Subduing

Zhou Si gave an awkward laugh and said, "I haven't consumed anything from the mortal world in many years, so I lost my composure for a moment. Please don't blame me!" Fang Ming smiled faintly and replied, "It's only natural, sir. You don't need to worry!"

Zhou Si narrowed his eyes as if savoring something. After a moment, he came back to his senses and said, "Your methods are extraordinary. May I ask your purpose for coming here?"

"It's nothing much. As you can see, although I resemble an Ancestral Spirit, I am different from one. This is a gift from heaven, which I call the Divine Way. It can help Ancestral Spirits break free from their shackles and possesses various spiritual powers. I am but a humble servant, willing to help you escape this cage!" Fang Ming said with a faint smile.

"Is that so!" These words struck Zhou Si like a bolt from the blue. Although his expression remained unchanged, his slightly trembling body betrayed his inner turmoil.

Zhou Si was silent for a moment before speaking, "What are the consequences of your method? I am responsible for the Zhou Family's fortune. If I leave, will it affect the Zhou Family? And what do you hope to gain by doing this?"

As expected of someone accustomed to being a Patriarch, Zhou Si's three questions hit the mark. The last one was particularly blunt.

Fang Ming had already considered these points before arriving. He said, "My method will transform you into an official of the Divine Way, freeing you from the chaotic incense and fire fortune. It will cause you no harm and allow you to move freely, though you will still need to be replenished later." "As for purifying the Power of Incense and Offerings, it will have a slight impact on the family's Protective Aura. However, since your family resides within the city, you should not be in any great danger. Furthermore, by purifying your family's Power of Incense and Offerings and transforming it into divine power, I can also provide protection."

"As for what I gain, I want your entire Zhou Family to believe in the Earth God. If you do so, I can grant your family protection and even ensure your family has abundant harvests and peace in your homes throughout the year!"

"This..." These few sentences contained too much information for Zhou Si to process immediately. Fang Ming didn't rush him and waited patiently.

Zhou Qing pondered for a long time before finally saying, "This matter is of great importance. May I ask for a moment, Divine One? I need to use the Dream Entering Spiritual Power to consult with the current Patriarch of my family."

"Dream Entering Spiritual Power!" Fang Ming's eyes lit up. "Using this method must consume a great deal of your energy, sir!"

"Indeed, it's not a small amount. And after this, I won't be able to use it again for ten years. But this matter is so significant, it's worth it!" Zhou Si stroked his beard, his voice calm and steady.

"Heh heh... I also possess the Dream Entering Spiritual Power within the Divine Way, and it consumes very little energy. Why don't you let me handle it!" Fang Ming knew he needed to reveal some of his true abilities to increase his credibility, so he offered his assistance.

"Then... I'll trouble you, Divine One!" The Dream Entering Spiritual Power consumes a great deal. Seeing Fang Ming's proactive offer, Zhou Si was happy to oblige.

Zhou Biqing, the current Patriarch of the Zhou Family, was a middle-aged man. He fell asleep and found himself in front of the Ancestral Hall, where he saw Zhou Si, looking exactly like the portrait of the eighth-generation Patriarch. He was already somewhat surprised, but then he noticed a young official nearby, which made him feel a vague sense of suspicion.

"Heh heh... My descendant, there's no need for suspicion. I am indeed your eighth-generation ancestor. This is Fang Ming, the Earth God of Qingxi Township, who has come to discuss an important matter with me. I have not yet made a decision, so I have summoned you to discuss it!" Zhou Si was quite amazed by this Dream Entering Spiritual Power that could break the boundaries between yin and yang, as his own methods could barely manage a few words.

"The Earth God of Qingxi Township? I've long heard of your great name!" Zhou Biqing had been managing the Zhou Family for many years and was not easily frightened by dreams. His previous suspicion arose because he had heard that some Evil Spirits could enter dreams to deceive people and drain their Essence, so he had been on guard. Hearing the name of the Earth God this time, he was surprised again.

Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Wang were collectively known as the Anchang Four Great Families. Their relationships were intricate and spread throughout the entire county. Their knowledge of news in the villages was even more effective than that of the County Yamen. As the Patriarch of the Zhou Family, he naturally received news that an Earth God had appeared in Qingxi Township, causing quite a stir and attracting attention. There were even some other vague rumors that made him pay even more attention.

Seeing that this Dream Entering Spiritual Power was consistent with the rumors, he couldn't help but bow to Fang Ming and say, "Greetings, Divine One!" his posture extremely respectful.

Fang Ming waved his hand: "Never mind. I wish to help your ancestor escape his predicament while also receiving your family's faith. This is a matter of great importance, so discuss it thoroughly with your ancestor!"

"Yes!" Zhou Biqing still hesitated. Here? Fang Ming was right beside them! There were many things that were inconvenient to say. Seeing this, Fang Ming smiled and disappeared, his voice echoing, "I will return in half an hour. You may speak freely!"

"Old Ancestor, what do you think..." Although the person was gone, the entire dreamscape was his. It was merely a futile attempt to deceive oneself! Zhou Biqing was a bit hesitant.

"It's alright, what are you afraid of? It's not a bad thing. If we discover anything amiss, even if we die, we won't bring harm to the family!" Zhou Si said frankly. Zhou Biqing smiled and replied, "I was overthinking things..." The two then began to converse in low voices.

Of course, there were many coded words, gestures, and secret questions and answers to confirm each other's identities. These were necessary, as even if the person looked the same, they could be a monster in disguise. One had to be cautious.

Fang Ming did not eavesdrop. He had come with sincerity, and the matter was beneficial to both parties. There was no need for petty tricks that would only alienate others. After waiting for a full half an hour, he re-entered the dream.

Zhou Biqing had already reached an agreement with his ancestor. Seeing Fang Ming, he bowed deeply and said, "Your conditions, Divine One, are all acceptable to the Zhou Family. However, there is one more matter..."

"Speak! What is it?" Fang Ming was in good spirits.

"We have heard that you, Divine One, possess great divine power and can preserve the souls of the living from dissipating. If you promise to accept the souls of my Zhou Family, all members of my Zhou Family will worship you day and night without cease and will serve you unto death!" Zhou Biqing and Zhou Si knelt down simultaneously, performing a grand kowtow, catching Fang Ming completely off guard.

In this world, after death, souls only had seven days before they would dissipate. Those with good natal qi could only linger for a short while longer.

To last longer, there were only two methods previously. One was to absorb popular belief and become a fierce ghost. However, this was not something most people could decide to do. Furthermore, it required a monthly supply, and there were protections in the county and townships, as well as Daoist priests who hunted ghosts, making it too dangerous.

The second was to become a Ghost Cultivator. However, this required talent, methods, and resources, which were rare and hard to come by, and could not be extended to the entire clan.

It wasn't until Fang Ming appeared that there was a third method: using divine power to replace the consumption, allowing ghosts to exist permanently.

If this were to spread, it would naturally cause a huge uproar. Fang Ming had always paid attention to maintaining secrecy. After all, his subordinates had rules to follow and would not speak carelessly. Even if there was an accidental leak, most of the surrounding wandering souls only had seven days, so the news wouldn't travel far. Moreover, others might not even believe it.

But how did Zhou Biqing know this, and state it so confidently and certainly?

Fang Ming's mind raced, and he found the answer. This matter must have been leaked by that old scoundrel He Dong. After all, in the separation between yin and yang, ghosts knowing the news could not convey it to the living world. Only Fang Ming's Dream Entering Spiritual Power could achieve this.

Previously, Fang Ming only met living people in dreams himself, so no information was leaked. The only two exceptions were when He Dong instructed He Song and when He Dong was allowed to send a message to his family as a reward. Although Fang Ming was secretly monitoring from the side, there was no guarantee that some coded words or glances wouldn't leak out.

The Anchang Four Great Families were deeply intertwined, and He Dong was a hereditary Clerk of Records, the head of the officials. Fang Ming would not believe that these two would not collude. They must have been in contact in secret and learned the inside story.

