Chapter 224: Guangdong Lake Dragon Fall

Yin Zhaoxian later recalled with emotion that just before he was to return to Ning'an County, Jizhou, on the eve of his appointment to Lishun Prefecture in Wanzhou, Li Mushu, the Prince of Jin's Young Tutor, had mysteriously visited him at the inn in disguise.

At the time, Li Mushu did not explicitly state the purpose of his visit, only advising Yin Zhaoxian that while his appointment to Wanzhou was a promotion from the Emperor, many were anxious about it. He urged Yin Zhaoxian to remain composed and true to himself once he arrived in Wanzhou.

Li Mushu's words at the time lacked a clear explanation, but Yin Zhaoxian understood the implied meaning. It seemed Li Mushu was concerned for both his personal safety and whether his character would be altered by the Wanzhou assignment. That genuine concern was unmistakable.

Consequently, on the eve of his inauguration, the Prince of Jin sent a message to Ning'an County, explicitly stating that he had secretly replaced the originally assigned retinue and staff. Yin Zhaoxian did not object, and to this day, several highly skilled martial artists remain by his side.

Regarding official matters, Yin Zhaoxian merely confided his frustrations to Ji Yuan, without intending to go into every detail. He had not, after all, invited his friend for that purpose.

"Alright, alright, I couldn't help but air my grievances upon seeing you, Mr. Ji. I hope you don't mind. I've invited you this time to my son's banquet, but we'll have to wait a little longer."

Yin Zhaoxian was delighted by Ji Yuan's visit, but as his child had not yet been born, a banquet was, of course, out of the question.

"Hmm, when is your esteemed wife's due date?"

Ji Yuan asked, already knowing the answer, and Yin Zhaoxian replied with a growing smile.

"The doctor says my wife's pregnancy is progressing well, with the fetus stable. She is expected to give birth in about half a month."

"Oh, excellent, excellent! I must congratulate Tutor Yin in advance!"

"Hahahaha... Thank you, thank you. I've already prepared Mr. Ji's accommodations in the guesthouse at the back of the residence."

Ji Yuan returned the gesture with a smile, knowing there was no need for formalities with a close friend.

The two friends chatted, almost losing track of time. Though Yin Zhaoxian had only intended to share a few grievances, half the day had passed without them realizing. After a meal of home-cooked dishes, he had planned to personally escort Ji Yuan to the guesthouse, but pressing official duties required him to send a servant instead.

A servant led Ji Yuan through the modest rear garden and along a corridor to the guesthouses within the residence.

"Mr. Ji, please. It's just ahead."

The servant politely led Ji Yuan to the guesthouse, opened the door to show him the room's furnishings, and then excused himself.

"Mr. Ji, please rest here. If you need anything, just call me from the corridor. I'll take my leave now!"

"Alright, thank you for your trouble!"

Ji Yuan cupped his hands in thanks, and the servant hastily returned the bow.

Even after walking some distance, the servant looked back at Ji Yuan, who remained at the doorway, gazing at the courtyard and the sky. He seemed neither arrogant nor reserved, possessing a remarkably dignified presence.

Some of the household servants were quite curious about Ji Yuan's arrival. Their master never hosted banquets or allowed guests to stay overnight; even those who traveled great distances to deliver gifts were sent to inns or hotels. This Mr. Ji, however, was treated with such distinction, dining and lodging within the residence, clearly indicating he was a true confidant of their master.

Ji Yuan casually surveyed his room. It contained a bed, table, and stools, along with the Four Treasures of the Study and a Go board set. While not luxurious, it was thoughtfully appointed.

After his quick survey, Ji Yuan did not linger to rest. Instead, he took a single step out, mist rising from beneath his feet, and departed the residence.

Lishun Prefecture's main streets remained bustling. Merchants from across Dazhen and even neighboring countries came to purchase silk textiles, and the entire city, built on the silk industry, presented a scene of prosperity. Inns, restaurants, and teahouses were ubiquitous, and even establishments like brothels and gambling houses were far more numerous than in other cities.

This was merely Lishun Prefecture; the provincial capital, Yunbo Prefecture, was likely even more impressive.

Ji Yuan navigated the streets and alleys. His keen hearing, combined with his limited vision, allowed him to move unhindered while also discerning the conversations of passersby. Following certain sounds and asking for directions along the way, he eventually reached Miaosi Fang (Temple Quarter).

Even when he first arrived in this world, Ji Yuan had learned that local deities, such as City Gods, while protectors of their regions, were forbidden from actively interfering with mortal affairs, particularly those concerning the broader currents of human society. This restriction was even more pronounced for those who relied heavily on local faith and prayers.

This apprehension stemmed partly from the potential impact of human societal changes on the deities themselves, partly from their own cultivation and spiritual development, and also from historical lessons learned over long ages.

Gradually, it became an unwritten, ironclad rule that the Underworld should not interfere with mortal affairs, especially in significant events.

Despite this, whenever a dynasty fell, some local deities, including City Gods, would still be annihilated alongside it due to their deep connection to the dynasty's fate. Consequently, local Underworld officials remained tight-lipped about such occurrences, yet harbored deeply conflicted feelings.

Ji Yuan's visit to Miaosi Fang was, of course, to the City God Temple. While he wouldn't interfere, the Underworld could not be ignorant of such affairs. He wasn't there to investigate a specific case, but rather to assess the extent of evil and resentful energies proliferating within Lishun Prefecture's jurisdiction.

No matter the city, Miaosi Fang was often one of the liveliest and most prosperous areas, and Lishun Prefecture was no exception.

As Ji Yuan walked through the streets of Miaosi Fang, the cries of hawkers and the sounds of bargaining grew noticeably louder. Many out-of-town visitors were present, as the area around any City God Temple was a popular tourist destination, often bustling with restaurants and eateries.

