Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 29
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[edit] General Summary
This chapter is titled "Clash Between Two Grand Dukes". As General Nangong Kuo left to Caozhou at immediate pace, he soon took lodgings within an official hotel upon his arrival at Black Tiger Chong Heihu's residence. Leaving his office upon Nangong's reported arrival, Heihu soon obtained a letter from Jiang Ziya on the current situation. Reading the letter over continuously, he decided that it will be for the greater good if he puts an end to his brother in the name of the people; dispite the blood that he is to stain on the faces of his ancestors through such an action. Before he departed, 3,000 soldiers were individually chosen to accompany him from Caozhou while his son, Chong Yingluan, ensures the protection of the city during his leave. As Chong Heihu arrived before the north grand dukedom's city gates in short time, Yinbiao emerged forth and earnestly welcomed his fellow uncle -- who had arrived with reinforcements after obtaining report on the situation. Sitting within the main hall by his cousin's side, Chong Heihu asked the true reason as to why Ji Chang has suddenly attacked their residence; the latter stated that a man by the name of Jiang Ziya said earlier that they arrived out of some form of malice towards his father and have thus attacked with most probable intentions to kill him. Easily seeing such words as accurate and on the side of rationality, Chong Heihu charged from the city gates to do battle against the opposing forces of Prince Wen at the following dawn. Jiang Ziya was completely rational of Chong Heihu's intentions upon the arrival of Nangong Kuo -- and thus sent the latter to do battle with Black Tiger. As both warriors battled with great renown, Chong Heihu silently told Nangong to feign retreat after giving up ground as a pretext to the combat's end. Seeing the enemy general flee while Heihu did not pursue in any form, Yingbiao approached his uncle and inspected the reason for such an action. Being told Jiang Ziya is widely known for his magical renown, there alone arose the chance that the former would use such tactics in order to ensure his victory at all costs possible -- considering the additional rashful ways of such pursuit. As Heihu and Yingbiao thus returned to the city, Black Tiger stated that their probability of victory should increase dramatically if Houhu and King Zhou are effectively contacted and informed of the current happenings upon Chong City.
With Sun Rong thus being sent to the capital, he arrived before Chong Houhu's residence first and handed the duke the intended letter. Pounding his desk in utter rage at the ill-gratitude and treacherous motives that Ji Chang posseses towards him--despite the many sacrifices that he has made in order to ensure the safety of the former--Chong Houhu presented himself to King Zhou and elaborated the current case on hand. After the king had ensured his minister that he shall back him with soldiers if the need be, Houhu confidently set out with 3,000 soldiers from the capital in quick pace. As soon as Chong Heihu had obtained word that his brother was heading to Chong City, he told General Gao Ding to await in ambush inside the city gates and only emerge to seize the grand duke when the rattling of a sword is effectively heard. After Shen Gong had been told in addition to arrest the entire Chong family and bring them to the Zhou camp upon Heihu's emerging from the city, both Chong Heihu and Yingbiao set out shortly to await the arrival of Houhu. As the grand duke was thus invited inside of the city gates, all soldiers suddenly seized both Houhu and his son once the sound of rattling had been heard. Being fully rational that if Chong Houhu was effectively seized and destroyed before the eyes of the people, the Chong family wound not only live on in an honorable prestige but his own reputation will soar due to reinforcing the greater good dispite the blood that is to be shed. After thus placing the duke before Jiang Ziya's feet, and warmly greeting Ji Chang, Prince Wen became displeased at Heihu's actions for being ruthless. Informing the prince that such an action is for the greater good, and well on the side of virtue, Jiang Ziya ordered Chong Houhu and his son to be placed before him while their heads are immediately cut from their bodies. Having no original intention whatsoever to kill the grand duke and his son, Prince Wen blinded his eyes from the sight of their decapitated heads while shrieking with fear and disgust. Ordering Chong Heihu to free all remaining captives, Jiang Ziya and Prince Wen took their leave from Chong City while Heihu remained to govern the people as the new grand duke of the north. Unfortunately however upon their return to the Western Foothills, Prince Wen began to see Chong Houhu's decapitated head at every moment he happened to close his eyes -- and his health thus slowly decreased out of clear digust and resentment.
