Yue Wang had just finished speaking. The experienced guardian from earlier immediately replied.
"I once read through ancient texts. In ancient times, when demons cultivated into spirits, aside from the Northeast household deities that relied on the offerings of each household to cultivate through faith power—"
"This method of cultivation does not violate natural laws; it is considered an orthodox cultivation method."
"Besides this, there is also an evil cultivation method, which is seizing another's place."
Hearing the guardian say this, although Yue Wang's eyes did not leave the battle between Ghost Empress and Black City God, he still spoke.
"I know what you're talking about—expelling ancestral spirits and household deities worshipped in temples, taking over their places, and forcibly absorbing others' incense power to cultivate, right?"
"Yes."
The old guardian nodded, recalling, "Generally speaking, most cases of seizing another's place involve household deities, neglected small temple idols, or ancestral shrines. But I once read an ancient text that recorded something else."
"It stated that during the Northern Song Dynasty, a City God was once seized. The true City God was killed, and the imposter took his place, enjoying the incense offerings of the local people for a hundred years."
"A hundred years passed, and even the real City God's name was gradually erased. The imposter had truly become the City God."
"I was very curious about this record at the time, so I read many documents, folk histories, and unofficial records to verify whether this event had actually happened."
"But after years of searching, I only found one folk account that mentioned something similar. It said that a deity had been impersonated and enjoyed incense offerings for over a hundred years. Neither the local Earth Gods nor the ghostly patrols of the underworld noticed anything amiss, until a young villager realized something was wrong and exposed the truth."
"The false deity was then brought to justice."
"This folk story bears a strong resemblance to the case of the City God being replaced. Unfortunately, the content of the folk record is vague, so I couldn't determine if they were the same event."
The guardian glanced toward Black City God, who was currently battling Ghost Empress.
His eyes narrowed. Black City God waved his hand, releasing a surge of powerful, auspicious energy from his sleeve.
This energy was neither Buddhist nor Daoist, nor was it demonic or ghostly. It radiated peace, serenity, and even carried a comforting fragrance—The scent of burning incense from a temple.
As an experienced guardian of Bureau 749, he recognized this power instantly—it was incense power.
At that moment, his years of doubt were finally resolved.
The old guardian was now 60-70% certain. Black City God was likely the same false deity recorded in the ancient texts—the one who had killed a real City God, stolen his position, and enjoyed incense offerings for a hundred years, thus achieving his status.
Yue Wang narrowed his eyes and murmured, "If that's the case, then it makes sense why he was imprisoned in the legendary Heavenly Laws Prison. Killing a City God—this definitely violates the heavenly rules."
The old guardian nodded in agreement, but his expression remained filled with curiosity.
"If the ancient text was real… then does that mean the folk account was real too? That seems impossible. How could no one notice for a hundred years, only for a single young villager to expose the imposter?"
Yue Wang did not respond to the guardian. Because, shortly after those words were spoken, the battle between Ghost Empress and Black City God shifted.
At this moment, Black City God unleashed the power of incense.
If Buddhist powers suppress ghosts, then incense power is an even higher form of suppression. Incense represents the faith of all living beings.
Even someone as powerful as Ghost Empress could not resist it momentarily.
She retreated repeatedly, her red wedding gown's sleeves catching fire from the incense power, flames consuming them.
She had no choice but to retreat further, severing a corner of her sleeve to prevent the flames from spreading to her entire body.
Black City God immediately smiled. "There's an old saying—after three days apart, one should look at someone with new eyes. In a thousand years, you have indeed grown stronger, Ghost Empress."
He glanced at the massive wound torn open in his abdomen. The injury was severe—not just bleeding, but his intestines were nearly spilling out.
He said, "I originally thought that finding that damned bastard and asking you for his whereabouts would be the easiest way. But I was wrong. If not for my incense power, I nearly fell here."
The incense power surged, sweeping across his wound. In an instant, the gaping, bloody wound healed completely, as if he had never been injured.
Yue Wang frowned. No wonder he felt uneasy about Black City God. It wasn't just because the man was powerful—his abilities were also troublesome.
Compared to Buddhist powers, incense power was a superior force. And since both were of the pure Yang nature, they did not counteract each other.
Yue Wang couldn't help but run a scenario in his mind. If he were to fight Black City God, he would be at the same disadvantage as Ghost Empress, unable to gain the upper hand. Instead, he would be suppressed.
"Should we intervene?" The old guardian returned to the previous topic.
Now that it was confirmed—Black City God was a criminal imprisoned in the Heavenly Laws Prison and the murderer of a City God.
He was undoubtedly not a good person.
Rather than letting Black City God suppress the Ghost Empress, it might be better to assist her against him. They could discuss the matter of her escape from the Ghost Gate later.
"You talk too much, kid. I suggest you all stay put." Black City God twisted his neck and looked toward the old guardian and Yue Wang.
He still wore a smile. "I won't interfere with mortal affairs, but right now, I just want to find that damned bastard—Ghost Empress's so-called husband. I have an old score to settle with him."
"If you interfere, I can't guarantee that one day I won't get angry and let it spill over into the mortal world, dragging innocent people into this mess."
Yue Wang narrowed his eyes. His gaze locked onto Black City God. If it was purely a matter of revenge, Bureau 749 had no reason to interfere.
As long as it didn't affect the mortal world or harm innocent people, Bureau 749 tacitly allowed supernatural beings to settle their grudges, even if it involved killing each other.
But before Yue Wang could reply, Ghost Empress sneered. "You can't even deal with me, yet you dare to trouble my husband?"
She spoke without concern for Black City God's dignity, mocking him coldly. "Back then, my husband saw through your fake City God identity and easily sealed you in the Heavenly Laws Prison. Do you think a thousand years later, you stand a chance against him? Ridiculous!"
Black City God chuckled. He was not angered by her words. His eyes narrowed further, his smile deepening.
"Whether I stand a chance or not, we'll see when I meet him. A thousand years—I wasn't just sitting idle in prison."
"Ghost Empress, if you don't believe me, why don't you tell me where your husband is? Let's test my words."
Hearing this, Ghost Empress's expression stiffened. She did not respond.
At the same time, Yue Wang and the two guardians exchanged glances, communicating through their eyes.
From the conversation between Black City God and Ghost Empress, they deduced that Black City God's grudge was indeed personal, not just an excuse to keep them out of it.
However, Ghost Empress's so-called husband seemed to be even stronger than her. Did Black City God have some hidden trump card to deal with him?
Not only Yue Wang, Ghost Empress also realized that Black City God had a secret weapon.
More than that, this trump card had been prepared for a thousand years, specifically to deal with Qin Ye.
At this thought, Ghost Empress's body surged with ghostly energy. But just as she was about to unleash her full strength to force out Black City God's hidden move, a sound echoed.
It was not loud, resembling the engine of an old electric scooter revving up, its wheels rattling as it rolled forward.
Instantly, Black City God turned toward the noise.
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