...
Mid-February.
The old man has passed away.
This news not only shocked the nation but also stunned high-ranking officials around the world, with several countries lowering their flags to half-mast on the day of mourning for the elderly.
Unseen by outsiders, high-ranking officials had already engaged in a turbulent power struggle before the old man's death. In just over a month, the political situation was abruptly stabilized, without any disruption caused by his passing. Inevitably, in the period surrounding his death, some high-ranking officials were destined to succumb to the undercurrents and disappear from the political scene without any influence.
Meanwhile, political leaders in some countries, especially those in neighboring countries, breathed a sigh of relief, as if a huge mountain had been lifted from their shoulders. As a result, some people with ulterior motives began to think that they could make a move or test the waters in the power structure in the East.
When that old man was alive, no country dared to test him.
Because they knew that the old man would not allow them to test him; anyone who dared to test him would be met with the fiercest retaliation, without even a chance to apologize or repent.
Xu Zhengyang was naturally unaware of these matters. Unlike everyone else, he did not feel grief or heartache over the old man's passing. He knew that although the old man was dead, his soul had not died and had not entered the cycle of reincarnation in the underworld.
Inside the City God's Mansion on the Fu River.
The old man sat somewhat bewildered in a room in the backyard of the mansion.
He didn't know how he got here, because in the instant after his death, he realized that his consciousness had left his body. Just as he was wondering where he would drift to, he felt an unparalleled force attracting him, and in an instant he appeared in this mansion filled with an ancient and solemn atmosphere.
Here, the elderly are not confined indoors, but can freely stroll around the courtyard, observe the sights, and move freely inside and out.
However, they couldn't leave this not-so-large mansion.
The mansion has a front courtyard and a back courtyard, with houses arranged in a staggered pattern. Various flowers and trees are planted in the courtyards, making it truly elegant.
Strangely, there was no distinction between day and night here, so the old man had no idea how long he had been there. Hmm, the old man found himself not feeling sleepy at all, not at all tired enough to need a nap. The old man even wondered if this was the underworld? Or perhaps the abode of the gods?
However, we've been here for quite some time now, and we haven't seen a single immortal, let alone a ghost.
While aimlessly strolling around, the old man arrived at the main hall of the government office in the front courtyard. Only then did he realize, through the couplets hanging high on the plaque above the hall and on the dark red pillars adorned with dragons and phoenixes, that this was the government office of the City God.
It was now the seventh day since the old man passed away.
The old man had lost all interest in sightseeing in the mansion. He sat quietly inside, wondering if he was being imprisoned here because he had blasphemed the gods when he was alive.
Just as the old man was feeling lost and confused, a "person" dressed in a black ancient official's robe, with a ghost messenger's token and a black ruler hanging from his waist, entered the room. Without saying a word, the person went up to the old man and pulled him out.
The old man instinctively tried to struggle, but to his dismay, he found himself completely powerless against the ghost's pull.
Almost staggering, the old man was dragged by the ghost messengers into the main hall. To his astonishment, he saw fourteen stern-faced and imposing ghost messengers standing on either side. Behind a huge, dark desk in the hall sat an official dressed in a dark blue robe with gold trim and embroidered clouds.
The official was enveloped in a faint golden light, obscuring his features, but one could sense an unparalleled aura of majesty and solemnity emanating from him, filling the entire hall.
The old man suddenly felt his legs go weak, as if a tremendous weight was pressing down on his shoulders.
Before the judge, a ghost officer who appeared to be of higher rank among the two rows of ghost messengers coldly rebuked, "Kneel down!"
The old man stood stubbornly, suppressing his inner unease, and looked up at the City God sitting behind the altar.
"Kneel down!" the fourteen ghost messengers shouted in unison.
The old man still stood tall.
The City God, seated firmly behind the altar, waved his hand, stopping several ghost messengers from trying to push the old man to the ground.
Then, the City God said calmly, "Li Haidong, do you know that not kneeling before me is a grave offense of disrespect? Kneel down!"
With a shout, the old man involuntarily bent his legs and knelt on both knees.
"Li Haidong, do you know your crime?" the City God asked calmly.
The old man hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Are you... Xu Zhengyang? Or the deity behind him?"
The City God ignored his question and waved his hand gently.
Then, Su Peng, the captain of the ghost messengers, raised his hand over his shoulder, drew the Soul-Slaying Whip from behind his back, stepped in front of the old man, and said coldly, "Li Haidong, when he was alive, he did countless good deeds for others and was of a strong and unyielding character. Although he committed countless murders, he never lost his sense of righteousness and upheld the will of the people. He was a good man..."
