Chapter 53: The Earth God’s Duty

“What’s happening? What’s happening?”

In a frantic rush, the Earth God conjured a gust of wind to scale the eaves, for ever since their last encounter, he no longer dared to disregard the Pallas’s Cat’s pronouncements.

“Oh, Benefactor! Haven’t you seen it with your own eyes?”

The diminutive old man, perched upon the eaves, rubbed his eyes vigorously to get a better look. A startled ‘Aiyoh!’ escaped his lips, and he swiftly descended from the rooftop, straightening his robes before hastily rushing towards the scene.

“Old fool, this is what you get for not heeding my words.”

The Pallas’s Cat, meanwhile, reveled in her leisurely solitude. Observing his frantic dash, she simply rolled onto her other side, stretching luxuriously to bask in the warm sunlight.

****

Fewer devotees arrived at Mùyún Temple to offer incense and prayers than in the preceding days, yet the ethereal smoke, once released, coalesced into an unbroken stream, seemingly without end.

Indeed, any divine being witnessing Mùyún Temple’s current state would likely find themselves gnashing their teeth in envy.

The divine energy, refined from the offerings of incense, flowed with unparalleled purity and an unbroken continuity. Any trace of impurity within it would be intercepted by an enigmatic force, dissolving harmlessly into ambient spiritual energy.

“Immortal… no… Fellow Daoist, Fellow Daoist! This old man has come to offer his sincerest apologies!”

The Earth God, having rushed through the throngs of people, finally intercepted Qíngyǔ and the Little Girl just outside Mùyún Temple.

Gasping for breath, he first extended a hand to subtly shield the surrounding mortals, then materialized fully to bow with clasped hands in deference.

“Earth God, there is no need for such elaborate courtesy. This humble Daoist merely acted as the situation demanded.”

Qíngyǔ returned the bow with serene grace, while the Little Girl, observing their exchange, began to mimic her mother’s gesture, clasping her small hands in a respectful bow towards the Earth God.

“This old man knows, he knows it all.”

The Earth God, still catching his breath, gestured towards the dilapidated temple in the distance.

“Had it not been for Fellow Daoist, I fear General Song might never have awakened from his slumber.”

“In truth, he would have.”

Qíngyǔ gently shook her head, then conjured a wisp of spiritual energy, guiding it towards the Earth God to alleviate his discomfort.

Despite the ceaseless stream of devout followers, the old man steadfastly refused to claim even a sliver of the divine power, channeling it all instead to the comatose Song Daocong, thereby leaving his own divine form increasingly depleted.

“My deepest thanks, Fellow Daoist, my deepest thanks…”

The old fellow spoke with a palpable sigh of relief, then turned, gesturing towards Mùyún Temple.

“Fellow Daoist, would you care to step inside the temple for a moment? General Song’s spirit temple has only just opened, and it has yet to receive any visitors.”

“Might I inquire, what exactly is this ‘spirit temple’?”

It was Qíngyǔ’s first encounter with such a term.

“It is akin to what cultivators call a grotto-heaven or blessed land. However, unlike theirs, within the divine path, only gods of true virtue are capable of establishing such a realm.”

The Earth God’s voice swelled with undisguised pride as he spoke, extending a hand to perform his Earth Escape technique (TL Note: A magical ability to travel through the earth) and transport the two into the temple.

“Fellow Daoist, I humbly ask for your forbearance. This old man’s escape technique is rather rudimentary; I must borrow the earth’s inherent power to execute it properly.”

“No matter.”

The young woman found herself rather intrigued by this unique earth-based method from a different world. Though her mastery of earth-elemental arts in her previous life had been utterly abysmal, her heart had always yearned for the Dao.

“Mama, this is so fascinating!”

The Little Girl, on the other hand, made no secret of her delight. As they phased into the earth, she peered around with wide-eyed curiosity, the profound darkness failing to dim her excitement in the slightest.

“It is indeed quite interesting.”

The Earth God’s Earth Escape technique demonstrated a notable level of proficiency; the surrounding soil rippled like water, propelling them forward, and a distance of a hundred meters vanished in the blink of an eye.

“Ah, this old man’s escape method is hardly considered top-tier,” the Earth God chuckled, tapping his staff and gesturing towards the surrounding soil. “It merely involves following the earth’s ley lines, helping to smooth them out while politely requesting their assistance.”

“To align with nature, that is indeed a wondrous method.”

“Compared to Fellow Daoist’s own elusive and mystical escape arts, this humble technique of mine is truly a display of amateurism.”

It appeared he had mistakenly perceived her concealment art as an escape technique. Qíngyǔ merely shook her head, choosing not to correct the old man’s misconception.

In a flash, they materialized within the main hall. There, the imposing likeness of Song Daocong stood majestically at the center. Divine altars were clearly arranged around him, yet none bore the presence of a deity.

