Gods of the Nation: You worship the God of Longevity, I worship the King of Hell!

Chapter 120 Meeting with a Powerful Backer! The God of Wealth vs. the Plague Emperor!

Lu Chen took a deep breath: "Okay, I understand! Then let's make offerings to Yama in the Underworld for now. Do we need to arrange any subordinate deities?"

King Yama: "To be honest, apart from the righteous gods, there are no subordinate gods in the underworld. They are all just underworld officials. Just assign me some left and right judges, ox-headed and horse-faced demons, so they won't occupy the divine positions in your temple."

As he spoke, He let out a sigh of admiration, his tone tinged with praise: "You rascal, you're truly remarkable. To establish a temple in such a short time, I wish you great success in your endeavors. Remember, the more abundant the incense offerings, the easier your journey through the Three Realms will be. Do you understand?"

"This junior understands!"

"Very well, I'm leaving now."

End the conversation with the King of Hell.

Lu Chen pondered his words once more.

"Should we first enshrine the deity? And then find a guardian deity to act as our mouthpiece? It seems I'll have to ask my brother for help in finding an obscure deity for me in Heaven."

But that's not the point.

What truly made Lu Chen feel that these words were profound and thought-provoking was...

According to Yama, he can use the two major divine positions as leverage to influence the Heavenly Court and the Underworld.

But in essence, it is still rooted in the pantheon of gods by worshipping deities.

However, the Plague Emperor had previously advised him to pursue the path of physical immortality, seeking transcendence and freedom.

Previously, when I heard the Plague Emperor explain it, I didn't quite understand, but after Yama's explanation, the difference between the two paths became clear.

"However... it doesn't seem to conflict with anything!"

Lu Chen smacked his lips.

"There's nothing wrong with having multiple paths to take. At worst, we can just treat physical sanctification as an advanced version."

Lu Chen thought about it and realized it made sense.

Only children do multiple choice questions.

I want them all, my lord!

Having figured this out, Lu Chen felt much better and lit the incense for the Plague Emperor again.

The Star Lord is straightforward.

It is said that in addition to Him, we should also worship the Five Plague Envoys.

As for the appearance of the statue, Lu Chen could decide for himself.

In the end, I only asked one more question: how well has the Rakshasa Cult been incorporated?

Lu Chen was equally decisive, replying with "All settled."

"Indeed, I was right about you."

After saying this, the Plague Emperor withdrew.

After receiving the complete list, Lu Chen immediately called Chen Tiansheng.

They requested to order this batch of statues.

"What? You're about to become a rising star so quickly, Xiao Chen?"

On the other end of the phone, Chen Tiansheng was clearly incredulous.

"Just lucky, just lucky, Uncle Chen. I'll leave the statue to you. Send me a price list later and I'll transfer the money to you."

"The money for making the statue is easy to discuss. You need money for various things right now, so it's not too late to pay it later when you have more money. However, there is a tax on offerings to the gods from the imperial court, which you will have to pay later."

"How much, Uncle Chen?"

"A statue costs between five million and ten million, so the Plague Emperor statue would probably cost at least ten million."

"How much? Ten million in taxes? Hiss, how much would that statue cost, if we only consider the Plague Emperor?"

"Based on your requirements, the market price is around six million. But who are you? You are a great benefactor of our Longhu County. How can Uncle Chen make money off you? How about this, I'll give you a 50% discount and calculate it based on a cost of three million."

"This... isn't a good idea, Uncle Chen? We should earn what we need to earn."

"Why be so polite with Uncle Chen? Besides, if I make money off you, Prefect Wang will probably call me heartless. It's settled then."

"Then... this junior thanks Uncle Chen!"

"Don't mention it! Speaking of which, since your seven-day demon-slaying, we have indeed had some people ordering statues of the Plague Department, but they are all small statues. No large statues have been ordered yet. It seems that the Plague Department still has a long way to go if it wants to regain its incense offerings. But being able to order statues is a success in itself!"

"That's right, a successful order means it's a success!"

Upon hearing that the [Plague Department] had finally appeared, I was astonished.

Lu Chen's spirits were lifted.

However, the cost of making the image is indeed too expensive.

Not to mention the money for making the statue.

Taxes alone.

Even if we calculate based on the lowest tier of five million each.

Sixty deities would amount to three hundred million in taxes.

"No wonder the starting threshold for the new rich is one billion! It seems that this temple is not only a money-devouring beast, but also a money pit! No wonder the imperial court allows private individuals to build temples. It is both a favor and an incentive, and at the same time, they can make a fortune without lifting a finger."

After all, besides the tax on statues.

The imperial court levied taxes on all other items related to the temple.

It is foreseeable that taxes will not be light.

Are all temples really that profitable? Doesn't the temples create a siphon effect between each other?

Lu Chen couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Anyway, when he went to worship Wenchang Dijun before, he always went to the Zhao Family Temple.

After all, the largest and most efficacious temple in the north of the city is the Zhao Family Temple.

As for the temples of other newly rich people, he had never been there.

Since that's the case.

Presumably, the same applies to others.

So how do these newly established temples make money?

Put aside your jumbled thoughts.

Lu Chen stopped thinking about it. Things would work themselves out eventually; he would find out eventually.

