Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 32: Burning Incense and Praying to the Gods, the Earth God Expresses Gratitude
"Refund! Refund!"

Chen Zhi happily carried the two strings of coins home, his face beaming: "Young man, your idea worked so well. With over a hundred people standing outside the Zhou family's gate, that skinflint Zhou immediately became obedient, put the money in a basket, and carried it out to return the money to everyone."

In Datang Township, the Zhou family was notorious for their exploitative practices, including seizing land and exploiting their long-term laborers, earning them the nickname "Zhou the Skinflint."

The crowd had long harbored resentment, but they were frustrated that they had no opportunity to vent their anger.

Until today when the incident occurred.

This is actually a major characteristic of areas where multiple surnames live together; once the interests of each family are involved, it is easy to incite people.

Furthermore, the disappearance of the mountain god's head was so bizarre and strange that it caused unrest among the people.

The Zhou family can use the name of the gods to amass wealth, but when the situation reverses, they will suffer a huge backlash, resulting in financial ruin.

Chen Jin wasn't particularly proud of this, nor did he think he had done anything extraordinary. As the real mastermind behind it all, he had simply taken advantage of the situation to divert the trouble and incidentally put the Zhou family down.

This incident has caused quite a stir on today's anniversary of the death.

The mountain god is in trouble, but the local god still needs to be worshipped. After all, he is an old and respected deity who has always been in charge of the area and is deeply loved by the people.

Some villagers even wondered if the sudden arrival of the mountain god had displeased the local deity, who then drove the mountain god away.

As the saying goes, "Two tigers cannot share one mountain."

In any case, given the current situation, the problem lies with the Zhou family.

With the mountain god's head gone, the so-called true form lost its purpose and meaning, and was then brought out and disposed of haphazardly.

So things were restored to their original state, and everyone came to worship the local deity.

Chen Jin also came to burn incense and worship. When he was observing the statue of the local deity, he suddenly had a strange feeling, as if he saw wispy clouds swirling around it.

That must be spiritual essence and divinity!

However, these clouds were very thin, appearing as wisps and strands, not yet forming a significant mass or any discernible shape.

Datang Township has a history of nearly a hundred years, and its population has grown from small to large, showing a developmental process.

In terms of time, it's not short, but the key is that the villagers here are mostly rural folks who have never produced any outstanding figures.

All things considered, Chen Jin's father, Chen Yang, passing the imperial examination to become a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) was already a first-rate achievement.

As a result, the incense offerings and prayers of ordinary villagers are naturally weak, and the ingredients are mixed, scattered, and contradictory, making it difficult for the deities to grow.

It's already quite remarkable that the local deity can nurture such spiritual essence and divinity.

Since his enlightenment and the opening of his Niwan point, Chen Jin has vaguely felt a stirring in the space between his eyebrows, as if an eye has opened there, allowing him to see what others cannot.

This is probably the concept of inspiration in the realm of spiritual practice, which is still in its infancy and appears quite weak.

As one's cultivation level increases and one's inspiration strengthens in the future, it can evolve into "divine sense".

At that time, it will truly open a third eye, possessing all sorts of powerful abilities and endless wonders.

After burning incense, they came out and saw the Zhou family, a large group of more than ten people, carrying sacrificial offerings, incense, and paper money.

"Chen Jin, you're here! I thought you wouldn't make it back in time."

Zhou Ming stepped forward, glanced at him, and felt a bit jealous.

Today, Chen Jin is dressed in new clothes, his blue robe is upright and elegant, his appearance is handsome and his spirit is full, making him look even more refined and handsome.

"This person looks much younger..."

Zhou Ming was greatly puzzled.

In his memory, Chen Jin was admitted to the Imperial Academy at the age of sixteen. At that time, he was a young man who had achieved great success and was full of vigor and brilliance.

His career then declined steadily. After failing the exams repeatedly, he visibly became dejected, dull-witted, and eccentric.

