The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

With a single sweep of his golden sword, Yang An instantly executed 1,366 criminals, and then he and Jia Pu flew away.

The Inspectorate fell silent.

Long Xiao remained at Zhao Xing's side, while Chen Shijie simply nodded to Zhao Xing before quietly leaving.

The first task was now complete. After spending a night resting at the Inspectorate, Zhao Xing set out the next day.

While aboard the Swordfish Airship, he used the Dream Storage Technique to reflect on how he had handled the first task. Upon awakening, he remained resolute.

His harsh sentencing of the criminals within the Shenwei Army had been the right call. Even if given the chance to do it over, Zhao Xing would still choose to sentence them all to death.

As for making enemies? That didn't matter much.

First of all, Zhao Xing was not yet an official soldier of the Shenwei Army. The executed criminals would only hold resentment toward Qiu Mingyi, not Zhao Xing.

As for those still alive, they could be divided into two groups: those of seventh rank or lower, and those of higher rank.

The lower-ranking soldiers lacked a strong personal stake in the matter. Once the court had defined the nature of the incident, things would settle down on this level. Moreover, the executed individuals were truly guilty and deserving of death. Thus, there would be no deep-seated hatred toward Zhao Xing.

To put it bluntly, they weren't even qualified to hold grudges against Zhao Xing, as the highest-ranking among them had only been seventh rank.

Once Zhao Xing completed his mission, he would also be a seventh-rank officer! And he would be far stronger than the likes of the corrupt Hong Tai.

Those of higher rank would have a clearer understanding of the situation. They would know Zhao Xing had little choice. Even if Zhao Xing hadn't sentenced them, Qiu Mingyi would have. People like Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, upon hearing of Zhao Xing's mission, understood the need to steer clear, recognizing that this was an "Inspectorate Task."

They would also understand Zhao Xing's reputation from his training at Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.

Would they rather have a brilliant Military Shennong like Zhao Xing join their ranks, or keep their corrupt "brothers"?

Anyone with sense would know which choice to make!

Before Yang An appeared, some might have considered Zhao Xing overly ruthless.

They might have felt he should have consulted Marquis Boping, Yang An, before taking such drastic action.

However, once Yang An arrived, he mitigated the potential fallout for Zhao Xing.

Yang An's arrival shifted the focus of the conversation to Qiu Mingyi, not Zhao Xing, who held the Chief Inspector's token.

In essence, Yang An was shielding Zhao Xing from any lingering backlash.

By personally executing the criminals, Yang An further distanced Zhao Xing from the blame.

Qiu Mingyi, understanding the court's intention to assess Zhao Xing's talent rather than destroy it, refrained from pushing Zhao Xing into a confrontation with Yang An. That would have been foolish.

Zhao Xing, too, grasped this point. When Yang An arrived, he wisely remained silent, retreating after performing the customary greeting. To outsiders, Zhao Xing simply appeared to be following protocol.

"If I were some brash fool who thought I wielded absolute power over life and death, and tried to confront a powerful marquis at that moment, insisting on carrying out the executions despite his objections, I would be nothing but a fool," Zhao Xing thought.

No matter how just his reasoning, that was not the time for him to speak.

If the military court required a new recruit to challenge a marquis to earn a top evaluation, that would be completely unreasonable.

The attitude shown through his sentencing had been sufficient. Doing more would have crossed a line.

"My greatest concern was that Yang An might abuse his privilege to pardon the criminals, signaling a deep conflict with the court's current reforms. If he were narrow-minded, my decision to execute them without consultation would have made me his enemy."

"He came, but he did not pardon them. This proves Yang An is smart enough to recognize the court's intentions—to reform the military's culture. Moreover, he didn't even glance at me, focusing entirely on Qiu Mingyi. This helped diminish the attention on me and made it easier for me to continue my duties."

"Yang An's attitude indicates his support for me," Zhao Xing thought. "With the support of the commander, no one else will have anything to say."

"And more importantly, it was Yang An who personally executed them!"

"A strict leader, tough on both others and himself."

"He's skilled at deflecting internal conflicts, speaking of redeeming their souls by slaying the enemy. This is the sign of a competent commander," Zhao Xing concluded.

Yang An had even severed his own limbs to punish himself. With such a commander, there was no need to worry about unfairness.

Zhao Xing could feel confident in freely pursuing his talents.

Yang An's decisive and swift action reflected the strict discipline he imposed on the army.

By punishing even himself, Yang An showed that he could win people's hearts. It was said that he had previously shouldered much of the pressure on behalf of the Shenwei Army. By rewarding and punishing fairly, he made it clear that no one, not even himself, was exempt from the rules—a true leader.

"There are no simple people behind great reputations," Zhao Xing thought.

The most challenging aspect of this task had been gauging Yang An's stance.

"A compassionate person cannot lead an army, just as a righteous man cannot manage wealth. Yang An's behavior reassured me."

"Regardless, I won't be staying with this army for long. Once I complete the Nine Tasks, I'll reach seventh rank. Then, when the Southern Barbarian War breaks out, I'll seize the opportunity to advance to fifth rank and move on from the Shenwei Army."

