Chapter 70

"Why have you come again?"

Lin Yu inserted the lit incense sticks into the burner and smiled. "A devoted believer has come to fulfill her vow."

The Earth Immortal was momentarily taken aback, clearly not understanding what Lin Yu meant.

"Last time at night, didn't the Earth Immortal ask this believer which deity she worshipped, saying you could entrust a god to protect me? Lately, my luck has been exceptionally good—I imagine it's because of your blessings, Earth Immortal."

Lin Yu spoke casually, her tone light, as if she were just an ordinary woman who had come to pray and fulfill a vow.

Year's end was the busiest time for all gods. The Earth Immortal hadn't returned to the Ghost Realm since leaving it last time. Though fewer people had come seeking longevity in recent days, as a god of the land, the New Year customs meant countless commoners came to worship him, asking for all sorts of things—all of which he accepted. Prayers for academic success, wealth, marriage, children, passing exams, promotions, moving houses... these supplications were endless.

He had been run ragged these past few days, annoyed by all the vows he had to hear. They gave him headaches and worsened his memory—after a few days, he couldn't even remember what people asked for, to the point he wished he could burn all the prayer slips.

It was then the Earth Immortal suddenly recalled the question he'd asked before parting that day to fish for Lin Yu's identity—she'd said she worshipped the Glory God. Now he was puzzled again. Based on his judgment, Lin Yu's words shouldn't be false, so what exactly was this person's identity?

Closely connected to the Glory God, a mortal body yet with divine status, and the emperor's guardian god—the Earth Immortal's thoughts were in a tangle. These conditions were utterly contradictory; how could such a thing exist?

Being a deity, she couldn't be the Glory God's mortal wife—his earlier guess was wrong. In the months he'd infiltrated the divine realm, he'd never heard of any mortal holding divine status. But to be the emperor's guardian god, she must hold an extremely high position.

That left only one possibility: she was deliberately disguised as a mortal, not wanting anyone to know who she was. But why would an exalted high god pretend to be a mortal?

The Earth Immortal stared at Lin Yu for a long while before reaching a conclusion: she was concealing her strength. She must have some purpose—perhaps touring the mortal world to inspect the lower gods.

He mulled over probing words in his mind, but ultimately decided to be frank. If Lin Yu truly had some grand identity, there was no need for him to test and interrogate her—it would just be a waste of time.

His eyes curved into a smile as he looked at Lin Yu. "Please don't tease this minor deity, my lady. I am unworthy of such praise."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. So he'd mistaken her for someone else again?

She realized she truly couldn't understand the thinking of these Ghost Tribe folk. Their thoughts jumped around, their memories were poor, and they weren't particularly bright. Di Ting was exactly like that—unable to handle anything slightly complex. This Ghost King before her was a bit smarter than Di Ting, but not by much.

Lin Yu chuckled softly. "You're quite clever, aren't you."

A glint flashed in the Earth Immortal's eyes. He'd guessed right!

He knew it—this woman was playing the fool to hide her strength, a truly unfathomable high god!

If he latched onto her, he'd have a place in the Nine Heavens! No more being the lowliest land god mocked by all, receiving only incense as offerings while others got gold, silver, and precious treasures. Every mortal who came just lit a stick of incense and expected his blessing—he was long tired of this life.

"May I ask why the high god has come..."

Lin Yu thought about the recent holidays and answered casually, "The Spring Festival."

The Earth Immortal nodded in understanding. "I thought as much. I've heard this year's Spring Festival is especially important—all the high gods have descended to their respective temples, leaving few in heaven. Will the high god also attend the assembly in a few days?"

"That's not for you to know. How would a land god like you learn of the whereabouts and affairs of other high gods?" Lin Yu didn't answer whether she'd go; instead, she turned the question back on him.

The Ghost King had replaced the Earth Immortal for at most two months, and even the Snow God, who'd been a deity for centuries, couldn't survive in a place like the Nine Heavens, let alone a newcomer barely two months in. She guessed the Earth Immortal definitely hadn't been to the Nine Heavens yet—he'd simply settled into this small temple.

Moreover, he still hadn't shed his Ghost Tribe identity. If he truly had the ability to disguise himself before the assembled gods of the Nine Heavens without being discovered, he wouldn't have chosen to impersonate a mere land god.

