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

Chapter 35 Petition to the Emperor

The next morning, the rising sun gilded the majestic imperial city of Chaoge with a golden edge, but it could not dispel the somber and oppressive atmosphere that permeated the air.

Zhang Kui finished his meditation and slowly opened his eyes. The light in his eyes was restrained, and his aura was harmonious and unimpeded.

At this moment, a servant's respectful voice came from outside the door: "General Zhang, the Prince is waiting for you in the front hall. Please prepare to enter the court."

Zhang Kui responded, rose, straightened his dragon-scale armor, and carefully placed the remonstrance written by Grand Tutor Wen into his robes. When he reached the front hall, he saw Huang Feihu already dressed in full royal robes, a sword at his waist, his expression solemn.

"General Zhang, are you ready?" Huang Feihu asked in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, I am ready." Zhang Kui's gaze was firm.

Without another word, the two walked side by side out of the Prince Wu Cheng's residence, boarded the prepared carriage, and headed towards the palace. Gao Lanying and Wu Wenhua remained in the residence to await news.

Outside the Nine-Room Hall, civil and military officials were already lined up according to rank, waiting. The atmosphere was solemn, no one made a sound, and even the exchange of glances was cautious. When Huang Feihu and Zhang Kui arrived, countless eyes instantly focused on them, especially on Zhang Kui, the unfamiliar but imposing young general.

Zhang Kui ignored the stares around him. Following the plan given to him by Bi Gan yesterday, he did not join the ranks of officials, but walked straight to the Dengwen Drum, which stood outside the hall and could not be moved unless it was an urgent matter of national importance.

Under the astonished gazes of the officials, Zhang Kui took a deep breath, his golden core trembled slightly, and he channeled his magical power into his arm, swinging the drumsticks.

"Thump!!!"

"Thump!!!"

"Thump!!!"

The heavy, resounding drumbeats, like thunder, suddenly exploded in the morning air above the royal palace, breaking the deathly silence. The drumbeats penetrated the palace walls and echoed throughout the vast imperial city.

"Who is beating the drum?" the warrior in front of the palace shouted sharply. But when he saw the King of Wu Cheng standing next to Zhang Kui, and the uniquely shaped token in Zhang Kui's hand that symbolized the identity of Grand Tutor Wen, he swallowed back the rest of his words.

The drumbeats startled King Zhou inside the palace. Soon, a eunuch's shrill voice rang out: "His Majesty has decreed that the drummer be summoned to an audience."

The heavy palace doors slowly opened, and civil and military officials filed in, lining both sides. Under the gaze of the officials, Zhang Kui straightened his armor, strode confidently into the Nine-Room Palace, the power core of the Great Shang Dynasty.

The palace was resplendent with gold and jade, its carved beams and painted rafters exuding a magnificent aura. King Zhou, Yin Shou, sat high on his dragon throne, his face gloomy, his eyes filled with displeasure at being disturbed and a hint of barely perceptible tyranny. The demon concubine Daji was not in the palace, but Zhang Kui could sense a faint, eerie aura lurking behind the curtains of the rear hall.

"Who is beating the drum below? What urgent military situation is there?" King Zhou's voice was icy and carried an imposing aura.

Zhang Kui, neither humble nor arrogant, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in salute, and spoke in a clear and loud voice that echoed throughout the hall: "This humble general, Zhang Kui, is currently the commander of the rear army of the Beihai rebellion suppression force. I have returned to the capital on the orders of Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, who has personally submitted a written remonstrance to Your Majesty. This matter concerns the war situation in Beihai and the stability of the nation. I had no choice but to strike the Dengwen Drum, disturbing Your Majesty's presence. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"Grand Tutor Wen's advice?" King Zhou frowned, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes. He could disregard any minister, but he couldn't help but be wary of that old minister entrusted with the care of the late emperor, who held considerable military power and whose cultivation was unfathomable.

He waved his hand. "Bring it here."

The eunuch took the document from Zhang Kui and respectfully presented it to King Zhou.

King Zhou unfolded the document and glanced at it. It contained ten pieces of advice written by Wen Zhong himself, each word a gem, directly addressing the ills of the time:

"I have heard that to ensure a tree grows tall, its roots must be firmly planted; to ensure a river flows far, its source must be dredged; and to ensure the peace of the nation, its people must cultivate virtue and righteousness… Your Majesty, having received the great mandate of Heaven and occupying the highest position in the realm, should be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace, and practice frugality and restraint… I now offer ten points for Your Majesty to consider:"

If you see something desirable, then you should know how to restrain yourself.

If you are about to undertake something, then you should think about knowing when to stop so that people can be at peace.

When one is in a high-risk situation, one should reflect on humility and self-discipline.

The fourth thought is to avoid overflowing, so one should think of the rivers and seas that receive all the streams.

The five thoughts on the joy of playing the game are to consider the three-stage driving as the limit;

The sixth concern is laziness; therefore, one should be cautious at the beginning and respectful at the end.

If one's thoughts are obstructed, then one should humbly accept advice from those below.

The eighth thought is to fear slander and evil, and thus to rectify oneself in order to eliminate evil;

When one is granted the favor of the Ninth Prince, one should not be pleased with the reward given unjustly.

