Three days later, in the Chenghuang Temple of Laizhou Prefecture.
Dusk cloaked the sky. Inside and outside the temple, no incense burned. Not a soul was in sight.
Only a pool of stagnant water in the corner reflected a pale, broken moon.
Li Fang stood solemnly before the altar, palms pressed together, quietly gazing at the newly replaced incense burner.
The flame inside flickered dimly, casting a calm, water-like glow over his face.
Suddenly, the sound of light footsteps echoed from beyond the temple door.
Li Fang opened his eyes.
A figure stepped into the temple—dressed in black robes embroidered with cloud patterns, a bronze fish token hanging from his waist. His face was thin and sharp, eyes cold and penetrating.
He gave a slight bow, his voice flat yet suffocatingly heavy:
"Imperial Underworld Inspector—Liu Weizheng, under orders to investigate the Laizhou calamity."
Li Fang's gaze shifted slightly. He returned the greeting with a fist-and-palm salute.
"City God Li Fang, welcomes Your Excellency."
Liu Weizheng studied him without expression.
His gaze was like an icy blade, as if it could strip Li Fang to the bone.
After a moment of silence, he spoke lightly:
"I've heard the blood catastrophe in Laizhou has already been concluded?"
Li Fang nodded.
"The main culprit has been captured. Traitors have been punished.
Lingering spirits and resentments are still being cleared."
Liu Weizheng gave a small smile, though it never reached his eyes.
"Lord Li handles matters decisively. Truly admirable."
He walked to the incense table, gently brushing his fingers over an oil lamp that had yet to go out.
The flame trembled, as if being crushed by an invisible force.
His tone remained casual, but every word carried weight:
"Yet beneath this bloodshed, resentment among the people has piled high. The city's fortune has plummeted like falling cliffs."
"His Excellency suspects someone secretly aided in the birth of the disaster."
"—Lord Li, have you noticed anything… unusual?"
Li Fang's gaze remained tranquil as still water. He replied slowly:
"I only know to guard my post and protect the city."
Liu Weizheng narrowed his eyes, staring him down.
The atmosphere in the temple seemed to freeze into invisible ice.
The two men stood in silence, their standoff stretching into a long, suffocating darkness.
At last, Liu Weizheng clapped his hands gently.
From outside, a ghostly official entered, holding a yellow paper scroll in both hands. He bowed and presented it respectfully to Li Fang.
Liu Weizheng said with a thin smile:
"This is an order from above—granting Lord Li 'temporary retention of post.'"
"But—"
He paused, eyes sharp as blades:
"From now on, may you act only after due consideration."
Li Fang bowed his head and accepted the scroll. The paper vibrated faintly with resentment.
It wasn't a normal decree—it felt more like a soul-binding charm in disguise.
Liu Weizheng adjusted his robes, smiling faintly:
"At the hour of the Rat tonight, the Underworld will host a banquet. All departments will be present. Lord Li is among the invited."
"…There, we shall see whose strength prevails."
With that, he turned and left, leaving behind only the flickering candlelight on the altar, casting Li Fang's face half in shadow, half in light.
—
Midnight.
The banquet was held in an abandoned temple thirty li outside the city.
Li Fang went alone.
The temple was in ruins, overgrown with weeds, yet the main hall blazed with light.
Dozens of figures were already seated—
Some in black robes of the netherworld,
Others wearing earthly official attire bearing the Underworld's insignia.
All unfamiliar faces—cold and distant. Some eyes held scorn. Others, pity.
As Li Fang stepped into the hall, all turned to look.
Liu Weizheng sat at the head seat, clapping his hands lightly:
"City God Li Fang—we've long awaited you."
An old man walked forward, lean and stern-faced, draped in a purple-black cloak embroidered with cloud patterns.
His voice rasped like wind scraping dry leaves:
"Lord Li, surely you know—the Laizhou unrest was but the prelude to a shift in power?"
Li Fang stood calmly, silent.
The old man smiled, cold malice behind his grin:
"The resentment here is thick—perfect fuel for refinement.
Assist us in this, and the City God's post may soon be beneath you."
He slowly opened his palm. A black-gold jade token lay in the center, emanating heavy nether qi.
Liu Weizheng added with a pleasant tone:
"Lord Li, a wise man knows when to go with the flow."
A strange fragrance filled the air, clouding the senses.
The shadows on the walls, cast by the firelight, danced like restless demons.
Li Fang was silent for a moment—then smiled faintly.
He lifted his head. His gaze was dark as the abyss. His voice, soft and cutting:
"What if I choose not to go with the flow?"
Instantly, the temperature in the hall plummeted!
Faces shifted subtly.
Liu Weizheng's smile faded. His eyes narrowed:
"Lord Li, don't court disaster."
Li Fang stood with his hands behind his back, unmoved:
"The duty of a City God is to protect the peace of the city.
To sacrifice the people and build upon their suffering—
That is to rebel against Heaven."
His voice was quiet, yet each word struck like iron.
Silence fell across the hall, broken only by the crackling of flames.
At last, Liu Weizheng sneered and stood with a sweeping motion:
"Such lofty ideals, Lord Li."
"Let's see how long you can keep them."
A gust of cold wind swept through. The lights in the hall were suddenly extinguished.
When Li Fang looked up again, the seats were empty.
Only a single black-gold token remained on the floor, radiating a chilling aura.
—
Li Fang stood alone in the deserted hall, silent for a long time.
He reached down and picked up the token.
A sharp pain pierced his palm—like grabbing a cold, venomous serpent.
Looking down, he saw a new line of blood-red characters etched on the back of the token:
[Those who defy me—shall be destroyed.]
Wind howled, scattering fallen leaves. The old temple groaned like a weeping spirit in the night.
Li Fang slipped the token into his sleeve and raised his head toward the darkness.
In this vast and endless night, a crueler, bloodier battle had already begun.
And for him—there was no turning back.