Chapter Thirty-Four: Judicial God

  "Well, it's true that in the past few months, many livestock in our county have died one after another. Could it really be the work of a monster?" A man in the crowd couldn't help but say in a low voice.

  "But this is a water god, how can we invite it to be our city guardian?" Someone on the other side raised a question.

  "That's right! The position of Cheng Huang should be taken by a deceased hero or famous minister!" An old man with white hair beside him echoed.

  "Everyone, quiet down! The county magistrate has arrived!" A loud shout rang out, and a official in a yamen uniform cleared the way. A middle-aged man with a gentle face, slightly pale, wearing a seventh-rank crimson official robe, strode forward.

  "Zhang Yong's whole thing has been presented to me, and I was originally prepared to invite the city god of the neighboring county to take up residence. However, the neighboring county also had cases of livestock deaths. So I invited this spirit that has shown its power to take up residence. I hope it can suppress the evil spirits." Xie Huanbiao rubbed his temples again, and for this matter, he was really racking his brains!

  Seeing the county magistrate come out in person, others who had objections also shut their mouths. Zhang Yong, who was in charge of building the temple, began the ritual of offering sacrifices and inviting the gods under Xie Huanbiao's indication.

  The newly built Chenghuang Temple in Dachang County is majestic and solemn, with a rich and grand hall. On the main hall of the City God Temple, Pan Hao's golden body has been sculpted. Wearing a bright red official uniform, an official hat with a high belt, wearing official boots, sitting upright with his feet together, his face is handsome, his eyes are piercing, looking forward with a stern gaze, exuding a majestic and awe-inspiring aura.

  On either side of Pan Haogong stood a civil and military judge with a solemn face.

  "Light the incense!" Zhang Yong led everyone in completing the ritual and handed the first incense stick to Xie Huanbiao.

  "Today, I invite the City God to enter and preside, hoping to protect and bless the people of our county to live in peace and prosperity!"

  Xie Huanbiao took over the incense, and deeply bowed to the golden body of the city god. On top of Xie Huanbiao's head, a three-foot tall pillar of red aura rose, and on it perched a completely red, exceptionally spirited bird with sharp eyes, its chirping voice filled with joy. The bird suddenly spat out a strand of pale red aura from its mouth. The aura landed on Pan Hao's golden body.

  Rumbling, within the Purple Mansion of Pan Haizi, the position of Cheng Huang was rumbling with a loud noise, and the position of Cheng Huang had become clear as if it were real. This is because Xie Huanbiao was honored as the first of a county, appointed by the Son of Heaven, and was the orthodox order of heaven and earth. Therefore, once Xie Huanbiao recognized him, the position of Cheng Huang did not need to be transformed into reality, and had already been implicitly recognized by heaven and earth.

  Cheng Huang Shen is the guardian deity and judicial deity of the city. He is in charge of life and death, reward and punishment, good fortune and misfortune, and increasing happiness and benefits. In the mortal world, there is the imperial court; in the underworld, there is the yin si (underworld government). Although this world only has one god, Pan Hao, his duties will not change much.

  Xie Huanbiao ranked as the head of a county, with a status equal to that of the County Guardian. He didn't require three bows and nine kowtows. However, since this was an invitation for the god to take up residence, making a bow and offering incense were unavoidable.

  Pan Hao's thoughts were answered by Xie Huanbiao, and the statue of the city god, which had a faint sense of unfamiliarity, suddenly felt that it was completely integrated with itself, without any gaps.

  The golden body of the city god's statue, which was originally slightly stiff in expression, relaxed and became more lifelike. Its eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of vitality, as if it were a real person. However, the aura of majesty emanating from the statue grew even stronger, filling the entire temple hall and causing the people who entered to become solemn at heart.

  Half a time later, the County God's throne in the Purple Mansion finally condensed successfully! A breath more powerful and noble than the Water God's throne rose up. In the County God's throne, a miniature version of the Da Chang County map slowly unfolded. On it were high mountains and dense forests, ancient villages and cities, scholars reciting ancient classics, soldiers guarding the city walls, women sewing and embroidering, merchants hawking their wares...

  All aspects of life are contained within it.

  This is the domain under the jurisdiction of Cheng Huan, and the image above is just a condensation of the power of heaven and earth. However, it can make Pan Hao firmly grasp and manage the county. The whole county's major and minor matters are naturally clear.

  Pan Hao's divine soul transformed, turning into a city god dressed in a large red official uniform, with a black official hat on his head and official boots on his feet, holding a red official seal. A majestic, noble, and powerful aura emanated from the divine soul.

  Endless faith transformed into a red sacred divine power, flowing through the ranks of the gods. Suddenly, Pan Hao's divine soul shook, and the aura on his divine soul suddenly thickened several times, the red light surrounding his divine soul turned crimson, and the divine light was dazzling.

  The two-petaled red lotus under the feet of Shen Hun also began to shake. The three-petaled new and tender petals brought out a faint red glow, slowly growing out. The color of the red lotus platform suddenly became more intense, the lotus platform seemed like jade or agate, crystal clear and translucent, emitting a soft red light. The twenty-four petaled lotus flower opened, emitting a magnificent and sacred aura.

  Pan Haixin was overjoyed, still short of three red lotus flowers, he could enter the third grade. Once in the third grade, it is the fetal dan period of a practicing Qi master, combined with the use of the power of heaven and earth in the divine way domain. Even a Golden Dan True Person may not be able to do anything to him.

  "But that cattle died inexplicably, I must get to the bottom of it!" Pan Hao couldn't help but recall the conversation between several people earlier. The cattle had been dying one after another, yet no human deaths were caused. Moreover, similar incidents had occurred in neighboring counties. Pan Hao's eyes narrowed as his mind was filled with thoughts.

  "If only I could reach the third rank earlier, then I would have the ability to split my divine position projection and take back my divine attribute!" Pan Hao could feel that as his divine path advanced, he was already busy enough on his own. Once he reached the deep red body of the third rank, he would naturally be able to split his divine position projection and perform a divine seal. Moreover, since it was just a projection, he could take it back at any time. It wouldn't pose any danger to himself at all.

  "Hao Ge, the peach blossoms in front of the courtyard have bloomed a bit!" Xi Wen exclaimed, bouncing and jumping as she ran inside. Pan Hao finally came back to his senses.

  "It's not supposed to bloom until March, and it's only January now!" Pan Hao smiled, his big hand pinched Xiao Wen's small face, which was as tender as a peach. Since Pan Hao used his divine power to cleanse Xiao Wen's body, her body had become completely healthy, with all her meridians unblocked and free from disease. Her skin was also white and rosy, delicate and lovely. She was a perfect little girl, making people feel affectionate towards her.

  "Go out and take a look! Go out!" The little girl patted Pan Hao's big hand, her two small white hands grasping his clothes, pouting her mouth while softly whispering in Pan Hao's ear.

  "Alright, alright! Let's go take a look!" Pan Hao smiled helplessly. This little girl was getting more and more spoiled.

  "Great!" The little girl's face lit up with a smile, and her silvery laughter rang out, sounding especially pleasant to the ear!

  Pan Hao stepped out of the door, and in the front yard, hundreds of peach blossoms were already budding, with a few dozen already revealing delicate petals. Pan Hao took Xiwenn on a stroll through the trees, as the warm sunlight shone down. A young couple walked slowly away, like a beautiful scene from a watercolor painting!