Investiture of the Gods/Chapter 61.5
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(Due to the greater length of Chapter 61, it has been expanded)
[edit] Full Summary (continued)
With his precious disciple being no longer, Pure Essence violently threw aside Lao Tzu's map and began banging his fists upon the ground in utter despair and frustration, knowing that Yin Hong was truly undeserving of such an end that could have been easily altered. Crying aloud in such a state of mind, Pure Essence cast aside Merciful Navigation's words of comfort and returned to Mount Taihua, already enraged at the probability that no one will wish to study with him in the future after such a cruel incident that he was the cause of. Following such an event, Outstanding Culture and Merciful Navigation reported the happenings to Jiang Ziya--who had returned to Phoenix City shortly following the map's deployment--and followed by taking their own leave shortly afterwards, promising that they would return upon the date of Jiang Ziya's "destined" inauguration.
Su Hu, who saw the enormous torrents of flames shooting to the very skies at the time of Yin Hong's death, soon obtained word from fleeing soldiers that the prince had vanished in the flames by some incredible source of magic. Being greatly fearful at such words, Su Hu frantically ordered scouts to find and return Ma Yuan, Gou Zhang, and Liu Fu as soon as physically possible -- that is, if they were in fact alive. Realizing that his original plan is the only method employable after carefully analyzing the circumstances, Su Hu handed his son a message that specifically instructed the Prime Minister to launch an attack upon their encampment the following dusk while the family of Su is safely evacuated into the western gate of Phoenix City -- and at the same time forcing the defiant Zheng Lun into surrender. This message was to be latched to an arrow and sent into the enemy city that night. After Su Quanzhong had effectively obeyed the words of his father, Nangong Kuo had found such a missive and immediately handed it to Prime Minister Jiang Ziya, who, upon reading the letter, knew that Su Hu wouldn't be able to pose any form of threat after the death of Yin Hong, and thus made preparations to act without hesitation. Following immediate drilling, Jiang Ziya deployed Generals Nangong Kuo, Yellow Flying Tiger, and Nezha, with set orders of attack. Meanwhile, Zheng Lun, who knew that his master was more than likely plotting the desperate scheme of giving in to the rebel commander, attempted to send many urgent reports of assistance to Morning Song, but was checked by his commander, who stated that such a task should be considered in the morning as to prevent the messengers from getting lost in the dark of night. As a resolution, Zheng Lun, who had little intention whatsoever to even momentarily work under the hand of Jiang Ziya -- even though being a rational course of action, secretly deployed a small messenger unit that night with ultimate intention to acquire reinforcements at all costs possible.
At the very second of sunrise at dusk the following morning, the Zhou army, far overwhelming all external opposition of Shang with shere number at hand, broke into the main encampment at differing directions. As Zheng Lun engaged the invading Yellow Flying Tiger with great might and firm resolve, reinforcements constantly leaked from the western gate of Phoenix City as Su Hu's family were escorted through such a gate at the same measure. Despite his valiant warrior renown, the remainder of the Shang forces began to flee in fear at the prospect of death, thus causing a larger number of enemy forces to pierce through the encampment with far greater morale and strength at their disposal. Zheng Lun, seeing the situation dire, was suddenly struck from his horse by the reputed Deng Jiugong, and was thus bound shortly and brought to the Silver Security Hall following the conflict's conclusion.
With the sun shining brightly in the skies as a signal of morning, Jiang Ziya took his seat in the Silver Security Hall as Su Hu entered in, knelt before the former, and expressed a level of inner remorse for his past actions against the Zhou cause. As Su Quanzhong reciprocated his father's showing, Zheng Lun was forced into the hall with bonds tightly binding his arms from any form of action as he fiercely glared at Su Hu for the blatant weakness he has shown in the name of military strength and honor. Being criticized for not kneeling as he stood before the rebel commander without uttering a single word, Zheng Lun resolutely declared that he would rather have his head cut from his body then to display affiliation to a man that has a reputation of treachery and shame. Jiang Ziya, being enraged at the defiant warrior's mocking words, and ordering Zheng Lun to be beheaded immediately, was interceded by Su Hu, who pleaded his subordinate to be freed in prospect that he could be won over. Upon obtaining the prime minister's consention, Su Hu, dismissing the personal guards of Zheng Lun, entered a private chamber and began to reconcile with his fellow subordinate. Declaring that they will be looked upon as true heroes if they are to destroy the rebel commander after obtaining his mutual trust following a long period of assistance, Su Hu additionally stated that King Zhou is nothing more than a fool running rampant in desire, and, even if Zheng Lun were to give his life in the name of such a beast, he will never be considered with the dignity of a hero or be remembered in the hearts of the people to any true measure. Zheng Lun, who became aware of the latent effects of his loyal heart being considered as mere dirt if he were to dismiss such an opportunity and die in honor, saw the rationality of his master's words and thus declared his cooperation. As Zheng Lun, bound in rope, personally approached the prime minister, he fell to his knees and dishonestly apologized for his former beheavior, stating that fellow generals of Zhou, as opposed to his commander, Su Hu, had enlightened him of the former's true virtue and ensured him that his loyalty and honor could reach a new beacon of light under the arm of King Wu. Jiang Ziya, being convinced at Zheng Lun's words of conviction, hosted a grand banquet in the rear palace for all the newcomers to enjoy.
