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

Chapter 33 Leaving Home, Chaoge Undergoes a Shocking Change

The next day, as dawn broke and the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

Zhang Kui, who had been meditating, opened his eyes. The golden core within his body slowly calmed down, and his magical power flowed smoothly and unimpeded. Having reached the realm of Celestial Immortals, he no longer needed to rely on mortal grains to sustain his life; the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was the best nourishment.

However, as he twitched his nostrils, he caught a whiff of an incredibly familiar scent wafting from the direction of the kitchen.

Zhang Kui sighed softly, a bitter smile playing on his lips. He couldn't persuade her; he simply couldn't. Last night, he had explained to his mother repeatedly that he had already reached the level of a Celestial Immortal and had long since abstained from grains, so he no longer needed to worry about satisfying his appetite. His mother listened and nodded, as if she understood, but the next morning, the smoke from the kitchen still rose on time.

In his mother's simple mind, her son had traveled a long way home, how could he not eat before setting off? No matter how high his cultivation level was, he was still her son, and he wouldn't be at a loss if he ate his fill.

He got up and walked out of the room, only to see Gao Lanying also up, helping her mother busy in the kitchen. The soft morning light shone on her, making her look less fierce and valiant than she had been in yesterday's battle, and more gentle and domestic.

She deftly helped carry the bowls and chopsticks, and when she saw Zhang Kui come out, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered, "General, good morning."

"Good morning," Zhang Kui nodded in response, his gaze gentle.

Soon, a simple breakfast was laid out on the stone table: golden millet porridge, fragrant fried dough, and a dish of pickled vegetables made by the mother herself.

Zhang Kui didn't say anything more. He sat down and ate all the food on the table with his mother and Gao Lanying. He knew that the more he ate, the happier his mother would be.

Sure enough, seeing her son wolfing down his food, Wang Yunniang's eyes crinkled with laughter, and she kept saying, "Eat more, eat more, you must be tired from the journey..."

After the meal, it was already broad daylight. The time for parting had finally come.

Wang Yunniang escorted the two to the courtyard gate, took Zhang Kui's hand, and repeatedly urged him, "Be careful on the road! When you get to Chaoge, be cautious in everything you do, and don't be reckless. Take good care of Aying, and take good care of yourselves too..." As she spoke, her eyes reddened again.

"Mother, don't worry, I'll remember. Please take good care of yourself at home." Zhang Kui was also reluctant to part with his mother and squeezed her hand tightly.

Gao Lanying slung her bag over her shoulder, which contained some of her personal belongings. She bowed deeply to Wang Yunniang: "Aunt Yun, please take care. Lanying... will take good care of the General."

"Oh, good child, go on." Wang Yunniang wiped her eyes and waved with a smile.

Without further hesitation, Zhang Kui summoned the One-Horned Black Smoke Beast with a deep neigh, its four hooves treading on wisps of black smoke, displaying extraordinary swiftness.

"Let's go." Zhang Kui mounted the Black Smoke Beast and then naturally reached out his hand to Gao Lanying.

Gao Lanying looked at the outstretched hand, her face instantly flushing red, her eyes showing hesitation and shyness. A man and a woman riding together on one horse seemed far too intimate…

"This place is still quite a distance from the main camp outside the city. Does Miss Gao intend to walk there?" Zhang Kui asked calmly, but his eyes left no room for refusal.

Upon hearing this, Gao Lanying bit her lower lip, but finally reached out and placed her hand in Zhang Kui's palm. With a gentle pull, Gao Lanying felt a soft force supporting her as she lightly landed on the back of the Black Smoke Beast and sat down in front of Zhang Kui.

Her back was almost pressed against Zhang Kui's solid chest, and she could even feel the slight coolness from his clothes and the immense power of his blood and qi beneath them. This made her heart beat faster, her body stiffen slightly, and even her breathing became cautious.

"Hold on tight." Zhang Kui's voice rang in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe, making her tremble.

The next moment, the unicorn-like black smoke beast let out a joyful neigh, its four hooves whipping up the wind as it transformed into a black streak of light, speeding away towards the city's outskirts with incredible speed yet remarkable stability. Gao Lanying subconsciously and gently grasped the black smoke beast's mane, feeling the wind rush past her ears and watching the scenery rush past on both sides. The shyness in her heart was gradually replaced by a sense of novelty and a subtle excitement.

Before long, the camp outside the city came into view. Wu Wenhua was carrying a giant club and stood at the camp gate like a gatekeeper. Three hundred black-armored cavalrymen were already lined up, and a solemn and murderous aura permeated the air.

The unicorn-like beast came to a steady stop in the center of the training ground. Zhang Kui dismounted first, then naturally turned around and reached out to help Gao Lanying up.

Gao Lanying landed, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, and her cheeks were still flushed.

At this moment, the towering Wu Wenhua strode forward, clasped his hands in a salute to Zhang Kui, and said, "General!" Then, his large, bell-like eyes looked at Gao Lanying, he scratched his big head as if thinking for a moment, and then spoke in a deep, natural voice:

"lady!"

The word "Madam" was uttered with full force and without any hesitation.

Zhang Kui was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then chuckled, a hint of surprise in his eyes as he looked at Wu Wenhua. Goodness, this big guy looks simple and honest, but I didn't expect him to be so quick-witted and observant. Looks like he's not really simple-minded after all.

