Chương 53: A Windfall from Heaven — A Horse Never Grows Fat Without Night Grazing

According to Records of Emperor Gaozu's Investiture of the Gods: After the fall of Zhou, chaos engulfed the world. Then arose the Qian Dynasty, which conquered the Six Kingdoms and unified the Nine Provinces. Emperor Gaozu asked his ministers:"Though the empire now stands united, the heroic spirits of fallen grandmasters still linger. They trouble the people without cease. What solution do you propose?" Duke Bi replied:"Build temples throughout the land. Mark out mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas as their domains.

Invest these spirits as divine guardians under imperial authority, and sustain them through the offerings of the people." Duke Shao added:"In this way, the heroic spirits will no longer torment the living. Instead, they may protect their territories. The court may reward virtue and punish evil through them, ensuring peace across the Nine Provinces." Emperor Gaozu clapped his hands and laughed.

"Excellent!" Thus the decree was spread throughout the realm. Therefore: Those who lived with great virtue would have their names endure alongside heaven and earth. Those who died would become gods, immortal through the ages.

"I wonder how much of this story is actually true." Su Zhe closed the book and shook his head." Records of Emperor Gaozu's Investiture of the Gods is basically little more than folk history."

"Still... the idea of gods serving the state is rather interesting." Earlier, he had seen notices concerning cult activity posted around the county. After listening to a few overly enthusiastic Confucian scholars explain the matter in great detail, he finally understood the connection between the so-called cultists and the gods. That curiosity had led him to buy the book.

According to legend, when martial artists reached the pinnacle of cultivation, their Yang Spirits became indestructible, lingering between heaven and earth even after death. The Qian Dynasty had been founded through martial might. It conquered the world, drawing strength from countless sects as it united the Nine Provinces. But endless wars produced endless casualties.

Many supreme experts perished, and their immortal Yang Spirits transformed into heroic souls that wandered the world, disturbing the living and threatening the realm. Emperor Gaozu had been deeply troubled by the problem. After consulting his ministers, he arrived at a solution. The spirits of the dead would be assigned territories bounded by mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, then officially invested as gods.

Recognized by the dynasty, these gods could absorb incense offerings and faith to cultivate themselves, achieving an existence akin to immortality. In exchange, they were required to protect their domains. If one occupied a divine seat, one had to fulfill divine duties. Yet the Qian Dynasty had stood for thousands of years. Over time, nearly three thousand gods had been invested. As centuries passed, these divine beings gradually transformed from assets into liabilities.

Apart from the martial sects, the Three Thousand Gods had become one of the empire's greatest hidden threats. Although the dynasty never officially abolished the divine system, its attitude toward the gods grew increasingly hostile.

"Openly and secretly, the court suppresses them," Su Zhe muttered.

"Many gods receive too little worship and eventually fade into oblivion."

"Others, desperate for incense and faith, descend into madness, manipulating commoners and martial artists alike."

"In the end, the dynasty completely broke with them, rebranding them as the Three Thousand Wild Gods—or Grassroot Gods."

"And any sect that continued worshiping them was labeled a heretical cult." In simpler terms: The Qian Dynasty ruled through martial power and shared governance with the sects. After overthrowing Zhou, it used the gods to help control the hearts and minds of the people. At the time, it had been a practical policy. But as the dynasty grew stronger, it no longer wished to share authority. Little by little, it sought to reclaim what it had given away. And thus, the cults were born.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! Whether something was righteous or heretical often depended on nothing more than a decree from the imperial court. Closing the book, Su Zhe sighed.

"After all, the Wild Gods are no longer human."

"They've lived too long. Their humanity has eroded away."

"That's why blood sacrifices and other atrocities committed in their names are so common."

"Cults truly are a scourge…" He paused.

"But why have these cultists appeared in Lu County?"

"And which god do they serve?" The question lingered in his mind. Though he had already stepped into the Third Rank, he was far from its peak. His reputation was growing, but he was still a rising star rather than an established powerhouse. The matter of heretical cults was far more serious than the river bandit crisis of the past. Even the major powers of Lu County were struggling to deal with it. For now, Su Zhe lacked both the status and influence to gain access to such sensitive information.

Just then, the gates of the Su residence opened. His uncle and aunt had returned. Su Zhe blinked in surprise. His aunt, Lin Xia, was usually loud and fiery. Today, however, her cheeks were flushed red. She walked with small, careful steps, moving as though she feared tripping over herself. His uncle, Su Yuan, bent slightly at the waist as he supported her, unable to hide the grin on his face.

"Uncle? Aunt? What's going on?" Su Zhe hurried forward and helped his uncle guide her to a seat. Lin Xia shot her husband a shy glare.

"This is all your fault. You tell him." Instead of being offended, Su Yuan's grin widened. Scratching the back of his head, he laughed.

"Xiao Zhe... your aunt is pregnant."

"You're going to have a little brother or sister."

"We weren't completely sure before, but we saw a physician today... and it's confirmed." For a moment, Su Zhe froze. Then a broad smile spread across his face.

"That's wonderful news!"

"The Su family is finally getting a new addition." He immediately grabbed several packages from the table.

"Aunt, I bought your favorite pastries. You're the greatest contributor to our family right now—we can't neglect you." Su Yuan carefully helped Lin Xia sit down. Looking at the neatly wrapped pastries, Lin Xia couldn't help licking her lips. Even so, she complained out of habit.

"What a waste of money."

"We already eat meat and fish every day. That's more than enough."

"Back in the village, we'd have to dig up wild vegetables just to get by." Su Yuan chuckled.

