I subdue demons and monsters, and cultivate immortality in hell to become a saint.

Guiling City is becoming more and more vibrant every day.

Restaurants reopened, wafting out the long-awaited aroma of food; barbershops set up mirrors, the crisp sound of scissors ringing out; citizens who had been holed up at home for more than half a month returned to their jobs, and even students no longer had to attend online classes in front of computers, skipping and jumping back to school with their backpacks on their backs.

The "scratching" sound of chalk scratching across the blackboard, which used to be annoying, has now become the most beautiful melody in everyone's heart. It is the sound of peaceful days!

Only the owners of shopping malls and supermarkets are so worried that their hair has turned white.

The city is safe, but the area outside the city is still the territory of evil spirits. Who would dare to risk their life to go out and buy goods?

Within a few days, the shelves were empty, and seeing that business was impossible, a group of bosses gathered together, sighing and lamenting.

"Old Chen, do you have any left? Lend me some in an emergency, I'll pay you back double later!"

"My shop looks like it's been ransacked. Does it even look like I have any stock?"

Old Chen rolled his eyes and pointed to the empty shelves.

After everyone inquired among themselves, they discovered that everyone was out of stock, and they immediately lost their temper.

One shop owner slapped his thigh and sighed, "I really hope the City God will show his power and wipe out all that filth outside the city! I still have a whole room full of goods in my warehouse, but the warehouses are all outside the city!"

"Absolutely! My batch of imported fruit will rot if left any longer!"

Someone shouted, "Let's go! Let's go to the City God Temple, burn some incense, and pray to the City God for mercy!"

This suggestion was immediately echoed, and a large group of business owners headed to the City God Temple. They believed that the peaceful days they were enjoying were thanks to the City God, and that praying to him was definitely the right thing to do!

And just like that, the incense at the City God Temple became even more popular.

There are quite a few people like them in Guiling City.

The more peaceful the days, the more I remember the good deeds of the City God. In addition to eating, sleeping and going to work, I have added an essential thing to do: go to the City God Temple to burn incense.

Many people have almost made it a habit that if they don't kowtow to the City God every day, they can't sleep soundly at night, always feeling that something is missing.

Inside the City God's Mansion, Zhong Jiu's eyes lit up as he looked at the numbers on the system panel: "Two million incense points!"

He originally thought that after the initial excitement wore off in the first couple of days, half the number of people would come to offer incense. He never expected that the people in chaotic times would be the most grateful.

Even after the initial excitement wore off, half the city's residents still flocked to the City God Temple every day to sincerely add incense oil.

It's important to know that the system only counts the first incense stick each day. If you include citizens who worship at every temple and offer incense to every spirit, the incense value would be several times higher.

Even so, Zhong Jiu was content. Guiling City only had a population of over 500,000, and they managed to raise 2 million incense offerings in less than ten days. This was simply a miracle!

The underworld deities of the City God's Palace were overjoyed.

Although they cannot exchange incense points for things like Zhong Jiu, they can increase their spiritual cultivation through incense offerings. Now they are all radiant and walk with a confident stride.

Two million incense points are just enough to exchange for a complete Sitang Hall.

But Zhong Jiu didn't rush to make a move. Last time, when he tried to exchange for the Discipline Inspection Hall, the hall master didn't show up, and he lost a capable subordinate for no reason. He wouldn't be foolish again this time.

The system said that the rank of the Hall Master he could exchange for could not exceed his own. He was about to be upgraded, so he planned to wait until he was promoted before making a move.

"I spent 100,000 faith points before, and after saving up these past few days, I'm finally close to 400,000!" Zhong Jiu stared at the system data, feeling a little depressed.

Almost all the citizens of Guiling City who were willing to dedicate their faith have been moved. The rest are either stubborn and unwilling to believe in God, or they have other faiths. It will take some time before they change their minds.

"Just one step away..."

As he was muttering to himself, a system notification suddenly blared: "Congratulations, host! Your Faith Points have reached 400,000, meeting the promotion requirements!"

Zhong Jiu was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. How did he suddenly gain tens of thousands of faith points?

He scanned the area with his divine sense and instantly understood the reason.

