Chapter 653: Emperor Xin Descends into the World

In the mortal world, holding a minor official position was purely for leisure.

Truly, when it came to genuine influence, it was the ordinary ministers in the Heavenly Court who wielded deeper power.

Li Changshou didn't pay much attention to these matters. In the human realm, he used his paper effigies to immerse himself, treating it as a minor diversion before the Fengshen Calamity arrived.

Incidentally, by establishing a faction within the Shang Dynasty court, he could rally his own supporters and, to some extent, influence the direction of the Shang Dynasty.

In his first three years in the Shang Dynasty, by taking some "Zhongnan shortcuts," he rose to the rank of one of the Six Ministers. This was astonishing to mortals, but given Li Changshou's understanding of human nature, he could only say it was...

Slow.

At that time, although the Shang Dynasty had a relatively established court, it lacked a clear system for official promotions.

As long as the Shang King was pleased, even the position of Grand Physician could be bestowed casually.

Moreover, Li Changshou had gained renown in Da Yin City through his storytelling of "The Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan's Battle Against Chiyou," earning the title of "great scholar" and becoming a favored figure in the Shang King's eyes.

The Grand Historian position was similar to that of a court historian, but it didn't involve rituals of divination or sacrifices for the Shang Dynasty, as the authority over divine interpretations remained in the hands of the "Nv Bu Tuan," or Female Divination Group.

This was actually influenced by the ancestor of the Shang Dynasty, You Qin Xuanya.

After the court session, Li Changshou visited his office, handled various affairs within half an hour, and then returned to his residence to conduct research.

The main focus of his research was the ancient history of the human race.

Li Changshou would disrupt the smooth flow of stories, insert some incomprehensible phrases, and piece together narratives that seemed plausible yet elusive, making others think they might be true.

The more obscure and difficult to understand, the more people would regard him as a "master" with genuine knowledge.

In reality, once he closed the door to his study and set up some simple arrays, he would sit at his desk, shift his focus to other places, and continue with other arrangements related to the great calamity.

To avoid suspicion, Li Changshou had no intention of assisting Wen Zhong in any way, letting this future Grand Preceptor Wen climb the ranks on his own.

After all, the Heavenly Dao was backing him.

But as for Huo Ling Shengmu, who was toiling in the military camp, Li Changshou couldn't help but...

Find it amusing.

The esteemed third-generation senior sister of Jie Jiao, the direct disciple of Duobao Daoist, and an innate spirit of the Honghuang era, had actually donned rough hemp clothes and was in the Shang army camp, responsible for tending fires for cooking.

It was truly unprecedented.

Huo Ling had her own personality; she used a spell to scar her face, hoping to make a name for herself through her own "martial prowess."

Li Changshou didn't feel it was appropriate to comment much on this, since he was taking the path of "hype," which was opportunistic. He couldn't mock such practical and down-to-earth behavior.

However, Di Xin was about to be born.

Starting from the grassroots at this point seemed a bit too late.

The essence of the Shang Dynasty's rule was an extension of family clans. If he couldn't establish a stable network of influence within the Shang Dynasty before the calamity arrived, then laying plans in the mortal world would be meaningless.

Compared to the few third-generation disciples sent by Chan Jiao, at least Huo Ling and Wen Zhong were dedicated and patient.

As for those Chan Jiao third-generation "lords," Li Changshou truly had no words to say about them.

They had been in Da Yin City for over two years, staying in inns on the city's outskirts, occasionally going out to gather information, but showing no interest in infiltrating the core of the Shang Dynasty's power.

Or perhaps they had no idea how to do it.

Li Changshou didn't offer guidance to Wen Zhong, so naturally, he wouldn't guide the Chan Jiao disciples either. He just observed from the sidelines, occasionally checking the progress of both sides in "strategizing" against the Great Shang Dynasty.

And so, another half year passed.

Wen Zhong was promoted again and, after some hesitation, came to the Grand Historian's residence to visit Li Changshou.

Li Changshou drank and chatted with him, discussing matters of the Shang Dynasty court and giving him some subtle hints. Wen Zhong caught on quickly and began to understand some of the "hidden rules."

However, just as Li Changshou was delighting in this sense of involvement in mythical history, rumors suddenly spread in Da Yin City.

A sage had emerged in Da Yin!

