Night-Roaming God

It is truly absurd when you think about it.

Previously, when Constable Yan saw me, a Black Bear Spirit, he considered it a bizarre anomaly.

But who could have guessed? I might be about to meet an "Underworld God" soon?

This is even more of a Spirit-Ghost World wonder!

Especially in reality, this is something one wouldn't even dare to imagine...

After Chen Guan wiped his eyes, he looked at the corpses from time to time, then glanced around nervously.

To say he wasn't excited would be a lie.

After all, this was a new exploration and a new revelation regarding this Spirit-Ghost World.

Of course, the most important thing was the chance to see a legendary "Orthodox God of the Underworld."

Chen Guan had grown up watching Journey to the West, and he felt a deep longing and curiosity about such matters.

If I really meet one, I remember Hong'er saying I should address them as Fellow Daoist.

Or perhaps address them by their Underworld Bureau duties...

Or, I could simply call them "My Lord."

Chen Guan was reviewing some of the "common knowledge of the cultivation world" that Chen Changhong had told him.

However, before Chen Guan could review for long.

Silently.

An ugly old man wearing plain black robes suddenly appeared in the distance.

He was not tall, and his clothes lacked any elaborate decoration, yet his entire being appeared somewhat illusory.

As he walked, his body gradually solidified until he arrived in front of the corpses.

The next second, bewildered souls emerged from the bodies of the bandits and drifted behind the old man.

Seeing this, Chen Guan paused, suddenly unsure how to address this ugly old man.

Because he did not look like the Underworld deities he had imagined.

Yet, the task he was performing seemed to be the work of the Underworld Bureau.

"Can you see me, Fellow Daoist?"

After the old man finished collecting the souls, he turned his gentle gaze toward Chen Guan. "I am the Night-Roaming God of this dynasty. I wonder, for what purpose does this Fellow Daoist seek me out while smeared with Locust Tree Yin-Thunder Liquid?"

So this is called Locust Tree Yin-Thunder Liquid?

Chen Guan now knew the name of the liquid; it sounded much better than "slime."

Beyond that.

Chen Guan also knew some information regarding the "Roaming Gods."

He had heard it from Hong'er.

The Day-Roaming God and the Night-Roaming God, while both Orthodox Gods within the Underworld Bureau, were not under the jurisdiction of any single Underworld office. Instead, they roamed the entire territory of the dynasty, day and night.

Whenever they encountered wandering ghosts or the recently deceased, they would send their souls to the local Underworld Bureau.

The duties of the Day and Night-Roaming Gods were relatively flexible.

If one were to define their specific rank, it was far higher than that of ordinary ghost messengers or ghost officials, equivalent to Judge Wuwen; they were both Orthodox Gods of the Underworld.

"Greetings, Night-Roaming God!"

Chen Guan used the standard, respectful address for a deity, bowed with his hands clasped, and stated his purpose.

"I am Chen Guan. Today, having just entered the path of cultivation, I am curious about the Orthodox Gods of the Underworld. Please forgive my intrusion."

"Chen Guan, Fellow Daoist Chen." The Night-Roaming God nodded slightly, having grown accustomed to many cultivators seeking them out on purpose.

This was a common occurrence.

However, just as the greetings were finished.

As the Night-Roaming God was about to leave, he suddenly stopped and looked at the bowing Chen Guan, specifically at his ears.

"Are you Chen Guan of Liu Town? And do you have a grandson named Chen Changhong? Is he the grand-disciple of 'Daoist Guanglin' of the Guanglin Sect?"

"That is correct..." Hearing this and realizing that this Orthodox God seemed to know his grandson, Chen Guan asked curiously, "I wonder, what is the connection between Hong'er and the Night-Roaming God?"

"Hahaha!" Hearing that Chen Guan was indeed the person the City God was looking for, the Night-Roaming God laughed out loud and spoke bluntly. "Fellow Daoist, you are a soul reincarnated, not belonging to the Underworld Bureau. This is a profound heavenly fate."

"However, your grandson has been searching for you in great distress. Just a few days ago, while still a living human in the mortal realm, he self-severed his own Yin-lifespan to enter the gates of the Underworld Bureau and beg for an audience with the City God of the Ling City territory."

"Severed his Yin-lifespan?" Chen Guan felt a sudden tightness in his chest, filled with worry.

