First Meeting with the City God

"Hehe, just kidding, don't mind me, Judge Li. Leave this girl to me for now."

Faced with the truly enraged Judge Li, Judge Qian chuckled and then walked up to Yin Yunze, seemingly about to reach out and help Yin Yunze up.

Before Yin Yunze could react, he felt a tightness on his wrists.

A quick glance revealed that Yin Yunze was wearing a pair of black shackles with silver patterns.

Although there was no chain between the two handcuffs to restrict movement, the moment he was put on, Yin Yunze felt that ninety percent of his Authority over Frost and Snow was suppressed.

Fortunately, the Power of Incense Offerings within Yin Yunze was not restricted.

You bastard! How dare you throw mud at others!

Looking at Judge Qian, Yin Yunze's eyes flashed with uncontrollable anger.

Compared to Judge Li, Judge Qian's current behavior is truly bullying.

"Little girl, don't look at me like that." Facing Yin Yunze's angry gaze, Judge Qian still smiled calmly and said, "After all, you're going to see the City God as a Sin God. This is the rule for Sin Gods to see the City God in the past!"

"Judge Qian, has he ever mentioned putting God-Binding Shackles on Innate Holy Spirit less than a month old?"

Seeing this, Judge Li couldn't help but frown and say, "This girl is still a child. Using these God-Binding Shackles on her is going too far!"

"Yes! I'm still a child----"

This was the most Yin Yunze had ever supported this statement in his life.

"You can't say that. I won't use excessive methods! Besides, I've never said I wouldn't bring it in this situation. Here's what we'll do: bring it for now, and you can ask the City God later."

To this, Judge Qian simply laughed it off and changed the subject.

Then, looking at Yin Yunze, Judge Qian put on a kind expression and said, "Little girl, just bear with it for a bit. If there's nothing else, I'll untie you when we get out! Are you worried about any danger in front of the City God?"

Although Judge Qian had a smiling face from beginning to end, Yin Yunze felt that he was a smiling tiger.

Moreover, for no apparent reason, she seemed to harbor hostility towards Yin Yunze.

Yin Yunze had no idea what he had done to offend him!

"Judge Qian, I'll take this girl to see the City God."

Seeing this, Judge Li stepped forward, pulled Yin Yunze over, and protected him behind him.

"Alright, then I won't argue with Judge Li."

Having achieved his goal, Judge Qian seemed somewhat noncommittal.

Smiling, she turned and walked towards the City God.

After taking a few steps slower, Judge Li led Yin Yunze into the City God, explaining softly, "Judge Qian has a family who worship him. They used to sell grain in the city. Lately, business has been bad, and a few days ago, the county magistrate forced them to pay a hefty fine—"

E

Although Judge Li spoke cryptically, Yin Yunze immediately understood what was going on!

Why did Judge Qian, from the very beginning, abandon all shame and bully her, making things difficult for her?

Indeed, there is only love without a reason, not hate without a reason.

Words can be used to distort the truth and create fallacies, but the facts are clear to anyone with eyes to see.

It was precisely because of this matter of cutting off someone's money that Qian Judge Qian became so shameless as to bully Yin Yunze, a baby who was not even a month old.

Seeing that Yin Yunze understood, Judge Li reassured him, "Also, don't worry too much. This God-Binding Shackles is just a Law Technique. It will automatically dissolve after a day once you leave the City God's Dao Field. If you don't want to see Judge Qian again, I'll take you back later!"

"Thank you, Uncle Li!"

After thanking him, Yin Yunze suddenly became somewhat puzzled.

If they knew that Fox Rice was created by Yin Yunze, shouldn't they know that Yin Yunze had been active for some time?

In that case, Yin Yunze's activity period has been quite long, so it's hardly a case of not being a full month old, right?

Or does this mean that for the Innate Holy Spirit, age is calculated only from birth? Even if there were activities before birth, are those considered part of the fetal stage?

Unfortunately, these were questions that couldn't be asked casually. Yin Yunze thought for a moment, then asked Judge Li with concern, "Uncle Li, aren't you afraid people will misunderstand and think you put it on me—"

"Don't worry, just like my decree, these God-Binding Shackles are under Judge Qian —you old bastard, you've lost all shame!"

After spitting at Judge Qian, Judge Li whispered, "Alright, girl, stop talking. When you see the City God, remember what I said!"

After saying this, Judge Li's expression turned serious, and he led the way without looking to the side.

As Judge Li entered, Yin Yunze felt a blur before his eyes and found himself in a Dao Field that was ten times larger and more spacious than the real City God.

