Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

"What are you thinking about?"

"If you want to... there's no rush. I've been traveling a lot lately, suffering from hunger and cold, and my body is very tired."

"Quickly, treat Duan Lang to the best food and bring that lovely Jiang Ren'er here to serve him well."

Shen Gongbao then said, "Quickly clean the best room in my mansion for Duan Lang."

That night, Shen Gongbao and Duan Lang listened to music, embraced beauties, ate delicious food, and sipped wine, enjoying themselves immensely. Shen Gongbao served Duan Lang to his heart's content. Shen Gongbao sipped his wine, smiled wickedly, and silently vowed, "Jiang Ziya, your good days are over."

The next day, Duan Lang, dressed neatly, waited for Shen Gongbao in the reception room. When Shen Gongbao arrived at the reception room and saw Duan Wuqing, he was very happy and his smile was extremely sinister.

Duan Lang said, "I'm here to fulfill my promise."

Chapter 1141 Zhao Gongming Emerges from the Mountain

"May I ask what good ideas you have, Master Duan?" A sly smile appeared on his face.

"The Shang Dynasty is now barely clinging to life, weak and isolated, so what it needs most right now is the help of other immortals."

"Then who should we look for?" Shen Gongbao asked, looking puzzled.

Duan Wuqing smiled slightly and pointed.

Shen Gongbao glanced in the direction he pointed and saw Mount Emei standing there, shrouded in mist and clouds.

He asked, "Whom should we seek help from when we go to Mount Emei?"

"In Mount Emei there is a Luofu Cave, and in the Luofu Cave lives a reclusive immortal named Zhao Gongming."

"But I've only heard people say that Zhao Gongming is a man who doesn't associate with worldly affairs. What should I do?"

Seeing the puzzled look on Shen Gongbao's face, Duan Lang laughed three times and said, "Zhao Gongming is our last trump card. We must first persuade the other immortals to come to our aid. If that fails, then we will try to persuade Zhao Gongming."

"If we couldn't even persuade the other immortals, how could we possibly persuade Zhao Gongming?"

"Let me explain in detail. This Zhao Gongming was once my student, and we have a very good relationship. I will write a message on a bamboo slip, which you should carry with you. When you see him, take it out and show it to him. He will definitely lend you a hand."

Shen Gongbao was overjoyed. He slapped his thigh and shouted, "Jiang Ziya, you wait!"

From then on, Duan Lang became Shen Gongbao's strategist, offering him advice and strategies.

A few days later, Shen Gongbao led his entourage to persuade the well-known figures in the martial arts world. However, everyone was too frightened by Shen Gongbao's intimidating appearance to welcome him in and refused to let him in.

With no other option, Shen Gongbao led his large entourage to the foot of Mount Emei. Looking at Mount Emei, a glimmer of hope rose in his eyes once again.

When the mountain boy from Mount Emei saw Shen Gongbao's appearance, he was so frightened that he couldn't even speak.

Shen Gongbao said, "I have important business with Zhao Gongming. Could you please inform him? I have a bamboo slip here; could you please give it to Zhao Gongming for me?"

The mountain boy seemed dazed: "Okay, okay, I'll report it right away."

Then, the mountain boy stumbled and ran, reporting to Zhao Gongming.

"Reporting to the cave master, there is a strange-looking person outside who wants to see you, and there is also a bamboo slip for you."

"Oh, someone's looking for me. What does he look like?"

"I didn't dare to look closely; his face was terrifying, truly unlike any other person."

"Their appearance is so peculiar that it can scare people away. I'd like to meet them. Give me the bamboo slip and go bring them in."

Zhao Gongming opened the bamboo slip and carefully read its contents, then laughed loudly, "So it's Duan Wuqing!"

Led by the mountain boy, Shen Gongbao and his group entered the realm of Mount Emei. They found Mount Emei shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland on earth, giving them a feeling of lingering and not wanting to leave.

