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

Chapter 248 The Human Demon—Li Chenghuang!!!

Night had fallen at Yunding Mountain Villa.

Lu Chen was still focused on carving the statue of the jinx.

But this time it was a normal idol.

Therefore, the excruciating pain, like having one's bones pulled out, returned like a tidal wave.

However, it's much better than before.

"If He agrees, I'll have Uncle Chen help me build a standard statue, so I won't have to suffer myself."

Lu Chen gritted his teeth and endured, but the carving knife in his hand did not stop.

But at that moment, a faint voice drifted from outside the door, repeatedly calling, "My Lord~ My Lord~"

Lu Chen's hand trembled: "Who?"

"It is this servant, Third Sister..."

——Hu Sanniang?

Lu Chen was taken aback, put down the statue, and turned around to pull back a corner of the curtain.

Under the moonlight in the courtyard, a figure in white was seen drifting lightly, its silhouette indistinct and somewhat eerie.

"Wow, coming out in the middle of the night to scare people."

He muttered something to himself, but still got up to open the door.

Speaking of which, the [Evil-Repelling Bell] borrowed by Zhong Kui Zhenjun is indeed very useful; Hu Sanniang now knows to use the main entrance.

"Hehe, that old bastard Li Chenghuang finally couldn't sit still anymore."

Lu Chen was certain that the other party would know about his dealings with Zhao Wanliang.

The fact that it took so long to come must have required a lot of internal struggle.

"Squeak-"

The door opened, and Lu Chen smiled and said, "So it's Third Sister, please come in."

Hu Sanniang remained motionless in the courtyard: "It seems that the Lord's residence has exorcising magic tools, and I... cannot enter."

Lu Chen looked up at the evil-repelling bell on the lintel, then reached out and put it into his storage ring: "Now?"

"Okay."

Hu Sanniang's body lightened, and she floated inside. She immediately knelt down and said, "I am overjoyed to hear that Your Majesty has turned misfortune into good fortune. Good people are blessed by Heaven. After this ordeal, Your Majesty will surely enjoy a long and prosperous life."

"You're too kind, Third Sister." Lu Chen offered a helping hand, and seeing that she had come alone, he couldn't help but ask, "Where is the City God?"

"Your Majesty, the Lord has been in seclusion for a month, attempting to break through to the Xuan Pass, and has not emerged since. I have thought it over and decided not to disturb him, so I have come to inquire after his well wishes."

"Oh? What a coincidence."

Lu Chen's smile held a hint of amusement, his mind perfectly clear.

This City God Li is clearly using seclusion as an excuse.

He neither wanted to confront Zhao Wanliang directly, nor dared to completely neglect his own duties.

He stepped aside to make way for him: "Come in and sit down."

In the living room.

Hu Sanniang handed over a bamboo basket, which was quite full of things: "Your Majesty, I don't know what to bring. These are rare and precious materials that I have collected over the years. Although they are not of high quality, I hope Your Majesty will not find them offensive."

“You even have fifth-grade seafood delicacies, Third Sister is too kind.” Lu Chen glanced at it and was slightly moved.

"I hope Your Majesty doesn't find it offensive."

The two sat down on the sofa, and Lu Chen personally served a cup of fragrant tea. He secretly cast a life-saving spell to dispel the life force in the tea before raising his hand to indicate, "Please."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Hu Sanniang took a small sip of tea. "Excellent tea!"

Lu Chen smiled and casually asked, "With the selection of the prefectural position imminent, why did the City God choose to go into seclusion at this time?"

"Breaking through the Xuan Pass is a rare opportunity, and Your Excellency did not want to miss it, which is why you hastily went into seclusion. Otherwise, you would have personally come to congratulate Your Majesty," Hu Sanniang replied with a smile.

Lu Chen nodded slightly and said no more.

He and Hu Sanniang had nothing to talk about in depth.

Right now, we just hope she finishes speaking and leaves as soon as possible so we can continue carving the statue.

Hu Sanniang spoke up, saying, "I've heard that Your Majesty's current predicament is due to the collapse of the secret realm. But since ancient times, no one has ever survived the collapse of a secret realm. Your Majesty is truly a divine being."

"Just lucky," Lu Chen said with a dismissive smile.

The air was still for a moment.

Hu Sanniang slowly stood up.

Lu Chen thought He was about to leave, so he politely said, "Third Sister, are you leaving already? Won't you stay a little longer?"

Hu Sanniang smiled and said, "Does Your Majesty truly wish to keep me here?" After saying that, she moved to Lu Chen's side and sat directly on the armrest of the sofa.

A faint, cool fragrance wafted over, carrying a touch of deliberate allure.

Lu Chen frowned, immediately stood up, and took two steps back.

