Chapter 34: Good Like

Ji Yuan knew his question was foolish, but it was something he had to figure out eventually, and it didn't matter who he asked.

But why had the old City God suddenly become inexplicably respectful again? It was a subtle feeling; the old City God no longer spoke with the same casualness as before.

The old City God systematically recounted the historical information he knew, interspersed with unofficial histories from various dynasties of the country, descriptions of surrounding landscapes and local customs. He also deliberately included details about changes in place names that he was aware of.

Unlike the previous confusion surrounding immortals and monsters, this narrative clearly gave Ji Yuan a much clearer understanding of the world, at least on the mortal plane, making it significantly more intuitive and distinct.

The current country was vast, comprising thirteen prefectures. The present Dazhen dynasty had stood for two hundred years, with the throne now held by the eighth ruler, Emperor Yuande. Before Dazhen, there were nine dynasties, including Wu, Tong, Chu, and Kuang. Even further back, this land was part of a great dynasty.

The old City God paused slightly in his narration before speaking again.

"According to historical records, that great dynasty was called Da Zhou."

"Da Zhou?"

Ji Yuan's spirits noticeably lifted, but he simply smiled it off. This "Da Zhou" was not the one he had imagined; its geography, mountains, and historical changes were all different.

The old City God stroked his beard and nodded.

"Indeed. However, that dynasty is so ancient, and the world's changes are so vast that even we earthly gods cannot fully recount them. The immensity of the world is beyond words, and as the saying goes, 'there is a heaven beyond heaven,' meaning not everything can be known!"

Ji Yuan also nodded in agreement.

"The City God speaks wisely!"

From their conversation, Ji Yuan learned that the position of City God was one of the divine earthly deities most deeply intertwined with the human world, and its changes were the most frequent.

Taking Ning'an County as an example, the previous City God was surnamed Li. Later, when the current dynasty overthrew the old system, and Ning'an County produced a high-ranking official named Song Shichang who brought glory to his ancestors, the emperor posthumously honored him after his death, designating him as the City God of Ning'an County and ordering local officials to build a temple and shrine for him.

As for the original City God, if their cultivation was profound, they might find another path. But if their cultivation was insufficient, they would gradually lose their incense power, with their dao cultivation regressing instead of advancing, making complete dissipation a possibility.

This didn't mean that emperors in this world possessed the power to decree things into existence; ultimately, it was the power of incense offerings and the people's wishes that determined everything.

Of course, it was normal for many City Gods to remain unchanged through several dynasties. Firstly, human emperors weren't that idle; posthumous honors for meritorious officials were merely a way to reward. Secondly, mortal emperors simply didn't understand matters concerning gods and monsters.

Even so, the City Gods and their respective dynasties shared a fate of mutual prosperity or decline. Although separated by yin and yang, City Gods would mostly strive to protect the people of their jurisdiction, preventing evil spirits from causing chaos.

After all, those appointed as City Gods, whether by imperial decree or popular nomination for temple construction, were mostly renowned, respected, and virtuous. This position also affected their own cultivation.

However, just as mortal officials cannot oversee everything, City Gods cannot fully investigate all hidden demons and evil creatures, and sometimes they are powerless to resist.

Interestingly, while City Gods and dynasties had a close relationship, they were not, after all, subjects of the emperor. Separated by yin and yang, they simply didn't concern themselves with mortal affairs in that way.

To put it plainly, even the powerful figures of a dynasty were mostly just mortals. They couldn't see ghosts or spirits, and their power couldn't breach the yin-yang barrier. Besides reading tales of the supernatural, very few even knew about City Gods, immortals, or demons. To them, these were just clay statues in temples or characters in books.

Ji Yuan and the old City God chatted and drank tea on the third floor of Miaowai Tower, enjoying the scenery outside. Time unknowingly slipped away in their pleasant conversation, and before they knew it, it was noon.

Ji Yuan had obtained a lot of crucial information, and the old City God felt he had gained a certain understanding of Mr. Ji. Their conversation for the day was nearing its end.

The old City God had originally suggested Ji Yuan have lunch at Miaowai Tower, but after chatting and eating a table full of snacks and pastries until noon, Ji Yuan had no desire for lunch at all.

Naturally, after leaving Miaowai Tower, the two prepared to part ways.

"City God, thank you for your hospitality today!"

"Mr. Ji, not at all. Your stay here is a blessing to Ning'an County. The books you requested will be delivered to Juyan Pavilion as soon as possible; please rest assured!"

