Chapter 17: A Smooth-Talking Persuasion

The information about the Investiture of the Gods was by no means limited to what had been revealed so far; there were countless details yet to be uncovered. After all, with the opening of the divine path and the resurgence of spiritual energy, even though the aura was still faint, it was already enough to change much in the human realm.

For instance, ghosts that could previously linger for only seven days could now persist a little longer. Many spiritual herbs and medicines found nourishment in their environment. Numerous wild beasts were given a chance to awaken their intelligence. The path of cultivation—which had nearly come to an end—could finally continue. This single reversal had completely altered the course of human development.

Fortunately, it was only the beginning. Everything and everyone stood at the same starting line. Those ancient immortals, buddhas, demons, and monsters were not yet adapted to this low-spirit environment and the new laws of heaven and earth, so, for now, the mortal world remained as it was.

As long as he advanced steadily, he could remain at the forefront, build his power, and suppress all who dared defy him.

With this in mind, Zhang Kai's thoughts began to churn with plans and schemes.

That afternoon, a villager came looking for Zhang Kai, saying the village chief wanted to see him. Zhang Kai rose and followed, soon meeting a group of elderly men and women, all of whom gazed at him with eager eyes. Smiling, Zhang Kai knew it was time for his performance.

With the familiar old school principal making introductions, everyone soon knew each other: the village chief, the party secretary, and the women's director.

The village chief's surname was Yang, a descendant of the ancient line associated with the Yang Ancestral Shrine in the village. From the information Zhang Kai had subtly gathered over the past two days from villagers who brought him meals, it was said that when Chief Yang was a child, his family had been landlords. After disaster struck, he was left an orphan and survived on the charity of the entire village. When grown, he decided that all respected villagers who died should be honored in the Yang Ancestral Shrine, so he became village chief and held the position to this day.

Chief Yang was a capable man, always planning for the village’s well-being, and deeply respected by the people.

Zhang Kai did not hesitate. He took out a bank card and said, “There are five million on this card. It’s a token of my goodwill, and I hope it can help your village.”

Chief Yang accepted it without pretense and then solemnly said, “Master Zhang, we are deeply grateful for the Daoist community’s care and protection of our Great Willow Village. On behalf of the 1,735 villagers here and the 25,000 people in the nearby three villages and nine hamlets, I bow in gratitude.”

With that, Chief Yang prepared to kneel.

Zhang Kai hurried to stop him, half laughing, half exasperated. “Chief, what are you doing? I do good deeds to accumulate merit. This is mutually beneficial, so please don’t humble me so.”

Seeing he could not kneel, Chief Yang relented. Tears welled in his eyes and his voice trembled as he said, “Master Zhang, you don’t know how terrifying poverty is. In the past, if we fell ill, we had no money for medicine—we simply endured it, and if we couldn’t, we died. We’ve gone out to work in the cities, but we’re uneducated, so we can only do the hardest, dirtiest jobs for little pay, and often get cheated. To spare future generations from a life of poverty, we old folks have given up our pride, doing everything we can to send our children to school so they can make something of themselves. Your millions—this is the hope of our Great Willow Village and all the surrounding villages.”

Zhang Kai was deeply moved.

It’s often said that barren mountains and turbulent waters breed rogues, but it seems that is only true in certain places. Most families born of hardship endure much, but while they may lack education, they possess vision, and for the sake of their descendants, they’re willing to spend their whole lives striving for a better future. Such people deserve respect.

“Chief Yang, Principal Bahu, you are admirable men,” Zhang Kai said sincerely. “Since we’re being open, I’ll tell you the truth: you have benefitted from the virtue of Cheng Aimin.” Zhang Kai scanned their faces before continuing, his expression earnest.

The elders looked at Zhang Kai in confusion.

Zhang Kai smiled, then summoned the Investiture of the Gods and called, “Scholar God, you may reveal yourself now.”

A flash of golden light, and Cheng Aimin appeared, bowing first to Zhang Kai, then smiling at his old friends. “I greet the immortal. Chief Yang, Secretary Bai, Bahu, Sister Liu—it is I, returned once more.”

The elders stared at Cheng Aimin in utter astonishment, at a loss for words.

Bahu, the principal, pointed at Cheng Aimin, stammering, unable to speak.

Zhang Kai smiled. “Isn’t it miraculous? But it’s simple, really. Cheng Aimin devoted his life to teaching and nurturing others, amassing immense virtue. By decree, I have come to bestow upon him the title of local Scholar God, a deity of education. As the saying goes, when one attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. With Cheng Aimin’s elevation, the land he inhabits naturally receives divine protection.”

“So it’s true—there really are gods! Our Great Willow Village truly is blessed…” Chief Yang was so moved his face flushed; he could find no words.

Zhang Kai smiled and said nothing.

He had weighed the decision to let Cheng Aimin appear. After all, the existence of deities could not be concealed, and Cheng Aimin would need to be worshiped and supported by the school to grow stronger and protect it in turn. This was mutually reinforcing—so he had to show himself.

Moreover, five million was no small sum. Even the best of people are still human; desires and temptations abound, and many a good person has turned astray. With a god present, there would be a constant reminder to stay on the right path and not betray Zhang Kai’s trust.

Seeing the elders’ excitement, Zhang Kai continued, “My purpose here was to consecrate the Scholar God. Now that my task is complete, I will soon depart. In the future, you must work together with the Scholar God to improve your lives and education, so that he can forever protect the village. Furthermore, with the great changes in heaven and earth, now that the divine path is open, anyone with sufficient virtue may ascend to godhood. There are three divine seats for Great Willow Village; with the Scholar God in place, two remain. If you dedicate yourselves to serving the people, you too may be rewarded in time.”

Zhang Kai’s words were full of significance—and he meant to tempt them.

At their age, money and power were nothing. What could be more alluring than godhood?

With a goal before them, they would work even harder for the people, accumulating virtue and improving the lives and education of everyone in the region. When Zhang Kai returned in the future, he could bestow another divine seat or two, further perfecting the Investiture of the Gods, thickening the spiritual energy of the world, and advancing his own pursuit of immortality—a win-win partnership.

As expected, at his words, the four elders were momentarily breathless, their eyes burning with desire as they looked at Zhang Kai.

They had lived through that era and had witnessed the Daoist priests of White Cloud Temple perform miracles. Now, seeing their old friend ascend to divinity, how could they not yearn for the same?

After a few more polite words, Zhang Kai excused himself, for if he lingered, their awe would stifle any real conversation about the path to godhood.

Upon leaving, Zhang Kai headed straight for the remote peaks of Ox-Head Mountain.

Though spiritual energy was said to be faintly reviving, Zhang Kai had barely sensed any within the village. He needed to find the source to assess its state.

Entering the depths of the mountains, he still detected not the slightest trace, until he reached the frigid pool in the valley, whereupon the nearly two centuries of internal energy within him were stirred, growing lively. Only then did Zhang Kai realize that the so-called resurgence of spiritual energy began in places that had formerly been blessed lands.

In other words, ordinary people remained unchanged; only those who occupied these sacred places could benefit from the revitalization.

Well, since there was now spiritual energy, it was time to see if he could break through to the innate stage.

With great anticipation, Zhang Kai stepped into the cave.