If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1068 Case Closure and Battle of Wits

Tu Ji swallowed hard, not daring to sit in the old chair behind the table, but standing with his hands hanging down beside Old Mother Qiushan.

"Someone, bring Li Shi, Sun Dalang, and the Earth Goddess here."

Immediately, ghost messengers led the three to the main hall.

"Ah, Grandma~~~"

Li had been hanging her head, looking rather lost and listless.

Upon seeing "Old Mother Qiushan," her eyes immediately filled with tears, and she became emotional.

Xiaoyu smiled and nodded at her.

Although she didn't speak, seeing the "kind smile" on her face calmed Li down and made her feel more energetic.

"King Chen Sheng~~" the Earth Goddess also called out, very excited.

King Chen Sheng twitched the corners of his mouth, his smile more like a grimace.

Sun Dalang looked around with a puzzled expression, glancing back and forth between "Old Mother Qiushan" and the other immortals.

Previously, in Xiaoyu's demonic eye ghost realm, Tuji watched the entire process of "Yu Chenghuang" judging the case.

I know in my heart what stage the case is at.

At this moment, the real protagonist, King Chen Sheng, arrived. Without wasting words, he said directly: "Yu Xichi killed someone in public and even threatened to destroy the Sun family. This matter has a very bad influence."

They should remove him from his position as the local deity and send him to the underworld of Fengdu, where the Emperor of Fengdu will judge his crimes.

Then spread the complete account of this case throughout the countryside, so that the gods may take it as a warning to others.

While upholding the law and punishing wrongdoing, it is also necessary to make the mortals of Fuli County aware that under the laws of Heaven, even gods cannot act recklessly.

However, Shinto also obeys the 'royal command'.

Today, the area of ​​Dazexiang, spanning hundreds of miles, is under the jurisdiction of King Chen Sheng.

The Mandate of Heaven for King Chen Sheng is the 'Royal Mandate'.

Tu Ji looked at Chen Sheng and asked, "King Chen Sheng, are you willing to risk your destiny to protect Yu Xichi?"

"You must protect me, Your Majesty, save me!" Before Tu Ji could finish speaking, the Earth Goddess cried out with longing in her eyes.

As soon as Tu Ji finished speaking, Chen Sheng hurriedly shouted, "I have only met the Earth God a few times, and we are not in a relationship of ruler and subject. Moreover, I have not yet established a state and ruled, so I dare not interfere with the judgment of the underworld with 'royal decree'."

If Yu Xichi is truly guilty, let the ghosts and gods of the underworld go to Tianzhu Peak and capture him!

The land goddess was dumbfounded.

If Chen Sheng wouldn't even protect her dead husband, then there's no need to worry about her.

Sure enough, Chen Sheng glanced at her and then said, "I know nothing about the matter of the Land Goddess, and I should not interfere."

Fuqiu Gong's face was cold and stern, and a dark cloud appeared in his eyes.

If we had kept our distance from Yu Xichi from the beginning, the City God and his spirits would have had no reason to come knocking.

Humans and ghosts are on different paths.

Chen Sheng's refusal to associate with ghosts and gods was also a matter of principle.

But now that Yu Xichi has been allowed to enter Tianzhu Peak, and has caused such a commotion, showing his cold-heartedness and lack of responsibility in front of dozens of extraordinary people on Tianzhu Peak, who will dare to entrust their loyalty to him in the future?
—This Chen Sheng is destined for failure; he's just a vanguard for the king!
Not only Fuqiu Gong, but also several other great immortals, including Meng Qi, made their own judgments.

Of course, they were not disappointed.

They already knew that Chen Sheng was not the possessor of the "southeast imperial aura".

Chen Sheng's destiny lay solely in initiating a change of dynasty and a reform of humanity.

However, given his current performance and the subsequent impact of this matter, even the destiny that is about to unfold may be affected.

For the previous ten years, Chen Sheng had not experienced any major tests of human nature.

Extraordinary people only knew that he was destined for greatness and was a great hero. They never truly glimpsed his true nature.

Today, even a small case involving a landlady has revealed his true nature and magnanimity.

Thinking of this, Fuqiu Gong glanced at Yu Fengxian with a gloomy look in his eyes.

This is also why he foresaw that his predetermined destiny was threatened.

Even if Yu Fengxian herself did not intend to undermine Chen Sheng's destiny or eliminate threats to the Qin Dynasty, her actions undeniably damaged Chen Sheng's prestige and thus affected the predetermined fate.

She was the Grand Tutor of the Qin Dynasty, and she was caught in a great calamity, her fate beyond her control.

Whether she liked it or not, "fate" would bring her into conflict with various anti-Qin warlords.

This was a normal development of fate guided by the calamity. However, Yu Fengxian was too wicked; while drifting along with fate, she was also able to repeatedly alter the course of destiny.

For players like them who excel at ko fights, these kinds of pieces are the most detestable.

