I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 161 It’s a big deal!

If a temple loses its incense offerings, it will disband. Gu Zixu had been running his temple for many years, and the believers he had painstakingly gathered were all gone in a single day because of the relief grain incident.

It's impossible for it not to feel resentful. Since you accuse me of stealing government grain, if I don't steal it, then I'm just taking the blame for nothing!

So I'm not just going to steal, I'm going to pull off a big heist!
Gu Zixu spent nearly a year digging a rat's den beneath the solid foundation of the grain storage warehouse, and then built an underground granary behind the rat's den.

Xu Qing clicked his tongue in disbelief.

This mouse may be petty, but it can do some pretty big things.

But it was still too simplistic. This granary was built under the supervision of the Celestial Master's Mansion. It was the first time Gu Zixu started stealing grain. If he really stole for a month or two, not to mention losing half of the grain in the granary, even if he lost 10%, the grain official would have to ask a master from the Celestial Master's Mansion to come and get rid of the rats.

When people dig up your rat-infested house from top to bottom, are you afraid you won't be able to recover the grain you stole?
Gu Zixu's long beard and eyebrows trembled, still somewhat disbelieving: "Dig three feet into the ground? This granary would take a long time and a lot of effort to build. I only stole some grain from him. Could he really have dismantled the entire granary?"

Xu Qing looked at this simple-minded, down-on-his-luck immortal and sneered, "Controlling the rat infestation and building granaries may not be a bad thing for the government. With all the tearing and repairing, a large sum of money will come in. Some people might even be hoping that you can make a big fuss, so that no matter if it's a new debt, an old debt, or a fabricated debt, they can all be pinned on you!"

"."

Gu Zixu was sweating profusely; he knew he couldn't possibly live like this from now on!

It couldn't even handle a small altar set up by the government and the Cat Fairy Hall they invited. If a grand ceremony were held and a master from the Celestial Master's Mansion were invited to raid its lair, its entire family would surely perish.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, look at us, father-in-law and son-in-law."

"Don't try to get close to me, we're not that close."

Cat Fairy Hall and Gray Fairy Hall becoming in-laws? I've never heard of anything so outrageous before!
Gu Zixu chuckled dryly, then secretly waved his hand, hidden in his sleeve, at his daughter.

The bride, wearing a red veil and all white, shyly lifted a corner of her veil and looked at Xu Qing with affectionate eyes.

The rat woman had a face as smooth as cream and lips as lustrous as jade, as if she had stepped out of a painting.

The Rat Lady gracefully approached Xu Qing and bowed respectfully, her voice soft and hesitant, as if she were somewhat afraid of the cat in front of Xu Qing.

"My name is Gu Qiao'er, and I greet you, my lord."

Xuan Yu felt a chill run down her spine, and her cat fur stood on end like needles.

Xu Qing reached out to soothe the black cat in front of him. With the enhancement of his Qi Observation Technique, the beautiful Gu Qiao'er was nothing more than a big white mouse in his eyes.

“Fellow Daoist Xu, rats can store grain and generate wealth. Although my daughter is of average appearance, she is the most auspicious wife. If she marries into a farming family, she can be assured of abundant harvests and a life free from worries about food and clothing; if she marries into a merchant family, she can be assured of a thriving business and a life free from financial worries.”

Xu Qing wasn't particularly interested in the story of the rat's daughter getting married, but when he heard Gu Zixu's words, it was as if something had been triggered in him. He subconsciously asked, "Then, if a funeral shop deals in the dead, can it also guarantee a prosperous business?"

"."

Gu Zixu stammered, "This, this is something I've never tried before."

"However, if Fellow Daoist Xu wishes to have it, he may."

Xu Qing stared at Gu Zixu, his eyes full of distrust.

This old man would even send his own daughter away to save his own life, so what wouldn't he dare to make up?
“Old man, you’re a mouse and I’m a cat. We’re destined to be on different paths. But if you’re willing to do me a favor, I might let you go.”

"Please speak, fellow Daoist. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse."

"Excellent!" Xu Qing clapped his hands and said, "To tell you the truth, I was originally invited by the grain official. Now that the autumn harvest is imminent, the granaries are not yet full. If you are willing to command the rats to steal the new grain harvested by the villagers outside the city and fill the granaries, I will spare your life. Not only that, I can also recommend you to the magistrate to clear your name of past injustices, rebuild your temple, and obtain an official title from the court so that you can become a true immortal!"

As soon as Xu Qing finished speaking, Gu Zixu suddenly stood up.

The old man glared at Xu Qing, pointed at his nose, and angrily cursed:
"What a fine Cat Fairy Hall! I had heard that the Cat Fairy Hall was dedicated to upholding justice and eliminating evil, and I thought you were a righteous immortal family. I never imagined that you were also filthy bastards colluding with corrupt officials!"

Xuan Yu turned to look at Xu Qing and whispered, "Xu Xianjia, we can slowly accumulate incense offerings if we don't have any, but we can't bully the weak, steal their food, or cheat them out of their incense offerings. That would damage our karma."

