Portal:Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 43

This chapter is titled "The Grand Old Master's Bad Luck". As Nezha and Huang Tianhua smashed down the central gates of the Shang camp, Wen Zhong rushed forth, using his remaining golden staff with renowned force and resolve. Unfortunately however, many of the generals on the side of Zhou possessed strange weapons of unparalleled ability compared to the generals of Shang, thus resulting in disasters evolving within random parts of the camp. Especially due to that of Yang Bliss, who possessed exceedingly rare qualities coming from a Taoist--in this case being fire--the Shang army's store of grain and fodder was turned into ashes in mere moments upon his arrival. As Wen Zhong gazed at flames shooting throughout the air within the direction of his provisional supplies, he immediately realized that the situation has turned very chaotic, and survival will be difficult even if he manages to fight back the enemy in any way possible. With such thought in mind, Grand Old Master soared through the air atop his great dragon, ordering all soldiers present to regroup with him once they are to arrival within Mount Western Foothills. As Xin Huan valiently protected his commander from any potential harm in their escape, Master of the Clouds had meanwile seen the banners of the Grand Old Master present throughout the Western Foothills region, and thus realizing that Jiang Ziya would find great difficulty against such a foe, he ordered Thunderquaker to appear before him at once. Kowtowing before his master upon arrival, Thunderquaker left with the instructions to assist his elder brother, King Wu, and the prime minister of the Western Foothills at all costs possible. Seeing a great army spread before him in conjectured retreat, Thunderquaker realized that the soldiers before him must be from the Shang Dynasty -- for they are present with the same insignias upon their armor as when he protected Ji Chang originally in the past. Deciding to test the strength of the opposing army due to being idle for such a long period of time, Thunderquaker charged at the enemy from the skies with his two hammers, but was immediately intercepted by Xin Huan, who additionally possessed two hammers as his set weapons. Realizing Xin Huan's skill greatly outmatched his own, Thunderquaker fled at once to what he thought to have been Phoenix City without any pursuing of the enemy afterwards. Holding a conference within the city that morning, the generals had praised their commander profusely for his ability to wield such an outstanding cast of immortals in such a fortunate manner. As they continued on with their praise, Thunderquaker was invited before the prime minister shortly, immediatley following his essential permission to enter. Stating his name, origin, and past service towards his father, Ji Chang, Jiang Ziya was very pleased to see the man who is late master constantly talked about before his very own eyes. Introducing Thunderquaker before King Wu shortly after, the king, who was startled at the strange appearance of his supposed younger brother, and worried over the fear that may be placed over his family if they are to see such a sight, had his brother taken in to Jiang Ziya's family upon volunteer. After Grand Old Master's arrival before Mount Western Foothills, he became extremely angry at the realization that over 20,000 soldiers of his original 307,000 had been wiped out in one single assault the former night. Realizing that it would be difficult to obtain reinforcements from neighboring generals, due to their guarding of local districts and territory from the rebelling dukes and nobles, Wen Zhong decided it would not be best to ask for assistance from the capital either -- for such would damage his reputation and would additionally take too long. Being reminded of the many fellow Taoists that would assuredly assist in his cause, Wen Zhong ordered Deng Zhong and Xin Huan to guard the camp closely while he departs for the time being.

Arriving before Golden Turtle Island at the East Sea, Wen Zhong gazed delightfully at the beauty around him, and feeling great anticipation as to what day he could relax in such beauty without the least worry, he searched the entire circumference of the island, and thus began his leave after finding no one present. Glancing behind at the sudden hearing of his name, Grand Old Master saw Celestial Lotus standing before him. Being informed by her that their Taoist comrades are currently present on White Deer Island, finishing their own individual traps--dubbed wholely as the "Ten Death Traps"-at the moment, Wen Zhong took his appreciative leave to the island she had mentioned. Arriving before White Deer Island momentarily, the nine celestial masters present approached their friend from afar, declaring the near completion of ten traps that shall assist him in his attack upon the rebel leader Jiang Ziya. Mentioning the expected arrival of their tenth ally, Mother Golden Light, Wen Zhong volunteered to await her return while they each head to his camp stationed at Mount Western Foothills. Seeing her arrive shortly following, the two greeted eachother with great dignification, and then took their immediate leave to Mount Western Foothills. Regrouping with his other nine Taoist comrades, Grand Old Master directed them to Phoenix City, and followed by setting up camp at a point that seemed to their strategic advantage. As Jiang Ziya had heard the great commotion of war crys resound outside the city gates from afar, Yang Bliss warned the prime minister that Wen Zhong has more than likely returned with reinforcements of Taoist origin, for by the destruction of his camp mainly due to the assistance of immortal powers, he would naturally have to reciprocate such power if he wished to obtain victory in any form. Ascending the city walls and seeing a mystical cloud of haze solely within the direction of the war cries, Jiang Ziya clearly realized that the situation is going to be difficult. Back in the camp of Shang, it was decided that the ten Taoists--dubbed as the "Welkin Lords"--would personally display their own individual traps to Jiang Ziya and his forces as a showing of their invincibility and intellect behind such creations. Appearing before Phoenix City the following day, Qin Wan, the first of ten lords, appeared before Jiang Ziya and declared his intentions for the latter to inspect ten traps without the slightest physical combat -- for such would violate the compassionate will of Heaven. Consenting with full reassurance of his safety--for Qin Wan was already confident enough that Jiang's life can easily be seized by such weapons any time he desires in the future--Jiang Ziya began to read the name of the ten traps: "Heavenly Distruction", "Earthly Fury", "Roaring Typhoon", "Frigid Ice", "Golden Light", "Bleeding Blood", "Vehement Flame", "Soul Snatching", "Red Water", and "Red Sand". Emerging from the enemy camp after carefully analyzing each trap with a fearful look in his eyes that he tried best to cover, Jiang Ziya proudly stated his ability to overcome such traps to Qin Wan, and then returned to his camp after exchanging a polite bow. Returning to his mansion with intense distress over the complexity of each trap that he most assuredly could not comprehend, Grand Old Master Wen Zhong had meanwhile returned with the rebel commander's set response, and thus began to inspect the specialty of each trap under their possession.

封神演義/卷043