He stretched and decided to take a shower first, then write a report to hand in to Zeng Rou tomorrow.

This allowed her to gradually become familiar with the businesses of ghost money and plague pills.

After the handover was completed, Lu Chen planned to go find Yu Feng and solve that case first!

This case involves 20,000 points!
Only success is allowed, no failure is allowed!
...The Heavenly Court, the Palace of the God of Wealth.

The God of Wealth was pacing in the courtyard.

Thousands of incense sticks rained down from above, like arrows, into the Temple of the God of Wealth.

However, at this moment, the God of Wealth had no interest in appreciating it.

Instead, he turned his head to look in one direction, his brows furrowed.

A moment later, He let out a long sigh.

His gaze hardened, as if he had finally made up his mind.

"Somebody come!"

"Lord Juncai."

Two attendants appeared, clasping their hands in greeting.

"Come with me to the Nine Dragons Palace."

"Nine Dragons Palace?"

Upon hearing this, the two attendants exchanged bewildered glances.

"What are you still doing?"

"Yes, my lord!"

Three beams of rainbow light flew toward the Nine Dragons Palace, where the Plague Department was located.

We just got close.

A crimson rainbow light flew out from inside the Nine Dragons Palace.

He was originally Zhu Tianlin, the plague-spreading envoy from the West.

"I was unaware of Lord Cai's arrival; I have failed to greet you properly."

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, you are too kind. May I ask if the Plague Lord is here?"

"The Star Lord knows that Your Excellency is about to arrive, and has specially ordered this humble deity to come and greet you."

"Okay, lead the way!"

Four beams of rainbow light flew into the main hall.

Just showed up.

On the cloud platform, the Plague Emperor slightly opened his divine eyes.

The next second, his figure appeared in front of Jun Caishen in an instant, and he said with a smile, "You have truly made my humble abode shine."

The God of Wealth bowed respectfully and said, "God of Plague, you are too kind. Please forgive me for disturbing you today."

"What are you saying? My Nine Dragons Palace has not received a visit from a fellow immortal for quite some time. I am overjoyed." The Plague Emperor glanced behind him and noticed that each of the attendants of the God of Wealth was carrying a brocade box. "But why must you bring gifts, fellow immortal?"

The God of Wealth nodded slightly, and the attendant opened the brocade box in response.

Suddenly, the hall was filled with golden light, and Zhu Tianlin couldn't help but exclaim softly, "Heavenly Gold?"

Inside the brocade box were stacks of Heavenly Gold.

A rough estimate puts it at least forty to fifty thousand!
"What... does this mean?" The Plague Emperor raised an eyebrow.

"Your Majesty, you may not know this, but this is the amount that the Plague Department is rightfully owed," the God of Wealth explained with a smile. "Over the years, the Ministry of Finance has never settled the Plague Department's accounts. Recently, I checked the accounts and found that we owe tens of thousands. I have come today to apologize and make up the debt. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

The Plague Emperor was quite surprised to hear this.

The attendant handed the brocade box to Zhu Tianlin.

Zhu Tianlin looked at the Plague Emperor.

The Plague God nodded.

"Thank you very much, Lord Juncai!" Zhu Tianlin said solemnly.

"It's my duty, no need for thanks," Jun Caishen waved his hand.

The Plague Emperor waved his sleeve and said, "You may all step back. I wish to speak with Lord Juncai."

Soon, only the two of them remained in the main hall.

"Brother Juncai, please."

"May the Plague God take his seat!"

The two transformed into light and sat facing each other in front of the tea table.

The Plague Emperor personally brewed fragrant tea, and as the aroma wafted through the air, he chuckled softly, "I have heard that you have recently been enjoying great success in your worship, and I would like to offer my congratulations. However, due to my status, I have been unable to visit. I hope you will not take offense."

The God of Wealth clasped his hands in greeting: "Your humble servant is terrified. As a righteous god of the Eight Departments, you are extremely busy. How could I dare to disturb you?"

The Plague Emperor laughed heartily, stroking his beard, and said, "Since you are so generous, fellow immortal, I shall presume to address you as my worthy brother. I suppose your visit today is not merely to return the Heavenly Gold?"

Jun Caishen looked at the other party's oppressive gaze.

My heart skipped a beat.

Compared to the Water Virtue Star Lord.

The aura of this Plague Emperor was undoubtedly even more astonishing.

Of course, this is also directly related to the situation of the Plague Department in the Heavenly Court.

After all, the Plague Department and the Smallpox Department were arguably the two least popular departments in the entire Heavenly Court.

If it weren't for Lu Chen, Jun Caishen really wouldn't have wanted to come to this [Plague Department].

“My lord, you are wise. I will not hide anything from you. I have come here today because I do have something I would like to ask you, brother.”

"Oh?"

With a wave of his sleeve, the Plague Emperor unleashed an invisible magical force that swept through the hall.

All heavenly secrets are concealed, and no god can eavesdrop.

"Brother, please speak."

He made a gesture of invitation.

"Actually, I have come here today for one person."

"Who?"

"Lu Chen!"

The Plague Emperor's gaze suddenly tightened, a dark light surging within his eyes...

(End of this chapter)