Chapter 289 End of the Investiture of the Gods
"Cough cough..."
Zhao Gongming fell from the clouds to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and fled the battlefield, but he couldn't hold out until he reached the Three Immortal Islands.
Just as his consciousness was about to fade away, Zhao Gongming saw a young man holding a cloth banner not far away.
In a daze, he seemed to see the words "all diseases will be cured" on the banner. Like a drowning man grasping at the last straw, a glimmer of hope suddenly ignited in his heart.
"Help...help me..."
A faint smile played on Yang Jiao's lips as he slowly approached. The eight large characters on the banner, "Saving all living beings, curing all diseases," fluttered clearly in the wind.
He began, "I only help those with whom I have a karmic connection. I wonder if you and I are destined to be together?"
Zhao Gongming didn't care about anything else. He nodded repeatedly, his voice trembling, "It's...it's fate! As long as you save my life, I, Zhao Gongming, will repay this kindness handsomely!"
Yang Jiao smiled without saying a word, gently waving the cloth banner in his hand. A soft light flowed towards Zhao Gongming like water. Zhao Gongming felt a warmth envelop his entire body, then everything went black, and he lost consciousness.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Gongming slowly awoke, only to find that all his injuries had vanished like smoke, and he was truly cured of all his ailments. However, when he looked around, the young man from before had disappeared without a trace.
Just as he was filled with doubt, a small star flew out from his clothes. Then came the familiar voice of the young man who had saved him: "We are destined to meet, so I saved your life. There is no need to repay me. If you encounter danger again, you can crush the star for help. Out of consideration for fate, I can save you again."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gongming's eyes flashed with complex emotions. He gripped the star in his hand tightly and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he took a deep breath, composed himself, and flew towards the Three Immortal Islands to invite his three sisters to come out of seclusion.
...
"Jiao'er, have you gone to practice medicine again?"
Yao Ji looked at Yang Jiao, who was walking back with a cloth banner, and asked with concern.
Yang Jiao nodded gently: "Yes, the world is in chaos, and there are people everywhere who need help. I am just doing my part."
Yao Ji felt he was too kind and couldn't help but say a few more words: "It's good that you have this intention, but you should also think more about yourself. There are so many people in this world who need help, you..."
"Don't worry, Mother, I know what you mean." Yang Jiao walked to her side with a smile. "I don't mean to take the whole world on my shoulders. If we meet, it's fate. If we're destined to meet, we should naturally help."
Yang Jiao's words were full of meaning, but Yao Ji didn't understand them and just smiled with satisfaction.
"Mother, don't just criticize me. You and Father have been helping others too."
Hearing Yang Jiao's words, Yao Ji smiled and shook her head: "I am no longer a god. Your father and I can only do so much. We can only help the people in the neighborhood. We just want to have a clear conscience..."
As she spoke, Yao Ji couldn't help but sigh: "This is probably how parents feel. They can do whatever they want, but when it comes to their children, they always worry that you will be wronged."
"Mother, don't worry, I won't be wronged. As for Erlang and Sanmei, with their abilities, they'll be fine too. You don't need to worry."
"Squeak!"
As the two were talking, Wukong jumped out of the house and rushed into Yang Jiao's arms.
Seeing Wukong relying on Yang Jiao like a child, Yao Ji couldn't help but laugh: "Yes, I'm not worried about the three of you anymore. I only need to worry about our little Wukong, right?"
"squeak--"
Wukong smiled sweetly at Yao Ji, but never left Yang Jiao's embrace.
"Alright, I won't disturb your father-son reunion any longer. I'll be going now."
"mother."
Yang Jiao was both amused and exasperated by Yao Ji's words, wondering how Wukong and Yang Tianyou were communicating with her. In any case, Wukong's title as the eldest grandson was firmly firmly established.
"squeak!"
Wukong curiously tugged at Yang Jiao's collar, asking him what fun things he had to do on this trip.
Yang Jiao lowered his head, stroked his fluffy head and chuckled: "Wukong, your master will teach you a new principle today."
"squeak!"
"In this world, what's free is often the most expensive."
...
In the 550th year of the Yin Dynasty, King Zhou was defeated at the Battle of Muye and retreated to Chaoge, where he set himself on fire at Lutai.
When Ji Fa arrived, he shot three arrows at King Zhou's corpse and cut off his head, which was then displayed on a large white flag, marking the official end of the Shang Dynasty.
The setting sun, like blood, cast an even more desolate glow upon the ruins of Chaoge City.
Ji Fa, tall and resolute, stood atop the high platform. Below, the soldiers, their armor gleaming, their eyes burning with awe and expectation.
In that instant, memories of the past flooded his mind like a tide. Ji Fa seemed to see his elder brother Boyi Kao again, his gentle yet resolute face, and the words he uttered to him in his last moments: "Be the ruler of the world, be the emperor."
Ji Fa's gaze became fervent and resolute, abandoning the old doctrine of "destiny is ordained by Heaven." He was the Martial King, a Martial King who would rule the world by his own power! He raised the Xuanyuan Sword high, its blade gleaming with cold light, as if to pierce the chaotic sky.
"I, Ji Fa, here today, establish the Zhou Dynasty!" His voice, like a resounding bell, echoed through the heavens, carrying an undeniable majesty. "I will be the emperor of men, the ruler of the world, and the master of all people!" His words were firm and resounding, as if he had made an eternal vow to the world.
The stars seemed to be moved by his determination, and began to twinkle incessantly. Those connected to the stars clutched their hearts, a silent emotion and sense of responsibility spreading through them.
"If Heaven blesses you, then follow Heaven's will; if Heaven does not bless you, then defy Heaven!"
Ji Fa's voice was filled with fearlessness and decisiveness. His gaze swept over the crowd below the stage, and the flame burning in his eyes ignited the passion in everyone's blood.
At this moment, Jiang Ziya clearly realized that he was never a king who simply relied on the mandate of heaven, but a ruler of the world who opened up a new path for all living beings with his own will.
Suddenly, he felt the Investiture of the Gods burning in his hands. The gods used all living beings as a chessboard, but unexpectedly, someone appeared who dared to jump out of the game and even wanted to become a pawn of the players. Would those above really allow it?
Jiang Ziya didn't know, but seeing the people and generals around him shouting "King Wu" at the top of their lungs, he understood that at least for this moment, Ji Fa was the one everyone wanted.
The new Zhou Dynasty has been established, and it is time to publish the list of deities.
Under the expectant gazes of countless people, the Investiture of the Gods unfolded in the sky like a giant scroll, initially a blank canvas. As the crowd remained bewildered and uncertain, it paused for a moment, as if it had been neglected for a long time, before finally displaying the names of many people.
Even figures like King Zhou, Fei Zhong, and You Hun were on the list, but Daji was notably absent.
Looking at Shen Gongbao, who had even been given the title of "General Who Divides the Waters of the East Sea," he chuckled, toying with the almost completely dissipated soul of a certain fox in his hand, his laughter mocking: "Tsk, you knew all along but still wouldn't give up, now you see... how could a god so high and mighty possibly take a little demon seriously..."
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