Yinshan Record

Chapter 211 He's a Romantic
"There was also a Ruomu tree in the Baoyuan Garden back then, but unfortunately it did not grow into a mature tree before the old sage met with a great calamity."

Chang Le looked at the Ruomu Seed in her hand and spoke with emotion.

"Young sage, have you ever heard of the Nine Netherworlds?"

"Ah."

I've heard this name so many times: Nine Netherworld Burning God Yin Fire, Nine Netherworld Records.

“In the Taoist scriptures, nine is considered the ultimate number, symbolizing the extreme of numbers. The so-called Nine Netherworlds are the most secluded and dark places,” Chang Le said.

"It is said that the Nine Netherworlds are elusive and unpredictable, and that the dead have spirits, and that the Nine Netherworlds are where they go."

After death, people become ghosts. Some ghosts remain in the human world, while others do not leave behind any ghosts after death. It is said that they all return to the Netherworld.

Of course, some of these rumors do have some basis in reality. For example, the people of Central China believed that after a person dies, their soul returns to Mount Tai.

Because back then, a powerful being named Taishan Fujun established the Netherworld.

For example, there are rumors that after a person dies, their soul returns to Beiman. This is true, because the Ghost Ancestor of Beiman does indeed collect the souls of the dead.

In short, many successions to the throne are not unfounded; there are reasons behind them.

"Legend has it that the Nine Netherworlds are located at the deepest part of the earth, and within the Nine Netherworlds there is a spiritual tree that connects heaven and earth, which is the Ruomu tree. However, I once heard an old sage mention that the Nine Netherworlds may not be within this realm, but should be another world."

"The old sage once said that Ruomu is the spiritual root of life between heaven and earth, and has three wonderful benefits: first, it nourishes the soul; second, it preserves the spirit; and third, it brings life back to life."

"The so-called 'nourishing the soul' means that if an ordinary ghost can live around Ruomu, it can nourish its soul and prolong its lifespan in the underworld."

"The so-called 'preservation of the dead' means that the Ruomu tree can attract the souls of the dead and bring them to dwell here. Although the Ruomu tree in the Lingyuan Garden did not grow to maturity, it still gathered a ghost kingdom."

"And rebirth means that Ruomu has the supernatural power to reverse life and death and bring the dead back to life."

Chang Le sighed softly, "Although that Ruomu tree back then was not of good quality, I had already witnessed its first two supernatural abilities."

He looked at Su Che and said, "I remember hearing the old sage say that in order to establish the six realms of reincarnation, several Buddhas traveled far and wide to find a mature Ruomu tree from another world. It seems that this ability to regenerate is indeed true."

This is the Ghost Festival.

After listening to Chang Le's description, Su Che roughly understood that Zhongyuan's reward was truly beneficial without costing anything.

He needed such a spiritual root to establish a Heavenly Court and an Underworld. With the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden at his disposal, he was truly the perfect tool to cultivate this Ruomu tree.

How long does it take to cultivate this thing?

"If it takes five or six hundred years, it should be usable. But if it's to mature, it will probably take two or three thousand years."

"Then you should plant it first."

Su Che handed the Ruomu seed to Chang Le.

Two or three thousand years, this is truly a curse for Zhongyuan. Next time I see him, I should ask him for some rent.

"The Ruomu tree was planted in the Spirit Garden, and the little sage's weeds..."

Su Che thought for a moment before realizing that the weeds Chang Le mentioned were probably the grains and cereals he had given him.

"Keep those seeds safe and secure; I'll need them someday."

Su Che clapped his hands.

"Everything depends on you."

"Serving the sage is my duty."

"Take that head and give it to Huang Kou. Tell him it's a task for him to find a way to pry open that thing's mouth."

The Sword Burial Man of Beimang was a fifth-rank sword cultivator. Even at his peak, Vajra Yaksha was no match for him, let alone in the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden.

Su Che raised the mirage energy from the Chiwen Ring, carefully concealed himself, and left the Azure Emperor's Treasure Garden.

Outside, the sun was already high in the sky.

A bright red sun hung high in the sky, and the streets of Tian'an County were bustling with activity once again.

Su Che stealthily moved through the bustling streets and alleys.

Tongdelou.

Su Che looked at the inn not far away. Tian'an County was truly a place rife with undercurrents.

Unbridled demons, black-clad Vajra Yakshas blocking the way—Su Che couldn't help but suspect that an invisible hand was orchestrating everything behind the scenes.

It's really fun.

Su Che followed the streets and alleys toward the Tian'an County City God Temple.

This local deity must have already perceived even more.

City God Temples are often the liveliest places in a region, and Tian'an County is no exception. Outside the City God Temple, there are vendors selling all sorts of goods, but the most common items are things like incense and candles.

Su Che walked around, stopping frequently, and finally stopped in front of a candle and incense shop.

Do you have any yellow paper?

"Oh, sir, would you like to write a yellow paper?" The shopkeeper pointed to the yellow paper on the stall: "There are some from Jiangzhou and some from Yangzhou. I wonder which one you would like, sir?"

Is there any explanation for this?

