The Feast

"What? Is this true?" Though Wei Zhun had not gone to the Land God Temple himself, he had sent people to keep a constant eye on things. Now that he had learned Fang Ming had manifested in broad daylight, he was astonished.

"Then... doesn't that mean that if the Land God turns against us, Anchang County will be like a candle guttering in the wind, ready to be snuffed out at a moment's whim...? What are we to do?"

Being able to manifest in broad daylight meant he could already begin to break through the divide between yin and yang. If he turned to evil, the havoc he could wreak would be even worse. Wei Zhun came from a powerful household and naturally understood this. His Lineage had clear instructions: never provoke spirits like this lightly.

But this spirit was right here in Anchang County. As the county magistrate, Wei Zhun was responsible for protecting the land and had no way to extricate himself.

Although this spirit was still protecting the region for now, who could say what the future held?

Wei Zhun's expression darkened, unreadable. "Go and keep a close eye on things. The moment anything happens, report back at once!"

The servant accepted the order and withdrew respectfully. He was a household-born servant who had served the Wei family for generations, and was utterly loyal. Wei Zhun regarded him as a trusted aide and entrusted him with all manner of confidential business.

Still, Wei Zhun was already planning to get the road built as soon as possible, then collect the taxes. Once he had some accomplishments to his name, he would use his connections to secure a transfer out of this county!

Anchang County was a furnace. As its magistrate, he was sitting right over the mouth of the fire!

At Whitewater Abbey, Yuheng, whose eyes had just been treated, also heard the news from Old Daoist Baihe. A wry smile tugged at his lips, and he felt just as powerless.

"I understand. You may leave for now. Tell everyone at the abbey not to go out lately, and not to cause trouble!" he said aloud.

"Yes... this disciple understands!" Though Old Daoist Baihe was an old man, he still bowed to the young man with the utmost respect.

The old Land God Temple—and now the City God Temple—stood within the city. That meant it was competing with Whitewater Abbey for worshippers. As the saying went, cutting off someone's livelihood was worse than killing their parents. There had long been people at the abbey who were dissatisfied and wanted to go pick a fight. It was only thanks to Yuheng and Baihe's efforts to keep them in check that nothing had happened.

"Put your mind at ease. The sect's reinforcements will be here in just a few days!" Seeing how conscientious Baihe was, and knowing they belonged to the same line, Yuheng shared some news to comfort him.

"Oh!" Baihe's body trembled slightly. "Is the True Person really coming in person?"

If a True Person came, Baihe could attend to him and receive some guidance, which would greatly advance his cultivation. These past few days, thanks to Yuheng's instruction, he had felt his old doubts clear away like clouds parting. If it were a True Person, then just imagine!

"Heh... it won't come to that. This is a small matter. At most, they'll send a few more senior brothers over!" Though Yuheng said this, he could only smile bitterly inside. The True Persons were all entangled in other mundane affairs and probably couldn't come. The few senior brothers in the sect were no better than him in their cultivation; even if they all came, they might not be able to help...

While people on both sides were worrying about Fang Ming, he was in high spirits, feasting within the City God's Divine Domain.

The City God's Divine Domain was no small place. It covered nearly half a county—not just Anchang County's city, but the entire area under its jurisdiction. There was more than enough room to move all of Fang Ming's subordinates here.

Fang Ming had first moved the whole administration of Qingxi Township here, ordering people to arrange everything and assign rooms. After all, this would be his home for a long time to come.

From now on, Fang Ming would have to comprehend the laws himself before he could use his followers' Incense and Fire Prayer Power to advance. It was no task that could be accomplished overnight. Comprehending the laws was extraordinarily difficult, and progress was often measured in years. The deities of his previous life had Heaven's Court looming over them above, the laws to comprehend in the middle, and followers to cultivate below. Truly, three great mountains bore down on them. How hard it was to rise in rank!

Although Fang Ming had one of the greatest mountains lifted from his shoulders, carrying the other two was no easy task either—and that was even after he had delegated many of his duties.