Depend on!
Still planning to use the beauty... no, the beautiful ghost scheme?

I'm not some Ning Caichen.

"Since ancient times, the living and the dead have been separated. Please take care of yourself, Third Sister."

Lu Chen's tone turned colder, and his attitude became distant.

Hu Sanniang chuckled and said, "My lord, don't panic. With your status, I, of humble birth, dare not even dream of such a thing."

He tapped the sofa with his fingertips and suddenly blurted out, "Your Majesty, I have a question for you. I wonder if Your Majesty can grant it?"

"What's the matter?"

Hu Sanniang's smile remained unchanged: "What I wish to ask is, what is Your Majesty's opinion on the City God's candidacy for the position of prefect?"

She paused, then lowered her voice: "Your Majesty... do you really intend to help Him ascend to the throne?"

Lu Chen's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to look at her: "What do you mean by that, Third Sister?"

Hu Sanniang remained silent, simply watching him quietly.

Lu Chen smiled and said, "The City God loves the people like his own children and is upright and awe-inspiring. If he becomes the City God of the prefecture, it will be a blessing for the people of Jiang Province."

"So, you've decided to help, sir?"

Lu Chen smiled but did not answer.

Why are you being so direct in trying to get information from me?
It shouldn't be.

Hu Sanniang's cultivation level shouldn't be this low, right?
“Third Sister, you might as well speak frankly. There’s no need for this kind of probing.” Lu Chen retorted.

Unexpectedly, Hu Sanniang's smile vanished abruptly, her expression turned serious, and she bowed deeply to Lu Chen, her voice solemn: "Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report. It is of great importance, and I only ask that Your Majesty grant me a promise after hearing it!"

Lu Chen felt a chill run down his spine and became wary, wondering what this maid of the City God Li was up to.
"A promise? Why do you say that, Third Sister? Why don't you tell me?"

"That……"

"Don't worry, if I find it interesting, I might consider it."

Lu Chen spoke calmly, but his words left no room for further argument.

After struggling for a moment, Hu Sanniang finally gritted her teeth and, as if making a tremendous decision, knelt down with a thud, saying, "Your Majesty, you must not help City God Li ascend to the throne!"

Lu Chen was startled, caught off guard: "What... exactly are you trying to say?"

Hu Sanniang raised her head and said clearly, "Your Majesty, this Li Chenghuang is not that Li Chenghuang! This person is a demon who has stolen the position of Chenghuang! If Your Majesty helps him, it will be like raising a tiger to cause trouble, which will surely lead to the suffering of the people in the future!"

--boom!

Lu Chen's pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill ran down his spine.

Even though they knew all along that Li Chenghuang was an immoral god who secretly colluded with the Zhao family and disregarded human life.

However, upon hearing these words, he still felt a chill run down his spine and found it hard to believe.

"A demon? You're saying he's not Li Qingyuan?"

"That's right!"

Lu Chen's alarm bells went off immediately, and his voice turned serious: "Then... who exactly are you?"

"Your Majesty, please be wise! I am the true maid of the City God Li. I have come today to reveal the whole truth! I only beg Your Majesty not to be deceived by demons and become a tool in His hands!"

Hu Sanniang looked up, her eyes full of earnestness.

Lu Chen hesitated for a moment, then quickly stepped forward and helped her up: "Third Sister, please get up first and tell me slowly."

"Please sit, Your Majesty. I will speak standing up." At this moment, Hu Sanniang had lost all trace of her seductive charm; her eyes were filled with determination.

Lu Chen nodded and sat back on the sofa: "Go ahead and tell me everything you know."

"Yes!" Hu Sanniang nodded. "Your Majesty, you may not know, but the true identity of this fake City God Li is actually the patriarch of the Zhao family—Zhao Wanliang's biological grandfather, Zhao Wuyai!"

Lu Chen's heart skipped a beat again: "What? Li Chenghuang is the deceased patriarch of the Zhao family?"

Hu Sanniang nodded, then shook her head: "He did not die. This demon used evil magic to kill the real City God Li, and then took his place, becoming Li Qingyuan! His so-called death is nothing more than a link in the evil magic."

"Such evil magic exists?" Lu Chen was three parts surprised and seven parts wary: "This is absolutely impossible! If he really had usurped the throne, the former City God, the Underworld, and even the Arctic Exorcism Institute, which is in charge of ghosts and gods, would not have stood idly by. How could he have kept it a secret for so long?"

"Your Majesty, as the leader of the Rakshasa Cult, you should know the place where the Rakshasa Cult originated."

Lu Chen's eyes sharpened: "You mean..."

Hu Sanniang nodded emphatically, enunciating each word clearly:
"That's right, this demon has been to—Shonan!!!"

　The next two chapters are already written; I'll publish them once they're polished.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)