are to express refusal with this demand." As Long Ji was relatively shocked to hear of such a sudden report and the inappropriate time at which it had been produced, she was nonetheless inclined to accept such a proposal, as she not only began to subtly fall in attraction to the young Hong Jin and his great ambition but also came to the realization that he would be more useful alive than not. As both Jiang Ziya and Matchmaker were elated to hear of Long Ji's consention, Hong Jin was freed from his bonds shortly and escorted to the Shang encampment for the sake of rallying his soldiers into a mutual surrender.

Hong Jin, intense with despair and humiliation in effect to having not only been captured by the rebel forces, but left alive simply to attest his own usefulness to a distorted cause, enraged him internally as he approached the Shang encampment and called his generals to an audience. In a loud voice, Hong Jin began: "To my great disfavor and detriment, my entire contingent had been torn asunder by the hands of a single woman, and even the ancestral dragon that has supported me since my very birth failed to bring me an ultimate victory. Thrown before the feet of Jiang Ziya and taken away for beheadment, my life was saved by a single commanding whim held by one of their barbaric celestials, and now I have succumbed to the humiliation of marrying the one woman who caused my defeat or otherwise meet the sword in death. Who could have ever considered that I would be torn apart by petty magic tricks and forced to my very throat to support the arms and legs of a deluded rebel of the common class! My men, you have all stood by me as true heroes alike that fight for a greater good, but alas, the circumstances have been twisted against any means of our success, and we have no other choice than to lend support to this rebel faction and ultimately throw our names from the path of gods to that of peasants. Nonetheless, my comrades, I will find a way in which we can tear these bonds of animal skin from our bodies and ascend to the glory and fame that we deserve. And no matter what sacrifices need to be made, the head of Jiang Ziya shall one day become an ornament for my ambitions after I show to the entire country that I am a man who never abandons his justice!" With this having been stated, Ji Kang and the others vowed to unconditionally follow their leader in service beneath Jiang Ziya. The group then proceeded back to Phoenix City, in which both Hong Jin and Princess Long Ji were accordingly wedded on the third day of the third month in the 35th year of King Zhou's reign -- respectively seen as a lucky date for their marriage.

The Western Foothills had now made the necessary preparations to ensure a full production of provisions and weapons for a prospective incursion into capital city Morning Song; and for this very reason Jiang Ziya presented himself before King Wu the following day with the proposition of attacking King Zhou with the support of other nobles who mutually shared the same intent. This nonetheless came across before King Wu as unthinkable, for his father had commanded him never to consider destroying the king even if being a nuisance to the people's prosperity and integrity: It would be nothing less from fully denoting an unfilial and disloyal nature unfettered from traditional values. San Yisheng, however, convinced King Wu that joining the nobles in a united front and forcing the king into a state of repent without conventional attack would be the best course of action, and forthwith suggested that Jiang Ziya should be appointed commander for the sake of managing political affairs from every side of their campaign. Accordingly granting the prime minister the yellow axe and white scepter as an entitlement to authority in respect to Yisheng's request, the minister then suggested that a high terrace should be constructed in compliment to traditional rites of prayer offering before the rivers, mountains, earth, and heavens. This was also consented to with relatively open arms, and after reassuring the king that he can be relied upon for the arrangements of such an imperative task, Yisheng visited Jiang Ziya in a toast of congratulations and forthwith confided to both Nangong Kuo and Xin Jia the responsibility of constructing their terrace. After the passage of ten days the terrace project was complete, and with this San Yisheng approached King Wu and informed him that the 15th day of the third month had been chosen as a date for announcing the prime minister's appointment to commandership.

封神演義/卷067

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 68

This chapter is titled "Two Hermits Stop the Army". Following the leave of each immortal, Jiang Ziya and his generals would prepare for the expedition in three days. Once Jiang Ziya had presented a memorial to King Wu -and effectively attained his consent- the former would assign Huang Tianhua as the frontal vanguard general, Wu Ji the right, Nezha the rear, and Nangong the left. Each would thus drink a cup of wine, thank Jiang Ziya, and then take their leave. After Jiang Ziya had performed a muster call before all his generals, he would order Yellow Flying Tiger to drill the army as to ensure perfection. The great army of Zhou would thus take off the following day once external and internal affairs were well accounted for. It was the now the 24th day of the third month within the 30th year of King Zhou's reign. As the Zhou army passed between Mount Yan and Mount Shouyang, two Taoists would suddenly block their path. The Taoists known as Bo Yi and Shu Qi would reprimand Jiang Ziya for his unfilial actions -- and that he should thus await for repent on the part of King Zhou without any form of attack. The former would respond by saying that such views were exceedingly short-sided and should be avoided for further hurting of the people's will. After these Taoists had been tied up for their intrusion, they would be set free later to return to their mountain.

Once Jiang Ziya and the army of Zhou had reached the Golden Chicken Range, red flags would suddenly appear before the summit of the mountain. After an enemy camp had been effectively located above the summit, Nangong Kuo would volenteer himself to meet the enemy. Wei Ben, the enemy commander, would defeat the former with moderate ease -- and send him back to tell Jiang Ziya that he would like to see him immediately. Before Nangong was to lose his head, Wei Ben would kneel before Jiang Ziya and ask to fight under the banner of Zhou in order for his name to be recorded in the pages of history one day. Jiang Ziya would accept his service with great delight - and release Nangong due to attaining a general that could take his place. Once King Zhou had gotten word of Jiang Ziya's march to the capital of Morning Song, he would assign Kong Xuan as expeditionary commander of defense. Upon Kong Xuan's meeting with Han Rong at Sishui Pass, he would proudly declare that Jiang Ziya, King Wu, nor any other Zhou generals would be able to stand against his supreme strength -- and should thus not be feared. With these words, Kong Xuan would march westward from the gates of Sishui Pass to Golden Chicken Range where his army would halt and set up camp for the night.

