noffsinger Chapter 97 Immediate Capture
Chapter 97 Immediate Capture
Chapter 97 Immediate Capture
After leaving Songguo Village, Chu Xun walked at a moderate pace.
Jing Kingdom was not the largest among the kingdoms, but thanks to the emphasis on people's livelihood since the reign of Emperor Taizu, its population continued to increase over those decades.
The villages are scattered like stars.
Unless you venture into remote mountains and forests, you're guaranteed to find a village within a hundred miles.
Large and small, arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern.
Chu Xun carried a sword and soon arrived at the Pine Willow Water God Temple.
There has been no flooding for many years, and more than a dozen flood discharge channels have been piled up with silt, some of which have been completely covered.
A small portion remains, with less than half its original height.
The people lived in peace and prosperity, and more people came to the Water God Temple to make offerings than before.
A faint scent of sandalwood wafted from the temple. With his Foundation Establishment cultivation, Chu Xun could see the piles of incense burning inside.
This incense is not the kind offered by ordinary people, but rather the energy of sincere worship.
A deity appeared out of thin air in an incomprehensible way.
As long as the incense burns, the gods and immortals will remain.
The more incense offerings, the stronger the deities.
Conversely, if the incense offerings decrease or even disappear, this deity will cease to exist.
Therefore, Chu Xun could understand why righteous gods, who were officially appointed, did not allow evil religions to exist.
The number of people is limited, and so is the amount of incense offered.
If you have more, they will have less.
But understanding doesn't mean accepting.
Several refugees were squatting under the statues of gods inside the temple, having come to steal offerings.
The people of Zhangnan County live relatively well, but the situation is not so good for those living near Mingxiu Prefecture.
After the refugee army captured Hongfeng Pass, they charged forward relentlessly.
The local gentry and wealthy people, in particular, hated it.
Many of the refugees who came to seek refuge were formerly wealthy landowners who owned thousands of acres of fertile land.
Chu Xun walked in, and the few refugees who looked disheveled but whose previous pampered lifestyles were still barely discernible all looked up.
Their eyes darted around, and some even instinctively tried to find a place to hide.
Chu Xun said calmly, "Let's go after we finish eating."
Several refugees saw him alone, carrying a sword, but he was fair-skinned and very young.
Then, mustering his courage, he said, "Why should we leave? This is a water god temple, not your home!"
Chu Xun flicked his wrist, and water vapor condensed, striking a refugee at the foot of a man with lightning speed.
The ground collapsed, startling everyone.
Only then did he realize that he had encountered a formidable opponent, and he quickly lowered his head and ran away.
Chu Xun ignored him and turned to look, seeing another person lying in the corner.
His face was bruised and purple, and there was still food in his mouth that he hadn't swallowed; he had probably choked to death.
The fellow refugees simply dragged him to a corner and then ignored him.
At this moment, the vengeful spirit had already emerged from the body, staring at the few fleeing refugees with a ferocious expression.
However, vengeful spirits don't have much intelligence; although they harbor resentment, they only appear terrifying on the surface.
Chu Xun didn't pay much attention and stood down under the statue.
A moment later, a dark figure carrying a black chain hook entered from outside.
Instead of going to retrieve the vengeful spirit, he came before Chu Xun and respectfully said, "I am a ghost messenger from Zhangnan County, paying my respects to the immortal master."
Chu Xun looked at him and asked, "Do you know me?"
When he killed Song Jingmin, he encountered the underworld messengers, but they were old and frail then, while now they are in their prime.
The underworld official explained, "I don't recognize you, but your cultivation is profound; one look is enough to tell you're extraordinary."
Chu Xun glanced at the time; there was very little left.
Instead of urging the underworld officials to take the vengeful spirit and leave, he asked, "Why don't you take away the piles of incense offerings here?"
The underworld official was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Does the immortal not know that incense offerings not belonging to the underworld cannot be carried?"
Incense may seem light and airy, but it actually represents the beliefs of living beings.
How weighty is a belief?
It can be as light as a feather, or as heavy as Mount Tai.
Even the underworld cannot take it.
We can only watch it exist, like a mountain of gold right in front of us, yet we are powerless to stop it.
"If this temple is destroyed, will you still hunt down the so-called Pine and Willow Water God?" Chu Xun asked again.
This was a question he had always wanted to ask, but he didn't want to go directly to the underworld to inquire, lest he cause unnecessary trouble.
Today is the perfect time!
The underworld official said, "If we can't find them, so be it. But if we do find them, we must still destroy them. Evil worship and wild gods are like sparks; they cannot be allowed to ignite."
Chu Xun's gaze turned slightly cold. It seemed that ever since the flood discharge channel appeared and the first people came to offer incense and chant the name of the Pine and Willow Water God, all of this was irreversible.
"If the Immortal Master has nothing else to say, I shall take that soul and return to the Underworld to report," said the underworld official.
Chu Xun remained silent. Although the underworld official was puzzled, he still bowed and walked towards the vengeful spirit with the black chain hook.
