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

Chapter 127 Seeking the Jade Emperor's Decree...

He paused, then continued, “Although the Four Duty Officers are succeeded by the City God, their jurisdiction still belongs to the Heavenly Court. Strictly speaking, the City God may not be able to mobilize them.”

But... it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Lu Chen pondered for a moment, then suddenly lowered his voice: "True Lord, is there... any breakthrough in dealing with these Four Duty Officers?"

He originally wanted to ask if the Four Duty Officers were greedy, and if so, to throw Heavenly Gold at them!
But on second thought, those words were still a bit too wild.

So they changed their tune.

"Young friend, watch your words!" Zhong Kui laughed loudly. "Every word you say now is being heard."

Lu Chen: "..."

Oh no, I forgot about that!

and many more! !
So all my previous things...

His heart skipped a beat: "True Lord, would the Four Duty Officers report all conversations and situations in the mortal world to the Jade Emperor?"

Zhong Kui waved his hand: "Don't worry, young friend. Even if the four duty officers wanted to report, the Great Heavenly Venerable is too busy with countless affairs to listen carefully."

The Four Duty Officers record the good and evil deeds of mortals, but only for archiving and future reference.

Access will only be made when necessary.

If the Great Celestial Venerable were to listen to reports from the mortal world every day, he would probably be too busy to keep up.

but!"

He then changed the subject, saying, "For those who are extremely virtuous or extremely wicked, the four chief officials of Heaven will compile and report to their respective departments at the end of each year."

Those who do good are rewarded, and those who do evil are punished.

The breakthrough you mentioned, if applied to them, might not be effective...

After all, his position as a clerk (功曹) was different from that of other deities.

"I see." Lu Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If it's just for record-keeping.

The problem is not big.

However, with four deities constantly watching over him, it seems he will indeed need to be more careful with his words and actions in the future.

"There's no time to lose, shall we set off immediately?"

"Okay, I'll go prepare the car. Zhenjun is waiting for me at the City God Temple?"

"No need for trouble. I have been granted the title by the Jade Emperor, which allows me free passage through the Three Realms. Why not take your soul with me, young friend, to save us the trouble of traveling?"

Lu Chen: "It can be like this..."

"of course can!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhong Kui's red robe was already draped over him like a curtain.

The next instant, Lu Chen felt a lightness all over his body, as if he had lost all weight.

Turning my head, I saw my body lying peacefully on the sofa, as if fast asleep.

Zhong Kui flicked his finger, and a beam of green light entered his body.

In an instant, a faint light shield appeared around Lu Chen's physical body.

"This technique can ensure your physical safety, young friend. Please rest assured."

"Thank you for your trouble, True Lord!"

Uh... another novel experience.

"go!"

The red robes fluttered again, and the figures disappeared from the office in an instant.

When Lu Chen opened his eyes again, the scene before him was quite similar to the City God Street he had seen that day.

However, the City God Street under the jurisdiction of the prefectural City God is significantly smaller in scale than that of the prefectural City God.

At this moment, what lies before them is still a commercial street.

The street was bustling and noisy just a moment ago.

The next second, there was sudden silence.

All the ghosts and spirits saw Zhong Kui in an instant.

Or they could flee immediately.

Or lie down on the spot.

They were all trembling with fear, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Lu Chen was not surprised at all.

This exorcist deity loves to devour evil spirits whole. If any minor demons cause trouble, they are often swallowed whole by him in a few bites, making him the nemesis of all ghosts in the world.

These wandering ghosts and spirits saw Him as if He were their natural enemy, and were naturally terrified.

"Let's go to the City God's Mansion." Zhong Kui was about to ride the black clouds.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

A dark cloud in the distance suddenly rushed in.

A woman dressed in magnificent robes, with alluring beauty, descended from the clouds and gracefully landed before the crowd, bowing in greeting.

"I am Hu Sanniang, and I have come here on the orders of the City God to welcome the Exorcist Lord and the Mighty General Zhengde."

"Oh?" Zhong Kui raised his thick eyebrows slightly: "How did the City God know that I was coming?"

"Reporting to the True Lord. Since the City God Assembly, my master has been constantly monitoring the entire city with his divine sense. Just now, there was a slight fluctuation in the barrier at the city gate, which is why he knew of your arrival."

Hu Sanniang reported the truth.

Hear this.

Lu Chen, Xie Qingyi, and Fan Rusong immediately exchanged a glance.

It seems that Li Chenghuang is going to give us a hard time right from the start!
After Hu Sanniang finished her greetings...

