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

Chapter 152 Relationship Exposed! My sword has been thirsting for blood for a long time!
the other side

North of the city, the Zhao family villa.

Unlike other families who leisurely observed from the sidelines, the atmosphere in the Zhao family's living room was noticeably more somber.

Looking at his nephew who was enjoying the service of a beautiful woman.

Zhao Jiutang frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally couldn't help but speak:
"Ten thousand taels, that kid is going to become a new noble in less than a month, it's really too strange."

If he really chooses to build a temple in the north of the city, my Zhao family will be the first to be affected.

At that time, the other three families, as well as those newly rich families in the north of the city, will all be eager to see us fight it out...

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Wanliang raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Alright, Second Uncle, what's the panic? You're the head of the Zhao family, after all. Is it appropriate to be afraid of a newcomer?"

Zhao Jiutang's face flushed, and he sighed, "I was just thinking of the Zhao family..."

"Second Uncle, you underestimate the Zhao family." Zhao Wanliang chuckled, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "Do you really think that the God of Wealth Jun can overpower the God of Wealth Zhao? Or do you think that the influence of the King of Hell can surpass that of the God of Longevity? You must understand—personal ability and temple business are never the same thing."

Zhao Jiutang still frowned, remained silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true, but... sigh, never mind, you're the one in charge of the Zhao family after all, and your second uncle is just assisting you. You decide how to go, and that's how we'll go."

Zhao Wanliang stood up, poured him a cup of wine, and handed it to him: "I'll go with you to the city lord's meeting tomorrow."

"Are you going too?"

“Let’s go take a look, and while we’re at it, let’s also meet this incredibly powerful new tycoon of the north of the city.” Zhao Wanliang’s lips curled up slightly: “After all, I’ve wanted to meet him for a long time…”

Zhao Jiutang nodded: "Alright, it's time for you to show your face. It's getting late, I'll head back now and pick you up tomorrow."

"it is good."

After seeing Zhao Jiutang off, Zhao Wanliang waved away the maids.

He was the only one left in the empty living room.

He then took out a strangely shaped jade talisman from his robes and clenched it between his five fingers—

"Click."

The jade talisman shattered, and a wisp of green smoke rose up, swirling into a vortex.

A deep, solemn voice came from within the smoke:

"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, did I handle this matter well?"

Zhao Wanliang picked up a glass of wine beside him, took a sip, and said in a relaxed tone.

"Not bad, thankfully it was a close call." Li Chenghuang's voice was filled with satisfaction.

"Then we'll wait for good news from the master." Zhao Wanliang swirled his wine glass.

"Have it already."

"Hmm?" Zhao Wanliang paused.

"Today, the Emperor of Fengdu personally visited Jiangdu for inspection and was quite impressed with me."

"The Emperor of Fengdu has come in person?" Zhao Wanliang's expression turned serious.

"Although it is an avatar, it is no different from being there in person. In short, it is the most likely thing to happen in the matter of the position."

Inside the City God Temple, Li Chenghuang gently blew on the tea foam, unable to hide his smile: "As long as Lu Chen adds fuel to the fire and says a few good words, this position will surely belong to me."

“Then I wish you a successful ascension to the position of governor, a truly joyous occasion.” Zhao Wanliang’s eyes gleamed with ambition: “At that time, the position of City God of Jiangdu… will still depend on your guidance, sir.”

"You brat, do you need to be so polite with me?"

"That's right, that's right!" Zhao Wan laughed loudly, but his laughter suddenly turned cold. "Just thinking about how that silly boy is still in the dark, unaware that this was a trap set up for him by you and me, makes me want to laugh!"
So what if you're capable?
"The more skilled you are, the better your gun becomes."

Li Chenghuang narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly: "The matter was accomplished in secrecy. Before the position of the prefect is determined, proceed with caution. In the next few months, you should behave yourself and avoid conflicts with him to prevent any unforeseen complications."

"Rest assured, sir." Zhao Wanliang swirled his wine cup, his tone leisurely: "I can distinguish between what is important and what is urgent."

As long as he doesn't go too far, I can turn a blind eye for now.

"We can deal with him slowly after you ascend to the position of governor."

He paused, then his sneer deepened: "If he knows what's good for him, he'll be like the other families, a dragon coiled up, a tiger crouching."

If he doesn't know what's good for him... I'll show him what it means to be struck by lightning or to be in deep trouble.

Do you really think that by taking a few shortcuts to immortality, you can run rampant in the human world?

Don't forget—the gods rarely interfere in the battles between mortals.

Even if he is very capable in Heaven, he is nothing more than a newly rich man in the mortal world.

I truly don't believe that any deity would sacrifice their immense merit to directly participate in a battle between mortals!

Listening to Zhao Wanliang's words.

After pondering for a long time, Li Chenghuang nodded slightly and said, "Do not cause trouble before the position of prefect; after the position of prefect, I will not interfere."

