Ji Yuan knew the question he had asked was foolish, but these were matters he would have to sort out sooner or later. Asking anyone was still asking.
But why had this Old City God suddenly become respectful again for no apparent reason? It was a subtle feeling; the Old City God seemed less casual in his speech than before.
The Old City God methodically recounted some of the history he knew, interspersing it with Unofficial History from the various dynasties of this country, descriptions of its mountains, rivers, and local customs, and even deliberately adding some place-name changes he knew of.
Unlike his previous confusion over immortals, monsters, and strange things, this account clearly gave Ji Yuan a much clearer understanding of this world—at least, his understanding of the mortal level had become far more direct and distinct.
The country they were now in had vast territory, with thirteen prefectures in all. Great Zhen had stood tall and unyielding for two hundred years, and the throne had already passed to the eighth ruler, Emperor Yuande. Before it had come nine dynasties such as Wu, Tong, Chu, and Kuang, while further back, this land had been part of the territory of some enormous dynasty.
The Old City God paused slightly at this point before speaking.
"According to historical records, that great dynasty was called Great Zhou."
"Great Zhou?"
Ji Yuan visibly perked up, but then merely smiled and let it pass. This so-called Great Zhou was not the one he had imagined; from its mountains and rivers to the changes in its history, everything was different.
The Old City God stroked his beard and nodded.
"Indeed. Yet that dynasty lies too far back in history. Even local deities like us cannot fully recount the changes of the ages. The world is so vast that ten thousand words could scarcely describe it, and as the saying goes, there's always someone better. Nothing under heaven can be fully known!"
Ji Yuan nodded in agreement as well.
"Lord City God speaks most truly!"
From the gaps in their earlier conversation, Ji Yuan had learned that the position of City God was the divine position most deeply entangled with the mortal world, and also one that changed most frequently.
Take Ning'an County as an example. The previous Ning'an County City God had been surnamed Li. Later, when the current dynasty overthrew the old system, Ning'an County produced Song Shichang, an official who brought glory to his ancestors. After Lord Song died, the emperor bestowed a posthumous title upon him, appointed him Ning'an County City God, and ordered the local officials to build a temple and repair his shrine.
As for the original Old City God, if his cultivation was profound enough, he might still find another path. If his own cultivation was lacking, though, he could only gradually lose Incense Power, his cultivation would advance no further and instead regress, and he might even dissipate entirely.
This was not to say that emperors of this world possessed the power of Words Become Law when issuing decrees. What ultimately determined everything was merely incense offerings and the wishes of the common people.
Of course, it was also normal for many City Gods to remain unchanged through several dynasties. First, mortal emperors were not so idle; posthumously appointing meritorious officials was simply one way of rewarding them. Second, mortal rulers fundamentally did not understand such matters of gods and monsters.
Even so, City Gods and the dynasties where they resided shared prosperity and ruin alike. Though separated by yin and yang, most City Gods did their utmost to protect the people of their lands and prevent evil spirits from causing trouble.
After all, those appointed as City Gods—whether decreed by emperors or chosen by the people who built temples for them—were mostly renowned, respected, and virtuous individuals. It also concerned their own cultivation.
But just as Official Runners in the Mortal Realm could not attend to everything, City Gods could not investigate every demon or Evil Entity lurking in hiding, much less when they were sometimes too weak to resist.
Interestingly, though City Gods and dynasties were considered closely tied, they were not, after all, the emperor's officials. Separated by yin and yang, they had no reason to make things difficult for one another.
To put it plainly, even the powerful and noble of a dynasty were, for the overwhelming majority, merely mortals. Their eyes could not see ghosts and gods, and their strength could not pierce yin and yang. Aside from reading tales of gods and strange happenings, very few even knew of things like City Gods, immortals, and demons. To them, such things were no more than clay statues in temples and biographies in books.
Ji Yuan and the Old City God chatted and drank tea on the third floor of the Temple Outbuilding, admiring the scenery outside. As their conversation flowed harmoniously, time slipped away unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye it was noon.
Ji Yuan had obtained quite a few crucial pieces of information, while the Old City God also felt he had gained a certain understanding of Mister Ji. Their conversation for the day had more or less come to an end.
Originally, the Old City God had suggested that Ji Yuan eat lunch at the Temple Outbuilding. Yet as they talked and ate, they had worked through a tableful of snacks and pastries by noon, and neither felt the slightest desire for lunch.
Naturally, the two left the Temple Outbuilding, preparing to part ways.
"Lord City God, thank you for your hospitality today!"
"Mister Ji, what are you saying? Your brief stay here is a blessing for Ning'an County. The Book you require will be sent to Ju'an Pavilion as soon as possible. Please rest assured!"
"Many thanks, Lord City God!"
"Good, then we shall speak again another day. For now, we part ways here!"