“Li Haidong, while alive, knowingly blasphemed a deity who traveled among humans, and therefore his lifespan was reduced by five years.”
"The crime of blasphemy is now to be decided by the City God of Fuhe City, and he is sentenced to fifty lashes."
After speaking, Su Peng turned his head and glanced hesitantly at the City God, hoping that the Lord would rescind the judgment, after all, he held the old man in the highest esteem. But soon, Su Peng felt a chill run down his spine, because he sensed the City God's anger. He quickly turned around, raised the Soul-Slaying Whip, and without saying a word, began to beat the old man mercilessly.
To the surprise of the City God and all the ghost messengers, this old ghost did not let out a shrill scream under the blows of the Soul-Striking Whip.
But it was clear that he wasn't in no pain; he was just enduring it, only occasionally letting out a muffled groan.
After fifty blows, the old man still stood upright, though of course, he had no choice but to remain kneeling.
The City God snorted coldly and said, "Take him to the prison and punish him for ten days, with a hundred feet of torture each day. He will then be handed over to Wang Yonggan to carry out the punishment."
"I will obey Your Excellency's command!"
The ghost messengers responded with a resounding roar.
The old man's heart trembled, but it was too late for regrets. He was stunned as Wang Yonggan grabbed his arms and dragged him out.
Volume 4, City God Chapter 210: I'll Give You a Courtyard House
To say that Xu Zhengyang felt no annoyance or anger towards the old man would be a complete lie.
It is an indisputable fact that we respect and admire him.
But how much psychological pressure did the old man put on Xu Zhengyang when he was alive? There was even a crisis where, as the City God, his soul might be destroyed... Admittedly, their beliefs are different, and it's hard to say who is right and who is wrong, but the old man did blaspheme against divine power. Where is the dignity of the gods? Also, how do you account for wanting to destroy the bridge after crossing the river?
Xu Zhengyang wasn't that great, so he was annoyed and angry.
Previously, no matter how angry he was, he dared not use his supernatural powers to plunge the old man into an abyss of despair, because that would bring about an irresistible disaster.
Things are different now. Once a person dies, who can control the existence of this detached City God Temple?
Who would have known that the old man's soul was suffering the punishment handed down by the City God here?
Well, venting his anger was one reason; another was that Xu Zhengyang wanted to establish his authority in front of this old devil. He needed to establish absolute authority to prevent the old man from disobeying him in the future. That wouldn't do; Xu Zhengyang didn't want this old guy to be constantly picking on him, beating him every time he made a mistake—it would be too troublesome.
Xu Zhengyang knew that if he tried to persuade the old man by presenting the facts and reasoning, he would not be able to convince him at all, and the old man would even have to argue with him.
Therefore, violence is the only option.
It's not about beating him into submission, just making him afraid is enough.
Xu Zhengyang believed that there were strong and powerful people in the world who could withstand any cruel and severe punishment, but he was certain that no ghost could endure the punishments he inflicted.
If one day doesn't work, two days will; if two days don't work, three days will. Ghosts don't even have the right to faint; they can only endure and suffer... Moreover, the most terrifying thing is that there is no time limit. You don't know when it will end. Can you die again?
When you're scared and weak, I'll throw you into the slow-moving Sanzu River so you can taste what it's like.
Endure, endure it intensely...
It wasn't that Xu Zhengyang was too beastly or cruel. Firstly, a ghost is still a ghost, and there's no need to treat it like a human. Ghosts inherently possess malevolence and resentment, and are inherently evil. Moreover, Xu Zhengyang felt that dealing with these old, cunning ghosts—who were already transcendent beings in the human world and had been designated by the underworld's artifacts as capable of being deified—was too difficult to manage without a bit of ruthlessness!
The old man was incredibly powerful when he was alive, and even after he died and became a ghost, he was still incredibly powerful, a truly formidable figure.
Well, Xu Zhengyang couldn't bear to give up such a top-notch talent as his subordinate.
What he lacks most right now? Talent.
Xu Zhengyang wasn't afraid that one day he might dare to deceive him. He wouldn't be able to deceive him even if he wanted to. Xu Zhengyang knew what he was thinking, and any improper thoughts would be met with the City God's absolute and severe punishment. Of course, Xu Zhengyang hoped that after experiencing the initial severe punishment, the old ghost would still retain the intelligence he had when he was human, and wouldn't be foolish and stubborn enough to provoke the wrath of a god.
