Chapter 42: Crossing the Heavenly Tribulation, the Heart Demon Emerges

  Nüwa's birthday! These four words were like a thunderclap in Zhang Emperor Xin's mind, and he didn't expect the turning point of the decline of the Yin Shang dynasty to come so quickly. In the original book, it was King Zhou who made an offering at Nüwa Temple, moved by evil thoughts, and wrote a poem on the wall of the palace:

  The peacock screen is extremely beautiful, all adorned with gold and cleverly painted designs.

  Distant mountains stretch far and wide in emerald hue; fluttering sleeves dance with apricot-colored garments.

  Peach blossoms compete with rain for beauty; peonies set off smoke and show off their makeup.

  But got the demon's power to move, took back Chang Le's servant king.

  This enraged the Queen of Heaven, who summoned three demons from the tomb of Xuanyuan with a golden gourd, bewildering King Zhou and ultimately leading to the downfall of the great Shang Dynasty, causing an emperor to end up in a humble abode.

  "Your Majesty, if you worship this auspicious god, the four seasons will be peaceful and prosperous, the country's fortune will be long-lasting, the wind and rain will be in harmony, disasters will disappear, this is the true god who blesses the country and protects its people. Your Majesty should go and offer incense." Bi Gan saw that Emperor Zhou of Shang was frowning, thinking that the Son of Heaven did not intend to do so, and hastily advised him.

  If he were to meet the Goddess Nüwa, how should he respond? Zhang Emperor Xin thought about this and suddenly felt a headache. The Goddess Nüwa was a sacred being of mixed origin, and his own identity was special. If she saw through him, what would happen? If he asked her questions, what would happen then? And that decree to destroy the Zhou Dynasty and establish the Shang Dynasty, how could it be reversed?

  "Your Majesty, Nüwa is the mother of humanity. This time, offering incense is not something to be taken lightly." Upon hearing this, Wen Zhong feared that the Emperor would again do something as reckless as ascending to the altar for worship, and subtly reminded him, "The matter of offering incense concerns the fate of the Shang Dynasty; I implore Your Majesty to exercise extreme caution."

  "Alright, alright! No need to say more, I understand!" Zhang Emperor Xin heard Zhong's words and became annoyed. "The matter of Nüwa Niangniang will not be taken lightly. If there is nothing else, then withdraw!"

  Hear Zhong and Bi Gan had been by the Emperor's side for a long time, seeing the Emperor's displeased expression, they didn't dare to speak again, could only retreat step by step. Zhang Emperor Xin sat alone in front of the desk, looking at a lantern with a yellow light, slowly trembling, his shadow was stretched out by the lamp light, leaning against the screen.

  Suddenly, a moth flew in beside him, fluttering and falling directly into the candle flame. A burst of flames rose up, and the thing vanished without a trace. Emperor Zhang Xin looked on, unable to help but laugh. It was just a moth, yet it still had a moment of glory. As a person, how could he not?

  On the second day, the Son of Heaven issued a decree: from now until March 15th, in the city of Chang'an, every household will burn incense and set fires, every door will be decorated with colored lanterns and mats. The Emperor will take the lead for all people, starting from today to abstain from meat and wear clean clothes. All officials should also make preparations for the ceremony of presenting incense to Nüwa.

  Renovate the ancient Lingshan Niangniang Temple, recast the six-foot-tall golden statue of the goddess, from today onwards, in front of the temple hall, set up the ritual of nine tripods, continue to burn incense day and night without interruption, dispatch virtuous scholars to chant scriptures three times every morning and evening with utmost sincerity, no mistakes allowed.

  The Emperor's intention is that Bi Gan and Wen Zhong both obey the emperor's orders, and are delighted in their hearts, praising the Emperor's wisdom. Even Shang Gong, an old antique dealer who often sang counterpoint with Zhang Emperor Xin, exclaimed that the Emperor was wise and had a feeling of a prodigal son returning home.

  Zhang Di Xin had the reputation of being self-cultivating and self-aware, but secretly went to Yun Meng Mountain. Earlier, Fei Zhong had gone to Beihai to transport horses. This fatty was quite efficient and brought back the horses in just ten days. Having learned from past experiences, he didn't dare to play tricks this time. The horses he brought were all of good quality.