But at that moment, the main hall was filled with jubilation. Though their lord had somehow received a different title, being able to move into the city and gain the faith of an entire county was wonderful news! As their lord rose in rank, his subordinates could all be promoted as well. Naturally, everyone was delighted.

All his subordinates were present, even Wang Zhong and Wu Hongyu, who had been sent out to serve as Land Gods.

Everyone bowed together. "Congratulations, my lord, on ascending to the City God's divine office!"

"Haha... you may rise!" Fang Ming was delighted. He lifted a hand toward them and spared them the rest of the ceremony.

Once the formalities were over, Fang Ming said, "Although my domain has expanded, my responsibilities have grown considerably as well. I'll be counting on all of you to work alongside me and keep the region safe, bringing blessings to the common people!"

"We will do everything in our power to help our lord build a great undertaking!" Naturally, no one would spoil the moment. They all answered solemnly.

"Very good!" Fang Ming nodded. "Wang Zhong!"

"This subordinate is here!" Wang Zhong stepped forward, carrying himself with a touch more refinement than before. He had served as a Land God for several months and had worked diligently without overstepping his bounds. Still, he had a soldier's temperament and had appointed plenty of Yin Soldiers, sinking all his net income into them. Most of them were villagers from Dachang Village, which was only natural.

"You've done well. I hope you'll apply yourself even more from now on!" Wang Zhong had only just been sent out, so he had merely begun to familiarize himself with administration and had no real achievements yet. Promoting him now would not be the right way to do it; it would only diminish his own blessings. So Fang Ming offered him a few words of encouragement.

"This subordinate obeys!" Wang Zhong knew his own merits were few. He had been the first to receive a divine office thanks to his service in helping Fang Ming rise to power. Now, being able to serve as a Land God and protect the souls of his hometown was already more than enough for him. He thanked Fang Ming and stepped back.

"Zhou Si, Wang Deng, Zheng Jing, Wu Hongyu!"

"Your subordinate is here!" "This official is here!"

The four stepped forward.

"You four Aristocratic Clans contributed greatly to this affair, and deserve a major merit. In addition, I'll give each of your households twenty places!" These places meant that after death, the souls could receive care instead of dissipating. Last time, Fang Ming had given each household only ten.

"Thank you, my lord!" For the great Aristocratic Clans, nothing mattered more than this. With these places, the four families would not have to worry about what became of their clansmen after death for years to come.

And with this merit on record, they would have grounds for future promotion as well. The four were overjoyed and bowed.

Seeing the envy in the eyes of the subordinates around them, Fang Ming smiled. "There's no need to feel that way. I won't shortchange anyone who earns merit. These places can be handed out as rewards in the future, too."

At this, all the subordinates happily bowed. Their loyalty rose by several percentage points—if Fang Ming could have seen that attribute.

Though his thoughts wandered a little, Fang Ming kept his words clear. "Where are Xie Jin and Zheng Jing?"

"This officer is here!"

"You two have earned merit in suppressing bandits. Xie Jin, I appoint you Subordinate Eighth Rank Deputy Commandant of Martial Might, and place you in charge of three battalions, three hundred men in all. Zheng Jing, I promote you to Battalion Commander, Military Valor Lieutenant, and put you in charge of one battalion."

The Deputy Commandant of Martial Might served as an assistant to a Guard Commander. With that title, he could certainly command three hundred men. Xie Jin and Zheng Jing had earned military merit, so they could be promoted quickly. Besides, to control a county, at least five hundred Yin Soldiers in one guard would be barely enough. For now, Fang Ming would recruit this many to keep the military camps from becoming disorganized. A hundred-man army normally needed logistical auxiliaries and other support troops, but Fang Ming's subordinates were all Yin Soldiers, unlike the living, so they had no need for such things.

Xie Jin had the highest Fate Pattern among Fang Ming's military officers. He was already chosen as the first candidate for Guard Commander, so managing three hundred men would be no problem for him.

