109: Judging by deeds, not by heart

"Sir, Lord Chuping is transcendent and generally does not interfere in worldly affairs, unless it's a matter of great evil. Since Lord Chuping did not blame you all, he will certainly not settle scores later."

"Please come into the village for a talk."

Shen Jianxing saw Wang Huan's apprehension and quickly stepped forward to persuade him.

* * *

Half an hour later, Wang Huan, Liu Chunsheng, and the Shen Family brothers sat in the courtyard of the Wanbao Merchant Guild, and Shen Jianxing was the first to speak.

"General Wang, may I ask, are you His Majesty's man?"

"You are quite presumptuous," Wang Huan said, his fingertips stroking the rim of his teacup, then he nodded.

"Temple Official Shen is quite direct."

"The capital is currently riddled with spies, so I have to act cautiously."

"His Majesty ordered me to secretly investigate the situation in Qingzhou and, if necessary, to execute Wang Chongfa."

Unexpectedly, through a series of coincidences, all his objectives had been achieved, and he had moved from the shadows into the open.

"You've witnessed Lord Chuping's Divine Might today. What are your plans for the future? To be honest, Qingzhou is now entirely under Lord Chuping's protection, so you shouldn't think of playing any tricks."

Wang Huan put down his teacup, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone, and slowly spoke:

"Young Master Shen worries too much. Having personally witnessed Lord Chuping's Divine Might today, if I were still to play tricks, wouldn't I be seeking my own death?"

He paused, his fingers gently tapping the table, as if deliberating his words.

"By law, I should return to the capital to report."

Shen Jianxing raised an eyebrow: "Oh? When does General Wang plan to depart?"

Speaking of this, Wang Huan smiled bitterly and shook his head. On the way back to the capital, he feared various demons and monsters would be waiting for him.

Officials in the capital all had life tokens kept at the Censorate. With Wang Chongfa's death, Chancellor Liu would surely notice.

Wang Huan shook his head with a bitter smile: "Return to the capital? It's probably not that easy now."

Liu Chunsheng asked in confusion: "What do you mean, Sir?"

Wang Huan lowered his voice, his gaze solemn: "Do you all know who is behind Wang Chongfa?"

Shen Jianhong narrowed his eyes: "The Prime Minister's Residence?"

"Precisely."

Wang Huan nodded, "The Prime Minister's Residence secretly harbors evil beings, using Wang Chongfa to extort wealth from the people, and even... sacrificing living people."

"What?!"

Shen Jianxing slammed his hand on the table, his eyes flashing with fury, "These beasts!"

Wang Huan raised a hand to signal him to calm down.

"It is precisely because of this that I cannot easily return to the capital. Now that Wang Chongfa is dead, the Prime Minister's Residence will surely be on alert. If I rush back, I'm afraid I'll 'accidentally die' halfway."

Liu Chunsheng's eyes flickered, deep in thought.

"So, General Wang intends to... stay in Qingzhou?"

Wang Huan nodded, his gaze firm: "If you all don't mind, I am willing to lead three hundred Black Armor Guards to guard Qingzhou and protect the common people!"

Shen Jianhong pondered for a moment, then looked at Shen Jianxing: "Xiao Xing, what do you think?"

Shen Jianxing grinned, a hint of slyness in his eyes: "I think it's a good idea! Why not let General Wang and his men be stationed west of the village? They can protect the area and deter evildoers."

"If General Wang stays, he should still go to offer incense to Lord Chuping every day, thanking him for his protection."

Upon hearing this, Wang Huan clasped his fists solemnly: "Thank you, Young Master Shen, for the reminder!"

Shen Jianxing waved his hand. Qingzhou was now like a huge marketplace, and of course, anyone could come.

Apart from Lord Chuping, no one had the right to refuse. As the Temple Official personally appointed by Lord Chuping, he naturally hoped that Lord Chuping's incense offerings would increase.

* * *

On the other side, after the temple returned to quiet, Lin Chuping finally calmed down to review what had happened today.

