Gods of the Nation: You worship the God of Longevity, I worship the King of Hell!

Chapter 174 Two Parts Stand Off! A True Battle of Gods!

"According to Star Lord, the Four Heavenly Kings descending to the mortal realm to seize treasures is a well-known unspoken rule in Heaven? Their scheme is merely a facade, and they're not afraid even if it's discovered?"

"You're quite clever."

The Plague Emperor nodded.

"Holy crap! You can do this?! Isn't this salary paid by the Heavenly Court? How come there's this talk of self-financing military supplies?"

"Young man, the Heavenly Court has 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, and their monthly salaries are more than ten million. This expense is not a small amount even for the Heavenly Court. Moreover, self-financing military supplies does not mean that the Heavenly Court will not contribute a single penny, but rather that the Ministry of War must raise 30% of it on its own."

Throughout history, which general who commands a region has not had the right to raise military supplies on his own?

Do you really think being the Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Army is so easy, just issuing orders every day?

"Uh..." Lu Chen learned something new again: "So, in the end, it all comes down to money?"

The Plague Emperor chuckled, "I know you have a secret method for making Heavenly Gold. But I advise you to give up on that idea. Heavenly Gold is not like Hell Money, and the Heavenly Court is not the Underworld. If you dare to offer a million Heavenly Gold today, the Great Heavenly Venerable can send 100,000 heavenly soldiers down to the mortal realm to capture you tomorrow."

If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try it.

"By then, even I won't be able to protect you."

Lu Chen felt a chill run down his spine.

The same words were also subtly reminded by the God of Wealth and the Emperor of Fengdu.

It seems that Tianjin (a type of precious metal) should not be used recklessly; it is too risky.

"Then is this situation unsolvable for me?"

The Plague Emperor's meaning was clear: the Ministry of War was a united front, and Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, would not easily interfere with his subordinates' pursuit of departmental interests.

The Heavenly Gold cannot be given away, and even the Plague Emperor has no connections to rely on.

How can we solve this?
"Even immortals are not free, let alone mortals. I advise you to give up your thoughts and stop plotting against the Ministry of War."

Lu Chen's expression changed slightly, and he could only nod.

"What, you're unwilling? Do you think I made such a boast before, but now I'm just standing by and doing nothing?"

The Plague Emperor's laughter carried a chilling sense of oppression.

"This disciple dares not, Star Lord must have some difficulties, this disciple understands."

"But judging from your expression, you're clearly not convinced. Do you want to try again?"

Lu Chen's stubborn streak kicked in, and he immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute: "To be honest, Star Lord, this disciple must try it after all, otherwise my thoughts will not be clear."

I don't want to preach any grand principles, but in the past, with so many difficulties, to outsiders, wasn't every situation a sure defeat?

In the end, they all made it through.

I have invested a lot in this matter at Caomiao Village, and it is not in my nature to admit defeat so easily.

If the Star Lord is in a difficult position, your disciple will find another way.

The disciple believes that with enough skill, one cannot fail to find a flaw!

Since the Plague Emperor wouldn't help, Lu Chen went to find the God of Wealth.
If even the God of Wealth is powerless, then seek help from other deities.

I'm sure there's something that can help him break through this predicament!

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking—

"Hahaha!"

An unprecedented burst of hearty laughter suddenly erupted from the statue.

"Good lad! I knew I hadn't misjudged you. You're a tough nut to crack! In that case, this hurdle will be broken by my Plague Division!"

Lu Chen was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening. "Star Lord, are you... are you testing me?"

"To ask for help from others, you must first ask for help from yourself. If your will is not firm, why should I go out of my way to help you? Even if you are the protector of my Plague Department."

—Holy crap!

So you were waiting for me here.

He was puzzled, because the Star Lord wasn't this spineless before.

"Go ahead and break the formation. I will personally order the Five Plague Envoys to assist you."

"Thank you, Star Lord!!" Lu Chen had just finished bowing when he heard this and suddenly froze, exclaiming in surprise, "You've asked my senior brothers to help me? No, Star Lord, isn't that the Plague Department directly intervening? Such a large-scale operation, isn't there... something wrong with that?"

Lu Chen originally asked the Plague Lord to discuss the matter, not to have the Plague Department directly intervene.

First, I would like to ask the Plague God to confirm whether the formation here was created by the Four Heavenly Kings.

If so, then we plan to have Him discuss with Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, to see if we can negotiate and divide this secret realm among several families.
Unexpectedly, the Plague King planned to send the Five Plague Envoys directly to the scene.

Wouldn't this lead to a direct conflict between the two?

Upon hearing this, the Plague Emperor's voice suddenly turned fierce, carrying an aura of dominance over the world:

"You probably know my reputation in the Heavenly Court. While there are advantages to being warm-hearted, there are also advantages to being cold-hearted. So what if you're from the Ministry of War? When my Plague Department really gets involved, apart from a few Heavenly Venerables, who can stop me!"

"May the Star Lord be mighty!!!"

Lu Chen's eyes lit up as he listened.

This is the majesty and imposing presence of the Eight True Gods!

It's absolutely mesmerizing!
"Besides, what does it matter if the other party is one of the Four Heavenly Kings? Your goal is to take over the secret realm, so just take it. I will pretend I know nothing about it. To be honest, my Plague Tribe is just helping our own people seize treasures, which is perfectly legitimate. They are the ones who should be worried, not us. Why should we give them face?"

