The Final Piece

Seeing the old City God somewhat flustered as he took the jade pendant, Yin Yunze said seemingly nonchalantly, "Look at it if you want, just don't break it. If you do, you'll have to go to the Prefectural City God and get me a new one!"

Sensing the incredibly strong aura of the Prefectural City God emanating from the jade pendant, despite its lack of actual authority, the old City God felt a slight bitterness in his mouth.

Such a token, which can represent the Prefectural City God, is not so easy to obtain.

Seeing this, the other City God also gathered around and began to examine the aura of the Prefectural City God on the jade pendant.

"This jade pendant looks so new!"

Suddenly, one of the City God noticed a detail. "It looks like it was just carved not long ago!"

Upon hearing this, all the City God first looked at the jade pendant with the mandarin duck pattern, and then their gazes fell on Yin Yunze's mandarin duck patterned shawl.

"What?" Seeing the City Gods' reaction, Yin Yunze raised an eyebrow and said, "It's a newly carved jade pendant by the Prefectural City God. Is there a problem with that?"

"No problem! Of course, no problem!"

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's words, many City God subconsciously shook their heads.

However, the Prefectural City God actually carved a jade pendant with mandarin duck patterns for the County Princess of Qingping by hand.

This idea inevitably arose in the minds of the City God, and their gaze towards Yin Yunze immediately changed.

No wonder Yin Yunze dared to secretly summon these County City God without fear of being blamed by the Prefectural City God.

I initially thought that it was just that this young child, Yin Yunze, was ignorant and acted recklessly once he gained authority.

It now seems that from the very beginning, the Anqing Prefecture City God was standing behind the County Princess of Qingping!

"Lord County Lord."

Looking at Yin Yunze, the City God immediately asked, "What is your relationship with that Lord of the Prefecture?"

"I have absolutely no relation to that old man!"

Yin Yunze vehemently denied this.

However, the more Yin Yunze denied it, the more suspicious the County City God became.

You said you had absolutely no relationship with him, and then the Prefectural City God gave you a newly carved jade pendant, saying you could use it for anything?!

In an instant, many melodramatic scenarios began to pop into the minds of these City God.

However, many of the City God's gazes suddenly turned somewhat resentful.

If you have this jade pendant, you should have taken it out sooner!

If you had taken it out earlier, we would have already recognized you as the County Princess of Qingping!

"Yes, yes, yes, the county princess and the prefect have absolutely no relation."

While agreeing with Yin Yunze's words, the old City God handed the jade pendant back to Yin Yunze with both hands. "Please keep it safe, Your Highness."

A mere third-rank County Princess of Qingping was not enough to make the City God sincerely submit.

However, if behind this third-rank County Princess of Qingping is a third-rank Marquis of Majestic Spirit, then these City God would truly have to worry about their lives and property.

After Yin Yunze retrieved the jade pendant, the fifteen City God, led by the old City God, all knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "Your subordinates pay their respects to the County Princess of Qingping!"

Looking at the County City God who had finally submitted, Yin Yunze was not blinded by power.

Yin Yunze knew very well that the City God's submission was merely a temporary power she had gained by borrowing their authority.

If this goes on for too long, it's hard to guarantee that these City God won't discover the trickery involved.

Fortunately, Yin Yunze would only use these County City God once more.

Yin Yunze had no intention of actually subduing them all.

After all, if Yin Yunze really did that, the Prefectural City God would probably be the first to jump out.

If everyone were to obey Yin Yunze, wouldn't the Prefectural City God be left with no one to command?

"Gentlemen, please rise! There's no need for such formalities."

While spouting insincere pleasantries, the divine body turned to look at the mortal body still struggling to save City God Xie, and gave him a look. "Alright, that's all. Release this bearded City God!"

"Wait a moment!"

The mortal, who had worked tirelessly for most of the day, had a different opinion: "I feel like it's almost done—"

Having worked so hard for so long, I really want to see how much proficiency I can gain in the Rebirth Sutra by rebirth in the City God.

Even without increasing proficiency in the Rebirth Sutra, very few people can achieve the Rebirth City God title!

However, at this moment, the thoughts of the divine body were similar to those of the City God.

The most intimidating moment is when something is about to happen but hasn't yet.

If there were a real outcome, it wouldn't be so pleasant.

If these City God were to confirm that Yin Yunze had the ability to send them to their deaths, they might resort to desperate measures.

With a thought, Yin Yunze focused his consciousness entirely on his divine body.

After returning the mortal body to the Qingnü Hall, Yin Yunze used the power of wind and snow to capture City God Xie among the other City God.

At first, City God Xie had an expression as if he was about to be liberated and pass away.

But soon, under the dual constraints of his status as the City God and the incense offerings from his followers, City God Xie rediscovered himself.

The next moment, City God Xie's expression changed drastically, and he distanced himself from Yin Yunze.

As the person who almost died, the County City God truly feared Yin Yunze like the plague.

Yin Yunze didn't seem to mind. With a wave of his hand, a huge round table and sixteen matching chairs appeared on the ground.

"Gentlemen, sir, please sit down and let's talk!"

As he spoke, Yin Yunze waved to Lord of Du Mountain again.

Seeing this, Lord of Du Mountain shook his head and walked up to Yin Yunze.

Yin Yunze patted Lord of Du Mountain, gesturing for her to sit down, and then Yin Yunze also turned over and sat on Lord of Du Mountain's back.

Yin Yunze tossed a tail in front of Lord of Du Mountain as payment for her to play with, then lazily found a comfortable position and watched the City God take their seats.

