Chapter Fifty-Two: The Grand Preceptor Besieged!

Jiang Yuan led Nezha toward the encampment where the Shang army was stationed, making an entrance as grand as one could imagine.

Zhang Kui’s one-horned Black Smoke Beast was already an imposing sight—a rare creature among war mounts, seldom seen not just on the resource-poor Eastern Yi frontier but anywhere in the Shang realm. Yet it paled in comparison to Jiang Yuan’s iron-plated chariot, a Lamborghini unlike anything anyone had ever heard of.

In no time, the entire Shang camp was roused; soldiers assembled and surrounded the trio, their gazes fierce and unyielding.

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass in the camp of Great Shang!" one of the soldiers barked.

Jiang Yuan, unperturbed, smiled mildly at the speaker. "I am here to see Grand Tutor Wen."

"Insolent! Do you think you can see the Grand Tutor just because you wish it? And dare to call yourself 'I' in the royal manner!"

Nezha watched the scene unfold with amusement, teasing Jiang Yuan, "So not everyone recognizes you as the King of Shang, eh?"

Jiang Yuan ignored Nezha. He wasn't a celebrity, after all. Besides, there was no internet in the world of the Investiture of the Gods—how could everyone possibly know him?

"If you won’t fetch the Grand Tutor, we’ll simply wait here," Jiang Yuan said, smiling at the soldier.

Zhang Kui stepped forward and addressed Jiang Yuan respectfully, "My lord, shall I go inside to notify the Grand Tutor?"

"Insolent! The Shang army camp is not a place you can enter at will!"

Zhang Kui’s expression darkened, ready to strike the speaker, but Jiang Yuan stopped him. "You are yourself a commander. Isn’t it a good thing to have such vigilant soldiers under your command? Why now lose patience when the same discipline is found in others?"

"Thank you for your guidance, my lord. I was too hasty," Zhang Kui replied, immediately chastened.

Indeed, having such soldiers in the Shang army was a blessing; he should not have reacted so harshly. Still, letting the standoff drag on was not ideal either.

"Let’s wait. The commotion here is not small; someone with authority is bound to notice," Jiang Yuan said patiently.

As expected, a powerful voice rang out.

"Who dares make a ruckus in the army camp!"

Jiang Yuan turned and saw the formidable general Erlai, who had accompanied Grand Tutor Wen on the eastern expedition.

Character: Erlai
Title: General of Shang
Cultivation Realm: True Immortal Perfection
Items: Soul-Absorbing Cauldron, Eight-Faceted Purple-Gold Demon-Breaking Rod
Cultivation Method: Eightfold Domination Technique
Mount: Nine-Crowned Chrysanthemum Leopard
Loyalty: 90
Favor: 70
Tyrant Value Obtainable: 560

It was clear this was a true general of Shang, on par with Zhang Kui.

Jiang Yuan was baffled. With so many powerful generals and loyal ministers, how had the Shang dynasty been ruined under King Zhou? Was it truly only because Heaven’s mandate had expired? He simply could not believe it.

"General Erlai, do you recognize me?" Jiang Yuan smiled at Erlai.

Erlai was taken aback. He had thought the commotion was either an enemy incursion or some troublemakers causing unrest. Never did he expect the King himself to arrive at the Eastern Yi frontier.

Could it be the King was already aware of Grand Tutor Wen’s situation?

"Your humble servant greets the King! Long live the King!" Erlai quickly knelt and saluted Zhang Kui.

The soldiers who had surrounded Jiang Yuan were stunned. Who could Erlai call "King" but the one and only Emperor Yin of humanity?

Especially the soldier who had just rebuked Jiang Yuan—his face now drained of color. Though they were stationed on the Eastern Yi border, news from the capital occasionally reached them, and it was rumored the King’s temper was not gentle.

Especially the infamous punishment of roasting alive... The soldier, thinking of this, wondered if he should end his own life now to avoid a more dreadful fate.

"Rise, General Erlai," Jiang Yuan said, waving a hand lightly.

Erlai then turned and roared at the dumbfounded soldiers, "You fools, what are you waiting for? This is our King, Emperor of all humanity! Hurry and pay your respects!"

The soldiers finally snapped to attention, kneeling as one before Jiang Yuan.

"Long live the King!"

Jiang Yuan did not stop them, smiling and nodding before allowing them to stand.

Erlai then pleaded on behalf of the soldiers, "Your Majesty, please do not blame them. They were merely following the discipline of the army; I hope you will forgive them."

"What would I blame them for? If I had entered the camp without challenge, that would be cause for concern. With soldiers like you, Great Shang need fear nothing," Jiang Yuan replied, showing no sign of taking offense.

The soldiers exchanged glances, their eyes now filled with a strange mix of surprise and approval. It seemed the King was not as foolish as rumors claimed.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Erlai breathed a sigh of relief.

"May I ask what brings Your Majesty to the Eastern Yi frontier?"

"I was simply idle, so I took General Zhang to survey the realm. Having recently resolved matters at Chentang Pass, I remembered the Grand Tutor and decided to visit him," Jiang Yuan explained.

"Why has the Grand Tutor not come to greet me? Is he waiting for me to seek out my elder?"

Erlai hurriedly waved his hands, "Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand. The Grand Tutor has his reasons."

Jiang Yuan had no intention of blaming anyone. Hearing Erlai’s explanation, he realized Grand Tutor Wen must be in some trouble.

"What has happened to Grand Tutor Wen?" Jiang Yuan asked, frowning.

Erlai hesitated, his eyes uncertain.

Jiang Yuan immediately sensed the problem was serious. He unleashed the oppressive aura of a tyrant; Erlai, caught off guard, was forced to kneel once more.

"What has happened to the Grand Tutor? General Erlai, I expect you to tell me the truth!" Jiang Yuan demanded coldly.

"This... may be somewhat related to Your Majesty," Erlai stammered.

"Speak freely. I shall not blame you," Jiang Yuan said, his mood sinking.

Erlai managed a bitter smile and finally replied, "The Grand Tutor heard of Your Majesty’s conduct at the capital—the punishment by fire that killed Minister Mei. He was so furious he insisted on returning to the capital to discipline Your Majesty."

"I pleaded with him until he relented, mindful of the situation at the Eastern Yi frontier. Yet his anger would not abate, so he went across the Celestial Abyss to vent his wrath on the tribes of the Witch and Ghost clans."

"Where is the Grand Tutor now?" Jiang Yuan felt a growing sense of dread.

"He is currently trapped in the Shazi tribe of the Witch clan, cursed by their shaman. Fortunately, his magic is powerful, so he is not in immediate danger," Erlai explained.

Jiang Yuan was filled with remorse. Had he not unsettled Wen Zhong from afar, the Grand Tutor would not have been so easily caught by the Witch clan’s schemes.

"How long has he been trapped?" Jiang Yuan asked, frowning.

"Yesterday, the Grand Tutor led three thousand personal guards across the Celestial Abyss. Only today did some soldiers return with the news. It seems he was trapped only recently. I had just received word and was about to go to his aid when Your Majesty arrived," Erlai said, his tone urgent.

Clearly, the Grand Tutor’s situation was far from optimistic.