Two… two divine posts?!
One in the [Plague Department], and one in the [Underworld]?!
“Th-this… th-th-th-this…”
Wang Zhidong swayed, nearly collapsing to the ground. His pupils were quaking, and his lips trembled so violently he couldn’t form a complete sentence.
Could this really still be considered a “mortal”?
Zeng Rou’s entire worldview was also shattered and rebuilt in that instant.
Just who in the world was this Cult Leader before them?!
—Dual Deity Worship!?
This wasn’t as simple as merely worshipping two deities.
If that were the case, then everyone in the world would be practicing dual-deity worship, triple-deity worship, or even hundred-deity worship.
The standard for Dual Deity Worship was: achieving at least 30% divine favor from two different deities.
That was what qualified as [Dual Deity Worship].
But forget 30%—even reaching 10% was a height that countless people could never attain in their entire lifetimes.
Even so, Zeng Rou didn’t find the concept of [Dual Deity Worship] completely beyond belief.
However… one person holding two divine posts simultaneously—at least within her limited knowledge—was utterly unheard of!
Seeing them so shocked, Lu Chen simply smiled and continued: “So as long as you put your hearts into your work, there will be plenty of rewards for you in the future. If you’re interested, you can even worship the deities of the Underworld as well, and in time, you’ll naturally master another divine ability.”
“Thank you, Cult Leader!!”
The two prostrated themselves once more, their voices trembling with barely contained emotion.
Lu Chen shifted gears: “But you don’t need to worry that these two endeavors won’t take off. As long as you give it your all, you’ll have divine assistance and abundant wealth. Because… besides the [Plague Department] and the [Underworld], the most honored among the Five Directional Wealth-Gods of the Heavenly Court’s [Wealth Department]—[Lord Wealth-God]—happens to be my sworn elder brother. With His help, our ventures are sure to sail smoothly!”
BOOM!!!!!!
At this moment, the air seemed to freeze solid.
Zeng Rou and Wang Zhidong were once again paralyzed in place.
Besides the [Plague Department] and the [Underworld]…
One of the Five Directional Wealth-Gods—[Lord Wealth-God]—was also the Cult Leader’s sworn brother?!
Faced with this cascade of mind-shattering, nuclear-blast-level information, their psychological defenses finally crumbled completely. With a crackling sound, it was as if something inside them had shattered into dust.
Wang Zhidong’s eyes were glazed over as he muttered: “C-Cult Leader… y-your subordinate dares to ask… which honored deity from the heavens have you descended from? Could it be… could you be the legendary… the Great Bear himself descended to the mortal realm?”
Zeng Rou nodded vigorously. In her view, aside from this explanation, there was simply no other plausible possibility.
Lu Chen: “…”
He waved his hand casually: “Alright, I’m not saying all this to show off. I have only one purpose—to make you understand that running a cult is a dead end. As long as you follow me and work hard, your future prospects will far exceed your imagination.”
“Yes! Your subordinates would give their lives without hesitation and follow the Cult Leader’s lead!!”
If their previous vows of loyalty had carried a hint of calculation and testing, then at this moment, those words came straight from the depths of their hearts, pure and untainted.
To be fair, compared to the Cult Leader’s heaven-piercing, earth-shattering background, that so-called Ancient Gu Ancestor was practically a nobody on the side of the road.
Who would have thought that even among deities, there could be such a vast gap?
Damn, that’s way too awesome!!!
My most revered Cult Leader!!!
“Please rest assured, Cult Leader. Your subordinate will spare no effort to share your burdens and work together toward our great cause!”
“Good, very good.”
“Oh, by the way, Cult Leader—your subordinate also has something to offer you!”
As she spoke, Zeng Rou produced an ancient-looking ring in her hand and respectfully handed it over.
“A Sumeru Ring?”
“Indeed. This ring contains part of the Raksha Cult’s assets. It’s just that the Demon-Suppression Army came so fast and so fiercely that I simply didn’t have enough time to gather more. As a result, the majority of the cult’s wealth fell into their hands. Please forgive me, Cult Leader.”
“No matter. Under those circumstances, escaping with your life is the top priority.” Lu Chen took the ring and examined it briefly, immediately recognizing that its quality far surpassed his own. “What’s inside?”
“Reporting to the Cult Leader—there are some rare treasures, gold and silver valuables, some heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and currency. Roughly estimated, converted to cash, it amounts to about one and a half billion.”
“H-how much? One and a half billion?!”
“Your subordinate has failed in her duties. Please punish me, Cult Leader!” Seeing Lu Chen’s reaction, Zeng Rou thought he was dissatisfied and hurriedly moved to kneel again.
Lu Chen quickly stepped forward and helped her up with a smile: “Oh, Elder Zeng, you’ve just solved a huge problem for me!”
He had been worrying that while his military merits were nearly sufficient, he was still far short on construction funds. He never expected that just as he was dozing off, someone would deliver a pillow.
—This was a whole one and a half billion!
This takeover of the Raksha Cult’s remnants was like the First Emperor of Qin touching an electric wire—he’d won so hard it was ridiculous!
“Alright! Let’s call today’s meeting here. I’ll arrange accommodations for you.”
“Cult Leader, don’t trouble yourself. As long as the shackles on us are removed, I’ll handle the settlement arrangements for the followers myself. You needn’t worry about it.”
Zeng Rou clasped her fists.
Lu Chen thought for a moment and felt this was a good idea—it would also give him a chance to see Zeng Rou’s actual management skills.
“Fine. I’ll transfer fifty million to your account shortly as initial funding. I’ll replenish it gradually as we go.”
“Yes, Cult Leader!”
