Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

After taking their seats, Yan Chengren poured hot tea for Meng Yongnian.

Meng Yongnian took the teacup, took a small sip, and a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes: "The tea here, Master Yan, is quite unique."

"Tea is a minor art, but to have it appreciated by Your Excellency is truly an honor," Yan Chengren said with a slight smile. "My lord, what brings you to this humble path?"

"To be honest, Daoist Master, a few days ago, someone came to see me. That person said he was willing to provide food for the people, only asking that a statue of a god be placed in the City God Temple!" Meng Yongnian said unhurriedly.

He couldn't very well say directly that the group of people were bandits, and that the one they were going to let in was a wild god, could he?

"That's certainly a good thing." Yan Chengren chuckled and asked, "But what about the City God's golden statue?"

Meng Yongnian: "No."

"Guanyin Bodhisattva, or perhaps the Reborn Eternal Life Heavenly Venerable? They could be placed in the side hall," Yan Chengren paused and then said.

Meng Yongnian shook his head, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

If it's not this, then which deity could it be?

His hesitant expression gave Yan Chengren pause for thought, and he asked in surprise, "Your Excellency, it couldn't be...?"

As he spoke, he dipped his finger in some tea and gestured on the table.

Wild God?

"This is also the reason why I came to see the Taoist priest." Meng Yongnian nodded in agreement.

Daoist Yan Chengren pondered for a moment, then replied, "Lord Meng, although this matter is small, it concerns the hearts of the people and must be handled with utmost care."

"Since you have come here, sir, there must be conditions you cannot refuse. I have a question for you, Your Excellency," Yan Chengren said calmly, "was the grain distributed in the city given by that person?"

"That's right." Meng Yongnian repeated what Miao Zhiming had said, and concluded, "I want to give it a try. Even if it can't cure the problem completely, it can at least alleviate the current situation in Chengcheng."

Yan Chengren did not respond. Instead, he picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and began to think during this brief moment.

After setting down his teacup, he calmly asked, "Do they have any other requests?"

"No." Meng Yongnian shook his head.

In that case, it's relatively easy to handle.

Yan Chengren said solemnly, "The City God Temple is a place for worshipping gods, and statues of gods cannot be placed there at will. However, I can find a corner in the side hall where I should not be discovered."

A side hall wouldn't be out of the question either.

Meng Yongnian was about to nod in agreement when Wu Zhen's words flashed through his mind.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Master, could you please find a place within the main hall?"

Main hall?

That's the City God being worshipped!

Yan Chengren was taken aback. A hint of worry appeared in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said in a serious tone, "Sir, have you thought this through? This is no joke."

The City God Temple is a place to worship righteous gods. Introducing unauthorized wild gods is disrespectful to the gods.

Moreover, it was placed in the main hall, under the watchful eyes of everyone.

He said earnestly, "If it's a heretical sect like the White Lotus Sect, we can't afford to take the blame!"

Meng Yongnian smiled and said, "I am the magistrate of Chengcheng County. I am only informing the local officials that the Japanese officials will take action on this matter and publicly announce their decision to the people."

A written statement detailing the decision and acknowledging all consequences should be drafted and posted at the City God Temple so that the public may be informed.

"Just do as I say, Taoist priest."

Upon hearing this, Yan Chengren stared in astonishment at the newly appointed magistrate before him, then nodded solemnly: "I understand. I will find a way to persuade the people in the temple!"

"Thank you, Daoist Master," Meng Yongnian said, finishing the tea in one gulp. "Then I will not disturb your cultivation any longer!"

After saying that, he got up and left.

Hearing the commotion, Bi Zhengcheng, who was squatting by the door, quickly hid. As soon as Meng Yongnian left, he ran into the quiet room.

Master Yan Chengren was staring at the tea set, seemingly lost in thought.

"Master!" Bi Zhengcheng called out.

Yan Chengren snapped out of his daze and, seeing it was Bi Zhengcheng, couldn't help but chuckle, "What's wrong? Aren't you going to do your evening lessons? What are you doing here?"

"Master, I just want to ask, do we really have to put that wild god next to the City God? Won't the City God be angry?" Bi Zhengcheng couldn't help but ask.

"You heard everything?" Yan Chengren asked thoughtfully.

Bi Zhengcheng nodded: "Mm."

"The magistrate's decision is naturally unchangeable," Yan Chengren hesitated for a moment before saying, "All I can do is try to minimize its impact."

"Then this new magistrate isn't all that great. It would be much better to put him in the side hall, where he might not even be noticed unless you look closely. But he's in the main hall, so you can see him as soon as you look up!" Bi Zhengcheng said indignantly.

Yan Chengren replied without hesitation, "No, quite the opposite. This new magistrate is a good official. Do you understand what will happen if this document is written and the entire city knows about it?"

"If, in the future, any accident or unforeseen disaster befalls the people, and there are many rumors, people will suspect that it was caused by this incident."

Bi Zhengcheng asked, puzzled, "Hmm~ Aren't they supposed to provide food?"

"There's no conflict," Yan Chengren said expressionlessly.

It's also difficult to explain to the imperial court.

If the matter is investigated and those responsible are held accountable, it's uncertain whether the newly appointed county magistrate can keep his job.

Most importantly, this incident will inevitably be recorded in the county annals: "[Chengcheng County Magistrate Meng Yongnian introduced a wild deity into the City God Temple, inducing the people to worship], leaving a lasting stain on his reputation."

Their descendants will also be affected.

You know, if he had resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown, avoiding this mess, none of this would have happened.

"I understand, Master. I have another question," Bi Zhengcheng paused, then asked cautiously, "Do gods and immortals really exist in this world?"

Yan Chengren chuckled, shook his head, and said, "Look outside, what's that?"

"The moon?" Bi Zhengcheng asked cautiously.

"Then if you close your eyes, can you still see?" Yan Chengren then asked.

"I can't see it."

Yan Chengren's eyes flickered as he asked, "Okay, so if there were a person in front of you who was born blind, do you think he could see the moon, or that the moon even existed for him?"

He patiently explained, "The seer cannot prove what they see to the unseer. If it does not exist, how can we know it does not exist?"

"Seeing immortals is not about seeking them externally, but about cultivating one's inner self. Zhengcheng, go back and copy the *Baopuzi* three times; you will naturally gain some understanding!"

"Ah!?" Bi Zhengcheng exclaimed.

"Go quickly, so you won't have time to eavesdrop on your master's speech!" Yan Chengren entered the quiet room, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state.

Bi Zhengcheng, with a pained expression, pleaded earnestly, "Could you just copy it twice, Master?"

Seeing that Yan Chengren remained silent, Bi Zhengcheng sighed and walked out of the room.

Yan Chengren's ears twitched slightly as he heard the sound of someone leaving. He opened his eyes, looked at the spot where they had gone, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes as he thought about the question he had just asked.

仙，

Does it really exist?

He quickly recovered and returned to meditation.