Chương 8: The Underworld Officer

No one answered. The air grew deathly still. People barely dared to breathe, afraid of drawing Fang Cheng's hatred. Magistrate Li Sanshui had already found a new corner to hide in, frantically wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. This new City God was no ordinary man. A few words and he'd silenced the entire crowd. A man like this must be befriended. Never offend him. Just then, the City God Temple's doors swung open. A young man in black robes stepped out.

His features were sharp and refined, his eyes so deep and dark they seemed to swallow all light, inspiring awe in all who looked upon him. At his waist hung a black token carved with a large character: "Underworld." Seeing that token, the people finally dared to speak.

"We greet the Underworld Officer." They bowed, their voices respectful. In the Great Sheng Dynasty, the Hall of Eternal Life managed cultivator appointments and prayer affairs, while the Underworld Bureau judged cultivators who broke the law and held the power of life and death. Every Underworld Officer was said to be a brutal, blood-soaked executioner. Underworld Officers outranked City Gods wherever they went. With one present, the people felt protected, their fear easing. The young officer frowned.

He glanced at Fang Cheng, recognizing him as a cultivator. The face seemed familiar, but he didn't dwell on it. The City God's death was the priority. His name was Han Bingxuan. He'd arrived in White Flower City days earlier to question the City God, but the man kept avoiding him. Today, he'd finally seen him as a cold corpse.

"City God Zhang Ruilin's spirit dissipated on its own. It was suicide, not murder. Please stay calm and don't cause trouble." Han Bingxuan spoke. Though he had many doubts, his investigation confirmed that Zhang Ruilin had self-destructed and extinguished his own spirit. The crowd erupted.

"That can't be..."

"How could the City God kill himself?"

"Exactly! I saw him yesterday. He looked fine, naming the Wang family's child."

"I've heard some Underworld Officers are close with the Hall of Eternal Life. Maybe they're working together..." The young officer frowned deeper, his voice low and sharp.

"The Underworld Bureau always investigates fairly and never bends the law. If you don't believe me, Magistrate Li Sanshui of White Flower City can verify." He turned and walked back into the temple. The crowd looked at Magistrate Li. Li couldn't hide anymore. He stepped forward, forcing a smile.

"The Underworld Officer has spoken. It must be true. Everyone, go home. The City God wasn't murdered. He ascended to heaven to become an immortal. No need for such grief." Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. The crowd dispersed half-convinced, though some still muttered that the officer was covering for someone. Fang Cheng stood watching the departing crowd, licking his lips with disappointment. Li Sanshui approached.

"Lord Zhu, there's no need to be troubled. A new City God is like a newlywed bride. People will be suspicious at first. And today was bad timing, with the previous City God's death. People were emotional. Once you show your kind nature over the next few days, they'll accept you." Fang Cheng waved a hand.

"I'm a good person. As long as people don't treat me like a bad person, that's enough." Li Sanshui laughed heartily.

"You were sent by the immortals to save us. Even the King of Great Sheng wouldn't dare criticize you. Who would dare treat you like a bad person?" Fang Cheng nodded. The two walked into the City God Temple together. Inside the main hall stood a towering statue, carved with lifelike detail, a kind-faced, dignified old man. This was the Everlasting Emperor. Fang Cheng gazed at the statue, his bloodthirst fading.

"If I could join the Everlasting Emperor's organization, that would be wonderful." Han Bingxuan appeared behind him.

"If you pray with enough sincerity, over time, the Emperor will sense you and grant you the chance to ascend, forming a god within your body." He smiled wryly. He'd spoken those words countless times, but how many truly had the Everlasting Emperor manifest within them? Without his ancestors' deep connection to the Emperor, it would never have happened. Fang Cheng shook his head. The officer thought he wanted to become an immortal.

Really, he just wanted enough Divine Energy to refine the demon sword so he could stop brainwashing himself about being a good person. Han Bingxuan didn't press. He'd been inside the temple and hadn't seen Fang Cheng produce the appointment letter. He assumed Fang Cheng was a village Land God who'd come to pray to the Everlasting Emperor. The two stood before the statue, each lost in thought. Li Sanshui couldn't stand the awkward silence.

"Underworld Officer, this Lord Zhu Youchang is the newly appointed City God. If you..."

"Oh? Zhu Youchang?" Han Bingxuan's eyes sharpened. He studied Fang Cheng closely. Fang Cheng pulled the appointment letter from his robes and laid it on the table. Han Bingxuan scanned it. Genuine. But his eyes grew colder.

"You're really Zhu Youchang?"

"The letter's real, so of course I'm real." Fang Cheng shrugged. He'd been in White Flower City half a day, and no one had exposed him. When would Zhu Youchang's accomplices finally show themselves? Before coming, he'd suspected the previous City God was connected to Zhu Youchang. But now the man had conveniently committed suicide, cutting off that lead. Wait. What if the City God hadn't killed himself? What if he'd been murdered? Fang Cheng's lips curled slightly.

"Officer Han, you're saying I'm not Zhu Youchang. Have you seen me before?" Han Bingxuan replied, "I haven't seen you, but I remember your portrait at the Hall of Eternal Life, a round-faced, plump man. When did you get so thin?"

"The Hall of Eternal Life, hm? Does the Underworld Bureau have the authority to view their files?" Fang Cheng chuckled. Han Bingxuan answered calmly, "The Underworld Bureau's authority in the mortal realm is higher than any hall, whether it's the Hall of Eternal Life of Great Sheng, the Violet Star Hall of Great Zheng, or any other. I have the right to inspect." Fang Cheng clicked his tongue.

"That sounds reasonable. I could also say that cultivation changes one's appearance. I used to follow a minor immortal. Now that he's gone, I live in poverty. Heartbreak and hardship made me thin as a reed. That's only natural." Han Bingxuan's eyes grew colder.

"Zhu Youchang, if your life was so hard, where did you get the Immortal Crystals to buy your position?"

"I bought a position? From whom? Tell me!" Fang Cheng urged eagerly. The demon sword inside him was ravenous. Han Bingxuan smiled coldly.

"As if you don't know."

"Won't tell me? And you killed White Flower City's City God to silence him. Hahaha, excellent. I found you. Where else can you run?" Fang Cheng was about to attack. The demon sword was nearly bursting from his body.

"Shut up!" Han Bingxuan roared, drawing his weapon first, a silver spear with a cold, gleaming tip.

"Zhu Youchang, I came to White Flower City to arrest you. Don't bother denying it. Surrender and come with me to the Underworld Bureau. Maybe you'll keep your life!"