Within this Dao Field, hundreds of ghost soldiers and messengers lurked in the shadows on both sides, watching Yin Yunze and whispering amongst themselves.

As he ventured deeper, Yin Yunze saw that at the end of the road, where the statue of the City God should have stood, it was now completely obscured by a thick layer of black mist.

Stepping forward, Judge Li bowed and said, "Reporting to City God Majesty, the Qingnü of Clear Creek Village has arrived!"

As the call rang out, the thick black fog began to dissipate. Then, a gigantic figure, over ten meters tall and dressed in purple official robes, appeared before Yin Yunze. Seated atop the high platform, the City God looked down at Yin Yunze with half-open eyes, revealing a hint of indifference.

However, what concerned Yin Yunze the most was not its enormous size, but rather Yin Yunze discovery that the black mist was actually the Power of Incense Offerings.

And this City God was surrounded by this black Power of Incense Offerings.

Even though some of the incense smoke had dissipated, the remaining black smoke still shrouded the City God like a cloud of mist, making City God appear indistinct. His half-closed eyes also prevented anyone from seeing his true thoughts.

Yin Yunze understood that he was under someone else's roof and dared not look too closely, so he bowed his head and said, "Qingnü greets Your Majesty the City God!"

"Hmm? Qingnü? She's a beautiful woman with a lovely name, and even more beautiful in person."

The City God's gaze fell on Yin Yunze, and his first words made Yin Yunze tense up.

Involuntarily, Yin Yunze thought of the words of the comedian ghost he had bumped into before.

"Huh? Innate Holy Spirit? And Innate Holy Spirit's not even a month old?"

Fortunately, the City God quickly recognized Yin Yunze's divine age.

"Tsk, such a beauty, what a pity she's just a child! What a pity, what a pity—"

Thankfully, I'm still just a baby!

Hearing the City God say it was a pity, Yin Yunze didn't feel sorry at all; on the contrary, he secretly rejoiced.

If it weren't for the label of "Innate Holy Spirit" protecting him, he might never have been able to leave this City God.

As for the City God's words, his subordinates, including Judge Li, all seemed unfazed and turned a deaf ear to them.

"Qingnü, do you know why I summoned you here?"

After no longer dwelling on Yin Yunze's age, the City God got down to business.

"I heard it's because Qingnü) established a temple and bestowed official titles without ever paying her respects to the City God—"

Upon hearing this, Yin Yunze could only honestly reply.

"Yes and no."

The City God still had some dignity; after learning about Yin Yunze's Innate Holy Spirit status, he couldn't really use that to pressure her.

"That's one point, but now it seems it was just a misunderstanding. I know you have someone backing you. But that person is you, and you are you. Naturally, I will not hold you responsible for this crime."

"---- City God Xie."

Hearing the City God say this, Yin Yunze understood what he was thinking.

Clearly, in the eyes of the City God, the birth of Yin Yunze was intentionally orchestrated behind the scenes.

However, the person behind the scenes is hiding, and the City God can only investigate up to Yin Yunze for the time being.

Since the person could not be found, the City God could not use this excuse to punish Yin Yunze, a newborn Innate Holy Spirit who was not even a month old.

"The crime of establishing a temple and bestowing official titles is not yours, so I can let it go. As for the people behind you, I cannot find them, and I can temporarily refrain from investigating them!"

Peeking slightly out from behind the dark clouds, the City God looked at Yin Yunze with a grim expression and said, "But there's another matter I want you to do!"

"As per the City God's command!"

Seeing that, as Judge Li had said, the matter had been let off lightly, Yin Yunze was naturally very happy.

"That's not difficult."

Seeing that Yin Yunze's attitude was upright, the City God returned to the black mist. "I don't care how you did it, but from this day forward, I will cut off the supply of Fox Rice to the people! I don't want to see anyone get a single grain of Fox Rice from you again!"

If you can do that, then you can peacefully continue being the Lady Qingnü, and I won't bother you too much. If you don't want to be, you can have the person behind you come out and ask me for some pointers."

"No! No!"

Although puzzled as to why the City God issued this order, Yin Yunze, knowing that he actually had no one backing him, readily chickened out.

Yin Yunze felt no guilt in agreeing to this condition.

The Great Gate of Incense was tightly shut, and it was unknown whether it would ever be able to return to the real world.

Not to mention that disobeying the City God would offend him, the fact that he couldn't continue transporting supplies from the real world would also prevent Yin Yunze from carrying out his disaster relief work.

"After Qingnü returned, she immediately halted the disaster relief efforts!"