Categorized Events

 * - The memorial consent of King Wu
 * - Jiang Ziya's appointing of the four vanguard generals
 * - The Zhou army takes leave of Western Foothills; Arrival at Mount Yan
 * - The two Taoist hermit's declaration of defiance
 * - Arrival at Golden Chicken Range; Wei Ben's testing conflict with Jiang Ziya
 * - Wei Ben swears his eternal loyalty; The appointment to position of left vanguard general
 * - Morning Song's hearing of situation; Kong Xuan sets out as commander
 * - Kong Xuan's arrival at Golden Chicken Range

封神演義/卷068


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 69

This chapter is titled "Trouble at the Golden Chicken Range". Once Jiang Ziya had attained word of Kong Xuan's movement, he would ponder alone in his tent over this 37th invasion. Vanguard general Chen Geng would present the first challenge before the camp of zhou; and Huang Tianhua would effectively answer such a call. Following thirty rounds, Tianhua would unleash his Fire Dragon Javelin to put an end to his opponent's life. As Jiang Ziya dipped his pen into his ink slab to record his general's performance, the nib would suddenly drop off. The former would express inner grievence over such an omen -- for he knew that this was the last merit that was to be achieved by Huang Tianhua. Sun He of Shang would meet Wu Ji of Zhou at the battlefield the following day; and thus a great duel was to be unveiled. During their ensueing battle, Wu Ji would manage to stab his cutlass deeply into Su Hu's chest - effectively ending his life. With hatred over the lose of two renowned generals of the kingdom, Gao Jineng would volenteer himself to attain revenge. Once Nezha had intercepted Gao's attack, the great fire lance of the former would fiercely clash with Gao's spear. As he realized the great celestial abilities that Nezha possessed, Gao would quickly flee to the camp of Shang -- but would be severely wounded by the former's Universal Ring in the process. The following day Kong Xuan would appear before the camp of Zhou in furiosity over his past losses. As the former ran out to clash his great sword against Jiang Ziya's mere cutlass after a short interlude, Hong Jin would ran out to meet the former. With immense wrathful rage, Kong Xuan would lash at the rebel. Once Hong Jin had unleashed his portal door ability, the latter would simply laugh as he used his yellow beam to sweep the former in an unvisible void. When Jiang Ziya thus lashed at Kong Xuan with his Devil Beating Whip, it would suddenly vanish in a beam of red light. After the forces of Zhou had thus fled in fear, Jiang Ziya would ponder over Kong Xuan's ability to use five different rays of light.

In short time Ziya would order his troops to unleash a surprise attack upon the camp of Shang that night. Kong Xuan, who used divinition to deduce the enemy's scheme, would order Gao Jineng of the Swarm to ambush the enemy at the left camp. As Nezha attempted to invade the central camp, he would be shortly met by an invigorated Kong Xuan. Even though Nezha possessed immense celestial power, he would be unable to defend himself against the most evolved of Xuan's lights: white. Huang Tianhua would meanwhile invade the left camp and battle against Gao Jineng and his bagful of locusts and wasps. After a fierce battle between Huang's Fire Dragon Javelin and Gao's spear, the latter's wasps would manage to seriously wound the former's jade unicorn -- thus sending him smashing to the ground. As Huang Tianhua used his javelin with fierce resolve, he would be unexpectedly pierced violently through the stomach - and would thus fall to the ground with blood pouring from his abdomen. Gao would then deliver the final blow to the warrior of Zhou - thus ending his life. Following the end of the battle deep into the night, Yellow Flying Tiger and Jiang Ziya would hear the report. Once Flying Tiger had learned of his son's death, he would be so thrown into grievence and shock that he would lose all senses. With due resolve for revenge, the former would head immediately to Mount Flying Phoenix in order to attain the assistance of Chong Heihu of the magic hawks. Following his arrival at the mountain, he would gaze at three warriors that stood battleing eachother with variated weapons. Once Flying Tiger had discussed the situation with these distinguished warriors, it would be decided that the former three warriors would bring Flying Tiger to Chong Heihu's presence the following day. Once Chong Heihu had essentially consented to the former's request, he would meet with both Jiang Ziya and King Wu at the camp of Zhou. After Chong Heihu had dined with the former, he would head out to the camp of Shang with his generals the following day and ensue battle with Gao Jineng. As the battle raged on, an intensely invigorated Yellow Flying Tiger would charge forth on his magical ox.

封神演義/卷069


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 70

This chapter is titled "Subjugation of the Peacock". Sensing immediate danger within the situation at hand, Gao Jineng would quickly unleash a swarm of wasps and locusts upon his foes. Unexpectedly for Gao however, Chong Heihu would open the gourd on his back -- effectively creating thousands of hawks that would devour the latter's insects. As Kong Xuan immediately ran to his general's assistance, he would gaze in shock at the blade of Yellow Flying Tiger as it dripped with the blood of the now dead Gao Jineng. With no further delay, Kong Xuan would take all five generals in a single beam of light. After putting his new prisoners into the gaouls, Kong Xuan would decide not to fight and instead act as a blockade to the Zhou forces. After Yang Bliss had arrived and was informed of the situation with Kong Xuan, he would head out the following day to the camp of Shang with Jiang Ziya in order to use his Demon Exposing Mirror upon the latter. When Yang Bliss had shined the mirror at Kong Xuan, all he could see was a piece of agate rolling to and fro. After Kong Xuan had lost his patience and ensued in battle with the former, Yang Bliss and the assisting Wei Hu would have no choice but to flee. Following a fierce battle with the remaining Zhou forces, Kong Xuan would be stabbed in the left shoulder by Princess Long Ji and severely wounded in the face by Deng Chanyu's pebble -- and would thus flee in defeat. Back in the camp of Zhou, Jiang Ziya would be called for a personal discussion with King Wu and would gradually lose his determination to keep up the fight. After Jiang Ziya had issued the order to reduce the cooking stoves, every individual would realize that the commander wished for retreat; and they thus begin to pack up for departure without any idea why. Fortunately, Lu Ya would arrive in short time and convince both Jiang Ziya and King Wu to continue the campaign. Once Lu Ya had physically seen Kong Xuan's renown the following day on the battlefield, he would flee back to the Zhou camp in shock.

Earth Traveler Sun, who had just entered the camp gate with extra food supplies, would yell angrily at Kong Xuan for insulting his commander in the past -- and would thus violently lash out at the latter. After Earth Traveler had effectively tricked Kong Xuan to fight him mountless, the former would be able to swiftly move through the ground delivering several blows to Kong Xuan's body. Being more annoyed then physically wounded, Kong Xuan would unleash his rays all at once upon the latter. Once Earth Traveler Sun had burrowed through the ground as to avoid the former's technique, Kong Xuan would be severely wounded in the face once again by Deng Chanyu's pebbles - and would thus flee. In seethful rage over Deng Chanyu's obnoxious technique, he would demand Chanyu at the Zhou camp early the next morning; but Jiang Ziya would be reluctent to decline such by hanging the board of truce. After Lamp Lighter had arrived the following day to do battle with Kong Xuan, he would use his great eagle in an attempt to see the former's true identity with his magic bull eye. Once he had flown back in defeat, Buddha Candi would arrive in short time and declare that Kong Xuan is predestined to join him. Thus, the former would head out to meet Kong Xuan immediately afterwards.