However, looking at it now, it has been completely transformed, taking on a new look and regaining its vitality.

"The villagers are saying that Chen Jin has made connections with a powerful figure in the city and gained the favor of the Wang family. Is it all true?"

Zhou Ming also went to the city to study and met Wang Fu, but unfortunately Wang Fu did not like him and they rarely had contact.

Later, when he learned that Wang Fu had built a thatched cottage in the desolate mountains, he tried to take the opportunity to befriend him. However, Wang Fu didn't give him a warm welcome, and he had no choice but to give up to avoid making a fool of himself.

Now that I think about it, it's clear that Chen Jin, who was also on the mountain, found the opportunity, which allowed him to climb the social ladder to the Wang family. Chen Jin, unaware of the extent of Chen Jin's speculation, calmly replied, "The Ghost Festival is approaching; we must worship the gods and ancestors. How could I not return?"

He also disliked Zhou Ming.

Compared to Wang Fu's chivalrous spirit, Zhou Ming was calculating, petty, and only acted when there was a profit to be made.

Zhou Ming then asked, "Will you also take the college entrance exam next year?"

"of course."

Chen Jin answered decisively: "I won't be satisfied without taking a test. You go ahead and do your work!"

Having said that, he turned and left.

Watching his tall, straight back as he walked away, Zhou Ming's eyes flickered with inexplicable irritation and displeasure.

The imperial examination system tested not only literary skills, but also interpersonal relationships, luck, and the competition for limited spots.

In other words, the number of slots is fixed for each session and each region, and rarely changes.

It is said that those in the same profession are enemies, and there is also fierce competition among candidates in the same year.

Compared to Chen Jin, Zhou Ming was inferior in age, literary talent, and most frustratingly, in physique and appearance.

In the pursuit of fame and officialdom, appearance is very important.

Those who are not good-looking, even if they are extremely talented, will find it difficult to be shortlisted.

This factor has a greater influence as time goes on, especially when one passes the provincial examination and obtains the qualification for the palace examination, thus gaining an audience with the emperor.

Given Zhou Ming's condition, he didn't think that much about it.

The title of Jinshi (进士) is so far, so far away.

However, this did not prevent her from feeling jealous of Chen Jin...

"Young master, young master, it's time to come in and burn incense."

The servants' calls brought Zhou Ming back to his senses, and he walked into the earth god temple with a gloomy expression.

……

Tonight's meal was very lavish, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat—it was like celebrating the New Year.

I haven't eaten this well even during Chinese New Year.

Ultimately, it's because they feel there's hope for the future at home, and they're willing to spend money.

Now Chen Jin is clearly in charge; he can eat meat whenever he wants, since it's his money anyway.

Chen Yuan and the others had no objections.

After dinner, they chatted for a while, then went back to their rooms to wash up, tidy up, and prepare to rest.

In the evening, my uncle's family is used to going to bed early, because they have to get up early, and also because they have nothing to do at night, so what else is there to do if they don't sleep?

Is this a waste of light?
Only Chen Jin could study late into the night.

As usual, he lit the Kui Xing Kicks the Dipper Lamp, looked at his book, and wrote.

Whether it was the effect of the magic lamp or the transformation after enlightenment, his mind became extremely sharp and delicate, and his memory was extraordinary, reaching the level of "reading ten lines at a glance and never forgetting what he saw".

With this ability, you'll have even more confidence when taking the exam.

It was almost time, so I put away my books and writing materials and began practicing breathing exercises under the lamp.

The whole process was very smooth and comfortable.

He sensed that his "Six Qi Correct Position Method" was approaching a critical point for a breakthrough.

After finishing my exercise, I turned off the lights and went to sleep.

He had a dream in which a vaguely defined old man with a white beard appeared, but dared not approach, remaining at a distance, bowing and making a gesture of thanks towards him...

　During the typhoon, with strong winds and floods, I thought I wouldn't be able to update... Luckily, I made it in time!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)