  In the Yunmeng Mountains, the troops were also being hastily forged, with Huang Feihu watching over them. Zhang Emperor Xin was naturally at ease, having arranged all matters, and only then did he come to the Shuixian Cave.

  The Shuixian Cave was once set on fire by Zhang Emperor Xing, and it had become a desolate cave. Only the spiritual spring inside remained, as well as a small damp area. After some renovations, the rest of the place also took on a somewhat immortal flavor.

  Let this be the place to cross the tribulation. Zhang Emperor Xin thought in his heart, then sat down and left Jiu Li Island early. Wu Feng said that the heavenly tribulation is approaching, let him find a wonderful place as soon as possible to cultivate.

  If Nüwa saw a celestial being, it would be a surprise. Zhang Emperor Xin thought to himself, and then he calmed down, soon becoming tranquil.

  "This day, it's likely that a storm is approaching." Half a month later, Huang Feihu was in the middle of rehearsing his acting skills when suddenly dark clouds rolled in from the horizon and covered the sky.

  Dark clouds turned into ink, like a black curtain, rising in the air, layer by layer, surrounding all directions, leaving only a blank space, like a clear sky and white sun, falling on the top of the Water Immortal Cave.

  Zhang Emperor Xing sat in the cave, but saw a ray of heavenly light suddenly falling, straight down to the top of the cave, and it was a loud noise, like thousands of troops and horses rushing, also like a group of tigers roaring, a white light broke through the sky and fell, a drop of white rain fell on Emperor Xing's forehead, the thunderbolt has come!

  Just this one point, it's like the Milky Way bursting its banks, mercury falling to the ground, and then thunder crashes, wind rages, rain soars, pouring down on Mount Yunmeng in a deluge!

  Lightning flashed in a variety of colors, like thunder, directly hitting the top of the Water Immortal Cave, and landed on Zhang Emperor Xin's forehead!

  A dark figure suddenly emerged from between Zhang Di Xin's eyebrows, a dark grey silhouette whose face could not be seen clearly. The corners of its mouth curled up in a cold smile: "Zhang Di Xin, aren't you going to wake up quickly?"

  Even with Zhang Emperor's tightly locked brows, he didn't want to listen, but unexpectedly that voice was like rising from his dantian, even if he tried not to hear it, it shook his heart and chest, like layer upon layer of fierce flames, dancing restlessly!

  "Who are you, and why do you stop me from cultivating!" Zhang Emperor Xin found the person to be very strange, unable to see his face clearly, but had a kind of rare familiar feeling. What's even more strange is how this person knew his name, as in this world, he had never mentioned this name to anyone at any time!

  "Hahahaha...... You want to be serious and dignified?!" The man sneered, his body transforming into that of a carefree Taoist, "Disciple, isn't this great land enjoyable?"

  This... Zhang Di Xin saw the unbridled Taoist, his heart suddenly paused, wanting to open his mouth, but seeing that the Taoist slowly took off his clothes and transformed into a naked body. This person's face was slender, with a closed moon and shy flowers, if there was more, it would be too much, if less, it would be too little: "Your Majesty, let me serve you, is that okay?"

  "Swallow, how did you come here!" Huang Feiyan, this person is actually Huang Feiyan! Zhang Disen knew that it was an illusion at this time, but he couldn't help moving his feet forward. He saw Huang Feiyan's face suddenly change and transform into a beautiful woman who was crying bitterly on the side, "Wenjiu, how did you become so heartbroken? Who has wronged you?"

  Zhang Di Xin's hand was placed on Jiang Wen Ruo's shoulder, just about to comfort her, but unexpectedly Jiang Wen Ruo lifted her head, and in her eyes there was only a pool of blood, yet within it was nothing!

  "Ah!" Zhang Di Xin was greatly shocked, stepping back step by step, and directly fell to the ground. "Wen Tong, Wen Tong, how...how can you be like this?!"

  "Hahaha... Your Majesty doesn't like this appearance, does he?" Jiang Wenchu let out a soft laugh, and with a flick of his long sleeve, transformed into Yang Jiu's appearance, blushing and smiling to one side, speaking in a low voice.

