In the main hall, besides County Magistrate Zhang Qingyang, Zhou Wentao from the Prefectural Governor's office, the City God of Liyang City, and four Mountain Gods had already gathered.
Streams of gazes fell upon the statue in the center, awaiting the awakening of the slumbering deity within.
The abundant incense offerings and wishes accumulated over half a month, coupled with various immortal and divine techniques, had already re-stabilized its golden body.
And given the current situation, the slumbering soul could awaken at any moment.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a ripple emanated from within the statue. Soon, everyone could feel a divine power spreading.
Moments later, divine power surged on the statue, and the rich incense offerings poured into it.
After more than ten breaths, a spectral figure appeared, then emerged from the statue. It was a middle-aged man, not wearing divine robes, but a simple blue shirt.
He didn't resemble a City God protecting a region, but rather a teacher from a village school. He possessed no formidable aura; instead, he exuded an air of scholarly refinement.
Before becoming the City God, the middle-aged man was the most learned person in Linfu County and a county magistrate deeply loved by the local populace.
Now, after being trapped for a hundred years, his consciousness had finally awakened from slumber. His eyes showed no trace of confusion, but were filled with clarity.
A strange light flickered in his eyes, as if he was not surprised by the scene before him.
"This subordinate, the City God of Linfu County, greets the esteemed deities!"
The middle-aged man bowed respectfully, then lightly nodded towards Zhou Wentao and the others.
Although they all belonged to the Great Yu Dynasty, he was a local City God, not subject to secular officials, and was under the command of mountain and water deities.
As they belonged to different systems, there was no need for him to pay obeisance, nor would he need to do so even if the Prefect appeared before him, nor would he need to follow their commands, and so on.
"Chen Mujin, tell us everything you know."
The City God of Liyang City spoke, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, the faces of those around them immediately turned serious, and all eyes fell upon the Linfu County City God descending the divine platform, the middle-aged man named Chen Mujin in life.
Although the outcome was already decided, the process of certain matters still needed to be understood.
Some powerful figures wished to maintain the current situation, but that did not preclude them from gaining more intelligence about the clandestine forces, thereby increasing their own confidence.
"After I finish speaking, will I no longer have any purpose for existence?"
Chen Mujin sighed softly, his gaze sweeping past everyone and the several deities, towards the outside of the main hall.
His gaze seemed to penetrate through layers of buildings and walls, landing on the county town he had protected for hundreds of years.
He hadn't seen it for a hundred years. Although it still felt familiar, some people and things had become much more unfamiliar.
He remembered the old tree in the corner of the East City, under which many people used to find shade. Now, only a stump remained. Perhaps after it died, it was chopped down for firewood.
He wondered if the schoolhouse he had personally built still echoed with the sounds of diligent study every day.
At this time of year, one could no longer see the common folk, holding paper umbrellas and carrying New Year's goods, visiting each other with smiles amidst the falling snow.
In fact, many people didn't know that his favorite thing in life wasn't reading books under lamplight, but rather laughing heartily at roadside wine stalls with a group of men at night.
Listening to them recount their daily experiences and share their troubles made him feel that his studies were useful, and that he would become an official to solve the worries he heard night after night.
"I have already died, so I truly do not care whether I can still remain in this world."
Chen Mujin sighed faintly and then withdrew his gaze.
He looked at the people and deities before him, naturally understanding their thoughts and why he could once again see this world.
However, some things he suddenly did not wish to speak of anymore. Whether they knew or not, those powerful figures would not care.
If that were not the case, he would not have been ambushed by villains, imprisoned and suppressed for a hundred years, and almost had his golden body crumble and dissipate into the heavens and earth without anyone noticing.
If he remembered correctly, he had reported some matters to the authorities more than a century ago, requesting that the higher-ups cast a glance and save the suffering people here.
Yet, even though he had traced the origins of the clandestine forces, his transmitted messages vanished like stones cast into the sea. They were not only destroyed casually but were intercepted midway.
In the past, Chen Mujin would have hoped for the latter, but now he felt it didn't matter which it was.
"By telling us what you know, you can save more people and one day uproot the hidden forces."
Zhou Wentao said, speaking with an air of earnestness.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Chen Mujin sneered and retorted without politeness, "When is 'one day'?"
"In a few decades? Or in a few centuries?"
Having understood his own fate, he no longer had any reason to hold back. The sarcasm in his words was unconcealed.
If those powerful figures had truly intended to, they would have resolved it over a hundred years ago, and none of the subsequent events would have occurred.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Wentao and the others fell silent. Despite their high positions, some things could indeed not be spoken, and some matters could not be promised.
"Chen Mujin!"
The City God of Liyang City spoke, his tone laced with a hint of anger, "There's no need to express your dissatisfaction. Quickly tell us everything you know!"
If not for the gravity of the situation, he would not have wished to waste time here. Deities left their domains without receiving the blessings of heaven and earth, and their cultivation would slowly decline as time passed.
"Since you wish to hear, I shall tell you in detail. But are you truly prepared?"
Chen Mujin swept his gaze across everyone, a cold smile appearing on his face.
He paused, then continued, "The chief advisor to the Prefectural Governor is, in fact, a demon!"
"The South Mountain God has fallen into the demonic path!"
"The so-called clandestine forces involve humans, demons, monsters, and deities!"
"All beings who join this force have but one objective: to wait for Emperor Tianwu's lifespan to be exhausted and seize this vast empire!"
In the main hall of the City God's pavilion, as the last sentence fell, no other sound was heard, as if even the sound of breathing had ceased.
Looking at Chen Mujin before them, Linfu County Magistrate Zhang Qingyang, and the constable and advisor beside him, all showed signs of shock and disbelief.
However, when the three subconsciously looked at Zhou Wentao and the City God of Liyang City beside them, their expressions suddenly turned pale.
This was because neither the former nor the latter showed any surprise upon hearing such words, behaving as if they had already known this.