Chapter 1438: 515: Jiang Ziya Ascends the Mountain (Part 2)
Chapter 1438: Chapter 515: Jiang Ziya Ascends the Mountain (Part 2)
Jiang Shang merely looks old, but in reality, he is only in his twenties.
He is from the Shang Nation, and under the shelter of his ancestors and the recommendation of his family’s powerful connections, he became a minor clerk in the Imperial Capital of the Shang Nation, responsible for… counting the number of human sacrifices used in rituals.
Those karmic obstacles are likely from this.
Why did Jiang Shang come here?
This is something the Heavenly Dao has not revealed, and all that Li Ping’an can calculate through the Heavenly Dao is Jiang Shang’s past information; Jiang Shang’s current situation has been obscured by a Saint.
And when Li Ping’an tried to calculate again, he found…
The Heavenly Dao showed no record of this person.
‘Did Master Ancestor just obscure the calculations for him?’
Li Ping’an chuckled inwardly, it seemed Master Ancestor did not want him to know that this Jiang Shang is the main person in the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm.
Hmm?
Wait a moment, there’s an issue here.
Since Jiang Shang has appeared, then my father, the Minister of Wealth in the Heavenly Court with Great Fortune, who has always been referred to as the primary person in the Dao Immortal Tribulation…
Eh? Jiang Shang is here, how can Father preside over the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm?
Li Ping’an felt his just cleared mind becoming muddled again.
As he pondered, Jiang Shang, leaning on a wooden staff, had already reached nearby. Seeing the female Immortal sitting under the tree, he was suddenly filled with excitement.
Taoist Compassionate Ferry had long seen Jiang Shang and also noticed the trace of Dao Charm deliberately revealed by Yuanshi Tianzun. At this moment, she dared not be careless and stood up to greet him.
She pointed her finger, releasing a trace of Immortal light, and Jiang Shang’s whole body was instantly filled with vigor.
Jiang Shang hurriedly stepped forward, performed a formal Dao salute, and exclaimed: “Greetings, Immortal! I earnestly beseech you to grant me Immortal fate!”
“Friend, you are mistaken.”
Taoist Compassionate Ferry shook her head with a smile and said softly:
“The one who can grant you Immortal fate is not here, but do you see the Immortal Palace ahead? There lies your Immortal fate.”
Jiang Shang bowed repeatedly, and when he looked up inadvertently, he saw Li Ping’an reclining on a tree branch, slightly stunned.
‘Is this the descendant of the Female Immortal? This young man looks quite familiar.’
“Thank you, Immortal, for your guidance,” Jiang Shang expressed his gratitude and prepared to continue climbing the mountain.
“Hmm,” Li Ping’an made a sound, stretched leisurely, and called out, “Where is this mortal going?”
Jiang Shang swallowed a lump, turned, and saluted Li Ping’an.
He said, “This mortal seeks Immortal fate on the mountain…”
Li Ping’an cheerfully responded: “Immortal fate? Who are you? Do you know what place this is?”
Taoist Compassionate Ferry blinked lightly.
She did not know why Li Ping’an was interested in this mortal, but since this mortal was personally sent by her teacher, there must be something unusual about him.
Thus, Taoist Compassionate Ferry took the initiative to introduce him: “Friend, do not lose your manners, this young Immortal before you is quite remarkable…”
“Eh,” Li Ping’an raised his hand to signal, and warmly said, “Uncle-Master, please do not praise me, I am not good at handling praise.”
Taoist Compassionate Ferry smiled and nodded.
Jiang Shang spoke softly: “To the Immortal, my name is Jiang Shang, a person of the Shang Nation, disgusted with the mundane world, admiring the Path of Immortality, thus coming to seek Immortal fate and a master to cultivate under.”
“Shang Nation?”
Li Ping’an puzzled, “How can a person from the Shang Nation appear here when this place is at least several tens of thousands of miles away from the Shang Nation?”
“Ah?”
Jiang Shang was completely stunned, then said, “I feel somewhat disoriented…”
“Moreover, I ask you,” Li Ping’an folded his arms, walked up to Jiang Shang, “The Shang Nation is in the Southern Continent, which I am quite familiar with; how could there be the Path of Immortality there? It is the domain of the Divine Court, with even fewer temples of the Holy Mother.”
Jiang Shang smiled wryly: “That, believe it or not, I had a dream since childhood, where an old Immortal with white hair rides a crane to visit, imparting talismans upon me. Thus I delved into ancient texts and came to know about Qi Cultivation and Immortal cultivation.”
“Oh?”
“Every word I say is true!”
“If that is so,” Li Ping’an said, “then I won’t make things too difficult for you, come, let me take you up.”
Beneath Li Ping’an’s feet appeared a white cloud, lifting Jiang Shang.
Jiang Shang was in awe, his feet sinking into the white cloud, ensuring he would not fall off easily.
The white cloud drifted slowly towards the Jade Void Palace.
Taoist Compassionate Ferry rode a cloud behind, leisurely watching the scene unfold.