The hooks easily caught on the vengeful spirits, causing them to emanate black energy and suffer unbearable pain.
The underworld officials showed no courtesy whatsoever, dragging and pulling him along by force.
In their eyes, the soul has no place whatsoever.
After all, once brought back to the underworld, the Book of Good and Evil will be checked, and they might be reborn as animals or even thrown into the eighteen levels of hell for torture.
Chu Xun watched the Yin Messenger drift away, then glanced at the time again.
[Cleric Rank 8334/10000: Unconferred minor deity, can hide remaining hours each year: 0 (After conferment, can obtain divine powers and can possess a soul to die in place of another)]
The incense that had accumulated at the Songliu Water God Temple flowed rapidly into Chu Xun's body like a stream.
In an instant, a series of thoughts, like ribbons floating in the air, floated into my mind.
"May the water god bless my child and cure his illness."
"I want a good marriage, someone beautiful, wealthy, and preferably someone who won't let me marry into their family."
May you win at the gambling tables next year!
With each thought, the figures of those people who made wishes came to mind.
These are followers of the Pine Willow Water God, and they will only appear if one sincerely kneels and worships.
If the heart is not sincere, it cannot be transmitted.
Most of the ribbons are white, while some ribbon-like thoughts are gray.
"I wish I could be the emperor."
"I want to live forever."
Chu Xun immediately understood; the incense offerings he had accumulated over decades had brought him close to becoming a true god.
However, it has not been officially conferred a title, and its incense offerings are still somewhat lacking.
Some believers' aspirations can be fulfilled by approaching the realm of the true God, while others are not qualified.
When believers' wishes are fulfilled, they will naturally worship the gods and deities with even greater sincerity; it is a mutually beneficial process.
Looking at those white ribbons, Chu Xun felt a strong urge to give it a try.
However, the underworld messenger who had floated outside the door suddenly stopped.
He slowly turned his head, his face was blurry, and even his eyes were not clearly visible.
But at that moment, his gaze suddenly became much clearer.
It was faintly tinged with blood.
The black chain hooks were withdrawn from the vengeful spirit, and the underworld official stared at Chu Xun, his voice devoid of any respect.
"Spirit of the Pine and Willow Water God, it was you all along!"
Without a word, the underworld messenger silently hooked the black chain and hook towards Chu Xun.
"You evil spirits and wild gods, surrender now and come with me to the underworld to be punished!"
One second they were very respectful, the next they were acting like enemies, their arrogance overwhelming.
It was as if, with just a single command, Chu Xun should rightfully be captured and taken back to the underworld to die.
Their attitudes before and after were completely different.
Seeing the menacing underworld officials, Chu Xun did not draw his longsword.
Instead, he flipped his palm over, revealing a round bead covered with holes.
As spiritual energy was infused into it, a piercing whistling sound was heard.
A swift gust of wind struck head-on towards the underworld official.
"A magical artifact!"
Amidst the cries of the underworld officials, the black chain hook was sent flying backward, dripping viscous black liquid continuously.
The liquid turned into wisps of black mist in mid-air, and then dispersed.
The underworld official caught the black chain hook with both hands, but was so shaken that he staggered backward.
"So your strength is not even as good as that old bat."
The underworld official suddenly looked up at the man beneath the statue, his eyes burning with even more bloodlust.
"How dare you be so arrogant, you heretical and wild gods!" he roared, charging forward fearlessly.
Their courage is commendable, but their strength is lacking.
At the same time, in the City God Temple in Zhangnan County, the golden statue of the City God trembled.
A deep voice rang out: "The Pine and Willow Water God has revealed his true form. Judge Wu, lead the Night Patrol Gods, and the Underworld Messengers, proceed immediately to capture him!"
The middle-aged man, dressed in a dark brown military robe, had a slightly blurred face, yet a hint of majesty could still be seen.
He held a black iron token in one hand and a black iron ruler in the other.
"Yes, sir!"
Behind him appeared a night-wandering god dressed in black robes, as well as a dozen or so underworld messengers.
As he floated out of the City God Temple, he quickly headed towards the Songliu Water God Temple.
Although Chu Xun was in the Foundation Establishment stage, he was a scattered god who had not been officially appointed and had not reached the level of a true god.
With his martial prowess, he was already a match for the enemy, not to mention the assistance of the Night Wanderer and the Underworld Messengers.
The judge appeared, bowed to the golden statue of the City God, and said, "The Pine and Willow Water God has been hidden for decades, and now he suddenly appears. I wonder what his purpose is."
A deep voice rose again: "But they are just wild gods who haven't yet come into their own; there's no need to think too much about them."
Wenpan said nothing more, bowed, and disappeared.
It's not that the City God is arrogant, but rather that similar wild gods have been easily wiped out over the years.
These righteous gods know their rank and abilities.
Unfortunately, Chu was an outcast that they couldn't understand.
Inside the Songliu Water God Temple, three consecutive gusts of wind nearly shattered the souls of the underworld officials.
