Chapter 120: City God Position (Bonus Chapter for the Alliance Leader 'Loli Destroyer Enthusiast')

Seeing she was obstinate, the Qingsong Daoist Disciple no longer bothered to persuade her.

He placed the Investiture of the Gods on the table, pressed his right hand upon it, and said: “Do you know that Marquis Liyang once issued widespread warrants across the Western Sands, offering rewards for the heads of Western Golden Immortals who resolutely resisted Great Qin—Kong Zan, Song Zhong, Dou Yilin, and others?”

Among them, Song Zhong’s reward was the highest: whoever kills Song Zhong may be granted the divine position of Capital City God of Jinyang.”

“Those who kill Kong Zan, Dou Yilin, Zhou Lang, and other Golden Immortals may receive the divine positions of Huang City God or Capital City God of the Western Prefecture.”

Xiao Yu pointed at her own nose in surprise and asked: “Are you going to enshrine me as City God using the Investiture of the Gods?”

Upon hearing this, the Qingsong Daoist Disciple also showed a look of shock and disbelief: “You know about the Investiture of the Gods?”

One who knows nothing of the Investiture of the Gods would not speak of being enshrined as City God by it.

Xiao Yu nodded and said: “I’ve heard stories from Dou Gengyan about myths and legends from the Middle Antiquity and Recent Antiquity.”

“It is said that near the end of the Middle Antiquity, Jiang Taigong of Xiqi used the Investiture of the Gods to appoint countless deities on behalf of Heaven.”

“Nowadays, most immortals in the Heavenly Court originated from the Investiture of the Gods.”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple shook his head: “It has been hundreds of thousands of years since the Middle Antiquity Investiture.”

“How many Celestial Immortals and Immortals have ascended in hundreds of thousands of years of mortal time?”

“The deities of the Investiture Era can no longer be considered the ‘majority’ among Heavenly Court immortals.”

“They are merely a portion who still occupy the most central divine positions in the Heavenly Court.”

He then lightly tapped the Investiture of the Gods and said: “Since you’ve heard of the Investiture of the Gods, I’ll speak plainly.”

“After returning to Xianyang, Marquis Liyang has already submitted your battlefield merits: killing Kong Zan was the foremost achievement of the Feixiandu Campaign.”

“Now, the Son of Heaven—ahem, the Eastern Imperial Envoy represents the Son of Heaven, and I represent the Eastern Imperial Envoy—offering you two choices.”

“Either write your name on the Investiture of the Gods and be directly enshrined as City God.”

“Or transfer your battlefield merits to someone else, let them be enshrined, and you receive substantial rewards in return—even possibly an ‘Immortal Connection.’”

Xiao Yu probed: “Has the Marquis made any arrangements?”

“What do you mean?” the Qingsong Daoist Disciple asked, puzzled.

Xiao Yu’s eyes flickered: “If Marquis Liyang has a relative also seeking the City God position, I’m willing to sell my merit of killing Kong Zan. The price is negotiable.”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple sneered: “You underestimate Marquis Liyang—and you underestimate Great Qin.”

“Great Qin values military merit above all; it would never falsify battlefield achievements.”

“Marquis Liyang submitted your merit because it is his duty as a military marquis—no personal favor, no private gain, only truth and precision.”

“He owes you no favor, nor expects any gratitude from you.”

Xiao Yu chuckled awkwardly: “Old Ancestor, I misunderstood. I thought the second option—transferring my merit to someone else—was your sincere teaching (and subtle hint) to guide me toward the right choice.”

A flicker of unease passed quickly through the Qingsong Daoist Disciple’s eyes: “You wish to write your own name?”

Xiao Yu said: “May I ask a few questions first?”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple leaned back in his chair, gently swirling his teacup: “We’ve already chatted this long; a few more questions won’t hurt.”

“Thank you, Old Ancestor, for your kindness!”

Xiao Yu curtseyed, bowed gracefully, then sat back down and asked: “Regarding my battlefield merit, has it already reached the Heavenly Ear? Has the new Son of Heaven ascended the throne?”

“Does His Majesty know of my deeds? How should I express my gratitude?”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple replied coolly: “Don’t flatter yourself—you killed not a Golden Immortal, but merely a minor Western Golden Immortal!”

“Your achievement will, of course, be recorded in Great Qin’s archives.”

