Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 207 The Secret of the Priest
Chen Ji had already planned how to deal with the priest.

This priest was invited by Daoist Xiyun to exorcise demons and monsters through rituals. As he was also a subordinate of the Nine Heavens Gods, Daoist Xiyun naturally had to be respectful.

But since I am not a commoner, and in terms of divine authority I am probably even higher than this priest, I feel no pressure going there now.

"Are you the Demon-Subduing Divine Officer under the True Martial Emperor?"

Chen Ji greeted him and looked at him calmly.

"Exactly."

The priest's expression shifted as he looked at Chen Ji, but he still stubbornly refused to admit it.

"Are you the acting City God of this place?"

"It is still the daytime patrol god of the underworld, who receives the tiger tally from the Lord of the Underworld and patrols the gates of hell in this place."

Chen Ji took out the tiger tally that the Lord had given him earlier, and activated it slightly. The aura of two thousand Yin soldiers emanated from the tiger tally and rushed straight to the divine official.

The priest's golden body swayed, and it took him a while to regain his balance, his eyes filled with horror.

Having subdued demons and monsters for many years, he recognized the origins of these ghostly soldiers; they were not the kind of creatures that vengeful spirits and vengeful ghosts in the human world could be easily manipulated.

Instead, they are genuine underworld guards, rigorously trained and skilled in military formations. Under the command of those knowledgeable in military tactics, ordinary priests are no match for them.

However, only the Lord of the Underworld can usually mobilize such ghostly soldiers. How could this Taoist priest possibly do so?

"Hmm? A Taoist priest?"

The priest was momentarily dazed before realizing that Chen Ji was still alive.

It is strange enough that a person who is not dead can temporarily take charge of the City God and still serve in the underworld.

In comparison, mobilizing a few ghost soldiers is nothing at all.

"Could it be that this Taoist priest has a powerful background?"

The priest's mind raced, and he immediately began to speculate.

Whether it's the City God's Palace in the capital or the Lord of the Underworld, they are all powerful local deities who can easily appoint City Gods or officials in the Underworld.

If this Taoist priest had ancestors who served in these two places, it would be possible for him to do so.

After all, the underworld is not heaven, and many rules do not need to be followed as strictly.

But if that's the case, the priest put on a stern face and became quite assertive.

"You Taoist priest, you are so domineering. Even if you have some background, how dare you defy the rules and violate the rule that no living person can serve as a local deity? Don't you know that this will bring disaster upon yourself and even those behind you!"

"The person behind you?"

Chen Ji frowned slightly, then understood the priest's meaning after a moment and chuckled.

"Do you think I'm just relying on my ancestors' legacy?"

"if not?"

The priest looked at Chen Ji, revealing an expression that said, "I knew it."

"You are only of age but you have such cultivation and can serve as a local deity. If it weren't for the blessings of your ancestors, how could you have achieved such success?"

"I've seen plenty of people like you, who think their current status and strength are all due to their own cultivation, but they don't realize that it's all thanks to the blessings of their ancestors. If you don't focus on being a good person and doing good deeds, I'm afraid you won't be able to withstand the karmic backlash!"

Chen Ji was silent.

Judging from his words, the priest did seem to have some good intentions.

However, Chen Ji knew about the priest's previous behavior. Even in the face of a life-or-death crisis, he was still demanding incense and sacrificial offerings, refusing to help those in distress, and even wanting to wait until Daoist Xiyun died before fulfilling his duty of exorcising demons.

To say he is vengeful might be an exaggeration, but he is certainly not an ordinary kind-hearted priest.

Hearing these things now seems utterly ridiculous.

Just because Master Xiyun had no background, he abused his position as a priest to bully and humiliate her at will, while he thought he had a background and tried to persuade her with earnest words.

"What a fine priest!"

Chen Ji's mind raced with thoughts, and his eyes turned cold.

The priest, unaware of anything amiss, continued his leisurely conversation with Chen Ji.

"Since you have the blessings of your ancestors, you will surely follow the path of the gods in the future. Now that the world is in great calamity, you should make plans as soon as possible."

"Plans?" "Strange, didn't your family tell you?"

As the priest spoke, he suddenly realized something and understood.

"I understand. It must be that your elders think these things are too complicated and haven't told you yet."

The priest then looked Chen Ji up and down.

"Never mind, since you don't know, I won't say anything more."

"However, seeing that you possess the aura of the Five Sacred Mountains, belonging to the same lineage as my Emperor, and having some connection with him, I should offer you a word of advice."

Chen Ji was taken aback, not expecting to overhear the priest's secrets during his trip.

The priest saw his astonishment and waited a moment before continuing.

"Now that the world is facing a great calamity, you are able to assume the role of a Yin spirit in human form. You are destined for great things in the future. When you encounter trouble, you should prioritize your own safety."

"You came here today to exorcise demons and catch ghosts. Luckily you met me, otherwise who knows what would have happened. It would have been difficult to explain to your family."

"..."

Chen Ji sighed inwardly at how absurd it was that even such clear-cut words could be turned upside down by this priest; he was truly remarkable.

Just as a conversation began, Chen Ji offered a few compliments and then skillfully inquired about the news.

In no time, the priest's background and other details were clear.

It turns out that this priest had been granted an imperial title in the previous dynasty and had his own temple in the village, just like Lady Hongci.

However, due to the change of dynasties, the villagers moved away, the temples remained in ruins, and the spiritual power of the gods gradually dissipated.

He wanted to find a good spot to end his life as he was on the verge of death, but unexpectedly encountered a newly cultivated vengeful ghost that was tormenting wandering souls.

So the priest risked all his cultivation to kill the evil spirits and save these wandering souls. Little did he know that the True Martial Emperor was nearby exorcising demons. Sensing his spiritual aura, the Emperor took him under his command and made him a priest.

"It's actually a blessing in disguise!"

Chen Jiping said in a flat voice.

The priest laughed heartily and nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, they are blessed."

He then looked at Chen Ji and asked him where the Five Sacred Mountains aura on his body came from.

"This... is not convenient to say."

Chen Ji smiled knowingly, offered no further explanation, and then took out several sticks of incense.

"The priest explained that these things are indeed secrets. We have nothing to thank you for, so we can only offer these incense sticks as a gift. Please don't be offended, priest."

"Not at all! Such fine incense is rarely seen even in temples dedicated to emperors. Fellow Daoist, you've generously given it to me! You're truly generous!"

The priest happily took the incense, becoming even more convinced that Chen Ji had powerful figures in the underworld or the City God behind him, otherwise he wouldn't have sent such pure underworld incense.

Chen Ji looked at the priest, then shook his head.

"It's a pity that things have changed. Now, I'm afraid he doesn't even have the courage he had when he became a priest."

Before Chen Ji could speak, the priest began to criticize Daoist Xi Yun.

"That mortal Taoist priest just now wanted the Emperor to subdue the demon, but he wouldn't even give us some incense and sacrificial offerings! If all Taoist priests in the mortal world are like this, what will we, the heavenly officials, eat and use? If we don't even have food and clothing, then what will the Emperors eat and use?"

"These unruly commoners actually think they can command the priests just by talking? Do they really think they're human beings?!"

Chen Ji remained silent, but his eyes grew increasingly cold, and the slight goodwill he had shown earlier vanished abruptly.

"Fellow Daoist, why has your expression changed?"

The priest was still questioning Chen Ji when he saw Chen Ji look up with a cold gaze.

"It's alright, it's just that a question suddenly came to mind."

"what?"

"Are the demons and ghosts in this place truly being raised by you?"

(End of this chapter)