City God

The head of security in a county commanded a terrifying amount of power.

Not to mention, he acted on behalf of the imperial court and was protected by its fortune. If he also secured an official document bearing the county magistrate's seal, ordinary mountain spirits and wild ghosts—even Minor Gods—wouldn't be able to get near him.

"Looks like I've taken on one hell of a hot potato..."

Wu Ming felt a little vexed, but this was a Main God Hall mission. He had no choice but to accept it.

He glanced at the sun. Since it was nearly noon, he stopped wandering and entered a nearby tavern at a leisurely pace.

"Young Master, this way, please!"

The tavern had two stories and a gilded signboard. Clearly, it was an old establishment.

As soon as he stepped inside, a waiter with a white lambswool towel draped over his shoulder came up to greet him warmly. "Are you dining alone, Young Master? Would you like a seat by the window?"

"Mm!"

Wu Ming went upstairs and took a seat. His nose twitched slightly as the rich aroma of wine and meat wafted over, and he smiled. "Your braised meat looks pretty good."

"Of course! Our braised mutton and beef are the best in Black Platform County. We've had this signboard for decades. We don't often get beef, though, so you're in luck today, Young Master. A bull fell and died in Li Family Village outside the town a few days ago. Our boss bought back two legs, fresh as can be... How about some?"

The waiter was quite the smooth talker. Wu Ming smiled. "Then bring me a pound... and stir-fry two vegetable dishes as well. And a pot of wine!"

"Right away!"

The waiter went downstairs, then soon returned with a pot of wine. Grain was precious these days, so the wine was a little cloudy. Fortunately, it was weak enough to drink almost like a beverage.

Before long, the two stir-fried dishes arrived, their greens bright and fragrant. Wu Ming had been hungry for a while, but he took his time, eating and drinking with measured, meticulous movements. At a glance, he looked like a well-bred young master from a distinguished family.

"Young Master, your braised beef!"

Just as Wu Ming had eaten about half his meal, another plate arrived, piled with sliced beef. It was a deep red, with firm, visible grain, and its rich flavor lingered in the mouth. It was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

"Hold on a moment!"

After a few bites, Wu Ming silently praised the dish, then called the waiter back.

"Yes, sir! What can I do for you?"

The waiter clasped his hands respectfully.

"I'm from out of town and just got here. Things haven't been very peaceful in Black Platform County lately, have they?"

Wu Ming said it as if in passing.

"Alas... With that ghost mountain nearby, peace would be the rare thing..." The waiter gave a bitter smile. "But you're right, sir. They say quite a few people have died over in Black Water Town these past few months... Even the wild monks and Daoists the county hired have died one after another. No one dares go there anymore..."

"Oh? So some ghosts are causing trouble?" Wu Ming perked up.

"Who can say otherwise? The things around Black Mountain are all sinister, especially... ever since the Land God Temple in Black Water Town was destroyed three months ago..."

The waiter had let it slip without thinking, then realized his mistake. "Please enjoy your meal, sir... Just call if you need anything..."

He hurried downstairs.

"The Land God Temple was destroyed? Could this be because the Land God's position is vacant? With no one to guide the Undead Souls, trouble broke out? That doesn't sound right... What does a mere town Land God matter? Couldn't the City God just appoint another?"

Wu Ming didn't press further. It was already surprising that a mere waiter knew this much.

After eating and drinking his fill, he paid several hundred copper coins and strolled out.

"City God Temple?!"

Before leaving the tavern, Wu Ming had asked for directions. Now he stood before the City God Temple.

There were gods in this world!

And not just here. The Great Zhou World had gods as well.

In ancient times, the Son of Heaven held the power of the realm in his hands and could shape fate. He could also establish or abolish the lesser ranks of ghosts and gods through sacrificial rites.

The origins of the gods varied greatly.

Some had been famous people or officials who had blessed the region in life, then retained their spirits after death and were enshrined and worshipped.

Some were nature spirits, who had naturally joined with the power of mountains, rivers, and waterways and gained dominion over them.

Others were simply mountain spirits, monsters, ghosts, or evil wraiths who tricked ignorant country folk into offering them incense and Blood Food.

In short, their origins were all manner of strange. But they had to be recognized by the imperial court or granted divine office by Heaven to count as having attained true fruition. Otherwise, they were all deemed "unorthodox shrines and illicit sacrifices," and suppressed by the orthodox authorities.

The City God of Black Platform County was naturally one of those who had attained true fruition. His temple covered several acres and had an air of solemn dignity.

According to legend, the Black Terrace City God's name in life had been Wang Xuanfan. He had passed the civil service examinations under the previous dynasty and served as county magistrate here. He had encouraged mulberry cultivation and sericulture, put the administration in order, and brought peace to the county. People left lost goods untouched on the roads, and no one barred their doors at night. The population grew, and the county flourished.

Later, the court raised taxes. Wang Xuanfan pleaded on behalf of the people and was exiled. He fell ill and died on the road. The county folk were moved by his deeds and built a shrine to worship him, but it was destroyed several times.

It was not until the present dynasty that the prefect, having heard of the matter, reported it to the emperor and petitioned for permission to build a temple and offer sacrifices. After many twists and turns, Wang Xuanfan was finally granted a divine title and attained true fruition.

When Wu Ming entered the shrine, he saw the solemn statue on the altar.

Curtains hung all around it, and incense smoke curled through the air. A fine Nanmu Wood altar table held offerings for all four seasons. At its center stood a clay statue of a middle-aged scholar in the robes of a seventh-rank official. He looked solemn and dignified, with an air of authority in his eyes.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Wu Ming lit a stick of incense and bowed several times.

