Chapter 8: Old City God, Why Are You Trembling

Were human immortals immortals, but ghost immortals not?

Old City God had never thought about achieving the Dao and becoming an immortal. In his eyes, now that he was a Ghost Deity, he felt he couldn’t be tied to the idea of immortality.

Now Chen Changsheng’s words suddenly made it all clear to him.

And Chen Changsheng quietly felt relieved.

‘That should have tricked him, right?’

To put it plainly, all this talk came from his own thoughts. It wasn’t exactly true, but it was not entirely false either. Things that were half-true and half-false were the best for tricking people.

Old City God calmed down and asked, “Well, Mr. Chen, what should I do?”

Chen Changsheng said, “The most important thing for a Ghost Deity is incense and merits. Both come from the people. By loving and protecting the people and gathering their Wish Power through incense, you can walk the Great Dao.”

Old City God sat at the table, his gaze fixed ahead as he pondered.

Chen Changsheng didn’t move either, silently watching Old City God’s face, afraid he might catch on.

About a few moments later, Old City God’s form shook a little, and he snapped back to attention.

Chen Changsheng forced himself to stay calm and looked at him.

Old City God let out a long breath. He stood up and clasped his hands. “I thank you for your teaching!”

He sighed deeply and said, “I understand now.”

Chen Changsheng paused.

Understand what?

Old City God said, “I thought it over left and right, and finally I see your good intentions. As a City God, I should think about helping the people in the Civic District, not about escaping this place. First, you mentioned the Ghost Immortal path to stir my desire, then talked about the path of the heart, and after that, incense and Wish Power. Only now do I realize that Ghost Immortal was just your lie.”

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng got startled inside, and his hand holding the wine cup trembled.

“Ghost Immortal is fake; the true path is as City God. Only by returning to the right way and following Heaven and Earth can there be a chance for achieving the Dao.”

Old City God suddenly bowed down to Chen Changsheng respectfully. “I have learned my lesson.”

Facing Old City God’s words, Chen Changsheng felt a bit lost.

It seemed that wasn’t what he meant at all…

Chen Changsheng thought it over and figured since it had gone this far, he might as well keep the story going.

He must not let the secret slip.

Chen Changsheng raised his hand and said, “I lied to you, and yet you’re being so polite.”

Old City God stood up. “You went to great lengths for my sake. If I didn’t understand that, I’d be a shameful City God.”

Chen Changsheng smiled kindly. “You’re the one who chose to return to the right path; I didn’t help. Why thank me?”

Old City God said, “Without you, who knows when I would have figured it out? Thank you for giving me this chance, Mr. Chen. I am very grateful.”

Chen Changsheng felt uncomfortable because of his respectful manner.

Having something to hide, of course he felt awkward.

Chen Changsheng forced a laugh. “Sit down and eat. I haven’t had my fill yet.”

Hearing this, Old City God paused, then quickly put on a smile.

“I drink to you.”

“Please.”

Before long, a gourd of Autumn Moon Brew was all gone.

Chen Changsheng’s face turned a little red too.

Old City God saw he seemed drunk and asked, “Why don’t you use Magical Power to get rid of the drunkenness?”

Chen Changsheng’s heart skipped a beat; he got nervous all at once.

Would he be found out?

Chen Changsheng paused and answered, “Wine comes from the Mortal World’s everyday life. Only the feel of mortal life can soothe the heart. What’s the point if you take away the drunkenness?”

Old City God was stunned inside.

He thought to himself.

This must be a Celestial Immortal!

If he weren’t a Celestial Immortal, how could he share with ordinary folks? If he weren’t one, how could he be so carefree?

Today, Old City God truly opened his eyes. He said loudly, “What you said is very true.”

Chen Changsheng snapped back to attention and remembered his real business.

“Being honest, Old City God, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“Tell me, Mr. Chen.”

Chen Changsheng raised his head. “Old City God, you’ve lived long in the Mortal World, walking between humans and ghosts. Have you ever come across Qi Refining Methods for the Path of Immortality?”

Old City God thought it over. He didn’t know why Chen Changsheng wanted this, but he still answered, “Yes, I have. Do you need it?”

Chen Changsheng made up a lie. “In recent years, I’ve been wanting to create a new Qi Refining Method. I’m collecting them for that.”

Old City God clasped his hands respectfully. “You are very talented.”

Saying this, Old City God twitched his sleeve, and a piece of paper fell out from it.

He received it and handed it to Chen Changsheng.

Chen Changsheng glanced at it and saw messy words written on the paper.

He didn’t recognize any of it at all.

But with just that one look, the words sparked into his mind like little stars. Though he couldn’t understand them at first, in an instant, they all made sense.

Chen Changsheng was thrilled overjoyed inside but didn’t show it. He said, “Could I copy it down?”

“Copy it?”

Old City God paused. “You can copy what’s inside?”

Chen Changsheng hesitated. “Can’t I?”

Old City God felt confused but didn’t dare speak out.

He called out, “Yin Attendant, come! Bring paper, ink, brush, and inkstone for Mr. Chen!”

“Thank you,” Chen Changsheng smiled kindly.

Soon, the Yin Attendant brought paper, ink, brush, and inkstone.

“Please go ahead,” Old City God passed him the brush.

But Chen Changsheng thought something felt off with Old City God.

Though he couldn’t say exactly what it was.

He picked up the brush and froze for a second.

Then he started copying the Qi Refining Method.

Old City God kept staring at what was on Chen Changsheng’s paper, watching to see the outcome.

This Qi Refining Method had about over four hundred words. Chen Changsheng wrote very slowly, partly because he wasn’t used to it—he had practiced brush writing before, but it had been a long time—and partly due to poor calligraphy skills.

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Still, he copied it all exactly.

Even if the writing looked bad.

As he finished the last word,

Old City God’s heart jumped to his throat.

Chen Changsheng put down the brush and looked at the copied Qi Refining Method, feeling quite satisfied.

“Thank you, Old City God.”

Old City God halted. His arm shook as he said, “Mr. Chen, could you let me see the copy for a moment?”

Chen Changsheng didn’t understand why but nodded. “Of course.”

Old City God took the paper and compared the contents of both sheets.

The result: not one word was different!

He opened his mouth. His look toward Chen Changsheng turned strange.

Every Qi Refining Method is one of a kind in Heaven and Earth.

It couldn’t be copied. If someone tried to copy it, the paper should burn up due to the Power of Heaven and Earth.

But Mr. Chen had copied this Qi Refining Method perfectly.

Who was this man…

How deep must his skill be?

Even Heaven and Earth had to give him some respect?

Old City God’s arm trembled. His throat moved, and inside, he was terrified.

Chen Changsheng didn’t know why. He blinked and asked, “Old City God, why are you trembling?”

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