I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 357 - 250: Enter the Temple! Worship Liu Venerate!

Chapter 357: Chapter 250: Enter the Temple! Worship Liu Venerate!

High Willow City, within the inner city.

The carriage slowly proceeded, following the street, moving onwards.

"After the fall of the Liu family, various powers jointly devoured the Liu family’s business, reaping countless benefits."

"Originally, members of the Liu family were scattered across the City Guard Mansion, the five routes of the City Guard Army, the temple guards, and other locations, and they have all been thoroughly investigated by the Observatory."

"The positions left vacant are temporarily without replacements."

Zhou Yuan, the Deputy Commander, boarded the carriage and said, "Now it seems they left these available positions for the people from the Holy Land!"

After a pause, he spoke again, "Mr. Lu and Master Wu, with your clout, have decided on the matter of allowing thirty-eight thousand people from the Holy Land to enter the inner city, but how shall we cope with the aftermath?"

"It is only natural for those from the outer city to desire entry into the inner city,"

Lin Yan slowly began, "Over the years, the city’s guardians have fought against evil, suffering countless deaths and injuries. Among them, there are many who have distinguished themselves. We could select from among those who have rendered meritorious service, reward them, and allow them and their families to move into the inner city!"

"An excellent idea!"

Zhou Yuan exclaimed, "That way, people in the outer city will see an ’opportunity’ to enter the inner city. Surely, they will exert themselves even more in all aspects, striving to achieve merit and relocate to the inner city!"

"Last night, Wu Chang killed the old patriarchs of the Sun Family and the Bai family, as well as Yuan Tongye, the Great Commander of the Left City Guard Army, and other figures from various parties... A significant crackdown is in order!"

Mr. Lu spoke slowly, "The next vacant positions will be filled by Qifeng Prefecture! Let the ’Zhao Ye people,’ still under the control of the Commander, take up the responsibilities!"

Without exception, those listed among the Zhao Ye people by the Commander were all those with a steadfast heart for the Human Clan and unwavering determination.

Perhaps their cultivation was not necessarily profound, but their thoughts were certainly pure!

In the past, the Zhao Ye people sent out of the city who entered the Tribulation Ash were nine parts dead!

Now, placing this batch of Zhao Ye people, who have yet to be sent out, into the "ruling" positions within High Willow City, would ensure a much better future for the city!

"The Commander thinks the same, but this matter requires the approval of both of you,"

Zhou Yuan chuckled softly and then lowered his voice, "The Liu Zun Temple is considering hiring a new group of incense burners, but the Great Temple Priest believes it is a time of many troubles and wishes Mr. Lu to recommend candidates!"

The atmosphere suddenly turned silent.

Most of the people present were intelligent.

Mr. Lu had previously suspended his Primordial Spirit high above the nine heavens, but everyone on the outside believed he had failed at Refining God.

It was only after Lin Lei saw through the clues that he had Lin Yan offer incense to bolster the Primordial Spirit, allowing Mr. Lu’s Primordial Spirit to return to his body!

The Liu Zun Temple might not know that this person was Lin Lei!

But the Liu Zun Temple wanted this person to join the Temple!

"If the Liu Zun Temple wishes to recruit more incense burners, let us handle that later through Qifeng Prefecture, select several who are literate."

Mr. Lu said, looking ahead, "The Temple is approaching; you should return to the Observatory!"

"The Commander’s days may not be long, and Elder Xu Jie still possesses the qualifications to contend with you for the position of the next Commander!"

"From now on, I will no longer interfere with the Observatory’s affairs; the position of the next Commander will be based on your own abilities!"

Following Mr. Lu’s voice, Lin Yan continued to speak.

"Each according to their own talents, make full use of your abilities, but remember one thing, you must not endanger the city or bring harm to its citizens."

"I will heed the advice!"

Zhou Yuan, the Deputy Commander, gave a greeting and withdrew.

Lin Lei looked at Lin Yan with a complex expression.

Unwittingly, even the Deputy Commander, who is highly likely to become the next Commander, had started receiving guidance from his younger brother.

Having watched him grow up since he was little, he thought he knew his younger brother very well.

