The world is like a prison, my body is holy

Chapter 158 Xuzhou City God Temple
"You're crazy, you're crazy..."

Amidst Wang Wen's grumbling and incessant chatter, the master and servant vanished completely. The magnificent hall before him, like a reflection of the moon in water, shattered, became illusory, and disappeared.

He returned to the dilapidated temple once again, and when he looked up, he saw that the broken statue of the god above the offering table had completely collapsed.

A bronze seal with a tortoise-shaped knob, exuding the aura of ancient times, floats quietly where the statue once stood, silently radiating a dark golden light of merit.

He stared at the bronze seal and sighed silently.

He knew that the bronze seal was the position of the City God of Xuzhou, which countless people and ghosts coveted.

As the first personified City God in the world, Ji Xin's official position had long been elevated to the rank of Capital City God after being conferred titles by successive dynasties. His status and power were comparable to the City Gods of the capital cities in previous dynasties, making him one of the few great earth deities standing at the highest position in the City God system.

In the current environment where the human world has lost the supervision and control of the Heavenly Court and the Underworld, whoever can control this bronze seal can replace Ji Xindu as the City God!
It was like rising to the top in one step!
It was not Wang Wen's original intention to acquire this bronze seal.

Therefore, as he stared at the bronze seal, he felt no joy of discovery.

After a long while, he finally spoke, calling out, "Xu Wu."

Xu Wu, who was on guard outside the temple, responded to the call, sheathed his sword, and quickly stepped inside. He then clasped his hands in greeting at Xu Wu's retreating figure and said, "Your subordinate is here!"

Wang Wen pointed to the bronze seal: "Can you see that object?"

Xu Wu raised his head in confusion, looked around in bewilderment, and asked in a low voice, "What is the general referring to?"

Wang Wen hesitated for a few moments before speaking again, "Jingzhen."

The Taoist priest Jingzhen from Maoshan entered in response, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant is here."

Wang Wen pointed to the bronze seal: "Can you see that object?"

Like Xu Wu, Daoist Jingzhen looked up, glancing around in confusion before turning his bewildered gaze to Xu Wu beside him: "What is this that your elder brother, my uncle, is referring to?"

Without turning his head, Wang Wen reprimanded softly, "You're supposed to be a high-level Taoist priest who has cultivated for many years. Do I have to teach you the common sense that you need to open your Yin-Yang Eyes to search for supernatural and fantastical things?"

Jingzhen Daoist suddenly realized what was happening, bowed and apologized, then took out the Maoshan jade pendant from under his neck. He pointed at the jade pendant and recited a series of incantations with practiced ease. After wiping it in front of his eyes, a flash of gold and silver light immediately appeared in his pupils.

Then he raised his head again, looked around several times, but still looked completely bewildered.

He dared not question Wang Wen's words, and could only cautiously bow and say, "Reporting to the general, my cultivation is shallow and my magical power is weak; I cannot see through the truth of this place..."

Wang Wen turned around and gave him a deep look: "Are you really blind, or are you pretending not to see?"

Master Jingzhen was startled by his words and quickly retorted, "Uncle-Master, you may doubt my cultivation, but you cannot doubt my character!"

Faced with a senior disciple who was of higher seniority and higher cultivation than him, and who had saved his life, what could he do?
Just coax her!
Wang Wen almost laughed out of anger at his words, and scolded him, "You're so mediocre, yet you're so proud of yourself?"

Daoist Jingzhen immediately bowed deeply, saying, "This disciple dares not!"

Wang Wen had no time to lecture him, so he simply stretched out his hand and, amidst the two men's surprised and inquisitive gazes, beckoned to the tortoise-shaped seal. The tortoise-shaped gold seal immediately flew into his palm like a swallow returning to its nest.

From Xu Wu and the Taoist Jingzhen's perspective, they saw him wave his hand, and a burst of multicolored light shone on the severely weathered and dilapidated wall, transforming into an ancient tortoise-shaped seal that flew into his palm.

Xu Wu: "Holy crap!"

Daoist Jingzhen: "Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable!"

The two of them suddenly opened their eyes wide and stared intently at the tortoise-shaped seal in his hand, their jaws agape for a long time.

The moment Wang Wen obtained the seal, the Mountain God Token automatically popped out.

[The God of Huangshan (Manifesting Holy Righteousness, Courage, Martial Might, and Spiritual Power)]

[Achievements: 1587540]

[Yin De: 3650]

Merit: 7189

[Yin Shen: Daytime Wanderer]

[Shrines: Huangshan Temple, Xuzhou City God Temple]

[Hundred Schools: Taiyi Salvation and Protection Scripture (Fourth Heaven) (+), Nine Tribulations Returning to Origin Body (Second Heaven) (+), Lightning Thunder Fist (Sixth Heaven) (+), Boundless Ocean Divine Skill (Nineth Heaven), Palm Thunder (Perfect), Six Harmonies Spear (Divine Mastery)...]