封神演義/卷070


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 71

This chapter is titled "The Offensive on Three Routes". Following Buddha Candi's arrival at the camp of Shang, Kong Xuan would ask for his reason of appearance. After the latter had learned the reason, he would lash at Candi with his great sword and golden staff - but both weapons would be simply brushed aside by the former's tree twig. Once the Buddha had been caught within Kong Xuan's rays of light, all five beams would suddenly explode. Now being completely defenseless, Kong Xuan would change into his true form: a beautiful peacock. Buddha Candi would thus shortly return to the western region atop Kong Xuan once the Zhou generals had been essentially freed. Following the surrender of Kong Xuan's forces, Jiang Ziya would order his army to march towards Sishui Pass the next day. Upon his arrival at the pass, Jiang Ziya would order Hong Jin to capture the Good Dream Pass while Yellow Flying Tiger was to take Green Dragon. If these passes were to be taken, no enemy attack could be unleashed from the left and right regions of Sishui. Once Hong Jin had arrived at Good Dream, Ji Kang would volenteer to challenge the enemy after they rested from the long march. With cutlass in hand, Shang general Xu Kun would ride out to challenge Ji Kang. Shortly however, Ji Kang would use his black smoke dog to violently lash at Xu Kun's face while he delivered the final blow to his opponent's neck. As like the former day, Zhou general Su Quanzhong would easily be able to take the head of Shang general Hu Yunpeng without breaking a single sweat. Upon seeing the loss of many Shang soldiers due to the enemy's prowess, Hu Sheng, commander of Good Dream Pass, would discuss with his brother, Hu Lei, that the best option would be to surrender for the sake of their people. Hu Lei, however, would neglect such an offer fully and head out to meet the opposition the following day. Once Nangong Kuo had answered the former's call, Hu Lei would be defeated in short time and presented before Hong Jin.

Following Hu Lei's violent remarks against Hong Jin and his betrayal, he would be beheaded. However, a report on Hu Lei's reapparance would soon be issued -- and Nangong Kuo would thus leave the camp of Zhou to see what trickery ran amok. After realizing that Hu Lei was truly alive, he would duel with great might against the former and effectively manage to capture him once again. Hong Jin would have no clue what to do with Hu Lei until Princess Long Ji arrived to inspect the prisoner. She would soon realize that Hu Lei was performing amateur magic, and that a small ten centimeter long needle should be placed between his hair as to prevent his escape. Once he had been beheaded this time, his reappearance would never be heard -- and his death would thus be confirmed. Hu Sheng would soon attain word of his brother's death, and would thus give a pledge of surrender to the camp of Zhou. Following Hong Jin's consent, Hu Lei would rush to and fro to make preparations for the former's arrival through the pass. However, a woman by the name of Mother Fiery Spirit of Mount Qiuming would arrive shortly - and declare her desire to avenge the death of her disciple, Hu Lei. Seeing this as an opportunity to crush the opposition, Hu Sheng would order the Zhou flags to be stripped. As Hong Jin gazed at the Shang camp flying the flags of Shang once again, the former would grind his teeth and be resolved to show no mercy for their trickery. After Fiery Spirit had a special unit of 3,000 soldiers taken from Hu Sheng's total of 20,000, they would be specifically drilled and effectively equipped with large paper gourds. Fiery Spirit and Hu Sheng would thus appear for challenge before the camp of Zhou with their new "Fire Dragon" troops following the passage of seven days. When Hong Jin came to attack Hu Sheng, Fiery Spirit would use her special golden ray of light technique to blind the former while delivering a crucial blow to his flesh. As Princess Long Ji emerged from the camp to see disastrous flames spouting from every corner, she would begin to recite spells. However, she would be distracted by a sudden ray of light before feeling the blade of Fiery Spirit sink deeply into her body.

Categorized Events

 * Kong Xuan's defeat at the hands of Buddha Candi; Candi's march back to the western region
 * Jiang Ziya reaches Sishui Pass; Hong Jin heads to Good Dream; Flying Tiger heads to Green Dragon
 * Hu Sheng's essential surrender to Hong Jin's forces; Hu Lei's reluctent confidence
 * Hu Lei's magical trickery incident cleared; Hu Sheng's surrender pledge formed
 * Arrival of Fiery Spirit; Training of the Fire Dragon soldiers
 * Hu Sheng ang Fiery Spirit trample the Zhou camp; The grand fire catastrophy unleashed

封神演義/卷071


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 72

This chapter is titled "Grand Completion at the Green Touring Palace". When Princess Long Ji had realized that she had been stabbed, she would flee to the northwest without pusuit. As Hong Jin and the princess regrouped their remaining soldiers, they would immediately send an urgent report to Jiang Ziya. After receiving reprimendation from Jiang Ziya, they would thorougly explain the arrival of Fiery Spirit -- and the disatrous resolution that resulted. Upon the hearing of Jiang's arrival, Fiery Spirit would emerge from the Shang camp immediately and clash blades with the former. At the same point in time in which Jiang Ziya would be crucially stabbed through the breast by Fiery Spirit, the new Zhou camp would roar with flames once more. As the distance between Jiang and Fiery Spirit drew closer, the latter would manage to hit him with a hammer and thus move forthward to put an end to the rebel leader. Unexpectedly however, Paragon would suddenly appear and use his Haze-Sweeping Shirt and Heaven Overturning Stamp to effectively absorb the latter's light and smash her skull into two. With Fiery Spirit now dead, Paragon would take her golden coronet (the item she had previously used to create light). After healing Jiang Ziya's wounds and bringing him to his feet, Paragon would head to the Green Touring Palace in order to return the former's coronet. While making his way to the Good Dream Pass, Jiang Ziya would suddenly catch sight of his destined enemy from the skies: Shen Gongbao. In the former's attempt to hide himself in a thick neighboring forest along the path, Shen Gongbao would catch sight of Jiang Ziya and effectively order him to come forward. Grimming with delight over this chance to attain revenge, Shen Gongbao would slash continuously at Jiang Ziya with his sword. Due to being old and seriously wounded, Jiang would flee at the greastest of speed atop his horse less he were to be killed. Using his legendary Sky Breaking Pearl, Shen Gongbao would send Jiang Ziya tumbling to the ground in a state of near death. Under orders from the Jade Emptiness Palace, Krakucchanda would unfortunately appear to sully Shen Gongbao's resolve. Now being fully aware of the situation, the former would flee quickly to the skies atop his pearl-coated tiger.

