In the gloomy city.
The Second Deity, along with the other deities, the Seven Saints of Mei Mountain, and the grassroots deities, watched Chen Yun without a word.
This place belongs to the underworld, and normal people cannot come here. Only celestial beings who have cultivated to a certain level and can "vanish" their spirit can enter, including but not limited to yin spirits.
That's why Er Langshen and the deities in his army were able to instantly discern Chen Yun's cultivation level at a glance.
Chen Yun wasn't unaware of the Second Deity; he was just feigning ignorance.
He originally came to steal people, and now that Er Langshen and the other deities were all present, if he went up to greet them, it would only confirm that he came to steal people.
Doing so would not preserve face.
Acting as if they don't recognize each other will make it all right.
I don't know that you're talking about surrender.
Neither did I know that you were the Second Deity.
Even less do I know what your purpose is.
As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.
Since I didn't know, can't you not blame me?
Of course, if Er Langshen said at that moment that Ji Xin was the ghost general he wanted to recruit, Chen Yun could only grit his teeth and turn around and leave.
Why did he have to immediately announce his identity just now?
The purpose is to block Er Langshen's mouth so that he can successfully communicate with Ji Xin.
The reason why Chen Yun attached so much importance to it was that the ghost general he wanted to recruit this time was Ji Xin.
Some people may not be well-informed about Ji Xin.
If the first person were to personify the city god, Erlang Shen would definitely notice it.
Or, Ji Xin is the first personified official city god.
Ji Xin, from Tienshui, was a general under Han Wang Liu Bang during the period between the Qin and Han dynasties.
During the third year of Han Wang's reign, Xiang Yu surrounded Liu Bang at Xingyang, and the situation was dire.
Ji Xin pretended to be Liu Bang, feigned surrender to the Chu troops, and distracted them in order to divert their attention.
Liu Bang managed to escape by taking advantage of this opportunity, but Ji Xin was eventually burned and killed by Xiang Yu.
Ji Xin sacrificed his life for righteousness. After the Han founder unified the land, the second year he divided Ji Xin's hometown from Longzhong County, granting it the name "An Han," and it was annexed to Chongqing County.
There is a wild story that cannot be overlooked.
The wild history rumors that Emperor Gaozu of Han enshrined Ji Xin as the City God.
In fact, there is no record of this in the historical books.
The Tian Shui City God Temple was initially built during the Yuan Dynasty, and it was originally called Ji Xin Temple.
It was only rebuilt into a City God Temple in the early Ming Dynasty.
That means, the transformation of Ji Xin Temple into a City God Temple occurred during the early Ming Dynasty.
Since the transformation of Ji Xin Temple into a City God Temple was to occur during the early Ming Dynasty, why is it said that he was the first personified city god?
This requires an explanation of the historical context of the City God worship.
The earliest recorded use of the term "City God" can be traced back to the "Tai Henggong" in the Book of Change.
At that time, "City God" did not refer to a deity, but to the city wall and moat.
The earliest documented occurrence of the concept of "City God" combined with deity can be found in the official history "Quan Li Shu" under the Hei Qi Dynasty: "There was a local shrine within the city, commonly referred to as 'City God Lord', where both public and private prayers were made. In order to satisfy the hearts of his troops, he then led them in prayer, hoping for divine protection."
It's important to note that the City God Lord had not yet become an official position of divine worship in the state.
In the Tang Dynasty, the worship of City God began to flourish and spread nationwide. It also began to associate with famous people, becoming divine beings after death.
It was also during this period that the system of bestowing titles on City Gods began to take shape.
However, City Gods were still not officially worshipped by the state.
It was only during the period of the Southern Dynasties and the Ten Kingdoms that rulers of various regions, who were seeking the protection of City God, began to officially bestow titles on City Gods and started to operate the traditional system of bestowing titles on City Gods.
Then, in the early Northern Song Dynasty, City Gods were officially incorporated into the nation's official list of gods to be worshiped nationwide.
In such an environment, Ji Xin became the first "official" and "legal" City God, with the title of "Gong of Loyalty and Protection of Han."
This is the process of Ji Xin's personification as a god in his original world's City God.