"It's Xiao Zhe's way of showing he cares."

"Besides, the better you eat, the stronger the child will be." Lin Xia rolled her eyes. She opened the square package wrapped in yellow oiled paper and took a bite. Sweetness instantly filled her mouth. Her eyes narrowed in delight.

"So sweet..." Watching the couple, Su Zhe felt warmth in his heart. Then his expression grew serious.

"These next few days may not be peaceful in Lu County."

"If you need to go out, make sure you have guards from the Sun Estate accompanying you." He reached into his robe and pulled out a hundred taels of silver.

"Uncle, take this."

"Don't let Aunt suffer any hardships." Su Yuan immediately tried to refuse.

"Kid, we have enough money—" But before he could finish, Su Zhe had already turned and walked away. Back at Artisan Hall, the atmosphere was noticeably heavy. Since the Blacksmiths' Guild had decided to participate in the upcoming campaign against the cultists, a large number of experts would be mobilized. Most of the ordinary smiths remained behind. However, top fighters such as Sun Tiexin, Xiao Xunhuan, and Guo Ju would all be joining the expedition.

By all rights, Su Zhe—now a Third-Rank martial artist—should have been counted among Lu County's core combat strength. Yet his talent was simply too extraordinary. The Sword-Casting Manor's special envoy, Li Shanyun, had already taken notice of him. For that reason, Sun Tiexin ordered him to remain behind. The situation at the Vanguard Hall was even more extreme. Almost every member was being deployed. Even Yu Yi, the prodigy blessed with top-tier talent, was ordered to stay at headquarters.

Guild Leader Yang Dingtian had issued his command. Three days later, the Blacksmiths' Guild would join forces with the county government and the Canal Guild before marching on Wild Goose Mountain. That night. Within Courtyard One of Artisan Hall.

"Equip: Shadow Reaper." The dark sickle appeared in Su Zhe's hand. Instantly, a flood of memories entered his mind. Shadow Mantis Slaughter Art. A complete martial technique unfolded within his sea of consciousness. The style had been inspired by the praying mantis. It emphasized stealth, sudden strikes, and lightning-fast assassinations. With Su Zhe's current talent and comprehension, he was worlds apart from his former self.

His aptitude had already surpassed Grade-A talent, reaching the rare level known as One in a Thousand. Combined with the Fourth-Rank treasured weapon, the Tiger-Roaring Fiend Saber, his affinity for blade techniques had become astonishing. He took a deep breath. The breathing method of the Shadow Mantis Slaughter Art began circulating. Power surged through his meridians like a rising tide. Starting from the Yongquan Acupoint beneath his feet, it flowed through the Kidney Meridian and completed a full circulation.

The blade moved. Moonlight reflected from the curved sickle, casting a cold gleam. Su Zhe's posture shifted. Like a hunting mantis, he became light, agile, and deadly. Every strike resembled a mantis capturing prey—swift, precise, and merciless. His presence faded into the darkness. The black sickle reflected no light at all, as though it were part of the night itself. Yet when he attacked, the resulting slash was unimaginably fierce. Bang! His body trembled.

After several complete circulations, the Shadow Mantis Slaughter Art advanced to the Minor Mastery stage. At the same time, he used it alongside the Fiend Tiger God-Slaying Saber Art, allowing the two techniques to complement and refine one another. Within his Purple Palace Dantian, a strand of blood-red fiend energy condensed. Gradually, it transformed into the image of a majestic tiger. Though illusory, the tiger radiated overwhelming dominance.

Its roar seemed capable of ruling all beasts beneath heaven, like the sovereign king of a hundred thousand mountains. Fiend Tiger God-Slaying Saber Art — Perfect Mastery. By reaching perfection, Su Zhe finally cultivated a strand of Fiend Tiger Force. The power of a tiger now resided within him. He had also gained the ability to refine fiendish energy. Still, the Fiend Tiger Saber Art was too distinctive. Anyone wounded by it could easily identify its origin.

Compared to that, Su Zhe preferred the Shadow Mantis Slaughter Art. A hidden blade. A surprise strike. Killing without revealing one's true edge. A forging hammer in his right hand. A harvesting sickle in his left. The hammer shattered armor. The sickle reaped lives. The power of laborers and farmers combined. Moments later, Su Zhe opened his eyes again. The inherited memories from the sickle's previous owner had finally finished surfacing.

"I see."

"So the cultists from Wild Goose Mountain worship the Blood Refining Patriarch."

"The county treasury keeper was one of them, disguised as a government official."

"After his activities were exposed, he transferred a massive amount of stolen silver out of Lu County, intending to offer it to the Blood Refining Cult."

"The funds were already in the hands of several cultists, but the treasury keeper himself hadn't escaped yet."

"The county lieutenant tracked him down, and the two fought."

"The treasury keeper was wounded and fled to a nearby farmhouse, where he collapsed unconscious."

"His Fourth-Rank treasure weapon was left behind. The old farmer mistook it for an ordinary farming tool and later sold it." Everything finally made sense. Equipping the Shadow Reaper had granted him not only the Shadow Mantis Slaughter Art, but also fragments of the treasury keeper's memories. A county treasury keeper was responsible for managing government funds. Though not an officially ranked imperial official, he was still an influential figure within Lu County.

As images of hidden vaults and stolen wealth flashed through his mind, Su Zhe's eyes narrowed. A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Embezzled money. Bribes. Stolen public funds."

"Such ill-gotten wealth deserves a better owner."

"Namely... me." His gaze turned cold.

"Tonight, someone dies."