Chapter 657: How Many Ways to Write 'Zha'?

What is Senior Brother busy with now?

He's either in the lakeside thatched hut or the alchemy room, never coming out to wander around. It's been ages since I last saw him, which is strangely on my mind.

I heard that the Western Cult is no longer a threat...

Yesterday, Long Ji mentioned that in today's world, there's nothing the Heavenly Court can't accomplish. Senior Brother could change the fate of countless beings with a flick of his finger.

He's truly the rightful authority in the Heavenly Court!

In the Xiaoqiong Peak poker room,

Ling E gazed absentmindedly out the window, her mind wandering through these scattered thoughts, while her ears picked up a clattering sound.

It wasn’t the flow of water, but the crisp noise of jade tiles being shuffled by several delicate hands...

Long Ji had been idle lately and feeling a bit restless. To avoid being affected by the calamity's fate, she had taken up residence on Xiaoqiong Peak, becoming a full-time member of the poker room.

Xiong Lingli held a position in the Heavenly Court, but as the guardian general of Xiaoqiong Peak, even Tongming Hall didn't dare to issue orders transferring her. So, she spent her days playing here as usual.

As for the lowest-ranked member...

She appeared as a spirit form, wearing a fiery red dress with a high slit up to the thigh, boldly displaying her stunning figure without any reservations.

After all, it was just an illusion formed from spiritual power. Let them look—her true body was right there beside her, with its sleek curves, narrow top and wide base, capable of shaking a Golden Immortal to death with a single ring or severely injuring a Daluo with a mere collision.

Naturally, she was the innate treasure, the Chaos Bell.

Playing cards with these three was the Heavenly Court's female war god in an ice-blue dress, Youqin Xuanya.

After being firmly brought to Xiaoqiong Peak by Li Changshou last time, Youqin Xuanya no longer resisted.

As long as Xiong Lingli called for her from the old Water God's mansion, she would come here to play with them if she wasn't out fighting monsters.

Zhong Ling frowned and slapped a jade tile on the table, calling out,

“E, come over and help your sister look at my hand! How am I supposed to win this?

Stop staring longingly at your senior brother. He's at his busiest for the next few decades, probably already overseeing the Fengshen Calamity."

“How exactly is the calamity overseen?”

Ling E asked softly, gracefully hopping over and whispering,

“Is it like setting up a ring and having people come fight? Whoever loses joins the Heavenly Court?”

Zhong Ling chuckled lightly, “It’s not that peaceful.”

Xiong Lingli added, “Youqin might have seen it. Outside Zhongtian Gate, there’s this weird guy who sets up a stage every day. Maybe it’s a ring.”

Youqin Xuanya nodded immediately, her eyes fixed seriously on her own tiles.

It didn't look easy to win.

Zhong Ling said calmly, “I’m telling you little fish, you wouldn’t understand. This is incredibly complex—so much so that it’s a matter of life and death for Daoism.

Saints are playing the game, each making their moves. Someone like your senior brother, who can step out of the game and even stick a hand back in, is extremely rare.

I'd call him a fierce warrior.

Of course, that's mainly because he has the support of the strongest Saint behind him—that's the real foundation.

Let's start the game!”

By now, Ling E had already sorted Zhong Ling's tiles and was sitting quietly, deep in thought.

The two immortal maidens, one half-witch, and one treasure spirit launched into another fierce battle.

Youqin Xuanya asked, “In such a great calamity, is Changshou Senior Brother in any danger?”

“That depends on what he’s really up to.”

Zhong Ling chuckled, "This guy is interesting. He always talks about being cautious and acts very thoroughly, but who knows when he might do something impulsive.

People like him are rare, but I've seen a few. It's just that the others didn't go as far or as fast as he has."

“What does Changshou Senior Brother want to do…”

Youqin Xuanya murmured, turning to Ling E. "Ling E Junior Sister should know best."

“Um—”

Ling E rested her chin in her hand, thinking for a moment, and muttered softly, “To leave safely? To avoid all karma? Anyway, that’s how Senior Brother raised me from a young age.”