But in a moment of realization, he found himself far surpassed, high above the clouds.

"Speaking of which, there’s something else."

After brooding for a while, Lv Tang looked at Lin Lei and slowly said, "Next time we’re in such a situation, don’t grab a chair... that thing is useless!"

"The people in the courtyard earlier were all of high standing and not lacking in cultivation, creating a situation as tense as drawn swords and ready bows."

"Though Mr. Lu blocked their imposing aura, you haven’t practiced martial arts. Stepping back would do no harm."

"Even if you want to show our resolute stance, at least grab a talisman instead of a wooden chair – what was that about?"

"To the uninformed, you’d look like a street ruffian ready to start a brawl!"

Sighing, he thought about how he had finally reached the Qi Refining Realm after a strenuous journey. He had planned to demonstrate his abilities in front of the visitors from the Holy Land and the senior officials of the City Guard Mansion – how imposing would that be?

But when Lin Lei lifted a wooden chair, he felt as if all his prestige had vanished!

He harbored a strong resentment about the incident, having held it in throughout the journey, until he couldn’t keep it in any longer.

"Actually, what Lv Tang said is not without reason..."

Mr. Lu, who had just achieved the Refining God Realm, coughed lightly and whispered, "Pay attention next time."

----

Liu Zun Temple!

As the sole Guardian God of High Willow City!

This Temple was grand and magnificent, with layered halls and pavilions!

Looking up, the entire Temple was constructed around a massive tree.

The Observatory Tower was on the other side of the tree’s trunk!

The tree was incredibly thick, like a pillar holding up the heavens, reaching straight into the clouds!

In the high sky, layers of mist obscured the view.

One could barely make out the numerous willow branches cascading down from all sides amid the clouds, resembling green waterfalls poured from the heavens!

Around the Temple, there were guard armies from the five directions, all elite forces of the city.

Within the Temple complex, besides the main hall, there were twelve Temple Priests who constructed twelve additional halls.

Underneath the twelve halls, there were no shortage of heads of departments and incense burners.

"The people of High Willow City take great pride in entering the Liu Zun Temple, becoming a member of the temple is considered a glory that illuminates one’s ancestors."

Lin Lei expressed some emotion.

According to the laws of High Willow City, after getting married, the couple can enter the temple to offer incense.

But, with many getting married in High Willow City every day, he only offered three sticks of incense at the edge of the main hall and then returned to Linjiang Square.

To this day, however, he saw that the Liu Zun Temple was closed to visitors, specifically to welcome their group.

He saw twelve temple priests, leading more than a hundred incense burners, bowing in greeting, already waiting ahead.

Upon entering the temple gate and walking forward, the ground was paved with stone bricks, a vast expanse lay before them.

After walking three hundred and thirty-three steps, they finally arrived in front of the main hall.

At this moment, in front of the main hall, the Great Temple Priest was already standing there.

His aged body appeared somewhat hunched.

His face weary, hair grey-white, but his eyes alone shone with a brilliant light.

This was the Great Temple Priest!

Within the Liu Zun Temple, he was the leader!

Because his duty was to communicate the will of Liu Venerate!

"Congratulations, Mr. Lu, on achieving your Primordial Spirit!"

The Great Temple Priest descended the steps and bowed in greeting.

Mr. Lu slightly raised his hand and said, "You are too kind."

He took a half step forward and calmly asked, "Where is the Second Master?"

The Second Master refers to the second-ranked temple priest of the Liu Zun Temple!

Under him, more than three hundred and sixty incense burners were in charge of the temple’s incense distribution and the account books of incense money.

"I personally captured him, and he has been transferred to the Observatory Headquarters already," the Great Temple Priest said.

The Great Temple Priest fell silent for a moment, sighing, "But this matter was not his doing, nor did he give such orders! It seems I was not thorough in my considerations, chose the wrong person, and cannot blame the second..."

"Oh?"

Mr. Lu raised an eyebrow and asked, "What happened?"

The Great Temple Priest couldn’t help but exhale and said, "Previously, we detected that a Tribulation Ash seed was hidden within the roots of Liu Venerate, but we couldn’t identify which root was corrupted."

