Infinite Professions

Chapter 316 - 168: Earth Deity (Part 2)

Indeed, in this prefecture exam, the test-takers are not only new souls like him, but also some old ghosts and even some Yin officials and divine officers, who have achieved results in the county or village, and managed connections to ultimately come for the test and complete their promotion.

Because the power of "official appointment" is only possessed by Prefecture City Gods of Sixth Grade and above, those below Sixth Grade are County City Gods and do not have the authority to appoint Yin officials, only able to bestow titles to junior clerks. Therefore, these junior clerks of the county and land gods of towns must come to Prefecture City for the exam to complete the promotion process.

Of course, if you achieve significant merits, you can be directly promoted, but such cases are extremely rare.

Thus, in this prefecture exam, the literacy value of the articles is not that high, and it relies more on the relationships behind them.

So it is with the A list, and similarly with the B list. Being an ordinary ghost with no background and writing decently, Shen Hex doesn’t believe he qualifies to become first on the B list, let alone being bestowed a land position.

The land deity is the Merit True God, equivalent in rank to the City God, both divided into nine grades and eighteen tiers.

Although this Village Land God in Little Huang Village is just a village land deity, not included in the nine grades and eighteen tiers, a land deity is still a land deity, with the authority to govern a region, and preside over land and people, with greater power and incense revenues than any Mountain God or Water Elder.

Such a position, generally speaking, if you don’t find some connections, it would never land on you.

But now it has landed on Shen Hex.

How could there not be something fishy going on?

But even if there is, there’s no choice.

Under the eaves, one must bow the head.

Currently, he has no power to choose.

Thus, he can only accept.

Soon, the announcement of the B list is finished.

The Civil Judge gathers the Yellow List and looks at the people in the courtyard: "Those on the A list follow me to meet the Lord of the Mansion, while those on the B list wait here for now!"

"Yes!"

Those on the A list immediately respond and step forward, Yan Yanming among them, even giving Shen Hex a meaningful glance before leaving.

Those on the A list are granted an official position, which is an authority reserved for Sixth Grade Yin officials, hence they must follow the Civil Judge to meet the Jinyang Prefect.

As for those on the B list, though holding the status of junior clerks, they also need to be assigned by the City God Assistant, so they must wait for the Civil Judge to return to be dealt with.

This contrast shows an immediate gap, making those on the B list feel uncomfortable.

But despite the discomfort, they dare not make a fuss in the Prefecture Government Office, only suppress it and wait.

After a moment, the Civil Judge returns, followed by several junior clerks, carrying official robes and seals on a wooden tray.

"Song Xiang!"

The Civil Judge speaks, lowering his gaze.

Shen Hex responds and steps forward: "Here, student!"

"By the order of the Lord of the Mansion, you are appointed to the position of Land God in Little Huang Village, Qinghe County. This is your official robe and seal!"

The Civil Judge glances, and a junior clerk immediately steps forward, delivering the robe and seal to Shen Hex.

"Song Xiang accepts the order!"

Shen Hex receives the wooden tray with both hands, soon seeing golden light burst forth. The official robe and seal from the tray rise with the light, falling onto Shen Hex, transforming him into a Land God dressed in an earth-yellow robe with a square cap.

Not only did his attire change, but in his mind, he sees a glimmer, turning into a small yellow seal, with faint yellow Earth Qi swirling around, it is the Earth God Seal.

Upon acquiring the Divine Seal, Shen Hex suddenly comprehends, with immediate emergence of various Divine Dao Techniques related to "land," including temple building, governance, receiving incense, commanding ghosts, enlightenment, traversing Yin and Yang, entering dreams as a divine being, and adjusting earth veins and geomancy techniques.

This brings Shen Hex great joy, although he remains expressionless, merely bowing to the Civil Judge before silently stepping aside to absorb it all.

The Civil Judge continues to complete appointments, soon bestowing official status to all on the B list as junior clerks.

With a brush of his sleeve, hands behind his back: "Appointments complete, you have three days to prepare, after which you shall take office."

"Yes!"

They respond, retreating separately.