Youqin Xuanya nodded thoughtfully.

“Why not just ask him?” Zhong Ling laughed. "You living beings always beat around the bush and test each other. You're all so close, so what's there to hide?"

“Senior, it’s not the same! Three of a kind.”

Xiong Lingli said seriously, “In our village, there’s a saying: ‘The heart is separated by flesh and skin; don’t treat a villain like a brother, and the reverse is true too.

If everyone were straightforward, it would feel really strange.”

“Hah,” Zhong Ling narrowed her eyes with a smile, “So now I’m being lectured by a witch.”

“Hee hee hee.”

Xiong Lingli laughed awkwardly, her twin braids swaying gently. Her shrunken form from the transformation technique made her seem completely harmless.

Long Ji smiled and said, “I’m also curious about what Master is doing. He once said the Heavenly Court shouldn’t directly interfere in the Fengshen Calamity, but he also mentioned using it to eliminate hidden threats in the Heavenly Court.

It must all be difficult tasks.

Master is truly working too hard for the Heavenly Court.”

Ling E said, “Senior Brother should be able to handle it. Even if he can’t, there’s nothing we can do to help him.”

Youqin Xuanya replied, “That’s not right. Even if it means risking our lives to ease Changshou Senior Brother’s burden a little, that’s what we should do.”

“Oh, come on, focus! Can you respect the cards in front of you?”

Zhong Ling grumbled, “Distracted during a game, talking about Senior Brother this and Changshou Senior Brother that. You living beings are so mushy.

I'm going to win all your spirit stones today!”

The immortal maidens chuckled lightly, and Ling E gave Youqin Xuanya an apologetic glance. The latter shook her head slightly and bent down to ponder her next move.

The afternoon sunlight pierced through the layers of clouds in the Heavenly Court and the multiple arrays of Xiaoqiong Peak, miraculously losing little of its strength, casting dappled shadows around the poker room.

Laughter filled the room, making the nearby spirit beast enclosure seem unusually quiet.

At that moment, Li Changshou lay quietly on a lounge chair in front of the alchemy room. He stopped fanning himself, set down his teapot, gently closed his eyes, and breathed steadily, with his immortal sense covering the area around Taibai Palace.

This was his state when most of his mind had shifted away from his body, yet he maintained full vigilance.

He was about to undertake a major task!

In Chentang Guan, in the spacious and well-defended backyard of the Li mansion, the special paper effigy—advanced servant Wang Chang'an—stood straight and tall.

The silk shirt on his body reflected a faint gleam, and the gold chain around his neck set him apart from the other servants in the household.

Whether serving as an ordinary Heavenly Court official or a mansion servant, it all came down to dealing with people and working for others—essentially the same thing.

This was probably one of Li Changshou’s versatile little skills.

He raised his hand, knocked twice on the patterned spirit wood door with the back of his knuckles in a rhythmic way, then pushed open the ajar door, stepping in first with his left foot to face inside…

Uh, why was Li Jing worshiping him?

At that moment, Li Jing knelt on a cushion, hands clasped together, head bowed in prayer, seemingly in a trance.

Behind the incense table in front of him, a painting depicted Tai Bai Jinxing sitting cross-legged, the image of the white-browed, white-haired old immortal.

Li Changshou calmly ignored the painting, adjusted his voice to sound clear, slightly excited, and full of magnetism, and said,

“Master, the lady has given birth. Mother and child are safe.”

Li Jing’s tense back relaxed at once, and he let out a soft breath, but remembering his current status in the jianghu, he quickly regained his composure.

This commander stood up from the cushion and said in a voice that tried to be calm but was still a bit strained,

“Is it a boy or a girl?”

Li Changshou…

“A boy.”

Li Jing nodded with his hands behind his back and said, “Well, whether boy or girl, I’ll like them both.”

Li Changshou laughed. “Master, you can go to the delivery room now. Hurry and see the lady.”