Li Ping’an asked: “Did you say you are disgusted with the mundane world?”
“Yes,” Jiang Shang smiled wryly.
“Why are you disgusted with the mundane world?” Li Ping’an asked, “Is it due to an unprosperous career?”
“Not exactly,” Jiang Shang replied, “Do you know about the matter of human sacrifice?”
“Naturally, I am aware.”
Jiang Shang sighed, “When I first saw humans being slaughtered like cattle and sheep, I was very excited, because everyone around me told me this was the highest reverence for the heavens.”
Li Ping’an frowned and asked, “Reverence?”
“Yes,” Jiang Shang instinctively clasped his hands behind his back and adopted a certain tone, but then he realized he had left his familiar surroundings and quickly put his arms down.
He said earnestly:
“Now I can confirm, there is something wrong with the Shang Nation, but I cannot pinpoint what the problem is.
“Initially, the reason that made me doubt whether the heavens actually existed and whether our sacrifices were useful was one time, after a sacrificial ceremony, a general who should have won died in battle far away, and of the elite army of over a hundred thousand, only sixty percent returned.
“Yet the outcome of that sacrifice, the divination result, should have been a great victory.
“Then I went to investigate what happened after each major sacrifice. After a thorough calculation… there was no correlation between the sacrificial results and subsequent events.
“I was quite shocked at the time, conducted several days and nights of sleepless research, and summarized a pattern.
“The heavens may have never responded to the cries of the common people.”
Li Ping’an slowly nodded, “And then?”
“After another six months, I decided to report this matter to the Shang King!”
Jiang Shang sighed:
“Sadly, my Bamboo Slip reached the hands of the chief officer, and it was immediately thrown into the furnace by the chief officer.
“Soon after, I was informed that I must go home to reflect.
“Alas, afterwards, there was no place where I could speak the truth, everyone thought I was crazy, as the ancestors of past kings had all ascended to serve the heavens.
“From then on, I became disheartened.”
“I see.”
Li Ping’an slowly nodded:
“The belief of the Shang people is that they believe their ancestors go to serve the heavens after death, and slaughtering humans is to send people up to serve their ancestors.
“In the eyes of the Shang people, if they could capture those national rulers and leaders, the higher the status of those enemies, the more qualified they would be to serve the ancestors of the Shang King.
“Do you see no merits in this?”
“Merits?”
“There’s nothing wrong with believing in ancestors, but clearly, these do not match… the soldiers fought hard to win, yet in the end, it’s us who are responsible for the sacrifices that receive rewards, as if the soldiers only went out for a walk.”
Jiang Shang kept shaking his head:
“I also thought of risking my life to advise at the main entrance.”
“But… in the end, I was still too cowardly, even if my blood splattered five steps, the king probably wouldn’t even look at me, a mere minor official.”
Li Ping’an nodded with a smile and reminded, “We’re about to reach the Jade Void Palace, you go in first, and I’ll come in shortly to visit.”
Only then did Jiang Shang regain his composure, hastily bowing his hands, “Thank you, Immortal, for your escort.”
“My name is Li Ping’an,” Li Ping’an smiled, “If you encounter any trouble after leaving the Jade Void Palace, just mention my name, it should be useful.”
“Thank you, Immortal, for your care.”
The white cloud split into two halves, one sending Jiang Shang to the main hall of the Jade Void Palace.
Li Ping’an slightly raised his eyebrow.
The minor official Jiang Shang of the Shang Nation…
When he went to Chaoge, he didn’t notice this person, was it the intentional doing of the Heavenly Dao?
Taoist Compassionate Ferry flew in from behind, smiling, “His Majesty is so concerned about an ordinary human?”
“Human? He is not an ordinary human.”
Below came Jiang Shang’s loud call, “Mortal Jiang Shang! Here seeking immortal fate! Please, Immortal, grant me the method of cultivation! Jiang Shang is deeply grateful!”
A gentle voice came from inside the hall, it was Yuanshi Tianzun personally speaking:
“Enter.”
A Saint personally summoning a mortal?
Taoist Compassionate Ferry also slightly frowned.
Li Ping’an turned and asked, “Uncle Master, is there any disciple with the surname Shen in Chan Teaching?”
“Shen?” Taoist Compassionate Ferry calculated with his fingers, “Never heard of one.”
Li Ping’an was immediately confused.
Isn’t it? Where’s Shen Gongbao?
If the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm followed the normal script, wouldn’t it mean Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao were both cultivating in Chan Teaching, with Shen Gongbao begrudging Jiang Ziya for obtaining the Investiture of the Gods list…?
For a moment, Li Ping’an didn’t know where to begin his commentary.
A bit chaotic.
Logically, Shen Gongbao should have joined Chan Teaching by now; could it be that my father, the Great Fate Holder, has nothing to do with the Dao Immortal Tribulation?
Li Ping’an raised his hand to rub his forehead, but inside the hall came the call from Yuanshi Tianzun:
“Why does His Majesty not enter?”