  Zhang Di's heart had just relaxed, but Yang Jiu was laughing more and more, suddenly, a poisonous snake burst out from his body, and in an instant, he was surrounded by snakes, a pile of snakes flying towards him!

  "Ah! Ah!" Zhang Di Xin shouted loudly, but before his eyes was only darkness, unable to see a single ray of light. His whole body felt cold, as if he were in an ice cellar. But from afar, a brilliant white light suddenly appeared, and amidst the light, a figure emerged, clad in bloody clothes, holding something in hand, slowly walking towards him.

  Zhang Di Xin took a closer look and saw that it was indeed Kong Xuan. The object he was holding in his hand was actually Zhang's own head!

  Right after that, Zhao Gongming, Huang Feihu, Jiang Wenhuan, and Yang Renyi appeared one by one. Dazed and confused, Zhang Disen's eyes saw countless scenes before the figure slowly retreated. Suddenly, a gust of clear wind blew by, and in the darkness, the figure reappeared: "Hehehe... Zhang Disen, how is this taste? You're not trying to defy heaven, are you? The price of defying heaven is that your loved ones will betray you, and those you know will not die a good death!"

  "No... no... it can't be, it can't be!" Zhang Di Xin tightly hugged his head and shouted out loud. The figure slowly crouched down, stroking Zhang Di Xin's back with an icy tone: "If you follow the will of heaven, this will be a bright and sunny day, not only for them, but also for you, you will have a divine position, and forever enjoy the blessings of heaven, how about living a carefree life?"

  "You don't need to do anything, just... just enjoy yourself and that's it. Think about beautiful women all around you, isn't that a man's dream? Think about the vibrant nights, how can you not like it, is that not so?" The black figure's words seemed to have an irresistible temptation, Zhang Emperor slowly raised his head, and the person continued to say, "Isn't life just about seeking pleasure? Such enjoyment doesn't require any effort, it's easily attainable, don't... don't waste it."

  "I... I..." Beside Zhang Di Xin, a beautiful woman suddenly appeared, surrounded by four other beauties, all playing and laughing together in the courtyard. The beauty of the scene was like a heavenly paradise, with the sound of gentle music and the scent of flowers filling the air. The women's laughter and playful voices were extremely seductive, making it hard for anyone to resist their charm.

  Zhang Di Xin found himself in the midst of it all, feeling a sense of dizziness, yet unaware of the distant spark that was slowly rising, amidst the flames, a beautiful world seemed to be beckoning him, with an otherworldly beauty that was both captivating and elusive: "Come, my heavenly king, as long as you listen to me, you will have wealth, glory, and honor, come, my emperor..."

  "No, no! This is not my fate!" Zhang Emperor Xin was shocked by the two words "Zhou Wang" and shouted loudly, "I am not Zhou Wang in this life, nor will I be Zhou Wang in the future. My fate is mine, not heaven's!"

  "Come..." The dark shadow was about to entice, but Zhang Emperor Xin suddenly had a burst of clarity in his mind: "This heaven and earth are not benevolent, how can I follow? My life is in my own hands, even if it's someone else, they cannot take it away!"

  "What's going on?" In the Kunlun Mountains' Jade Void Cave, a pair of eyes that could see through heaven and earth suddenly opened wide, revealing profound and piercing light. They gazed eastward, but all they saw was a vast expanse of white mist, unable to discern anything. After a while, they slowly spoke, "Today, it seems the heavens are going to change."

  In the Biyou Palace, a figure was meditating, his face suddenly changed, he snapped his fingers and calculated, after a long time, he slowly withdrew his mind: "The affairs of the human world are all up to humans."

  Above the Water Immortal Cave, a Taoist in tattered clothes stood with a smile on his face, gazing at the dark clouds in the sky: "A minor heavenly calamity shouldn't be so tumultuous. Could it be that someone is covering up for you? Wouldn't that be a great disaster?"

  The figure finished speaking and his body gradually faded away in the void, as if he had never appeared at all, leaving only the dark clouds in the sky remaining...