Chapter 190 - 190: 148: Deity’s Visit
Chapter 190 - 190: 148: Deity’s Visit
The conversations and talks of the ghost officials let him understand something that has always been overlooked. In the tales of gods and ghosts that have been passed down for thousands of years, those nymphs who’ve cohabited with humans, what have they experienced before their transformations?
How to achieve enlightenment and pursue practice varies from case to case, and these are subjects that are difficult and unnecessary to delve into. However, there are certain things that must have happened.
What do these ordinary nymphs, who are on their way to gaining spiritual wisdom and practicing cultivation, experience during the spring, the season of rebirth and rejuvenation, while they are still beasts?
Spring is the season of mating. It’s not unusual to find frequent mentions of snake nymphs in these tales. Before they transform, with their naturally lascivious nature, who knows how many nests of snake eggs these nymphs can produce?
The same applies to rabbit demons—unrestrained sexually active creatures that can multiply rapidly into hundreds within just half a year.
Conversely, if one encounters a rabbit nymph capable of transforming into a human form, as suggested by the ghost officials behind him, it would be more worthwhile to spend time on the women from brothels. Their bodies are certainly cleaner than those of ordinary nymphs.
The same goes for ordinary fox nymphs. Don’t expect too much from these creatures that were once wild, for they have no sense of morality; eating, drinking, sleeping, and mating are all that matter to them, and it is their natural instinct.
If one cannot resist the allure and wants to experience the charm of a nymph, he will have to seek out those extraordinary ones that possess human-like, or often superior, wisdom and noble character from birth, the natural demon clan.
But how can these exceptional demon clans be content with ordinary humans? Even Feng Qing’an, as he is now, was somewhat reluctant to interact with ordinary people.
It’s not that he was arrogant because of his cultivation, but more that he found it challenging, with his heightened senses, to tolerate close contact with ordinary people who were engulfed in impure auras.
The City God Temple of Jiangyang Prefecture
Standing at the entrance of the City God Temple, seeing the dense crowd of people, Feng Qing’an hesitated, unsure if he should proceed.
Even though the grand City God Temple covered a vast area, it was currently packed with incense bearers coming in to pay their respects.
Most of these devoted incense bearers were dressed as scholars. Feng Qing’an knew without asking that they were students participating in the imperial examination.
However, when Feng Qing’an, with folded hands, was looking at the City God Temple, his unique posture and demeanor distinguished him from the crowd, making him stand out.
A number of the scholar-students who came to offer their incense had noticed him. Upon seeing his exceptional demeanor, they were inclined to befriend him. However, before they could approach him, he had disappeared from their sight.
At this moment, Feng Qing’an was furrowing his brows, looking at the Civil Judge who was several feet taller than him, along with a host of ghosts and Yin officials following behind.
It had to be said that the spiritual power of the ghosts in the prefecture was indeed stronger than that of the county. The strength of this judge before him was no less than that of a typical City God in an ordinary county.
“I didn’t know we have a distinguished guest. My apologies for not welcoming you earlier. I ask for your forgiveness!”
Looking down at the young man from Jiangyang who was evidently unsatisfied, the Civil Judge of Jiangyang Prefecture City felt a headache. Despite this, he maintained his politeness. This youthful face was all too familiar to them ghosts.
Even though it wasn’t the exact same face, the mere 70% resemblance made this ghost remain amicable. His surprise and confusion at being abruptly ordered by the City God to welcome a distinguished guest also dissipated.
“The Civil Judge is being modest. I am no distinguished guest, just a youth who is here to say a few words!”
Feng Qing’an twisted his neck, his tone modest. Yet, he marveled, doesn’t this ghost know just how big he is compared to me? Having to look up to talk to him is quite strenuous.
“May I know… what does the young master need?”
The Civil Judge continued to look down at Feng Qing’an, pausing for a moment to think of an appropriate term of address.
“Well, I’ve been traveling alone and, for my own safety, have kept two spirit beasts with me. They are currently outside the city, and I was wondering if the Civil Judge could allow me to bring these two spirit beasts into the city?” Feng Qing’an answered.
The ghosts of the prefecture city cannot be seen in the same light as those of the county city. This place was unlike home. If he wanted to bring Black Mountain and Bai Yao into the city, he had to inform the local ghosts to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts.
“What kind of spirit beasts are they?”
The Civil Judge asked, intrigued. Could they be spiritual foxes or mystic cats? With scholarly interests, he was quite clear about these matters; after all, he was once one of them. “Two guardian spirit dogs!” Feng Qing’an replied. “Just two dogs?”
“Indeed!”
Feng Qing’an nodded. After some thought, he added,
“They are quite powerful, very remarkable indeed!”
“I see, the young master may bring them into the city. This is a small matter. I will give the orders. It won’t cause any inconvenience to you..”