The movements of high gods were never to be disclosed. The Earth Immortal assumed he'd misspoken and hastily explained, "The high god mustn't be angry. I'm on good terms with a high god who mentioned it before departing a few days ago."

So he had an accomplice.

"Why so flustered?" Lin Yu said unhurriedly. "Since you have a high god as a friend, why not ask him to help you rise in rank? Staying crammed in this tiny land temple is a waste of your talents."

"This minor deity doesn't feel it's a waste. As for that high god—well, I can't just make demands. As the high god knows, the Nine Heavens have been in chaos these past few years. Not helping me is just the wise way to protect oneself."

Lin Yu continued fabricating without batting an eye. "I've never seen you before, but you seem likeable. How long have you been an immortal? If the chance arises, perhaps I could help you rise a rank? But of course, I don't help people for nothing—you'd have to prove your worth..."

Lin Yu wore a kind smile as she looked the Earth Immortal up and down, then trailed off without elaborating.

"The high god wouldn't have seen me before, that's certain—I didn't use this face previously." The Earth Immortal raised a hand to gesture at his face, and in an instant transformed into a kind-looking old man in coarse robes, identical to the statue behind him. He showed it for only a moment before shifting back. "I got tired of my old appearance, so I started over as a young man."

He dodged the question of how long he'd been an immortal and said ingratiatingly, "If the high god truly means what she says, this minor deity will serve you devotedly, hoping only to ascend to the Nine Heavens and be of use to you."

Lin Yu turned her head to look elsewhere, twirling a new incense stick in her hand as she circled the small Earth Immortal Temple once, finally tilting her head up to gaze at the towering statue. The Earth Immortal stayed close behind her, waiting nervously for her to speak again.

Since the conversation had gone this far, Lin Yu decided to be direct. "That high god you mentioned—the one you're close with—who was it?"

"It's Lord Moon God," the Earth Immortal answered quickly.

Him again. Lin Yu's expression didn't change. She recalled the Snow God mentioning that the Moon God wanted to kill other gods, and that he was searching for the so-called Lin Jiyue. Apart from Immortal Lord He, he was the only one who believed Lin Jiyue was still alive.

Lin Yu snorted. "Him? That's not great."

"Why?"

"Too many gods are at odds with him," Lin Yu said, glancing at him. "How did you get tangled up with him?"

"It's a long story, but it's not important," the Earth Immortal said, sensing Lin Yu's displeasure. "Is there a grudge between you and him?"

"No."

The Earth Immortal said, "Then let's not mention him. He and I are only passing acquaintances..."

Lin Yu shot him a glance, then looked at the hazy sky outside the temple. A fine drizzle had begun to fall. Using the remaining embers of the earlier flame, she lit another incense stick and inserted it into the burner, accidentally knocking over another stick in the process.

"Alright, I have matters to attend to. I'll come see you before the Spring Festival. Cooperate well then, and your future will be bright." With that, Lin Yu raised her umbrella and stepped into the misty rain. She cast one last look back at the towering statue behind her. "See you around."

"Then this minor deity will await the high god's arrival."

Lin Yu walked into the rain, a subtle smile curving at her lips. The next time she came, it would be to take his life.

The cool raindrops fell to the ground as Lin Yu pieced together the whole affair: the Ghost King and the Moon God were in league—they'd murdered the original Earth Immortal, and the Ghost King had taken his place.

The Ghost King ruled the Ghost Realm. The only thing he could control was mortal fate. Coincidentally, Fu Zheng had once sought out the Ghost King, begging for immortality. The Ghost King had tasted the sweetness of that deal and understood how tempting eternal life was to mortals. So after replacing the Earth Immortal, he began using the Book of Life and Death to deceive the common folk.

The Ghost King's goal was to become a god. But what about the Moon God? He wanted to kill certain gods—what was his goal...

And the Ghost King had mentioned that the Nine Heavens had been chaotic for years, with most gods now in their lower temples, leaving heaven empty. Then there was the great assembly in a few days...

She shook herself from her thoughts. They were now far from the Earth Immortal Temple. Di Ting shifted back to his original form, indignant. "He's our dignified Ghost King! How could he grovel and fawn like that? This is a disgrace to the Ghost Tribe's reputation!"