"During this time, I’ve been worried that at the critical moment, all of us would be influenced by the ’Divine Thought’ and use the normal roots of Liu Venerate to cause trouble, ruining everything!"

"So after Mr. Lu started his retreat, including both the second-ranking priest and myself, all four temple priests with the authority to use the roots of Liu Venerate confined themselves within the temple."

"This way, only the corrupted root could descend into Linjiang Square."

"Once you cut off that root, it was as if you cleared the ’deadly poison’ from Liu Venerate’s body!"

He sighed and said, "At that time, the second-ranked priest was confined with me! I had called upon the seventh to temporarily take over the second’s duties!"

Mr. Lu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he said slowly, "So it was the seventh who was in charge at the time? The incense left to me by the Lord of the Residual Prison Mansion, was it suppressed by the seventh?"

"Indeed, the seventh was my chosen one," the Great Temple Priest said with a frown.

"Firstly, he does not have the Magic Method to invoke the roots of Liu Venerate! Secondly, I confirmed in advance that he was the least influenced by ’Liu Shen,’ so it was impossible for him to be the Tribulation Ash."

Mr. Lu’s expression grew cold as he said slowly, "If he is not the Tribulation Ash, why would he attempt to harm me? In the past, I had little to do with him, let alone any grievances..."

"This point has not yet been clarified. The initial suspicion is that your protégé, Wu Chang, has recently cut down many of his people, spoiling a lot of his business," the Great Temple Priest said with a sigh.

"The seventh is in charge of the Observatory Tower and has the authority to call upon the guard army of the Five Directions Temple. His dealings with various powers are unclear, intertwined, and fraught with many tangled interests," the Great Temple Priest lamented.

The atmosphere in the area fell silent, and all eyes landed on Lin Yan.

With a cold voice, Lin Yan said, "Where is he?"

The Great Temple Priest shook his head and spoke, "After Mr. Lu’s Primordial Spirit returned to his body, sensing something amiss, he had already left the city through the north gate earlier! At the time, he even mobilized the temple’s rear guard army to escort him out of the city!"

Mr. Lu’s face showed no emotion as he said slowly, "Is this the explanation you have for me?"

The Great Temple Priest’s expression became solemn as he said slowly, "Give me ten days, and I will capture the seventh alive and present him before Mr. Lu! As for the second-ranked, whatever the Observatory concludes in their investigation, I will not interfere and will present all to Mr. Lu! If it’s proven that the second also harbored malicious intent, he can be dealt with as well!"

"Fine."

Mr. Lu’s thoughts seemed complicated, not wishing to become too entangled in this matter.

He sighed and said, "Let’s go to the main hall, we are here to offer incense to Liu Venerate!"

The Great Temple Priest nodded slightly and turned towards the main hall.

Mr. Lu, Lin Yan, Lin Lei, and Lv Tang followed behind.

Upon entering the main hall, they saw a vast wooden wall in front of them.

The atmosphere instantly fell silent, and nobody spoke as they slowly walked forward.

The empty hall amplified the heaviness of their footsteps.

Drawing closer step by step, they stopped within ten steps of the wall.

At that moment, everyone felt the universe turn upside down, and boundless divine might pressed down upon them.

"Disciple Lu Yue, born in High Willow City, from my ancestors to the present generation, have relied on the protection of Liu Venerate to survive between heaven and earth."

Mr. Lu took over the burning incense, knelt down, and spoke out loud, "Now that I have achieved my Primordial Spirit, I respectfully thank Liu Venerate for the immense grace and virtue!"

He declared loudly, "May Liu Venerate live forever, protecting the city, sheltering the Human Clan, unchanging through eternity!"

Boom!!!

The wooden wall suddenly trembled!

The divine might grew stronger, suppressing everyone in the main hall!

At the same time, Lin Yan, Lin Lei, and Lv Tang, each took over the burning incense from the Great Temple Priest and went on to worship, shouting in unison!

"May Liu Venerate live forever, protecting the city, sheltering the Human Clan, unchanging through eternity!"