Chen Changsheng returned to Autumn Moon Market after nightfall.

The tabby cat asked again what it had asked most often during their journey: Where to go now, where to next, where to go…

“To visit a friend.”

“Dead or alive?”

Chen Changsheng paused for a moment, looking at the tabby cat.

The tabby cat blinked, wondering why Chen Changsheng was looking at her.

Chen Changsheng replied, “Counted as dead.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’ll understand when you see.”

The City God Temple had already closed its doors by twilight.

Approaching temples always brought whiffs of incense smoke, as if calming one’s thoughts.

But as Lihua drew nearer to the City God Temple, her expression grew more uneasy.

“Good Human Chen…” Lihua tugged at Chen Changsheng’s sleeve.

Chen Changsheng turned to her and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Uncomfortable.”

The tabby cat looked very unwell.

Only then did Chen Changsheng realize — Lihua was still a cat spirit. Places like the City God Temple radiated righteousness, which suppressed demonic power.

Chen Changsheng bent down and picked her up.

He asked, “Better now?”

Lihua felt it was strange — the discomfort from moments earlier had vanished instantly.

“Much better.”

Chen Changsheng carried the tabby cat to the City God Temple doors.

A pair of Yin Attendants stood guard at the entrance.

The Yin Attendants merely gave a brief glance at the man in blue robes approaching and paid him no mind.

Only when this gentleman halted at the entrance and looked at them did they realize something was amiss.

Chen Changsheng spoke, “I am here to visit the City God. Could I trouble you to announce me?”

The two Yin Attendants hesitated briefly, then one stepped forward and clasped his fists. “Please wait here a moment.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Many thanks.”

One Yin Attendant went inside to notify them.

The other Yin Attendant studied Chen Changsheng with curiosity—perhaps an Immortal? But noticing the tabby cat in his arms, he frowned.

“That tabby cat of yours, sir…”

Chen Changsheng said, “No need for concern. The cat is of good nature, not an evil spirit.”

The Yin Attendant replied, “If you proceed inside later, best keep the cat away from the Divine Statue. Actually, leaving her outside would be best.”

The tabby cat looked up at Chen Changsheng and asked, “Can’t Lihua come in too?”

Hearing the cat speak, the Yin Attendant started in surprise.

This cat was already a spirit!

Chen Changsheng said, “Rest assured. I will keep an eye on her.”

The Yin Attendant nodded and said no more.

A short while later, a gust of wind suddenly swung the temple doors open.

Inside, the City God emerged, dressed in long blue-yellow robes and a tall hat, his face lighting up with joy.

“When did you return, Sir Chen?”

Seeing him, Chen Changsheng was momentarily taken aback. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“Master Hong?”

Chen Changsheng was surprised.

Entering the temple, Master Hong’s explanation made everything clear to Chen Changsheng.

The previous Old City God had achieved perfect Merit and had thus passed into Reincarnation. The position of City God stood vacant. By virtue of both virtue and ability, Hong Sancai was deemed the most suitable candidate. Guided by Heaven and Earth, he became Autumn Moon Market’s new City God.

Chen Changsheng said, “I always believed someone close to death would be chosen.”

Hong Sancai explained, “That should indeed be the rule. But the timing was poor — back then, no one in Autumn Moon Market possessing both virtue and talent had died. It was sheer luck that I became City God.”

“Congratulations to you, Master Hong.”

Hong Sancai clasped his fists in thanks, then started chatting with Chen Changsheng about recent events.

It was mostly light-hearted talk and amusing anecdotes.

Eventually, the conversation turned to Flowing Cloud Temple.

Hong Sancai said, “I tried visiting you at the temple several times before, Sir Chen, but never found you. Then, a few years later, a Daoist Cultivator arrived. I wondered who dared to occupy your residence. Visiting personally, I realized he still carried an unfaded imperial dragon aura! Unsure how to proceed, I’ve been leaving him be.”

Chen Changsheng chuckled, “Seems important people are forgetful, Master Hong. Weren’t you familiar with him?”

Hong Sancai paused. “You mean… I knew him?”

Chen Changsheng said, “He was Xuan Huang’s disciple years ago. He started out from Flowing Cloud Temple himself. Later, by chance, he became Emperor of Western Xiao. After Western Xiao’s fall, he returned here.”

Hong Sancai was momentarily dazed. “My disciple’s student… had such a fate?!”

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Seems since passing away, Master Hong paid no attention to happenings at the temple.”

Hong Sancai gave an awkward laugh. “Well, once dead, I thought it best not to meddle, fearing I might see something upsetting and ‘act harshly’ against the rules.”

Even now, he didn’t know exactly who his disciple’s students were.

But he couldn’t be blamed. It was his duty, and not something he was supposed to focus on.

Just like years ago when carrying books up to Flowing Cloud Temple, he never even glanced inside.

Chen Changsheng remarked, “Master Hong, after all these years of Cultivation, you still fear acting harshly?”

Hong Sancai rubbed his hands. “Yes. As long as you’re human, that impulse remains. Or perhaps… my Cultivation is still inadequate.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “You understand deeply.”

“Truly?”

Hong Sancai smiled, then asked, “What brings you back this time, Sir Chen?”

Chen Changsheng said, “I wanted to ask the Old City God about some past matters. Sadly, he’s already entered Reincarnation.”

Hong Sancai replied, “It hasn’t been long since I became City God, but I’ve learned a few things. If you have questions, Sir Chen, perhaps I can help.”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. “Years ago, I copied a book of Cultivation techniques here from the Old City God. Now, I wish to see the original.”

“The original?”

Hong Sancai hesitated briefly. “The Old City God did leave several Cultivation manuals. But… hold on…”

“Sir Chen, you said you copied one down?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Indeed. I once copied down a Cultivation technique here.”

As he spoke, he pulled a single sheet of paper from his sleeve — the copied text.

Hong Sancai glanced at the contents.

He froze, looking at Chen Changsheng. “This…”

Hong Sancai was incredulous. He hurriedly got up, searched around, and eventually found a long-dust-covered book left behind by the Old City God.

A Cultivation manual.

Comparing it character by character with Chen Changsheng’s copy — not a single difference!

Hong Sancai gasped, “How did you manage to copy it, Sir Chen?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “That’s exactly why I returned — to find the original and understand how I could have copied it.”

Hong Sancai stared blankly at the two identical Cultivation texts, speechless for a long moment.