Chapter 159: Second ring task, Yin God system?

The golden sword killed 1366 criminals in an instant, and Yang An and Jia Pu flew away.

The Inspection Division was suddenly quiet.

Long Xiao still followed Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie didn't say much, just nodded to Zhao Xing, and then left.

The first ring task ended, Zhao Xing rested in the Inspection Division for one night, and set off the next day.

He used the Dream Existence Method on the Arrow Fish Flying Boat to review the approach of the first ring task, and soon woke up.

This time, judging the illegal people inside the Divine Might Army heavily, the approach was no problem. If it came again, Zhao Xing would still choose to sentence them all to death.

As for offending people? This impact is not big.

First of all, Zhao Xing is not yet a soldier of the Divine Might Army. Those dead criminals only blamed Qiu Mingyi.

As for the living, look at it in two parts, one is the bottom soldiers below the Seventh Rank, and the other is those above the Seventh Rank.

The bottom soldiers below the Seventh Rank don't have such strong subjective will. The imperial court gives a definition of the matter, basically this level can be calmed down. Moreover, these dead people have no injustice, they really deserve to die, and there is no resentment towards Zhao Xing.

To put it ugly, they are not qualified to resent Zhao Xing, because the highest of these executed ones is Proper Seventh Rank Lower, and Zhao Xing will be a Seventh Rank military general as long as he finishes the task! And he will only be stronger than rotten people like Hong Tai!

Those above the Seventh Rank will have a clear judgment on this matter, knowing that Zhao Xing has no choice. Even if he doesn't judge, Qiu Mingyi will judge. For example, Chen Shijie and Long Xiao knew to avoid suspicion when they heard Zhao Xing talk about it, and they also knew that he received an 'inspection task'.

They basically know something about Zhao Xing’s identity, including his performance in training in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven.

Before Yang An appeared, perhaps this part of the people would feel that Zhao Xing was too ruthless, giving the Inspection Division a chance to cut without asking. If he wanted to do it, he should have asked the Boping Marquis Yang An first.

However, after Yang An appeared, Zhao Xing’s influence in this matter faded a lot.

Because after Yang An came, he talked to Qiu Mingyi, not Zhao Xing who held the Grand Inspector’s order. This attitude explains a lot of things.

Qiu Mingyi also took the initiative to respond, because he also knew that the imperial court was testing geniuses, not destroying geniuses. If he still pushed Zhao Xing to the front to talk to Yang An, that would be his ignorance.

Zhao Xing also understood this point very well, so when Yang An appeared, he didn't say a word, bowed and retreated. In the eyes of outsiders, the impression that Zhao Xing was just going through the motions was even more reasonable.

"If it were a greenhorn, really thinking he mastered the power of life and death, thinking he could be arrogant to the King and Marquis, and still go up and hard-steel the big boss at that time, saying he must kill, not kill is not okay, that would be a complete fool." Zhao Xing secretly said.

No matter how righteous, that was not the time for him to speak.

If the Soldier Realm requires a new recruit to hard-steel a military Marquis to get the highest evaluation, that would be too unreasonable.

Seeing this attitude from the judgment is enough. Doing more is too much.

"The biggest worry about the whole thing is Yang An’s attitude. From Yang An’s behavior, it is obvious that he is not worried that this person has no capacity for others. It can even be said that working under such a person is quite good. From the dialogue between Hong Tai and Qiu Mingyi, it can also be heard that Yang An’s previous removal of the main general position was to protect the positions of others, obviously the other party’s behavior is consistent, not a temporary show."

"In any case, I won't stay on this ship for too long. After completing the nine-link task, I will be Seventh Rank. After seizing the opportunity in the war to pacify the Barbarians and fishing for Fifth Rank, I will leave the Divine Might Army."

Zhao Xing stopped thinking about this and began to look at the second ring task.

As soon as he opened the Earth Mirror.

He saw the evaluation of the first ring task.

【The first ring task 'Inspect the Divine Might Army' has ended.】

【Soldier Realm evaluation: Grade A Supreme】

"Sure enough, as I thought." Zhao Xing smiled slightly.

Then look at the second ring task.

【Second ring military affairs: 'Temples of Anping Prefecture'】

【Location: Anping Prefecture】

【Soldier Realm Intelligence: Anping Prefecture is located west of Datong Prefecture. Since the establishment of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture two hundred years ago, there have been many legends of strange gods and immortals among the people. The people spontaneously built Yin God temples and set up spirit platforms in their homes to worship. The worship targets include not only the spirits of the human race but also the spirits of exotic beasts.】

【The following is a specific list of temples, totaling 52 temples, including the origin of the temples, the main scope of worship, and the main deeds of the Yin Gods in the past two hundred years. Please go to Anping Prefecture to investigate one by one and handle the temples for retention or removal.】

"Folk god temples?"

Zhao Xing frowned after seeing the second ring task.

The difficulty of this matter far exceeds the 'Inspect the Divine Might Army' task.

Because this involves the 'Yin God System' of Great Zhou.

The Yin God system is an extremely important part of the Fortune Dynasty, and it can even be said to be the foundation.

