A Sentimental Fool, Though

"There was once a Ruomu in the Treasure Garden, but unfortunately it had not yet matured when the old sage met with a great calamity."

Changle looked at the Ruomu Seed in her hand and spoke with emotion.

"Young sage, have you ever heard of the Nine Netherworlds?"

"Um."

I've heard this name so many times: Ninth Nether Soul-Burning Yinflame, Nine Netherworld Register.

"In the Dao Scripture, nine is considered the ultimate number, symbolizing the extreme of numbers. The so-called Nine Netherworlds are the most secluded and dark places," Changle said.

"Legend has it that the Nine Netherworlds are elusive and unpredictable, and that the dead have spirits; their destination is the Nine Netherworlds."

After death, people become ghosts. Some ghosts remain in the human world, while others do not leave behind any ghosts after death; it is said that they all return to the Nine Netherworlds.

Of course, some of these rumors do have a basis in reality. For example, the people of Central Land believed that after a person dies, their soul returns to Mount Tai.

Because in the past, a powerful being named Lord of Mount Tai established the Netherworld.

For example, there are rumors that after people die, their souls return to Beimang. This is true, because the Beimang Ghost Ancestor does indeed collect the souls of the dead.

In short, many successions are not unfounded; there are reasons behind them.

"Legend has it that the Nine Netherworlds are located deep underground, and within Nine Netherworlds stands a sacred tree that connects heaven and earth— the Ruomu. However, I once heard an old sage mention that the Nine Netherworlds might not be within this realm, but rather belong to another world."

"The old sage once said that Ruomu Spirit Root of life between heaven and earth, with three wonderful properties: first, it nourishes the soul; second, it preserves the spirit; and third, it brings life back to life."

"The so-called 'nourishing the soul' means that if Putong ghost can live around Ruomu, its soul can be nourished and its Ghost Lifespan extended."

"The so-called 'preservation of the dead' means that the Ruomu can attract the souls of the dead and bring them to dwell here. Although the Ruomu in the Spirit Garden did not grow to maturity, it still gathered a ghost kingdom."

"And resurrection means that Ruomu does not possess the Divine Ability to reverse Life and Death and bring the dead back to life."

Changle Le sighed softly, "Although that Ruomu back then was not of good quality, I have already witnessed its first two Divine Ability."

He looked at Su Che and said, "I remember hearing the old sage say that in order to establish the Six Paths of Reincarnation Buddhist School, several Buddha Ancestor traveled far and Void to find a mature Ruomu from another world. It seems that this ability to regenerate is indeed true."

This is the Zhongyuan.

After listening to Changle's description, Su Che roughly understood that Zhongyuan's reward was truly beneficial without costing him anything.

He needed such a Spirit Root to establish the Heavenly Court and the Netherworld. With the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden at his disposal, he was truly the best tool to cultivate this Ruomu.

How long does it take to cultivate this?

"If it takes five or six hundred years, it should be usable. But to fully mature, it will probably take two or three thousand years."

"Then you should plant it first."

Su Che handed the Ruomu Seed to Changle.

Two or three thousand years, this is truly a curse for Zhongyuan. Next time I see him, I should ask him for some rent.

"The Ruomu was planted in the Spirit Garden, while the little sage was surrounded by weeds..."

Su Che thought for a moment before realizing that the weeds Changle mentioned were probably the grains and cereals he had given him.

"Keep those seeds safe; I'll need them someday."

Su Che clapped his hands.

"Everything depends on you."

"Serving a sage is my duty."

"Take that head and give it to Huang Kou. Tell him it's a task for him: to find a way to pry open that thing's mouth."

The Sword-Burier of Beimang was Fifth Grade Sword Cultivation. Even at his peak, Vajra Yaksha was no match for him, let alone in the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden.

Su Che raised the Mirage Qi from the Chiwen Ring, carefully concealed himself, and left the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden.

Outside, the sun was already high in the sky.

A bright red sun hung high in the sky, and the streets of Tian'an County were bustling with activity once again.

Su Che stealthily moved through the bustling streets and alleys.

Tongde Tower.

Su Che looked at the inn not far away. Tian'an County was truly a place rife with undercurrents.

The rampant demons and the black-clad Vajra Yaksha blocking the way made Su Che suspect that an invisible hand was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

That's really interesting.

Su Che followed the streets and alleys toward the Tian'an County City God.

This local deity must have already perceived even more.

City God Temple are often the liveliest places in a region, and Tian'an County is no exception. Outside the City God Temple, there are vendors selling all sorts of goods, but the most common items are things like incense and candles.

Su Che walked around, stopping frequently, and finally stopped in front of a candle and incense shop.

Do you have any yellow paper?

"Oh, sir, would you like to have a yellow paper written?" The shopkeeper pointed to the yellow paper on his stall. "We have some from Jiangzhou and some from Yangzhou. Which one would you like, sir?"

Is there any explanation for this?

"If you're seeking wealth, Jiangzhou is better; if you're seeking high honors, Yangzhou is even better."

Su Che smiled upon hearing this.