Ignoring Xuan Yu's advice, Xu Qing looked around and said, "Any of you willing to obey orders? I'm telling you beforehand, whoever obeys will receive countless offerings and rewards, and whoever disobeys..."

As he spoke, Xu Qing pulled out a large axe that could smash a rat's brain.

The small, door-like axe reflected a cold light. The few large rats who led Xu Qing were the first to express their loyalty, chattering and pledging their willingness to steal grain from the villagers.

Of the several old servants in the Rat House, only one stood by Gu Zixu's side, while the others tried to persuade him to prioritize the greater good.

"My lord, receiving an official title from the imperial court is a once-in-a-century opportunity. If we can build a Rat King Temple, our descendants will have an endless supply of offerings and incense to enjoy."

Gu Zixu was furious, his beard bristling and eyes wide with anger. Gu Qiao'er was supporting the old man beside him. Neither of them had expected that they would encounter such a heartbreaking situation of being betrayed and abandoned by everyone.

"If any of you want to follow the old man, stand still. If you want to follow me to be granted immortality, come to my side."

Gu Zixu looked at the old men who used to be in his temple and shouted, "Have you all forgotten the rules of the immortal temple?"

The old men glanced at the outwardly strong but inwardly weak Gu Zixu, then looked at the pale-faced young man with a calm smile who appeared exceptionally 'noble'.

The choice seems self-evident.

“Gu Zixu, our old temple is long gone. Do you think there’s any incense left in the Fa realm? You shouldn’t be so high and mighty. If you follow the Cat Immortal Hall, at least you can get an official title from the imperial court. That’s a real cushy job.”

Gu Zixu laughed angrily, "Working with a rat and a cat is no different from trying to get something from a tiger. Do you think the imperial court would grant you official titles?"

Upon hearing this, the rat spirit with the pointed snout and small face bared its teeth and sneered, "Gu Zixu, you didn't say that when you were marrying off your daughter to curry favor with the nobleman."

"Shut up! I married my daughter off because I was misled by the rumors that the Cat Immortal Hall was friendly to its neighbors and never bullied the weak. Unlike you, the black-hearted officials caused you to lose your halls, and now you have to work for these officials. Don't you feel ashamed? I feel ashamed for you!"

Gu Zixu's face turned pale and then red, as if he was about to reveal his true form in anger.

Xu Qing felt a surge of joy as he watched the large rats come up to him, bowing and scraping to show their loyalty.

Xu Qing reached out and put Xuan Yu down. He then brandished his axe, making the 300-pound axe seem weightless in his hands.

Although these rats are all cunning and have decades of cultivation, they are no match for him.

Xu Qing flipped the axe over, and swatted at them silently, like swatting flies.

Xuan Yu's mouth was slightly open, and he was still thinking about why Xu Xianjia, who had been chatting and laughing with the rat just now, had suddenly drawn his sword.
However, when Xuan Yu saw Xu Qing eliminating these harmful rats as easily as chopping melons and vegetables, he felt unusually relieved.

Gu Zixu and Gu Qiao'er supported each other's arms, feeling both bewildered and terrified.

This man is too capricious. How could he just kill a rat like that? That's too cruel. Xu Qing took out a piece of yellow joss paper and wiped the dirt off the axe while saying, "Brother Gu's subordinates aren't very loyal."

"Now that I've cleaned up your house, the rest are all trustworthy people."

Gu Zixu looked at the only old servant and his daughter left beside him and thought to himself, "You've almost killed them all, so now only our own people are left!"
"What exactly does this fellow Daoist want to do?"

Xu Qing sat back down in his chair. Beside the chair leg, Xuan Yu looked up, a slight smile curving his lips.

It was right; Xu Xian's family had never disappointed it in their work.

"Didn't Fellow Daoist Gu say he wanted to work with my Cat Immortal Hall? Now your chance has come. My Cat Immortal Hall already occupies four of the ten halls, and there are still a few halls that haven't been established to govern the immortal families."

"Those who are perverse and lack virtue are not allowed to enter my hall; those who are unruly, stupid and difficult to teach are not worthy of being my hall's deities."

"What Fellow Daoist Xu means is..."

The rat was old and cunning. Gu Zixu was a little angry, but he quickly realized what was going on. However, to avoid misunderstanding, the old immortal still chose to speak first to test the waters.

This young man doesn't play by the rules. After Gu Zixu's experience, he no longer dares to rely on his age and be arrogant.

"My Cat Immortal Hall lacks messengers who can attract wealth and guide people to goodness. Fellow Daoist Gu has a kind heart and knows how to attract wealth. Judging from the structure of this rat house, Fellow Daoist Gu should also be well-versed in feng shui and geomancy."

"If Fellow Daoist Gu is interested, he can take charge of my Feng Shui Hall and concurrently lead the hall in the duties of attracting wealth and doing good deeds."

Gu Zixu frowned and pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "I may have some kindness, but I'm not very magnanimous. Fellow Daoist, you may invite me into the hall, but this rat-infested house and granary are unacceptable."