“The Grand Commandant knows of you; Generals Meng and Wang have confirmed and signed off on your merit—but they will not report it to the Empress Dowager.”

“Not even the Empress Dowager, nor the Eastern Imperial Envoy, knows who you are.”

“Yet, since Western affairs are now under the full authority of the Eastern Imperial Envoy,”

“his aides will strictly abide by Great Qin’s laws and reward you according to your merit.”

“The entire process follows established precedent; no one needs special thanks.”

“If you harbor gratitude, simply continue serving Great Qin whenever opportunity arises.”

“Hmm, though my flesh belongs to the Sand Savages, my soul has long belonged to Great Qin.”

Xiao Yu first declared her loyalty earnestly, then asked: “Must the reward be only the City God position? Could you instead appoint me as a Great Qin Captain, so I may serve in Xianyang?”

“No!” the Qingsong Daoist Disciple bluntly refused, then softened his tone to explain: “First, you are not a Great Qin soldier. Your killing of Kong Zan is, strictly speaking, not Great Qin military merit—it is a bounty.”

“I said earlier: Marquis Liyang issued warrants offering City God positions as rewards for Golden Immortal heads.”

“Whatever the bounty promised, the Eastern Imperial Envoy must deliver.”

“Second, the Feixiandu Campaign falls under Western affairs, governed by the Eastern Imperial Envoy.”

“Appointing Great Qin military officers, however, is the domain of the Grand Commandant.”

“Do you even know what a ‘Grand Commandant’ is?”

Before Xiao Yu could nod, the Qingsong Daoist Disciple continued: “In short, Great Qin’s military is under the Grand Commandant’s control, not the Eastern Imperial Envoy’s.”

“Your case is also unusual.”

“You have nurtured a Dragon Vein—you have made the Sand Savages a threat to Shu.”

“I’ll be honest: I was originally at the Luodou Imperial Astronomical Bureau, observing the celestial omens of the Sand Dunes and Shu.”

“The Luodou Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the King of Shu, and the Prince of Qinghe were all present.”

“They all knew that if you remained in the Northern Wastes, Shu would eventually be destroyed by the Sand Dune Empire.”

Xiao Yu quickly pledged loyalty: “I am loyal to Great Qin! I wish to be a true Old Qin person!”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple stared into her eyes: “Little Fengxian, this isn’t about trust—it’s about procedure, law, and rules.”

“Life is full of accidents and helplessness.”

“Today’s you cannot decide what tomorrow’s you will do or think.”

“I understand your devotion to the Dao. If you were an ordinary person, bringing you to Great Qin would be no issue.”

“But you threaten Shu’s Heavenly Mandate—you make the Li family of Western Shu feel like a thorn in their throat.”

“That’s why, in Shadong, I directly handed you over to Shu’s general Guan Huchen.”

He avoided her gaze, took a sip of tea, and said calmly: “Your nephew, Sand Egg, has crossed the Liusha River and is now traveling by carriage with a group of ‘Potential Dragons’ toward Xianyang.”

“It’s not personal—it’s just the rules.”

“Even though I’m impatient and eager to return to Xianyang, I must patiently escort them across Shu and across the Liusha River.”

“As for what future contributions they might make to Great Qin—I don’t expect anything.”

“But it must be done. Great Qin’s system demands it. Its rules demand it.”

“Great Qin values military merit—and it values law, and rules.”

“Sigh—if someday you go to Great Qin and witness our laws, perhaps you’ll better understand my words.”

“Directly killing Potential Dragons or innate prodigies among foreign leaders is simple—but the backlash is too great.”

“I suspect the sudden death of the Son of Heaven may be linked to recent aggressive state policies.”

“It backfired.”

“The Heavenly Lord truly exists!”

“All Potential Dragons are ‘Children of Heaven.’”

“Those with innate wisdom are even more favored by Heaven.”

“Raising them until death is time-consuming, but causes the least backlash—and may even turn waste into treasure, yielding certain benefits.”

“Making the choice most beneficial to Great Qin is the rules.”

“Over time, rules gradually hardened into ironclad law.”

“Even I and Marquis Liyang cannot violate Great Qin’s laws—not even now that the Son of Heaven has passed.”

Xiao Yu fell silent for a moment, then asked: “If I write my name on the Investiture of the Gods, what will happen?”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple said: “After your name is written, the Underworld’s ghost envoys will investigate your life.”

“If you are evil, you cannot become a City God.”