Whether it's seeking wealth or passing the exams, these are beyond the City God's power; it's quite remarkable that this shopkeeper could come up with so many explanations.

"Sir, please don't laugh. There's really a reason behind this. Why use Jiangzhou paper for seeking wealth? Because doing business inevitably involves traveling north and south. Beyond our Ci Prefecture are Yangzhou and Jiangzhou. The local deities of Yangzhou are neighbors with our City God, and they know each other well. But Jiangzhou is farther away, so using their paper makes it easier to conduct business."

"Scholars from all over the country who want to pass the imperial examinations and become officials must go to Jiankang to take the exams. Where is Jiankang? It's in Yangzhou. There are only a few positions available, so the City God from all over the country have to go and make arrangements, using their Yangzhou paper as a way of expressing their respect."

"Been taught a lesson."

Su Che looked at the shop owner. "Give me one made in Yangzhou, I'm praying for a better career this time."

"Okay."

The shopkeeper took a piece of yellow paper, then used his silver tongue to sell Su Che some incense sticks and candles.

"Does our City God Temple have someone who can write yellow paper for you?"

After paying, Su Che asked another question.

The so-called yellow paper is a petition written on yellow paper to express reverence to the gods. It follows a certain format, in which you write down your requests and troubles and submit them to the gods for review and processing.

Because this job requires a certain level of skill, many temples have people who write yellow paper for others, and they also offer services such as fortune telling and exorcism.

These gentlemen were either scholars or spiritual practitioners, generally possessing both identities.

"There used to be many, but now there's only Mr. Ye left."

The vendor pointed to the other side. "Look, that's him."

A square table with a banner that reads "Ironclad Predictions" hanging beside it sits an old gentleman with a sage-like air, struggling to chew a bowl of cold noodles.

Good.

Su Che thanked the stall owner, walked over to the man with the iron mouth, and respectfully recited a phrase.

"Mr. Ye."

"Um?"

Ye Iron-Mouth Ye put down the bowl of noodles in his hand. "You've come for a fortune telling, do you want to know about your wealth or your marriage?"

"Neither, please help me pray for blessings, sir."

Su Che unfolded the yellow paper. "I would like to ask you, sir, to help me write a yellow letter."

"Young master, you look unfamiliar. Are you from out of town? For whom are you praying for blessings?"

"Is that so?"

Su Che pulled over a bench and sat down next to him.

"I came from Jiankang because my mother hasn't been feeling well for the past few days."

"Judging from the young master's appearance, he must come from a family that has accumulated good deeds. There's nothing to worry about. The old lady should only be suffering from minor ailments."

That's why they say they're professionals, Su Che nodded inwardly, always choosing words that would make you feel comfortable.

"As people get older, their thoughts become heavier. I had an aunt who married into our Tian'an County, and she has already passed away. She was always the closest person to my mother when we were young. When she thinks of that aunt, she only says that she didn't marry well and suffered a lot while she was alive."

"Therefore, he specifically instructed me to go to the City God Temple to write a yellow petition for her, to pray for her well-being, and secondly, to look for my cousin. I heard he's not doing well, has suffered a lot, and is now working as a night watchman in the county."

The man frowned.

"Madam is truly kind-hearted. I know all the Tian'an County. May I ask who your cousin is, young master? What is his name, and what does he look like?"

"Alas, we're separated by great distances. I've only met that cousin a few times. He's now in his forties or fifties, and has always lived alone and remained unmarried..."

Su Che then gave a general description of Qin the Night Watchman's appearance.

"That's Old Qin."

The gentleman clapped his hands.

"It must be fate, Old Qin just left."

"Oh, what's my cousin doing here?"

"He asked me to write a yellow prayer for good fortune, and then he went home."

"So, it was just writing a yellow petition for good fortune?"

"Yes, it must be fate. He didn't buy anything else, just a piece of yellow paper and asked me to write a prayer for him."

Is it just a prayer for blessings? This old man took the money but didn't do anything.

"What a coincidence. Sir, where does my cousin live now?" Su Che put the incense, candles, and joss paper aside, took out a lot of copper coins from his sleeve, and placed them on the table. "I have many things to attend to at home, so please tell me where my cousin lives. As for the joss paper and incense, please help me offer them to the gods."

The man with the iron mouth glanced cautiously at the table and saw that it was all made of bright yellow copper coins, not Iron Currency.

"Of course, of course. The old lady is kind-hearted, and the young master is filial. He lives in Good-Fate Ward. Just inside the gate, the fifth house on the left with the big locust tree is his house..."

The gentleman briefly told Su Che about Qin the Night Watchman's residence.

Thank you, sir.

Su Che clasped his hands in a fist salute.

I originally wanted to meet the City God, but I'd better capture Old Qin and have him do this for me.

This old man is quite the romantic; he actually went to the City God Temple and wrote a yellow petition for blessings, clearly just to appease himself.

Su Che thought of the black aura above Old Qin's head. Such evil spirits couldn't be tainted by just a few nights with a few Corpse Demon.