"If you're looking to make money, Jiangzhou is better; if you're looking to pass the imperial examinations, Yangzhou is better."

Su Che smiled upon hearing this.

Whether it's seeking wealth or passing exams well, these are beyond the City God's power. It's quite remarkable that this shopkeeper could come up with so many explanations. "Sir, please don't laugh. There's really something to it. Why use Jiangzhou paper for seeking wealth? Because doing business inevitably involves traveling north and south. Beyond our Cizhou are Yangzhou and Jiangzhou. The local deities in Yangzhou are neighbors with our City God, and we know each other well. But Jiangzhou is farther away, so using their paper makes it easier to communicate."

"Scholars from all over the country who want to pass the imperial examinations and become officials all have to go to Jiankang to take the exams. Where is Jiankang? It's in Yangzhou. There are only a few positions there. The city gods from all over the country have to go and make arrangements, using their Yangzhou paper as a way of expressing their respect."

"Been taught a lesson."

Su Che looked at the shop owner and said, "Give me one made in Yangzhou. I'm praying for a better career this time."

"okay."

The shopkeeper took a piece of yellow paper, then used his silver tongue to sell Su Che some incense sticks and candles.

“Our City God Temple has a gentleman who can write yellow petitions for you.”

After paying, Su Che asked a question.

The so-called yellow paper is a petition written on yellow paper to express reverence to the gods. It follows a certain format, in which you write down your requests and troubles and submit them to the gods for review and processing.

Because this job requires a certain level of skill, many temples have people who write yellow paper for others, and they also offer services such as fortune telling and exorcism.

These gentlemen were either scholars or spiritual practitioners, generally possessing both identities.

“There used to be many, but now there’s only Mr. Ye left.”

The vendor pointed to the other side: "Look, that's the one."

A square table with a banner that reads "Ironclad Predictions" hanging beside it sits an old gentleman with a sage-like air, struggling to chew a bowl of cold noodles.

Good.

Su Che thanked the stall owner, walked over to the man with the iron mouth, and respectfully recited a phrase.

"Mr. Ye."

"Ok?"

Ye Tiekou put down the bowl of noodles in his hand: "You've come for a fortune telling, do you want to know about your wealth or your marriage?"

"Neither. Please help me pray for blessings, sir."

Su Che unfolded the yellow paper: "I would like to ask you to help me write a yellow letter."

"Young master, you look unfamiliar. Are you from out of town? For whom are you praying?"

"That's it."

Su Che pulled over a bench and sat down next to him.

"I came from Jiankang because my mother was feeling unwell a few days ago."

"Judging from your appearance, young master, you must come from a family that has accumulated good deeds. There's nothing to worry about. Your mother should only have some minor ailments."

That's why they say they're professionals, Su Che nodded inwardly, always choosing words that would make you feel comfortable.

“As people get older, they become more thoughtful. I had an aunt who married into our Tianan County. She has passed away. She was always the closest to my mother when we were young. When she thinks of that aunt, she only says that she was not well married and suffered a lot while she was alive.”

"Therefore, he specifically instructed me to go to the City God Temple to write a yellow letter for her, to pray for her well-being, and secondly, to look for my cousin. I heard that he was not doing well and had suffered a lot. He is now working as a night watchman in the county."

The man frowned.

"Madam is truly kind-hearted. I know all the night watchmen in Tian'an County. May I ask who your cousin is, young master? What is his name, and what does he look like?"

"Alas, we're separated by great distances. I've only met that cousin a few times. He's now in his forties or fifties and has always lived alone and never married..."

Su Che then gave a general description of Qin Gengfu's appearance.

"That's Lao Qin."

Mr. Na clapped his hands.

"That's what they mean by fate, Old Qin just left."

"Oh, what brings my cousin here?"

"He asked me to write a yellow letter of blessing, and then he went home."

"So, it was just writing a yellow letter of blessing?"

"Yes, it must be fate. He didn't buy anything else, just a piece of yellow paper and asked me to write a prayer for him."

Is it just a prayer? This old man took the money but didn't do anything.

“What a coincidence. Sir, where does my cousin live now?” Su Che put the incense, candles and joss paper aside, took out a lot of copper coins from his sleeve and put them on the table: “I have a lot of things to do at home, so please tell me where my cousin lives. As for the joss paper and incense, please help me offer them to the gods.”

Mr. Tie Kou glanced cautiously at the table and saw that they were all golden copper coins, not iron coins.

"Of course, of course. The old lady is kind-hearted, and the young master is filial. He lives in Shanming Ward. As soon as you enter the ward, the fifth house on the left with a big locust tree is his house..."

The gentleman briefly told Su Che about Qin Gengfu's residence.

"Thank you, sir."

Su Che clasped his hands in a fist salute.

I originally wanted to meet the City God, but I'd better capture Old Qin and have him do this for me.

This old man is quite the romantic; he actually went to the City God Temple and wrote a yellow petition for blessings, clearly just to appease himself.

Su Che thought about the black aura above Old Qin's head. Such evil spirits couldn't be contaminated by just a few encounters with corpse demons.

(End of this chapter)