Xu Zhengyang and his relatives and friends seem to have returned to their previous peaceful, leisurely and happy lives.
However, Xu Zhengyang couldn't stay idle. He still spent his days wandering around the Gu Xiang Xuan shop and checking out the Jing Hui Logistics Company, or driving to the Huayang Tourism Company in Jingniang Lake. At night, his divine sense would go to the City God's Palace to review the case files reported by the ghost messengers, or descend to the Underworld to the Southeast Yama Palace to peruse the records.
Now that the Mingnie Platform has been established, we must begin to arrange suitable ghost messengers to be responsible for all the duties on the Mingnie Platform.
While researching how the underworld's ghost messengers were arranged, Xu Zhengyang discovered something that made him very angry.
We all know that Xu Zhengyang is a man who doesn't act without self-interest. His initial motivation for expending his supernatural powers to create the Mingnie Platform, aside from a small amount of noble sentiment about upholding justice and punishing evil, was largely an investment—a way to make a fortune. In other words, after establishing the Mingnie Platform, by virtue of his status as the sole deity in both the human and underworld realms, he could absorb the faith of countless ghosts, thus paving the way for his rapid promotion.
But now he discovers that the official positions and the absorption of divine power and faith in the underworld are completely different systems from those of the gods in the human world.
That's right. It was Xu Zhengyang who built the Mingnie Platform, expending his own divine power into it. However, after the Mingnie Platform began to absorb the spiritual power of ghosts, it returned the divine power that Xu Zhengyang had acquired from the City God of the mortal world back into his body.
The inexhaustible and immense faith power of the ghosts was poured into the divine body of the judge of the Southeast Yama Palace.
When the City God of the human world goes to the underworld, he is a judge and possesses supreme divine power from the underworld. However, upon returning to the human world, he regrets to say that he leaves behind the divine power accumulated in the underworld. This power does not belong to the City God of the human world, but rather to Xu Zhengyang, the Grand Judge of the Yama Palace in the southeast of the underworld.
"Isn't that like a blind man using a lamp and wasting his breath?" Xu Zhengyang cursed under his breath. He had gone through all this trouble, risking his life and causing worry to his family and friends, only to find that the faith in the underworld and this world were completely unrelated... After his initial anger subsided, Xu Zhengyang thought it over and decided to let it go. From now on, he would essentially have divine positions in two different worlds, and he could slowly rise through the ranks in both.
...
The autumn harvest season has arrived.
This year, however, Xu Zhengyang did not stay at home to harvest rice with his parents. Instead, he ran away to avoid media attention and interviews.
As the saying goes, "People fear becoming famous, just as pigs fear growing fat," and Xu Zhengyang is no exception. He's no longer the slightly smug and excited man he was when interviewed after his act of bravery. He thinks: "So what if I personally funded the construction of a new primary school in the village? So what if I donated over a million yuan to two orphanages in Cixian County and Fuhe City? So what if I decided to provide long-term support to eleven out-of-school children in impoverished mountain areas…"
This is what I should do!
Xu Zhengyang genuinely believed it was something he "should" do, and he felt somewhat guilty about it. Compared to those who never considered the reward for their good deeds, he felt utterly ashamed. However, considering his character, if he had the financial means, he would certainly be a good person and do good deeds as well. It was only because he was now a priest that he inevitably linked doing good deeds with accumulating merit and increasing his divine power.
His parents didn't express any dissatisfaction with what he did. Anyway, the family was rich now, with more money than they could spend, and they were still making more.
How can we not do some good deeds? The gods are watching over our family from heaven.
These things wouldn't normally have attracted the attention of TV and newspaper reporters. However, some well-intentioned people did more harm than good by reporting these matters to higher authorities and then publicizing them. In addition, Xu Zhengyang, a rural youth of only 22 years old with a junior high school education, achieved his current success in just one year through hard work and perseverance.
From the perspective of today's society, this is simply a miracle!
This is great material! It will cause a sensation if it's reported.
And just like that, things got more and more lively.
During the days leading up to and following the autumn harvest, reporters visited Shuanghe Village daily, interviewing various people and inquiring about Xu Zhengyang. Even when the villagers were busy harvesting rice in the fields, reporters would still go to Xu Zhengyang's rice paddies to interview Xu Neng and Yuan Suqin, praising their simple and kind nature and how, despite their privileged circumstances, they continued to work in the fields.
Xu Neng said honestly, "What's the big deal? The construction team members are all from the countryside. Who doesn't have a few acres of land at home? They can just stop work when it's busy with farming."
Yuan Suqin chuckled to herself, but barely answered the reporter's questions. Normally eloquent, she became nervous in this situation, fearing she might say something that could negatively impact her son. Having grown up in the countryside and been heavily influenced by the gossip of village women, she deeply understood the saying, "Words can be dangerous."
The villagers who were helping in the fields were chatting amongst themselves, mostly praising Xu Zhengyang for being such a good kid, how hardworking and capable he was.
In any case, the villagers had nothing but praise for Xu Zhengyang.
