The Demonic World I designed-Chapter 47 - 45 He Took Military Power
47: Chapter 45: He Took Military Power?
47 -45: He Took Military Power?
The gameplay of the Divine Path style was never hidden from players by the officials from the inception of the game; however, until the start of the second closed beta, no player had managed to employ this most powerful style, and the reason was that this gameplay was too difficult!
As the name implies, the Divine Path style is about consecrating deities, accumulating blessings through the myriad gods, manipulating human beliefs, increasing one’s own luck, thereby forming a power-based faction.
This style does not go it alone; instead, it’s a cultivation-based playstyle.
The strength of players who follow this path depends entirely on the size of their Divine Path power and not on the leveling and monster-slaying characteristic of other styles.
The operational process involves politics, public opinion, power struggle, human-demon balance, and the propagation of belief in the Divine Path.
Each aspect requires a great deal of brain power to manage and is very difficult to establish, and many people are stopped at the threshold by these requirements.
Why so?
Because in the setting of Chen Qing’s partner, the right to consecrate by divine mandate depends on the legitimate official position within the human-fate dynasty!
That is to say, you must hold an official position to have the qualifications to consecrate.
When the game advanced to a mature level in terms of intelligence and even included an examination system, just at this step, it stopped a large number of academically challenged players.
As a consequence, a mass of players went to the official website to curse out loud, and Chen Qing remembered his partner being cursed into the trending searches within just a few days, surpassing even his own frequency of being reviled…
By chance or mistake, after transmigrating, Chen Qing chose not to lie flat but instead chose to delve into books and take on the route of the imperial examinations, which can be considered as having obtained the entry ticket to play the Divine Path style.
But this was only the first step.
According to the rules of the Divine Path, within the jurisdiction, mountains, rivers, paths, and even the Hell City God fall within the scope of consecration.
However, it’s not that simple.
Otherwise, if you could form a Divine Path power by going around with the official seal consecrating at random, the system would have been invincible from the first closed beta.
The reason why even academically inclined players couldn’t play well was that they found their consecrated deities were not recognized, as if they couldn’t exercise their rights and get things done!
For the consecrated deities, not being able to do things meant they couldn’t accumulate the faith of the people, causing their divine power to weaken progressively.
If divine power weakens, the body becomes frail, putting the life of the consecrated deity in danger.
In this situation, to survive, the consecrated deities would once again become man-eating monsters, wreaking havoc among the people, or even transforming into malevolent gods, backfiring on you!
After all, you were the one who conferred deity status, so naturally, you bear the responsibility for the sins they commit; you share in the benefits when it brings fortune and virtue, boosting your strength.
But the rules of the world are fair when your consecrated deities cause resentment…
well, you’ll have quite the ordeal to face…
Therefore, consecrating a Divine Imperial Mandate Spirit must be done with utmost caution; it’s not something you can play around with carelessly.
This strategy is for those with brains to maneuver.
After reviewing the situation in Lyuzhou, Chen Qing knew which deity he should consecrate to reap the most benefit.
Right, it was the Gate Deity!
Having obtained permission from the Provincial Governor, Chen Qing didn’t even plan to spend the night in the bustling Jiangnan Capital.
Without delay, he set off back to Lyuzhou through the night.
“My lord, why are we in such a hurry?” The coachman couldn’t help but complain, “It’s not safe to travel at night.”
Upon learning that Chen Qing was a Magistrate of a province, the coachman no longer worried about being stiffed on the fare.
Chen Qing directed where to go, and he would follow since he was paid by the day; thus, he was especially vocal about the inconvenience of the hasty journey.
If they stayed a day in the Jiangnan Capital, he could have his fill of food and drink and even enjoy the prosperous Nanming Prefecture; most crucially, he could earn an extra day’s wage.
But the miserly official, to save money, had actually chosen to travel through the night.
Tsk, such a miser would undoubtedly also become a corrupt and bribe-taking government dog in the future.