It would be best to get her to leave the chessboard on her own.

If she doesn't understand fate, then all the other players will only be able to make her the first piece to be captured.

Tu Chenghuang could sense the undercurrents between Qiushan Laomu and several great immortals.

He just wanted to stay far away from it.

If the Land Lady case is resolved sooner, they will naturally leave.

After confirming Chen Sheng's attitude again, he immediately made a judgment: "Wu Pan, it is a complete misunderstanding that King Chen Sheng used the 'royal order' to protect Yuxi Pond."

King Chen Sheng had nothing to do with this case.

We shall immediately send King Chen Sheng back to Tianzhu Peak in the eight-horse carriage of our prefecture.

At the same time, Yu Xichi from Tianzhu Peak was brought back to justice, and this prefecture decreed that his divine status be abolished and his soul be cast into the underworld of Fengdu.

His crimes and sentence were reported to the Taishan Underworld by the Chief Clerk, awaiting final review.

After saying that, he looked at Old Mother Qiushan.

Even in the Xisha region outside of China, if a formally registered ghost or deity gets into trouble, the underworld will conduct a thorough investigation.

For example, during their time at Hengsha Pass, Chi Miao and Lao Luo entered Xiao Yu's dream to try and summon her soul, but she killed Lao Luo with her Tiger Roar Blade. Afterwards, Chi Miao's superior, the chief inspector of the Western Shu region, "Great God Song," was held accountable by the underworld and was eventually demoted to the Northern Wilderness.

The treatment of serving as an inspector in the northern wilderness is vastly different from that of serving in the prosperous western Shu.

The Earth God also has a formal divine hierarchy.

The City God can judge and punish the local earth gods, but the results of the judgment must be sent to the underworld of Mount Tai for final approval.

Seeing that the Old Mother of Qiushan nodded almost imperceptibly, Tu Chenghuang breathed a sigh of relief, turned to the Earth Goddess, and continued: "The Earth Goddess believes that she and Yu Xichi have not been husband and wife for three hundred years, and now their marital affection has also vanished."

However, she and Sun Dalang from Sanhe Village were mutually in love.

"This court grants your wish. The Earth Goddess will be stripped of her divine position and become husband and wife with Sun Dalang!"

"My lord, my divine position was hard-won, and I have never neglected my duties in the past."

The land goddess wanted to protest again, but Sun Dalang, who was next to her, also shouted at the same time: "The City God is wise, thank you for your kindness! Biluo and I are very satisfied and will definitely convey your justice and benevolence to the villagers."

The Earth Goddess's expression was twisted and ferocious; her eyes glared at Sun Dalang as if she wanted to devour him. The City God turned to the other immortals and asked, "Regarding the Sun family case in Sanhe Village, what guidance do you, Old Mother Qiushan and all the immortals, have?"

Xiao Yu said calmly, "Evil should be punished and good should be rewarded! Li Shi braved dangers and crossed the line between life and death, all to save her husband and family. Such a kind and righteous person deserves praise."

Tu Chenghuang glanced down at the Book of Life and Death and said, "Indeed, you deserve a reward of 15 points of Yin merit! I wonder if you should save it for the next life or exchange it for the three blessings of 'Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity' in this life?"

Xiao Yu said, "Your lifespan will be increased by five cycles (sixty years), a blessing."

She made a slight calculation with her right hand and then laughed again, “As the Taoist Ancestor said, Heaven has no favorites, but always favors the virtuous.”

Why should we judge the Li family's fortune, prosperity, and longevity? Fate has already ordained them.

When Xiaoyu, with the Heavenly Mandate in his mouth, uttered "five more cycles to add to lifespan," the City God was shocked to see the page belonging to the Li family in the Book of Life and Death, and immediately rewrote the lifespan.

He went from dying of heart failure and tuberculosis at the age of nineteen to enjoying his old age and passing away peacefully at the age of eighty.

But when Xiaoyu finished saying the last sentence, "Fate is predetermined and doesn't need their judgment," Li's page changed again, with all three of the lifespan, fortune, and destiny altered.

Even the pages of the Book of Life and Death, which records Li's life, have changed.

Originally, the pages of Li's book emitted a faint grayish-white light, but now they are tinged with wisps of blue light.

Gray and white represent ordinary people, while cyan represents people of great nobility.

The Li family's destiny has become "noble"!

How could this be?
Judging from the intentions of the Old Mother of Qiushan, she originally planned to bring blessings and longevity to Li.

Later, for some reason, she suddenly changed her mind. Was fate predetermined, and she no longer needed to make the decision?

The city god was filled with doubt and unease.

The five immortals beside him were stunned for a moment, then silently began to calculate.

Some gains were made, but not much.

Xiao Yu said, "Now that the trial in the underworld is over, send everyone involved back!"

With a gentle wave of her hand, Li's soul drifted beyond the divine realm and vaguely returned to her body.

She only saw off Li Shi, not Sun Dalang, because there was no need to.