Gao Lanying was so startled by the address "Madam" that she almost jumped up. Her face turned bright red, and she stood there helplessly, wishing she could disappear into the ground. Yet, a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

Zhang Kui smiled, not denying it, but patted Wu Wenhua on the shoulder: "You're so clever. Pass down the order, break camp and set off. Destination: Chaoge."

"Yes, General," Wu Wenhua responded loudly, then turned and shouted, "Break camp, let's go... everyone, stay alert!"

The group quickly set off, three hundred men in black armor, surrounding Zhang Kui and Gao Lanying who rode together on a single horse, galloping towards Chaoge amidst billowing dust.

……

Just as Zhang Kui and his group were heading towards Chaoge, a breathtaking upheaval was unfolding in the royal palace of Chaoge City.

Since the four marquises were summoned to Chaoge, undercurrents have been swirling within the city. Today, King Yin Shou has finally ascended the throne and summoned these four marquises who have carved out their own territories.

The atmosphere in the grand hall was so tense it was almost palpable. King Zhou sat high on his throne, his face grim, his eyes filled with tyranny and suspicion. His concubine, Daji, sat beside him, her beauty unparalleled, yet her eyes held a chilling coldness and mockery. The officials below, both civil and military, held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

Marquis Jiang Huanchu of Dongbo was the first to step forward. As the father-in-law of the king, he was already filled with grief and indignation at the tragic death of his daughter, Queen Jiang, in the palace. Now, facing his enemy, his eyes were bloodshot, and he fiercely accused King Zhou of being tyrannical, favoring his concubine, harming loyal officials, and slaughtering his own relatives. His words were intense and he did not hold back.

Marquis E Chongyu of the South was of a fierce temperament and had long been dissatisfied with the government. Upon seeing this, he stepped forward to echo the sentiments, vehemently criticizing King Zhou's faults and demanding the removal of corrupt officials and the execution of the wicked concubine.

On the dragon throne, King Zhou's face grew increasingly grim, his eyes revealing murderous intent. Daji sneered repeatedly and whispered a few words in King Zhou's ear.

"Insolence!" King Zhou slammed his hand on the armrest of his dragon throne, enraged. "You subjects dare to openly slander your sovereign and plot treason! Guards!"

The warriors in front of the palace swarmed forward.

"Lord Jiang Huanchu of the East and Lord E Chongyu of the South, you are guilty of heinous crimes. Take them out of the Meridian Gate and behead them as a warning to the public." King Zhou's voice was cold and ruthless, like the cold wind of winter, sweeping through everyone's hearts.

Jiang Huanchu and E Chongyu cursed incessantly, but were forcibly dragged away by the fierce warriors.

The officials were horrified; the hall was deathly silent, and everyone felt insecure.

Then, King Zhou's cold gaze fell upon Ji Chang, the Marquis of the West, and Chong Houhu, the Marquis of the North.

"Lord of the West, you are known for your wisdom and ability, and your skill in divination. Now, calculate whether today's events will bring good fortune or misfortune?" King Zhou's voice carried a hint of sinister mockery.

Ji Chang was filled with grief and indignation, but he knew he could not resist at this moment. He suppressed his sorrow, stepped forward, bowed, and earnestly advised King Zhou to befriend virtuous ministers and distance himself from wicked men, to care for the people and to implement benevolent policies. He also pleaded for Jiang Huanchu and E Chongyu, hoping that King Zhou would remember their past merits and show them leniency—although he knew it was impossible.

However, Daji sneered from the side, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Marquis of Xibo is skilled in divination and has the ability to foresee the future. If he can predict the affairs of the world, how could he not know about today's disaster? In my opinion, his silence just now was because he was harboring evil intentions; his feigned plea for mercy now is extremely hypocritical. I'm afraid his heart is unpredictable and he already has rebellious intentions."

King Zhou, already wary of Ji Chang's reputation for virtue, became even more suspicious upon hearing this. He sternly declared, "Ji Chang is spreading heresy and harboring treacherous intentions. Seize him and imprison him in the death row. No one is allowed to visit him without my decree."

At this moment, two muffled sounds of axes clashing came from outside the hall, and Marquis Jiang Huanchu and Marquis E Chongyu were already decapitated.

Ji Chang sighed deeply, knowing that fate could not be defied, and stopped arguing, letting the warriors escort him away.

Finally, only Marquis Chonghou Hu of the North remained. He was already trembling with fear, his back soaked with cold sweat. When King Zhou's gaze swept over him, he knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Majesty, you are wise! I am utterly loyal to Your Majesty and have never harbored any disloyalty. Jiang Huanchu and E Chongyu brought about their own deaths, and Ji Chang was a hypocrite who deceived the world; they all deserved their punishment."

King Zhou was pleased to see Chong Houhu's submissive demeanor, thinking that the man was mediocre and incompetent, making him easier to control. Furthermore, Fei Zhong and You Hun pleaded on Chong Houhu's behalf.

King Zhou snorted coldly: "I doubt you would dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts. Get up. I hope you will serve me well in guarding the north from now on, and not become like those rebellious traitors."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" Chong Houhu felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He kowtowed repeatedly before shakily getting up and stepping aside. He was filled with lingering fear, but also secretly glad that he had escaped a calamity.

At a court assembly, of the four marquises, two died and one was imprisoned, with only the Northern Marquis, Chong Houhu, escaping unscathed.

Dark clouds gathered over Chaoge City, lightning flashed and thunder roared, as if mourning the devastating tragedy. Unaware of this, Zhang Kui was stepping deeper and deeper into the eye of the storm…