The Tale of Nezha from "Investiture of the Gods": What’s the Story About?

"Investiture of the Gods" (commonly known as "The Creation of the Gods") is a fictional epic novel written during the Ming Dynasty by Xu Zhonglin of Nanjing and Li Yunxiang of Yangzhou (though authorship is debated). It tells the story of King Wu's campaign to overthrow King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty. This classic is also included in the "Jiangsu Library: Essential Collection." Unlike typical historical novels, "Investiture of the Gods" blends elements of mythology, spirits, and supernatural beings, using gods and demons to critique contemporary society through ancient allegory.

The story is set in the late Shang Dynasty, when the Huaxia region was ruled by a family enterprise known as the Yin-Shang Group. The CEO, King Zhou (also called Di Xin), was a classic rich heir—wealthy, lustful, and utterly reckless. During a visit to a temple, he saw the statue of the goddess Nüwa and couldn’t resist leaving a cheeky comment: "Hey beautiful, here’s your chance to pursue me." This offended the goddess, who then sent three female demons to seduce King Zhou and accelerate the downfall of the Yin-Shang Group.

Among these demons was the notorious fox spirit Daji. Not only did Daji become the CEO’s wife, but she also schemed to frame Bi Gan, a high-ranking official in the group, and spent her days indulging in lavish parties with King Zhou. While King Zhou was infatuated with his new companion, he grew increasingly paranoid about his subordinates. When the Four Great Lords came to pay their respects, a tragic scene unfolded where sons were forced to kill their fathers—a heart-wrenching and sorrowful moment. King Zhou’s cruelty knew no bounds, and even the beloved Boyi Kao, a charismatic and virtuous figure, became the first casualty of the Shang-Zhou conflict.

The CEO of the Yin-Shang Group’s western branch, Lord Ji Chang of Xiqi, was a kind and virtuous man. After being imprisoned for seven years and losing one son to death and another to captivity, he finally decided to wage war against the capital, Zhaoge. Enough was enough!

Meanwhile, in the heavenly realm, the Primordial Tianzun (Yuanshi Tianzun) calculated that the Shang Dynasty was doomed. He instructed his disciples to assist in its downfall, not only to help the Twelve Golden Immortals overcome their tribulations through battle but also to fill 365 vacant positions in the celestial bureaucracy. This led to the creation of the "Investiture of the Gods" list, which some netizens humorously refer to as a celestial civil service exam.

Who Were These Gods?

The characters in "Investiture of the Gods" can be broadly categorized into Saints, Immortals, Gods, and Humans. Saints occupy the highest tier in the celestial hierarchy, including figures like the Jade Emperor and Hongjun Laozu. Hongjun had three disciples: Yuanshi Tianzun of the Chan Sect, Tongtian Jiaozhu of the Jie Sect, and Taishang Laojun of the Human Sect. While the Human Sect had fewer followers, the other two sects had numerous disciples scattered across the land, cultivating their powers to ascend to immortality.

Saints and Immortals focused on cultivation, leaving the management of celestial affairs to the Heavenly Court. The officials of the Heavenly Court were the Gods, who were considered a rank below Immortals and could only attain their status after death. Due to a shortage of personnel in the Heavenly Court, the Shang-Zhou war was used as an opportunity to select 365 Gods. Who were these Gods?

Some of the most famous deities were those who made significant contributions during the war, such as Li Jing (the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King), Nezha (the Third Lotus Prince), Yang Jian, and Leizhenzi. There were also former villains who became Gods, like the Four Heavenly Kings (Moli Qing, Moli Hong, Moli Hai, and Moli Shou), who governed wind, harmony, rain, and prosperity. Other notable figures included Zheng Lun and Chen Qi (the "Heng Ha" Generals), Shen Gongbao (the East Sea Division General), and Fei Lian and E Lai (Gods of Ice and Destruction).

One of the most poignant figures was Boyi Kao, who was posthumously honored as the Great Emperor of the North Star. Boyi Kao was a paragon of virtue—handsome, talented in both martial and literary arts, and a master of music. His pure-hearted filial piety and selflessness made him a perfect candidate to lead the northern deities.

Fan-Favorite Deities

If there were a popularity contest among the Gods, the God of Wealth would undoubtedly take first place. During the investiture ceremony, Jiang Ziya, under the decree of Taishang Laojun, appointed Zhao Gongming as the True Lord of the Mysterious Altar, overseeing four wealth deities (Xiao Sheng, Cao Bao, Chen Jiugong, and Yao Shaosi) and managing the world’s riches. Zhao Gongming was no ordinary deity—he was a formidable warrior. According to Ming Dynasty texts, he hailed from Zhongnan Mountain, wore an iron crown, wielded an iron whip, and rode a black tiger. Despite his prowess, he met his end through treachery, but his legacy as the God of Wealth endures.

Another notable figure was Bi Gan, King Zhou’s uncle. Daji, seeking revenge, convinced King Zhou that she needed Bi Gan’s "seven-aperture heart" to cure her illness. Forced to comply, Bi Gan cut out his own heart but, in a twist of romanticism, did not die. His spirit was later enshrined as the God of Literature and Wisdom, a role that evolved into the folk deity of wealth due to his perceived impartiality and purity.

The Celestial War

The story then shifts to the war between the Shang and Zhou factions, essentially a battle of gods and immortals.

Round 1: The Jie Sect Strikes

The Shang forces, led by Wen Zhong (a disciple of the Jie Sect), called in ten allies to set up the Ten Absolute Formations. However, the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect dismantled the formations and defeated Wen Zhong’s allies. Desperate, Wen Zhong summoned Zhao Gongming, but even he was defeated by. With no other options, Wen Zhong took to the battlefield himself but was ultimately killed at Mount Juelong.

Round 2: The Chan Sect Prevails

The Jie Sect, having lost many disciples, saw its leader, Tongtian Jiaozhu, step in. He unleashed devastating formations like the Immortal-Slaying Formation and the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation. However, betrayal within his ranks weakened the Jie Sect, and the Shang Dynasty’s downfall became inevitable. King Zhou set himself on fire, and the Zhou forces captured the capital, establishing the Zhou Dynasty. The final act was Jiang Ziya’s investiture of the Gods at the Fengshen Terrace.

As the protagonist of "Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms," Ji Fa’s journey is central to the story. After his brother’s death and his father’s imprisonment, Ji Fa embraced his inner courage, inherited his father’s legacy, and strategized to overthrow the Shang Dynasty with the help of figures like Jiang Ziya. His success marked the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted over 800 years, leaving an indelible mark on history.

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