45: Constipation

A cloak!

It's a joke, which deity statue needs a cloak? Is that even appropriate?

Lin Chuping was almost driven to laughter by anger.

In an instant, a terrifying Aura permeated the air. The Four Demons were so frightened they prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling like sieves.

Fortunately, someone came to offer incense at that moment, and the commotion broke the stalemate, saving the pathetic Four Demons.

The Aura vanished in a flash, and the Four Demons dared not delay, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

*

Among those who came to offer incense, the leader was a man of about forty, with a square face, deep, piercing eyes under thick eyebrows, and an inherent Aura of authority that commanded respect without needing anger.

The several men following him were all richly dressed in brocade robes, with jade belts around their waists, exuding the noble and arrogant air that only comes from long-term high positions.

Jin Zihua attended cautiously at the side, while Jin Er walked on the other, occasionally sneaking glances at Jin Zihua, his eyes showing three parts pity and seven parts smugness.

The square-faced man was none other than Shen Jianhong, the eldest son of the Shen Family.

Shen Jianhong stepped into the temple, first surveying his surroundings with a critical eye, his gaze finally settling on the ill-fitting cloak on the statue.

"Shopkeeper Jin, is this the deity you spoke of that blesses this place?"

Shen Jianhong frowned. This place was far from what he had imagined—a small temple, dusty clay figures, and this ridiculous cloak. Could a True God exist here?

"Indeed, Young Master. Would you like to offer some incense as well?"

Jin Zihua quickly pulled three sticks of incense from the side of the temple, lit them, and respectfully presented them to Shen Jianhong.

Shen Jianhong did not take them. As the Young Master of the Wanbao Merchant Guild, he would not casually worship just any deity.

To some extent, the deity he worshipped was equivalent to the deity worshipped by the Wanbao Merchant Guild.

"Go and call the Temple Official of this place."

After giving the order, Shen Jianhong turned and walked out of the temple gate, standing with his hands behind his back, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the mutton-fat jade pendant at his waist, his gaze coldly sweeping over the mottled painted eaves.

Everyone around him was silent, not daring to speak easily, fearing to anger the man deep in thought before them.

Shen Jianhong frowned slightly, secretly pondering the series of events that had recently occurred.

Just yesterday, he was traveling by carriage to Chang Sheng Village when, halfway there, Jin Er suddenly dropped to his knees with a 'thud,' blocking the carriage.

Initially, Shen Jianhong did not intend to pay attention. There were thousands, if not tens of thousands, of peddlers like Jin Er in the Wanbao Merchant Guild. But then he remembered the purpose of his trip and suppressed his displeasure.

For his third brother's health, he could not miss any detail.

"Jin Er, what are you doing?"

Shen Jianhong asked.

Jin Er raised his head, his voice trembling: "Young Master, this humble one has an urgent matter to report!"

"This humble one wishes to expose Shopkeeper Jin for embezzling public funds and misappropriating public property!"

Shen Jianhong's eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized Jin Er, saying in a deep voice.

"Oh? Elaborate."

Jin Er's eyes darted around, and he quickly scrambled to his feet, leaning close to Shen Jianhong and lowering his voice: "Young Master, this humble one sells goods back and forth in this village and knows a lot of inside information. This temple in Chang Sheng Village does indeed have some miraculous qualities. But Shopkeeper Jin..."

Shen Jianhong recalled in detail.

According to Jin Er, Jin Zihua, as the shopkeeper of a Wanbao Merchant Guild branch, had privately misappropriated the Wanbao Merchant Guild's goods to curry favor with villagers, seeking to secure his own position.

He even used the Guild's name to secretly give away valuable goods from the warehouse for free.

Treasures that should have entered the market and earned substantial profits for the Guild were thus inexplicably squandered. The Guild's accounts in Chang Sheng Village became chaotic, numerous funds didn't match, and records of incoming and outgoing goods were riddled with loopholes.

"Young Master, this humble one's every word is true! Previously, there was a batch of fine salt, meant to be transported to the Prefecture City for officials and nobles, but Shopkeeper Jin privately intercepted it and resold it cheaply to these bumpkins."

"And last month's newly arrived silks and satins, several bolts of High Grade fabric, were not accounted for either. I heard they were used to bribe people in the yamen."

At the time, Jin Er spoke with great fervor.

Shen Jianhong, however, grew increasingly impatient. He did not miss the flash of ruthlessness in Jin Er's eyes. This Jin Er was the peddler who had previously reported Jin Zihua through the communication talisman.

Shen Jianhong's main purpose for this trip was to find a divine medicine that could save his third brother.

