The two of them walked to a quiet spot off to the side.
Lu Chen cupped his fists solemnly. “I truly must thank you for your help this time, sir!”
Li Chenghuang smiled and returned the gesture. “The general is too kind. This official was merely mending the fold after the sheep had already escaped.”
Having said that, he shifted his tone slightly, his expression showing a hint of confusion. “However, I just heard the general mention that this Five Hells Immortality Technique actually has two immortality quotas. What is the mystery behind that? To my shame, my knowledge of such evil arts is truly limited.”
Lu Chen nodded slightly, then briefly explained the essentials of the Five Hells Immortality Technique.
“So that’s how it is!” Li Chenghuang suddenly understood, but his frown only deepened. “I never imagined such an evil art would hide such a secret. According to this, the other culprit is still at large… If it truly proves too troublesome, perhaps you might allow this official to rest for a few days, and then I can use the City God’s secret technique to investigate carefully once more. Last time, it was only because my strength fell short that I had to stop midway. Next time, I will surely follow the previous trail and dig all the way to the bottom.”
“That absolutely will not do!” Lu Chen hurriedly raised his hand to stop him. “This technique damages one’s lifespan. How could this junior dare trouble the City God again? Had I known it would cost such a price, I would never have come to disturb you.”
With that, he cupped his fists again and spoke earnestly. “Your concern for the common people is truly admirable!”
“The general praises me too much.” Li Chenghuang waved modestly. “May I ask what the general plans to do next? Is there any way this official can be of service?”
“Not for the time being.” Lu Chen paused briefly, then spoke frankly. “To be honest, I have already asked the Kitchen God to lend a hand. The true culprit should reveal themselves before long.”
“The Kitchen God? Could you mean… the East Kitchen Director of Destiny, Lord Kitchen God?”
“Exactly.”
Li Chenghuang looked surprised. “If I remember correctly, the Kitchen God, being a household deity, has had his incense offerings cut off for many years…”
“Indeed.” Lu Chen nodded. “I spoke with the Kitchen God at length. His natal treasure, the [Smoke and Fire Register], has lacked the nourishment of smoke and fire for so long that it cannot currently display its power. However… this junior has a way to rekindle that treasure. Once the [Smoke and Fire Register] regains its divine ability, the truth will naturally come to light.”
“Oh?” A flicker of astonishment passed through Li Chenghuang’s eyes, and he smiled. “The general is indeed young and accomplished, possessing such heaven-reaching means. No wonder the Yama King was willing to take you as a godson, and even the Great Emperor of Pestilence and Plague looks upon you with favor.”
Those words could not help but remind Lu Chen of the old incident on City God Street.
Li Chenghuang seized the moment to cup his fists again. “General, regarding the matter on City God Street that day, this official did indeed offend you. But the Prefectural City God had given orders beforehand. As a subordinate, I truly had no choice. I hope the general will forgive me!”
Lu Chen smiled. “No need to bring up the past. Your righteous action today has already made this junior see you in a new light.”
Having said that, he looked around and lowered his voice. “There are no outsiders here now. This junior would like to say a few private words to you, sir. May I?”
Li Chenghuang’s expression turned serious. He gave his sleeve a light flick, and an invisible barrier quietly enveloped the area around them.
“General, speak freely!”
Lu Chen gazed at the other for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “You are noble and upright, sir, and your heart is tied to the people. It is truly admirable. However…”
His tone suddenly shifted. “Forgive this junior for speaking bluntly, but you were willing to damage your own lifespan to use a secret technique and help. I fear… there is another reason as well, isn’t there?”
“This…” Li Chenghuang gave an awkward laugh. “Well…”
“You may speak freely, sir.”
“Then… very well!” Li Chenghuang seemed to make up his mind, and his eyes burned brightly. “To be honest, this official does indeed have a request!”
With that, he bowed solemnly again. When he rose, his expression had turned grave. “This official begs the general to put in a good word on my behalf!”
“A good word?” Lu Chen’s expression did not change. “Could you mean… the position of Prefectural City God?”
“Exactly!” Li Chenghuang admitted frankly.
So that was it.
Ever since the former Prefectural City God was executed, the position had remained vacant.
At present, City God Street in Qianjiang City depended entirely on Old Yama’s fruition to hold things together.
But that was never a long-term solution. Sooner or later, a new Prefectural City God would have to be appointed.
Lu Chen laughed. “I’m afraid you’ve found the wrong person, sir. How could the appointment or dismissal of Jiang Province’s Prefectural City God be something this junior has a say in? Besides, that position should be decided by the Capital City God. But after the last City God Street incident, if the Capital City God learns that I interfered, I fear he will only grow more resentful. How could there be any reason for me to put in a good word?”
Li Chenghuang waved his hands repeatedly. “The general does not know. Although the City God system is under the dual jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court and the Netherworld, the appointments and dismissals of Prefectural City Gods and even Capital City Gods are in truth still determined by the Great Emperor of Fengdu in the Netherworld.
Just as the Five Directional Ghost Emperors and the Ten Halls of Yama are likewise appointed by the Supreme One.”
Lu Chen’s brows rose slightly. “So that’s how it is. I thought the Prefectural City God was decided by the Capital City God…
But even so, I fear this junior still cannot help. Although I have some friendship with the Yama King, before the Supreme One, I am lowly and my words carry little weight. How would I dare overstep?
Besides, you also know, sir, that given our current status and level, I cannot even make an offering to the Great Emperor of Fengdu.”