This world is slightly different from his previous life, belonging to the world of Daoist myths, and any deity worship must be agreed upon by the Heavenly Court and the parent country in order to establish a shrine. Otherwise, it would be a pseudogod of Fox Fo and even its shrine would be demolished by the imperial court.
Therefore, Ji Xin has not yet become a god.
As for why Ji Xin appears near Qingcheng Mountain, he is actually not within the region of Qingcheng Mountain, but is located in the Underworld, and only because of the overlap of dimensions does it seem like he is in Qingcheng Mountain.
Chen Yun knew that Ji Xin would become the first City God, and also knew of his unwavering loyalty, so he deliberately pretended not to recognize Er Langshen. No matter what, he would recruit Ji Xin under his command.
Ji Xin had long noticed Chen Yun leading a group of celestial generals into the room and then heard them announce their identity. Knowing that they were from a prestigious background, he quickly bowed and replied, "It is an honor to meet the apprentice of Zhengyang True Man, Ji Xin greets Master Chen."
Chen Yun said courteously, "General Ji, you are polite. My proposal, what do you think?"
This time, Ji Xin did not hesitate because of the other's prestigious background. He directly refused, "I apologize, but I cannot agree. I have let down Master Chen."
Er Langshen and his attendants, such as Chu Jiang Da Wang, could not help but heave a sigh of relief.
They highly valued Ji Xin and the other 300 brave and fierce yin soldiers, naturally they did not want to be taken away by others.
Don't look at Ji Xin, who is currently just a ghost general. His cultivation is comparable to that of an average mage.
This is because he is still a "ghost." If he undergoes ritual training, worship, and other means to be transformed into a divine general, his strength would greatly increase.
This is still just after becoming a divine general. With daily worship or if Er Langshen is willing to share his beliefs, Ji Xin becoming a ghost immortal would be very easy.
The yin soldiers under Ji Xin are also formidable. Each one is comparable to someone just entering the realm of inferior mages.
These yin soldiers were all elite troops under Han Wang before, their combat power far exceeding that of ordinary yin soldiers. After ritual training and worship, they would become a group of elite divine soldiers.
Of course, even Er Langshen would have to be attracted by these yin soldiers, and may even have to come personally to try to persuade them.
Er Langshen and his group saw Chen Yun being refused, and thought to themselves that you must either use force to subdue Ji Xin and the 300 yin soldiers, or return from where you came.
They didn't even think for a moment that Chen Yun could come up with a third option.
But just as happens, Chen Yun's thick-skinnedness far exceeds the imagination of Er Langshen and his group.
He simply smiled and asked, "General Ji, why are you unwilling to surrender?"
The attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang thought, why so many "whys"? Have you not seen that our Guanjiang Er Lang Temple couldn't recruit them?
Ji Xin did not look down on Chen Yun and answered honestly, "Master Chen, if I were to stand alone, naturally I would be willing to acknowledge you as my master, being the disciple of a prestigious sect. However, I cannot only consider myself. There are also my three hundred brothers who have risked their lives for me and cannot bear to fall into reincarnation. I must seek a way out for them."
Chen Yun blinked and continued to ask, "What kind of way out do you want for your brothers? Can you tell me about it? Perhaps I can also help you with it."
Er Langshen, however, held back from saying anything because of Chen Yun's identity.
The attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang could no longer restrain himself, shouting, "Master Chen, I apologize if I am impolite, but Ji family brothers want all their 300 yin soldiers to become the undead in the underworld. My Guanjiang Erlang Temple has already rejected this proposal for lack of space for more undead officials. What can you do?"
Hearing this, Chen Yun's eyes lit up, ignoring the attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang, and looked towards Ji Xin to ask, "General Ji, is this true?"
Ji Xin nodded slightly, "It is true."
If other requirements, Chen Yun might really have no way to fulfill, but in terms of yin soldiers, he doesn't need to deliberately satisfy.
In a few decades, with the establishment of the Song Dynasty, Ji Xin will be enshrined as the first "legitimate" City God in history.
And with the City God system being newly recognized by the state, there is a need to add a large number of "grassroots civil service positions."
Dare not say other, the City God Temple has many positions of the Judicial and Military Commanders, various God Officials, General Gantao, General Niu and Ma, Night and Day Tourist Gods, and the Jia Lv Generals. This is still within the range of deity duties.