Wang Chongfa, as the leader of these Black Armor Guards, was burdened with heavy karmic debt. Why was it that his subordinates, the adjutant, and the Black Armor Guards were fine, only tainted with a trace of karmic debt?

Was it because they were following orders, so all the karmic debt was borne by the one who issued the command?

Or did Wang Chongfa do even more immoral things elsewhere?

"Tong Ge, what do you say?"

"Host, in such matters, it's about actions, not intentions."

"Tong Ge, listening to your words is like listening to words."

Actions?

Giving orders is an action, and wielding a knife to kill is also an action.

So which action is more severe?

There was no answer for now, and another matter was also very strange.

The fox demon, revered as a Fox Immortal by the imperial court, was struck down by a single bolt of lightning, without even a struggle.

Lin Chuping's fingertips tapped the divine altar, candlelight flickering into fragmented golden light in his eyes.

To be revered as an Immortal Venerable by the imperial court, one should at least possess the Dao of protecting mountains and controlling water. Yet, when that bolt of lightning struck today, the opponent couldn't even maintain its transformed form.

He suddenly recalled Wang Huan mentioning the Prime Minister's Residence harboring evil beings. His fingertips paused. Could it be that the fox demon was originally a Puppet controlled by someone using secret arts?

He wondered what this Puppet was for?

He shouldn't have acted so quickly at the time; he should have asked more carefully.

He felt that the waters of Great Yan's capital were truly deep. Just the exposed tip of the iceberg was like a ball of yarn, making one dizzy.

The Jianghu is dangerous!

It's better to Cultivate properly.

* * *

The next day, Shen Jianhong rushed back to the capital with his men to see His Majesty.

Wang Chongfa's mission had failed, and Chancellor Liu could send other people at any time. Although Lord Chuping was present, no trouble would arise in Qingzhou.

But these things were like flies; they didn't bite, but they were disgusting.

If it happened too many times, and Lord Chuping truly became angry, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Lin Chuping stood on the eaves of the temple, watching Shen Jianhong's retreating figure. A golden light from his fingertips transformed into an Amulet and quietly slipped into his robes.

"What is this, Host?" The System asked curiously.

"Leaving a mark."

Lin Chuping narrowed his eyes, "The capital's waters are deep, and this young man's journey will be perilous."

This was a useful tool, he couldn't let him be lost in the capital.

"Host, the new temple is open, and you have to receive guests again."

Lin Chuping rolled his eyes and tapped the System panel with his fingertips.

"Tong Ge, you're quite a diligent madam."

"Ding—Detected Host insulting the System, deducting Incense Value * 10."

A mechanical voice suddenly exploded in Lin Chuping's mind.

"No, System, when did you get this function?!"

Lin Chuping almost slipped from the eaves, "Tong Ge, are you trying to frame me?"

"Also, I have reason to suspect that you're taking kickbacks from the System Mall items, aren't you?"

"Friendly reminder: Please be careful with your words, Host."

"I'll be careful with your **beep** **beep**"

Lin Chuping cursed and closed the System panel, then instantly appeared at the Blessing ceremony in the Prefecture City.

At this moment, in front of the temple in the Prefecture City, Granny Chen led everyone in devout kneeling worship.

The temple in the Prefecture City was converted from the bell tower where Lin Chuping had previously stayed. This was the very center of the entire Prefecture City.

After more than ten days, these people from Yan Province looked much better than before, no longer appearing as if they were about to wither from lack of water at any moment.

The ceremony had reached its final stage—the Divine Descent.

As long as Lin Chuping's consciousness entered the divine statue, this place would officially become his third home.

"Lord Chuping protects us, dispels evil, averts disaster, and bestows Blessing upon all beings. Today, we sincerely invite Lord Chuping to enter the new temple to bless us with favorable weather, abundant harvests, and flourishing descendants!"

After Granny Chen finished speaking, she took a deep breath, turned around, and respectfully, slowly, unveiled the red silk covering the divine statue with both hands.

In an instant, golden light poured out like a waterfall!

The Blessing ceremony was complete!