Shen Hex follows the crowd, yet shortly after leaving the Prefecture Government Office, a junior clerk greets him, saying quietly: "The Civil Judge requests a meeting with you, sir!"

"Hmm!?"

Shen Hex narrows his eyes, realizing the key moment has come, promptly responding: "Please lead the way."

"Please follow me, sir!"

The junior clerk immediately leads him inside the office, arriving at a study.

"Please wait here, sir!"

The junior clerk informs, then exits the study.

Shen Hex waits patiently inside.

After half an hour, footsteps approach, the door opens, and a Yin official deity dressed in a red robe with a black gauze cap enters, it is none other than the Jinyang Prefecture Civil Judge.

Seeing this, Shen Hex steps forward, bowing: "Student greets the lord!"

"Hmm!"

The Civil Judge, satisfied: "Composed and steady, truly the article as the man, I did not misjudge!"

"The lord overpraises!"

Shen Hex humbly bows: "May I ask why the lord invited me here..."

"Naturally for your appointment to Little Huang Village."

The Civil Judge brushes his sleeve, sitting down: "I won’t hide from you, given your article level, you were not supposed to be first on the B list, but I saw your steadiness, capable of great duty, hence recommended you for the Little Huang Village land deity position to the Lord of the Mansion."

"Great duty?"

Shen Hex narrows his eyes: "Is the lord referring to the Little Huang Village land deity?"

"Precisely!"

The Civil Judge nodded: "Three months ago Little Yellow Mountain was troubled by demons, the demon not only devoured the Little Yellow Mountain land deity but seized the Land God Temple and employed Chong Ghosts to control villagers, devouring several dozen people through sacrificial rituals. Though driven away by government soldiers later, the created infamy is hard to fade."

After speaking, the Civil Judge sighs, looking at Shen Hex, speaking softly: "Now Little Huang Village is devoid of hills and sparse with people. Survivors hear the land deity’s name as they do demons, faith is unfaithful, incense does not flourish, it urgently needs a capable clerk to govern."

"Such things?"

Shen Hex shows surprise, then looks at the Civil Judge: "I will not disappoint the lord’s expectations, will exert full effort to restore vitality to Little Huang Village."

"Not only that."

The Civil Judge shook his head, looked down at him, indicating: "The demon troubling Little Huang Village has some background, though driven away by government soldiers, it may not refrain from returning. You face considerable risks on this mission."

"Just death!"

Shen Hex’s expression unchanged, showing determination: "Appointed by the Lord of the Mansion, cultivated by the lord, I owe nothing but to devote heart and soul, aspire to govern Little Village, would face death without regret!"

"Hmm, with such ambition, success is assured!"

Seeing his stance, the Civil Judge said no more, releasing a Divine Light: "Take this note to the Government Treasury, I have prepared some supplies for you to use in rebuilding Little Huang Village."

"Thank you, lord!"

"Hmm, go on!"

...

Bidding farewell to the Civil Judge, Shen Hex swiftly sets off, guided by a junior clerk toward the Government Treasury.

Little Huang Village, demon disturbances, seizure perch?

A demon with origins.

Judging by the Civil Judge’s tone, this matter might not be simple.

But Shen Hex doesn’t care.

Whatever trick it is, now he needs development opportunities, space, and time.

Little Huang Village offers precisely this opportunity, space, and time.

So, he doesn’t mind taking this stone.

As for risks, risks will be risks, ultimately a restart; what to fear?

First enjoy the meat, deal with whatever comes when it does.

Soon, Shen Hex arrives at the Government Treasury, where the Yin official in charge promptly processes the note bearing the Civil Judge’s name.

"Fifty taels of incense silver!"

"A white horse!"

"Ten Yin servants!"

"Ten sets of armor!"

"..."

Moments later, Shen Hex mounts the White Paper Ghost Horse, leads ten armed paperman Yin servants from the Prefecture Government Office, heading straight out of the city, preparing to take office.

As for home...

Today marks the seventh day of mourning, customary to return home. However, Shen Hex remains unfamiliar with Song Xiang’s wives and children, so he spares them from any clichéd drama.

He goes directly to take office at Little Yellow Mountain!