I'm just an ornamental fish in the water.

Wushan County.

Located adjacent to the Wei River, it would have belonged to Shaanxi Province if it were in the Tang Dynasty.

However, there is no such saying now.

Jiang Li and Feng Mu have arrived in Wushan County. As for the people who were attracted and bewitched by the preaching of the Goddess Wusheng, they have also come to their senses under Feng Mu's methods.

Although they were still somewhat dazed, at least they could all go back to their own homes.

"According to what the young mistress of the Deng family said before, there seem to be a lot of people who believe in the Goddess of No Birth."

Jiang Li and Feng Mu strolled through Wushan County. The former spoke softly, her expression thoughtful.

"The teachings of the Goddess Wusheng are very tempting to the poor, but many high-ranking officials and nobles are also mixed in with them."

As Jiang Li spoke, she rubbed her temples in slight distress.

His statement wasn't entirely accurate, because the teachings spread by the Goddess Wusheng were a powerful magnet for all mortals.

With enough sacrifices, one can become an immortal and live a carefree life in a brand new world.

Such straightforward doctrine is far too seductive.

Even in Buddhism, which is relatively direct in its preaching, the most they preach is simply the idea of ​​accumulating good fortune in this life so that one can enjoy it in the next.

And we can't say that what Buddhism says is wrong. After all, in this world with the underworld and reincarnation, there really is divine justice, and your next reincarnation can truly be determined by the merits and sins of this life.

But this is already the limit.

Any more than that, and it's no longer proselytizing, but rather a wicked and licentious shrine that bewitches people.

Just like the Goddess Wusheng.

"Cults like this may seem to teach everyone to be equal, but in reality, they clearly distinguish between different groups."

Jiang Li organized her thoughts and continued, "The status of believers who can make great contributions is naturally higher than that of believers who cannot make much contribution."

Upon hearing this, Feng Mu continued the conversation, saying, "So, we should start with the high-ranking officials and nobles in Wushan County?"

"At least they'll know more."

Jiang Li nodded and stopped walking.

Looking up, one sees a huge mansion, arguably the most magnificent and largest mansion in Wushan County.

Above the gate of the mansion, the two large characters "Deng Mansion" are written.

The two had just stood in front of the Deng residence when a gatekeeper from the Deng family came over.

"Esteemed guests, may I ask which master of my household you are seeking?"

The doorman bowed respectfully. He wasn't blind; how could he not see that the demeanor of the man and woman was far from that of ordinary people?

Although they were unfamiliar faces and didn't seem like people we often visited, since we were already at our doorstep, it wouldn't take long to ask them.

What if it really is one of our distinguished guests? Wouldn't I be left with nothing but wax?

Feng Mu remained silent, while Jiang Li, standing to the side, smiled and said, "Please inform your young master and mistress that an old friend has come."

Seeing the doorman's puzzled expression, Jiang Li continued, "You only need to describe what we look like, and your master will know."

"Yes, please wait a moment, esteemed guests."

Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper dared not ask any further questions and hurried into the mansion.

Before long, a man and a woman came out of the Deng residence.

The man was about thirty years old, dressed in a moon-white robe, and quite handsome. The woman was indeed the same woman that Jiang Li and Feng Mu had rescued earlier.

"Deng Ming greets his two benefactors."

Deng Ming stepped forward, his face full of gratitude, and bowed deeply, saying sincerely, "You two saved the lives of my wife and children. Your kindness is immeasurable. The entire Deng family is deeply grateful."

Please accept my bow!

As he spoke, he lifted his robe and prepared to kneel down.

"Young Master Deng is too polite."

Jiang Li raised her hand to stop him from actually bowing down, and smiled, "To be honest, the two of us have come to visit because we have some things to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Madam Deng's expression shifted. She looked around and, seeing that no one else was there, breathed a sigh of relief.

"My two benefactors, let's go inside and talk."

As Mrs. Deng spoke, she tugged at her husband's sleeve.

Deng Ming understood and also turned to the side, raising his hand to point.

The group entered the Deng residence, but instead of going to the main hall, they went directly to Deng Ming and his wife's private residence.

This is generally the case in wealthy and powerful families; each child in the family has their own separate courtyard.

"Please don't blame me for my poor hospitality, my two benefactors. It's just that there's something a little embarrassing about it."

Madam Deng personally served two cups of tea and gave a somewhat apologetic curtsy.

Deng Ming, standing to the side, said softly, "My wife told me earlier that you two seem to be investigating the matter of the Goddess Wusheng? Is your visit here also because of this?"

Jiang Li's expression shifted, and he nodded, saying, "That's exactly why I came."

"The Goddess Wusheng has many followers in Wushan County, including many high-ranking officials and nobles. The information we received earlier was all from Madam Deng."

"That's why I've come here to ask this question."

Upon hearing this, Madam Deng asked in a low voice, "Previously, that Qinglin Village..."

"He's dead."

Jiang Li said, "The Goddess Wusheng who appeared in Qinglin Village to preach was just a puppet. We have cut off her claws and her physical body."

"But his true identity has disappeared without a trace."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Deng was somewhat shocked, but more than that, she had an expression of confirmation of her suspicions.

Deng Ming, however, remained more composed, only exclaiming in surprise, "You two are indeed extraordinary. May I ask which sect or school of true cultivators you belong to?"

His words carried a hint of probing and nervousness.

He knew of the existence of cultivators, but he didn't want to get involved with them. Besides, the Deng family's roots were in Wushan County.

The number of followers of the Goddess Wusheng in Wushan County was indeed not small.

Even if he had been saved by the Deng family, he couldn't make the decision if the Deng family had to take direct action.

Jiang Li naturally saw Deng Ming's concerns, but instead of answering directly, she said, "A few days ago, on my master's orders, I went to pay my respects to the Emperor of Great Wei, and also had some pleasantries with the current Grand Councilor Sima of Great Wei."

Although the world is now divided into three parts, coincidentally, Wushan County is located on the edge of the Wei Kingdom's territory.

As expected, Deng Ming's expression immediately turned serious upon hearing this.

Even cultivators wouldn't dare joke about the emperor; he knew that much.

"Could it be that you two are the Emperor...?"

Deng Ming hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Not the emperor."

Jiang Li shook her head in denial, but did not say who specifically gave her the job.

Strictly speaking, this matter was not under his or Feng Mu's jurisdiction. He was just a helper, while Feng Mu's job was to inspect the water veins, not to overturn altars and destroy temples.

However, when you see something like this, you should definitely do something about it.

Is that so?

Deng Ming didn't hesitate for long and immediately said, "If that's the case, the Deng family will naturally do its utmost to help you both. However... my humble abode also has some problems right now..."

As he spoke, he looked somewhat embarrassed.

Jiang Li and Feng Mu looked over in confusion.

Mrs. Deng, who was standing to the side, spoke up somewhat hesitantly.

"I only learned of this today upon returning home, that my ancestor..."

"They seem to have great reverence for the Goddess Wusheng..."