After effectively capturing Shen Gongbao with his Immortal Binding Rope, Krakucchanda would order his genii to take the former to the Unicorn Cliff and await his punishment. After Jiang Ziya had been essentially treated with elixer by the former, he would express his inner dignity towards the immortal before heading back on his way. Krakucchanda would thus head quickly to Mount Kunlun to await Master Heavenly Primogenitor's jugdement upon Shen Gongbao. Upon Primogenitor's arrival at the Unicorn Cliff, he would order for Shen Gongbao to be placed under the mountain until Jiang Ziya had created the gods. Shen Gongbao, however, would manage to avoid such a fate by vowing that if he were to attack the former again, may his body be thrown into the North Sea. Heavenly Primogenitor, Krakucchanda, and Shen Gongbao would thus head to their own separate paths after such an oath had been created. As Paragon had arrived at the Green Touring Palace, he would wait for a long period of time before the gates had been opened by a lad to hear his request. As the former entered the palace and stood before the Nine Dragon Lignaloe Platform, he would kowtow before Grand Master of Heaven with Fiery Spirit's golden coronet in his hands. With no true resentment over his disciple's death, he would declare to the former that if any of his comrades were to ever act against his word and attack Jiang Ziya, it won't matter to him if they were to also meet their own end. After Paragon had emerged from the palace, he would be forced to flee back to Grand Master of Heaven's residence three separate times due to the unparalleled hatred and vows of revenge that the latter's disciples felt towards Paragon.

封神演義/卷072


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 73

This chapter is titled "Yellow Flying Tiger Defeated at the Green Dragon Pass". As Paragon returned to the annoyed Grand Master of Heaven a third time, the latter would angrily call for his disciples to show their face before him. After the Grand Master had reprimanded his disciples, Paragon would finally be dismissed to head back to Nine Immortal Mountain as he intended. Multi-Precious Immortal, a disciple, would think of a scheme to attain revenge against Paragon and would thus declare to his master that the latter would continuously denote their religion as being heretical and full of hairy foul beasts. As each disciple agreed with the former's words in full unison, and the latter believed their words, the Grand Master of Heaven would tell Multi-Precious to head to Jiepai Pass and set up an Immortal Slaughtering Trap. Before Multi-Precious was to take his leave to the pass, Grand Master would hand him the four Fairy Swords in addition. At this same point in time, Wei Hu would manage to find Jiang Ziya within the forests neighboring the Good Dream Pass -- and he and the other generals would thus rejoice over such news. After Jiang Ziya had effectively reorganized his army following the passage of three days, Hu Sheng, in a state of turmoil and confusion, would submit his second pledge of surrender to the camp of Zhou. Once Jiang Ziya had effectively consented to the pledge and appeared before the pass at dusk, Hu Sheng would kneel to the ground and beg for pardon. The latter, however, would be considered as untrustworthy due to his past obstinance -- and would thus be executed without any true remorse. Following the execution, Jiang Ziya would appoint Qi Gong as garrison commander of Good Dream while he returned to Sishui in order to report everything to King Wu.

Back at Green Dragon Pass, Shang commander Qiu Yin would personally demand to see Yellow Flying Tiger the day after his first general had been slain on the battlefield. Huang Tianxiang, the third son of Yellow Flying Tiger, would gallop forthward and cut down Gao Gui of Shang in a single breath. Astonished by the former's prowess and at the same time seething with rage, Qui Yin would rapidly thrash his silver lance at Huang Tianxiang with equaled skill. As two other Shang generals immediately drew their swords to defend their commander, Huang Tianxiang would manage to land two blows upon Qui Yin's flesh out of distraction; and the latter would thus retreat. With healed wounds and torn pride, Qiu Yin would charge from the pass and clash blades with Huang Tianxiang once again. Huang Tianxiang began to experience great difficulty against the former's spirit that seethed with revenge -- and he would thus quickly land a crucial blow to Qiu Yin's heart mirror which would send him fleeing with blood gushing profusely. As Qiu Yin's hatred was further heightened by Yellow Flying Tiger's three-day attack upon his pass, Chen Qi would finally arrive with food supplies and ensure his commander that he will become the incarnation of his vengeance. When Chen Qi thus approached the Zhou camp the following day, he would be engaged by Deng Juigong -- who was considered no more than a fragile baby compared to the former's prowess. With immense confidence, Chen Qi would summon forth his Flying Tiger soldiers to bind up the latter while his yellow gas forced Deng Juigong into a senseless state. As Chen Qi thus bound Deng Juigong and threw him before the feet of Qiu Yin, he would be executed immediately for saying words of treason to the latter. Once Yellow Flying Tiger had heard of such words, Tai Luan could not control his emotions over the death of his master -- and he would thus violently clash his blade against Chen Qi's the following morning. After the former had been caught with ease, Chen Qi would confidently challenge the three remaining sons of Yellow Flying Tiger the next day.

封神演義/卷073


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 74

This chapter is titled "Combat Between Two Generals". As the three sons of Yellow Flying Tiger lashed their swords with refined ability, Chen Qi would have no choice but to immediately spat forth his yellow fog smoke and bind Huang Tianlu, the eldest. The day after Huang Tianlu had been thrown into jail, Qiu Yin would leave his pass in great eagerness to attain his long-awaited revenge against Huang Tianxiang. Upon Qiu Yin's arrival at the Zhou camp, Huang Tianxiang and Qiu Yin would violently clash their blades with rivaled renown. Unfortunately for Tianxiang however, Qiu Yin would wave a mysterious red pearl in his face which would instantly encourage drowsiness. As Huang Tianxiang was thus thrown before the commander's feet in the Shang pass, Qiu Yin would execute the former immediately once being further ridiculed. After Yellow Flying Tiger had heard of Tianxiang's execution, he would faint to the ground in a state of unparalleled grievence. After Yellow Flying Tiger had sent an urgent report of the situation to Jiang Ziya, both Deng Chanyu and Nezha would immediately head to Green Dragon Pass in order to offer their assistance. When Nezha gazed at the corpse of Huang Tianxiang hanging from the pass's wall the following day, the former's rage would burn like fire as he charged his lance at Qiu Yin. Unfortunately for Qiu Yin however, his red pearl would have no effect on Nezha -- and would only result in him fleeing with broken bones. During the latter's retreat, Earth Traveler Sun would arrive shortly to offer what he could. At that same night, Sun would secretly check on the condition of Tai Luan and Huang Tianlu before releasing Huang Tianxiang's corpse from the wall. As Yellow Flying Tiger gazed at Tianxiang's body laying along the pass, he would refuse to see any more of his sons lose their lives -- and would thus order Huang Tianjue to remain at the Western Foothills with his deceased brother. Once the Shang forces had realized the happening of Huang's body, Chen Qi would angrily storm out from their gates the following morning only to be challenged by both Earth Traveler Sun and Deng Chanyu. As Sun lashed violently at Chen Qi, the latter would easily be able to bind the former with his yellow gas ability in short time. With fear in her heart, Deng Chanyu would immediately fling two pebbles at Chen Qi: one to the back and the other to his mouth. Now with a broken spinal column and a mouth gushing with blood, Chen Qi would have no choice but to return to the pass with his current prisoner.

