Chapter 77: Divine Colossus

Guan Ancestor said: “I certainly fear no Human Immortal, but the paths of mortals and spirits diverge; if a Human Immortal deliberately smashes a City God Temple, I may retaliate; but if a Human Immortal kills within the jurisdiction of Yingxiang Prefecture, that is a matter of human law, not under the jurisdiction of the Netherworld... If the forces behind the Eight Immortals of the West intend to act, the commotion will be immense and impossible to hide.

Even if the commotion is small and concealed from the human realm,

those Immortals wield arcane arts—they could report my violations of heavenly law to the Ten Yama Kings, and I’d still be in deep trouble.”

As the old saying goes, some matters weigh only four taels when unmeasured, but when weighed, they exceed a thousand jin.

Across the land, countless prefectures and counties, countless City Gods and Earth Gods, yet only ten Yama Kings, perhaps more judges, but they certainly cannot monitor every action of all City Gods and Earth Lords.

Some spirits exploit loopholes in rules and systems for personal gain, and as long as no major incident occurs and it remains hidden, no one usually investigates.

After all, spirits were once human; humans value human sentiment, and spirits too understand worldly affairs.

But once the matter becomes widely known, the Netherworld’s great lords cannot pretend ignorance.

Once enforced strictly by the rules, what was once considered a trivial matter may become a capital crime.

If Guan City God torments commoners, the commoners have nowhere to cry injustice.

But if the City God of Guan dares to provoke the Eight Immortals of the West, the powerful figures behind the Eight Immortals need not lift a finger—they can simply write a petition that night, burn it, and send it to the judge of the Netherworld or the Yama King.

“Then what should we do?” Hu Chen looked troubled at the Ancestor. “Xiao Yu took the Bone-Transformation Pill; even if she cannot now enter Xianyang to serve the Human Emperor, with her celestial martial talent and sword-bone prowess, she will one day become the pillar of our Guan family.”

Guan Ancestor grew impatient, paced back and forth a moment, then said: “In my heart, I am more than willing to acknowledge this granddaughter.

With her, our Guan family will one day produce a Human Immortal.

Right now, if a Human Immortal were stationed in our family, our situation would be vastly different.

With a Human Immortal and a City God working together, we need not fear retaliation from the Eight Immortals.”

If a Human Immortal were stationed in our family, even if Guan City God secretly acted, we could blame it on the Human Immortal.

Even Guan City God need not act personally—merely through absolute control over the prefecture, he could ensure the Human Immortal enjoys overwhelming home-field advantage.

After further hesitation, Guan Ancestor made his decision: “I will send Wenlong to meet the Qinghe Commandery Prince.

Alas, our Guan family’s foundation is indeed lacking.

If the Li family is willing to dispatch a Human Immortal to protect Guan Yu, our family will owe them a great favor.

In the future, let ‘Human Immortal Guan Yu’ repay it—ten times, a hundred times, it’s all acceptable.”

“Will the Li family help?” Hu Chen’s face darkened with resentment. “If they truly wished to see our family produce a Human Immortal, they would have long ago helped us contact the Immortals of Wanshou Mountain.

If they had forged the Ninefold Bone-Transformation Pill twenty years ago, I would have already broken through to Human Immortal.”

“It’s different,” Guan Ancestor said with a complex expression. “Using the Li family’s great favor to summon the Wanshou Mountain Immortals would waste at least one Human Immortal opportunity.

A Human Immortal is equally a foundation for the Li family.

So, their ignoring you is normal.

Protecting Guan Yu requires no sacrifice of Li family resources or favors.

After all, we’re not asking a Human Immortal to risk their life to protect Guan Yu.

Moreover, Guan Yu slew Kong Zan and crippled Zhou Lang—she has rendered some service to Shu.

Add to that your and Wenlong’s merits and hardships since the Thirty-Six States’ turmoil; as the royal family of Shu, the Li family ought to show some appreciation.

Otherwise, you’ll chill the hearts of your meritorious subjects—who will then fight for the Li family?”

Having finished, he scrutinized Hu Chen, then frowned: “Guan Yu’s matter can wait. Your situation is no better than hers—at least she’s not dead yet, but you’re already dead.”