While they were admiring the beautiful scenery, they arrived at the main hall of Mount Emei, where Zhao Gongming was already standing to greet them.

Zhao Gongming said, "I didn't know you were all friends of Duan Lang. I'm truly sorry for not welcoming you properly!"

"It's alright, we're all family, no need to be so polite."

"Come in, please come into the hall. Let's sit down and talk."

Upon entering the hall, Zhao Gongming arranged for Shen Gongbao to sit down and said, "You must have had a long and tiring journey. I have prepared some food for you all, and I hope you will not find it offensive."

Shen Gongbao said, "Sir, you're too kind."

Shen Gongbao was eager to get to the point, and Zhao Gongming saw through his thoughts, so he said, "What brings you all to my Mount Emei, weary from your journey?"

"Ah! That's exactly what I was thinking. I'd like to ask for your help in saving the Shang Dynasty."

"That's easy! I have three younger sisters who possess magical artifacts called the super magic treasure, the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron, which can help you save the Shang Dynasty."

Shen Gongbao was overjoyed and said happily, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, sir."

"You're too kind, too kind. Since you're Duan Lang's friend, you're also my friend. There's no need to be so polite."

Zhao Gongming said, "When will you go into battle? I will assist you."

Shen Gongbao said, "I will go back and challenge Jiang Ziya to a duel. I will inform you then."

"Okay, I will wait for Shen's news."

After leaving Mount Emei and returning to his residence, he ordered his men to send a challenge to Jiang Ziya, setting the date for a decisive battle at Wen Zhong's place in three days.

The appointed date has finally arrived. Both sides are well-equipped with talented individuals and are evenly matched. A major battle is about to break out.

Zhao Gongming, as Shen Gongbao's main general, said to him, "Jiang Ziya, you old man, instead of properly assisting the Shang Dynasty, you actually rebelled. You have the audacity to do anything!"

Jiang Ziya's main general retorted, "King Shang is licentious and tyrannical, and the people are in turmoil. You are aiding and abetting his evil deeds."

The two sides faced off, and a major battle was imminent.

Zhao Gongming set up the Ten Deadly Formations and told his men to first engage in a fierce battle with Jiang Ziya's army.

"To catch the thief, first catch the king," and then he took the opportunity to use magic to kidnap Jiang Ziya's soul. Shen Gongbao then took the initiative and attacked Jiang Ziya first. The two sides were evenly matched and neither could gain the upper hand.

Then Shen Gongbao sent out Zhao Gongming, and Jiang Ziya sent out Nezha. How could Nezha, that little brat, be a match for Zhao Gongming? Zhao Gongming used a feint attack to the east and a diagonal maneuver to disrupt Nezha's formation.

Jiang Ziya's formation immediately fell into disarray, and his generals charged into Wen Zhong's army. Little did they know, this was Zhao Gongming's treacherous scheme.

Zhao Gongming leaped off his horse and charged towards Jiang Ziya. Jiang Ziya was now without a general to protect him and was outnumbered and outmatched. With Zhao Gongming wielding a magical weapon, Jiang Ziya was no match for him.

Zhao Gongming grabbed Jiang Ziya by the collar, took out the super magic weapon Hunyuan Golden Bucket, and captured Jiang Ziya's soul. He immediately rode away on horseback. However, Jiang Ziya was also a person with boundless magic power. Although his soul had been captured by Zhao Gongming, he still gave chase. Just as Zhao Gongming saw that Jiang Ziya's army was about to catch up, he happened to pass by a field and saw a scarecrow. He had no choice but to put Jiang Ziya's soul into the scarecrow, thus preventing it from being taken back and his efforts being in vain.

When Jiang Ziya's team saw Zhao Gongming put Jiang Ziya's soul into the scarecrow, Jiang Ziya was already unable to hold on and had fallen into a coma. The team members were at a loss as to what to do.

