Chapter 169: Second Ring Task, Yin Spirit Control?

A golden sword swiftly executed 1,366 criminals. Yang An and Jia Pu then departed.

The Inspectorate immediately fell silent.

Long Xiao remained by Zhao Xing's side. Chen Shijie said nothing further, only nodded to Zhao Xing, and then left.

With the first stage of the mission complete, Zhao Xing rested overnight at the Inspectorate and set off the next day.

On the Arrowfish airship, he used the 'Dream Retention Method' to review the execution of the first mission. He soon awoke.

The severe punishment of lawbreakers within the Divine Might Army was entirely justified. If faced with the same situation again, Zhao Xing would still choose to sentence all of them to death.

As for offending people? The impact of that was minimal.

Firstly, Zhao Xing was not yet a soldier of the Divine Might Army. The deceased criminals only harbored resentment towards Qiu Mingyi.

As for those still alive, they could be viewed in two parts: those below the seventh rank, who were low-ranking soldiers, and those above the seventh rank.

Low-ranking soldiers below the seventh rank did not possess strong personal opinions. Whatever determination the imperial court made regarding the situation would generally be accepted at their level. Moreover, those who died had no legitimate grievances; they truly deserved their fate, so there was no significant resentment towards Zhao Xing.

To put it bluntly, they weren't even qualified to resent Zhao Xing, because the highest rank among those executed was merely seventh rank. Once Zhao Xing completed his mission, he too would be a seventh-rank military officer, and he would only be stronger than corrupt individuals like Hong Tai!

Those above the seventh rank would have a clear understanding of the matter, knowing that Zhao Xing had little choice. Even if he hadn't made the judgment, Qiu Mingyi would have. For instance, Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, upon hearing Zhao Xing mention it, immediately understood the need to avoid suspicion and recognized that he was assigned a 'supervisory mission'.

They generally understood Zhao Xing's identity, including his performance during training at the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven.

Before Yang An appeared, perhaps this segment of people would have found Zhao Xing too ruthless, allowing the Inspectorate to execute without consultation. They might have believed that if such a thing were to be done, Marquis Boping Yang An should have been consulted first.

However, after Yang An appeared, Zhao Xing's involvement in the matter became much less significant.

Because after Yang An arrived, he conversed with Qiu Mingyi of the Inspectorate, rather than Zhao Xing, who held the Grand Inspector's decree. This attitude spoke volumes.

Qiu Mingyi also took the initiative to respond, as he knew that the imperial court was testing talent, not trying to destroy it. If he had still pushed Zhao Xing forward to converse with Yang An, that would have been ill-advised of him.

Zhao Xing also understood this perfectly. Therefore, the moment Yang An appeared, he didn't utter a single word. After bowing, he withdrew. To outsiders, this made the impression that Zhao Xing was merely there to follow protocol seem even more plausible.

“If he were a greenhorn,” Zhao Xing mused, “genuinely believing he wielded the power of life and death, and that he could stand proud before marquises, then confronting the ‘big boss’ at that moment and insisting on the executions would have been utterly foolish.”

No matter how righteous his words, that was not the time for him to speak.

If the Military Realm were to demand that a new recruit confront a Martial Marquis in order to achieve the highest evaluation, that would be far too unreasonable.

Displaying this attitude through the judgment was enough. Anything more would have been excessive.

“My biggest concern throughout this entire matter was Yang An using his privilege to pardon the criminals. This would have meant a major conflict between him and the imperial court's current rectification efforts. If he were narrow-minded, then my unconsulted executions would not have been tolerated by him.

“He arrived, but issued no pardons, proving Yang An's intelligence—at the very least, he could see the imperial court's intentions and that the rectification of the border army was an unstoppable trend. Furthermore, he only questioned Qiu Mingyi, not even sparing a glance for me. This was to diminish my influence, making it easier for me to operate later.”

“As for the execution process itself…” Zhao Xing recalled Yang An's actions. Those guilty generals, despite their corruption, were still willing to die for Yang An.