“Let’s go, time to eat. Today is our Ji Shi Tang’s very first group team-building event. Everyone, relax and have a good time!”
Zeng Rou and Wang Zhidong exchanged a glance.
They knew that from this moment on, the Raksha Cult had become history.
In its place would rise a completely transformed, infinitely promising—Ji Shi Tang!
…
Afterward, Lu Chen called Sun Yourong and asked her to arrange for ten to twenty buses to come pick everyone up at Nanshan Estate.
The Sun family already ran catering and hotel businesses in Jiangdu City anyway. Since they were going to treat everyone to a meal anyway, why not let the Sun family earn that money?
Lu Chen directly booked all the rooms in the Sun family’s two largest hotels, giving the three thousand-plus people a place to stay for a few days.
Before long, buses began arriving one after another.
Lu Chen led the three thousand cult followers, along with all the neighbors from Nanshan Estate, in a grand procession to the hotel. Since it was a gathering, why not bring the neighbors along and have a good time together?
Afterward, the enormous banquet hall of the Sun Family Hotel was packed to capacity. Glasses clinked and the atmosphere was lively.
The banquet continued until nine in the evening before breaking up.
Watching the distant taillights fade away, Wang Zhidong, standing at the hotel entrance, glanced at Zeng Rou, whose gaze still followed the direction Lu Chen had departed. He asked in a low voice: “Elder Zeng… what do you make of everything that happened today?”
Zeng Rou withdrew her gaze and turned to Wang Zhidong, her eyes shining with a light never seen before: “Elder Wang… we’ve finally found a wise master. We’ve truly made it ashore!”
Wang Zhidong had never seen such a bright, dazzling gleam in Zeng Rou’s eyes before.
He nodded heavily: “Yeah!!!”
…
After sending his parents and little sister back to Nanshan Estate, Lu Chen returned alone to Yunding Manor.
“Another busy day!”
He stretched his limbs, his gaze falling on the three divine statues before him and that special memorial tablet.
—Lord Wealth-God.
—King Yama.
—The Plague Sovereign Heavenly Emperor.
“I’ll contact my elder brother first. It’s been a while since we last talked.”
Lu Chen took out some incense sticks and respectfully inserted them into the burner.
As the curling blue smoke rose, the statues began to radiate a soft golden glow.
Lord Wealth-God’s familiar, dignified divine voice echoed in his mind: “Virtuous Brother…”
“Elder Brother!” Lu Chen clasped his fists with a smile: “I’ve come to you today with some good news to report!”
“Oh? What good news?” There was a hint of surprise in Lord Wealth-God’s tone.
“Hehe, I just need to complete one more task, and I’ll be able to advance to the rank of New Noble and establish my own temple!”
“So fast?” Lord Wealth-God’s voice rose noticeably: “Could it be that!?”
“Exactly—that ‘Heaven’s Killing Intent’ mission has already been resolved by me!”
Lu Chen patted his chest and laughed.
But from the statue’s side, there was only brief silence.
Lu Chen raised an eyebrow slightly: “Elder Brother?”
“Oh… Virtuous Brother is truly divine! You actually managed to complete it?” Lord Wealth-God’s voice finally filled with belated joy.
“It was all thanks to Elder Brother’s guidance, telling me to seek King Yama’s help—that’s the only reason I managed to complete it by luck.” Lu Chen said modestly, clasping his fists.
“Not at all, not at all. I didn’t really do much this time. But Virtuous Brother, since you’ve succeeded, you must have already dealt with the [Plague Department], right?”
“Your younger brother dares not hide anything from you, Elder Brother. The full story is this…”
Before Lord Wealth-God, Lu Chen held nothing back. He recounted the entire sequence of events, including how he had taken over the Raksha Cult, in complete detail.
“Slaying a prefect-level City God? Becoming the Plague-Spreading Young Lord? And taking over a mortal cult affiliated with a minor soldier of the [Plague Department]? Virtuous Brother, I never imagined your recent experiences would be so spectacular!”
Even Lord Wealth-God needed considerable effort to digest this story after hearing it.
“To be honest with you, Elder Brother—slaying that City God was far beyond what I ever expected. The Raksha Cult matter was the same. But I always felt that the Plague Sovereign Heavenly Emperor must have been aware of the Raksha Cult’s foundations. After all, a hundred days in the Heavenly Court isn’t exactly a short span of time.”
Lu Chen said no more than necessary.
With his elder brother’s wisdom, he would naturally understand what he meant.
It was very likely that the Plague Sovereign Heavenly Emperor had intended to use the Raksha Cult as a means to fulfill certain targets for the [Plague Department] in the mortal realm.
“Since this matter is already in the past, there’s no need to dwell on it further. What matters most is that you’ve gained a great deal from this, Virtuous Brother.”
“Hehe, Elder Brother is right.” Lu Chen smiled and steered the conversation back to business: “Elder Brother, when I establish my temple, what specifications would you like for your shrine? What do you think of these statue designs?”
Earlier, on the way to the hotel, Lu Chen had asked Zeng Rou to drive while he sketched several versions of the statue design.
He turned his palm over, presenting several drawings before the statue.
In the drawings, Lord Wealth-God’s statue exuded an air of noble elegance, fully embodying the majesty and dignity of an imperial deity.
“Little Brother, I…”
He never expected that Lu Chen, having made the promise not long ago, was already close to fulfilling it.
And what’s more—he was very likely the very first one Lu Chen had asked.
Lu Chen smiled: “Elder Brother, a true man’s word is his bond. I said I would build you a temple and gild your statue, and I absolutely will!”
Hearing this, Lord Wealth-God’s voice couldn’t help but carry a noticeable tremor of emotion: “Good! Good!!…”
