The Jade Emperor's Tale: A Game of Power Beginning with the Investiture of the Gods

Zhang Bainren is one of the lucky ones who rose from the mortal world to heaven. Though weak, he is appointed Jade Emperor, and can only endure his lot as a puppet errand boy behind the Three Pure Ones of the Daoist sect. Fortunately, Dao Ancestor Hongjun grants him the Haotian Mirror, which can observe heaven and earth, karma, and the human heart...

He watches King Zhou of Shang, Di Xin, scheme to reclaim the title of Human Sovereign, while the Three Pure Ones hold back from a battle over the Great Dao. Seizing the opportunity, he stirs the three teachings into jointly creating the Investiture of the Gods, setting off the Investiture War. The empty Celestial Court is finally filled, while the mortal realm is left with only an emperor and no more kings.

He watches the First Emperor unite the land, then kill himself to command an army of a million terracotta soldiers. Joining forces with the remnant Wu sect, which has survived in the Six Paths of Reincarnation, the First Emperor establishes the Underworld, then triggers Di Xin's contingency plan and marches against heaven. So Zhang cuts off their source of support, igniting a peasant uprising and blocking their retreat. The mighty Qin dynasty falls after just two generations, and the Underworld comes entirely under the Celestial Court.

He watches the Daoist factions gain overwhelming power within the Celestial Court, while the immortals pay lip service and defy orders in secret. He secretly nurtures Sun Wukong, who wreaks havoc in heaven and weakens the Daoists. Then he lets the Tathagata launch the Journey to the West, strengthening the Buddhists. His mastery of imperial statecraft is flawless, and he remains firmly in control.

He watches the merciless heavenly laws...

He watches the Tathagata grow ever more powerful...

Countless ages later, seated upon the central throne of the Hall of Miraculous Mists, the Supreme Jade Emperor of the Mysterious Vault of Heaven, the Most Venerable, Natural, Subtle, and True Emperor Miro, furrows his brow. His eyes are as deep as the sea. Below him, the assembled immortals bow their heads and hold their tongues, trembling as cold sweat trickles silently down. Not one dares wipe it away...