Seeking Demons Through Demonic Descent

The streets outside the City God Temple were quiet, and the empty square was bathed in the bright but unwarm autumn sunlight, devoid of its former bustle.

The Imperial Demon Hunters brought by Shi Chibao had already cleared the area. Dressed in official Imperial Demon Hunters each gripped a straight sword, their eyes cold and murderous.

Su Che stood at the entrance of the City God Temple, straightened his clothes slightly, and stepped into the City God Temple.

The general layout of this place is almost identical to that of the one in Shanyin County.

The only difference is the faint trace of magical Law Power that can be sensed here.

The Shanyin County Town was destroyed by the Old Monster of Mystic Mountain a long time ago. Although the temple still exists, it is nothing more than an empty shell without an owner.

The City God of Tian'an County was still in office. As soon as Su Che entered the City God Temple, he felt the place's rejection of him.

Whether it's the soul or the intuition, it's like being stuck in a quagmire, making everything unpleasant.

Indeed, it possesses awe-inspiring divine power.

Su Che understood that this wasn't the City God intentionally targeting him; it was simply the exclusive nature of Divine Path cultivation.

Within this City God Temple, it is as if it were the City God's own "Divine Kingdom," or "territory," where any force that forcibly enters will provoke a counterattack.

The last time Su Che passed by this City God Temple, he didn't go in to take a look. Only after walking in did he discover that there was a huge peach tree inside the City God Temple that required three or four people to encircle it. Its leaves were like a canopy, and even in the autumn, they were lush and green.

Under the peach tree stood a man dressed in official robes. He looked to be in his forties, holding a scepter, as if he were on his way to court.

"Judicial Punisher Su."

This person's eyes were filled with golden light, and he exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

Have we met before?

"I could say I've met him. I saw Li Xing once on the way to kill some Corpse Demon that day."

It really was him.

"Then it is my poor eyesight that I failed to see Your Excellency."

"Judicial Punisher Su's spiritual senses are sharp; he's considered quite formidable among Sixth Grade."

The Tian'an County City God wore a smile.

"When a cultivator in the Mystic Gate reaches the Fourth Grade, in addition to being able to ride the wind and enter the Outer Void beyond the Heavenly Gang, they can also form a unique Law Domain based on the Principle they have mastered, replacing the laws that distort heaven and earth with their own. This is what is meant by the struggle between Celestial Person."

The City God continued, "At the beginning of one's journey into the Divine Path path, one must rely on the inherent Principle of heaven and earth to maneuver and move. As the Tian'an County City God, Tian'an County is my Law Domain; I am this very world. It's normal that Judicial Punisher Su cannot perceive me."

"What a magnificent statement, 'I am this world,'" Su Che sincerely praised, "The City God has such a magnanimous spirit."

"Tian'an County connects Jiankang and Ci Prefecture, and among the outstanding figures who travel there, few can compare with Judicial Punisher Su."

Su Che looked at the City God before him. He spoke with refined manners and had a dignified air. If Shi Chibao hadn't explained that this man was deeply afflicted by demonic possession, Su Che would never have believed that he had become a demon.

"This is not the place to talk. Would you please move to Judicial Punisher Su?"

As he spoke, the City God pointed to the peach tree behind him.

He activated his Law Power, and bursts of light emanated from in front of the peach tree, faintly revealing a gate.

"That would be too abrupt."

Su Che forward, stepping straight into the radiant light.

Beneath the neon lights stood a magnificent mansion. The two ferocious stone lions at the entrance were not playing with embroidered balls, but with lifelike demons.

Above the mansion hangs a plaque with the four characters "Tian'an".

This is the "Divine Kingdom" of the county's City God. Of course, with his cultivation level, he is not yet capable of supporting the so-called Divine Kingdom, or it would be more accurate to describe it as a "Divine Shrine".

This area is the territory controlled by the Tian'an County City God.

Between True Illusion.

Su Che's first impression upon stepping into this place was that it bore a striking resemblance to the Divine Prohibition area within the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden.

But there is one difference, though I can't quite put my finger on it right now.

"Greetings, Fangbo."

Upon entering the mansion, six ghost messengers lined up and stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Judicial Punisher Su, these are the six ghost messengers under my command."

The Tian'an City God smiled slightly.

"My Law Power is weak, please excuse my poor appearance."

Su Che raised his hand and bowed to these people.