Chapter 1142 Rescuing Jiang Ziya

The group had no choice but to ride back to their tent and report to Li Xiuyuan, explaining the whole story in detail.

"Does the immortal have any way to save Jiang Ziya?"

Li Xiuyuan paced back and forth in the room, when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him. He remembered a boy he had taken in a few years ago, whose true form was a white crane. Li Xiuyuan summoned the white crane boy and said, "There is an important matter that needs your attention. Jiang Ziya's soul is trapped inside a scarecrow, and you need to go to the human world to retrieve it."

"Alright, I will certainly live up to your expectations and bring the soul back."

After saying this, the White Crane Boy transformed into a white crane, hovered around Li Xiuyuan for a moment, and then flew down to the human world to find the scarecrow.

Not long after, the White Crane Boy returned and brought back the scarecrow.

Li Xiuyuan picked up the scarecrow and pointed at it, drawing out Jiang Ziya's soul. He then guided it towards Jiang Ziya, causing Jiang Ziya to wake up instantly with a burst of golden light.

After Jiang Ziya was resurrected, everyone asked him to devise a plan to break Zhao Gongming's Ten Deadly Formations.

Jiang Ziya said, "This matter still requires Li Xiuyuan's help."

"Don't be so polite, just tell me what's wrong," Li Xiuyuan said casually, waving his hand at Jiang Ziya.

"I need the help of the Eight Immortals; I need you to invite them to help me."

"This is simple."

Li Xiuyuan sent a message to the Eight Immortals via carrier pigeon, hoping that they could lend Jiang Ziya a hand.

The Eight Immortals arrived at Li Xiuyuan's camp and paid their respects to Jiang Ziya.

The Eight Immortals said, "We are willing to lend you a helping hand."

Jiang Ziya and his men confronted Wen Zhong's army again, and upon seeing Zhao Gongming, he was very dissatisfied.

"Zhao Gongming, you despicable villain, you actually resorted to such underhanded methods! Your death is imminent!"

Zhao Gongming looked closely and said, "Jiang Ziya, you old man, you're nothing special. What can you do to me?"

Jiang Ziya shouted, "Eight Immortals, break the formation!"

The Eight Immortals formed a "one-line" formation, joined their hands together, and charged straight at Zhao Gongming's Ten Deadly Formations.

The Eight Immortals, all looking radiant and chatting happily, completely disregarded Zhao Gongming's formation and exclaimed, "Zhao Gongming, your formation is just so-so!"

The Eight Immortals gathered their strength and broke through eight formations in succession. Then, together with Nezha, Jinzha, and other generals, they broke Shen Gongbao's last formation, the Heavenly Annihilation Formation, leaving Zhao Gongming dumbfounded.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Zhao Gongming thought to himself, "What should I do? If this continues, I will be in danger. I might as well go to my sister and seek refuge with her."

Zhao Gongming turned around, mounted his horse, and fled in panic, immediately heading towards the Three Immortal Islands.

Upon arriving at the Three Immortal Islands, he met his three younger sisters, Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao. The three ladies were very surprised to see their brother.

Lady Yunxiao asked, "Brother, what brings you to our Three Immortal Islands?"

Zhao Gongming said, "During the great battle, I captured Jiang Ziya's soul in a scarecrow, but Jiang Ziya's men found it again. After Jiang Ziya returned, he sought revenge on me, broke my Ten Deadly Formations, and routed the Shang Dynasty's army. Left with no other choice, I had to come back to you to help me defeat Jiang Ziya."

"Then, brother, how would you like us to help you?"

Zhao Gongming smiled wickedly and said, "I need to borrow your Golden Dragon Scissors and Hunyuan Golden Cauldron for a while, is that alright?"

The three ladies looked at each other, their faces showing difficulty. Seeing their troubled expressions, Zhao Gongming said, "I know you trust your brother. I've always taken good care of you. Now that I'm in trouble, are you just going to stand by and watch me get bullied?"