“Of course, with the Investiture of the Gods protecting you, the investigation won’t be overly harsh.”

“As long as you’re not insane, possess normal intelligence, and can handle City God duties, you qualify.”

“If you truly are monstrous and wicked, I would have advised you to abandon the City God position beforehand.”

“Because becoming a City God is only the beginning.”

“You will be monitored by Underworld ghost officials; if you commit even one mistake, a City God enshrined by the Investiture of the Gods may still be stripped of his position.”

“Does the Investiture of the Gods impose any constraints on me?” Xiao Yu asked.

“Of course it does—otherwise, how do you think these City God vacancies arise?”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple sneered: “Eat the ruler’s salary, serve the ruler’s affairs. Eat Great Qin’s divine stipend, and you must forever remain loyal to Great Qin.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes flashed with curiosity: “Will the Underworld allow a qualified City God to be arbitrarily deposed?”

“Not just City Gods on the Investiture of the Gods—even those appointed by the Heavenly Court or Underworld will be stripped by imperial decree if they dare offend the Son of Heaven’s dignity,” the Qingsong Daoist Disciple declared firmly, his face filled with pride.

“The Son of Heaven cannot rule Heaven—but he can rule Earth and mortals.”

“Any immortal or Buddha who preaches, teaches, or spreads faith on Earth is bound by this.”

Xiao Yu said: “I don’t want to be a City God. Can I wait until I die of old age, and then be appointed as a celestial immortal—even just a Stable Master?”

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple rolled his eyes, exasperated: “You’re truly a savage—completely ignorant of court affairs.”

“Even a Stable Master is a departmental chief.”

“Even a Celestial Immortal listed in the Heavenly Registers, if lacking the potential of a Golden Immortal, counts it a blessing from the Jade Emperor and the Three Pure Ones if granted even a modest post.”

“Alright, I’m ignorant. I won’t be a Stable Master—how about just a lowly celestial soldier?” Xiao Yu asked.

The Qingsong Daoist Disciple paused thoughtfully: “This Investiture of the Gods can only enshrine Underworld spirits—it cannot enshrine celestial immortals. Not unless you force it. But if you do, you’ll likely arrive in the Heavenly Court and within two days be found guilty of some offense and dragged straight to the Execution Platform to be flayed alive.”

“Just peel him alive?” Xiao Yu exclaimed. “Are the Heavenly Court and the Celestial Dynasty really this hostile?”

“That’s not for you to know!” Qing Song glanced at her. “Don’t imagine the Heavenly Palace is all that wonderful—even a county land god enjoys more freedom than many deities.”

——Only able to enshrine ghosts and gods? What kind of Investiture of the Gods is this!

Xiao Yu lowered her estimation of the “Great Qin Investiture of the Gods” even further. “If I live too long, will it interfere with the land god’s duties? I’ve noticed the gate land god of Tianmen Town seems constantly busy.”

Qing Song’s acolyte glared at her. “What nonsense are you spouting? You’re just a lowly land god—dare you make the Netherworld wait for you? How bold of you!”

The moment your name is written on the Investiture of the Gods, ghosts and gods will come tonight to claim your soul.”

Tomorrow morning, Hongxiu Pavilion will hold your funeral. The day after, ghosts and gods will teach you the basics of your duties as land god.”

When the Eastern Imperial Envoy arrives from the west in a few days, he will ascend the altar in Luodu, Western Shu, and officially enshrine you as land god.”

“Ah, just die outright?” Xiao Yu was deeply disappointed.

If the land god position could be permanently retained, as a modest safety net—even under the constraints of the Investiture of the Gods—it might be tolerable.

But to abandon this life outright? She had so much hope for the future!

Qing Song said: “I told you I’d give you a great future, help you escape this world of brothels—it’s not without reason we’ve shared this bond.”

If you don’t die immediately, how can you escape this filthy place?”

As a living person, the Shu Kingdom will never let you leave.”

Once you’re dead and enshrined as land god, bound to a foreign land, even if you yearn for the Sand Dunes and dream of reviving the Sand Barbarians, it’ll be useless.”

“I am the spirit of old Qin! I’d rather cling to a pinch of Qin soil than treasure ten thousand taels of sand! But I don’t want to die!” Xiao Yu cried.

“All mortals must die.”