Unfortunately for Chen Qi and Qiu Yin however, they knew little about Earth Travler Sun's ability to escape underground -- and they thus lost the chance to kill their new prisoner. As Zheng Lun returned that same night with extra food supplies, he would hear of his new rival in ability, Chen Qi, and would thus lust to meet him on the battlefield for the sake of his pride. Once both Chen Qi and Zheng Lun had met eachother the following day, Chen Qi would manage to get the best of the former before they both unleashed their individual beams of gas. At this point in time, the two warriors would fall asleep due to their opposite's technique -- and they would thus be dragged back to their respective camps by their individualized soldiers. When Chen Qi returned to face his destined foe once more the following day, he would declare a personal battle of honor with Zheng Lun that discluded magic attributes. As these two warriors battled from dawn till dusk to determine the superior, Yellow Flying Tiger would consent to Nezha's surprise attack upon Green Dragon Pass's gates. At the time of dinner, Han Rong would write a report to the king on the war situation, asking him to send reinforcements for the sake of their pass. After hearing great commotion roaring about within the pass that night, Qiu Yin would charge from his camp and see many generals of Zhou clashing their cutlasses against the forces of Shang. Unfortunately for Qiu Yin, he would have no choice but to escape from the pass atop his dust cloud at great speed once being surrounded by Yellow Flying Tiger and his generals. At this point in time, Chen Qi would lose his life by the hands of Zheng Lun and the Zhou forces would effectively seize the pass. As Nezha reported their success to Jiang Ziya at Sishui, a grand celebrational feast would take place that night.

封神演義/卷074


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 75

This chapter is titled "An Attempted Theft Ends in Failure". Once Thunder Quaker was wounded in addition by Yu Hua's dagger, Yang Bliss would arrive shortly and conclude that he suffered from some type of poison. Deciding that he would meet Yu Ha himself, Yang Bliss would purposely allow himself to be hit in the right arm by the former's dagger so that he could flee back to camp and analyze his wound. With no knowledge of what type of poison flowed from his blood, Yang Bliss would immediately see his master, Jade Tripod. After being informed that the dagger had originally been converted by Yu Yuan of Penglai Island, and three pills are needed from him directly in order to nullify the poison, Yang Bliss would disguise himself as Yu Hua and head to the island. By telling Yu Yuan that his dagger had been redirected into his own flesh while fighting against the Zhou forces, the latter would immediately hand his psuedo-disciple his desired pills. Once Yang Bliss had thus left the island, Yu Yuan would conclude that is was relatively impossible for his dagger to be redirected, and Yu Hua's wounds wouldn't have allowed for him to come from such a grand distance due to the dagger's deathly attributes. Now knowing that he had been tricked, he would pursue Yang Bliss through the clouds -- but would only end up fleeing back to Penglai Island after suffering from the former's Sky Barking Hound. Back at the Zhou camp, Yang Bliss would meet Yu Hua on the battlefield once more the next day -- and Thunder Quaker would fight in addition to attain his personal revenge. Unfortunately for Yu Ha however, his beast could not take beating from the two individuals and thus allowed an opening for Yang Bliss to severely wound Yu Ha -- resulting in the latter's death.

As Han Rong sat in desperation at the reported death of Yu Hua and the lack of desired reinforcements, the former would be confronted by a man by the name of Yu Yuan who had arrived in the name of avenging his disciple. With great delight over the turn of his fortune, Han Rong would feast with the latter before he left to challenge Yang Bliss for revenge. After realizing that Yang Bliss was not present at the Zhou camp, Yu Yuan would charge his blade at Jiang Ziya to unveil his rage. Even after unleashing his Golden Light Katana, Yu Yuan would have little choice but to flee back to the Shang pass once he was attacked by generals Wei Hu and Li Jing in addition. Earth Traveler Sun, who gazed at Yu Yuan fleeing atop his camel, would lust to steal the latter's mount due to its superb attributes. Deciding not to risk this chance by discussing it with Jiang Ziya, Sun would burrow through the ground and effectively arrive within Sishui Pass during the second watch that night. As Yu Yuan sat with his eyes closed, deep in meditation, he would hear an individual stealthily moving about through the pass -- and would thus feign many snores as to ensure that this suspicious individual knew he was asleep. Once Earth Traveler Sun had effectively seen Yu Yuan fast asleep, he would quickly beat him across the head a few dozen times. Confused that his beatings did not budge the former to any extent, he would decide to deal with him later and just take his mount for the moment. Once Sun had thus mounted Yu Yuan's camel, it would at first ride to the skies but would immediately return to it's original position on the ground shortly. Not having any time to react over the camel's unexpected defiance, the earth traveler would suddenly find his head being firmly gripped by Yu Yuan's palm. By finding many exceedingly deep burrow holes across the pass, Yu Yuan would confirm that this dwarf must have been traveling underground -- and he would thus present the latter to Han Rong with his hands clutching Sun's head to present escape.

As Yu Yuan thus presented the thief before Han Rong, the former would ask for the Universal Bag that was present beneath his cushion. With the desire in mind to burn Earth Traveler Sun alive within the bag, a large fire would be immediately constructed by the soldiers of Shang. Unfortunately for Yu Yuan however, Krakucchanda would be informed of the situation by White Crane Lad and would thus snatch the Universal Bag that held Sun in short time. As Yu Yuan glared at Krakucchanda from the skies with seethful rage, he would vow his life upon the chance to kill the latter. Following Krakucchanda's arrival at the Zhou camp, Jiang Ziya would have sentenced Earth Traveler Sun to death for his impulsiveness if it wasn't for the former's pursuation. Once Yu Yuan had continuously called for Krakucchanda to show himself the next day, Jiang Ziya would appear instead with the resolve to take him captive. Being thrashed about across the ground in desperation over Yu Yuan's keen renown with his sword, Krakucchanda would immediately appear and bind the latter with his Immortal Binding Rope. Back in the camp of Zhou, Jiang Ziya would order Yu Yuan beheaded; but each attempt to behead the latter would result as a mere scratch to the neck. After the failed attempt of Wei Hu in addition, Krakucchanda would order for Yu Yuan to be locked inside an iron box -- which would be thrown deeply into the North Sea. By combining the elements of metal and water into one, Yu Yuan would easily break through the iron box and return to the Green Touring Palace.

