Entering the City God’s Hall, Lu Zheng looked up and saw a imposing general seated at the main official’s position.
Though clad in a brown official robe, the cuffs were bound with leather, a golden belt cinched his waist, his brows thick and beard curled, a sword at his side. He sat at the head, pouring and drinking cup after cup without pause.
“My Lord!” Judge Li called out.
“Hm?”
The City God glanced over, his eyes sharp as lightning. Lu Zheng felt the man’s gaze like a blazing torch, carrying an aura that shook the soul.
Without even moving, Lu Zheng already sensed he could never match this opponent.
“A Taoist from White Cloud Temple, also trained in martial blood energy. What brings you here?”
Lu Zheng bowed respectfully, “Lu Zheng, a lay practitioner of White Cloud Temple, greets the City God.”
“My Lord, just now, Young Master Lu killed a commander from the Night Patrol Camp of King Nightshade outside the city,” Judge Li hurriedly added.
“Hm?” The City God’s eyes lit up, “That old ghost King Nightshade dares stir trouble?”
“This subordinate also…”
“Lord City God, Lord Li, please hear me out,” Lu Zheng interjected.
“Hm?” The City God raised an eyebrow.
Judge Li paused, glancing at Lu Zheng, then at the City God.
“Speak!” the City God commanded.
“It’s like this, Lord Li misunderstood. This matter likely isn’t some scheme by King Nightshade, but rather concerns me.”
Judge Li blinked, while the City God’s interest was piqued, sizing Lu Zheng up with curiosity.
“Explain yourself.”
Lu Zheng first clasped his hands toward Judge Li, “I had intended to meet the City God and clarify everything at once, so I didn’t tell you earlier. Please forgive me, my Lord.”
Judge Li waved it off, “No matter, Young Master Lu, you’re too polite.”
Turning to the City God, Lu Zheng said, “This ghost came for me because a general under King Nightshade, named Yan Jie, was killed.”
The City God froze, then quickly asked, “You killed him?”
Without pause, he added, “You know that half-ghost, half-spirit peach ghost from the south of the city?”
Lu Zheng’s heart stirred, noting the City God indeed knew of Shen Ying and Yan Jie’s grudge.
Nodding, Lu Zheng said, “I’m friends with Lady Shen. Some time ago, Yan Jie teamed up with a boar demon to ambush her. Later, she came to me in a dream, and I lent a hand.”
“Boar demon?” the City God asked, intrigued.
Judge Li quickly chimed in, “There was indeed a boar demon causing trouble in Tonglin County a while back, though it wasn’t under our jurisdiction. The county invited Master Yuanjing from White Cloud Temple to slay it. I only know the demon left, but I’m unclear on the details.”
Lu Zheng nodded, “That’s the one.”
The City God was visibly surprised, “You two against two, and you killed Yan Jie?”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Including the boar demon.”
“Oh?” The City God raised an eyebrow, genuinely taken aback.
He knew the strength of Shen Ying and Yan Jie, neither weaklings. For Shen Ying to seek help, the boar demon must’ve been formidable too.
Yet, with Lu Zheng’s aid, they managed to take down both at Peach Blossom Plain?
“Bring a seat, bring a seat! What are you all standing around for? Get Young Master Lu a chair!”
The City God waved to the guards, then beckoned Lu Zheng.
“Come, sit, tell me how you took those two down!”
Lu Zheng was a bit dazed, unsure why the City God was suddenly so enthusiastic.
Seeing Lu Zheng’s hesitation, the City God realized he’d been overly eager.
“Haha, my apologies! In life, I was a warrior, good for nothing but battle. Now, as Tonglin County’s City God, with King Nightshade only defending and not attacking, I’ve no wars to fight.”
He laughed heartily, “I’m bored out of my mind! Hearing you fought well got me excited. Tell me about it, no taboos, right?”
“Of course not!” Lu Zheng replied quickly.
Taking a seat, with Judge Li accompanying, a guard tactfully poured wine for Lu Zheng.
“Drink, drink! Don’t worry, this is fine wine offered by the county, safe for humans,” the City God raised his cup warmly, “To a full glass!”
“Cheers!” Lu Zheng raised his cup, clinking it in the air with the City God and Judge Li, then downed it.
It was decent, better than Old Man Liu’s wine, though not as good as the liquor he’d brought from the modern world.
“How did you meet that peach, er, Lady Shen?”
Not wanting to call her a peach ghost to Lu Zheng’s face, the City God adjusted his words.
Lu Zheng briefly recounted how he met Shen Ying, then focused on how he helped her defeat the boar demon and Yan Jie.
“Brave and cunning, clean and decisive!” the City God praised loudly, “Worthy of a grand toast!”
They raised their cups and drank deeply.
“That boar demon could tear tree roots apart, no weakling. You used a stealth talisman to approach and a frost talisman to ambush, perfectly embodying the art of war: elusive as shadow, striking like thunder. If I were still alive, I’d recruit you as a general!”
The City God paused, “Right, when you die, join my underworld ranks.”
Lu Zheng: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ
Judge Li awkwardly raised his cup, “My Lord, you’re drunk!”
“This weak wine, get me drunk?” The City God waved it off, his eyes gleaming, “You use a blade?”
Lu Zheng’s gaze steadied, glancing at the sword at the City God’s side, and nodded, “I use a blade!”
“Good!”
Seeing Lu Zheng’s resolute look, the City God cheered, set down his cup, “Care to spar with me?”
Lu Zheng set down his cup, smiling, “Since the City God is in the mood, I’ll gladly oblige.”
The City God laughed, “Fetch blades! Get one for Young Master Lu too!”
A guard quickly returned with a standard long blade. Lu Zheng took it, twirled it in a flourish, finding it suitable.
The City God stood tall and strode out of the hall.
…
Outside, in the training field, over a hundred ghost soldiers gathered, hearing the City God was to spar with a living man. Eager for a spectacle not seen in ages, they formed a circle, eyes gleaming with excitement.
In the centre of the field, the City God and Lu Zheng stood ten feet apart, facing each other.
“Though I’m a ghost god now, without blood energy, my blade skills and intent remain, wielded with ghostly energy for unique power. Be cautious.”
“Thank you for the warning. Please, instruct me!”
“Good!”
The City God roared, stepping forward, drawing his blade in a downward slash.
“Roar!”
A tiger’s roar echoed in Lu Zheng’s mind.
He felt as if a majestic tiger, wreathed in ghostly energy, lunged at him, its overwhelming presence enveloping the surroundings, inescapable, unavoidable, unblockable.
“Break!”
Lu Zheng focused all his will, roaring as he raised his blade, barely breaking free from the oppressive intent.
“Bloody hell, too damn strong!”
