I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

The temple was now empty, with only a few temple priests shivering in the front hall, praying to the Earth God statue for the blessing of the Earth God.

Following close behind, the Earth God took out a Jade Box from his storage bag and presented it with a bow: "Junior has been framed by a villain, and all the evidence is inside."

Jin Yangzi took the Jade Box, opened it in front of the Earth God, and inside were sparkling, translucent Wish Power Beads.

No more, no less— a thousand beads!

"Not bad, not bad!"

Jin Yangzi slipped the Jade Box into his sleeve and said, "This evidence is very important, but the quantity is somewhat insufficient to prove that my friend has been framed."

Upon hearing this, the Earth God was so angry that his Mana became disordered.

At this moment, reflecting on the past five years of hard work, he had reaped the benefits from several harvests of simpletons, giving the smaller portion to the Wild Gods and delivering the larger share to the City God of Qingyun, ultimately keeping less than ten percent for himself.

Now, after being exploited by the inspection department, not only had he failed to protect his principal, but he also had to fork over a substantial amount!

What was the point?

Had he known it would come to this, he would have rather died and let his Dao vanish, for his centuries of blessings over Linyang County might have allowed him to reincarnate and set foot on the path of Dao again.

Regret was useless now; he had to satisfy Jin Yangzi’s greed to the best of his ability, otherwise, if he was taken to the Immortal Slaying Stage, his soul would be scattered, and he would have no chance of reincarnation.

The Earth God, with no other choice, took out another box of Wish Power Beads and said.

"Sir, Linyang County has a sparse population and modest land; this official has only so much."

"My friend ought to know that His Majesty today is talented and wise, striving diligently for governance, wholeheartedly reforming and regulating local deities," said Jin Yangzi as he slipped the Wish Power Beads into his sleeve.

"Not long ago, the Rain God of Chang Ning was executed, a Fifth Grade official, just because he whimsically altered the timing of rainfall, and was taken to the Immortal Slaying Stage..."

The regulations of Chang Ning were equivalent to those of Qingyun, unlike Linyang County, which had a mere triad of proper and Wild Gods because of its vast territory and numerous population, almost every aspect of the common people’s lives was managed by gods.

The Rain God was in charge of precipitation, the Wind God handled the winds, the God of Stove oversaw cooking, and even gardening had its own Flower God.

Many of these divine duties overlapped; for instance, both the Spring God and the Agriculture God presided over the farmers’ cultivation, with the common people praying to whichever deity was more adept.

Fear flashed across the face of the Earth God; a Sixth Grade Rain God had met his demise for minor offenses, whereas he had committed far graver sins. Even beheading him a hundred times would not be enough to atone. Terrified, he said.

"So this official is unforgivable?"

"My friend misunderstands; this is suspected to be a grievous crime of deceiving the emperor, enough to lose one’s head!"

Jin Yangzi solemnly said, "This... will cost extra!"

Although it pained him, the Earth God had no choice but to take out all his Spiritual Objects, scouring his resources to finally scrape together another two thousand Wish Power Beads, growing increasingly resentful towards his accuser.

"Sir, may I ask if you could announce to the common people that this official’s own contributions were out of goodwill?"

The Earth God had made up his mind, after sending Jin Yangzi away, to think of ways to glean from the people of Linyang County again. Turning up empty-handed for the appointment would surely be a laughingstock among his peers.

"It is as you say," responded Jin Yangzi.

Once Jin Yangzi determined that the Earth God had no more bribes to offer, his demeanor suddenly turned stern and he commanded, "Earth God of Linyang, release your soul immediately for this official to inspect your crimes!"

"Huh?"

The Earth God asked in disbelief, "Sir, what do you mean by this?"

Jin Yangzi said coldly, "This official, graced by imperial favor, is naturally obliged to execute justice. Earth God of Linyang, rest assured, if you are innocent, you will not be wrongfully accused."

"..."

The Earth God fell silent for a long moment. Having cultivated for hundreds of years, he was no fool. His previous behavior was merely driven by fear of the Imperial Court and a desperate desire to survive. Upon reflecting, how could he not realize he had been extorted?

"Sir, are you not afraid that I will go to the Divine Capital and report to the Imperial Court your bribery?"

"My teacher is the Official of the Ministry of Revenue, a Second Grade seat. Do you think he is afraid of a complaint from a mere Golden Core?" Jin Yangzi scoffed. "I advise you to release your soul quickly. Any further unnecessary delay in the investigation, and I have the authority to forcefully conduct a Soul Search!"

The Earth God was so infuriated he was smoking through his seven orifices but dared not defy the command of a Nascent Soul cultivator. If he truly could escape, he would have long since fled with the Wish Power Beads, making his way to another region to become a Wild God.

"I beg for your discernment, Sir!" he said through gritted teeth, releasing his Divine Sense for Jin Yangzi to check his memories.

Jin Yangzi’s Divine Sense swiftly scanned through and, upon seeing the Earth God causing natural and man-made disasters for five consecutive years, his face showed no anger, having seen such cases too often in the inspection department.

"Clear evidence has been found: the Earth God of Linyang has committed heinous crimes. You are to accompany this official to the Divine Capital for trial immediately."

"As you command!"

The Earth God’s hatred for Jin Yangzi had already surpassed that of the whistleblower, the latter having acted in pursuit of justice or vengeance, while the former had been deceived of his hundreds of years of savings through empty promises and lies.