"Fellow Daoist, do not worry." Seeing that his words had been incomplete and caused a misunderstanding, the Night-Roaming God explained everything that had happened that day.

This was also why Chen Changhong had recently returned to the Underworld Bureau to beg Ling City God to help him find his grandfather.

They naturally learned of the situation regarding Chen Guan.

Chen Guan now held a modest reputation within the Underworld Bureau of Ling City.

And now.

After finishing these words, Night-Roaming God turned to Chen Guan and said, "Fellow Daoist Chen, your departure without a word has left your grandson deeply worried."

"Why not return with me, and then accompany your grandson to the Guanglin Sect?"

Night-Roaming God spoke with a hint of envy, "Daoist Guanglin has a thousand years of cultivation and is a master of soul-related arts; he might just be able to restore all the memories of your past life."

"Your fifty-plus years in that past life are the very foundation of your worldly experience in this path of cultivation."

"Soul-searching?" Hearing this again, and seeing how hard his grandson was searching for him, Chen Guan realized the situation was grave.

A simple letter would not be enough to "politely decline."

Thus.

After pondering for a few moments, Chen Guan employed the rhetoric of Bandit Brother, "In truth, I do wish to go to Hong'er's sect."

"But my aptitude is poor, and I am born ugly and strange. I fear that by entering the immortal sect with my grandson, or staying by his side, I would only bring ridicule upon him from his peers."

"Oh? Fellow Daoist, I feel the same way."

Hearing this, Night-Roaming God smiled, "Hundreds of years ago, when I was still in the world of the living."

"My grandson was a frontier general with extraordinary martial arts."

"But I..."

Night-Roaming God looked at himself with self-deprecating humor, "I am short and ugly, and I feared losing face for him."

"Because of this, whenever my grandson brought me to stay at his military camp, I would obstruct him in every way, claiming I did not wish to leave my homeland."

"Indeed." Hearing this, Chen Guan suddenly thought of the stories of elderly people in the real world.

Most of them were just like this.

Afraid of embarrassing their descendants.

However, Chen Guan's initial reason had been a mere excuse; his greater fear was being subjected to soul-searching.

Yet.

Seeing Chen Guan's deeply emotional expression, Night-Roaming God felt a sense of resonance, as if they were "fellow elders" who understood each other's hearts.

This Fellow Daoist Chen is just like me...

Night-Roaming God looked at Chen Guan, and seeing his rather ugly appearance, he truly felt they had "met too late!"

Furthermore, since Chen Guan was a cultivator and his grandson was a key protégé of the Guanglin Sect, this meant that before Chen Guan could even attempt to build a rapport with an Orthodox God of the Underworld Bureau, Night-Roaming God was already inclined to build a connection with him. Seeing the conversation stall, he opened a new topic:

"Logically, upon returning to the Underworld Bureau, I must report your whereabouts to the City God."

"But now that I understand your thoughts, and given that the City God has cultivated for a thousand years and seen all the states of human life, he will surely understand your perspective."

Night-Roaming God's smile was gentle, carrying a convincing air, "When I return, I will explain this to the City God."

"I will ensure Fellow Daoist Changhong understands your hidden difficulties, and that it is all for the sake of your grandson."

"Then... many thanks."

Chen Guan cupped his hands in a salute. Though he did not know why Night-Roaming God had suddenly taken a liking to him and was helping him "escape the plight of soul-searching,"

He felt that knowing an Orthodox God of the Underworld Bureau could not be a bad thing.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, farewell."

At this moment, seeing the matter concluded.

Night-Roaming God gestured to the dozen or so bewildered souls behind him, "I must return to the Underworld Bureau to report. Their minds are clouded; they cannot hear our conversation."

"Many thanks, Roaming God." Chen Guan cupped his hands, "Farewell."

But after taking a few steps, Night-Roaming God stopped. He bowed his body, and a smile appeared on his ugly face as he returned a deep, cupped-hand salute to Chen Guan:

"Though I do not know what you are thinking, or why you fear Daoist Guanglin's soul-searching,"

"But one lives two lives; who does not have secrets in their heart?"

"As for the cause planted today, I, Liang Linde, have helped you resolve it."

"In the future, should you attain the Great Dao, do not forget the Liang Roaming God who helped you out of your predicament today."