Its form became extremely blurred, and the black chains and hooks were completely shattered, turning into black mist and dissipating.
"So the underworld officials are just more powerful vengeful spirits after all."
Chu Xun showed no mercy and lashed out with a water whip.
The already nearly vanished Yin messengers could hardly withstand this force and were immediately drained away into nothingness.
At the same time, Chu Xun felt a faint warm current flowing through his body.
The information appeared automatically in front of me.
Fire-starting skill 11463/30000: Can generate extremely small flames. Chu Xun let out a soft exclamation. He clearly remembered that he had only used the Fire-starting skill 11163 times before, but now it had increased by 300 points for no reason.
"Could it be related to killing the underworld officials?"
Chu Xun's eyes flashed. If killing the Yin Messenger could speed up the progress of the spell, it would definitely be an unexpected bonus.
One Yin-Yang exchange yields 300 points, ten of them yield 3,000 points.
It may not seem like many, but don't forget that above the underworld officials are the day and night patrol gods, judges, and even the city god.
At this moment, Chu Xun seemed to sense something.
After a moment's thought, he chose to conceal his Foundation Establishment stage cultivation.
A dozen or so dark figures swayed in front of the temple, their authoritative voices booming: "You audacious wild god of pine and willow trees, how dare you murder a messenger of the underworld! Your crime is heinous! Seize him!"
Chu Xun looked up and saw that Wu Pan had arrived with the Night Patrol God and many underworld messengers.
Facing the underworld head-on, Chu Xun did not feel the apprehension and tension he had felt before.
He stared intently at Wu Pan, his eyes gleaming with great interest.
If a ghost messenger gives 300 points, how much would a martial judge give?
Wu Pan felt uneasy under his gaze. Although the other party was indeed an unappointed wild god, something still felt off.
The tall, slender Night Wanderer, accompanied by his underworld messengers, launched a fierce attack.
A dozen or so black chains and hooks reached out towards Chu Xun.
The wind howled again, and the gale blew, making the black chains and hooks clang loudly.
Pulls of black smoke rose up.
But the old bat wasn't a true spirit after all; it was one step short.
The bone had been hit by four gusts of wind, reaching its limit, and some cracks had appeared on its surface.
If you don't give it time to recover and continue using it, it will burst open immediately.
This was one of the few magical artifacts Chu Xun possessed, so naturally he was reluctant to waste it.
Fortunately, the last gust of wind, though it failed to destroy all the black chains and hooks, forced the underworld messengers to return empty-handed.
Upon seeing this, the Night Wanderer emitted a grating sound like tree bark rubbing together: "No wonder you dared to show yourself tonight; you've obtained a magical artifact from a spirit!"
The underworld messengers used black chains and hooks, while the night wanderers carried a black lantern.
The eerie fire on the shady side burned a vibrant green within the lantern.
The Night Wanderer floated forward, and a wisp of eerie fire was drawn out from the lantern.
"Go!"
The yin fire transformed into a net of flames, enveloping Chu Xun from above.
The underworld officials also made their move, with a dozen or so black chains and hooks following closely behind.
This is by no means about taking the person back; rather, it's about eliminating them on the spot.
Without hesitation, Chu Xun swung his long sword and slashed forward.
The sword collided with the green fire net and was shattered after a few breaths.
But then a white sword shadow appeared, swiftly slicing through the fire net and shattering the black chains and hooks that followed.
Along the way, several of the Yin messengers were cut down and turned into black mist.
"A golden magic artifact!"
The Night Wanderer let out a mournful cry and was cleaved in two by the white sword shadow.
The essence of gold is poured into the vessel, and it is used to slay evil spirits.
Although the Underworld is a righteous deity appointed by the emperor, the emperor's decree has no jurisdiction over Jin Jing.
Whether you are a messenger from the underworld, a night-roaming god, or some kind of demon or monster.
Before the essence of gold, all are evil spirits!
This sword strike severely injured the Night Wanderer.
The two halves of the body fell to the ground, like a severed snake, writhing weakly.
Although he did not die immediately, he was not far from death.
The white sword shadow still had momentum when Wu Pan let out a snort and tossed out the black iron token in his hand.
The token was engraved with the character "拘" (meaning "to detain" or "to restrain"), and it grew longer in the wind, transforming into a shield-like shape to block the way.
The white sword shadow slammed fiercely into it, the token made a loud noise, and black sparks flew everywhere.
Although it blocked the white sword shadow, a huge crack appeared on the token, as if it would break at any moment.
A pang of heartache flashed in Wu Pan's eyes. The common people worshipped the City God, while those of them, who were under the jurisdiction of the underworld, could only occasionally receive a small amount of incense offerings.
The token is damaged, and it's unclear how long it will take to repair.
But after blocking the white sword shadow, Wu Pan breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "You dare to be so presumptuous here with two magical artifacts in your hands."
"A wild god is a wild god, utterly ignorant of his own limitations!"
With that, Wu Pan swung his iron ruler and struck Chu Xun on the head.
This strike will surely shatter the soul of that ungrateful wild god!
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