Zi Xian was unworthy, only knowing pleasure, while his brother Bi Gan was clever and talented, most suitable to succeed the throne.

In half a month, an immortal would descend to grant Bi Gan the abilities of a sage.

Li Changshou...

Why was Chan Jiao promoting Bi Gan?

Li Changshou felt some doubt in his heart, but the news came from those "inn immortals," and he had seen it all.

What was Guangchengzi Shixiong planning this time?

The position of the Shang Dynasty's ruler was already set, to be passed to Zi Xian, who was Di Xin's father.

Zi was the surname of the Shang rulers, and Li Changshou hadn't paid attention to when it changed, probably around the time of Shang Tang.

— The title "Zhou Wang" was given to Di Xin by the Zhou state after they overthrew the Shang Dynasty's rule; Di Xin was named Zi Shou, the third son of Zi Xian.

At this delicate moment, when Di Xin was about to be born, his grandfather was about to pass away, and Zi Xian was about to ascend, Chan Jiao suddenly made this move.

Did they really think the throne could be claimed by whoever was wiser or more virtuous?

Zi Xian had long been groomed as the next ruler, and the court ministers, as well as the major clans controlling the Shang Dynasty's affairs—like Huang Feihu's "seven-generation loyal Huang family"—had already pledged loyalty to him.

At this juncture, having Bi Gan compete with Zi Xian for the throne would require a complete purge of the Shang Dynasty's core, otherwise it was just a pipe dream.

Li Changshou could only shake his head and smile, continuing to observe the situation.

In less than half a month, strange phenomena appeared in the skies of Da Yin City, with a seven-colored auspicious cloud flying in from the horizon and hovering above Bi Gan's residence.

At that time, Bi Gan was just a teenager, handsome and bright-eyed, with even a touch of immortal cultivation talent.

He was taking a nap when he heard a gentle female voice calling him, so he groggily walked into the courtyard, and his figure was instantly enveloped by the seven-colored auspicious cloud, slowly rising into the air.

This was visible throughout the city as Bi Gan gradually absorbed the auspicious cloud.

In the sky, a female immortal in white robes appeared, her face dignified and surrounded by immortal light. Her gentle voice echoed across the great city:

"Bi Gan, today I grant you a seven-orificed exquisite heart, bestowing the ability to see through worldly affairs. May you discern illusions and benefit the mortals."

With that, the female immortal's figure turned into mist and dissipated, while Bi Gan, now unconscious, slowly descended back to the courtyard and was surrounded by guards.

High in the clouds, Cihang Daoist nodded slightly, about to turn and return to Yuxu Palace to report.

But as she moved, she heard a light call from nearby: "Cihang Shijie, why not stay a few more days and see how things unfold?"

Cihang Daoist's heart tightened; recognizing the voice and its aura, she knew who had arrived.

She turned and saw a young Daoist who had appeared nearby, smiling and bowing to her.

Cihang returned the courtesy, her expression slightly embarrassed, and said softly,

"I didn't know you were here, Changgeng Shidi; I've been a bit presumptuous."

"For laying plans in the calamity, both Chan Jiao and Jie Jiao can do as they please, so no need to say presumptuous."

Li Changshou laughed. "The reason I showed myself is that I'm a bit confused about why Chan Jiao chose to promote Bi Gan as king?"

"This..."

Cihang wanted to say something grand, like how Bi Gan was quick-witted and fortunate, a material for a human emperor.

But looking into Li Changshou's smiling eyes, Cihang Daoist knew further excuses were futile, so she said lightly,

"I don't know the details; it was all arranged by Dashixiong."

"Ah," Li Changshou sighed with a smile, "Struggles for mortal thrones aren't that simple, and human emperor's destiny isn't easily manipulated.

Shijie, would you be willing to wait here with me for a few days? At most half a month, and it will serve as a witness."

"Oh?" Cihang laughed. "What kind of witness?"

"You'll know when the time comes, Shijie; please allow me to keep it a surprise."

Cihang was somewhat puzzled but nodded in agreement. She sent out a message jade talisman and sat beside Li Changshou on the clouds, watching the changes in the city below.

After Bi Gan received the seven-orificed exquisite heart, it caused a huge stir throughout Da Yin City.

Once Bi Gan awoke, the previously shy teenager suddenly became eloquent and perceptive of worldly matters.