"Hmm?"

In an instant, his brows twitched.

His Martial arts had reached the True Qi Realm peak, Half-step Innate. His body's sensitivity was ten times that of an ordinary person's, and he keenly sensed a force watching him.

"Divine Power?"

The sensation vanished in a flash. If Wu Ming's spiritual senses hadn't been exceptionally sharp, he would never have noticed it.

Of course, even if he had noticed, it wouldn't matter much.

After all, yin and yang belonged to separate realms. For a god to interfere with the mortal world—especially with someone like Wu Ming, whose Martial arts were nearly at their peak and whose Qi and Blood were overwhelmingly vigorous—was no easy feat.

"Worshipper, please wait!"

After donating a silver coin for incense, Wu Ming was about to leave when a voice reached his ears.

He turned around and saw a temple attendant standing there with a smiling face. "What is it you seek, worshipper? Why not come and have your fortune told?"

"Very well!"

Wu Ming followed the attendant without much objection to a small table.

"Are you asking about marriage or your prospects?" The attendant had a solemn air about him, almost like a charlatan with a real gift.

Wu Ming hadn't believed in such things in his previous life.

But now that he had come to the World of Gods and Ghosts, he would rather believe than risk dismissing the truth. "I want a way out of trouble."

"In that case, please write any character you like."

Wu Ming picked up the brush, spread out a sheet of paper, and casually wrote the character "without."

"Oh?"

The attendant exclaimed. "Originally, not a single thing existed. Where could dust alight? Judging from your features, Young Master, you ought to be Without Disaster or Tribulation. But how could anyone like that exist in this world? How strange!"

"Young Master seeks a way out of trouble..."

The attendant took out a tortoiseshell and several Copper Coins, murmured an incantation, then tipped the shell over. The coins landed in an orderly arrangement on the paper, complementing the character "without."

"Young Master, Heaven has endowed you with the nature of a Divine Being. I cannot read your fate or future. But if you seek only a way out of trouble, you may find it to the south!"

The attendant stared wide-eyed, cold sweat running down his forehead, as if the effort had drained him. He spoke with difficulty.

"To the south?"

Wu Ming frowned. He thought of how most county towns were laid out: the east was where the nobles lived, the west where the wealthy settled, the north where the poor gathered, and the south where the lowest folk lived. In other words, the eastern and western districts were home to officials and gentry, while the north and south were generally districts of commoners and even paupers.

"Words of gods and ghosts aren't to be believed completely, but there's no harm in looking. Still..."

Wu Ming sneered inwardly.

This City God seemed to have taken him for a chess piece, hoping to play the one who moved it.

Of course, being treated as a chess piece at least meant he was of some use.

Even being used was better than being kept out of the game.

"Thank you, sir. I'll take my leave."

Wu Ming gave the attendant one last, deep look.

The man shuddered all over. Confusion showed in his eyes, along with a lecherous glint, but Wu Ming didn't call him out. He smiled faintly, tossed down a dozen or so copper coins, and strode away.

"It seems the City God, and perhaps the county magistrate too, are locked in a contest of strength with another faction. Maybe they're losing ground, or have their hands tied, and have no choice but to seek outside help?"

Ordinary cultivators would have avoided a matter tangled in such deep karma and fled a thousand miles away.

But Wu Ming was different.

As the attendant had said, he had no ties to this world to begin with. He was no more than a passing traveler. What did he have to fear?

So what if it was the county magistrate? So what if it was the City God?

If they stood against his path, he could cut them down all the same!

Of course, for now he still needed to borrow their strength. He wasn't some chuunibyou kid from a later age who went around shouting about defying Heaven.

Still, a surge of boldness welled up in his chest for no reason, and he couldn't help reciting, "The time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves; I'll set my cloud-white sail and cross the vast sea!"

"Excellent!"

Suddenly, a young scholar in a blue robe clapped beside him. "Truly, what a fine poem!"

When he saw Wu Ming turn to look at him, the young scholar's face reddened. "Greetings, Young Master. I'm Ye Xiaoyou. I've come with my mother to offer incense and fulfill a vow. Seeing your extraordinary bearing and hearing you compose a poem on the spot, I couldn't help admiring you. Forgive my rudeness..."

Looking more closely, Wu Ming was a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy in brocade robes, with a face like polished jade. Ye Xiaoyou was all the more impressed.

"So you're Brother Ye. I'm Wu Ming, a traveler from out of town..."

Wu Ming cupped his hands in greeting. Seeing the several lavish carriages behind Ye Xiaoyou, along with the clothes worn by the maids and servants, he could tell that the young man came from a good family.

"Young Master..."

Just then, a carriage curtain lifted slightly, revealing a pair of bright, lively eyes. A moment later, a pretty maid adorned with gold hairpins and ornaments approached, lifting her skirts. "Madam is asking for you..."

"My mother is calling for me. I'm afraid I must take my leave..."

Ye Xiaoyou cupped his hands apologetically. "My family lives at the entrance to East Water Lane. We're the first house with two stone lions outside. Brother Wu, if you have time, do come and visit!"

"Could this fellow be a rabbit?"

After the young man had reluctantly bid him farewell, Wu Ming shuddered with disgust.

Of course, in ancient times, plagiarizing old poems could indeed serve as a stepping stone. But imagining that one burst of domineering aura would bring people flocking from every direction was nothing but a dream.