Hu Chen startled. “Great-grandfather, didn’t you send away the Soul-Grabbing Wuchang?”

I didn’t see the Soul-Grabbing Ghost—does that mean I’m not dead?”

If I’m not dead, I can still be saved.

Please, Great-grandfather, show mercy—use your divine arts to save your grandson.”

Saying this, he knelt and clutched Guan City God’s legs, wailing.

“Stop crying! Stand up!” Guan City God barked, pulling Hu Chen to his feet.

“I never said you’re beyond saving—I’m merely concerned because the deathly qi in your soul is growing too fast. Why the panic?”

“Then Grandfather, hurry and act—the longer we wait, the more deathly qi accumulates,” Hu Chen urged.

Guan City God said coolly: “What has returned is merely your soul. Only when Chiyan Steed brings your remains into Yingxiang Prefecture’s territory can I examine them thoroughly and determine whether rescue is possible—and how.”

Hu Chen panicked again. “It must be salvageable—Chiyan Steed travels day and night, it will enter soon.”

“Alas,” Guan City God sighed, “even if Chiyan Steed travels day and night, Great Shu is vast, and Feixian Ferry is too far—it’s already been three days. With summer approaching, your corpse is likely rotten by now.”

Hu Chen stared at him pleadingly. “Great-grandfather, you not only wield divine arts—you’re also a divine physician. When you were alive, you could heal the dead and regrow flesh and bone. My corpse may stink, but at least it still has flesh and organs.”

“Lord Guan... Lord Guan...” A monotonous call echoed from outside the narrow Earth God temple.

Guan City God’s expression shifted. He turned and warned Hu Chen: “The Soul-Grabbing Wuchang has arrived! Hide behind the house—remember, you’re dead. Don’t breathe, don’t speak, don’t move. Understood?”

Hearing the Soul-Grabbing Wuchang had come, Hu Chen dared not even say “understood.” He turned pale with terror, nodded frantically, and crept silently into the back room.

Once Hu Chen vanished, Guan City God straightened his robes, strode out with dignity and authority.

At the gate, a mighty general clad in chainmail approached, bowed, then leaned close to the City God’s ear, helplessly saying: “Ancestor, I’ve poured wine down the throats of both Ghost Officers until I thought they’d drown—but they won’t get drunk.

I even selected several beautiful, tragic courtesans from Qingshuiwan, summoned their souls into the government office, and had them sing and dance to entertain the two Ghost Officers.

They did fondle and grope the courtesans, yet never once carried out the essential task.

Just now, they suddenly broke free from the courtesans’ arms, threw down cups and chopsticks, and declared they smelled General Hu Chen’s scent—they’ve come to perform official duties.

Alas, what should we do?”

Guan City God gritted his teeth: “What else can we do? They disdain mere wine and beauties—we must raise the stakes until they’re satisfied.”

Saying this, he stepped straight out of the front courtyard and ordered the gatekeeper—a fanged, blue-faced ghost—to open the front gate.

“Lord Guan!” The two Wuchang bowed respectfully to Guan City God.

Guan City God returned half a bow—only clasped hands, no bow.

“Gentlemen, please come inside.” He gestured toward the interior. Once they crossed the threshold, he stepped slightly ahead and entered the Earth God’s mansion with them.

“Please take the seat of honor!”

“Lord Guan, no need for such formality.”

After exchanging pleasantries, the Earth God brought a pot of hot tea. Guan City God drank one cup with the Wuchang, then withdrew from his wide sleeve an eight-inch book, saying: “Gentlemen, please see—the City God’s Book of Life and Death clearly records: Guan Hu Chen was loyal to his sovereign and protected his nation, lived 118 years, and died peacefully in bed.”

The book opened directly to the page labeled “Guan Hu Chen.”

There, in clear black ink on white paper: Guan Hu Chen, lifespan 118 years, loyal to sovereign and protector of nation, courageous in duty, destined to enjoy descendants’ blessings, die peacefully in bed.

Just a few simple lines, yet they encapsulated Hu Chen’s entire life.