Ultimately, it didn't matter to Zhao Xing what kind of man Yang An was. If necessary, he could always switch places.

But for now, it seemed worthwhile to stay with Yang An. The Shenwei Army, though currently obscure, would eventually rise to prominence.

Following them for a while would be like investing in a promising stock before it soared.

Having made peace with these thoughts, Zhao Xing shifted his focus to the second task.

The moment he opened his Earth Mirror, he saw the evaluation for the first task.

[First Task, "Inspection of the Shenwei Army," is complete.]

[Military Court Evaluation: A+ Rating]

"Just as I thought," Zhao Xing smiled slightly.

Then he moved on to the second task.

[Second Task: 'Temples of Anping Prefecture']

[Location: Anping Prefecture]

[Military Court Intelligence: Anping Prefecture is located west of Datong Prefecture. Since the establishment of Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture 200 years ago, there have been many legends about spirits and immortals. Local residents have built temples to worship Yin spirits, setting up spirit platforms at home for offerings. These spirits include not only human souls but also spirits of exotic beasts.]

[Below is a detailed list of 52 temples, including their origins and primary deities, as well as notable occurrences involving these Yin spirits over the past 200 years. You are to visit each temple in Anping Prefecture and assess whether they should remain or be dismantled.]

"Temples to Yin spirits?"

Zhao Xing frowned as he read through the second task.

This task seemed far more troublesome than the inspection of the Shenwei Army.

Because it involved the Fortune Dynasty's Yin Spirit System.

The Yin Spirit System was a crucial element of the Fortune Dynasty, perhaps even its foundation.

To enjoy incense offerings and preserve one's soul after death, to live on in the world as long as the dynasty endured—this was the dream of all officials.

This was far more than merely having one's name recorded in history.

As long as a Yin spirit received continuous incense offerings, and as long as the dynasty stood, they could exist indefinitely.

In essence, this was another form of eternal life!

Achieving noble rank and high office was relatively easy for the powerful, but it wasn't their ultimate goal.

The true temptation lay in being enshrined as a Yin spirit and enjoying incense offerings for all eternity!

In this era, there was a common belief: death was not the end, but being forgotten was. If one became a Yin spirit, they could continue to enjoy life in another realm.

Thus, rites and rituals were highly valued in the Great Zhou.

Zhao Xing had encountered a similar task in his previous life and knew how difficult it was.

"To think that the Emperor during this period, Emperor Jing, had such great ambitions," Zhao Xing mused.

The positions available for Yin spirits were limited, and as time passed from the reign of the founding Emperor Taizu to Emperor Wen and now to Emperor Jing, the number of Yin spirits had grown. The criteria for becoming a Yin spirit had also risen over time.

Most Yin spirits had been enshrined during the reigns of Taizu and Wen.

For example, after the kingdom was founded, many of the meritorious officials had already reached the end of their lives, with no chance to enjoy their wealth and power. Thus, even after death, they were enshrined so that their spirits could continue to benefit from the dynasty.

Similarly, the sects and Daoist schools that had pledged allegiance to the dynasty, such as the Seventy-Two Daoist Academies, all had their own second-rank Yin spirits. This was part of the agreement when they allied with the dynasty.

Take Li Huo Zhenjun, for instance—a first-rank Yin spirit. His Dao body existed long before the Zhou Dynasty, influencing the laws of heaven and earth across the nineteen provinces.

High-ranking members of the Li Huo Daoist Academy could even summon his Dao body to fight in battle, an incredibly powerful asset.

On the other hand, there were weaker Yin spirits like Shenxing Daizong, whose rank was much lower.

Shenxing Daizong had no choice but to deliver military messages without compensation, while Huang Chengzhi could send out four urgent commands in a single day, only to earn a few curses from Daizong for the trouble.

But Li Huo Zhenjun? His favors had to be repaid, and his power was vastly greater.

"The breakdown of the Yin Spirit System was the final straw that toppled the Great Zhou," Zhao Xing reflected on his previous experience with this task.

In his previous life, countless false gods had jumped down from their altars, becoming ferocious spirits demanding tributes from the people.

It got so bad that during one mission, Zhao Xing encountered a Yin spirit that demanded tolls for passing through its territory every few miles.

Some even went so far as to demand human sacrifices.

"The Yin Spirit System was originally designed to monitor and control wrongdoing, ensuring that lawbreakers had nowhere to hide. But later on, noble families began cultivating their own Yin spirits, leading to an era of privately raised deities. These Yin spirits shielded families from the court's investigation, and crimes like murder and theft went completely unpunished."

"Emperor Jing's stinginess wasn't without reason. If the positions of Yin spirits were too freely granted, his descendants would have none left. However, this frugality only treated the symptoms, not the cause. Even the establishment of the Yingling Hall failed to meet the growing demand."

"It makes sense for me, as a Shennong, to receive this task."

"After all, Shennongs also possess the ability to summon gods. Many of these temples house Shennong-related deities."