He had heard that the Metropolitan City God, namely the Jiankang City God, had nearly a hundred ghost ministers under his command, making him almost like a living, breathing Nether Lord.

It is evident that the number of subordinates is somewhat related to the level of cultivation of the deities.

"The City God God's blessings extend to all people; he cannot be judged by the level of his cultivation."

"I've heard that Judicial Punisher Su used to be a spoiled brat, but seeing him today, he seems to have the air of a chivalrous hero." The Tian'an City God looked at Su Che: "Lixing, you really have guts."

Everything is understood without words.

"Why does the City God say such a thing?"

"My possession of demonic possession is probably already known to others, yet Li Xing still dares to enter my Divine Shrine, which shows his extraordinary courage."

His words seemed to express considerable approval of Su Che: "Of course, without the right methods, these are nothing but recklessness, but I have faith in the methods of reason and punishment."

"Oh?"

"Sixth Grade expert capable of annihilating Hungry Ghost Path cultivator is no ordinary person."

He also knew about what had happened in front of Tongde Tower that day.

It is said that Orthodox God possess the ability to Heaven-Hearing Earth-Seeing within their own domains, truly demonstrating their unfathomable divine power.

"Rest assured, Li Xing, though I have fallen into demonic possession, I am still State-Tutelary Orthodox God. It is a gratifying thing for you to intercept and kill those vile and ugly creatures." The Tian'an County City God laughed heartily, "I have prepared some fine wine at my humble abode. As the saying goes, a chance encounter is better than an invitation. Please."

"Please."

Sure enough, a feast was laid out in the main hall of the Divine Shrine, with all kinds of delicacies and dishes.

"Cultivators believe in absorbing Qi Consumption for the Longevity Realm. These are all Spirit Seed that I have cultivated myself, and their taste is slightly different from that of people in the human world."

The City God sat down with an air of authority, and Su Che, without any hesitation, followed suit and sat down at the table.

"If I may be so bold as to ask, this feast is probably not prepared for me, is it?"

Even if this City God had the ability to Heaven-Hearing Earth-Seeing, he probably couldn't have predicted that he would come to his door. This meal seemed to be a last meal before his execution.

"People say Mr. Su is a dandy in Jiankang. If all dandies in Jiankang are like this, then maybe it will be just around the corner for me, Daliang, to live in the world. Yes, this table of wine was set for me."

The City God poured himself a cup of wine, his eyes flashing like lightning as he looked at Su Che.

"Young Master Su, do you know when I became the local City God?"

"I really don't know that."

Su Che knew about this person's background, of course, but felt it was unnecessary to bring it up now.

Because this person does indeed have a special status.

"Back then, the previous dynasty was tyrannical, and Emperor Great Liang raised an army with distant relatives of the imperial clan. I joined the army and fought in dozens of battles, large and small. In open battle, I charged into the fray, and in sieges, I was the first to scale the walls. I dare not say that I was invincible, but I still risked my life."

This was a true loyal minister who died in battle. When the Great Liang attacked Ci Prefecture, this City God was one of the vanguard.

"Back then, I was brave and courageous, but not good at socializing. I was betrayed by a villain and led three thousand soldiers eastward to Ci Prefecture. We were surrounded by the enemy. My death cannot be called heroic, but I did my best for the country."

Su Che had seen the relevant Record. Back then, this man was resented by the commander-in-chief due to factional issues, who intended to send him to his death. He was surrounded outside Tian'an County, but in the end, the commander-in-chief still managed to break through the encirclement and allow the remaining troops to return to the main camp.

After the body was collected, not counting knife wounds and external injuries, the arrowheads alone weighed three pounds.

The phrase "devoted to the country" is simply insufficient to describe the heroism of this man.

"Back then, Emperor Taizu was grateful for my contributions and appointed me as the City God of this county after the founding of the country. I have done my best in my post. In the hundreds of years since the founding of the country, I dare not say that I have worked hard day and night."

The City God took another sip of wine from his cup.

As he said, this Tian'an City God was indeed of impeccable lineage, and there was no record of any wrongdoing in the records of the Imperial Demon Hunters over the past few hundred years.

"Alas, sometimes I am still lost in a dream, and I can almost hear the drums and horns of yesteryear." The City God spoke with a touch of magnanimity, "Is Judicial Punisher Su very curious as to why I fell into demonic possession?"

"I don't think the term 'possessing demonic power' is quite appropriate," Su Che said, looking at the god before him. "Perhaps 'seeking demonic power' would be more suitable for the City God."