“Very well,” Li Jing nodded, stepped out of the small shrine dedicated to Tai Bai Jinxing, and walked slowly, but each step carried him forward by over ten zhang.

He was even using a divine ability beyond his cultivation level.

Li Jing breathed a slight sigh of relief.

As a new father, he probably hadn’t made any mistakes.

He needed to maintain dignity—as a commander and a parent official, he had to be dignified. Adding a child to the family was just a private matter, nothing to make a big fuss about.

Yes, stay calm.

After all, he was nominally the adopted son of Tai Bai Xingjun; jumping around like a child wouldn’t do.

Li Changshou chuckled lightly, closed the door of the small shrine, and jogged after him.

Speaking of which, what was wrong with Jie Jiao?

Did they really think they were secure? Why were they so inactive everywhere?

Li Jing's destiny was already evident, and there had been ripples from the "father recognition" earlier. Logically, he should have drawn attention from Jie Jiao, Chan Jiao, and even the Western Cult.

Yet, only the aura of two Chan Jiao Twelve Golden Immortals lingered a thousand li away, with no sign of Jie Jiao.

He had even planned to have Jinzha and Muzha enter Jie Jiao to test it out, to avoid them being swayed by their original masters into becoming protectors for the future Buddhism.

But now, there wasn’t a single Jie Jiao immortal in sight.

Were they all using some kind of confidence booster? So self-assured?

Li Changshou sighed inwardly and decided to subtly remind Jie Jiao through the clouds later. This was the prime opportunity for the calamity; not stepping up to seize it would be a waste of Jie Jiao's principles.

Ahead, Li Jing suddenly snapped back to attention and muttered,

“A boy?”

Li Changshou nearly laughed out loud, pretending not to notice as he kept his head down and jogged forward, only to be stopped by Li Jing at the corridor corner.

“Master, why haven’t you gone yet?”

Li Jing put his arm around Li Changshou's shoulder and said, "Ah, suddenly I thought, you're a learned man, Wang Chang'an. Help me think about this character 'zha'—how does it sound?"

Li Changshou quickly replied, “The character ‘zha’ is wonderful—catchy and memorable. I just don’t know its origin.”

“Ha ha ha,” Li Jing laughed heartily. Still young and without a beard, he looked quite youthful.

Li Jing explained, “This ‘zha’ has quite the backstory; I thought about it for a long time before naming him that.

‘Zha’ comes from the first syllable uttered by Pangu before his fall, to clear away the demons and evils in the world.

It means sweeping away monsters, upholding the righteous path through hardships. Chentang Guan has suffered many demon invasions, and many people still live in misery.

I want my child to dedicate himself to guarding one side and benefiting the people.”

“Master’s vision is admirable,” Li Changshou said softly. “Don’t worry, Master, use the name freely. By tomorrow, everyone in Chentang Guan will know its meaning.”

“Ha ha ha, you rascal.”

Li Jing patted Li Changshou's paper effigy shoulder firmly and drifted away.

Li Changshou smiled inwardly.

Li Jing did have one flaw—he was a bit too concerned with appearances.

Next up was observing Li Jing's parenting process. With Jinzha and Muzha as practice runs, things probably wouldn't turn out too badly for Lingzhuzi's reincarnation.

Just wait.

Jinzha, Muzha?

Li Jing wouldn’t be aiming for a full five-element sequence, would he?

Thinking about it, Lingzhuzi’s reincarnation, Nezha, was indeed of the fire element.

Shaking his head with a laugh, Li Changshou’s paper effigy jogged after him, considering how to spread the meaning of “zha” around the city, while keeping his immortal sense fixed on Li Jing.

The Li mansion observation diary officially…

‘Changgeng Shishu, may the disciple enter?’

A distant call suddenly echoed in his mind. Li Changshou immediately split his focus, shifting half his mind to Chaoge City. The paper effigy at the desk opened its eyes and checked its condition.

The one calling him was Wen Zhong, so it must be something urgent or troublesome.