"See that? So do you still think he deserves to be your lofty Ghost King? Are you truly willing to serve someone like that, guarding your sunless underworld forever?" Lin Yu reached out a hand, letting the slanting rain gather into droplets on her palm before trailing down the lines of her skin. "He didn't even recognize you when you appeared before him as a trinket—not even a flicker of suspicion. Isn't that laughable?"

"I..." Di Ting hesitated.

He was still hesitant, just like last time. A beast that had never left the underworld, never seen the vast world outside, stood motionless in the rain.

"See? Have you ever seen sights beyond the underworld?"

"I've seen them now." Di Ting looked up at the curtain of rain around him and answered honestly.

"How does it compare to the underworld?" Lin Yu pressed. "Does it rain there? Are there countless lanterns? Have you ever seen fireworks? Seen the tender green of new leaves?"

Lin Yu knew the underworld had none of that—only endless yellow sand, the wind whipping coarse grit into one's face, the sand stinging the eyes and blinding the path ahead.

She raised a hand and pointed into the distance at an ancient tree—the one before the Earth Immortal Temple. Its watery sheen made it blur in their sight, like a dream.

"Those red talismans on the tree were hung by your Ghost King's current believers. He covets glory, abandoned you, abandoned the underworld. Once he climbs to the Nine Heavens, he'll never return."

"Since the underworld has no ruler, why can't you be the Ghost King?"

Di Ting didn't answer, and Lin Yu didn't press him. The two stood silently in the rain as it gradually grew heavier.

"Will you help me?" After a long pause, Di Ting spoke in a hoarse voice, his resolve finally set. "The underworld doesn't need a faithless, overreaching Ghost King like him."

A smile barely flickered across Lin Yu's lips, hidden in the darkness where Di Ting couldn't see. "Of course. I can help you kill him."

...

"What are you thinking about?" Fu Ming asked casually, noticing Lin Yu's distraction. "It's only been two hours, and you've drifted off three times."

Lin Yu was propping her chin with one hand, reading a new book. Only at Fu Ming's remark did she realize how unfocused she'd been today.

Perhaps because it was the New Year's holiday, Fu Ming had also taken a break. Today, for once, he wasn't poring over official documents but sat across from her reading alongside her—though his book was on medicine.

The rain from last night hadn't stopped until dawn. The water stains on the road hadn't yet dried, and the wind still carried a damp freshness, but soon the sun came out—a rare fine day.

The warm sunlight bathed them both in a soft glow. Fu Ming looked up at Lin Yu, her long lashes fluttering, casting shadows across her cheeks.

"The Xianzun ordered me to take people to eliminate the Ghost King." Lin Yu sniffled. She hadn't slept well last night—seemed the rain had chilled her—and now she felt a bit listless.

Fu Ming wasn't surprised; he'd already guessed Lin Yu wouldn't refuse the Xianzun's request as he'd suggested. "When?"

Lin Yu snorted with a smile. "In the next couple of days. The Xianzun doesn't want him receiving worship from the people in place of the Earth Immortal—he thinks it dishonors heaven's dignity."

Fu Ming said, "I imagine his reward to you is quite generous."

"Yes, but that's not the point. I quite want to kill that Zhu You anyway."

"Oh, by the way, the Xie family member we brought back from Jiangnan escaped from prison." Fu Ming suddenly remembered. "He was held somewhere remote, and I forgot to interrogate him further."

"Xie Wu?" Lin Yu recalled the name. She'd been too busy to think of him lately. "How did he escape? A crippled leg and he still got out of the Imperial Prison?"

"He's got some skill. I've already sent men after him."

Lin Yu didn't pay it much mind. She flipped a couple more pages, then suddenly asked, "How many so-called disciples do you think the Xianzun hides on the Divine Mountain to protect him?"

"Two hundred at most. Training disciples is hard—in the early years it was easier, but now he doesn't have the energy to take on new ones. The ones he has now were all taken in over a decade ago." Fu Ming didn't look at her, flipping through his new medical book. "His energy now goes into grooming you as his Divine Maiden. If you ascend, he might extend his life by a few more years."

Lin Yu neither confirmed nor denied. She smiled at Fu Ming, her gaze falling on his hand as he turned a page. "So... do you want to kill him before that happens?"