Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 34 Determining a Strategy, Prince Wu Cheng's Mansion

After several days of rapid travel, Chaoge City came into view in the distance.

The colossal city resembled a primordial beast sprawling across the land, its walls towering like mountains, stretching for an immeasurable distance. The dark gray bricks gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen in the sunlight. The closer one got, the more one could feel the overwhelming, breathtaking grandeur and majesty emanating from it.

As he approached, Zhang Kui's gaze sharpened, and he saw more clearly. The city wall, over ten zhang high, was not as simple as ordinary bricks and stones. It was densely engraved with countless profound and ancient runes and arrays. Some were dim and lifeless, as if they had been dormant for thousands of years; others faintly flowed with various colors of spiritual light, emitting magical fluctuations of varying strengths, forming a vast and complex three-dimensional defensive system. At the arrow towers and crenellations, soldiers in rune-inscribed heavy armor could be vaguely seen patrolling. With their banners waving, the murderous aura they exuded was no less than that of the elite troops in the Northern Navy.

The entire giant city was shrouded in a massive energy shield that was barely perceptible to the naked eye but could be felt with the slightest touch of divine sense. This shield was connected to the earth's veins and resonated with the magic arrays on the city walls, exuding an indestructible and impervious aura.

"What a magnificent city! What a powerful protective formation!" Zhang Kui thought to himself.

Chaoge truly lives up to its reputation as the capital of the Great Shang Dynasty; its foundation is indeed incredibly profound. Even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would likely find it difficult to forcibly break through such a massive array.

Gao Lanying's beautiful eyes also sparkled, clearly impressed by the grandeur of the capital. Even the usually honest and straightforward Wu Wenhua widened his eyes and muttered, "This city... is really sturdy."

Having verified Grand Tutor Wen's military orders, the garrison commander dared not be negligent and respectfully led Zhang Kui and his subordinates to the Northern Military Headquarters to complete the encampment procedures.

Chaoge City is governed by strict rules. Foreign troops entering the capital must be stationed in designated camps and are not allowed to move around at will.

After everything was arranged, Zhang Kui instructed Wu Wenhua to settle his troops before he and Gao Lanying entered the city to pay their respects to King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu. Before departing, he asked Gao Lanying, "Lanying, do you have armor?"

Gao Lanying paused slightly, then nodded, "Yes, it was a gift from my sect." She returned to her tent, and emerged a moment later, already dressed in a gleaming silver women's armor. The armor was exquisitely designed, providing both protection and a perfect fit for a woman's figure, making her appear heroic and valiant, like a plum blossom in the snow, beautiful yet awe-inspiring. She hung the crimson sun god gourd at her waist, adding to her mystique.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Zhang Kui's eyes, and he nodded. He then looked at Wu Wenhua and said in a deep voice, "Wenhua, circulate your qi and blood, conceal your form, and follow me into the city."

"Yes, General!" Wu Wenhua roared, his blood and qi surging like a furnace, his muscles and bones crackling slightly. His originally exaggerated physique visibly shrank, eventually stabilizing at around nine feet. Although still much more robust and powerful than the average person, it was no longer too shocking.

After breaking through to the Earthly Witch Realm, Wu Wenhua's control over his own blood and qi became even more refined. He then changed into a specially made black armor and carried the shrunken but still terrifying spiked club.

The three, carrying Wen Zhong's visiting card, entered the city again. Chaoge City was even more prosperous, bustling with carriages and people, with numerous markets and a constant stream of vendors' cries. Its prosperity far surpassed that of Mianchi.

But Zhang Kui keenly sensed that beneath this bustling scene, there seemed to be a barely perceptible tension and repression. The number of patrolling soldiers had noticeably increased, and their expressions were solemn; occasionally, a magnificent carriage would pass by, its curtains tightly drawn, its rider hurrying along.

Following directions from passersby, the three arrived at the residence of Prince Wu Cheng. The gates of the residence were heavily guarded, with burly soldiers scanning passersby with sharp eyes.

Zhang Kui stepped forward and presented Wen Zhong's visiting card: "Zhang Kui of Beihai, on the orders of the Grand Tutor, has come to pay his respects to King Wucheng. Please inform him of my arrival."

The head guard accepted the visiting card and, not daring to be negligent, respectfully said, "General, please wait a moment." He immediately turned and went inside to announce the visit.

Before long, the gates of the mansion swung open, and the head guard strode out, bowing and saying, "General Zhang, His Highness requests your presence. His Highness is currently in his study discussing matters with the Vice Minister; please proceed directly there."

The Prime Minister? Bigan is here too? Zhang Kui, along with Gao Lanying and Wu Wenhua, followed the guide servant through many courtyards and arrived at the outside of an elegant study.

Before even entering, a voice filled with sorrow and indignation could be heard from inside: "His Majesty is becoming increasingly autocratic and listens to slander. Yesterday in the main hall... alas, he has practically destroyed his own pillar." It must be the voice of the Viceroy Bi Gan.

Another powerful voice sighed, "Prime Minister, please calm down. Now that evil is on the rise, we must be more cautious and protect ourselves so that we can plan for the future..." This must be King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu.

After the servant announced his arrival, Huang Feihu's voice came from inside the study: "Please come in quickly!"

Zhang Kui straightened his armor and stepped inside. Gao Lanying and Wu Wenhua followed closely behind.

Inside the study, two distinguished middle-aged men sat facing each other. The one in the main seat, dressed in royal robes, possessed a resolute face, piercing eyes, and an aura of authority and seasoned warrior—this was none other than King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu. The one in the guest seat, wearing the robes of a prime minister, had a lean face, wise and profound eyes, and a deep worry in his eyes—this was Vice Minister Bi Gan.