Time was precious; every minute of delay increased his third brother's danger.

Yet this tactless fellow kept talking incessantly.

Such a small matter, and it had to be brought to him.

But he couldn't ignore it.

Shen Jianhong gave a look, signaling one of his confidants to handle Jin Er's report, and then he hastily left.

Now, of course, he would not believe Jin Er's one-sided story.

However, whether Jin Zihua, as a mere shopkeeper, failed to properly manage his subordinates or truly engaged in embezzlement, Shen Jianhong's impression of him had declined.

Jin Zihua was completely unaware of Jin Er's slanders outside. He was anxiously hoping that the Young Master would show some respect to this temple, offer some incense for peace, and also ensure the Guild's business in this village would prosper.

He had managed affairs in the Prefecture City for many years and knew the hardships involved. All forces had to be appeased, and occasionally using some of the Guild's resources was out of necessity. But how could he explain these difficulties to the Young Master?

Seeing that Shen Jianhong had no immediate plans to deal with Jin Zihua, Jin Er grew anxious. He took a direct step forward, dropped to his knees with a 'thud,' and repeated what he had said yesterday.

"Young Master, Jin Er is slandering me!"

At this moment, the old servant who had been by Jin Zihua's side could no longer hold back and rushed out, shouting.

"Our shopkeeper has worked tirelessly for the Guild for years, opening up markets in this remote area, enduring countless hardships. Those small favors were merely to smooth things over and keep business going, not misappropriation!"

Jin Er snorted coldly: "Old man, what do you know! Unclear accounts are unclear. Using the Guild's property to do favors, and you think that's justified?"

Shen Jianhong raised his hand to stop their argument, saying in a deep voice: "Silence, both of you. Whether it's true or false, it will be investigated. Jin Zihua, present the detailed accounts from the past few years first."

Jin Zihua's face was pale. Although he had a clear conscience, some accounts, due to being rushed and incomplete, were indeed prone to misunderstanding. What was he to do now?

Ultimately, Jin Zihua could only helplessly respond: "Yes, Young Master, I will go prepare them now."

After Jin Zihua hastily departed, Shen Jianhong looked at Jin Er again: "If anything you said today is false, you will bear the consequences."

Jin Er trembled with fright and quickly lowered his head: "This humble one would not dare. This humble one pledges his life."

*

Lin Chuping, hidden within the deity statue, silently observed the Auras of these people.

Since arriving in this world, the most formidable person he had seen was Shi Da, a Fifth Grade Martial Artist by Jin Zihua's side, who could now only exert the strength of a Third Grade.

These were all pieces of information that Little Green Snake had helped him gather.

In Lin Chuping's perception, Shi Da's Aura was no different from anyone else's, and the same applied to the people before him now.

His offensive divine art, Thunder Punishment, could only deal with malicious beings.

If the opponent hadn't done anything evil, had no karmic retribution, then the Thunder Punishment would have no deterrent effect whatsoever. Just like Wang Houshi before, he was in the center of the thunder but was completely unharmed, even feeling refreshed.

These people before him were probably the same.

This person named Shen Jianhong, his Luck actually showed a faint golden hue.

This meant that if these people wanted to control this place, with his current divine arts, he truly couldn't do anything to them... "What kind of situation is this!"

Lin Chuping secretly complained, "Too careless!"

"Damn it! This guy's Luck is already golden, he wouldn't do anything outrageous, would he?!"

If he weren't a deity himself, Lin Chuping would want to pray to the gods and Buddhas right now.

"No, no, I can't put all my hope in others' benevolence."

"Tong Ge, open the System panel for me!"

[Host: Lin Chuping]

[Jurisdiction: Chang Sheng Village, Nan Shu Village]

[Divine Power: 40]

[Divine Arts: Enter Dream, Blessing +, Thunder Punishment +, Rain Summoning Technique +]

[Incense Value: 970,000 (Can be used to convert Divine Power, purchase Divine Arts)]

[System Mall: Lv1]

"Tong Ge, can I control this Thunder Punishment after upgrading it?"

[Ding! Please Host explore on your own.]

"What the f—"

"Tong Ge, what time is it now? You don't need to hide anything. We're two small grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If I get controlled by someone, you won't be in a good situation either!"

[Ding! Please Host explore on your own.]

"Tong Ge, I'm not saying you're inflexible, but as the old saying goes, 'smooth passage, smooth passage, smooth means convenience, convenience means comfort for the whole body.'"

"Tong Ge..."

[Ding! Please Host explore on your own.]

Lin Chuping: "..."