Xu Zhengyang had already changed his phone number and was temporarily staying at a resort in the Jingniang Lake scenic area. There was no way around it; the power of reporters was boundless. No one knew what kind of magic they possessed, but they not only called Xu Zhengyang but also stalked him. His house in Fuhe City, the Guxiangxuan antique shop in the antique market, Jinghui Logistics Company, even Huayang Tourism Company in the Jingniang Lake scenic area—who knew which parked car might be hiding a reporter?
On this day, six criminals were executed again at Jigong Mountain in Fuhe City.
Xu Zhengyang sat in the living room, drinking tea while mentally instructing Su Peng to capture the ghosts of the six criminals and bring them to the City God's Mansion.
Among the criminals executed this time were Deng Qingfu and three of his henchmen involved in the bloodshed.
These individuals will be temporarily designated as ghost messengers from the southeastern underworld, placed on the Mingnie Platform to perform their tedious and monotonous tasks. It's important to understand that ghost messengers on the Mingnie Platform cannot communicate with each other, and their spiritual consciousness is bound and controlled by the platform. They must constantly work according to the rules of the Yama's Palace and the platform's instructions, tirelessly toiling above it. Any lapse in attention will cause excruciating pain, as if boiling oil were being poured over their hearts.
Just after arranging these things, Xu Zhengyang's phone rang.
Few people knew his new phone number, so Xu Zhengyang didn't even look at the caller ID before pressing the answer button and holding it to his ear.
"Hello. This is Xu Zhengyang."
“Sir, it’s me.” Zhan Xiaohui’s tone was somewhat worried.
"Um, is there something you need?"
Zhan Xiaohui hesitated for a moment before saying, "Sir, several temples in my hometown of Cixian County... have been demolished."
Xu Zhengyang paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let's dismantle it then. Hmm, what's the reason?"
"They said it was for schools in various villages to carry out anti-feudal and anti-superstition activities..." Zhan Xiaohui's voice grew lower, as if he were somewhat afraid.
"Don't worry about these things," Xu Zhengyang said calmly. "Deng Wenjing should have told you that if you have reverence in your heart, you don't need to go to a temple to worship. They're all just empty things."
"Yes, sir, I understand," Zhan Xiaohui quickly replied.
"Well, how's the company doing lately?"
"Everything is fine, sir. The initial plan is for the company to continue expanding next year, opening branches in cities in the northeast and south..."
Xu Zhengyang interrupted Zhan Xiaohui and said, "Go ahead and do these things. I trust you."
"Yes, sir." Zhan Xiaohui said no more.
After hanging up, Xu Zhengyang leaned back on the sofa, his brows furrowed, and narrowed his eyes slightly. In his mind, he began to check what was going on through the city's records.
The demolition of temples and the fight against feudal superstition came somewhat suddenly. I remember my father saying that when he was a child, there was a period when the whole society was strongly encouraged to fight against feudalism and superstition. Teachers and students went out together to sweep away demons and monsters.
Over the years, atheism has become widespread throughout the world, so who would still take this seriously?
Xu Zhengyang had researched online and was aware of the harmful effects of so-called feudal superstitions. However, he himself had no intention of following any such path. As he said, "If you have reverence in your heart, why do you need to worship at a temple?"
As long as people have fear, awe, and faith, that is enough.
It is beneficial to people, to society, and to Xu Zhengyang's clerical abilities.
After examining the situation, Xu Zhengyang couldn't help but smile wryly, thinking that the old man had finally given in and started to make a fuss about the deity standing behind him.
It's not a challenge, just a reminder, or perhaps a warning?
"What a pity..." Xu Zhengyang shook his head. "No matter how wise and insightful you are, you don't know that some of the things recorded in historical anecdotes are true, but most of them are false."
Moreover, the system may still exist in the Three Realms, but I am the only god left.
Volume Four, Chapter 199: The Dual Identity of "Human" and "God"
Yes, the myths and legends, and related records, are mostly fabrications created by human imagination. At least, based on Xu Zhengyang's personal experiences, they are fundamentally different. However, a few records are true.
For example, officials in the world are protected by a strange energy, making them inviolable by ghosts and monsters. Xu Zhengyang does not believe that they are protected by gods, but only that, to some extent, officials also possess the power of human faith, thus possessing some inexplicable divine power, or perhaps it is more appropriate to call it an aura.
After the old man confirmed the existence of deities, he began to study relevant materials, to ponder and speculate.
The old man's thinking and logic were very clear and accurate.
The old man reasoned that since gods, which should only exist in legends, had suddenly appeared in reality, proving their existence, then... a system of gods should naturally also exist.
This confirms that gods should not interfere in human affairs. This is evident in both folk tales and ancient texts. Moreover, if a god were to interfere in human matters, it would necessarily violate the rules of their system and incur punishment.
Otherwise, why have there never been gods or miracles in the past?
So what did this mysteriously appearing deity gain besides helping Xu Zhengyang make money, live a happy life, and increase his fame and status by using him to do so many things?