Even though he escaped from the box, he would still be tightly bounded by Krakucchanda's rope and would thus plead to his master, Mother Golden Spirit, to confront the Grand Master of Heaven so that such an issue could be ammended. Once each disciple had seen Yu Yuan in such a desperate state, their rage would burn even brighter against the immortals of Zhou. After the Grand Master of Heaven had essentially released Yu Yuan from his tight bonds, the latter would leave from the palace with one true desire: to attain the head of Krakucchanda no matter what it would take. As Yu Yuan thus gave challenge the following day, with the retortion of Jiang Ziya, the former would violently charge his blade into the latter's flesh. Without delay less the latter would be killed by Yu Yuan's great prowess, Krakucchanda would immediately bind the immortal with his seconday binding rope. With confusion in his mind over Krakucchanda's subordinate rope, Yu Yuan's fear would be heightened as Lu Ya arrived at the Zhou encampment. With detmination to kill Yu Yuan for his past treachery, no matter how justifed it may have been, Lu Ya would remove the lid from his gourd -- thus releasing a brilliant white light that would pierce through the clouds. As the great beam of light revolved in the air several times, it would come crashing down like an enormous blade to clieve the unfortunate Yu Yuan into two halves. With Yu Yuan now dead, Lu Ya would burry his body and then take his leave. Back in Sishui Pass, Han Rong would soon attain a report on Yu Yuan's passing. After holding a military conference to determine their resolution, it would be concluded that each individual soldier should pack their treasured belongings in carts to be transported into the mountainous regions: they're temporary home. Han Sheng and Han Bian, the two sons of Han Rong, would immediately meet with their father to state their personal resolve.

封神演義/卷075


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 76

This chapter is titled "The Occupation of Sishui Pass". Once Han Sheng approached his father, Han Rong, he would spout many great words of devotion and loyalty towards his country. Even though Han Rong remained rather hesistant in order to ensure the safety of his subjects, he would smile in admiration at his son's resolve. To boost the confidence of their father, Han Sheng and Han Bian would both go to the drilling grounds and unleash the renown of their Ten Thousand Knife Vehicle. With a mere few chants, this technique had the ability to unleash an unparalleled amount of strong winds across the ground -- effectively allowing any object present to be absorbed and launched at will due to being controlled with magic. Han Rong, who was rather confused at how his two sons could attain such a powerful technique, would be told that it was attained by Fa Jie, an official of Morning Song, who simply wished for this ability to be their entity of resolve. Now in a state of high morale, Han Rong would order 3,000 soldiers of the Shang forces to be dresses in pure black armor and individually equipped and drilled effectively with thousand knife vehicles. As Han Rong and his army thus set out to challenge Jiang Ziya, the latter would immediately present himself with his own army -- determined to defeat his opposition one last time. After Han Sheng had clashed violently against Wei Ben, the former would retreat temporarily while signaling his three-thousand soldiers to unleash their individual vehicles. Caught immensely unsurprised, over eight-thousand soldiers of the Zhou army would be completely slaughtered by their own weapons and other controlled objects that ran amok through the air in a mere few moments. With unparalleled fear, the remnants of Zhou would flee back to camp in quick pace. For the sake of his honor and dignified spirit to the Shang Dynasty, Han Rong would call off the slaughter so that he could personally kill Jiang Ziya in the future. With this resolve set in his mind, Han Rong would order a night surprise attack with his three-thousand soldiers of Shang. Like great waves of blackness hidden under the veil of night, the army of Shang stealthily ran through the camps of Zhou slaughtering soldiers right and left. With corpses littered in every direction, Jiang Ziya would desperately flee atop his horse for miles with his remaining soldiers. After being pursued by the forces of Han Sheng and Han Bian for a great while longer, Zheng Lun would finally arrive with his crow troops and clash blades against the former. In great personal fear at the sight of the Shang army's destructive vehicles, Zheng Lun would immediately unleash his two white columns of light to place his neighboring enemies in an unconscious state. With immense luck on the side of Zhou, all 3,000 soldiers of Shang would unfortunately lose their superior magical abilities as Han Sheng and Han Bian were seized by Zheng Lun.

As Han Rong and his forces had thus retreated due to their loss of power, and general morale, the Zhou forces would toast eachother over their luck-won victory. Once it had been reported that the army of Zhou were calling at the gates of Sishui the following day, Han Rong would personally climb the city wall to hear them out. Jiang Ziya would shortly present himself before the gates with the former's two sons in a captive state. Han Rong, who immediately offered the pass if his two sons were to be spared, would only stand in agony as he saw their heads tumble to the ground after spouting threatening words to Jiang Ziya. With rage and sorrow that was equivalent to the very heavens, Han Rong would jump from the city walls to his death. Following Han Rong's death, Jiang Ziya would thus seize Sishui Pass and pacify the people. At this same point in time Paragon would be approached by White Crane Lad at his green touring bed -- and would thus be asked to assist in the Immortal Slaughtering Trap's destruction. Upon the hearing of such a need, Paragon would call for his disciple, Nezha, and toast him with wine and dates. Just before Nezha was to be dismissed, he suddenly grew three heads and six additional arms. With this transformational ability that could be activated upon the user's will, Nezha would effectively be able to carry six different treasures before departing from his master to assist Jiang Ziya. Just as the Zhou forces were planning their assault upon Jiepai Pass, Yellow Dragon would arrive from the skies and ask Jiang Ziya to create a reed pavilion in preparation for their attack upon the Fairy Immortal Trap. Following the pavilion's construction, each superiorman and disciple would attend to the former location while each general of Zhou protected Sishui Pass and King Wu. As each superiorman had finally arrived, Multi-Precious would clap his hands to completely expose his trap to the competitors that stood before him. A great air of death and cold misty winds would shoot forth from the trap -- thus putting the superiormen into great misery and fright.

封神演義/卷076


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 77

This chapter is titled "Transformation Into Three Fairies". As each superiorman gazed at the four fairy swords pointing in different directions while entering the trap, Multi-Precious would suddenly rush forth and clash his duel swords against his hated enemy: Grand Completion. After a lengthened battle between these two individuals, Grand Completion would have no choice but to use his Heaven Overturning Stamp against the former less he were to be killed. While Multi-Precious thus retreated with his newly established wounds, the superiormen would meanwhile flee back to their reed pavilion. Heavenly Primogenitor would arrive from the skies in his Nine Dragon Lignaloe Carriage shortly afterwards -- and would be welcomed with immense gratitude. Once midnight had arrived, Multi-Precious realized that Primogenitor was now present and would thus head out to retrieve the Grand Master of Heaven in order to defeat their new foe. As the following night had approached, Burning Lamp would gaze in the direction of the trap and see the Grand Master of Heaven sitting atop his throne while in attendance with each of his disciples. Heavenly Primogenitor would order his disciples to enter the Fairy Immortal Trap the next day in ten pairs of two. As the Grand Master of Heaven confronted Heavenly Primogenitor and his disciples, the former would reprimand Grand Completion as the reason to his arrival. Even after having the issue elaborated, Primogenitor would relatively agree with Grand Completion's false statement -despite its foulness- thus sending Grand Master of Heaven away with the resolve to prove his superiority. When Primogenitor had thus entered the trap to prove the former's words as mere folly, the Fairy Slaying Sword would fall from the gate atop the latter's head; but lotus flowers would immediately appear to negate all possible harm. With no intention to destroy the trap until his other brothers had arrived, he would exit and await their arrival. Once Lao Zi had arrived in a few moments, he would tell Primogenitor that if the Grand Master of Heaven were to continue in his defiance the latter should be put before the Jade Emperor for trial.