Both men's gazes fell simultaneously on Zhang Kui and the other two who had entered. Huang Feihu's gaze was sharp as a knife, while Bi Qian's gaze was much gentler.

Zhang Kui, neither humble nor arrogant, stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "This humble general, Zhang Kui, is here by order of the Grand Tutor to pay respects to King Wu Cheng and to His Excellency the Chancellor." Gao Lanying and Wu Wenhua also bowed in return.

"General Zhang, there's no need for such formalities." Huang Feihu raised his hand in a gesture of support, his gaze sweeping over Gao Lanying and Wu Wenhua behind Zhang Kui. Especially when he sensed Wu Wenhua's fierce, beast-like aura and Zhang Kui's unfathomable cultivation, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Grand Tutor Wen already stated in his visiting card that you, General, are his right-hand man. Your return to court must be for important matters. And who are these two?"

"This is Gao Lanying, my...wife." Zhang Kui hesitated slightly before introducing her, "This is Wu Wenhua, a captain under my command."

Upon hearing the word "wife," Gao Lanying's cheeks flushed slightly, but she remained calm. Wu Wenhua, on the other hand, straightened his chest and bowed respectfully.

Huang Feihu and Bi Gan exchanged a glance and nodded. Those whom Grand Tutor Wen valued were naturally not bad.

"General Zhang, your arrival is timely," Bi Gan said, his tone heavy. "I presume you have already heard about the recent events in the court?"

Zhang Kui said in a deep voice, "This humble general has heard a little about it. I heard that the four great marquises have entered the court, and it seems... something has happened?" He actually already knew the general idea, but he still needed to confirm it.

Huang Feihu slammed his fist on the table, saying bitterly, "It's more than just a change of fortune. The Marquis of the East and the Marquis of the South were beheaded and displayed to the public simply for speaking frankly. The Marquis of the West was imprisoned in a death cell. Only that sycophantic and shameless Chong Houhu escaped. Your Majesty... Your Majesty has truly been completely blinded by the bewitching concubine."

Despite being mentally prepared, Zhang Kui was still shocked; the situation had actually reached this point.

Bi Gan sighed deeply and looked at Zhang Kui: "The Grand Tutor has ordered General Zhang to return to court now; surely he already has a plan?"

Zhang Kui took out Wen Zhong's document containing ten pieces of advice and respectfully presented it: "These are ten pieces of advice personally written by the Grand Tutor. He ordered me to present them to Your Majesty in person, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, in order to stabilize the court and await the Grand Tutor's return after pacifying the North Sea."

Huang Feihu and Bi Gan took the documents, quickly glanced through them, and their eyes showed excitement.

"Grand Tutor, you are a wise and experienced strategist, and your words are all to the point," Bigan exclaimed in admiration. But then his brows furrowed. "However... His Majesty is currently in a fit of rage. How does the General intend to present this advice?"

Zhang Kui said, "This humble general intends to follow the rules and request an audience with the emperor."

"No." Bigan immediately shook his head. "If we were to submit a memorial according to the rules, it probably wouldn't even reach His Majesty before being intercepted by the likes of Fei Zhong and You Hun."

Huang Feihu nodded in agreement: "What the Prime Minister says is absolutely right. Now that the palace is controlled by the wicked concubine, it is difficult to meet the Emperor through ordinary means."

Zhang Kui frowned slightly: "Then, according to the Prime Minister and the Prince's opinions, what should be done?"

Bi Gan pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his wise eyes. He looked at Zhang Kui and slowly said, "The only way is to take extraordinary measures. General, tomorrow morning, take the Grand Tutor's letter of invitation and this remonstrance document directly to the outside of the Nine-Room Hall, strike the Dengwen Drum set up by the late Emperor, and request an immediate audience with the Emperor to explain the situation of the Northern Navy and the Grand Tutor's remonstrance!"

"The Drum of Petition?" Zhang Kui's gaze sharpened.

"Excellent!" Bigan said decisively, "Only in this way can we bypass the obstruction of treacherous officials and reach the Emperor directly! Only in this way can His Majesty and all the civil and military officials know the Grand Tutor's attitude. Moreover, although this move seems risky, it is actually a way to protect you, General."

"Protect?" Zhang Kui asked, slightly puzzled.

"Exactly," Bigan explained. "You strike the Dengwen Drum, openly revealing your identity in front of the entire court, representing Grand Tutor Wen in petitioning the emperor. In this way, everyone will know that your every word and action represents Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, who is far away in the North Sea. Even if His Majesty is furious and dissatisfied with your words, he will have to consider Grand Tutor Wen, who is far away in the North Sea and holds great military power. His anger will not dare to be easily vented on you personally. Otherwise, it would be an open break with Grand Tutor Wen, and His Majesty... probably wouldn't dare to do that at present."

Huang Feihu suddenly realized and praised, "The Prime Minister's insight is brilliant. In this way, General Zhang's safety can be guaranteed, and the Grand Tutor's words can also reach the ears of the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kui felt a sudden sense of clarity and deeply admired Bi Qian's wisdom. This was indeed the best solution. He immediately bowed deeply, saying, "This humble general thanks the Prime Minister for his guidance."

Bi Gan helped him up and said earnestly, "General, when you speak in court tomorrow, you must be sincere and argue your case logically, but you must also be careful not to overstep your bounds. Remember, your primary task is to convey the Grand Tutor's message and stabilize the situation, not to anger the emperor. Everything is for your own safety and to wait for the Grand Tutor's return."

"Understood, sir!" Zhang Kui replied solemnly.

"It is getting late today, General, please stay at my residence," Huang Feihu said. "Tomorrow morning, I will go to court with you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

That night, Zhang Kui and his two companions stayed at the Prince of Wucheng's residence.