Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Three: Su Daji

“After a thousand years, with dynasties rising and falling, the cycle is about to play out once more.”

Watching the three nine-tailed foxes descend to the mortal realm, Li Tian couldn’t help but whisper a sigh.

“Mm.”

Nuwa nodded, her gaze drifting toward the mortal world. She happened to notice many of the divine beings had chosen reincarnation, which caused her to knit her brows slightly.

“All these beings have chosen to reincarnate. I wonder if they will be able to grow strong enough when the great war breaks out.”

“Don’t worry,” Li Tian smiled. “All three teachings are now vigorously recruiting disciples. Anyone with even a trace of talent won’t be overlooked. I imagine these reincarnated gods will also receive ‘support.’”

“Hmm.” Nuwa smiled softly.

As for the matter of Emperor Xin, it had long since faded from her thoughts—after all, beings of different realms perceive things differently.

Consider this: if a mere insect angers you, after stamping it out, do you still care about its life or death?

Suddenly, Li Tian’s thoughts turned to a famous figure of later times, stirring his interest. His gaze pierced through layers of obstruction, settling on the Li family estate near Qiantang Pass.

He was astonished to discover that Li Jing’s wife was carrying their third son, who was, in fact, a reincarnated divine being.

Of course, this deity was not Ling Zhuzi, but rather an inconspicuous Great Dao Golden Immortal from the Heavenly Court.

With a moment’s reflection, Li Tian realized this figure had attained enlightenment like a jade, possessing late-stage Great Dao Golden Immortal cultivation—ranking among the top among all reincarnated gods.

“I wonder if this Nezha is still the same Nezha of legend?”

Li Tian found the thought amusing.

In mythology, Ling Zhuzi was said to be the divine stone left over from Nuwa’s mending of the heavens, transformed into the child attending Nuwa.

But now that Nuwa no longer mends the heavens, Ling Zhuzi naturally ceased to exist. Initially, Li Tian thought the world would no longer see a Nezha, yet unexpectedly, here he was.

One could only marvel at the wonders of fate.

Of course, at Li Tian’s level, he did not overly concern himself with a mere minor figure—only mild curiosity.

…

Leaving the Nuwa Emperor Palace, Li Tian returned to the Maitreya Palace to observe the mortal realm.

By then, the three nine-tailed foxes had arrived in Chaoge City. Lacking formal status, they could not enter the royal palace and thus had to bide their time in the city, seeking a suitable opportunity.

…

Meanwhile, in the Shang King’s Palace.

Emperor Xin listlessly waved away the singing and dancing courtesans, lifted a jade goblet, and drank alone in silence.

Ever since returning from the incense offering at the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace, Emperor Xin had grown melancholic. The once captivating beauties of his harem no longer stirred even the slightest interest in him.

Whenever drunk, his thoughts inevitably drifted back to the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace and the Empress’s breathtaking beauty that had left a fleeting yet unforgettable impression.

Of course, Emperor Xin was self-aware enough to know that such a being was beyond the reach of any mortal king.

He envied the exalted Heavenly Emperor, wondering why he himself had never encountered such a beauty.

“Your Majesty, Minister Fei Zhong requests an audience,” a court official reported.

“Send him in,” Emperor Xin said, lowering his goblet dejectedly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The official bowed and quickly left.

Soon, Fei Zhong entered, noticing the emperor’s dispirited state. Smiling, he stroked his beard and leaned closer.

“Your Majesty, ruler of myriad chariots, wealthy over the realm, may I ask why you indulge so deeply in the cup these days?”

Emperor Xin glanced at Fei Zhong, sighed, and swirled the jade goblet before speaking. “I am the sovereign of all under heaven. Though my status may not match the exalted Heavenly Emperor, it is not far behind. Yet among my harem’s beauties, none can compare to the Empress of Heaven. Thinking of this, my heart is deeply unsettled.”

Fei Zhong stifled a chuckle. Indeed.