"This child is teachable."

Seeing that Yin Yunze was so obedient, the City God nodded.

Seeing that the City God wasn't as difficult to talk to as he had imagined, Yin Yunze mustered his courage and asked, "City God Majesty, if possible, could you please tell Qingnü the reason behind this? Qingnü ignorant and may have committed a taboo she doesn't know. Being punished would be a small matter; displeasing City God Majesty would be a much greater offense!"

It was that Innate Holy Spirit status that had the effect; instead of being annoyed by Yin Yunze's question, the City God laughed and said, "Hehe, what a sweet-talking little girl. If it weren't for your powerful backers, I would have already taken you in as my goddaughter."

Upon hearing what the City God said, Yin Yunze couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart.

If we could get close to the City God, we could do whatever we wanted in Qingling County.

However, just as he was feeling tempted, the image of the lake of resentment above the City God flashed through Yin Yunze's mind.

If she were to truly become the City God's adopted daughter, and the day her resentment were to be unleashed, Yin Yunze would likely face consequences.

After all, if you gain benefits, you must also bear the consequences.

The pursuit of such grievances is far more ruthless and merciless than the law in reality.

Having secretly abandoned this idea, Yin Yunze said regretfully, "City God Xie. However, everyone says that Qingnü has powerful backers. Qingnü should go back and investigate. If she doesn't find out the truth, the marriage might turn into a feud, which would be a waste of your good intentions."

"Never mind, let's talk about this another time."

Since Yin Yunze didn't follow the advice, the City God naturally didn't bring it up again.

Gone with the matter briefly, the City God began to answer Yin Yunze's questions, "As Innate Holy Spirit born from the Sentient Beings' Power of Faith, I understand that you are naturally compassionate. However, as someone who has been through the trials of the Divine Dao, I must advise you: compassion is good, but acts of compassion must not be performed."

"Huh?" Yin Yunze was genuinely confused upon hearing this, and asked softly, "What... what does this mean?"

"It should be known that the desires of humankind are insatiable."

Looking at Yin Yunze, the City God spoke with an air of superiority, "You have people supporting you, and you have abundant resources. Naturally, you think you can obtain their Incense of Faith by satisfying the desires of your people without any scruples—"

However, the people are ultimately insatiable! The more you give, the more they will ask for. In the long run, your actions will only inflate the desires of these mortals—"

Hearing this, Yin Yunze was somewhat dismissive.

Yin Yunze understood this principle, so Yin Yunze always maintained a good balance.

Unrestrained indulgence of believers will only increase their greed.

Therefore, all Yin Yunze did was provide the necessary supplies at the appropriate time.

Although he found the reason somewhat absurd, Yin Yunze still nodded and said, "I see, Qingnü understands----"

"No, little girl, you don't understand!"

However, this time, before Yin Yunze could finish speaking, the City God interrupted Yin Yunze: "As expected, the naturally Innate Holy Spirit is still too naive. Don't think I'm just talking about you!"

"Qingnü, let me ask you this: you have people to help you, and you can provide so much grain to relieve the people and win their hearts. But what about those lesser gods who can't provide any? If they can't provide any, doesn't that make them seem weaker than you?"

As the local City God, shouldn't I also try to raise food and relieve the people like you?! If I don't do this, won't I be less respected by the people than you, the Lady Qingnü? We gods only accept incense offerings from mortals, when did we become beggars?"

Hearing the City God's overly blunt words, Yin Yunze's body, which was impervious to heat and cold, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

This is the real reason why the City God ordered Yin Yunze to stop.

In life and in business, there are often unspoken rules.

While Yin Yunze's actions may seem like he was doing good, they actually broke the rules!

In the eyes of the Incense God, believers are the most important resource.

Generally speaking, it's not a big deal if everyone gathers believers based on their own abilities.

However, Yin Yunze's actions were tantamount to directly spending money to buy believers, using his abundant funds to unreasonably plunder the believers of other gods.

Actually, it wouldn't be so bad if Yin Yunze had only been stealing from other minor gods.

Most importantly, Yin Yunze's actions have also affected the Incense of Faith of the City God.

The most powerful deity in Qingling County, in name only, didn't offer a single grain of rice.

The other one, though merely a village deity, could produce an unlimited supply of food to satisfy everyone.

Even though their religious roles are actually different, it's obvious which one the people will prefer to believe in over time.

Moreover, there was a hidden meaning in the City God's words.

Human beings are like pigs and dogs; they can be herded. How can we expect gods to condescend and fawn over them!