The City God Temple

Fortunately, the "box within the box" had no additional locks. Otherwise, Ma Mingcai might have developed a lifelong aversion to locks.

Carefully holding the white robe in both hands, Ma Mingcai solemnly handed it to Gu Ning'an before stepping out of the tailor shop to give him space to change.

However, as soon as Ma Mingcai stepped out, Gu Ning'an followed him out almost immediately.

"Mr. Gu, you…" Ma Mingcai turned around to see Gu Ning'an, now dressed in the white robe, but his words caught in his throat.

It was as if a celestial being had descended to earth.

In that moment, Ma Mingcai finally understood why his father, even on his deathbed, had insisted that this robe be given to Gu Ning'an when he arrived.

The robe was indeed exquisitely tailored and perfectly fitted, but it wasn't the clothing that elevated Gu Ning'an's presence. Rather, it was Gu Ning'an who elevated the robe.

For most people, "clothes make the man." But with Gu Ning'an, it was the man who made the clothes shine.

"Does the robe fit well?" Ma Mingcai's heart was filled with a thousand thoughts, yet the only words he could muster were these.

Gu Ning'an nodded. "It fits perfectly. With the old tailor's skills, how could it not?"

Ma Mingcai nodded repeatedly, unsure of what else to say, and simply echoed, "Good, good. As long as it fits."

"It's getting late. You should close up and rest now," Gu Ning'an said, pulling his loose sleeves tightly into his palms. "I'll go pay my respects to your father."

Ma Mingcai froze for a moment before hurriedly calling after him, "Sir, do you know where my father's grave is?"

Gu Ning'an didn't turn around. Raising a hand, he waved dismissively. "Go back. I'll find him."

"Ah! Alright!" Ma Mingcai replied, word by word, watching Gu Ning'an disappear into the distance. He remained standing there motionless for nearly half an hour, only snapping out of his daze when a customer arrived at the shop to browse clothes.

...

By the hour of Xu (around 7–9 PM), the night was deep, and the area around the City God Temple was eerily silent.

Even standing outside the temple, Gu Ning'an could smell the faint scent of incense lingering in the air.

This alone was enough to indicate the City God's strong following in Le'an County. [It says Le'an County in the raw. This was also mentioned in chapter 9. This might be a typo.]

During his previous travels, Gu Ning'an hadn't gone out of his way to seek encounters with spirits or deities. After all, with his unclear understanding of his own cultivation, it was safer to steer clear of meddling in supernatural affairs, avoiding unnecessary karmic entanglements.

Thus, despite residing in Lexiang County for three months, his only visit to the City God Temple had been a fleeting glance from the outside. He had never ventured inside.

"Lord City God, I have a matter to inquire about. May I request an audience?" Gu Ning'an's voice carried a faint trace of spiritual power.

This ensured that only spirits and deities could hear his words, while mortals remained oblivious.

Inside the temple, the City God's statue stood solemnly in the main hall, flanked by slightly shorter statues of the civil and martial judges, among others.

Gu Ning'an's words echoed within the hall, and the statues seemed to "awaken."

From the City God's statue, a shadowy figure emerged. It had a solemn expression, a tall and imposing build, and was dressed in the robes of an official.

Two more figures followed, one from each of the civil and martial judge statues.

The Martial Judge, impulsive by nature, fixed his piercing gaze on Gu Ning'an standing outside the temple, scrutinizing him carefully.

After a moment, the Martial Judge furrowed his brows and said in a low voice, "This person bears no aura of evil spirits, no trace of demonic energy, nor any karmic burden… Such purity is rare."

Hearing this, the Civil Judge chuckled softly. "Anyone capable of wielding spiritual power couldn't possibly be an ordinary mortal."

"Ahem!" The City God coughed twice before addressing Gu Ning'an outside. "Sir, please come in to speak."

Outside the temple, Gu Ning'an had long been aware of the scrutiny from the three spirits. He didn't mind, though—it was only natural for an uninvited nighttime visitor to be treated with caution.

Creak—

The tightly shut temple doors slowly opened. Gu Ning'an thanked them with a slight bow and stepped inside.

Upon entering the temple's main hall, he greeted the three spirits with a cupped fist salute. "I am Gu Ning'an, residing in Ansi Courtyard."

Hearing this introduction, the expressions of the three spirits shifted visibly.

As the City God and his subordinates, their duties overlapped with those of the living realm's government. The mortal authorities governed the living, while the City God presided over the deceased.

Years ago, when Gu Ning'an had purchased Ansi Courtyard, patrol spirits were sent to record his soul's likeness and lifespan. Strangely, every patrol spirit sent there inexplicably "forgot" their mission upon arrival.

Ordinary mortals rarely attract the attention of the City God's officials. However, when the City God later reviewed the Record of Merits and Faults, he noticed that the information for the new owner of Ansi Courtyard was conspicuously missing.

As a result, many patrol spirits and even some judges were punished for their negligence.

When the City God himself attempted to investigate, Gu Ning'an had already disappeared. The records for the courtyard's owner remained blank ever since.

Now, the "blacklisted" former resident had returned, not only possessing spiritual power but also visiting late at night. How could the three officials not be astonished?

"Mr. Gu, may I ask what brings you here tonight?" the middle-aged City God inquired, returning the salute.

Perhaps due to Gu Ning'an's mysterious identity, or the City God's inability to see through this white-robed man, his tone unconsciously carried a trace of respect.

Gu Ning'an saluted once more and explained, "The old tailor from the county's tailoring shop was an old friend of mine. We had agreed to meet."

"However, time was unkind… When I returned, I learned he had already passed away. I've come to see whether his lifespan in the underworld has truly ended."

"If it hasn't, might I trouble you, Lord City God, to grant me a meeting with him?"

Gu Ning'an's request was not overly demanding, but it did push the boundaries of convention.

The principle of "no contact between the living and the dead" was an unwritten rule, though never formally codified.

Hearing Gu Ning'an's request, the City God didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked to his left and right.

However, the Civil and Martial Judges kept their eyes on the ground, feigning indifference, clearly wanting no part in the decision.

The City God sighed helplessly and was about to reply when Gu Ning'an's voice suddenly rang out with a note of suspicion.

"Lord City God, where did the demonic flames on your shoulder and wrist come from?"

Whoosh!

The three spirits' gazes snapped to Gu Ning'an, their eyes sharp and alert.

The Martial Judge, in particular, had already placed his hand on the iron chain and hook coiled around his waist.

In response, Gu Ning'an remained calm, a faint smile on his face. "There's no need to be so tense, gentlemen. If I were in league with the demonic cultivators, why would I expose Lord City God's concealment spell on the spot?"

"Mr. Gu has a point…" The City God raised a hand, signaling the Civil and Martial Judges to restrain their spiritual energy. Then, with a bow, he addressed Gu Ning'an. "For you to see through my concealment spell, it is clear your cultivation surpasses mine."

"In that case, I must thicken my skin and ask: Do you have any means of dispelling these demonic flames?"