“Remarkable,” Zhao Xing commented.

Yang An could willingly sever his own arm, metaphorically speaking, and declare that he had lost his brothers today.

Such a commanding general possessed charisma!

If Yang An had told his soldiers, ‘These brothers broke such-and-such laws, they deserved to die in this or that way, and once they committed a crime, they were no longer my brothers,’ it would have been useless, with little effect.

When he built his forces through warfare, he declared them all brothers, promising that Marquis Boping would never mistreat any brother. How could they suddenly no longer be his brothers at this crucial moment?

Though they might not have said anything aloud, they would have inwardly felt that their commanding general was far too heartless.

But to say, ‘I am willing to suffer punishment alongside them,’ or even, ‘I will sever my own limbs,’ that would have a completely different effect.

Whether it was a performance or an act, regardless of Yang An's true thoughts or whether he was feigning it, he simply did it!

Judging by actions, not intentions, this alone was enough to unite the Divine Might Army, inspiring them to dedicate their lives.

Furthermore, Yang An ultimately demoted himself to a mere laborer, vowing to slay barbarians and atone for his fallen brothers. In the context of this era, anyone would be moved to tears.

While setting an example for everyone, he also coincidentally provided the Divine Might Army with a clear objective: to slay barbarians.

“Great figures who can awe the world are never simple,” Zhao Xing mused. “It was I who had too narrow a view of people.”

The true difficulty of this mission lay primarily in Yang An's attitude. Judging by Yang An's actions, there was clearly no need to worry about his lack of magnanimity. In fact, working under such a person would be quite favorable.

From the conversation between Hong Tai and Qiu Mingyi, it was also clear that Yang An had previously relinquished his position as commanding general to protect the positions of others. Evidently, his actions were consistent, not merely a temporary display.

“Regardless,” Zhao Xing thought, “I won't be on this 'ride' for too long. Once I complete the nine-stage mission, I'll be a seventh-rank official. Then, I'll seize opportunities during the Barbarian Pacification War to reach fifth rank. At that point, I'll leave the Divine Might Army.”

Zhao Xing stopped thinking about this matter and began to review the second stage of his mission.

As soon as he opened the Earth Mirror, he saw that the evaluation for the first mission had already appeared.

The first stage mission, 'Inspect the Divine Might Army,' has concluded.

Military Realm Evaluation: Class A Superior.

“Just as I expected,” Zhao Xing smiled faintly.

He then looked at the second stage of the mission.

Second Military Assignment: 'Temples of Anping Prefecture'.

Location: Anping Prefecture.

Military Realm Intelligence: Anping Prefecture is located west of Datong Prefecture. Since the establishment of the Nine Heavens Responding to Origins Mansion two hundred years ago, the common folk have frequently shared tales of spirits and deities. People have spontaneously built temples to Yin Gods and set up altars for worship in their homes. Their worship targets are not limited to human spirits but also include the spirits of exotic beasts.

Below is a detailed list of temples, totaling 52 sites. It includes the origin of each temple, its main worship scope, and the significant deeds of the Yin Gods over the past two hundred years. Please proceed to Anping Prefecture to investigate each one individually, and then decide whether to keep or remove the temples.

“Folk temples?”

After seeing the second stage of the mission, Zhao Xing couldn't help but frown.

The difficulty of this matter far exceeded the 'Inspect the Divine Might Army' mission.

This was because it involved the Great Zhou Dynasty's 'Yin God System'.

The Yin God System was an extremely crucial component of a Qi Luck Dynasty, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the very foundation.

To enjoy incense offerings after death, for one's Yin spirit to exist eternally, and to endure as long as the nation itself, was the dream of all officials.

This was more than simply leaving one's name in the annals of history.

Because as long as a Yin God continued to receive incense offerings and the dynasty did not perish, they could exist indefinitely.

It was tantamount to another form of immortality!

Being enfeoffed as a marquis or appointed as a general was actually not difficult for powerful individuals to achieve, nor was it their ultimate goal.

