Chapter 334 - 281 God of Wu Mountain
"A thorough investigation?"
Jin Yangzi’s voice was cold as ice, scrutinizing Prefect Zhao from head to toe as if pondering where to start dissecting him.
The cultivators from the Inspection Bureau charged with apprehending Evil Gods often witnessed the acts of heretics and demons, which inevitably influenced their disposition.
"I can kill you right now, or I can let you go!"
"My lord, a few days ago, this official visited his mentor in the capital…"
Zhao Tai abruptly changed the subject, daring to show himself because he had something to rely on. "I learned that His Majesty is very dissatisfied with the Immortal Gods of Daheng and intends to restart the ’Imperial Examination’ and ’Grand Planning,’ with inspections every ten years to purge the governance of the divine!"
"The ’Imperial Examination’!"
Jin Yangzi’s eyes narrowed slightly, his icy killing intent instantly dissipating as his voice became as mild as spring breeze turning into rain.
"Being a pupil of the well-reputed Left Imperial Censor, you wouldn’t sully yourself with the same filth as the Linyang Earth God. From my Soul Search, I learned that the Earth God coerced you with threats to your family, forcing you to feign compliance without actually sharing any incense offerings!"
While speaking, he waved his hand and stored the Wish Power Beads inside his sleeve.
"Thank you, my lord."
Prefect Zhao immediately let out a sigh of relief. The Earth God had wreaked havoc in Linyang County for five years, and the local official’s failure to report to the Imperial Court constituted negligence and collusion.
What Jin Yangzi suggested was the best solution; at most, he would face condemnation from the Imperial Court and avoid serious punishment.
Jin Yangzi inquired, "Tell me about the ’Imperial Examination’ and ’Grand Planning.’ What are their specific procedures?"
The ’Imperial Examination’ assessed officials in the capital, while ’Grand Planning’ assessed officials in the provincial and county governments. These two systems, established by the Great Eternal Ancestor, saw numerous upright official deities failing their assessments—some lost their positions, while others faced the Immortal Slaying Stage.
As Daheng became more established with the passing of years and several unreliable emperors, the assessment system gradually relaxed until it was completely abandoned a thousand years ago.
"According to my mentor, His Majesty intends to establish a new Inspection Bureau, responsible for examining and verifying the conduct of officials."
Prefect Zhao said, "This bureau will bypass the six ministries of the cabinet, reporting directly to His Majesty, with the authority to arrest and interrogate upright official deities found guilty of crimes!"
Jin Yangzi spoke somberly, "No wonder they say that today’s emperor is stingy with his grace and naturally suspicious. Once the Inspection Bureau is established, wouldn’t it put direct pressure over officials like myself?"
Prefect Zhao, bending his body and with cold sweat dripping, dared not raise his head, his five senses sealed by mana in a state of oblivion.
After a moment.
When he looked up again the hall was empty, Jin Yangzi had vanished into thin air.
Prefect Zhao turned to leave, planning to return to the County Government Office when he encountered the temple priest, Master Huang, at the exit.
"Commoner Huang San’er, greets Qing Tian, the great lord!"
Huang San’er knelt on the ground and knocked his head on the floor three times, vigorously saying, "That Evil God, for the sake of incense offerings, wantonly tortured the people. To expose his true face, I endured humiliation and became the temple priest."
"..." Stay connected with empire
Prefect Zhao raised an eyebrow. This statement sounded vaguely familiar to him. After pondering for a moment, he asked.
"Since you’ve been bearing humiliations, have you collected any evidence?"
"Of course."
Huang San’er said, "Having been an undercover agent for many years, I gained the Evil God’s trust. I was in charge of managing the temple’s incense money, accumulating quite a few tens of thousands of Silver."
"I have always been as incorruptible as the breeze and upright in my dealings," said Prefect Zhao, with an air of propriety, firmly stating, "Do not think of bribing me with Gold and Silver, this incense money is the hard-earned cash of the people of Linyang!"
Gold, Silver, and jewelry couldn’t catch the eye of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, as any random Spiritual Object could be sold for several thousand Silver. Some rare elixirs were beyond valuation.
In a scramble to save his life, Huang San’er racked his brains, recalling, "A few years ago, I accidentally overheard the Evil God talking to the Mountain God. It seemed that they had buried some treasure in a certain cave on Wu Mountain."
"There’s still loot!"
Prefect Zhao’s interest was piqued at once. Treasures left by two Golden Elixir True Monarchs would surely be a great opportunity for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He quickly asked, "Think carefully, where is that loot buried?"
Huang San’er replied, "My lord, and my crime…"
"What crime?"
Prefect Zhao answered, "The official in charge has already proven that I had long been feigning compliance with that Evil God, and Mr. Huang is under my command, risking his life to go undercover at the Land God Temple."
"Far from being criminal, you have merit! The storeroom of the County Government Office is in need of a head. From now on, you will take on that role."
"Thanks be to Qing Tian, the great lord!"
Huang San’er was overjoyed. Being the head of the storeroom was a lucrative position; a bit of skimming would make one wealthy.
...
In the seventy-sixth year of the Yuan Ding era.
The case of the Linyang County Earth God came to light, and he was executed on the spot by the official from the Inspection Bureau.
The Prefect posted notices all over, attributing all disasters and violent crimes of the last few years in Linyang County to the vicious acts of the Earth God.
The backlog of cases in the County Government Office was cleared up in no time.
The once-respected Master Huang, now known as the Storeroom Master Huang, wearing the official uniform of the Government Office, stood under the proclamations declaring the Earth God’s wicked deeds. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
In just a few months’ time.
The Earth God of Linyang County went from being worshipped by thousands to being reviled by all, with all Land God Temples in towns and villages dismantled into ruins. The offering of incense and wish power ceased entirely.
Half a year later.
The Imperial Court issued commendations, praising the Prefect of Linyang County for sticking to his principles, for not colluding with the Evil God, and so on.
At the same time, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Prefect Zhao was temporarily appointed to the position of the Linyang Earth God for a period of ten years.
The Imperial Court’s intent was clear, as the heinous acts of the former Earth God meant it would be difficult to regain incense offering power soon, and other Golden Core Cultivators were reluctant to clean up the mess.
After ten years, when the memories of the people had faded, a new Earth God could be appointed.
If Prefect Zhao managed to advance to Golden Core within that time, he would immediately become an official Earth God, a Ninth Grade official position, transitioning from bureaucrat to Immortal God, a significant step forward!
...
Six months later.
Wu Mountain.
After the rain.
The misty mountains, the birds chirping continuously.
Zhou Yi wandered through the deep forest, coming upon a dilapidated temple halfway up the mountain.
Mud and broken tiles, only half of the wall remained, with half a deity statue lying beneath it, already covered in moss.
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