From Xu Zhengyang's initial promotion of the existence of God last year, it's easy to analyze that God wanted to gain the faith of mankind. Later, Xu Zhengyang became more low-key and steady, which shows that God had some taboos. By reviewing all the strange events that have happened around Xu Zhengyang over the past year, it's not hard to see that anyone who behaves abnormally, similar to being possessed by a ghost, has one thing in common: they are all insignificant people. Even the officials who were unlucky in some incidents did not do anything wrong themselves; they were only indirectly brought down because of their evil intentions and the guilt they had committed.
Comparing the legends and records in some historical anecdotes, we can draw the conclusion that gods do not seem to be able to cause substantial harm to some high-ranking figures, especially those who are upright in character and mind.
Perhaps it's due to the rules of that system, perhaps this god is indeed punishing evildoers, or... something else entirely.
Whether it's due to the conclusions drawn from these analyses or Li Lao's own temperament, in any case, while Li Lao had some doubts and worries, he wasn't too afraid of the deity standing behind Xu Zhengyang. He was simply watching quietly, and as long as the situation remained under control and no major changes occurred, he was unwilling to risk intervening in this mysterious force.
Moreover, wouldn't it be a good thing to eliminate a few more evil people in the world?
If conflict were to inevitably occur in the future, the old man was 80 percent certain that within that system, gods and humans would absolutely not be allowed to become enemies, leading to even greater conflict and contradictions.
Therefore, Xu Zhengyang was filled with admiration for the old man! It seems that to be able to sit in such a high position and stand at the highest point in the human world, one's mind is indeed different from that of ordinary people.
How precise is the analysis?
Unfortunately, the system in the world above may already be empty; while the system in the world below is definitely empty.
Of the three realms, only one god remains—Xu Zhengyang, who inexplicably stumbled upon good fortune and became the sole god.
Even ghosts, and even ghost messengers, cannot fathom the old man's thoughts. However, Xu Zhengyang can, so he knows all of the old man's judgments and ideas perfectly.
Given the current state of the Three Realms—without gods and all systems destroyed—within the territory of Fuhe City, Xu Zhengyang is the most powerful being. If he were to suddenly become violent and want to kill this old man, it wouldn't be difficult at all, unless the old man leaves the territory of Fuhe City. However, Xu Zhengyang doesn't possess such ruthlessness and rage, nor does he have the domineering aura of "those who stand in my way shall die."
Yes, he's a good person.
The key is not to push him too far.
If this balance can be maintained, that would be ideal.
Xu Zhengyang thought to himself, as for the future... who knows what kind of high position he will be promoted to and what kind of powerful strength he will possess, so what is there to fear?
It won't work now. Just as Elder Li was wary of, Xu Zhengyang also had his own concerns, ties, and reluctance.
This time, it seemed somewhat like a joke, a playful and indirect use of power to instruct certain areas to begin demolishing temples and eradicating feudal superstition. It was indeed just a minor test by the old man to see what kind of reaction it would elicit. He proceeded calmly and steadily, allowing for a buffer period.
He had to do this because, while he desired a balance, he was even more unwilling to see the spark that had already ignited spread like wildfire.
According to investigations, after the name Xu Zhengyang suddenly appeared in the canal last year, some temples that had disappeared and were devoid of any incense offerings began to show signs of revival in the four districts and fourteen counties of Fuhe City. Moreover, new temples were built on land that should not have been there in the first place.
In many places, a voice that is not called joy, praise, or expectation has even begun to spread, but rather a voice of fear.
It has only been a little over a year, and Xu Zhengyang is only twenty-two years old.
If this situation continues, what will happen in the future? It might be a good thing, it might be a bad thing, or something very bad and serious might happen.
Throughout history, in every dynasty, governments have made choices to establish a particular religion as the mainstream, sometimes even resorting to brutal acts of extermination. In other words, these were acts of religious purging… Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and various other religions from the West—their deities have all been crushed by the powerful political machinery of humanity!
Admittedly, if we analyze the historical records and anecdotes, we can conclude that humanity's true defeat of the divine way actually came through another divine way—ultimately, it was a conflict between different faiths, or more precisely, a struggle between different gods.
However, they have no choice but to rely on humans to defeat their opponents.
Therefore, to some extent, one can determine the fate of God.
Of course, these are all speculations. In matters that are inherently unbelievable, speculation and fact may be worlds apart.
Therefore, the elderly have certain taboos and want to maintain balance, but they have to act cautiously and test the waters.
Xu Zhengyang was a point that the old man used to balance and buffer against that force.
only……
The demolition of the temple proceeded smoothly and steadily, amidst a mix of doubt, excitement, and composure among the people everywhere, without the slightest occurrence of any strange events.
More than a month later, when the first snow of this winter fell and covered the entire Fuhe River area in silver, all the temples in the four districts and fourteen counties of Fuhe City, except for those that were cultural relics or tourist attractions, were demolished. One reason was to break feudal superstition, and another reason was that they were illegal buildings!
Well, the newly built land temple outside the west side of Shuanghe Village, which was built a year ago, was not demolished, so it is an exception.
The villagers disagreed, the school principal and teachers weren't going to really take it seriously, and the township government didn't react much either. Who would be so idle as to do something that was clearly a face-saving task assigned from above? Besides, it would offend people.