The Mountain God's Token is like the character's equipment attribute panel in a game. Wang Wen would habitually call it up and look at it dozens of times every day. He knew every single data point on it by heart.

Therefore, he immediately noticed the changes in the Mountain God's Decree.

'Xuzhou City God Temple?'

He suddenly realized, belatedly, that what the Divine Palace column displayed was never his Taoist temple, but rather his government office, or rather, his authority!
Just like the "Huangshan Temple", it never refers to the actual Huangshan Temple, but rather to the fact that he established his own government and exercised the powers of Huangshan God in the name of Huangshan God.

This is why, even though he has built more than one Huangshan Temple and refined more than one Huangshan Palace, the palace section still only displays the four simple words "Huangshan Temple".

He felt that the "Huangshan Temple" was perhaps to the god of Huangshan what the Lingxiao Palace was to the Jade Emperor.

From this perspective, the fact that the "Xuzhou City God Temple" is displayed in the Temple of Gods section means that the Xuzhou City God Temple has been brought under his control!
Whether he personally assumes the position of City God of Xuzhou or relinquishes it, all the local deities and underworld officials under the Xuzhou City God Temple system will be under his jurisdiction, and all the merits, virtues, and good deeds gained by this system will be shared with him at a ratio of 30% to 70%!

To put it more bluntly, he placed the Huangshan Temple above the Xuzhou City God Temple.

Or perhaps he established another prefecture beneath the Huangshan Temple, named the Xuzhou City God Temple.

This change was absolutely beyond his expectations.

He dares to say with his hand on his chest that he, Wang Wen, has absolutely no intention of usurping someone else's place!
It could even be said that he himself was bewildered by this sudden change.

But this happened so naturally, without any preparation or coercion, as if it were a natural progression, or as if you reap what you sow.

This is perhaps what is meant by: "Trees planted with care may not grow, while willows planted unintentionally may thrive."

'It's starting to resemble the path to becoming the Lord of Mount Tai more and more...'

Wang Wen muttered to himself with a touch of self-mockery.

Even without the presence of the Lord of Mount Tai, he, as the God of Mount Huang, governs all mountains under heaven, and as the City God of Xuzhou, he governs all living souls under heaven. If he could also be granted jurisdiction over the Six Paths of Reincarnation, even if the underworld were to return to this world in the future, the Ten Kings of Hell would all respectfully address him as the Lord of Mount Huang!
So here's the question: with the authority of the Huangshan God combined with that of the Xuzhou City God, is it difficult to create a pseudo-Six Paths of Reincarnation?
What? The truth can't be hidden, and the false can't be made true?

After the dynasty fell, the rebel army occupied the country. Was it still a rebel army?

No, he is the new dynasty!
In just a moment, Wang Wen's thoughts had already spread to the point that a single spark could start a prairie fire.

But when his thoughts drifted to the idea of ​​becoming a supreme ancestor, he suddenly lost interest and threw all those thoughts to the winds.

It's not that he didn't want to be the ancestor.

At this moment, he has no interest in thinking about how to become an ancestor.

Wang Wen calmly put the tortoise-shaped seal back into his body, then turned to look at Xu Wu and Daoist Jingzhen, whose mouths were agape enough to fit a goose egg: "Wipe your drool... You only realize you've missed a great opportunity now? Too late!"

Based on their reactions, he had realized one thing: the official titles and badges of the underworld officials could not be given to the living.

Even a living person who can see ghosts won't be able to do it!

The results of this experiment both reassured him and left him slightly disappointed.

The fact that the official tokens of the Earth Gods and Yin Officials cannot be given to living people means that the tokens issued by them will not become rampant and increase the intensity of the current spiritual energy revival scenario.

This also means that his previous plan to cultivate a group of capable generals who could stand alone and govern a region by systematically issuing official titles and badges to local deities and underworld officials has been aborted...

His Demon-Slaying General's Mansion is desperately lacking in talent like this.

Wang Wen slowly walked out of the temple: "Xie Zhixuan."

Xie Zhixuan, fully armored and clad in helmet, stepped forward, his hand on his waist, and said with his hands clasped, "Your humble servant is here!"

Wang Wen: "You lead a hundred brothers to seal off and thoroughly clean this City God Temple. Be careful and thorough, and leave no stone unturned. Before the cleanup is completed, no one except my General's Mansion is allowed to step into this City God Temple!"

Xie Zhixuan: "Your subordinate obeys!"

Wang Wen: "Xu Wu."

Xu Wu darted past him and stepped down the steps, clasping his hands in greeting, "Your subordinate is here!"

Wang Wen: "You will lead a hundred brothers to the Demon Suppression Division in Xuzhou. Take control of all the Demon Suppression Guards, led by Deputy Supervisor Yu Qifeng, who participated in the siege of this City God Temple, and conduct a thorough investigation to determine if they have committed any heinous acts of colluding with evil sorcerers to murder their colleagues!"

