From the Carp that Brings Children to the Celestial Officials

Chapter 288 Opening Up a New County

The clouds on Yuanling Mountain had not yet dispersed, and the spiritual rain was still quietly falling deep within the cave.

A deity dressed in a black robe, with a dark and solemn face and wearing a crown of the underworld, stood solemnly outside Yuanling Mountain. Behind him, a dozen or so faint divine soldiers appeared and stood guard to one side.

The deity surveyed Yuanling Mountain, which from afar resembled a dragon's head raised high, with its spine stretching across nine layers. From the foot of the mountain, it was shrouded in clouds and mist, exuding a sense of lushness and elegance.

He couldn't help but admire the skill of this Carp Spirit God, who belonged to the Heavenly Officials.

In just over a decade, they transformed this ordinary little hill into what it is today.

"I am deeply sorry to have troubled you, Your Honor, to make the trip. I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly."

Just as the gods were feeling inspired, they suddenly heard a clear, melodious voice.

A boy in his early teens appeared on the side of a cliff not far away. He was dressed in a plain white robe, wearing a silver crown, holding a ruyi scepter, and had an extremely handsome face. His overall aura seemed to be connected with Yuanling Mountain, giving people a gentle feeling.

Even celestial beings descending to earth might not be more impressive than this.

As You Ming's cultivation deepened, although his age was only that of an infant in that long lifespan, his outward appearance also matured, no longer resembling a child at the beginning.

"Congratulations on your great progress in cultivation, Your Excellency."

Even the deity was momentarily stunned upon seeing You Ming's demeanor.

There's no way around it, because You Ming's appearance gets a boost in Yuanling Mountain. His base appearance is 5 points, but in Yuanling Mountain, it's a whopping 8 points.

What is a succubus from Yuanling Mountain? This is a succubus from Yuanling Mountain.

The kind that appeals to both men and women.

The two went straight into the main hall in the underworld and took their seats.

You Ming sat in the main seat, looking at the deity before him.

Although this god was so polite to him, even somewhat reserved, his divine rank was still above Youming's.

He was Gu Wenxi, a sixth-rank judge in the Ministry of Justice.

However, although You Ming's own rank is only eighth grade, his cultivation is too high, especially in a remote place like Bingzhou. No god below the fifth grade would dare to underestimate him.

“My lord, the population inside and outside the new city has now exceeded 120,000, which is sufficient to establish a new county.”

"The City God sent me here to discuss the establishment of a county with the Magistrate."

As the population of Youming’s jurisdiction continued to grow, a new town was built between the three villages of Dadun, Yangjiaoshui, and Chenjiazhuang. The population gradually merged, and the town reached the standard of a county town.

Neither the imperial court nor the religious authorities could allow such a large area to remain unmanaged.

In recent years, the villages outside the city have been better off. At least there are local deities residing there, and village affairs are managed by the villagers and their clans, so there are no major problems.

However, the population in the new city is becoming increasingly dense, and it cannot be left without government jurisdiction.

However, if a temple to the underworld city god is to be set up, You Ming is an absolute hurdle that cannot be avoided.

If this person doesn't agree, there will likely be many unexpected complications.

Therefore, starting last year, the City God has sent people to contact You Ming many times, hoping to come up with a strategy that would please both sides.

After hearing Gu Wenxi's words, You Ming simply wore a faint smile and said nothing.

He was waiting for the other party to offer their terms.

If he is not satisfied with this condition, then let him go back and discuss it with the City God again.

With You Ming's current strength, he naturally has the confidence to negotiate with him.

Gu Wenxi paused for a moment, then took out a document.

"The City God has several matters to discuss, and we wish to hear His Majesty's decision." He opened the document and slowly stated:
"Firstly, the county god's shrine can be set up in the southwest of the county town to avoid the aura of the Yuanling God's altar and not offend the dignity of the magistrate."

This first point made You Ming lift his eyelids.

I never expected the City God to make such a big concession on his first condition.

In other words, if a City God Temple were to be built in the new city, it would be constructed in a remote location, while a temple for wandering spirits would be built in the center of the city.

The temple of a seventh-rank deity is giving way to the temple of an eighth-rank deity; it seems that the City God of Changning Prefecture is truly sincere.

"Secondly, the new county's underworld is divided into nine departments and seven offices, with half of the divine officials subject to the judgment of the divine deity."

The second condition is that half of the candidates for the many assistant gods and subordinate gods under the jurisdiction of the county city god can be determined by You Ming.

This is tantamount to allowing You Ming to place his own people in the City God Temple.

Gu Wenxi glanced at You Ming. In fact, if this Carp Spirit God hadn't refused to serve as the City God, the Prefectural City God originally intended for You Ming to serve as the City God of the New County, which would have saved a lot of trouble.

But You Ming was not happy about it; having another part-time job meant having to work another job.

It's not a position within the Heavenly Official Rank, so he wouldn't even look at it.

"Thirdly, the City God shall not interfere with the power to bestow children or blessings, and the incense offerings shall be clearly recorded."

"If there is any disagreement among the four, the City God and the deity shall jointly decide."

"Fifthly, all newly born souls should first respond to the deity, and then return to the government office."

The City God of Changning offered five conditions in a row, so generous that You Ming could find no reason to refuse.

The subsequent agreements not only granted You Ming the right to collect incense offerings in a relaxed manner, but also the right to choose the spirits of the dead.

This means that Youming can select high-quality Yin spirits in advance, so that the children born will be better in all aspects.

Upon hearing this, You Ming pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"Since the City God has made such a concession, it would seem unreasonable of me to refuse."

You Ming reached out and took the jade slip, pressed his own magic seal into it, and with a flash of spiritual light, transmitted it to Gu Wenxi.

"This place is my divine domain, and I shall uphold the rules of human relations with all the officials. The living shall be blessed by me, and the dead shall be guided back by the City God. The two ends of the Heavenly Way shall each find peace in their own way, and this is the righteous path."

Having received the benefits, You Ming naturally didn't hesitate to say a few kind words.

Gu Wenxi accepted the document and bowed to You Ming again.

Now that You Ming has agreed, things will be much easier.

In fact, although it seems like a great loss for Changning Prefecture to lose the incense offerings of a county town.

But after all, there is such a powerful figure in the area, and the two sides have a good relationship. If anything happens, they can help each other.

Most importantly, You Ming's divine authority as a bestowed son is too powerful, far exceeding what an eighth-rank deity should be like.

His jurisdiction not only boasts an exceptionally high birth rate but also an astonishingly high level of childcare. The numerous midwives he trained significantly increased the success rate of childbirth, and the children were physically strong. Furthermore, there was a Taoist academy that taught martial arts and knowledge.

In the long run, most of these talented individuals will enter the imperial court.

After their deaths, they become excellent candidates for the path of divinity, at the very least becoming divine officials. If they accumulate enough merit or hold high positions while alive, they might even be deified.

"In that case, I will go and report back to the City God."

After Gu Wenxi checked the documents and found them to be correct, he got up and said goodbye to You Ming.

(End of this chapter)