These words, for something about Zhao Wanliang that amused him, made him laugh so hard he almost fell over.
"My lord, what you say is really... Over the years, how much have you interfered in the affairs of Jiangdu City? If it weren't for your ability to monitor the entire city and foresee opportunities, how could my Zhao family have been able to gain the upper hand step by step and rise so quickly?"
You've interfered in far too much.

"Hmph, brat."

Instead of being angry, Li Chenghuang chuckled softly, his laughter revealing a rare hint of doting affection.

"Have you been calling me 'Sir' for so long that you've forgotten who I am?"

“How could I forget?” Zhao Wanliang put down his wine cup, a chilling smile slowly spreading across his face. “I doubt anyone in Jiangdu would imagine that the mighty City God of Jiangdu is actually from the Zhao family.” He bowed solemnly to the green smoke.
"You agree, right, Grandpa?!"

Inside the City God Temple, Li Chenghuang narrowed his eyes, a silent smile playing on his lips.

……

The next day, around 11 o'clock.

At the entrance of Nanshan Residential Area.

As Lu Chen straightened his collar, his mother looked at her son, who was dressed in a sharp suit and exuded a dashing air, and tears streamed down her face.

"Xiao Chen, you are truly my pride..."

"Mom." Lu Chen smiled helplessly and reached out to wipe away her tears.

"Alright, alright, it's such a beautiful day, why are you crying?" Lu Jianming said, but his own eyes were also red. "It's getting late, let's set off quickly and come back soon."

Lu Chen nodded, waved to the neighbors gathered behind him, and then got into the car.

Wang Zhidong drove the car, and Zeng Rou sat in the passenger seat.

Ten cars followed behind, all carrying the core members of Jishetang.

"Xiao Chen, keep it up! You've made our Nanshan community proud!"

"Yes, a golden phoenix has truly flown out of our slum!"

The news of Lu Chen's rise to prominence spread last night.

The entire neighborhood was in an uproar.

Who would have thought that the Lu family, who were once unknown in Nanshan Community, would rise to the top of Jiangdu in just one month!

Even TV dramas wouldn't dare to portray it like that.

As a result, the Lu family's house was bustling with activity last night, with the festivities continuing until the early hours of the morning.

As the convoy slowly drove away, the neighbors gathered around Lu Jianming and his wife:

"Jianming, it seems I'll have to call you Master Lu and Mrs. Lu from now on!"

Lu's mother blushed instantly.

Lu Jianming then burst into laughter and waved his hand:
"Nothing more to say, lunch's on me! Let's go!"

……

On the road.

Wang Zhidong drove smoothly, while Lu Chen leaned back in the back seat, quietly watching the street scene flowing outside the window.

"Mr. Lu, can I ask you for a favor?" Zeng Rou suddenly spoke softly.

"explain."

"Privately... may I call you 'Master'? Calling you 'President Lu' just feels... a little awkward," Zeng Rou explained.

She does want to change.

But her years of experience with the Rakshasa Cult made her feel somewhat uncomfortable calling him "Boss Lu".

Lu Chen chuckled: "Okay, call me whatever you want except in public and at the company. You can call me Lu Chen too."

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare." Zeng Rou straightened her expression and got to the point, "Master, should we make arrangements in advance for today's City Lord's Conference? I'm worried..."

"worry about what?"

Zeng Rou stated frankly, "These past few days I've secretly investigated the forces in Jiangdu. The Zhao family in the north of the city acts domineeringly, and I'm afraid... they might make trouble for the sect leader and give him a warning!"

—A show of force?

Lu Chen chuckled softly.

It remains to be seen who will give whom a hard time at today's conference.

"Don't worry, Yu Feng is there, they won't dare to make any rash moves."

"Yes! Your subordinates are ready at any time. If the leader needs us, we will arrive immediately."

Lu Chen nodded slightly, his gaze returning to the window, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He guessed that Li Chenghuang was probably spying on him somewhere at that moment.

well.

From this day forward, let's turn the tables on them.

—You, Li Chenghuang, want the position of governor, and you're using me as a pawn?

—Isn't your young master from the Zhao family trying to use Li Chenghuang's influence to become a ghost immortal?
—Alright. I'll see just how close you two can get amidst this mess.

Lu Chen's face was as calm as a still pond, but in his heart, he had already laid out a grand strategy.

And the first step in this game...
That means officially breaking ties with the Zhao family!
He wanted to see just how obedient the City God Li would be to him for the sake of a position.
It was all for the sake of the Zhao family that he revealed his wolfish ambition!
"Let me wait and see!!"

　The temperature went down a bit today. I'm really sorry about the huge fluctuations in updates these past two days. I had the flu, had to go to work, and had to keep writing. It's been the most grueling time I've experienced in terms of updates lately.

　　Sorry again!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)