Since returning from the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace, he had sensed Emperor Xin’s gloom. After some inquiry, upon learning the emperor had not favored any palace lady recently, he ventured a guess. Now, hearing the confirmation, he stepped forward and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, I have heard that Marquis Su Hu of Jizhou has a daughter named Daji, famed for her extraordinary beauty, said to rival the Empress of Heaven herself. I believe she must be a gift bestowed by the heavens upon Your Majesty…”

“Really!” Emperor Xin’s eyes lit up at the prospect of a woman comparable to the Empress. He leapt to his feet in joy.

“Your servant would never deceive Your Majesty!” Fei Zhong declared, producing a painting from his sleeve and presenting it.

“This is the portrait of that Daji,” he said respectfully.

Fei Zhong had gone to great lengths to bribe the servants of the Su household to have it painted. Without such assurance, he would not dare present himself before Emperor Xin.

If Daji proved less beautiful than rumored and angered the emperor, he would have lost more than he gained.

“Quick, bring it here!” Emperor Xin eagerly took the scroll and unfurled it. Upon seeing the delicate and stunning beauty depicted, he exclaimed thrice in delight.

“Minister Fei Zhong truly understands my worries. You are indeed my trusty aide!”

“Your Majesty is too gracious,” Fei Zhong bowed deeply.

Though inwardly he longed for Daji himself, he quickly composed himself; compared to beauty, power and status were his true desires.

…

Soon after, an imperial decree for marriage was issued from Chaoge and sent to Jizhou City.

However, Daji was already betrothed to Bo Yikao, eldest son of the Western Earl, and Su Hu was an upright man who refused to break faith just to curry favor with Emperor Xin.

Upon receiving the decree, he resolutely rejected it and harshly reprimanded the envoy.

The envoy returned to Chaoge and, displeased with Su Hu, exaggerated the account to Emperor Xin.

Hearing this, Emperor Xin was furious and immediately ordered troops to execute Su Hu on the spot.

Thanks to the ministers’ intervention, Su Hu’s life was spared, but Emperor Xin issued a death warrant: Su Hu must send Daji to Chaoge within three months, or the army would raze Jizhou City!

The news quickly reached Jizhou. Most would have yielded, but Su Hu was stubborn. Upon receiving the order, he grew even more enraged.

He wrote sixteen large characters on the city gate: “The ruler breaks the principles, betrays the five constants. Jizhou’s Su Hu will never serve Shang again,” declaring his defiance.

Fortunately, Western Earl Ji Chang arrived in time to prevent disaster.

Under Ji Chang’s persuasion, Su Hu calmed down and recognized the danger. For the sake of Jizhou’s people, he painfully agreed to surrender Daji.

Not long after, the wedding procession arrived at Jizhou’s gates. Daji, dressed and adorned, boarded the bridal carriage accompanied by her mother. The parting was tearful and heart-wrenching.

Though Su Hu was pained, for the safety of his people, he bit back his sorrow. Gathering his household guards, he escorted Daji on the journey to Chaoge.

Meanwhile, the city of Chaoge was decorated with lanterns and banners, awaiting the arrival of their new bride under Emperor Xin’s order.

…

“Sister.”

In an inconspicuous corner of Chaoge City, three women draped in light veils gathered together—the three nine-tailed foxes who had lingered long in the mortal realm.

Originally unconnected, they had all been dispatched to seduce Emperor Xin and thus shared a bond of sympathy. After becoming acquainted, they had formed a sisterhood, with the nine-tailed fox, the most powerful, taking the role of elder sister.

“Emperor Xin taking a new bride is indeed an opportunity,” the nine-tailed fox mused, narrowing her almond-shaped eyes.

They had been in Chaoge for days but had found no chance to enter the royal palace.

After all, the emperor’s palace was guarded by numerous talents and mysterious formations. Without revealing their identities, it was not easy to enter at will.

“Sister, you mean to use a substitute…” Jade Pipa understood her meaning and frowned slightly.

“Mm. We’ll split up to gather intel on the wedding procession’s route and regroup at night.”

The nine-tailed fox nodded, then her figure flickered and she vanished.

Chick Essence and Jade Pipa exchanged looks and quickly disappeared as well.

…