At that moment, Wen Zhong was supposed to be by Zi Shou’s side, campaigning in the southwest against the barbarians.

Though some of those barbarians had systems evolved from ancient times, more advanced than the Shang state.

“Come in.”

Li Changshou said calmly, and a faint barrier unfolded in the study.

A wisp of green smoke rose from the floor, quickly transforming into Wen Zhong’s figure, who bowed deeply to Li Changshou.

To fit his mortal appearance, Wen Zhong had used magic to turn his hair white and gray.

These years in the mortal world had made Wen Zhong much steadier and more mature, with any sharpness in his features now hidden away.

“Wen Zhong pays respects to Changgeng Shishu.”

“Hmm, no need for formalities,” Li Changshou waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit.

But Wen Zhong said, “Shishu, I came in a hurry and must return to the army soon, so I’ll keep this brief.”

Li Changshou listened attentively as Wen Zhong explained the situation and sought advice on how to resolve it.

The matter was straightforward.

The expeditionary army had won battles, capturing over a dozen cities, taking many prisoners, and seizing treasures. That nation had declared surrender and allegiance.

Half of the Shang state’s eight hundred vassals were conquered this way.

The other half had submitted willingly.

“The issue is with the prisoners,” Wen Zhong said gravely. “According to military regulations, prisoners count as credit for the commanding generals, and they make up a large portion of it.

So, the Shang army has tacitly allowed that when a city is taken, some of its commoners are forcibly counted as prisoners to boost merits.

But this time, for some reason, Zi Shou strictly ordered that no civilians be plundered as prisoners.

The generals were unhappy and conspired to defy the order. Zi Shou directly executed two of them with his sword to intimidate the rest.

Now, the generals are holding back on the surface but plan to complain to the king when they return to Chaoge City…”

Li Changshou smiled. “This prince is quite decisive.”

“Shishu, how should this be handled to keep things stable?”

Wen Zhong sighed. “In Chaoge City, many factions are already dissatisfied with Zi Shou and want the king to appoint a new heir. Zi Shou was indeed rash this time and will likely be targeted.”

Li Changshou frowned slightly and said slowly, “This is indeed troublesome; everyone’s watching Zi Shou’s every move, and his actions were too bold.

Still, there’s a positive side to it.

He sees the problems in the Shang state and wants to make changes, which is better than his father, who just enjoys the benefits and does nothing because he feels powerless.”

Wen Zhong nodded with a smile.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and said, “This needs one word— stability.”

“May I ask, Shishu, what constitutes stability?”

“You can advise from the side, have Zi Shou report directly to Chaoge City, and charge those few with disobeying orders.

When they return to Chaoge City, he shouldn’t do much else. No need to defend himself—just stay in his palace and keep a low profile. He could claim illness or say he’s studying military strategy; the excuse doesn’t matter.”

Li Changshou added with a smile, “If Prince Zi Shou doesn’t mind, he can come to me discreetly to talk.”

Wen Zhong perked up and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Shishu!”

“However, Wen Zhong.”

Li Changshou shifted his tone, his smile fading as he said warmly, “You are ultimately a Jie Jiao disciple, not just an ordinary Shang minister.

Don’t get too entangled in the mortal world, or you might bring unforeseen trouble upon yourself.”

Wen Zhong was taken aback.

(I’ve been swamped these past few days and made a mistake. In Chapter 655, when pushing the plot forward quickly, I used Emperor Xin’s (Zi Shou’s) age as a hook, first advancing over ten years to create conflict, with Zi Shou at around ten-plus years old when Jinzha was born. But later, when revising the plot, I felt the timing wasn’t right and pushed it forward another seven or eight years, causing a plot inconsistency with the previous chapter where Yin Furen was pregnant for seven or eight years. I only noticed this detail today when checking the story. It doesn’t affect the plot overall, but I wanted to explain it to everyone.

It was just a typical writing error from a momentary lapse. I’ve fixed it now. My apologies.

Yin Furen is safe, Yin Furen is safe.

The entire book is free on the full-site network.)