He then shouted at the little devils on both sides, "What are you all panicking about? The True Lord won't eat you. Get up and get to work!"

"Yes, shopkeeper!"

The group of ghosts on City God Street then got up shakily and continued with their work.

"So, my lady is the manager of this City God Street. It seems the City God values ​​her highly."

Zhong Kui stroked his beard and laughed.

Hu Sanniang said politely, "You flatter me, True Lord. I am grateful for the City God's favor, which is why I was given this job. Please, True Lord!"

"Let's go, young friend!"

Zhong Kui took the lead.

As Lu Chen brushed past Hu Sanniang, he noticed a subtle, indescribable meaning in her smile.

He frowned slightly, but didn't say anything.

Soon, the group flew on clouds to the highest peak of Chenghuang Street.

The City God's residence was located on that mountain.

"With such an honored guest at our door, I am filled with trepidation."

It has just landed.

Wearing an official hat with the words "Jiangdu" on it, Li Chenghuang stepped forward with a smile.

"This humble deity greets the True Lord! Greetings to the mighty General Zhengde!"

Zhong Kui readily agreed.

Before Him, it is only right that the city god of this state calls himself a minor deity.

Out of courtesy, Lu Chen quickly bowed and said, "This junior greets Your Majesty the City God!"

"General, please don't flatter me. You are the adopted son of King Yama. How could I accept such a great honor?" Li Chenghuang quickly helped him up, his face beaming. "As for the matter at the previous City God Assembly, please don't take offense, young friend."

At the time, Xiao Shen was bound by his duties and acted rather harshly.

If only I had known the general's true identity earlier.

Even if I had a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare.

"That's not right, City God. During the confrontation, didn't my father already explain my family's general status?"

Xie Qingyi then interjected.

"This..." Li Chenghuang chuckled awkwardly.

"Qingyi!"

Lu Chen gave him a light glare, signaling him to be quiet, and then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Lord Li, the matter of the City God Assembly was also due to my recklessness, so I don't blame you. However, the matter of the Prefectural City God was really beyond my expectations. I didn't expect things to develop to that point."

"General, you are mistaken. Everything has its destiny. The calamity that befalls the City God is likely ordained by fate. Alright, let's not dwell on this. Please come into the mansion for a chat, so that I may do my duty as a host."

Li Chenghuang made a "please" gesture.

Lu Chen was about to say it wasn't necessary... when Zhong Kui gestured to him with his eyes to go inside the mansion for a chat.

Okay then.

The group entered the Li Chenghuang Palace.

But what one sees are carved beams and jade pillars, an unparalleled display of luxury.

It seems the family's influence in Jiangdu City is still strong.

It is indeed very lucrative.

Several people took their seats.

Li Chenghuang ordered Hu Sanniang to personally pour the wine.

Seeing that the wine was getting to him, Zhong Kui drank it all in one gulp and sipped it, saying, "Hmm, this wine is not bad."

"Then, My Lord, have some more to drink." Hu Sanniang said with a smile as she poured another cup.

"Come! I'd like to offer you all a toast!" Li Chenghuang raised his wine cup.

Lu Chen held the wine cup, unsure whether to drink or not.

"General, do not worry. This wine is also nourishing to the spirit. One cup is equivalent to several offerings from the general!"

Li Chenghuang dispelled his concerns.

Impossible~
Each offering elevates me to a higher realm; is this wine really that magical?

"Young friend, please feel free to drink. A small cup or two of this wine will indeed be beneficial to your spirit and soul."

Everyone says this when they see the True Lord.

Lu Chen didn't refuse again, and raised his cup, saying, "I'm sorry to bother you, Lord Li!"

After that, drink it all in one gulp.

In an instant, a unique sensation swirled within my body.

The wine, ironically, invigorated Lu Chen.

It's definitely good wine!
After a few rounds of drinks, the group...

Only then did Li Chenghuang speak: "I wonder what business you have with me today, since the True Lord and the General have with you?"

"Young friend, speak freely. I am only interested in drinking."

Zhong Kui's purpose in coming here was to protect Lu Chen; as for other matters, he left them to Lu Chen himself.

Especially after the exchange we just had about becoming an immortal from the Five Prisons.

Currently, Zhong Kui has a very good impression of Lu Chen.

He is indeed a great talent!

Lu Chen nodded and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Lord Li, to be honest, the reason I came here today with Zhenjun is to ask some questions of the officials. Please introduce us!"

"Oh, may I ask what it is?"

Lu Chen knew he couldn't escape having to explain.

