Chapter 60: The City God of Wei City

There’s no way the Underworld only has a single ghost official...

Li Yanchu smiled and said, “Greetings, Honored Deity. I left in haste last time, and have felt regret about it ever since.”

The ghost official bowed in return. “No offense taken, Daoist friend. Tonight your primordial spirit shines like the blazing sun, brimming with pure yang qi. Even I hardly dare to look straight at you. I imagine achieving full control of daytime astral projection is not far off for you.”

A warm smile graced Li Yanchu’s face. When he wasn’t fighting, he always carried himself with elegance and composure, and he was impeccable in both manners and bearing. “You flatter me, Honored Deity.”

The ghost official looked at him and asked, “Daoist friend, did you appear here late at night to seek me out specifically?”

“That’s right,” Li Yanchu replied with a smile. “This time, I come to ask about matters of the Underworld and the cycle of reincarnation. There’s a malevolent entity in this region making use of bloodstained copper coins to drain the three souls and seven spirits of the living. I wish to ask, Honored Deity, are you aware of this?”

The ghost official’s expression shifted. “This... I have never heard of such a thing.”

“Such behavior from an evil spirit is a serious disruption to the balance of yin and yang. I’d like to ask, Honored Deity, if you might investigate or report this matter to your superiors, so that the one responsible may be brought to light,” Li Yanchu said calmly.

The ghost official fell silent for a moment, as though weighing the consequences. Then he said gravely, “This is a matter of great importance, and not something a lowly ghost official such as myself has the authority to decide. But, I can lead you to the City God Temple to pay respects to the City God. Perhaps the City God is aware of the origins of this matter.”

The City God...

Li Yanchu cupped his fists. “In that case, I thank you for your assistance, Honored Deity.”

The ghost official returned the gesture. “Daoist friend, this way.”

According to the mythologies of the Kingdom of Qian, a local City God commanded officials of both civil and military ranks, as well as ghost officials and other Underworld personnel.

But there were many variations among the folk legends, and the origins were often murky.

Some claimed the City God answered to the Ten Kings of the Underworld[1]; others said it was the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak[2], or even the Lord of Mount Tai[3].

Following the ghost official, Li Yanchu drifted through the air toward the City God Temple in Wei City. He had yet to meet a mythological figure from this world.

The City God Temple of Wei City was located in the eastern part of the city. Its incense offerings had always been fairly decent, though Lady Qingyi Temple dominated the local religious scene, and far more people came to worship her. This was, in itself, quite an interesting phenomenon.

There were so many Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries, and so many shrines to the legitimate gods of the Celestial Court, yet none could compare to a deity like Lady Qingyi, who didn’t even exist in traditional mythology.

When Li Yanchu arrived at the gates of the City God Temple, he looked up at the plaque hanging over the main hall. A few large characters were inscribed,

Protector of the Realm, Guardian of the People.

Within the main hall sat the statue of Wei City’s City God: a middle-aged official in his fifties, clad in a seventh-rank court robe embroidered with a quail, seated in solemn authority. He gazed down upon all below.

“Daoist friend, please wait here a moment,” said Jiang Tong. “I shall report this to the City God and request His manifestation.”

“Very well. I leave it to you, Honored Deity,” Li Yanchu said with a cupped-fist salute.

At this time, Jiang Tong, still holding his copper gong, led a group of pale-faced, wandering spirits into the temple. His figure slowly faded and disappeared.

Roughly ten minutes later...

Jiang Tong reappeared at the temple entrance. “The City God has descended into the temple. Daoist friend, please enter.”

“Thank you.” Li Yanchu followed Jiang Tong into the City God Temple.

The statue began to stir, and it spoke with its voice deep, solemn, and full of majesty, “Who is it?”

Li Yanchu replied, “I am Li Yanchu. There is a malevolent force at work in Wei City, using blood money that drains the souls of the living. I have come to humbly request that you intervene and trace the source of this evil, City God.”

The statue responded with grave authority, “Jiang Tong has already reported the matter. I have reviewed the records of the Underworld and identified the malicious force behind it.”

Li Yanchu’s eyes lit up. “My Lord, you have found the origin of the blood money?”

“Indeed,” the City God’s voice echoed, solemn and resonant. “Tell me, are you familiar with Lady Qingyi?”

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“This matter is connected to Lady Qingyi?” Li Yanchu asked.