Lu Chen suddenly realized: "What the Star Lord says is right! Let's pretend we don't know anything and just focus on breaking the formation. Maybe in the end they'll have to beg us to show mercy."

The Plague Emperor remained noncommittal, then changed the subject: "However, don't think you have victory in your grasp."

Although the Four Heavenly Kings are not top-tier in combat power, each possesses unique abilities.

The fact that his four brothers joined forces to set up an array to protect the treasure shows that it is no ordinary treasure and the methods used must be extraordinary.

I have dispatched five plague messengers to try and break through the plague, which may be able to do so, but not necessarily completely.

If I were to personally take action, it would be making a mountain out of a molehill.

Therefore, you yourself must also be prepared.

Don't always try to take shortcuts.

If you become obsessed with this path, I will not let you off easily.

"Rest assured, Star Lord! I am no match for that Ghost King's disciple, but as long as we don't rely on brute force, I am confident I can pass the trial!"

"That's good. Summon me when you go to break the formation."

"Disciple understands! Thank you, Star Lord!"

Lu Chen bowed deeply once more. The miasma inside the room gradually dissipated, and the light from the statue faded.

"Kick-"

Suddenly, with a soft sound, a thin crack appeared on the statue.

This simple idol can only be used three times, and there are two left.

"I was hoping to take a shortcut, but instead of a shortcut, they're starting to take action!"

--oops.

Lu Chen slapped his forehead. He should have realized sooner that the Plague Emperor Haotian was!
That's a notoriously ruthless person in Heaven.

They're the type who'd rather take action than talk.

Can He ask people for favors?

Absolutely not!

"It seems like this time, it's really going to be a battle of the gods!"

Such a grand occasion is absolutely rare, perhaps only once in a century, or even once in a millennium.

"How did things turn out like this? I didn't intend to confront them head-on."

Lu Chen was both amused and exasperated: "But when the time comes, if I summon the Five Plague Envoys to descend to the mortal realm, won't the other family members kneel down and call me a god? No, I've taken on a divine position; broadly speaking, I guess I really am a god..."

Was muttering.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who?"

"I!"

—Sister Sun.

Lu Chen went to open the door.

"What's wrong, Sister Sun?"

"Nothing, just bored and came to check it out."

As soon as she entered the room, Sun Yourong smelled the aroma of burning incense.

"Is the matter settled?"

She didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly on the sofa.

Lu Chen didn't hide anything from Sun Yourong either.

After all, they were comrades-in-arms.

"It can't be said that it's all done, but... there's definitely some progress now."

"So you already know which deity set up this formation?"

"They are the Four Heavenly Kings."

Lu Chen gave the answer directly.

As expected, Sun Yourong froze instantly: "The Four Heavenly Kings?! Four...four immortals!"

"Correct!"

Sun Yourong swallowed hard: "So... what do you plan to do? Are you still planning to continue?"

Lu Chen smiled and said, "Sister Sun, back in Longhu County, when we faced the Four Seas Dragon Kings, didn't we still forge ahead fearlessly?"

Sun Yourong nodded, then shook her head: "It's still different. That time it was just a rainmaking ritual, and besides, neither of us expected the Four Dragon Kings to intervene and suppress us. But this time you're facing the Four Heavenly Kings directly. And it's a divine array they've set up. Anyway, I can't think of any way to solve this mission, unless..."

"Unless what?" Lu Chen asked with interest.

"Unless you can summon an even more powerful deity... wait!"

Sun Yourong suddenly realized something and sat up straight, saying, "Could it be... you're going to invite the deities of the Plague Department?"

This girl is indeed clever.

Lu Chen nodded: "Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking!"

"The Plague God... agreed?"

"accepted!"

Sun Yourong's pupils shrank suddenly, and she stammered in shock: "You, you can't possibly have a connection with the Plague God that's more than 50%?"

"No, not really, it's only around thirty."

Lu Chen remembers the result was 34% when it was tested before.

"That's it..."

Does this guy have too many high-ranking deities serving him? Over 30%, and he still says "just".

"However, this level of divine intervention doesn't seem sufficient to summon the Plague God to descend to the mortal realm, does it?"

"Well... never mind, given our relationship, I won't hide it from you. Actually, the key reason why I was able to subdue the Rakshasa Sect is that I not only took on a divine position in the Underworld, but also, by chance, took on a divine position in the Plague Department when I treated the Prefect's wife. Right now, I am the Guardian Deity of the Plague Department—the Plague Master."

These words struck Sun Yourong like a thunderbolt, leaving her speechless for a long time.

"The Plague Department... Guardian Deity, the Plague Prince!? Dual divine roles..."

The shock of this news was even greater than when Lu Chen revealed that he was the mighty General Zhengde of the Underworld.

"Could it be that the Plague King is also your godfather?"

Sun Yourong stared wide-eyed, asking tentatively incredulously.

"Uh... no, the Plague Lord is just my master." Lu Chen slapped the sofa, skipping the topic. "Anyway, that's roughly it. I plan to rest today and formally invite a few of my senior brothers from the Plague Department to help me break the formation tomorrow!"

Lu Chen's injuries from that ferocious attack by the sixth-rank ghost king today have not yet fully recovered.

It should be noted that this was under the protection of the formation, thus avoiding fatal injuries.

If I were to take that knife wound squarely, I really don't want to think about the consequences.

Without protection, he might really have turned into a ghost immortal.

But tomorrow.

"Damn it, you call yourself the Ghost King?!"

(End of this chapter)