“Ah, the matter is urgent, I really had no choice.
You’ve been put to much trouble, old Meng.
By the way, old Meng, the person who introduced you said you’re still single, right?”
“Ah…” Mentioning this only soured the coachman’s mood further as he muttered gloomily, “Wife and child passed away early, leaving me all alone…”
“Died unexpectedly?”
“Hmm…” The coachman suddenly paused, right, how did his wife and child die?
“I…
don’t remember, seemed like…
it was an accident?” The coachman furrowed his brow, feeling as if he had forgotten something very important.
Chen Qing poked his head out of the carriage and took a seat outside.
Seeing the confusion on old Meng’s face, he roughly understood what had happened.
The technique used to delete the memory of demons had probably been very crude.
Well, it made sense; how could it be possible to modify each person’s memory meticulously?
A simple and brutal deletion was the natural course, leading to situations like old Meng’s where one forgot how their own spouse and children died.
“If you’re alone, why stay in the north?
You’re good at driving a carriage, why not follow me?” Chen Qing offered an invitation.
The other’s driving skills were indeed impressive; most of the rugged mountain roads were traversed smoothly, preventing him from feeling car sick.
With Lyuzhou governing seventeen counties and the county magistrates having been purged by the Imperial Court, the current situation lacked governance, and he would soon need to make inspections.
It was essential to have a good coachman around.
“Follow you?” old Meng was taken aback but then shook his head, “I…
don’t want to be a servant.”
“How is it servitude?” Chen Qing laughed immediately, “Well…
how about this, old Meng, come work at the Government Office.
You’d be responsible for transporting officials of the sixth rank or higher on official business, prioritize transporting me.
I’ll count you as a Government Office clerk.
If you start a family again in the future, your child can also be recommended by you to take over the position.
How does that sound?”
“Oh?” old Meng was suddenly interested.
Being able to pass on the job to one’s descendants was usually the privilege of clerks in the Government Office.
Although many scholars looked down on being a clerk, ordinary people did not share that view.
Clerks had a small amount of authority, stable income, and the ability to have their sons inherit their jobs — a true iron rice bowl (secure job).
“A coachman can become a Government Office clerk?” old Meng asked while scratching his head.
“I am the Magistrate of Lyuzhou.
If I say it can be done, it can be done!”
In modern times, this would simply be a government driver, a position that used to be very desirable…
“Then, thank you, my lord, oh no, thank you, Lord Chen!” old Meng was ecstatic; were it not for him driving the carriage, he would probably be on the ground kowtowing in gratitude.
Indeed, I wasn’t wrong, this official is a good one…
Chen Qing pouted his lips, feeling a wave of satisfaction in his heart.
He finally tasted the joy of power.
Heh heh, all those years of hard study were not in vain…
“Right, when we’re about to reach Lyuzhou City, Old Meng, don’t rush to enter Lyuzhou, make a trip to Daqing Mountain first…
um…
head towards the direction of Yushui County…”
“Oh, Daqing Mountain, I know where that is!” Old Meng chuckled.
“Lord needn’t worry, I’m very familiar with Lyuzhou here.
It’s the same Daqing Mountain that legends say suppresses Feng Long, right?”
“Exactly, exactly!” Chen Qing burst into laughter.
“Old Meng, you’re so familiar with this place?”
“Familiar indeed.
I ran trade here in Lyuzhou when I was young.
I’ve been to all the counties under its jurisdiction.
Lord, why are you heading to Daqing Mountain in the middle of the night?”
“To pick up my son, and incidentally capture a few Gate Deities…”
“Huh?”
———————————————
“Mu DaRen, is there something urgent that brings you here late at night?”
Gong Qiniang, hearing that the Academic Commissioner paid a visit, promptly left his freshly bathed beautiful concubine in the small courtyard, hurriedly dressed, and went to the front hall to receive guests.
