Chapter 58 - 58: Direct Descendants of Nobility
As soon as the words fell, the statue of the City God emitted a divine light, and a realm showing mountains, rivers, streams, and continuous palaces, jade buildings, and pavilions emerged.
But only one person could see this scene. The believers who came to offer incense on both sides remained utterly oblivious. They simply regarded this as normal for the Princess Mansion and stepped into the realm with a seal in hand.
“Representing Princess Chongyang’s Mansion, Canonizing Lang, Xu Ze, greets the esteemed City God!”
Even though he was in a world of spirits, the young man who stepped in showed no fear. By the time he reached the main hall, he respectfully greeted the City God seated on the altar, neither humble nor arrogant.
“Representing Princess Chongyang’s Mansion, what brings you to me?”
The City God of Yongning looked down at the impressive young man below, and his majestic voice echoed throughout the temple.
Although the world of Yin and Yang is divided, it only holds true for ordinary people. For the elites of Da Jin, the existence of spirits is not a secret.
Therefore, the City God of Yongning was somewhat worried at this moment. He did not want to have any ties with the worldly powerful figures. After all, only the emperor had the power to bestow the divine rank.
Even though he did not care about worldly affairs, he had heard of this Princess Chongyang. She was not born during the current reign, but her favor was greater than any other princess.
The reason was that her father was a member of the Da Jin royal family with the highest martial arts talent and achievement. Moreover, he was the emperor’s blood brother. Therefore, as the legitimate daughter of a prince, Princess Chongyang even had her own fiefs and private army. She was the only princess in the royal family with this honor, a treatment that even the legitimate princes of today did not have.
As for the minor official from the Princess’s Mansion, even he couldn’t ignore him.
“At the order of her Highness, I am here to retrieve the records concerning demons and monsters within Yongning county!”
“Even the reigning princess has no right to do so!”
The City God of Yongning immediately rejected the request.
Even the princess, dispatching a minor official to come and take away the records of demons and monsters?
Why should the princess of the mortal realm meddle with the affairs of spirits of the underworld? Would spirits be without dignity?
“I hope your seniority takes into account her Highness’ intentions. The princess only worries about her husband’s hometown. She sent me to take away the records of demons and monsters, aiming to eliminate all demonic creatures within your jurisdiction. For the City God, it would be quite an achievement!”
“Son-in-law?”
The City God of Yongning was immediately suspicious. Within Yongning County, there was only one person who could be worthy of a reigning princess, the Six Dominant Scholar who was feared to be no ordinary individual.
“The Champion Scholar?”
“That’s right!”
“Mr. An, guide him to collect the records. But they can only be read here and cannot be taken away!”
After a moment’s silence, the City God of Yongning called the Civil Judge, An, and gave orders.
“Many thanks to the City God!”
Canonizing Lang Xu Ze bowed in gratitude.
“Mr. Xu, please follow me!”
The Civil Judge strictly complied with the City God’s orders without any extra actions.
Although he only heard snippets of the conversation and was exceedingly curious, he knew that some things, especially those involving the royal family, were not his place to inquire about.
After entering the repository and obtaining records concerning demons and monsters, Xu Ze took out a jade slip as if he weren’t surrounded by ghosts, and began to take impressions.
The Civil Judge watching this scene didn’t say a word, as long as Xu Ze didn’t remove the records and didn’t damage them, he could do as he pleased. “Many thanks to the Civil Judge. I have completed the orders of her Highness! ” In a short moment, Xu Ze had finished imprinting the contents of hundreds of
demomc records.
“Since Mr. Xu’s task is completed, please leave with me!”
The case officer said.
“The official business is done; I have some personal matters as well. I wonder if I could seek the Civil Judge’s indulgence?”
Xu Ze asked with a smile, yet his extraordinary demeanor deepened the confusion in the Civil Judge’s heart.
“Mr. Xu, what personal matters do you have?”
The Civil Judge asked with a furrowed brow. He understood the City God’s intention – to quickly deal with the matter and send Xu Ze away.
“Where is the Military Judge?”
“Who are you to the Military Judge?”
The Civil Judge at this moment suddenly understood and stared at the young man in front of him bewildered.
“His nephew!”
“I see! ”
The Civil Judge was enlightened, took another deep look at this man, then turned and walked out of the repository, “Follow me!”
“Many thanks to the Civil Judge’s indulgence!”
“No need for that!”
The Civil Judge waved his hand. Although he disliked the way the Military Judge acted, it was too heartless not to let a relative who had come to handle official business meet him.
Sometime after, the Civil Judge led the young man to the entrance of a quiet palace.
“The Military Judge is inside. Please enter!”
“Thank you!”
Xu Ze thanked him again, then bypassed the Yaksha at the gate, entered the palace, and saw in the main room a golden-armored spirit figure shrouded in a divine aura. Without a closer look, he immediately paid his respects, “Nephew Xu Ze, greets respected Uncle.”
The Military Judge looked somewhat astonished at the young man who suddenly entered. He then recovered, the divine light covering his face dispersed, revealing a resolute face with distinct lines. Judging by his age, he was no different from the kneeling Xu Ze.
“You’ve grown so big, quickly get up, no need for this.”
“Uncle, over these years, have you been well-being in the position of the Military Judge here?”
Xu Ze stood up and asked respectfully.
“There’s little to do, and it’s quite laid-back. It’s you… Why did you come here?”
The Military Judge looked at the young man in front of him with a grin. He could vaguely see traces of the child who had once laughed happily on his shoulders more than a decade ago.
“I am now Canonizing Lang for Princess Chongyang’s Mansion. It was the orders of her Highness that allowed me the opportunity to visit uncle.” “Princess Chongyang’s Mansion?”
Surprise appeared on the Military Judge’s face and his brows knitted together. The Xu family was a prominent clan in the capital. Their heir should naturally embark on an official career, and it should be under the Prince Consort.
Canonizing Lang for the Princess Mansion may seem outstanding, but for the scion of a noble family, it was a form of an invisible insult. Following a princess, where could there be a promising future?
“How did you fall into this state?”
“Fallen? Isn’t uncle also serving as a Judge under the jurisdiction of a small county City God? My position as Canonizing Lang isn’t so bad. My father even went to great lengths to secure this position for me!”
Xu Ze still maintained a polite smile from the moment he entered.
“Did it also require effort to secure this position? Has our Xu family fallen already?”
Xu Wupan frowned. In his youth, he could have entered the Imperial College. But due to his personality, he was sent by his father to the border army. Based on the family’s power, as soon as he entered the army, he was a cavalry captain with a troop he could mobilize.
“That has not happened. But it’s just our branch of the family that has become a side branch.”
Xu Ze explained with a smile.
“How did it come to this?”