"Moreover, Shennongs have always had close ties with the Yin Spirit System."

"During war, Yin spirits can assist on the battlefield, providing crucial aid such as gathering souls, offering blessings to soldiers, and extending their lives."

"Without a solid understanding of the Yin Spirit System, I wouldn't even know which deities to summon for help!"

After thoroughly reviewing the task, Zhao Xing couldn't help but frown.

"Serving under Emperor Jing is truly exhausting. Each person is expected to do the work of ten. It's like being a beast of burden."

"Priests must know how to summon deities from all walks of life, Shennongs must be versed in the Yin Spirit System, and engineers must assist Shennongs in dealing with natural disasters."

"Officials under him are truly used to their fullest potential," Zhao Xing muttered to himself before turning his focus back to the task.

Difficult as it might be, it had to be done.

Nothing could sway Zhao Xing from his pursuit of eternal life.

[Temple of Yan Guang: Sixth-Rank Yin Spirit]

[Location: Pingjiang County, Hongyuan Prefecture, Anping Prefecture.]

[Military Intelligence: Yan Guang was a native of Pingjiang County, born in the year 233 of the Yong'an Era. In the third year of the Dingxin Era, he participated in the establishment of Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture. His highest official position during his life was Senior Eighth-Rank Director of the Pingjiang Waterworks.]

[In the 58th year of the Dingxin Era, Yan Guang passed away while in office, having dedicated sixty years to water management. He was honored posthumously with the title of Third-Class Earl of Pingjiang and was praised as a diligent official.]

[In the 60th year of the Dingxin Era, the Yan family established an ancestral shrine for him. By the 65th year of the Dingxin Era, local people had begun offering sacrifices, and by the 89th year of the same era, Yan Guang's memorial tablet was transferred from the Hall of Heroes to the Shrine of the Rock Fortress of Pingjiang. In the 143rd year of the Dingxin Era, Yan Guang's spirit rose to the rank of Seventh-Rank Yin Spirit due to the offerings of incense.]

[In the 195th year of the Dingxin Era, during a flood in Pingjiang, the Yan family performed extensive charitable acts, such as distributing porridge and repairing bridges. Yan Guang manifested for the first time, assisting the then-Senior Shennong of Pingjiang County, Wang Ze, in performing Shennong spells to quell the disaster.]

[In the 198th year of the Dingxin Era, Yan Guang manifested for the 49th time, his offerings of incense flourishing, and he ascended to the rank of Sixth-Rank Yin Spirit.]

[In the early years of the Jingxin Era, Yan Guang manifested for the 376th time...]

[In the tenth year of the Jingxin Era...]

This second task, while involving only 52 temples, featured Yin spirits of relatively high rank. The lowest-ranked were seventh-rank spirits, with the highest reaching upper sixth-rank.

After all, for a spirit to manifest and intervene in the mortal realm, seventh-rank was the minimum threshold during this period.

Of course, none of these were officially enshrined deities, and their powers were limited even when they did manifest.

They were false gods.

These deities could never reach the level of figures like the Earl of East Lake or Cao Xi, who had the power to destroy the blood-clone of a Blood Spirit Sovereign—a Sovereign Spirit of at least the third rank. Such powerful beings could split their souls to receive offerings and strengthen their main body.

The amount of intelligence provided by the military for this task was several orders of magnitude larger than for the previous one.

For the average person, making sense of these vast amounts of information would be incredibly difficult.

Without a deep understanding of the Yin Spirit System, one would be utterly confused, not knowing the court's intentions in assigning such a task.

"Break down the problem and analyze its essence," Zhao Xing thought as he began viewing the task from the perspective of the military court and even Emperor Jing himself.

"Anping Prefecture is a borderland province, much like Datong Prefecture, both located south of Pinghai Province, with numerous tributaries of the Cang River and Lan River running through them."

"There are also several military fortresses within the region."

"During the reign of Emperor Taizu, the Yin Spirit System was expanded significantly, allowing many loopholes. Local people started enshrining their own deities, and several of these 'wild gods' were later officially recognized. This continued until Emperor Wen gradually curtailed the practice, fearing that noble families might manipulate public opinion and cultivate their own gods."

"There are countless examples of wild gods being officially recognized, and as time passed, especially after the establishment of Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, numerous legends spread. This led to an increase in spontaneous worship of wild gods in border regions like Anping Prefecture."

"However, it's hard to believe that there's no involvement from the descendants of Yin spirits. Take the case of Yan Guang—the intelligence mentions his family multiple times. Without the Yan family's push, I doubt he would have been venerated as widely as he was. The military court won't believe otherwise either."

"These wild gods may not be as malignant as evil gods or illicit shrines, but with the Southern Barbarian War on the horizon, military priorities come first. Such unstable factors cannot be allowed to persist, let alone the worship of beasts as gods, which clearly reflects the influence of the Southern Barbarians."

In the end, Zhao Xing arrived at a simple conclusion: "These are evil gods and illicit shrines—they must be destroyed!"