“Guan Hu Chen is not yet fifty—he’s far from the age to enter the Netherworld,” Guan City God said to the two Wuchang.

The two Wuchang glanced casually at the Book of Life and Death.

The White Wuchang said expressionlessly: “Lord Guan, you’re a veteran official with vast experience—you know the Book of Life and Death applies to most, but not all.

For instance, Immortals who transcend the Three Realms—if they guide mortals to immortality or eliminate evil—cannot be foreseen by the Book. Those they enlighten, those they purge—their fates change.

Even non-immortal beings may meet untimely deaths due to unforeseen events.

Forget distant cases—just consider the recently deceased Hunter Flag Immortal Kong Zan. His recorded lifespan in the Book was at least eighteen hundred years.

Eighteen hundred years from now was his first Celestial Immortal Tribulation—not his death date.

After cultivating his Yin Spirit, he entered the Netherworld and altered his name in the Book.

He erased his name from the Mortal Register and registered anew in the Immortal Register, becoming an Immortal recognized by Heaven and Netherworld.

From then on, he became one of the free Immortals, no longer subject to Netherworld spirits.

Yet he died—nearly his soul scattered, leaving only a wisp of resentment that coalesced into a vengeful ghost, cast into the City of Unnatural Death, where he will endure untold torment.”

The Black Wuchang continued expressionlessly: “According to the Netherworld’s rule ‘The Dead Are Supreme,’ if someone lives beyond their recorded lifespan, they are guilty.

Soul-Grabbing Officers must actively find them and bring their souls to the Netherworld for judgment.

If someone dies before their recorded lifespan, they die—they simply re-enter the cycle of reincarnation as usual.”

Guan City God slipped the City God Book of Life and Death back into his sleeve, then slowly scraped foam from his cup with the lid. “I am a veteran official who has seen much.

Once, I had already taken in the soul of a Zhang family virtuous man, intending to keep him as a scribe.

The Netherworld Judge sent a letter stating Zhang’s earthly lifespan was not yet complete—he must be returned to the mortal realm.

At that time, Zhang had been dead for forty-nine days; his body had long been buried.

Yet I appeared to his young son in a dream; the next day, they dug up the coffin—and Zhang returned to life.”

The White and Black Wuchang exchanged glances, silent.

Not to mention Guan City God’s personal experience—within the past fifty years, the two of them had personally returned souls to life more than a hundred times.

Those who died prematurely but had unexpired lifespans were one thing.

Some were clearly meant to die, yet judges quietly added one or two jì to their lifespans, then claimed their time had not come and they must be returned...

One jì is twelve years!

Such lifespan extensions and resurrections almost always involved intervention by Immortal or Buddha masters.

They dared not question it—they considered it normal.

But are you, Guan City God, a ‘Divine Master’?”

Guan City God set down his teacup, fumbled again in his sleeve, and withdrew two golden rods—each as thick as a thumb, four feet long.

The White and Black Wuchang could no longer maintain their blank expressions.

Their eyes widened; pale ghostly faces flushed with longing.

A flicker of pain crossed Guan City God’s refined face as he offered the two rods to the Wuchang: “Since taking office, I have served faithfully for a hundred years, guarding millions of subjects in this prefecture—and now, finally, I receive some reward.

These are two ‘Vow Incense Sticks.’

The incense power from all faithful devotees in the prefecture has been refined by my City God Seal into pure vow energy—any spirit may absorb it.

Each stick contains the equivalent of one year’s incense from ten thousand households.”

“Thank you, Lord Guan!” The White and Black Wuchang beamed, snatched the Vow Incense Sticks, tucked them into their robes, bowed deeply, and paid reverent homage to the seated Guan City God.

After purification, it equals the incense offerings of ten thousand households for one year; before purification, it must have been at least twenty years’ worth of offerings from ten thousand households! With such a grand gesture, Guan Chenghuang is no mere “Big Shot of the Spirit Path”—he is a “Colossus of the Spirit Path”!

Given that he is such a “Colossus,” he certainly has the authority to send back the souls of the dead whose earthly lifespans have not yet expired.