"Thank you, my lord!" Xie Jin and Zheng Jing knelt and saluted.

Xie Jin added, "My lord, it seems we're short on soldiers in Anchang County for the time being. Should we recruit from other counties?"

There were naturally more than two hundred wandering souls in a county, but most of them were elderly, weak, women, and children. If they wanted able-bodied men, there really weren't enough. There had been some before, but after several rounds of recruitment, they were all gone. The other option was the Ferocious Ghosts, but Xie Jin had wiped them out, turning them into military merit. Naturally, they were short-handed now.

"There's no rush. First, get the ranks and structure in place, then recruit gradually within this county. But remember: better to have none than to have the wrong ones. Don't bring me a bunch of good-for-nothings!" This was a time to keep a low profile. It would be unwise to make a show of their strength and draw the attention of other counties.

Besides, it would give the souls of this county a chance. Those chosen as Yin Soldiers would naturally avoid dissipating after seven days—though only able-bodied young men qualified.

"This officer understands!" Xie Jin was delighted as well. That gave him two hundred places to work with. He could arrange things for many familiar faces, and even use some as favors. His lord generally didn't interfere much in such matters. Of course, there was still a bottom line: they had to be able to fight when called upon. Otherwise, his lord would not spare him.

Fang Ming smiled. He knew all the tricks his subordinates played, but as long as they didn't cross the line, he turned a blind eye. After all, water too clear could hold no fish! But the moment anyone crossed the line, he would deal with them like a thunderbolt. Their face, their merits, and their connections would count for nothing.

He then ordered a grand feast.

As his subordinates grew in number, the feast kept growing more lavish.

The improvements showed not only in the exquisiteness of the dishes and the number of servants. The four great families had somehow managed to gather a troupe of dancers and musicians, with five or six dancers, all of above-average beauty.

Now, clad in light veils with their ample bosoms half exposed, they danced gracefully to the music. The scene was sensual and enchanting, captivating the heart. Most of Fang Ming's subordinates watched, stunned, as though they were dreaming.

In his previous life, Fang Ming had never drowned himself in wine and women, but he had been tempered by computers. He was hardly likely to be bewitched by this display. Still, as he savored it, he found ancient music and dance possessed a charm all their own. The atmosphere alone could never be matched by a cold screen, and it certainly broadened his horizons.

His subordinates had all come from humble households and had never experienced anything like this. They nearly made fools of themselves on the spot. Fang Ming gave a cold snort, putting them in their place before they could embarrass themselves.

After the feast, they went to the study to discuss affairs, as usual.

The study had also been expanded and could now hold all his subordinates.

Once everyone had taken their places, Fang Ming said, "The county seat has a larger population than the three townships combined. Registering everyone is no small task. Guo Sheng has recruited some more people, but he still can't keep up. Zhou Si, Wang Deng, I'll have to trouble you two to go help him for a while!"

Though phrased casually, it was still an order. Zhou Si and Wang Deng respectfully agreed. The county seat's population was larger than that of all the subordinate townships put together. Guo Sheng had been doing his best, but he was still stretched too thin. Zhou Si and Wang Deng were local powers, and their help would make things much easier.

Though the two were Ancestral Spirits of great families, Guo Sheng had managed the accounts for a long time. In terms of seniority, there was no fear of the two getting the upper hand and pushing him aside. If He Dong were still around, Fang Ming would never have let the three of them handle the accounts together; that would practically be giving his servants a chance to pull the wool over his eyes.

Besides, this was not an appointment to office, but merely a temporary assignment. Once the work was done, they could naturally be called back. The accounts were of the utmost importance, forming the foundation of Fang Ming's Divine Power expenditure system. Only someone trusted among his most trusted could manage them.

Guo Sheng was exceptionally talented with the written word and utterly loyal. He came from a humble household and had no tangled connections. He had only an aged mother, who was still in Fang Ming's hands, making him the most suitable candidate for the job at present.