Earth God

Biodata

Background and History

Zhao Er teaches Xu Feng that Corpse Stitching at the Earth God Shrine requires the deity’s consent and protection. After Zhao Er performs the invocation, Xu Feng receives the Protection of the Land Spirit of Luoyin County 3. The shrine also shelters Zhao Er and Xu Feng from dangers around their home; Zhao Er says wolves could raid it at night without the Earth God’s protection 12.

The Earth God accepts petitions and offerings, but can refuse an audience. Xu Feng’s growing Yin Virtue helps him seek the god’s favor, and his affinity with the deity rises from 30 to 45 points, granting him permanent Land God Protection 22 30 44. Later, the god accepts Xu Feng’s incense but closes the shrine curtain against three bodies and their baleful objects. He sends Xu Feng a dream instructing him to remove the objects from before the altar 85.

After the shrine is damaged, Xu Feng and Zhao Er plan to rebuild it and invite the Longflow River God to share the site. They seek the Earth God’s permission, then formally notify him of the new arrangement. The construction prayer assigns the Earth God secondary worship and asks him to report the change to his superiors and protect the surrounding land 92 106 159. Once the river god’s statue is installed, the site becomes known as the Longflow River God Temple, though older residents continue calling it the Earth God Shrine 206.

Appearance

The figure in the Earth God Shrine’s niche appears as a kindly little old man wrapped in layers of brocade. The passage describes the shrine image, not a separate manifestation of the deity 3.

• Shrine setting: The niche stands behind a curtain, with a bronze incense burner and two candles before it 3.
• Means of response: Incense smoke and the shrine curtain convey the god’s reaction to visitors and offerings 85.

Abilities and Authority

Land God Protection

The Earth God can grant protection to someone who successfully petitions him. Xu Feng first receives a blessing through Zhao Er’s invocation and later gains its permanent form as his affinity rises 3 44.

• Protects Xu Feng against local ghosts and lesser spirits 44.
• Does not protect him from brigands or sinister forces in the Yellow River; it also fails to help against one attacking corpse 44 61.
• The god has no authority over the Yellow River itself 73.

Shrine Presence and Communication

The Earth God has a true spirit and can be present at multiple shrines within his Luoyin County jurisdiction 9 125.

• Accepts incense, prayer papers, and petitions 15 22 85.
• Can deny an audience or signal disapproval through the shrine curtain and incense smoke 85.
• Warns Xu Feng in a dream to move baleful objects away from the altar 85.

Ritual Aid

Local Earth Gods can take part in rites that summon thunder through the land. Xu Feng later uses a token to release thunder attributed to the City God and Earth God; it rises from the earth and does not harm him 194 196.

Relationships

• Xu Feng — Worshipper and recipient of Land God Protection. His recorded affinity with the Earth God rises from 30 to 45 points; he later helps rebuild the shrine and conducts its rites 30 44 92 159.
• Zhao Er — Shrine keeper who teaches Xu Feng to petition the god before Corpse Stitching. He offers prayer papers and consults the deity during dangerous work 3 15 87.
• Longflow River God — Invited to share the rebuilt temple as its principal deity, while the local Earth God retains secondary worship 105 159 206.

Trivia

• The Luoyin County Earth God is distinct from Ren Bo, the Earth Uncle Xu Feng enshrines at his real-world courtyard, and from the uncanny Earth God statue Xu Feng finds at a village shrine outside the game 7 125 127.