“Li Fushi, and Gao Wuchang.”

Xiao Yu called out, and the Heavenly Court Envoy and the Impermanence of Fengdu immediately came to her side and stood with their hands at their sides.

"Thank you all for your help today. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

She flipped her right hand, and three items appeared in her palm: a jade pendant the size of a child's palm, and two "earth spirits" the size of glass beads.

The jade tablet was a "Five Thunder Eight Trigrams Celestial Master Talisman" that she casually crafted.

Back then, the Li family of Western Shu suppressed the nation's fate for ten thousand years with a Five Thunder Eight Trigrams Celestial Master Talisman belonging to Zhang Tianshi.

She had longed to see him for so long, but she never even had the chance.

Now she can refine such "treasures" herself.

Her game creations, in terms of power, are probably not as impressive as Zhang Tianshi's masterpieces.

However, her Celestial Master Talisman can also trigger "Five Thunder General-level" thunder and landmines.

The Five Thunder Generals' insights into the Daoist arts of thunder and landmines were expressed in the form of thunder Dao talismans and engraved on jade tablets, becoming the Celestial Master Dao Talismans.

She was now a legitimate Celestial Master, and this jade pendant was an "authentic Celestial Master Talisman."

It's perfectly acceptable to give it as a gift.

Sure enough, upon receiving the jade token and sensing it for a moment, Li Fushi, who was originally full of resentment, immediately smiled broadly, bowed repeatedly, and expressed his gratitude.

"Earth Essence" refers to the "impurities" that Xiaoyu cleaned out when he was sorting out the veins of the land.

It is a spiritual object that is two or three levels lower than the Breath of Earth.

The impermanent ghost was overjoyed and carefully tucked the earth spirit into its bosom, showering it with flattering words.

There was only one Impermanent Ghost at this time, but the Impermanent Ghosts that Xiaoyu summoned last night, one black and one white, came two.

One of the impermanent beings helped her escort the Yin spirit and primordial spirit of the "heretical cultivator of Tianzhu Peak" to Fengdu.

Even though the person isn't here, a farewell gift still has to be sent.

After sending away the talisman envoy and the impermanent messenger, Xiaoyu didn't forget to give the City God a gift.

“Tu Ji, although you have not committed any great evils, you have many bad habits. If you do not cultivate your mind and character, you will suffer retribution sooner or later.”

The fate of Yu Xichi today may be a reflection of your own future.

"Take this 'Scripture of the Old Mother of Hill' and read it carefully; perhaps it will allow you to live a few more years on your divine throne."

"Thank you, Mother, for bestowing this scripture. I will diligently recite it day and night without ceasing." Tu Ji didn't even look at the contents of the scripture. His face was filled with piety, and his tone was full of respect. He only wanted to send this great plague away as soon as possible!

Meng Qi looked at the scriptures in his hand with curiosity.

Xiaoyu glanced at him and asked, "You want to improve too? I can give you a book."

The "Qiu Shan Lao Mu Jing" is not a re-skinned version of any other Buddhist scripture.

It truly reflects the insights of "Old Mother of Hills and Mountains" herself.

By clearing the earth's veins and merging with the earth, one becomes part of the earth itself.

The earth's vastness, its all-encompassing nature, its profound yet gentle nature, penetrated her very soul.

The feelings are completely different from those of ordinary people.

Transforming the "Way of the Earth" into insights into how to be a person and cultivate one's mind results in the "Qiu Shan Lao Mu Jing," a book specifically for "refining the mind."

For deities of the earth such as the City God, the Earth God, and the Mountain God, regularly reading the "Qiu Shan Lao Mu Jing" can indeed cultivate their character, elevate their spiritual realm, and allow them to possess a "heart of the earth."

Meng Qi said with a blank face, "I don't need it! Is your matter over?"

"Please follow me, everyone!"

Xiao Yu lightly touched the ground, and floated away from the City God's Office in Fuli.

Meng Qi paused for a moment, then took the lead and followed, transmitting his voice with concern: "Having left the City God's Domain, haven't you lost your 'advantage of location'?"

"If we need to rely on the terrain to fight, how can we convince them?" Xiaoyu said calmly.

In her calm voice, Meng Qi sensed a confidence so strong that he couldn't comprehend it.

“I warned you before, and I’m reminding you again now: Fuqiu Gong and his group are not the same as Huang An Daxian.”

Huang An, the Great Immortal, possessed even greater magical power, but his cultivation was actually inferior to that of the Four Friends of Qionglin, who were his juniors.

“I understand, they have mastered the power of the Great Dao,” Xiaoyu said.

"They not only possess the power of the Great Dao, but also their own Dao!" Meng Qi said solemnly. "The greatest fear on the path to immortality is losing one's way and becoming lost."

The Four Friends of Qionglin are about to attain the Great Luo Immortal Realm; they have surely found their own direction and forged their own unique 'path'!

(End of this chapter)