As he spoke, the Old City God had already cupped his hands slightly toward Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan likewise cupped his hands and bade him farewell.
"We shall speak again another day!"
After exchanging bows and nods, the Old City God strode freely toward the City God Temple. Ji Yuan watched him walk halfway there before smiling and turning toward home.
Though the City God Temple was a lively place, the Temple Fair was held at night. He had no need to offer incense, and going home to brush his teeth while waiting for the books to arrive was the proper thing to do.
I wonder whether the books sent by the City God will be a little special. Can these eyes of mine, which are practically blind, read them directly? If not, I'll have to find someone to read for me—or ask the City God to have a Yin Cha help me.
At the mouth of a nearby alley, Yin Zhaoxian was about to lead Yin Qing out by the hand when Yin Qing suddenly gripped his father's hand tightly and refused to move.
Feeling his son hold him back, Yin Zhaoxian frowned and turned his head to look at Yin Qing.
"What is it?"
"Daddy... over there, that Great Mister is over there!"
Great Mister?
Yin Zhaoxian looked in the direction of the Temple Outbuilding, where his son pointed. He did not know who this supposed Great Mister was, but his attention was immediately drawn to Ji Yuan and the Old City God. The bearing and appearance of the two men made them stand out like a crane among chickens.
"Qing'er, which one is the Great Mister you mentioned? Did you clearly see him? Don't mistake someone else for him."
"The one in the blue robe, the one cupping his hands to that Old Sir! I saw him clearly. I definitely won't mistake him!"
Yin Qing hid behind his father, poking his head out to look beyond the alley, watching both Ji Yuan and that old man.
Yin Zhaoxian looked again at the two men outside the Temple Outbuilding. They had already parted, one heading toward the City God Temple and the other leaving by another road. Both appeared perfectly normal, but since his son was so frightened, as a father, he still had to consider his son's feelings.
"All right, they've left. Let's go to the City God Temple!"
"Mm!"
Yin Zhaoxian sighed. Now, he suddenly felt that perhaps his son had seen things wrongly before as well. Both men were complete strangers to him, yet their bearing was extraordinary. No matter how he looked at them, neither seemed like some sinister, shadowy sort.
Who is that old man? I should know every notable figure in Ning'an County. Could he be an outsider too?
Holding Yin Qing's hand, he walked out of the alley and headed for the City God Temple. Within the father and son's line of sight ahead, they could still see the Ink-Robed Elder who had parted from Ji Yuan with cupped hands.
For some subtle psychological reason, both father and son quickened their steps slightly, as though they wanted to get a little closer to that Old Sir.
"Incense for sale! Finest Sandalwood Incense! Enter the temple to worship the City God, offer Three Incense Sticks! Finest Sandalwood Incense for sale!"
A vendor at the temple entrance cried out as he sold Sandalwood Incense.
"Give me three incense sticks."
"Coming right up! Here you go—careful not to snap them!"
Yin Zhaoxian gave the vendor one coin. From payment to receiving the incense, his eyes remained fixed mainly on the old man ahead. Once he had taken the incense, he led Yin Qing into the temple.
"Hmm? He's gone? Qing'er, did you see where he went just now?"
"No... once he entered the temple, I couldn't see him anymore... Daddy, could he be a ghost..."
"Don't talk nonsense! This is the City God Temple!"
Yin Zhaoxian sternly reprimanded Yin Qing, then pulled him toward the main hall. This City God Temple was not large. The front hall housed the various departments of the City God, while the main hall was where the City God resided. Perhaps that old man had gone straight to the main hall.
Yet after passing through the front hall, they still did not see the old man. There were neither too many nor too few commoners coming and going to burn incense and worship the City God; it was not as if someone could simply vanish from sight. Looking toward the rear gate tucked in one corner of the temple courtyard, he saw that its two wooden doors were shut. It did not look as though anyone had gone out, and that was where the temple steward lived, so people would not be allowed to go there freely.
How strange...
Even inside the City God Temple, Yin Zhaoxian felt a slight chill creep into his heart.
"Qing'er, let us worship the City God!"
Yin Zhaoxian cast aside the wild thoughts in his mind and brought Yin Qing into the main hall. Taking the flame for the incense and candles offered by the temple priest to one side, he lit the Sandalwood Incense.
First, he inserted the Sandalwood Incense into the Incense Burner, then father and son knelt upon the cushions and prayed devoutly.
After worshipping the City God, Yin Zhaoxian rose to leave, only to find Yin Qing still kneeling there, staring blankly at the clay statue of the City God.
"What is it, Qing'er?"
"Daddy... he looks so similar..."
Yin Qing spoke in an extremely soft voice.
Today I got recommended, but my bookmarks are still miserably low. Readers, if you've read this, please bookmark it and cast a vote!
Thank you all for your votes and tips. Congratulations to Reader Bai Baishou for becoming the first Hall Master!
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