Jin Yangzi walked ahead when suddenly a magic sword fell from his sleeve. He turned around and berated sharply. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Are you blind, seeing that an official’s treasure has fallen and not even bothering to pick it up?"

The Earth God, infuriated to the point of divine rage, felt that Jin Yangzi was deliberately insulting him. A Golden Core Cultivator acting as though he were a servant and issuing orders! Yet, sensing the cold intent to kill, he suppressed his anger and bent over to pick it up.

The magic sword was originally the size of a palm, its entire body as clear and blue as water and began to elongate the moment it was taken into hand.

Until it reached three feet in length, it radiated a chilling sword light and struck at Jin Yangzi directly.

Whoosh!

The Sword Qi tore through the robe, leaving a wound on Jin Yangzi’s back.

"Well now, not only are you full of monstrous crimes, but you also dare to sneak attack an official and try to escape! Such lawlessness must be punished by death!"

As Jin Yangzi spoke, he cast dozens of spells, engulfing the Earth God who stood in confusion.

After the brilliance of the spells dissipated, all that was left in their place were severed limbs and residues. The Earth God met his demise, with only a wisp of soul lingering, barely struggling to survive beneath the protection of incense and Wish Power Beads.

The remnant soul, twisted in appearance, screamed, "How cruel of you, secretly killing an official God of the Imperial Court! I’ll be waiting for you below!"

Stay connected via empire

"I have always been fair and just. In investigating the abuse of citizens by the Earth God of Linyang, how could it be that the villain refused to be captured? It was merely an accidental slaying," Jin Yangzi retorted.

He continued, "With such crimes, you are meant for the Immortal Slaying Stage anyway. It is merely a matter of executing the sentence sooner. What fault can be placed on me?"

Upon hearing this, the Earth God’s soul twisted and convulsed, nearly dissipating on the spot.

Jin Yangzi, with hands clasped behind his back, had no intention of personally killing the Earth God. Having just used the excuse of self-defense, to now destroy the soul would suggest tampering with evidence, which would dirty his own hands for no reason.

He continued to speak, "Do you know who went to the Divine Capital to strike the Imperial Drum and report your crimes?"

The Earth God, wishing to flay and dismember this person, immediately asked, "Who?"

Jin Yangzi answered, "A poor civilian from Linyang County, without any cultivation, whose family and kin all died by your hand!"

The Earth God’s soul trembled with distortion, showing not the slightest bit of remorse or feeling of retribution, but rather hatred that a mere bumpkin dared to accuse an official God of the Imperial Court!

Even if Linyang County’s citizens were all massacred for a Blood Sacrifice, it wouldn’t outweigh the life of a Golden Core Cultivator.

And yet, it was successful, reducing the Earth God to death and dissipation, a laughingstock among his peers in the future.

"If it really was a mere mortal, let alone striking the Imperial Drum, traveling thousands of miles to the Divine Capital all by himself, he would have likely become the prey of Wild Gods along the way."

Jin Yangzi went on to provoke further, "This person went to Wu Mountain to chop wood and happened to hear the Mountain God preaching. Who would have thought that with his unusual talent, he would ascend to Foundation Establishment in a short time, thus possessing the strength to go to the Divine Capital to lodge a complaint."

"The Mountain God preaching..."

The Earth God was stunned for a long time, then cursed, "That good-for-nothing Wushan Mountain God, what was he doing preaching the law and ruining my perfect plan. He deserves to die, truly deserves to die!"

"Rest assured, I have already found out that the Wushan Mountain God conspired with you to harm the citizens. He will be sent to his death soon enough."

Jin Yangzi learned of the event from his colleagues in the oversight department. Upon careful consideration, he felt a slight fear of karmic retribution.

He resolved that in the future, when accepting bribes, he must be cautious not to leave any traces. Only the dead keep no tales.

"Another thing, I have heard something that fills me with envy. The City God of Qingyun, who had not taken a disciple in hundreds of years, values that person’s talent greatly. Not long ago, he took him in as a closed-door disciple, someone whose future is boundless!"

Pfft!

The Earth God, overcome with emotions like hatred and jealousy, had his remnants of the soul explode and dissipate into a wisp of blue smoke.

"Hundreds of years of cultivation, and yet unable to withstand a few words, how pitifully weak your state of mind is!"

Jin Yangzi, laden with contempt, was about to leave the Land God Temple when he realized he had to hurry and capture the Wushan Mountain God before the Wild Gods became aware and fled.

At that moment,

A voice from outside said, "Junior Prefect of Linyang County, Zhao Tai here, disciple of the Left Imperial Censor, sir, an Official of the oversight department."

"Come in."

Jin Yangzi had no intention of dealing with such an insignificant Ninth Grade official post, a world apart from the Sixth Grade of the Gods. However, hearing Zhao Tai mention the Left Imperial Censor as his master, he made an exception to see him.

Prefect Zhao entered with a bow, and after paying respects, he retrieved a Jade Bottle from his sleeve and spoke.

"I have long been aware of the Earth God’s torment of the citizens, yet with limited influence and shallow mana, I dared not provoke him. I could only bear the humiliation and secretly collected evidence of the Earth God’s crimes. These Wish Power Beads are the results of his abuse!"

"I beg the official to examine the truth!"