The City God’s statue replied, “Lady Qingyi was once a virtuous soul who accumulated merit and did good deeds, gathering the devotion of the people and eventually becoming a temple deity. But now... she has fallen into the Demonic Dao. The matter of the bloodstained coins is her doing, and she uses them to siphon the three souls and seven spirits of the living.”

Li Yanchu frowned. “Such actions are a violation of Heaven’s order. I ask that you take action and eliminate this evil, City God.”

The City God statue slowly responded, “Lady Qingyi has basked in the incense offerings of the people for many years. For certain reasons, I am unable to personally suppress her.”

“Then how should this matter be handled?” Li Yanchu asked.

“Destroy her temple and smash the statue of Lady Qingyi. Doing so will weaken her power and shatter the Dharma body formed from the strength of the incense offerings,” the City God said slowly. “When that time comes, I shall personally lead the ghost officials to arrest her. The calamity will then be resolved.”

Li Yanchu furrowed his brows. “But Lady Qingyi Temple is a place of worship for the people of Wei City. And right now is the temple festival. To destroy the statue and tear down the temple at this time... that would be extremely difficult.”

The City God statue continued, “The blood money curse will only grow worse. If it spreads, the people of Wei City will all fall victim. This matter cannot be delayed.”

Li Yanchu fell silent.

The City God statue spoke again, “I have told you the origin of the disaster, and I have told you how to resolve it. Saving the people from such suffering will bring boundless merit. Now withdraw, do not miss the best opportunity to strike against Lady Qingyi.”

Li Yanchu nodded slightly, then suddenly said, “Outside the city, in Zhang Family Village, there is a malicious ghost that has killed countless travelers. Have you been made aware of this?”

The City God statue replied slowly, “I failed to notice it in time, allowing the ghost to wreak havoc. But I am now aware. The spirit has already been eliminated.”

Li Yanchu continued, “Within the city, a paper effigy possessed a government constable, killed

yamen

officers, and caused the disappearance of many women. Are you aware of this?”

The City God statue roared in anger, “Are you questioning me?!”

Li Yanchu smiled and said, “I wouldn’t dare. It’s just that it’s rare to witness your Dharma body in person, and I felt a deep sense of reverence. That’s why I took the opportunity to report the happenings in Wei City to you.”

The City God statue responded, “What matters most right now is the issue of the blood money that you’ve brought forward. Handle this matter well, and it will earn you tremendous merit. As for the rest, let them be for now.”

Li Yanchu gazed steadily at the statue and spoke slowly, “My Lord, are you aware that someone massacred the entire Five Lakes Gang and used dark arts to turn their leader into a formation’s core?

“My Lord, are you aware that someone is secretly selling talismans said to offer protection, but in truth are fed with human blood and essence to nourish spirits?

“My Lord, are you aware there’s a drowned female ghost haunting the city and causing harm?”

Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind swept through the temple, kicking up dust and debris. “Insolence! Are you, a mere cultivator, implying that I've failed in my duty? How dare you accuse me?!”

The City God statue was furious, so much so that golden light flared with divine might.

Li Yanchu remained calm, his eyes held an unwavering look as he smiled faintly. “Please, calm your anger, my Lord. I merely spoke the truth and asked what needed to be asked.”

The City God’s voice boomed through the entire temple, sounding awe-inspiring and stern. “Resolve the matter of Lady Qingyi immediately, and I shall not hold you accountable for your rudeness today! Be gone at once!”

Hearing this, Li Yanchu cupped his fists. “Then I shall take my leave.”

Just as he was about to step through the gates of the City God Temple, he suddenly turned around. “City God, I have one final question. You are a legitimate deity, worshipped and nourished by the incense of the living, so why do you not dare look at me?”

1. These are ten judges who rule over the Ten Courts of the Underworld in Chinese Buddhist and Daoist belief. When a person dies, their soul is judged in these ten courts. Each king presides over a different court and judges different types of sins. The most famous of them is 阎罗王 (Yánluó Wáng), based on the Indian deity Yama, who is the overall ruler of the underworld. ☜

2. He is the deity of Mount Tai (泰山), one of the Five Great Mountains in China, and is believed to govern life and death, control the length of human life, and oversee the underworld. He’s a powerful figure in Daoism and popular folk belief. In some traditions, he is said to have authority over the Ten Kings of Hell. ☜

3. This is another name for the deity of Mount Tai, sometimes viewed as a lower or alternate title for 东岳大帝, depending on regional or sectarian belief systems. “府君” is a respectful title meaning “Lord of the Court” or “Ruler.” He is also associated with death and the fate of souls. ☜