"Many thanks, City God!"

"Very well, then we shall speak again another day. For now, let us part ways!"

As the old City God spoke, he bowed slightly towards Ji Yuan, who returned the gesture in farewell.

"Until we speak again!"

After exchanging bows and nods, the old City God walked with a carefree stride towards the City God Temple. Ji Yuan watched him go halfway before smiling and turning to head home.

Although the City God Temple was a lively place, its fairs were held at night. He didn't need to offer incense, so going home, brushing his teeth, and waiting for the books to arrive was the sensible thing to do.

'I wonder if the City God's books will be special. Can my almost-blind eyes read them directly? If not, I'll have to find someone to read them, or ask the City God to arrange for an underworld official to help.'

At the entrance of a nearby alley, Yin Zhaoxian was about to lead Yin Qing out by the hand when Yin Qing suddenly clutched his father's hand tightly and refused to move.

Yin Zhaoxian felt his son pulling him back, and he turned with a frown to look at Yin Qing.

"What's wrong?"

"Father... over there, that Elder is over there!"

"Elder?"

Yin Zhaoxian looked in the direction his son pointed, towards Miaowai Tower. He didn't know who this "Elder" was, but his attention was immediately drawn to Ji Yuan and the old City God. Their demeanor and appearance truly stood out like cranes among chickens.

"Qing'er, which one is the Elder you're talking about? Did you see clearly? Don't mistake him for someone else."

"The one in the green robe, bowing to that old gentleman! I saw him very clearly; I absolutely won't be mistaken!"

Yin Qing remained behind his father, peeking his head out of the alley to look at both Ji Yuan and the old man.

Yin Zhaoxian looked again at the two figures outside Miaowai Tower; they had already parted ways, one heading towards the City God Temple, the other leaving via a different path. They both seemed normal, but since his son was so afraid, a father would still consider his son's feelings.

"All right, they've left. Let's go to the City God Temple!"

"Okay!"

Yin Zhaoxian sighed. He suddenly felt that his son might have been mistaken earlier; both men were unfamiliar but carried themselves with exceptional grace. They certainly didn't look like sinister individuals.

'Who is this old man? I should know all the prominent figures in Ning'an County. Could he be a stranger from out of town?'

Leading Yin Qing out of the alley towards the City God Temple, the father and son could still see the ink-robed old man, who had just bowed to Ji Yuan, in their line of sight ahead.

With a subtle psychological inclination, both father and son quickened their steps slightly, as if wanting to get closer to the old gentleman.

"Incense for sale! Fine sandalwood incense! Enter the temple to worship the City God, offer three sticks of incense! Fine sandalwood incense for sale!"

A vendor at the temple entrance was shouting, selling sandalwood incense.

"Give me three sticks of incense."

"Alright, here you go. Be careful not to break them!"

Yin Zhaoxian gave the vendor one coin. From paying to receiving the incense, his eyes remained fixed on the old man ahead. Once he had the incense, he led Yin Qing into the temple.

"Hmm? He's gone? Qing'er, did you see where he went just now?"

"No, I haven't seen him since he entered the temple... Father, could it be a ghost..."

"Nonsense! This is the City God Temple!"

Yin Zhaoxian sternly reprimanded Yin Qing, then pulled him towards the main hall. This City God Temple wasn't large; the front hall housed the City God's various departments, and the main hall was where the City God resided. Perhaps the old man had gone directly to the main hall.

However, after passing through the front hall, he still didn't see the old man. There were a fair number of people coming and going to offer incense to the City God, but not so many that he wouldn't notice someone. He looked towards the back door in a corner of the temple courtyard; the two wooden doors were closed, not appearing as if anyone had exited. Moreover, that area was the temple caretaker's residence and not easily accessible.

'How truly strange...'

Even inside the City God Temple, Yin Zhaoxian felt a little unnerved.

"Qing'er, let's pay our respects to the City God!"

Yin Zhaoxian cast aside his wild thoughts and led Yin Qing into the main hall, taking a light from the temple caretaker's incense and candle stand to ignite the sandalwood incense.

First, he placed the sandalwood incense in the censer, then father and son knelt on the cushions and prayed devoutly.

After worshipping the City God, as Yin Zhaoxian stood up to leave, he found Yin Qing still kneeling there, staring blankly at the clay statue of the City God.

"What's wrong, Qing'er?"

"Father... he looks so much like him..."

Yin Qing whispered.