To be conferred as a Yin God and enjoy incense offerings for ten thousand generations was the greatest temptation!

Because in this era, there was a prevalent belief: that death was not the end, but being forgotten was. If one could transform into a Yin God, they could live freely in another world!

Therefore, the Great Zhou Dynasty widely practiced rites and music for sacrificial offerings.

Zhao Xing had received this mission in his previous life, and he understood its difficulty.

“To even contemplate altering the Yin God System,” Zhao Xing mused, “Emperor Jing at this time was truly ambitious.”

There was a finite number of positions for Yin Gods; they couldn't be endlessly conferred.

From Emperor Taizu and Emperor Wen to Emperor Jing, the number of Yin Gods conferred had progressively increased.

The requirements for conferment were also constantly rising.

Among these, the most conferments occurred during the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Wen.

The founding heroes could not be left unconferred. They had established the dynasty, yet many powerful individuals reached the end of their lives before enjoying much prosperity. If they hadn't enjoyed prosperity in life, surely they should after death?

Another group was the affiliated sects and Daoist schools, specifically the Seventy-Two Daoist Academies. Each academy had the presence of one or more second-rank Yin Gods, which was one of the conditions for their allegiance.

For instance, True Lord Lihuo, a first-rank Yin God, whose Dharma Body of Dao Establishment had existed since before the Zhou Dynasty, was capable of influencing the laws of heaven and earth across the nineteen prefectures.

High-ranking members of the Lihuo Daoist Academy could even summon their patriarch's Dharma Body of Dao Establishment to confront enemies. This was incredibly formidable.

Other Yin Gods, like Divine Walker Dai Zong, had a lower status.

They'd grudgingly deliver messages for the army with little gain. For example, if Huang Chengzhi issued four urgent military orders in a single day, Divine Walker Dai Zong could only grumble a few complaints, at most refusing the task.

But for True Lord Lihuo, if you were to traverse his domain, you'd later have to repay the 'Dao'; his prestige was far greater.

“The collapse of the Yin God System was the final straw that broke the Great Zhou Dynasty’s back,” Zhao Xing recalled from his experience with this mission in his previous life.

Those clay bodhisattvas one by one leaped down from their altars, becoming fierce and malicious, demanding offerings of this and that from the common people.

Countless minor deities also emerged. When Zhao Xing was on a mission, if he traveled ten li, a Yin God would appear to collect a 'toll fee'.

Some even demanded the sacrifice of young maidens.

“Originally, the 'Yin God System' could effectively prevent illegal activities, leaving no place for lawbreakers to hide. But later, when families began to privately raise Yin Gods, it ushered in an era where aristocratic families privately cultivated Yin Gods. These could completely block the detection of imperial Yin Gods, making it impossible to find evidence for murder and robbery…”

“Emperor Jing's frugality was not without reason. If he loosened the restrictions too much, there wouldn't be many positions left for his descendants after his death. However, being frugal was only a temporary solution, not a fundamental cure. Even adding the Hall of Heroes couldn't satisfy the demand.”

“This is troublesome,” he muttered. “Why the hell am I, a Military Registrar, tasked with such a mission?”

Zhao Xing felt a headache coming on.

Although some of the temples on the list were dedicated to agriculture officials, the connection was too far-fetched.

“Serving as an official under Emperor Jing is truly grueling,” he grumbled inwardly. “One person is expected to do the work of ten, like an ox or a horse, for sure.” After grumbling a few words inwardly, Zhao Xing began to meticulously organize the mission details.

Difficult or not, it had to be done!

No one could shake Old Master Zhao's determination for eternal life!

Yan Guang Temple: Sixth-Rank Yin God.

Location: Pingjiang County, Hongyuan Commandery, Anping Prefecture.

Military Realm Intelligence: Yan Guang was a native of Pingjiang County. Born in the 233rd year of Yong'an, he participated in the establishment of the Nine Heavens Responding to Origins Mansion in the 3rd year of Dingxin. His highest official position during his lifetime was Upper Eighth-Rank 'Pingjiang County Water Management Director'.