Li Chenghuang smiled. “This official naturally understands that.”
He hesitated slightly, and his expression became cautious. “General, there are some words that have been circling in this official’s heart for a long time. I fear speaking them may seem presumptuous.”
“Just speak plainly, sir.”
“Very well!” Li Chenghuang nodded. “After the Prefectural City God incident, this official saw how deeply the general is valued by several venerable gods, especially by the Pestilence Department.
Therefore, I surmised that when the Five Directional Plague Envoys broke through the boundary that day, they likely did not come solely for Madam Zheng’s Hundred Flowers divine post.
If the Pestilence Department truly intended to grant her a divine post, why wait until then?
That being the case, the truth becomes obvious…”
He lowered his voice. “The Pestilence Department’s trip was likely for the general himself!
Otherwise, why would the Star Lord have slain the Prefectural City God?
It must surely be because the Prefectural City God had killing intent first, which displeased the Star Lord, and so he was slain.
Yet this also precisely shows just how heavy your weight is in the hearts of the Pestilence Department, especially in the eyes of the Great Emperor of Pestilence and Plague.
Moreover, the fact that everything later settled down calmly also shows this clearly.
This official heard that the Capital City God once went to the Netherworld to lodge a complaint.
Yet it was suppressed by the Supreme One.
That is enough to show the Star Lord must have reached some kind of tacit understanding with the Supreme One. So…”
Li Chenghuang smiled and looked at Lu Chen. “General, at this point, do you still think you cannot have a say?”
Lu Chen looked deeply at the other.
He had said before that this Li Chenghuang was quite deep and calculating.
Those words just now proved it exactly!
He seemed much smarter than that one-track-minded Prefectural City God.
Secretly drawing a breath, Lu Chen smiled calmly. “Since you have spoken this far, sir, then this junior will not hide it either. That’s right. I am now not only the Netherworld’s Majestic and Virtuous General, but also hold the post of Pestilence-Bearing Young Master in the Pestilence Department.”
“What?!” Upon hearing this, Li Chenghuang’s pupils violently trembled, and his face filled with disbelief.
He stood dazed for a moment, then hurriedly stepped back and bowed deeply. “So it is the Lord Above who has graced us with his presence! This subordinate has been disrespectful. I beg the Lord Above to forgive me!”
“There is no need for that, sir.”
“No, no, no! With the Lord Above present, how would this subordinate dare overstep? This subordinate is Li Qingyuan, a native of Xieliàng in Hedong. The Lord Above may simply call me Qingyuan.” Li Chenghuang was trembling with fear, his manner utterly humble.
Seeing this, Lu Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Sir, although this junior has received a divine post, I am still only a mortal. Besides, you are still my local official. How about… this! Let the two of us address each other separately, all right?”
“This…”
“It’s settled then!”
“I respectfully obey the Lord Above’s command!” Only then did Li Chenghuang straighten up, but his bearing was clearly even more respectful.
Lu Chen paused briefly in thought. “Since the words have come this far… fine. This seat can indeed put in a few good words for you…”
Li Chenghuang immediately became excited. “Many thanks…”
“Hold your joy for now.” Lu Chen raised a hand to stop him. “Let me say the ugly part first. I will say what I can say, but as for the result, this seat absolutely dares not guarantee it.”
“That is only natural! For the Lord Above to be willing to open his golden mouth is already this subordinate’s greatest honor!”
With that, Li Chenghuang turned his palm over, and a token flowing with brilliant light appeared.
“Please accept this, Lord Above.”
“What is this?”
“This is the Jiangdu City God Token. Whoever holds this token may freely enter and leave City God Street, and may also mobilize all the Yin officials on this street. If the Lord Above does not disdain it, Qingyuan is also willing to serve and be driven by you!”
—What?
Lu Chen’s heart shook.
Letting a dignified state City God be his underling?
This style seemed a bit off…
Although previously the Well Dragon King, the Earth God, and even Seventh and Eighth Lords had treated him with great respect.
But Li Chenghuang was completely different.
After all, the man was a registered deity of the Netherworld. Though his rank was not high, he was a genuine orthodox god.
He wanted to be his underling?
No, wait. This guy was way too direct! Way too desperate?!
…
“Besides, this City God Token is also a protective treasure, and it carries the divine ability of earth escape. When the Lord Above holds this token within Jiangdu’s territory, he can borrow earth escape to travel a thousand miles in an instant. Unfortunately, this subordinate’s rank is low, so once this token leaves Jiangdu, it will be difficult for it to display its divine power. I hope the Lord Above will be understanding.”
“This gift is far too valuable…”
“Why should the Lord Above be so formal? From now on, within Jiangdu’s territory, if there is any command, Qingyuan will certainly carry it out. If I am favored by the Lord Above, and one day truly ascend to the position of Prefectural City God, then within all of Jiang Province, whoever dares show the Lord Above disrespect, Qingyuan will be the first to refuse!”
Li Chenghuang’s words were earnest, and he already seemed to be declaring his loyalty.
Lu Chen said nothing outwardly, but inwardly he was weighing the matter.
If he really took a state City God as his underling and helped him rise to the position of Prefectural City God,
it would indeed be greatly beneficial to him.
After all, having a regional governor in the underworld—there was no doubt about the value of that.
And after giving the City God Token, Li Chenghuang still was not done.
Immediately afterward, he turned his palm again and produced three brocade boxes…
