Chapter Thirty-Eight: Nezha

“Who dares trespass at the Southern Heavenly Gate?” Yuan Wuyi’s overwhelming demonic aura startled all the gate’s guardians.

Yet today, there was one more figure at the gate—or rather, a child.

The child jeered at the Four Heavenly Kings, “So this is how you guard the Southern Heavenly Gate? Even a demon can stroll right in.” In all of Heaven, only one child would dare mock the Four Kings: Nezha.

“What business is it of yours, how we four brothers guard the gate?” The feud between the Chan and Jie sects had only intensified since the War of Enfeoffment, for most of Jie’s people had been forced onto the Enfeoffment Roll by Chan. Thus, open and secret strife in the Celestial Court had grown ever fiercer. Today, Nezha was purposely provoking trouble at the gate.

“Since we’re all colleagues in Heaven, I’ll help you rid yourselves of this fiend.” What Nezha really wanted was to capture the demon and present him before the Jade Emperor—a fresh insult to the Jie sect.

“We’d better hurry and not let that brat Nezha steal our glory.” Such a thing could not be allowed. The Enfeoffment had been humiliating enough, not for lack of strength but for lack of sense.

Yuan Wuyi was now surrounded by heavenly soldiers and generals. The demonic aura clinging to him could not be explained away—he could only hope the Four Heavenly Kings arrived soon, or else he might really be forced to break through.

Yet the Kings did not show; instead, the first to arrive was the child.

Nezha’s Wind and Fire Wheels spun him forward in a blaze, reaching the gate ahead of the others.

“Fiend, how dare you act wild at the Southern Heavenly Gate? See how I, Nezha, subdue you!” When Nezha saw Yuan Wuyi, he was not only struck by the demonic aura but also by the overwhelming stench of blood. How many lives had it taken to reach such a level?

“Nezha, where are the Four Heavenly Kings? I can’t explain myself to you.” Yuan Wuyi’s killing intent had yet to subside—he feared losing control and slaying Nezha, and though Nezha was a Celestial Immortal, Yuan Wuyi at this moment was capable of it.

“Fiend, prepare to die!” Nezha, eager to claim victory before the Kings appeared, struck at Yuan Wuyi, overlooking the latter’s present strength.

“If I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll truly think yourself invincible.” Yuan Wuyi struggled to suppress his killing urge, but Nezha’s taunts left him unwilling to restrain himself.

Nezha, standing on his Wind and Fire Wheels, thrust his Flaming Spear at Yuan Wuyi, a blur as swift as Yuan Wuyi’s own Golden Light.

The flaming spear pierced straight for Yuan Wuyi’s chest, but just as it was about to strike, it was halted—gripped barehanded by Yuan Wuyi, who wrenched the spear from Nezha with raw strength. Before Nezha could react, Yuan Wuyi turned and kicked him square in the chest. With his energy raging for release, even a Celestial Immortal could not escape injury from such a blow.

Nezha had not expected to lose his weapon and receive a blow in the very first exchange. Blood churned within him, a sweet taste rising to his mouth, though he forced it down.

Seizing the Flaming Spear, Yuan Wuyi spun it madly, unleashing the Dragon-Taming and Tiger-Subduing Art. Blood-dragon and blood-tiger shapes burst from the spearhead, their aura surging, and struck hard at Nezha.

Panicked, Nezha drew his Universe Ring to defend himself. But in disarray, he could not match Yuan Wuyi’s full strength. The blood-dragon and blood-tiger smashed away the Universe Ring and tore straight through Nezha’s body.

Blood spurted as Nezha coughed violently. If not for rare treasures, this injury would have left endless trouble—the blood aura of the dragon and tiger continued to ravage his body, and the karmic force within would linger, a far more difficult problem, not easily solved by celestial treasures.

“Do not provoke me.” Yuan Wuyi planted the Flaming Spear before Nezha.

Seeing Nezha’s defeat, the heavenly soldiers prepared to attack Yuan Wuyi. Guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate was their duty—they could not abandon it simply because Nezha was beaten.

As the soldiers advanced, Yuan Wuyi readied himself to cut a path toward the Doumu Palace. Once he reached the palace, everything would become simpler.

“Stop!” The Four Heavenly Kings hurried onto the scene. Previously, they hadn’t believed it could be Yuan Wuyi, but seeing his face up close, they recognized him.

“Four Heavenly Kings, something is wrong with my body. I must return to Doumu Palace at once. I apologize for the trouble at the gate—another day I will certainly come to offer my thanks in person.” With that, Yuan Wuyi flew toward the palace. His demonic and bloody aura frightened many immortals and star-gods, but his speed spared further complications.

“This matter will not be easy to resolve,” remarked the Broad-Eyed King, gesturing at Nezha, who still lay collapsed on the ground.

The heavenly soldiers and generals remained at their posts with the Four Kings. Nezha was a representative disciple of the third generation of Chan, and though there had been much covert strife between Chan and Jie in recent years, never before had it erupted so violently—today was the first.

“We’d best return him to Li Jing,” ordered the Upholding King, instructing subordinates to carry Nezha away. As for what would follow, it was beyond his concern.

Yuan Wuyi’s immense demonic aura and the reek of blood continued to alarm the gods and star-gods of Heaven. Nearing Doumu Palace, he was intercepted—fortunately by acquaintances, or he might truly have been forced to fight his way in.

“Halt! What fiend dares trespass in Heaven’s forbidden domain?” Nine beams of light encircled Yuan Wuyi, and within them, figures gradually became visible.

“Nine Luminaries Star Lords, it’s me.” Yuan Wuyi, ready for battle, paused when he recognized the figures within the light.

“Wu… Wuyi? How can it be you? How have you become like this…” The Lunar Star Lord could scarcely believe that the man before him was Yuan Wuyi—they had taught him for a time. Back then, Yuan Wuyi had radiated bold, masculine energy; now, his entire being was transformed. The karmic force swirling about him was more than any of the Nine Luminaries Star Lords had ever witnessed—how many lives had it taken to create such a presence?

“I can’t explain now. I must see my master immediately.” Yuan Wuyi’s reply set the Star Lords to pondering other possibilities.

Could it be that Yuan Wuyi had suffered calamity in the mortal realm, leaving him so transformed? What could have happened, for such thick karmic force to gather upon him?

“Let us escort you then, lest your aura cause further uproar.” The Solar Star Lord could not help but consider Yuan Wuyi’s situation—after all, Yuan Wuyi was the disciple of Lady Golden Spirit, whom they all cherished greatly. If anything happened to Yuan Wuyi, the Nine Luminaries would be hard-pressed to answer to her.

What was the relationship between the Nine Luminaries Star Lords and Lady Golden Spirit? She had never spoken to Yuan Wuyi of it, nor had the Star Lords ever said a word, but their respect for her was evident.