If there are more positions of ordinary yin soldiers, such as the subordinates of the Judicial and Military Commanders, do they not need officials to handle affairs? Moreover, under the command of various God Officials, Gantao and Niu Ma Generals, and other deities, do they not need yin soldiers for combat? Although the positions of officials and soldiers are lowly in status, they are in fact real grassroots workers within the yin system, belonging to the formal "staffing" of the yin system!
Of course, as Ji Xin's followers, the 300 fierce yin soldiers would naturally be able to follow suit and become "official" positions.
Some of the 300 fierce yin soldiers might even have the good luck to directly become gods!
Chen Yun confidently said, "If I say that as long as you, General Ji, are willing to join hands with your brothers and follow me to become divine soldiers, you will surely be able to achieve your wish in the future?"
Er Langshen was stunned, and unconsciously looked at Chen Yun.
The attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang and the six holy deities of Mei Mountain also all looked puzzled and watched Chen Yun.
After all, Guanjiang Er Lang Temple doesn't have that many divine positions. They were unsure where Chen Yun's confidence was coming from.
Ji Xin seemed to have some doubts, furrowing his brow and said, "Master Chen, I apologize for my impoliteness, but as just a seventh-level mage, how could you possibly give me and my brothers divine positions in the underworld?"
Chen Yun said confidently, "I know my cultivation is shallow, and I may not have the ability to convince you. However, my master, Zhengyang True Man, is the great master of Daoism and holds a divine position in the Heavenly Court. Firstly, if I cannot fulfill your request, it will be a dishonor to my master. As his disciple, I absolutely do not want to see him humiliated because of my random promises. Secondly, before my master attained immortality and ascended to the heavens as an immortal being of Daodejing (Laozi's classic), he was also a general in Han Dynasty. I have always considered myself a Han Chinese since I became his disciple. Undoubtedly, General Ji should be aware that our Great Han Dynasty has always been governed by honesty and integrity. If I cannot fulfill your promise, what is there left to talk about for those who are loyal to Han?"
That point is indeed true; the overwhelming majority of people in modern China are of the Han ethnicity.
Additionally, during the Han Dynasty, the court established a series of institutions and systems to ensure the stability and reliability of national credit. This was a historical first for the Han court.
This system has led to the Han Chinese people viewing honesty and integrity as their foundation.
Chen Yun's words served two purposes: Firstly, he was building rapport with the other party by stating that his teacher and himself had both been officials under the Han Dynasty, and that he considered himself a Han Chinese. This implies that they were on the same side.
Secondly, he was giving the other party confidence by mentioning his teacher's reputation and saying that the other party should trust him because he had already mentioned his teacher's name.
Ji Xin began to feel intrigued, but he did not take his brothers' future as a gamble. Instead, he asked, "How much time do you mean by this 'future'?"
Er Langshen furrowed his brows.
The attendants Chu Jiang Da Wang and the seven holy deities of Mei Mountain also sensed that things were not going to go well.
They naturally understood from Ji Xin's words that he was already beginning to show interest.
They were simply puzzled by the fact that Er Langshen was so courteous and respectful to the worthy, yet Ji Xin showed no interest at all in him. Instead, he seemed to be taken by Chen Yun, who had only exchanged a few casual words.
Chen Yun calculated the time, "The longest may not exceed a hundred years."
Ji Xin nodded slightly and said, "If it doesn't exceed a hundred years, I'm not opposed to it. However, Master Chen, you appear to have ordinary cultivation. May I ask, how are you going to grant me and my brothers the opportunity for positions in the underworld?"
Chen Yun spoke frankly, "With the world in turmoil and a potential change of dynasties at any time, I predict that the battle for deification will come within a hundred years. By then, my Niyangdong Taoist Temple will inevitably be involved in it. I can't guarantee it for others, but as a mere seventh-level mage, even if I gain military merit, there's nowhere to use it. However, if General Ji and your brothers help me, isn't it possible to accumulate enough merit for the appointment as yin officials in the battle for deification? General Ji, you and your brothers are currently yin soldiers in the spiritual realm and it's difficult to participate in the battle for deification since we lack a legitimate cause. However, if you and your brothers become my divine soldiers, can't we fight through my Niyangdong Taoist Temple? What you and your brothers lack isn't strength but an opportunity for appointment. Perhaps I can't provide other things, but I can offer you this chance to fight."
