Chapter 442: Deity, Someone Insults You

The arrival of these limestone-digging workers and the successful negotiation had sparked a new line of thinking for everyone in the fort.

Zhao Sheng said, “Everyone, I believe developing relationships with workers from outside the fort to procure supplies for us is an excellent approach. Various stones and timber required for the fort’s construction can be sourced from external workers. This reduces the risk for our own people venturing outside and allows us to gradually absorb the trust of outsiders who might join us.”

“Indeed!” Zao Ying added, “Especially with individuals we haven’t contacted or fully trust yet, this is the best way to interact. After extended contact confirms their character beyond doubt, we can welcome them into the fort.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Soon after, the fort gates opened. Under the escort of infantry and cavalry units, some grain was sent out from the fort and distributed to the civilians of Linyi County who had delivered carts loaded with limestone.

These folks had been forcibly conscripted by bandits in Linyi County, marched over a hundred miles. Now, finally able to eat a meal of real grain, they were overwhelmed with emotion. Their eyes reddened and tears streamed freely. They didn’t even wait to return home; right outside the fort, they set up pots and began cooking lumps of dough in boiling water…

The people inside the fort, observing the miserable state of those outside, felt a somber mood descend.

Many refugees originally from Pujiao Temple thought to themselves: Thankfully we were rescued by Boss Xing and brought to the ancient ferry dock fortress before the bandits could seize us. Life here is secure and untroubled. If we had been even a step slower, if Pujiao Temple had fallen and we had followed the bandits, wouldn’t our fate now be just like those poor souls outside?

The thought sent a shiver of dread down their spines.

A fast horse approached from the north.

Mounted on the horse was a shrewd-looking man. Reaching the front of the fort, the man was clearly taken aback to see so many people cooking meals here. He froze momentarily. But while a man can freeze, a galloping horse cannot. The steed instantly weaved through the crowd of cooking refugees and rushed right up to the fort’s wall.

The man cupped his fists in salute towards those on the wall and shouted, “Is this the Water Fortifications of Xing Honglang, Boss Xing of Yongji?”

Xing Honglang called out loudly, “I am Xing Honglang of Yongji! Who are you? And why have you come?”

The man smiled. “I am an envoy serving under His Excellency, Yizi Wang, the King Who Overarches the Heavens — Wang Jiayin.”

He announced his master’s name boldly and proudly. However, the moment the name “Wang Jiayin” was uttered, the expressions inside the fort instantly darkened. Those cooking refugees outside clenched their fists tightly, silently cursing: Damn it! This bastard is the overlord of Old Zhang Fei’s boss? The very fiend who ruined us! How dare he show his face here?

The leaders inside the fort exchanged meaningful glances, their hearts filled with cold amusement.

Zhao Sheng muttered under his breath, “Bandits, incapable of shedding their nature. He learns to call himself a king? A true king wouldn’t style himself ‘The King Who Overarches the Heavens’. Claiming a legitimate title like Duke of Qin, Prince of Yan, or Marquis of Lu would sound slightly more plausible. ‘The King Who Overarches the Heavens’ reeks of a bandit name. And he calls himself an ‘envoy’? What kind of envoy would a bandit have?”

The others chuckled. Even Master Zhan Sheng couldn’t help shaking his head. “Amitabha! How truly uncouth this man speaks. He bears not the slightest resemblance to a proper envoy.”

The others thought: This monk can’t even pronounce ‘Amitabha’ correctly half the time and looks about as proper a monk as a fish does a bicycle. And he dares mock others for not resembling a proper envoy?

Xing Honglang lowered her voice. “Stop laughing! Since the other side is putting on this pretentious display by sending an ‘envoy’, it means they want parley. We must adhere to some rules of engagement. When it’s time for talk, we talk properly.”

This made sense.

Everyone stopped laughing, instead fixing the envoy with cold stares.

Xing Honglang raised her voice. “Open the gates! Let the envoy enter.”

The fort gates swung open…

The envoy, leading his horse, walked slowly in. Before his arrival, he had envisioned a salt smuggler’s Water Fortifications as a chaotic mess of equipment, nothing impressive. However, passing through the wall and seeing the interior, he gasped.

The interior was clean and orderly, everything neatly arranged. The soldiers were all impressively equipped, armed to the teeth. As he walked, soldiers carrying firearms grinned widely at him, flashing strong, white teeth.

The morale and physical condition of these soldiers were superb; they all looked well-fed and well-rested. It was a stark contrast, an absolute chasm, compared to the usual pale, malnourished appearance found in the ranks of common bandit armies.

The envoy began to feel the pressure mount.

He was led towards the central command area, where stood a large wooden building with a sign reading “Discussion Hall.” Xing Honglang and the others gestured for him to enter.

Upon entering the room, the envoy immediately felt as if a pair of eyes was glaring at him.

He focused his gaze. There, seated prominently at the head position of the hall, was a clay statue of a deity. It depicted a very young immortal, strikingly handsome, imposing, and stern, dressed in Daoist robes. One hand grasped a treasured sword, the other held a dust whisk.

The envoy couldn’t suppress his curiosity. “This is…”

“Dao Xuan Deity,” Xing Honglang replied with a slight smile. “The deity who protects us.”

The envoy thought: Where did they dig up this pagan idol? Are they on par with the White Lotus cult?

But this judgment he kept silently to himself; voicing it was unthinkable.

He pretended reverence, bowing slightly towards the Dao Xuan Deity Statue. Internally, he cursed: Damn stupid god.

Meanwhile…

Li Daoxuan happened to be observing Hancheng through his view, watching Shi Jian and White Cat hosting a banquet for a large group of officials. The two were posing as young, wealthy heirs, likely seeking to “gild” themselves with military credentials, with no particular skills except immense wealth. They lavished hospitality, focusing solely on buying loyalty through feasts.

Li Daoxuan was engrossed in this scene when suddenly, the outer surface of the box flickered. He thought, puzzled: Is someone ringing the bell for me?

He shifted his focus and was astonished to see a line of text appearing on the box, a rare occurrence: Someone outside the current Field of View is insulting you. A Statue serving as a conduit is nearby. Do you wish to establish a connection? Yes / No?

Li Daoxuan reacted, “Huh? What’s this about?”

Even a moderately intelligent person would grasp the situation quickly.

A wave of excitement surged through Li Daoxuan. Connecting through the statue? I’ve heard of this!

A divine statue wasn’t just crafted as an object for worship. Its true purpose was to serve as the deity’s bridge to the mortal world.

But this box is so finicky! It only offers this connection when someone insults me?

Whatever! Let’s just try it!

Li Daoxuan tapped the “Yes” option…

Instantly, it felt like plunging through a tunnel of warped light, hurtling forward amidst intersecting beams of luminance. Then, abruptly, the tunnel vanished.

He found himself seated inside a wooden building. Before him stretched a large table. Around it sat a circle of people: Gao Chuwu, Xing Honglang, Zao Ying, Old Nan Feng, Zhao Sheng, an unfamiliar large monk, and a shrewd-looking man.

Huh? This has to be Shanxi!