Nobles and royals gathered at his residence, testing him with various difficult issues, and he provided solutions on the spot most of the time.

Ministers brought complex unresolved cases, and Bi Gan quickly uncovered the truth and identified the culprits.

In just three days, he solved all the pending cases in Da Yin City.

A few days later, on the court, he discussed state affairs, enlightening many lords and ministers.

Within half a month of Bi Gan gaining the seven-orificed exquisite heart, the core regions of the "Shang people," centered on Da Yin City, began to praise his virtues and talents.

News from the royal court indicated that the Shang King intended to change his successor.

In the court, the ministers split into two factions: eighty percent supported Zi Xian, upholding the established system of primogeniture that had formed over the years in the Shang Dynasty.

The other faction, consisting of ministers who had been sidelined, supported Bi Gan, arguing that with the immortal's blessing, he was a sage for the Shang Dynasty and should be named heir.

The two sides argued fiercely.

When Bi Gan heard the news, his seven-orificed exquisite heart made him realize what would happen next, so he hurried to go to the court.

But he was a step too late; before he could leave his residence, he was blocked by a large group of guards and confined at home.

That night, cries of grief came from the palace as the old king succumbed to his recurring illness, and the new king, Zi Xian, ascended to the throne and held the funeral.

After the grand mourning, with the new king newly enthroned, Bi Gan and his half-brother Xuyu knelt in the court and pledged loyalty to the new king.

Zi Xian treated them magnanimously, granting generous rewards, appointing Xuyu as a nominal lord, and, due to Bi Gan's outstanding abilities, assigning him to oversee criminal matters.

The succession of the throne concluded smoothly.

"This..."

On the clouds, Cihang Daoist frowned as she watched this scene, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Chan Jiao's scheme had ended in failure right from the start.

"What are your thoughts, Shijie?"

Li Changshou asked with a smile, and Cihang Daoist just shook her head and sighed.

"In the mortal world, though only mortals dwell, the hidden machinations are more terrifying than those of the great immortal sects."

"The human heart is inherently complex, and mortals can be quite cunning."

"Hmm?"

"Ah, nothing, nothing, just a small remark," Li Changshou said warmly. "Shijie, do you want to watch a bit longer?"

Cihang Daoist laughed. "Our Chan Jiao's plan has failed, so it's not appropriate for me to stay here.

However, hearing you speak like this, it seems there are still some arrangements ahead?"

"It's not really arrangements, just some preparations," Li Changshou laughed. "Earlier, I received a heavenly warning and entered the mortal world to protect the next Shang Dynasty ruler.

In a few days, there will be quite a show."

Cihang Daoist blinked gently and smiled. "Then I shall observe and see what means the Heavenly Court authority god has."

"Very well," Li Changshou nodded slowly.

Having guided Wen Zhong once before, today he would give Chan Jiao a few more reminders.

To balance the old Honghuang evils.

Thus, Cihang Daoist and Li Changshou quietly watched Da Yin City from the clouds, as white clouds drifted by and night turned to day, another half month passing.

That night, joyful news came from the palace: Zi Xian's third son was born, named Zi Shou.

Waves rose again in the court, with ministers urging Zi Xian to appoint an heir for the sake of the state's stability. At that time, Zi Xian's eldest son, Weizi Qi, was already an adult, talented and charismatic.

Zi Xian intended to name Weizi Qi as heir, but the Grand Historian stepped forward and said that Weizi Qi, though the eldest son, was not the legitimate eldest.

A minister asked curiously, "The three princes—Zi Qi, Zi Yan, and Zi Shou—are all from the same mother; what distinction is there?"

The Grand Historian, who was Li Changshou's paper effigy, laughed and said,

"What a fine question from the Grand Steward! I report to the great king!

When the first two princes were born, the king was still a prince, and the queen was a concubine, so their sons are illegitimate.

But Zi Shou is the son of the queen, so he is the legitimate eldest.

We pass to the legitimate, not the illegitimate; we pass to sons, not brothers. This was the rule set by the former emperor Wencheng when he moved the capital to Yin City, and it ended the internal struggles for the throne in the Shang Dynasty, stabilizing the four directions and extending the heavenly mandate.

I beseech the great king to consider this carefully."

On the throne, the vigorous king Di Yi pondered for a moment and said, "The Grand Historian speaks reasonably, but my son Shou is still an infant; how can I know if he is a wise ruler worthy of trust?"