When considering the scope of punishment, one should think carefully about how to avoid indiscriminate use of force due to anger.

"Consider these ten points, and cultivate these nine virtues... If one can do this, then one can employ both civil and military means, govern with ease, and why bother to rack one's brains and perform the duties of all officials?"

These ten pieces of advice are all insightful and pointed out King Zhou's current mistakes, while also suggesting ways to improve them. The words are sincere and reflect his concern for the country and its people.

King Zhou's expression shifted constantly as he read the document, sometimes dark and brooding, sometimes furious, his fingers tightening slightly. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; all the ministers held their breath, watching King Zhou's reaction with bated breath. The treacherous ministers, Fei Zhong and You Hun, looked grim, their eyes flashing with a sinister light. Huang Feihu and Bi Gan appeared calm, but their fists clenched tightly in their sleeves. The loyal ministers, such as Yang Ren, wore expectant expressions.

Ultimately, the anger in King Zhou's eyes was gradually replaced by a cold rationality. He knew that he absolutely could not afford to break ties with Wen Zhong at this moment. The North Sea was not yet pacified, and Wen Zhong held considerable military power. If the morale of the army was unstable, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He slowly closed the document, his gaze falling on Zhang Kui, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "Grand Tutor Wen, though far away in Beihai, still cares about the court, which greatly comforts me. I have accepted these ten pieces of advice and will consider them carefully. General Zhang has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebels in Beihai, and you have had a long and arduous journey."

He hesitated for a moment, seemingly to demonstrate his magnanimity and impartiality in rewarding and punishing, before speaking: "Zhang Kui, heed the decree!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Zhang Kui is promoted to Deputy Commander of the Northern Army, stationed in the capital, and responsible for the defense of the outer perimeter of the capital. He shall take office immediately."

The Deputy Commander of the Northern Army was a high-ranking and powerful position, responsible for the defense of the outer perimeter of the capital. This appointment was both a way to appease Wen Zhong's faction and, perhaps more importantly, a way to keep Zhang Kui under close surveillance.

Zhang Kui knew perfectly well what was going on, but he remained respectful on the surface, kowtowing and expressing his gratitude: "Your subject Zhang Kui thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."

Thus, Zhang Kui's primary mission was successfully completed. Although King Zhou did not immediately agree to adopt all the advice, as long as he accepted it and promised to "consider" it, Grand Tutor Wen's goal was achieved—successfully demonstrating his stance to the court and the public, and temporarily stabilizing the situation.

After the court session ended, the officials left the Nine-Room Hall with their own thoughts. Fei Zhong and others, their faces ashen, hurriedly departed. Huang Feihu, Bi Gan, Yang Ren, and others, however, wore expressions of satisfaction and cast approving glances at Zhang Kui.

However, Zhang Kui did not seize the opportunity to integrate into their circle and actively participate in court politics, as Huang Feihu and Bi Gan had hoped. He knew that the court was a murky place, with various forces intertwined, King Zhou unpredictable, and a seductive concubine lurking nearby—it was not a place to stay for long. His trip was only to fulfill the Grand Tutor's request, and he had no intention of getting involved in this vortex.

He politely declined the invitation to a banquet from Vice Minister Bi Gan, and also refused the inner city residence offered by Huang Feihu, citing the need to familiarize himself with the defenses for easy travel to and from the military camp. Zhang Kui directly used his savings from the past years to purchase a quiet residence in the western suburbs of the capital, near the Northern Army Camp.

This mansion, far from the hustle and bustle of the court, was in a quiet and elegant environment, complete with a training ground and a meditation room, which suited Zhang Kui's taste perfectly. He settled Wu Wenhua and three hundred personal guards in the Northern Military Camp next to the mansion, and entrusted most of the mundane affairs of the daily military drills and roll call to the increasingly reliable and capable Wu Wenhua.

He himself truly lived a semi-secluded life. Apart from his daily, unwavering cultivation and enlightenment, pondering the Golden Elixir Path and the Heavenly Gang Divine Power, his greatest pleasure was exchanging cultivation ideas with Gao Lanying.

Gao Lanying's cultivation method was quite profound. Although she had not formally become a disciple of the legendary ancestor of earth immortals, Zhenyuan Daxian, the inheritance she received was indeed related to the Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain. Her foundation was solid, and she had a unique understanding of the Five Elements. The two often discussed and exchanged insights under the trees in the courtyard or in the quiet room.

Zhang Kui shared his insights on the Golden Elixir Dao and his experience in practicing the "Five Elements Great Escape" from the Thirty-Six Methods of the Heavenly Gang with Gao Lanying, which greatly benefited her. Gao Lanying's exquisite control over the power of earth and fire elements and her method of using the Sun God Needle also gave Zhang Kui a lot of inspiration.

This pure exchange of Taoist principles brought the two closer together, and the awkwardness caused by the mother's forced matchmaking gradually dissipated, replaced by a mutual appreciation and subtle, gradual affection.

The turmoil in Chaoge City is temporarily none of their concern.

Zhang Kui was happy to have some peace and quiet, and only wanted to guard this little world, improve his strength, and wait for Grand Tutor Wen to return.

However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. As the newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Northern Army and also Grand Tutor Wen's spokesperson, can he really remain aloof forever?