Enjoying incense after death, the soul exists forever in the world, and coexists with the country, is the dream of all officials.

This is more than just leaving a name in history.

Because as long as the incense is not broken and the country is not destroyed, the Yin God can exist forever.

Equivalent to another kind of immortality!

[The first phase of the mission 'Inspect the Divine Might Army' has ended.]

Being able to be canonized as a Yin God and enjoy incense for ten thousand generations is the greatest temptation!

Because this era has a mainstream cognition: that death is not the end, being forgotten is. If one can become a Yin God, one can be at ease in another world!

Therefore, Great Zhou is prevalent in ritual and sacrifice.

Zhao Xing received this task in his previous life and understood the difficulty.

"Even the Yin God system wants to move, this Emperor Jing of this period is really ambitious." Zhao Xing secretly said.

A radish, a pit, the position of the Yin God is also limited, and it is impossible to canonize infinitely.

From Taizu, Emperor Wen, to Emperor Jing, the canonized Yin Gods are already increasing.

The requirements are also constantly improving.

Among them, it was the Taizu era and Emperor Wen era that canonized the most.

Founding heroes cannot be unsealed. After fighting for the world, they didn't enjoy much blessing, and many strong people reached the end of their lives. They didn't enjoy blessings in their lifetime, so they couldn't not enjoy blessings after death?

Another is the attached sects and Taoist gates, seventy-two Taoist academies, each Taoist academy has one or more Second-Rank Yin Gods, which is one of the conditions for attachment.

For example, Lihuo True Monarch, belongs to the First-Rank Yin God, his established Taoist Dharma body existed before the Zhou Dynasty, and it is one that can affect the laws of heaven and earth in the nineteen provinces.

High-level members of the Lihuo Taoist Academy can even summon the ancestor’s established Taoist Dharma body to fight, which is incredibly awesome.

Other Yin Gods, such as God of Travel Dai Zong, have a low rank.

Bitterly sending letters for the army, there is no price. For example, Huang Chengzhi sends four urgent march orders a day, and God of Travel Dai Zong can only scold two sentences, at most not take this job.

But Lihuo True Monarch, if you borrow the way, you have to return the way afterwards, the forced grid is much higher.

"The collapse of the Yin God system is the last straw that broke the Great Zhou." Zhao Xing recalled the situation of doing tasks in his previous life.

Those clay bodhisattvas jumped off the altar one by one, fierce and evil, demanding that the people worship this and worship that. [162-6

Because in this era, there is a mainstream perception: death is not the end; being forgotten is. If one can transform into a Yin Spirit, one can live carefree in another world!

Therefore, the Great Zhou dynasty flourished in rites, music, and sacrificial offerings.

Zhao Xing had received this mission in his previous life and understood the difficulty involved.

"To even want to touch the Yin Spirit system, Emperor Jing of this period is truly ambitious," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Every radish has its hole; the positions for Yin Spirits are also limited and cannot be conferred indefinitely.

From the Founding Emperor and Emperor Wen to Emperor Jing, the number of conferred Yin Spirits has been increasing.

The requirements are also constantly rising.

Among them, it was mainly during the reigns of the Founding Emperor and Emperor Wen that the most were conferred.

Founding heroes had to be conferred; after conquering the empire, many powerhouses reached the end of their lives without having enjoyed much fortune. Since they didn't enjoy it in life, they couldn't be denied enjoyment after death, could they?

Additionally, there were the surrendered sects and Daoist schools. Each of the seventy-two Daoist academies had one or more existence of a Second-Rank Yin Spirit; this was one of the conditions for surrender.

For example, the True Person of Departing Fire belongs to a First-Rank Yin Spirit; his Dao-establishing Dharma body had existed since before the Zhou dynasty and could influence the laws of heaven and earth in the nineteen continents.

Senior members of the Departing Fire Daoist Academy could even summon the Patriarch's Dao-establishing Dharma body to fight the enemy; it was incredibly awesome.

Other Yin Spirits, such as the divine runner Dai Zong, had lower status.

He worked hard to deliver letters for the army without much compensation. If Huang Chengzhi issued four urgent military orders in one day, the divine runner Dai Zong could only curse a couple of times, or at most refuse the job.

But for the True Person of Departing Fire, if you borrow the Dao to travel, you must return the Dao afterward; the prestige is much higher.

"The collapse of the Yin Spirit system was the final straw that crushed the Great Zhou," Zhao Xing recalled the situation of doing the mission in his previous life.

Those clay bodhisattvas jumped off their altars one by one, fierce and menacing, demanding that the common people worship this and worship that.

Moreover, countless minor spirits were born. When Zhao Xing did a mission, he would run ten miles and have a Yin Spirit demanding a 'road toll.'

Some even demanded the sacrifice of young girls.

"Originally, the 'Yin Spirit system' could effectively guard against lawlessness and leave offenders with nowhere to hide. But later on, one family would raise one Yin Spirit, starting the era of clans privately raising Yin Spirits, which could completely shield them from the detection of the imperial court's Yin Spirits; they could kill and plunder without leaving any evidence..."