Xu Wu: "This subordinate obeys!"

Wang Wen waved his hand: "The rest of you, retreat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, officers of all ranks stepped forward and formed ranks.

Xie Zhixuan and Xu Wu each mobilized one hundred generals to suppress the demons and carry out Wang Wen's military orders.

Wang Wen then led the remaining Demon-Suppressing Guards back to the fleet.

However, his divine sense remained closely following Xu Wu, wary of the Xuzhou City Demon Suppression Division resorting to desperate measures.

He wasn't actually sure if the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division had anything to do with this.

But he had no doubt about the allure of the position of City God to ordinary people!

Moreover, it is an insult to people's intelligence that a wandering Taoist priest with no local connections could trick several groups of Xuzhou's Demon Guards into coming here to die!

If there's even the slightest hint of something fishy going on here, it means that the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division is also using Wang Wen as a tool...

Wouldn't that just be a ready-made monkey?
Whether it is true or not, we shall wait and see!
……

"Lord Xu, what are you doing?"

With a refined and composed demeanor, reminiscent of a scholar-general, Yu Qifeng stood behind a group of Xuzhou's Demon-Suppressing Guards, their faces showing a mixture of confusion, surprise, bewilderment, and resentment as they gazed at the equally tense group of Demon-Suppressing Guards outside the gate. He angrily proclaimed, "Even if I have failed in my greetings and hospitality, brothers shouldn't turn against each other!"

He acted so convincingly, his body trembling slightly with indignation, as if he had truly suffered some injustice, or that his good intentions had been wasted!

But Xu Wu, a shrewd man who had spent years on the streets and knew all sorts of people, could tell at a glance that Yu Qifeng was either guilty or had something to hide!

He certainly came on strong!

However, Yu Qifeng didn't even ask them why they came. He directly led a group of Xuzhou Demon Guards and blocked them at the door with swords drawn.
Is this reasonable?

Not to mention that the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion of Huainan Road and the Demon-Suppressing Divisions of various prefectures in Huainan are like brothers in the same pot, and the General's Mansion is even more prestigious than the Demon-Suppressing Divisions of the prefectures. Logically speaking, the people of the Demon-Suppressing Division of Xuzhou should not and dare not provoke them.

Just consider that their General's Mansion mobilized 500 elite Demon Suppression Guards to support the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division's operations, fighting fiercely through the night to eliminate hidden dangers and slay demons for the Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division. The Xuzhou Demon Suppression Division should not treat their General's Mansion, their benefactors, with such an attitude!
Therefore, this is clearly unreasonable!

Since it's illogical, it means that my older brother's deduction is very likely true!
These bastards are really using the General's Mansion as a weapon!
Damn it, if this happened to the Canal Gang, they'd be stabbed three times and stabbed six times!

Xu Wu secretly gripped the hilt of his waist knife so tightly it creaked, but on his face he shook his head and smiled warmly, saying, "Lord Yu, what are you saying? My brother and I serve in the Demon Suppression Division together, we are brothers in arms. Even if you were to serve me a pile of dung as a dish, I would only think you were joking with me!"

He suddenly sighed heavily, his face full of anger at his son's incompetence: "But Lord Yu should never have colluded with evil sorcerers, betrayed his own side, and plotted against my general. What kind of person is my general? Does he tolerate such injustice?"

Yu Qifeng slowly frowned, looking puzzled, and said in a deep voice, "Why can't I understand a single word of Lord Xu's words? Is there some misunderstanding here?"

"There's no misunderstanding at all..."

Xu Wu sighed and shook his head: "Why doesn't Lord Yu understand? Since I, Xu, have brought troops here overnight, it means that Lord Yu's matter has been exposed, and I, Xu, have already obtained conclusive evidence of your crimes!"

"After all, there's no such thing as a secret that stays hidden forever."

"The best course of action now is for Lord Yu to not resist stubbornly, but to surrender quickly, confess and be lenient, and atone for his crimes through meritorious service. Otherwise, while I, Xu, am easy to talk to, my general is not as easy to talk to as I am!"

He was speaking with a hidden meaning, his gaze constantly drifting upwards.

Yu Qifeng was stunned for a few seconds before he realized that he was referring to the thunderbolt that had just struck the city!

Then, recalling that Xu Wu had just led his men into the city to ask him for the wandering Taoist priest, and then a bolt of lightning suddenly struck the direction where the wandering Taoist priest was hiding...

Yu Qifeng's expression suddenly changed!
Upon seeing the change in his expression, Xu Wu, who was on the other side, immediately waved his hand and shouted angrily, "Brothers, quickly take down these treacherous bastards who harbor evil intentions and betray their own side! Anyone who resists will be hacked to death!"

(End of this chapter)