"Hey, sir, buy some incense sticks! Offer them to the City God, and he'll ensure your success in examinations and bring you abundant wealth!"

"Hey, distinguished sir, my incense is excellent! It's freshly made sandalwood, five coins a stick! I also have fine red candles!"

As Ji Yuan approached, several stall owners hawked sandalwood incense and candles.

"No, thank you. I'm not here to burn incense."

"No, no, really, it's not necessary..."

At some stalls, two or three people gathered, and the enthusiastic vendors even stepped out to solicit passing devotees, to whom Ji Yuan repeatedly declined.

Furthermore, the incense was exorbitantly priced, with a single stick costing as much as a bowl of noodles elsewhere. And it was likely not just the incense that was overpriced.

The City God Temple was teeming with visitors, with hardly a quiet corner in any of its halls. Ji Yuan walked alongside the throngs of worshippers, observing the many finely dressed individuals offering prayers to the deities.

Most of their petitions were for wealth and gain, and common folk were pitifully scarce among the worshippers.

Standing near Ji Yuan was an elderly temple worker. Observing that Ji Yuan merely walked around and looked without offering incense, he presumed Ji Yuan was a tourist. Although Ji Yuan's attire was not opulent, his bearing was extraordinary. The black jade hairpin in his hair gleamed translucently in the light, clearly an object of immense value.

Seeing that Ji Yuan had stopped moving and had been standing there for a while, the worker approached him and tentatively asked a question.

"Sir, would you like to offer some incense to the City God? If you donate some incense money, the City God will ensure everything goes smoothly for you."

Ji Yuan turned to look at the old man, then at the City God statue.

"Heh heh... Your City God indeed enjoys a flourishing stream of incense, but it's a pity he dare not accept so much of it."

"Uh... what do you mean by that, sir?"

Ji Yuan shook his head.

"There's no profound meaning; it's just the literal sense."

The City God here truly dares not casually accept the votive power accumulated from the incense offered by these worshippers. Most of it comes from requests driven by greed, and this "incense" carries a certain toxicity. Even the divination blocks within the temple would offer no response to certain individuals; their throws would simply be a matter of probability.

"Sir, you speak the truth!"

A sighing voice came from nearby. A middle-aged man, dressed in a dark robe with a black square cap and a sallow complexion, approached and cupped his hands in greeting to Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan returned the respectful greeting.

"How about we talk outside the temple?"

"I'd be honored to."

After this brief exchange, the man and Ji Yuan leisurely walked out of the City God Temple's main hall, one after the other. The temple worker behind them scratched his head, utterly bewildered, thinking, "I've met two strange people today."

They did not leave through the main gate, but instead took a less frequented side entrance and strolled leisurely to a small riverside spot just outside the City God Temple.

Here, people were also enjoying leisurely outings, their playful interactions contributing to an appearance of earthly serenity.

Outside, the man in the dark robe bowed deeply and formally to Ji Yuan once more.

"Sir, with your pale, discerning eyes, your black jade hairpin, and your Daoist essence so deeply internalized it appears to have returned to its natural state, if I'm not mistaken, you must be the legendary Mr. Ji, correct?"

Ji Yuan looked utterly bewildered. "The legendary... Mr. Ji?"

'My reputation is that widespread? It's reached Wanzhou? And what does "legendary" even mean?'

Ji Yuan found it plausible if he had some renown in Jizhou, but this was Wanzhou, after all.

Ji Yuan could only offer a polite smile as he returned the bow.

"I dare not claim such a legendary status, but my name is indeed Ji Yuan. If I am the 'Mr. Ji' you describe and the first to arrive, then it must be me."

"It truly is Mr. Ji! I merely ventured a guess, never imagining I would have the honor of meeting you in person."

City God Li also smiled.

"Dazhen is likely heading into troubled times. It is Dazhen's great fortune to have Mr. Ji to stabilize the four directions."

'Wait, what are you saying?'

Ji Yuan was utterly perplexed by City God Li's words. Had the world changed so drastically during his half-year of slumber?

"City God, could you please clarify? I am completely lost!"

"Before you, Mr. Ji, I dare not be addressed as 'Lord.' Please, sir, do not humble me."

The City God gave a wry smile.

"The human destiny of Dazhen is currently volatile and unpredictable. The hearts of City Gods like myself are as precarious as candles in the wind. Before this..."

"Roar!"

A dragon's roar suddenly echoed from the distant horizon. Both Ji Yuan and the City God changed expression, turning to look at the northern sky.

"Moo... Moo... Roar..." "Rumble..."

Those clearly distressed dragon roars echoing across the sky drew the gaze of many city residents. They saw a mass of rain clouds in the northern sky, from which strange sounds like the roars of giant beasts and the pained moans of old oxen emanated, mingled with flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder.

From a distance, many perceived a cloud in the northern sky that appeared to have descended from the heavens, resembling less a giant serpent and more a dragon.

"Rumble..."

Amidst lightning and thunder, dark clouds swiftly rolled in, darkening the sky.

"Dragon roar" and "dragon cry" are actually distinct concepts. A dragon's roar is long, distant, and majestic, whereas a dragon's cry sounds like an old ox, chaotic and disordered. Clearly, the dragon-jiao creature was in extremely dire straits.

Ji Yuan's initial concern was whether it was the Ying clan, but the timbre of the dragon's roar was clearly not that of the familiar dragon-jiao.

"Where is that?"

"To answer you, Mr. Ji, that sound is coming from the direction of Guangdong Lake, less than a hundred li from here, and it falls within Lishun Prefecture's jurisdiction."

The City God answered Ji Yuan's question with a serious expression.