Guiling City TV station was broadcasting an interview where several citizens whose families had been harmed by evil spirits were sobbing uncontrollably in front of the camera, recounting their past suffering and present peace, praising the City God in every word.

This is clearly the authorities helping him build momentum!

Zhong Jiu couldn't help but laugh: "Going all in with the official channels was definitely the wisest choice!"

Immediately afterwards, system notifications sounded: "Congratulations, host, you have been promoted to a seventh-rank department head!"

"Randomly matching with the Palace Master..."

"Ding! Match successful. Host appointed as the Director of the Yin-Yang Division of the City God's Palace in Guiling City!"

Zhong Jiu instantly perked up!

The head of the Yin-Yang Division is half a rank higher than the other division heads, so now he can rightfully command the other divisions and halls!

Before he could even process his joy, the system's reward notifications came in rapid succession: "Promotion Reward: One set of Cloud Pattern Official Robes!"

"Unlock special item: Yin Yang Boundary Token!"

"Unlock the full power of the magical artifact: the Yin-Yang Brush!"

"Reward: A complete set of Yin-Yang Bureau officials: one Chief Clerk, two Assistant Clerks, and fifty Soul Attendants!"

Suppressing his excitement, Zhong Jiu first checked the new official robes.

While the official robes of the eighth-rank clerk were respectable, they lacked refinement.

Now, this seventh-rank official's robe is shiny black, embroidered with silver cloud patterns, with wide sleeves and a cinched waist, and is also paired with a black crown.

With a thought, he changed into his official robes and immediately felt an aura of majesty wash over him, making him more than ten times more imposing than before!

With a flick of his wrist, a palm-sized token appeared in his hand—the Yin-Yang Boundary Token.

This token is a valuable item; it controls the passage between the human world and the underworld. From now on, all the soul messengers from the City God's Palace who want to go to the underworld must first come to him to obtain the token before they can pass. This power is extraordinary.

Looking at the Yin-Yang Brush again, he could only use it to sign official documents before, but now all its powers have been unlocked. The tip of the brush is shimmering with a faint golden light, clearly a powerful magical artifact.

What pleased him most was that the officials of the Yin-Yang Division were already waiting outside the palace, each with a calm demeanor, clearly capable and competent.

Upgrading was like opening a treasure chest. Zhong Jiu was happier than if he had been given honey. His mouth was practically stretched to his ears. He kicked open the vermilion gate of the Yin-Yang Division with a swift movement.

As expected, the officials in the room had already lined up in perfect formation, waiting for their new master to make his appearance.

"Your subordinate greets Your Excellency! I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse!"

Inside the main hall, a hundred or so Yin spirits stood in a row, all kneeling on one knee. The sound of their kneeling made the roof tiles vibrate. Their respectful demeanor made Zhong Jiu's heart burn.

Zhong Jiu raised his hand in a gesture of support, and quickly recognized his subordinates.

He paid extra attention to this; none of the officials sent by the system this time were familiar faces listed in historical records.

According to these spirits, they had been asleep for countless years when they were suddenly awakened by a golden light. The instruction to "report to the Yin-Yang Bureau of Guiling City" was etched in their minds, so they rushed over without stopping.

"Everyone, get to your posts and get to work!"

At Zhong Jiu's command, the officials immediately sprang into action, some copying documents, others organizing files, instantly enlivening the deserted hall.

One chief clerk in charge of all affairs, eighteen assistants in charge of documents, and thirty-five messengers—this was the complete staff of the Yin-Yang Bureau.

Compared to the Inspectorate, the number of officers in Chung Kau's office is several times greater.

Why?

Because the Yin-Yang Division is the "central brain" of the City God's Palace, all government orders must be drafted here before being sent to other departments and halls. Without enough pens, it is impossible to maintain order.

As for the fact that there are fewer Soul Officers than in the Inspectorate, that makes even more sense. The Soul Officers in the Inspectorate are ruthless characters who carry chains to catch evil spirits, while the Soul Officers in the Yin-Yang Division are at most "underworld couriers," relaying orders and running errands; as long as there are enough of them, that's sufficient.

Looking at the busy yet orderly scene before him, Zhong Jiu felt incredibly at ease, as if an empty courtyard had suddenly been filled with people, and even the air had gained weight.