封神演義/卷077


text:
Portal:Investiture of the Gods/The Ten Crucible Battle Formation

The Ten Crucible Battle Formation is a set of ten fictional--and unpractical--battle formations employed by the Welkin lords of Golden Crab Isle. This is truly known as the Grand Old Master's trump card during his campaign against Jiang Ziya.

Heaven Extinguishing Battle Formation
Welkin Lord Qin - - Within Lord Qin's battle formation, the forces of Heaven, Earth, and Man are all combined as one. The straight must be mixed with the foul within this process. Due to the immense intensity of this formation, any mortal that is to enter will be immediately turned into nothing more than ash.

Earth Quaking Battle Formation
Welking Lord Zhou - - Within Lord Zhou's battle formation, laws of geomancy and physics are employed. All varied forces such as fire, wind, and so forth, are invested into a single flag. Whenever the flag may wave, great fire and wind will spew forth. Any individual that may enter this formation will be burned alive and nothing more.

Howling-Gales Battle Formation
Welkin Lord Teng - - Within Lord Teng's battle formation, the wind plays a major role. Whenever the wind is to howl, thousands of knives and daggers will appear from all directions; not even the thickest of armor could withstand the sharpness.

Frozen-Glacier Battle Formation
Welkin Lord Yuan - - Within Lord Yuan's battle formation, glacial ice is present. On top of this "glacial ice" lays mountains of knives and swords guided by thousands of lightning bolts. Of course, survival is of little probability upon the entering of this formation.

Golden-Light Battle Formation
Welkin Lady Luminous Glo - - Within Lady Luminous Glo's battle formation, many giant mirrors will be fashioned atop poles. The great rays of the sun are harnessed on the surface of these mirrors and can be controlled by turning the poles angles. The heat is greater than imaginable, and thus death is inevitable.

Blood-Curdling Battle Formation
Welkin Lord Sun - - Within Lord Sun's battle formation, fierce wind plays the primary role. While combining fierce winds with black sand, it is utterly impossible for any individual to escape the formation. While inside, their blood will continuously curdle until imminent death.

Blazing-Flame Battle Formation
Welkin Lord White - - Within Lord White's battle formation, the Thunder Fire, Rock Fire, and the Triple Whammy Fire are the three main forces of fire. Killing radiation and heat will be present within this blazing-fame formation, and thus not even the most durable of individuals could survive.

Plummeting-Soul Battle Formation
Welkin Lord Yao - - Within Lord Yao's battle formation, a straw effigy is present -- and truly needed. By bowing before his effigy, any specific individuals soul can be stolen while their spirit is strangled. Certain death is obvious through this formation indeed.

Crimson-Water Battle Formation
Welkin Lord Zhong - - Within Lord Zhong's battle formation, a giant trigram platform is present. Within this platform, there are three magic gourds containing varied deadly fluid to burn away any unfortunate individual that happened to enter the formation.

Scarlet-Sand Battle Formation
Welking Lord Wang - - Within Lord Wang's battle formation, great illusion is present. While the individual is seemingly walking across blood-red sand, they are truly walking across millions of tiny knives -- as small as each grain of sand.


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Rh


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Page:The Genealogy of Morals.djvu/186

162 word; when you think you are paying them a compliment you embitter them beyond all bounds, simply because you didn't have the finesse to infer the real kind of customers you had to tackle, the sufferer kind (who won't own up even to themselves what they really are), the dazed and unconscious kind who have only one fear—coming to consciousness.

24.

And now look at the other side, at those rare cases, of which I spoke, the most supreme idealists to be found nowadays among philosophers and scholars. Have we, perchance, found in them the sought-for opponents of the ascetic ideal, its anti-idealists? In fact, they believe themselves to be such, these "unbelievers" (for they are all of them that): it seems that this idea is their last remnant of faith, the idea of being opponents of this ideal, so earnest are they on this subject, so passionate in word and gesture;—but does it follow that what they believe must necessarily be true? We "knowers" have grown by degrees suspicious of all kinds of believers, our suspicion has step by step habituated us to draw just the opposite conclusions to what people have drawn before; that is to say, wherever the strength of a belief is particularly prominent to draw the conclusion of the difficulty of proving what is believed, the conclusion of its actual improbability. We do not again deny that "faith produces salvation": for that very reason we do deny that faith proves anything,—a strong faith, which produces happiness, causes suspicion of the object of that faith, it does not establish its "truth," it does establish a certain probability of—illusion. What

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Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 6

This chapter is titled "The Burning Pillar Torture". As the wooden sword was thus turned into ashes, Daji recovered in immediate pace. Still secretly remaining at Morning Song in order to inspect the outcome of his wooden sword, Master of the Clouds sighed at his inability to change the Shang Dynasty's destined outcome -- and thus wrote a short poem upon the observatory wall within the market area so that all people could understand what future they were to experience. After thus returning to Mount Zhongnan people noticed the poem immediately and attempted to decipher it's meaning. With no true success, Grand Tutor Du Yuanxian appeared, read the poem with partioned understanding, and returned to his personal quarters to make up a report on what future the dynasty will experience if this evil specter is not effectively eradicated. Upon the finishing of this report, Du Yuanxian gave it to Prime Minister Shang Rong so that it could be presented personally to the king. Once Shang Rong left to the royal palace to deliver it to King Zhou, he was admitted in with Yuanxian's report in hand. Reading the report fully, the king believed his words to be rather accurate but decided to have Daji's opinion on the issue. Daji told the king that the Taoist earlier was none other than a wicked sorcerer who spread rumors to put the dynasty into a frenzy -- and Du Yuanxian is assisting this sorceror with full intentions to ensure unrestfulness within the people and should thus be publicly executed. Shang Rong however, immediately retorted, saying that if Du Yuanxian were to be executed, his loyalty would not only be seen as mere rubbish but many ministers would rise up in addition to uphold his innocence.