“This subordinate disturbs you late at night, please forgive me…” Mu Hongqing spoke with the same politeness and rigidity.
“Not at all…” Gong Qiniang hastily invited him into the parlor, but then he saw that this time Mu Hongqing was followed by someone.
The figure was shrouded in a black cloak, and in the dead of night, felt somewhat chilling.
“Ah, this is one of the apprentices I’m responsible for, the one with the best qualifications among those I currently mentor.
Xiao Ying, come and meet Official Gong.”
The apprentice behind him stepped closer upon hearing this, removed the hood, and revealed an astonishingly beautiful face.
In the moonlight, the young girl’s aura was unusually ethereal and cool, making her seem like an ice sculpture of a beauty.
Gong Qiniang was stunned for a moment; he considered himself experienced in the ways of the world and had seen many beauties from Jiangnan, but he had never met a woman with such exceptional aura.
But he dared not entertain any improper thoughts in his heart, after all, the other had just said that this person was an apprentice, an apprentice of the Academic Commissioner, which meant she was a Magician about to graduate!
“Student Chen Ying, meets Provincial Governor Sir.” The young woman’s voice was as cool as her presence, but the icier it was, the more it ignited fire in men’s hearts.
“No need to be so formal, no need to be formal…” Gong Qiniang quickly put on a warm and gentle elder’s smile.
Although his own concubine was only fifteen, that did not stop him from playing the role of a kindly elder to others, smiling amiably, “Miss, please forgive my surprise.
It’s my first time meeting a female Magician.
You truly do not pale in comparison to men.”
Of course, Magicians are not distinguished by gender.
The Imperial Court is in dire need of Magicians; as long as someone has the talent, why should they care whether you are male or female?
However, compared to men, it was harder to discover and promote female Magicians’ talents.
Yet, those who managed to make a name for themselves were inevitably formidable.
This was something Gong Qiniang was acutely aware of, so he naturally didn’t dare to be disrespectful!
After inviting both into the main hall, Mu Hongqing finally stated his purpose for coming.
“Having heard that the new Magistrate of Lyuzhou has already arrived at Nanming Prefecture, and considering that my apprentice will soon be stationed in Lyuzhou for a long time, I brought her over to get acquainted.”
“Oh, the outstanding apprentice you mentioned previously who is to take your place in Lyuzhou is this young lady?”
Speaking about his female apprentice, Mu Hongqing rarely showed a warm smile, “Although my apprentice is young, her talent is among the best even within the entire academy.
If it weren’t for her young age, she would have the qualifications to be a candidate for Academic Commissioner.”
“Oh?” Gong Qiniang’s eyes flashed with surprise.
Mu Hongqing was always modest, and it was rare to see him praising someone like this.
He quickly agreed, “That is truly impressive.
Lyuzhou relies on you, Miss.”
“You are too kind, Sir…” Perhaps influenced by her master, the young lady, despite her cool demeanor, was not arrogant and stood up to return the courtesy: “My master overpraises me.
I shall do my utmost.”
“Very good, very good!” Gong Qiniang rubbed his hands together.
“With your words, Miss, I am reassured.”
“By the way,” Mu Hongqing said.
“Is Lord Chen at the Government Office?
I would like my apprentice to meet him, as she will be working closely with Lord Chen in the future.
They could get acquainted and coordinate some matters.”
Your Majesty had entrusted him with something life-threatening for Chen Qing, and he was eager to get it off his hands…
“This…” Gong Qiniang forced a wry smile.
“I indeed wished to have Lord Chen stay the night, but despite his youth, he is a man of action.
Having received my authorization, he immediately returned to Lyuzhou through the night.”
“Authorization?” A glint flashed in Mu Hongqing’s eyes, and he asked without revealing much, “May I know what it was about?”
Gong Qiniang rushed to recount his conversation with Chen Qing.
After listening, Mu Hongqing’s eyes showed an even stranger expression, “You mean to say, he requested military authority?”