Li Changshou did not say more, and from the side, a middle-aged woman in dark robes and a Xuanbird cloak stepped forward, kneeling to speak,

"The confusion of your ministers is for the king to decide; the confusion of the king is for heaven to decree."

Di Yi said, "Then let us divine it."

The ministers stepped back, and over ten witches in strange attire came barefoot, accompanied by the rhythm of bells and drums, beginning to jump left and right.

It had a bit of the flavor of Xiong Lingli's shamanic rituals.

The middle-aged woman sat before a fire basin, rolling her eyes and holding a turtle shell, shaking it up and down before placing it on the coals.

The "grid" on the turtle shell had several characters inscribed.

Soon, cracks appeared on the shell, passing through one of the characters...

Thus, a divination that would decide state affairs was completed.

The woman knelt and shouted, "Great king, heaven's will is with Zi Shou."

Di Yi laughed. "In that case, let Zi Shou be the heir."

The ministers acclaimed his wisdom, and the entire hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

On the clouds, Li Changshou laughed. "Shijie, do you understand now?"

Cihang Daoist frowned slightly and asked softly, "This method of divination is not a form of calculation; why do they all believe in it so firmly?"

"Because it's heaven's will," Li Changshou pointed upward. "This divination has no real logic, but it's a direct way for the Heavenly Dao to guide the human emperor.

Heaven's mandate is on Zi Shou, as per the Heavenly Dao's intent."

"Then, what scheme did you calculate here, Shidi?" Cihang Daoist laughed. "Is it just to tell me that heaven's will is hard to defy and the Heavenly Dao is unopposable? I already know such principles."

Li Changshou pointed toward Da Yin City and said, "Shijie, look again."

Cihang Daoist looked down and saw that in the hall, as the court was dismissing, the minister who had spoken about the legitimate eldest son—the Grand Historian of the Shang Dynasty—was smiling faintly at the air.

Cihang Daoist was slightly startled.

That wasn't all.

As Cihang Daoist stared at the Grand Historian, she noticed a brief eye contact between him and the female priest who had performed the divination.

Looking more closely, she saw that the female priest had another turtle shell hidden in her sleeve, with cracks on the same character as the one in the hall.

She couldn't help but ask, "Is this heaven's will or human intent?"

"If heaven doesn't stop it, it's heaven's will; if humans scheme, it's human intent," Li Changshou's figure slowly turned into mist, leaving a few words for Cihang Daoist before dispersing with the wind.

"Please relay to Guangchengzi Shixiong that mortal schemes differ entirely from immortal calculations; it's better to do less than more."

Cihang Daoist stood quietly on the clouds for a while, then shook her head and sighed lightly, riding the clouds toward Kunlun Mountain.

And so, several years passed.

'Lonesome, so lonesome.'

In a quiet valley at the junction of Nan Continent, Dong Continent, and Zhong Shen Continent, a cave appeared on the mountain wall, and a middle-aged Daoist stepped out, hands behind his back, gazing at the horizons.

Perhaps he should go out for a stroll?

The black leopard felt a slight restlessness in his heart. Although his cultivation here had been smooth, gradually building considerable power—higher than in his previous life—his Dao heart grew increasingly unsettled.

The world is vast, but where does one belong?

In his previous life, he was a Jie Jiao immortal, but in this life, he was just an ordinary black leopard by origin, too ashamed to return to Jin'ao Island for practice.

Now, with humans as the protagonists of the heavens and earth, as a yao creature, he didn't dare wander freely, lest he be hunted as a demon.

In recent years, he had visited the yao side a few times.

He had served as a minor vanguard general under a yao king in Bei Continent, but Bei Continent was raided by the Heavenly Court, and afterward, he drifted in Dong Continent, always feeling unfulfilled.

Ah...

He deeply missed the shameless days with Miao Miao.

But that was all he could do—miss them.

He might go for a walk; cultivating without companionship was truly torturous.

So, the black leopard took out a bronze mirror, tidied his carefully maintained hairstyle, and deliberately added a few white strands to appear more mature and seasoned.

"Hmm?"

In the nearby grass, a pair of eyes slowly opened, watching the back of the black leopard spirit as he left on the clouds, with a hint of contemplation in them.

This black leopard had finally moved.

The entire book is free on the full website.