“I haven’t lived enough yet! When I was in the Sand Dunes, I longed for the glittering world beyond. Now that I’ve finally stepped out, I have no desire to end my life,” Xiao Yu said.

“Ghosts and gods can still live,” said Qing Song’s acolyte.

——Bound by the Investiture of the Gods, at the whim of rogue Daoists like you, under the Netherworld’s watch, and likely at the arbitrary command or scolding of the Heavenly Court.

Truly, heaven governs, earth governs, mortals govern—everywhere constrained.

With our free-spirited, carefree nature, we can pretend for a while, act our parts, play one or two grand dramas—but we can never become true slaves!”

Eventually, we’ll crack and start causing trouble, and end up stripped of our divine rank—dying for nothing!”

Xiao Yu had thought this through clearly.

Even ignoring the severe restrictions of the land god path, her temperament made it impossible for her to endure the role long.

She was willing to bide her time, hide her claws, and endure—not because she was born to be a servant, but because she aimed to rise above others.

Xiao Yu thought for a moment, then asked: “Can I give my land god position to someone else?”

Qing Song frowned. “Are you certain? Many immortals would kill for this opportunity. Miss it, and you’ll never get a second chance.”

Xiao Yu nodded solemnly. “I’m serious.”

Qing Song’s face remained expressionless. “Very well. I have several buyers. You may choose one.”

Xiao Yu frowned. “Buyers?”

Qing Song said: “You want to sell your land god position, don’t you? Several Great Qin nobles are nearing the end of their mortal lives and plan to transition into the ghost-god path.”

Don’t worry—they’re true nobles. Not top-tier, but far from destitute.”

They have no shortage of wealth, divine elixirs, or immortal scripture.”

Had your status not required you to remain under Shu surveillance while alive, you could even use them to secure a low-ranking noble title in the Great Qin court.”

Or you could secure a good post for your nephew, Sha Dan, in Xianyang Palace.”

Xiao Yu stared blankly for a moment, then asked cautiously: “Grandmaster, you speak so smoothly and proficiently—does this happen often?”

Qing Song pursed his lips. “Clear water breeds no fish. If you benefit, he benefits, and Great Qin suffers no loss—what’s wrong with that?”

——But someone might take advantage of the chaos!

Xiao Yu vaguely sensed problems in Great Qin’s merit system.

But it had nothing to do with her. She didn’t care. “Can I get a Ninefold Bone Transformation Elixir?”

As soon as Xiao Yu asked hopefully, before Qing Song could nod, she grimaced, bit her lip, and quickly shook her head. “Forget it—I won’t sell it. I’ll give the land god position away.”

“Give it away?” Qing Song’s eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the sharpness within. “You have no relatives left, do you?”

——If there truly was someone the Sand Barbarian Xiao Yu cherished, and I hadn’t found them yet, that would be my failure—a grave failure!

“Not a relative. An old ghost I met at Hengsha Pass’s San Cha Ridge. He was a Shu man named Duan Yuhan, originally from Guide Commandery’s Guangning Prefecture. He had a son named Duan Guisheng—don’t mistake the wrong person,” Xiao Yu said.

Qing Song relaxed. “Why give your land god position to him?”

“Let me be frank—your military merit could fetch you at least two Bone Transformation Elixirs.”

“Oh, stop telling me the truth! Lie to me a little, make me feel better,” Xiao Yu groaned, her face twisted in pain.

Her expression was so vivid, Qing Song couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Who is Duan Yuhan? Why give him your divine rank?”

“I met him at San Cha Ridge.”

Xiao Yu recounted again, in detail, the story of burying roadside bones and the old ghost repaying her by guiding her.

Yes, she’d already told this tale several times to Guan Zhong and others.

“If not for Uncle Duan guiding me into the ghost path, I’d have been slain by Kong Zan’s Heavenly Blade. And in the end, when I finally killed Kong Zan by chance, it was thanks to Uncle Duan.”

Originally, she and Guan Zhong had agreed: once back in Yingxiang Prefecture, they’d send people to San Cha Ridge to retrieve Uncle Duan and his son’s remains and return them home.

Now that she was no longer Guan’s daughter, Guan Zhong had surely forgotten the Duan family long ago.

She’d been pondering this matter all along.

Now, fortune had handed her a land god position (ps)—perfect for settling the Duan family.

ps: By giving away the land god position, Xiao Yu actually gained far more. I will dedicate a separate chapter later to explain the events at Hongxiu Pavilion.