He then told Li Chenghuang the whole story of the two recent cases of corpses dissolving into immortality.

"what!!!"

Li Chenghuang's face was serious at the time.

He hurriedly got up, ran to Zhong Kui, clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "True Lord, I have failed in my duties as City God and beg you to punish me."

Zhong Kui waved his hand: "Alas, times have changed. It's not easy being the City God anymore, especially since Jiangdu City has a population of one million. It's normal to sometimes neglect one thing for another."

"That may be true, but this matter is different from others, and I am truly ashamed!"

Seeing that the City God was quite easy to talk to, unlike the uncooperative Yama had worried about, Zhong Kui raised his wine cup and smiled, saying, "In that case, you should help General Weiwu to investigate this matter quickly. There is still one person who has not yet suffered for the Five Hells' method of becoming an immortal, so you must hurry up."

Even if it is a demon, it will be judged by law.

To die from evil magic is absolutely unacceptable!

"Yes, Xiaoshen understands!"

The City God turned to look at Lu Chen: "General, do you mean to use the Four Duty Officers to investigate the circumstances of the four people's murder and find out who the murderer is, right?"

"That's right! I hope you can help me, sir!"

"General, rest assured, even if you don't speak of it, I will do my utmost to bring the real culprit to justice. However..."

As expected, the conversation took a turn.

Li Chenghuang chuckled and said, "General, you may not know this, but these officials, although they are in the City God system, are actually under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court. I have no authority to order them to do their work. However, I can make an introduction on your behalf. As for whether it will be successful or not, I really dare not say."

"Rest assured, Lord Li, I am already extremely grateful for your introduction!"

They saw that Li Chenghuang was willing to introduce them.

Lu Chen was already satisfied.

"Very well, since that's the case, shall we proceed to the Duty Officer's Hall?"

"Let's go!" Zhong Kui didn't waste any words and took the lead, transforming into a cloud of red and flying out.

A moment later, a hall not far from the City God Temple.

Several people were pushed down from the clouds.

Above the hall were three large, gilded characters: 【值曹殿】.

"please!"

Li Chenghuang walked in front.

The underworld guards responsible for protecting the main hall clasped their hands in greeting.

"My lord, the True Lord!"

The group stepped into the hall, which was winding and turning.

Before even seeing the person, Li Chenghuang greeted him cheerfully, "Brother Gongcao, Brother Gongcao!"

"Lord City God, what brings you here? Would you like some wine?"

Lu Chen heard a slightly shrill sound.

Wait until you reach the last corner.

My eyes suddenly opened up.

This place resembles a well in the middle.

There stood a deity clad in golden armor, holding a golden pen.

He was sitting in a grand chair, working.

However, to Lu Chen's surprise...

This is the legendary Four Duty Officer.

It turned out to be a "person" with four "heads" on its head!
And each head has a very long neck.

The words "Year", "Month", "Day", and "Hour" are written on their heads, representing their respective identities.

"Holy crap, what kind of hairstyle is this?"

Lu Chen was stunned for a moment. These were really different from the four officials he had imagined!
"My fellow officials, I have come here today to introduce you to someone."

Li Chenghuang reached out his hand, about to let Lu Chen take a step forward.

Then [Yue Cao] spoke first: "Lu Chen, is it? You want to ask about the culprit behind the Five Prisons' ascension to immortality?"

"Greetings, esteemed sirs. Yes, it is this junior..."

Lu Chengang clasped his hands in a fist salute and continued speaking.

[Nian Cao] interrupted in advance, saying, "Then let me ask you, is there any decree from the Heavenly Court?"

The Heavenly Officials are the four Heavenly Court Officials.

"This...no."

"Do you have an imperial edict from the Jade Emperor?"

"nor."

"Since you have neither this nor that, why should we lend you the [Record of Humanity]? What, do you want us to violate the Heavenly Rules?"

"My lords, I..."

"Go, go! Don't even think about using your tricks to harm my four brothers. We've heard everything." The Sun Official's voice was the coldest: "We are celestial officials, and we only obey the Jade Emperor's decrees and the Heavenly Court's edicts. Unless you can produce those two, don't even think about it!"

"That's right, let me tell you one more thing. Even a decree from the Heavenly Court requires the approval of the Great Heavenly Venerable. You've been begging all this time, why don't you go and beg the Great Heavenly Venerable this time?"

When Cao, whose head is the smallest, said this...

The four chief clerks immediately burst into laughter.

The atmosphere in the entire duty hall suddenly became even more awkward...

　In this chapter, the protagonist will once again use his cheat-like abilities.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)