In the 58th year of Dingxin, Yan Guang died of old age while still in office. He had diligently managed water for sixty years. He received commendation from the imperial court, was posthumously ennobled as a Third-Class Earl of Pingjiang, and was praised as a capable official.

In the 60th year of Dingxin, the Yan family established an ancestral shrine for Yan Guang, and at times, common folk came to worship. In the 65th year of Dingxin, people in many areas spontaneously built temples. In the 89th year of Dingxin, Yan Guang's spirit tablet was removed from the Hall of Heroes and enshrined in the Pingjiang Reef Fort Temple. In the 143rd year of Dingxin, Yan Guang's Yin spirit received incense offerings and ascended to the Seventh-Rank Yin Spirit realm.

In the 195th year of Dingxin, Pingjiang suffered from floods. The Yan clan widely performed good deeds, setting up porridge stalls and repairing rivers and building bridges. Yan Guang manifested for the first time, aiding Wang Ze, then the Pingjiang County Agricultural Supervisor, in employing agricultural magic to quell the floods.

In the 198th year of Dingxin, Yan Guang manifested for the forty-ninth time. With flourishing incense offerings, he was promoted to a Subsidiary Sixth-Rank Yin God.

In the early years of Jingxin, Yan Guang manifested for the 376th time…

In the tenth year of Jingxin…

Although the second stage of the mission involved only fifty-two temples, the Yin Gods' ranks were not low. The lowest was a Seventh-Rank Yin God, and the highest reached Upper Sixth-Rank.

Primarily, if a Yin God's status was too low, they could not manifest. During this period, Seventh-Rank was the minimum threshold for manifestation and intervention in the mortal realm.

Of course, none of these were officially conferred deities. Even if they manifested, their power was limited.

They were considered 'false gods'.

They could not reach the level of the Earl of Donghu or Cao Xi, who had the ability to slay the soul avatars of Blood Spirit Venerables. A Blood Spirit Venerable was at least at the Third-Rank Origin Soul realm, as only then could they 'split their soul to receive offerings and nourish the main soul'.

The intelligence provided by the Military Realm was also a hundred times more extensive than before.

It would be quite difficult for an ordinary person to analyze any useful information from such a vast and complex amount of data.

If one lacked understanding of the Yin God System, they would also be completely bewildered, unaware of the imperial court's purpose in issuing this mission.

“To analyze a problem, one must look at its essence,” Zhao Xing mused, beginning to think from the perspective of the Military Realm, and even Emperor Jing.

“Anping Prefecture is a border prefecture. Like Datong Prefecture, it is located south of Pinghai Prefecture. The Cang River and Lan River both have numerous tributaries flowing into its territory.

“It also contains several major military strongholds.

“The Yin God System had too many loopholes during Emperor Taizu's reign, and there were multiple precedents of privately established folk deities being officially recognized. This situation gradually decreased and was suppressed only during Emperor Wen's reign. Emperor Wen intentionally controlled public opinion to prevent aristocratic families from manipulating popular sentiment to foster their own gods.

“There were many instances of wild gods being officially recognized. Furthermore, after the Nine Heavens Responding to Origins Mansion was conquered previously, many people earned merits, were granted titles and fiefdoms. As more legends spread, this phenomenon of spontaneously worshiping wild gods slowly arose in the border regions.

“However, it's hard to say that descendants of Yin Gods weren't involved in fueling this trend. Taking Yan Guang as an example, the intelligence repeatedly mentions the Yan family. I don't believe, and the Military Realm wouldn't believe, that the Yan family provided no impetus at all.

“The nature of these wild gods, while perhaps not gravely akin to evil cults or licentious worship, with the Barbarian Pacification War imminent and all priorities military, how could such unstable elements be tolerated? Furthermore, some worship exotic beasts as gods, which is clearly influenced by the Southern Barbarian tribes.”

Finally, Zhao Xing reached his conclusion: “These are indeed evil cults and licentious worship; they should be eradicated!”