His words were spoken sincerely, without any hint of deception.
Although Er Langshen, the attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang, and others also spoke in all sincerity, their words sounded too grand and empty.
Why do you say that?
It's simple. There are indeed many divine positions in the heavenly court, but there are even more cultivators in the world, and there are countless people related to deities. Ji Xin and his bandits number three hundred; how can you justify getting so many divine positions for them?
The most crucial point is that Er Langshen himself just said that it would take several generations of deity battles to achieve it.
Who knows how many centuries or millennia it would take for several dynasties to come and go?
Over such a long period, their brothers might have died in battle long ago. Let alone becoming deities, it's uncertain if they would even survive.
Chen Yun is different; he is straightforward and has given a time limit of no more than a hundred years, which everyone can look forward to.
By comparison, Chen Yun appears to be full of sincerity.
So, although Er Langshen spoke from the heart, in the eyes of Ji Xin and the bandits, the offer from the Erlang Temple seems like an "empty check," as if they are just promising them big dreams.
Chen Yun's performance here is different. He first guaranteed his teacher's reputation, and then he proposed a practical solution for them to become divine officials, which is not difficult to implement and has a very high chance of success.
Ji Xin and his bandits, naturally, were all intrigued upon hearing this.
Ji Xin pondered for a moment, "If it's as you say, Master Chen, there's no problem for me and my men to join your command as divine soldiers."
Er Langshen couldn't help but feel puzzled.
The attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang and the seven holy deities of Mei Mountain also all showed a great deal of confusion. The opportunity to become gods was right in front of them, but why wasn't Ji Xin cherishing it and going for a low-ranking position as a yin official instead?
They all didn't know what sort of magical potion Chen Yun had poured into Ji Xin's ears!
Fortunately, Ji Xin added a sentence at this time, giving Er Langshen, the attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang, and the seven holy deities of Mei Mountain hope once again.
Ji Xin spoke, "But I still have the same concern I mentioned earlier. Master Chen, your cultivation level is indeed quite ordinary. I'm afraid that by the time the battle for deification arrives, you might fail to achieve victory before it begins. In that case, how can I and my brothers ensure our future prospects?"
Chen Yun said, "General Ji, I would like to ask you a question. Would you be willing to follow me as long as I prove my strength?"
"Yes," Ji Xin gave a definite answer, "If Master Chen has the ability to subdue me and my three hundred brothers, no matter what methods are used, we will follow your orders in the future."
Chen Yun said, "Alright, a man of honor speaks once."
Ji Xin said, "The horse of four colors is hard to chase!"
Chen Yun immediately said, "I will start the ritual right away. If there are any inconveniences or accidents during the process, and I accidentally hurt you, General Ji, or any of your brothers, please forgive me."
Ji Xin laughed and said, "If you can hurt me and my brothers, I would be overjoyed. It means that you have the ability to lead us to gain merit in the Battle for Deification."
In just a short conversation, the two had established the terms of their allegiance.
Chen Yun and Ji Xin were both delighted, as this was a mutual agreement.
Only Er Langshen, the attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang, and the seven holy deities of Mei Mountain, a crowd of deities from the Guanjiang Temple, were puzzled.
They had been busy trying to persuade Ji Xin for several years without success.
The result was that the small Taoist named Chen Chong came, and he basically convinced Ji Xin?
They truly couldn't understand why the Guanjiang Temple of Er Langshen had offended Ji Xin and his three hundred bandits so severely that they were so disliked.
It was precisely because they were very puzzled that Er Langshen, the attendant Chu Jiang Da Wang, and the seven holy deities of Mei Mountain stayed behind.
He wanted to see if Chen Yun really had the ability to subdue Ji Xin and his bandits.
After that, whether or not he can subdue them, he intended to ask Ji Xin why he chose Chen Yun over his Guanjiang Temple of Er Langshen.
Today's chapter might be a four-thousand-word monster, but I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I have a headache and a body ache, so I'm not sure what's going on.
(The end of this chapter)