Though the hall housed no monks or Daoists, an undeniable sense of order prevailed.

“Mama, it seems they still can’t see us?”

The Little Girl waved her hand in one direction, then leaned in for a closer look in another, before turning to tug gently at her mother’s sleeve.

“That is due to the Earth God’s exceptionally refined Concealment Art.”

“A mere humble technique, hardly worth mentioning.”

Upon hearing the celestial being commend his self-devised spell, the Earth God chuckled softly, then tapped his staff, and a small, ethereal doorway shimmered into existence before them.

It seemed the cultivators of this world held a peculiar fondness for establishing their own pocket dimensions. Take Sir Zi, for instance; after acquiring her ‘Distant Mountains,’ his immediate inclination wasn’t to delve into its mysteries, but rather to forge it into a grotto-heaven.

“Within this lies General Song’s nascent spirit temple. I humbly invite both Fellow Daoists to follow this old man and behold it.”

Deep the spirit, unseen the god, yet a path is said to lead within.

Void without spirit, incense offerings forge a grotto-heaven.

Qíngyǔ and the Little Girl followed, stepping into the so-called ‘spirit temple.’ The surrounding scenery underwent an immediate transformation, resolving into the familiar sight of a military encampment.

Rugged mountains surrounded them, their peaks veiled by clouds and mist. The military formation appeared impeccably ordered, a subtle aura of killing intent rising from its ranks. Provisions and cavalry mounts were meticulously arranged, yet eerily, not a soul was present.

The Earth God guided them through the entire camp, eventually leading them to the main command tent, where he lifted the curtain and stepped inside.

The interior was furnished with extreme simplicity: a sand table, a sturdy desk, and weapons arranged with solemn precision. There, in the seat of honor, sat the still-unconscious Song Daocong.

Though his eyes remained shut, an inherent majesty radiated from him.

“It is I who should be thanking Fellow Daoist.”

Qíngyǔ, however, was unaware that the Earth God bringing them both into this sacred space today served as irrefutable proof of his absolute trust in them.

If one were to liken a deity to a mortal, then this spirit temple represented their most critical and vulnerable core.

Should the spirit temple endure, even the complete annihilation of the divine body would offer a chance at rebirth; conversely, if the spirit temple were to be destroyed, it would signify the utter dissolution of both form and Dao.

“As General Song remains unawakened, this old man must unfortunately be the one to entertain you both.”

With these words, the Earth God retrieved a still-sealed jar of what appeared to be wine from the rear, reverently presenting it before the two of them.

Qíngyǔ, however, perceived with perfect clarity that it was no ordinary wine, but rather a condensed crystallization of divine power.

This Earth God proved far more generous than Sir Zi, who had been notoriously tight-fisted even with a few mere tea leaves. Here, the old man presented an entire jar of divine power without hesitation, a truly magnanimous gesture.

Yet, she could not accept such kindness at this moment.

“Mama, what is that?”

“It is wine.”

Qíngyǔ shook her head. Aside from her personal disinclination towards alcohol and the fact that the Little Girl was but eight years old, the one truly in dire need of this offering was not herself.

“Ah, then the two of you might not be aware…”

Observing their reactions, the Earth God chuckled softly, reaching up to stroke his beard, just as he was about to elaborate. However, the young woman preempted him with a nod, her gaze fixed upon him with a gentle smile.

“Then this humble Daoist shall present it to the Earth God instead.”

“But… this old man hasn’t even finished explaining…”

“Your divine form is unstable. If you continue like this, how will you ever be prepared for General Song’s return?”

The Earth God flinched, startled by her pointed words, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly, utterly speechless.

“Indeed, you should claim a portion of that divine power for yourself.”

“But, but this old man, I…”

“This humble Daoist has always held that merits do not offset faults, nor do faults negate merits,” Qíngyǔ stated, her gaze resting lightly upon him. “I will certainly remember your entanglement with the demonic entity, but you must not allow yourself to forget your original virtuous intent.”

“Please… please, Fellow Daoist, enlighten this old man.”

Her words struck such fear into the Earth God that he stammered incoherently, hastily bowing with clasped hands in profound deference.

“Many common folk come seeking favorable weather and relief from calamities. Since General Song is unable to act, you should assist them in his stead.”

Qíngyǔ shook her head slowly. This old fellow had lived in such fearful trepidation for too many years that he had long since forgotten the earnest aspirations he held when he first assumed the mantle of Earth God.

“Occupy the divine seat for a day, protect the common people for a day. If you can truly uphold this, then a portion of this divine power shall rightfully be yours.”

At this juncture, the young woman’s tone shifted abruptly, her calm voice now imbued with a distinct note of solemnity.

“However, should you fail to protect the common folk, then it would be better for this divine seat to dissipate sooner rather than later.”