Fang Ming figured it out, but he couldn't help but let out a wry smile. He had underestimated the wisdom of the ancients and had been outmaneuvered by his subordinate. It seemed he would have to be more careful in the future.

Fang Ming's expression flickered between anger and worry, while the kneeling Zhou family members also experienced turmoil within their hearts. Since receiving the news from the He family, Zhou Biqing had been both shocked and overjoyed. After all, he knew the inside story. When he was alive and in charge of the Zhou Family, how glorious it was! Yet after death, he could only exist for seven days before his soul would dissipate. Between life and death, there was indeed great terror, which made him restless day and night.

After receiving this news, he had made inquiries from various sources, but he was unsure of its truthfulness. He was just looking for an opportunity to get closer to the Earth God when this dream occurred. Even if not for himself, for the spiritual fortune of his entire clan, he had to try his best. Judging by the situation, his original fifty percent chance of success had greatly increased to eighty percent.

Fang Ming was unaware that his hesitation had revealed more of his hand, but he no longer intended to hide anything. He said, "I do indeed possess the ability to allow ghosts to linger in the human world, but you must understand that ghosts also require sustenance to exist. My personal power alone cannot fulfill your wishes!" This had to be said, otherwise, if he agreed, he would have to support all the deceased members of the Zhou Family in the future. As long as the Zhou Family was not wiped out, the number would only increase each year, leading to endless future troubles.

Hearing this, Zhou Si and Zhou Biqing's hearts sank.

At this moment, Fang Ming continued, "However, I can support a few or a dozen people, but it cannot be without compensation. It will depend on your family's contribution of incense and offerings in the human world!"

Hope rekindled in Zhou Biqing's heart. He kowtowed and said, "In that case, thank you, Divine One! My Zhou Family will worship you for generations to come! We will never betray you! If we break this oath, may we be struck by lightning and perish!"

Fang Ming nodded slightly and asked, "Besides the He Family leaking this to your Four Great Families, does anyone else know about this matter?"

Zhou Biqing was startled, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Just as he was about to prevaricate, he saw Fang Ming's stern gaze and his ancestor's subtle nod. He quickly kowtowed and said, "No, only the Patriarchs of the Four Great Families know. It has not been leaked!"

"Very good. This matter must be kept strictly confidential and not leaked!" Fang Ming nodded, seeing that they were telling the truth, and then instructed them before sending Zhou Biqing out of the dream.

He withdrew his spiritual power and returned to the Ancestral Hall with Zhou Si. Zhou Si bowed and said, "Your divine abilities are astonishing, Divine One. Please proceed and help me break free from my shackles!" His mind was made up, and his words were decisive.

Fang Ming nodded and placed his hand on Zhou Si's body. Zhou Si's expression immediately changed.

Red and white light flashed violently, mixed with black qi, which was continuously absorbed into Fang Ming's body from Zhou Si. Through the transformation of the Divine Position Talisman, it became wisps of white divine power.

It took a full quarter of an hour to completely purify the resentment of incense and fire from Zhou Si's body. Zhou Si then resembled a newly deceased soul, looking weak and frail.

Fang Ming nodded, looking at Zhou Si, whose body was much more transparent but no longer bound by the previous wish and resentment qi. He reached out, and a red light enveloped Zhou Si, transforming into the Magistrate's Official Robe and helping Zhou Si solidify his body.

Zhou Si looked at the official robe on his body, then touched his arm, his face a mix of sorrow and joy. Seeing Fang Ming, he bowed and said, "Zhou Si greets Lord!" This was his formal recognition of Fang Ming as his master.

Fang Ming nodded. Zhou Si had pure red natal qi; he was quite talented. Fang Ming said, "I appoint you as my Clerk of Records, effective immediately. Now, come with me. There are still three more households to visit!"

"As you command!" Zhou Si went to the edge of the great hall and looked at the invisible boundary that had bound him for hundreds of years. He trembled for a long time, then finally gritted his teeth and steadily stepped across it.

With this one step, everything was completely different from before!