"There is a reason why Emperor Jing is stingy. If he opens the gates too wide, by the time he dies, there won't be many slots left for his descendants. However, being stingy only treats the symptoms, not the root cause; adding a Hall of Heroes cannot satisfy the demand."

"This is tricky. Why on earth does a military agricultural official like me have to do this kind of mission?"

Zhao Xing felt a bit overwhelmed.

Although some of the temples on this list were dedicated to agricultural officials, the connection was too far-fetched.

"It's really not easy to be an official under Emperor Jing; one person is used as ten. Truly a beast of burden." After complaining to himself a few times, Zhao Xing began to carefully sort out the mission.

Difficult as it is, it must be done!

No one can shake Master Zhao's determination for longevity!

[Yan Guang Temple: Sixth-Rank Yin Spirit]

[Location: Pingjiang County, Hongyuan Commandery, Anping Prefecture.]

[Military Realm Intelligence: Yan Guang was a native of Pingjiang County, born in the 233rd year of Yongan. In the third year of Dingxin, he participated in the establishment of the Nine Heavens Response Mansion. His highest official rank during his lifetime was the 'Pingjiang Waterway Director' of the Proper Eighth-Rank Upper.]

[In the 58th year of Dingxin, Yan Guang died of old age in office. Having diligently managed water for sixty years, he was commended by the imperial court, posthumously conferred as the Third-Class Earl of Pingjiang, and received the evaluation of a capable official.]

[In the 60th year of Dingxin, the Yan family established a family shrine for Yan Guang, and commoners came to worship. In the 65th year of Dingxin, commoners in many places spontaneously built temples. In the 89th year of Dingxin, Yan Guang's spirit tablet was moved out of the Hall of Heroes and enshrined in the Pingjiang Reef Fortress Temple. In the 143rd year of Dingxin, Yan Guang's Yin soul received incense offerings and ascended to the Seventh-Rank Yin Soul Realm.]

[In the 195th year of Dingxin, there was a flood in Pingjiang. The Yan family engaged in widespread charitable acts, opening porridge stalls and repairing rivers and bridges. Yan Guang manifested for the first time, assisting the then-Pingjiang County Agricultural Official 'Wang Ze' in casting agricultural spells to quell the flood.]

[In the 198th year of Dingxin, Yan Guang manifested for the 49th time; the incense was flourishing, and he was promoted to a Junior Sixth-Rank Yin Spirit.]

[In the first year of Jingxin, Yan Guang manifested for the 376th time...]

[In the tenth year of Jingxin...]

The second phase of the mission, although it only involved fifty-two temples, the rank of the Yin Spirits was not low; the worst were Seventh-Rank Yin Spirits, and the highest reached the Proper Sixth-Rank Upper.

Mainly because if a Yin Spirit's status is too low, it cannot manifest. In this period, the Seventh Rank is the minimum threshold for manifesting to intervene in the mortal world.

Of course, these are not officially conferred deities, so even if they manifest, their power is limited.

They belong to 'pseudo-gods.'

It is impossible for them to reach the level of the Earl of East Lake or Cao Xi; those people have the ability to slay the soul clones of the Blood Spirit Venerable. The Blood Spirit Venerable is at least in the Third-Rank Primordial Soul Realm, because only then can he 'divide his soul to receive offerings and nourish the main soul.'

The information provided by the Military Realm was also a hundred times larger in magnitude than before.

For an ordinary person, it is quite difficult to analyze any useful information from this data; it is too complex.

If one does not understand the Yin Spirit system, one would also be completely confused, not knowing why the imperial court issued this mission.

"Analyze problems by looking at the essence." Zhao Xing began to think from the perspective of the Military Realm, and even from the perspective of Emperor Jing.

"Anping Prefecture is a border prefecture, like Datong Prefecture; it is located south of Pinghai Province, and many tributaries of the Cang River and Lan River flow into its territory."

"There are also several important military towns within its territory."

"The Yin Spirit system opened too many loopholes during the Founding Emperor's era. There were many precedents of spontaneous folk spirit-raising becoming official. This situation only slowly decreased and was suppressed during the era of Emperor Wen. This was Emperor Wen intentionally controlling public opinion to prevent large families from manipulating public sentiment to raise spirits."

"There are many examples of wild spirits becoming official. Coupled with the fact that after conquering the Nine Heavens Response Mansion, many people established merits, were granted titles and fiefs, and with so many legends circulating, this phenomenon of spontaneous worship of wild spirits slowly grew in the border regions."

"However, it is hard to say that the descendants of Yin Spirits were not fueling this. Taking Yan Guang as an example, the intelligence mentions the Yan family many times. I don't believe the Yan family didn't push it at all, and the Military Realm wouldn't believe it either."

"The nature of this kind of wild spirit, although it cannot be called a serious case of evil spirits and licentious sacrifices, the Great War against the Barbarians is imminent. Everything must prioritize military affairs. How can these unstable factors be allowed to exist? Not to mention, there are those who sacrifice to exotic beasts as gods; this is clearly influenced by the Southern Barbarian tribes."

Finally, Zhao Xing concluded: "This is an evil spirit and licentious sacrifice; it should be killed!"

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