That's...not good.
...
The chilly spring season has passed. At the end of February, although it is not as warm as the so-called March, there is no longer any biting cold in the breeze.
The weeping willows in front of the door have already sprouted some tender green and yellowish buds, and their soft branches are tinged with green. They sway gently in the breeze.
The morning sun was bright but not glaring. The sky was clear and blue, with a few thin white clouds floating by, like torn cotton wool, revealing patches of light blue sky in between.
Under the grape trellis in the courtyard, Xu Zhengyang leaned back in a bamboo recliner with his legs crossed, a soft blanket spread out beneath him. He tilted his head back, his eyes half-closed, as if he were dozing off, letting the warm sunlight stream through the newly sprouting grapevines, falling on his face and body.
On the small stone table beside it sat a newly bought cell phone, and the music playing from it drifted through the courtyard:
Immortal Mountain Separated by Sea of Clouds
Xialing Jade Belt Connects
It is said that there are celestial beings living in seclusion.
Heavenly beauties should not be envious.
People work hard
Even the most difficult things can have their own amusement park...
...
Xu Zhengyang discovered that his temperament had become somewhat erratic since returning from the capital. He was prone to irritability and became more ruthless, decisive, and severe in handling matters. On one occasion, he even got into a heated argument with a group of people over a few posts on a forum, and almost couldn't resist sending the ghost messengers to settle a personal score.
To use a popular internet phrase, he really is a bit "bored out of his mind".
Therefore, Xu Zhengyang has temporarily stopped going online, going to the City God's Office, Gu Xiang Xuan and Jing Hui Logistics, and Hua Yang Tourism Company these days. Instead, he has chosen to stay at home and quietly cultivate his mind and character.
It won't affect important matters. There are fewer bad people and bad deeds in the Fuhe City area now, and some rumors about "ghostly punishment" are slowly spreading throughout the Fuhe City area. The temples that were demolished last year have not only been rebuilt by the people, but more than ten temples have been built in the Fuhe area.
The power of faith is increasing at an increasingly rapid pace.
Xu Zhengyang had a vague feeling that he was about to be promoted.
Perhaps this is also related to the sudden change in his temperament? Xu Zhengyang's relaxed eyebrows furrowed slightly. He squinted and lit a cigarette without looking at it, took a slow puff, and exhaled a cloud of smoke that quickly dissipated in the breeze.
After the song ended, a series of natural sounds followed, such as the babbling of spring water and the chirping of birds in the forest, which were very pleasant to hear.
Outside the courtyard gate, a black Audi A8 drove up from the main street to the west and stopped at the gate. Li Bingjie, dressed in casual sportswear, got out of the car and walked indifferently into the courtyard. The car then drove away and parked to the side. Li Chengzong and a bespectacled, well-mannered man got out of the car and walked into the courtyard.
Xu Zhengyang had already stood up and whispered a few words to Li Bingjie. After Li Chengzong and the middle-aged man entered the courtyard, Xu Zhengyang smiled, stepped forward, shook hands with the middle-aged man, and introduced himself. However, a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes. Xu Zhengyang knew that Li Bingjie was coming today; he had received a call from her last night. He just hadn't expected a strange man to come with her.
"Hello, I am Yue Shuxin, a lawyer," the man said calmly.
"Please come inside and sit down," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile, inviting them inside.
Yuan Suqin was sitting on the sofa in the living room, flipping through some photos and letters—letters from those whom Xu Zhengyang had donated money to help. The photos were individual portraits of out-of-school children, each accompanied by words of blessing and gratitude. The children's handwriting and words were young, yet every sentence was sincere and heartfelt. Looking at the adorable smiling faces in the letters and photos, Yuan Suqin couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.
"Mother, Bingjie is here," Xu Zhengyang said softly.
"Ah?" Yuan Suqin looked up, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and stood up with a smile, saying, "Bingjie is here! Come on, please sit down, I'll make you some tea..."
"Thank you, Auntie," Li Bingjie greeted politely.
Xu Zhengyang invited Yue Shuxin to sit down, while Li Bingjie sat down next to Xu Zhengyang.
Li Chengzong did not go inside; he stood outside the main room.
After pouring tea for the group, Yuan Suqin offered some words of comfort to Li Bingjie with a touch of sympathy. Knowing they had something to say, she didn't linger and politely suggested they have lunch at home that morning before going to the inner room.