"I have put a lot of effort into building this rat dwelling. If you, fellow Daoist, are going to destroy my home just to curry favor with corrupt officials, then even if I go to the Cat Immortal Hall, I will still be dissatisfied."

Xu Qing chuckled, never expecting that this "Rat King of Tianjin" was such a stubborn old man with some backbone.

“The rat house can be rebuilt if it’s gone, but what’s the use of keeping this house if Qiao’er and her father are gone? It won’t have any baby rats.”

Xu Qing shook his head and said, "This matter cannot be rushed. If you two trust me, come to my hall. As for the grudge of being framed by the officials, I will help you get revenge after the storm has passed. In fact, this matter was originally part of my plan."

Where did Xu Qing get his plan? He had just come to the granary today to handle the tasks assigned to him. He wouldn't have any plan at all. It was just an idea that came to him after he saw Gu Zixu's ability to teleport and move objects.

When Gu Zixu was in his own Huixian Hall, he was often given empty promises by the incense master and clients.

People would burn incense and make offerings when they found lost items, recovered from illnesses, or had enough food and money at home. But most of them were just making empty promises. When things actually turned out and their wishes came true, few people would offer incense to express their gratitude.

Gu Zixu wasn't buying it. He wanted Xu Qing to come up with a plan, not just say he would make decisions for him in the future.

If the father and son were to sell their bodies and work hard for nothing because of this statement, wouldn't that become a huge joke?
If not handled properly, they might end up as two dishes on someone's dinner table.

Xu Qing glanced at the old servant standing next to Gu Zixu.

The latter was quite shrewd; the old mouse cupped his hands in greeting and then withdrew.

Xu Qingfu then looked at Gu Qiao'er.

Gu Zixu rolled his eyes and reached out to stop his daughter from leaving.

"Fellow Daoist, please speak freely. My daughter is not from my maternal family."

"That's not necessarily true, what if she gets married in the future?"

Gu Qiao'er twisted the hem of her skirt with her small hands and said shyly, "Since I have married my husband, I belong to his family."

"Stop!"

Xu Qing withdrew his Qi-gazing technique, looked down at the cat beside him whose fur was a little ruffled but still adorable, and his heart calmed down a bit.

“I was invited to deal with the rat infestation. If there is a problem with the granary at this time, it will surely arouse the suspicion of the officials.”

"It would be safer to deal with this matter only after this matter has been resolved and a year or two has passed."

Gu Zixu frowned and asked, "I wonder how you plan to resolve this when the time comes?"

Xu Qing flicked his finger and ignited a wisp of embers, then laughed and said, "Everyone knows that the relief granaries are empty, but who would have thought that if a fire broke out in the granaries, the officials wouldn't care?"

While others might not know whether the relief granaries had any grain, Gu Zixu knew perfectly well.

"You want to burn the grain?"

"Farmers work hard to grow grain, why would I burn it?" Xu Qing looked at Gu Zixu with a smile: "You are the best at moving wealth and things. When the time comes, you can replace the grain in that granary with straw. Even if it is burned to the ground in the future, no one will think that the rat king who was framed stole the grain."

“Once the storm has passed and the grain has been transported out of the city, I will naturally find a way to distribute it to those who need it.”

Gu Zixu's eyes lit up, but he still had doubts: "There are many highly skilled people in the world who can predict the future. What if someone discovers our secrets?"

"You don't need to worry about these things. As long as you do your job well and establish contact with the Cat Fairy Hall, I will have my own way to deal with it."

Xu Qing possesses a Heaven-level concealment technique, which can hide all heavenly secrets related to him. Since the Heavenly Dao cannot be investigated, he naturally has few concerns.

"So, how does the sect leader plan to explain this to the grain official later?"

Xu Qing got up and walked to the corpses of rats that were several times larger than cats. He laughed and said, "The Rat King and its cronies have been eliminated, and the rest of the rats have been driven away. With my Cat Immortal Hall dealing with the rats, how could we fail to complete the task?"

That night, tens of thousands of rats suddenly emerged from the Tianjin granary. All the rats had heard the news that the Cat Immortal of the Cat Immortal Hall had swallowed the Rat King whole.

The news came from the old servant who was a trusted confidant of the Rat King. Without a leader, the rats obeyed the old servant's orders and all rushed out of the burrow to the surface, scattering and fleeing out of the granary.

The granary official and Guo Dongyang were drinking wine by candlelight in their room when they suddenly heard a cacophony of rats squeaking outside. When they opened the door, they saw a swarm of rats, like refugees fleeing a disaster, scurrying out of the grain storage warehouse.

The official in charge of the grain shivered at the sight, and his drunkenness dissipated considerably. Guo Dongyang, on the other hand, ran excitedly to the door, letting the rats scurry over his feet.

Looking towards the source of the rat swarm, Guo Dongyang could only vaguely see, through the darkness, a large, striped tiger standing guard atop a distant barn.

Beside the tiger, a man and a cat stood on the roof, quietly watching the rats escape from the granary.

"There are indeed extraordinary people in this world!"

Guo Dongyang rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them again to take a closer look, the granary was completely empty, without a single person in sight.

(End of this chapter)