King Zhou, who told Shang Rong that Yuanxian should be executed as to prevent further unrestful stories from coming about, immediately ordered royal guards to bound Du Yuanxian with thick ropes and chains. As the latter was thus dragged off to the palace gates, Supreme Minister Mei Bo stopped the executioners and immediately asked for an explanation from Prime Minister Shang Rong. After hearing the story fully, Mei Bo flew into a rage at Shang Rong's fear to uphold true justice within the dynasty—and thus grabbed the latter's arm while charging into the Fairy Longevity Palace to talk with King Zhou. With uncontrolled anger, Mei Bo began to shout violently at the king for his ineptitude and thus was ordered to be executed immediately. Just before Mei Bo was to have his skull smashed, Daji told King Zhou to put the former in the gaouls for now while a torture device known as the "Burning Pillar" is to be constructed as his destined punishment. While thus gazing at the king's atrocities and deludness, Shang Rong sincerely asked the king if he could faithfully retire from the dynasty less he were to make any further mistakes in his old age. Following the latter's consent, many ministers gathered at the Changting Pavilion to see their old comrade on his way that evening. Raising their cups to bid their old comrade farewell, Shang Rong wrote one final poem to express his inner grievence before taking leave with tearful eyes. Ignoring his ministers for several more days as usual, tyrant King Zhou obtained a report on the burning pillars completed construction. After Daji had thoroughly inspected the pillar's design, she smiled with happiness and suggested to the king that tomorrow should be Mei Bo's day of punishment. The following day at the Grand Hall, Yellow Flying Tiger gazed at over twenty pillars being lit blood red—and sat in confusion as to why such objects would be in royal grounds. With Mei Bo's entrance into the Grand Hall, King Zhou sat in laughter at what was to soon befall the former. Thus being stripped and chained fully against a burning pillar, a single deathly scream would ring against the royal halls as Mei Bo's flesh and bones were turned to ashes. Now leaving the Grand Hall with his other comrades, Yellow Flying Tiger exclaimed his resolve to do whatever it takes to save the dynasty from it's supposedly destined downfall. With celebrational music and feasting resounding through the walls of King Zhou's inner chambers, Queen Jiang felt personal hatred over the newly heard burning pillar construction and thus ordered her attendants to prepare for her a carriage.

Categorized Events

 * The rejuvenation of Daji
 * Cloud Dweller's written poem on the Noon Gate
 * Populace wonder - Du Yuanxi's investigation
 * The beheading of Du Yuanxi for "rumor mongering"
 * Creation of the 20 ft Bronze Toaster
 * The burning alive of Mei Bo
 * Shang Rong's sad farewell
 * Yellow Flying Tiger's growing hatred

封神演義/卷006


text:
User talk:183.83.234.109

Welcome

Hello, and welcome to Wikisource! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

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title: User talk:183.83.234.109


text:
Page:Best Russian Short Stories.djvu/200

180 this is just between you and me—it depends upon Mrs. Shaldin."

"Upon Mrs. Shaldin, the doctor's wife? Why she isn't even here."

"That's just it. That is why I have to wait. How is it that a clever man like you, Abramka, doesn't grasp the situation?"

"Hm, hm! Let me see." Abramka racked his brains for a solution of the riddle. How could it be that Mrs. Shaldin, who was away, should have anything to do with Mrs. Zarubkin's order for a gown? No, that passed his comprehension.

"She certainly will get back in time for the ball," said Mrs. Zarubkin, to give him a cue.

"Well, yes."

"And certainly will bring a dress back with her."

"Certainly!"

"A dress from abroad, something we have never seen here—something highly original."

"Mrs. Zarubkin!" Abramka cried, as if a truth of tremendous import had been revelated to him. "Mrs. Zarubkin, I understand. Why certainly! Yes, but that will be pretty hard."

"That's just it."

Abramka reflected a moment, then said:

"I assure you, Mrs. Zarubkin, you need not be a bit uneasy. I will make a dress for you that will be just as grand as the one from abroad. I assure you, your dress will be the most elegant one at the ball, just as it always has been. I tell you, my name won't be Abramka Stiftik if—"

His eager asseverations seemed not quite to satisfy the captain's wife. Her mind was not quite set at ease. She interrupted him.

"But the style, Abramka, the style! You can't possibly guess what the latest fashion is abroad."

"Why shouldn't I know what the latest fashion is, Mrs. Zarubkin? In Kiev I have a friend who publishes fashion-plates. I will telegraph to him, and he will immediately send me pictures of the latest French models. The telegram will cost only eighty cents, Mrs. Zarubkin, and I swear


text:
User talk:Kanohara

— billinghurst  sDrewth  23:42, 14 January 2011 (UTC)

title: User talk:Kanohara


text:
Author:John Smith Hurt

Works

 * Stagger Lee

title: Author:John Smith Hurt


text:
Stagger Lee

 * "Stagolee", two variations published in the Journal of American Folk-Lore (1911)
 * "Stagolee", a variant by Mississippi John Hurt (1928)
 * "Billy Lyons and Stack O' Lee", a variant by Furry Lewis (1927)
 * "Stack-A-Lee", a variant by Frank Hutchison (1927)

title: Stagger Lee


text:
User talk:Mdale

Startling the locals
Gday, welcome to a head office dude. It would be really good when making local wiki changes that there was some annotation to the effect of what is occurring. From our viewpoint we see an account editing, that is all redlinks on user and talk, in the mediawiki space, and one that doesn't show up in Special:ListUsers, and then we have to go and look up global permissions (if we can remember where to find it). It would be good if you are doing things locally that they are annotated locally, alternately have a meta account and link to the change in your edit summary. I know that it is a little more work for you, however, it gives more understanding and comfort to the locals. Thanks. — billinghurst  sDrewth  23:58, 14 January 2011 (UTC) — billinghurst  sDrewth  23:58, 14 January 2011 (UTC)

MediaWiki:Gadget-mwEmbed.js
Should this now be using mw.loader teckolomogy and converted to the protocol relative url bits or Catrope's? — billinghurst  sDrewth  01:08, 2 October 2011 (UTC)

title: User talk:Mdale


text:
User talk:Bestt

— billinghurst  sDrewth  00:11, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

title: User talk:Bestt


text: The New Student's Reference Work/Garfield, James Abram


text: The New Student's Reference Work/Garfield, James Rudolph


text: The New Student's Reference Work/Garibaldi, Giuseppe


text:
User talk:70.24.79.82

Welcome

Hello, and welcome to Wikisource! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

 * Help pages
 * Style Guide
 * Inclusion policy

You are welcome to continue editing articles without logging in, but you may wish to  [ create an account] . Doing so is free, requires no personal information, and provides several benefits. For one thing, if you continue to edit without a username, your IP address is used to publicly identify you.

In any case, I hope you enjoy donating your time to grow the Wikisource library that is free for everyone to use! In discussions, please sign your comments using four tildes ( ~ ); this will automatically produce your IP address (or username if you're logged in) and the date. If you need help, ask me on my talk page, or ask your question here (click  [ edit] ) and place  before your question. Again, welcome!

Correction is nice, though I like the irony of Caramelizes being nuns. Funny! — billinghurst  sDrewth  00:37, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

title: User talk:70.24.79.82