Once all sixteen City God were seated, Yin Yunze took out the Jeweled Tree Glazed Branch and gently waved it.

Suddenly, a table full of delicious food appeared on the table.

"Gentlemen, you must be tired from your journey. Please have some food first."

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's words, the City God were immediately puzzled.

However, it's unclear whether this was a test of Yin Yunze's obedience.

So these City God, still puzzled, picked up their chopsticks and took a bite.

"This is----"

"Such pure incense----"

"How wonderful!"

The next moment, a barrage of praise, some genuine and some not, filled the air.

This seemingly ordinary meal was actually created by Yin Yunze using incense from the Jeweled Tree Glazed Branch.

Besides possessing the deliciousness of ordinary food, it also has other supernatural properties.

After consuming these delicacies, the City God felt refreshed and invigorated, as if a layer of filth had been washed away.

And that is indeed the case.

The best way to deal with resentment is actually to counteract it with the Power of Incense Offerings carrying pure goodwill.

The pure Power of Incense Offerings often contains the most sincere wishes of believers.

The power of wishes and the power of resentment are two sides of the same coin, both arising from the thoughts of the human heart.

The best way to keep Orthodox God pure and unaffected by resentment is to counteract the influence with pure Incense and Fire Prayer Power.

These City God, while not exactly equal to the old City God, are in a similar situation of the pot calling the kettle black.

The Incense of Faith that these City God can collect is far from enough to extract pure willpower to counteract resentment.

It would be quite good if they could ensure that the poison from the incense wasn't too strong and that the incense could be consumed.

These were all people who had consumed poisonous incense for at least a hundred years, so naturally they couldn't stop praising Yin Yunze's pure incense delicacies.

However, these offerings and delicacies can only cleanse the wound temporarily.

Without making any changes, this meal will ultimately be nothing more than a drop in the ocean for these City God.

Of course, Yin Yunze had no interest in persuading these City God gods to reform themselves.

"It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature," that's just too difficult.

Even after the City God gods had finished most of the incense-infused delicacies, they still felt a little unsatisfied.

Their gazes fell on City God Yin Yunze, but a hint of inquiry lingered in their eyes.

As the host, how can you not let your guests enjoy their meal to the fullest!

However, Yin Yunze pretended not to notice the meaning in the City God's eyes.

Just kidding, Yin Yunze isn't a cook.

I'd be happy to give you a meal to ease the tension, but you actually want to eat your fill?!

Without any intention of adding more food, Yin Yunze got straight to the point. "Actually, I invited you gentlemen here mainly for two matters."

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's words, the City God became serious.

"Firstly, I would like to make a promise with you City God. I actually do not want to interfere in City God affairs, and therefore, I hope that you will not interfere in the affairs of City God subordinates in the future!"

I only hope that your forces under the City God and my forces under the County Princess of Qingping will keep to themselves and not interfere with each other! Of course, if your people clash with my people, I hope that you gentlemen will restrain your men—"

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's words, the City God were all taken aback.

Seriously? It's that simple?

Are you kidding me?!

You just made such a big show of things, forcing us to kneel and demanding a ritual to appease a City God.

So all you want is for us to leave each other alone, and at most, for us to keep our subordinates in check?

They thought they would have to serve Yin Yunze like slaves, but the City God discovered that this was all Yin Yunze wanted?

For a moment, all the City God, especially City God Xie who was almost saved by Yin Yunze, felt that it was all for naught.

If I had known it would be this simple, why did I bother provoking County Princess of Qingping?

If everyone comes over honestly, they can enjoy a delicious meal and then happily discuss such trivial matters with each other.

As a result, they insisted on putting on airs, making themselves lose face completely.

For a moment, although no one spoke, an awkward silence quietly spread among the City God.

Seeing the City God' embarrassed expressions, Yin Yunze couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

From the very beginning, Yin Yunze never intended to truly subdue these City God.

Yin Yunze has thoroughly investigated what kind of people these City God are these days.

It can be said that among these sixteen City God...

At least ten of them are those who, once they lose the protection of the Dynastic Karmic Luck and the hearts of the people, will end up like the old City God.

If it weren't for the unique nature of the City God's position, they would all be considered fallen gods.

Yin Yunze felt it was bad luck to actually bring this group of City God under his command.

Not to mention, Yin Yunze has absolutely no connection with the Prefectural City God.

When this point is truly exposed, it's almost predictable that these County City God will back down.

Therefore, instead of wasting time and effort, and possibly failing to cultivate this group of ungrateful wretches, Yin Yunze might as well develop his own people from the beginning.

Yin Yunze could guess what the City God were thinking.

However, the City God were completely unaware of this.

They think this is all because Yin Yunze has already defeated them.

If Yin Yunze hadn't flexed his muscles earlier, their mentality now would probably be...

It's basically like this: This Primordial Lady of the Azure Heavens is so ignorant! She's just a baby god who's not even a year old, and she dares to ask these hundred-year-old ghosts to give way?

"Your humble servant understands!"

"I will obey the magistrate's orders."

"I will explain everything to my men when I return!"

Faced with such favorable terms, the City God readily agreed, fearing that Yin Yunze might change his mind.

Seeing the City God's reaction, Yin Yunze then brought up the second, and most important, matter.

"There is one more thing I need from you gentlemen: to help me seal the source of the drought within the Qingling County Tomb of Prince Jing!"

His gaze swept over the City God, whose expressions instantly changed, and Yin Yunze said in a deep voice, "This is my order! Those who disobey will bear the consequences!"

After all that effort, wasn't this what Yin Yunze was after?