Chapter 89: Hiding the Edge
Regardless of how difficult the little ghost is, the County God is of the seventh rank, which is indeed much better than Gong Mengbi, the ninth rank immortal official.
However, Gong Mengbi did not even reveal his own rank. He only said that he was the head of the Wuning County Fox Association of Tianhu Academy. This was a position set up by Tianhu Academy to educate the foxes and control the fox demons.
The immortal officials and the priests are not in the same system, so there is an information gap, and only the eighth-grade strength shown is introduced.
Although the eighth-grade strength is higher than the ninth-grade official rank, in the eyes of the City God, it is probably not as good as the official rank.
This is the case with the Shinto system, where status equals power, and this is especially true for the city gods appointed by the dynasty.
There is no such thing for immortal officials. They will cultivate to whatever level they are supposed to reach and will not be restricted by official rank.
Therefore, the Jade Fairy Goddess, who is superior to the first-rank celestial fairy, can become the principal of the third-rank Heavenly Fox Academy, and Gong Mengbi, an eighth-rank fox fairy, can become the head of the ninth-rank Fox Association.
The eighth-grade cultivation level is not as good as that of the City God, but the ninth-grade immortal official represents the power behind him.
To deal with an eighth-rank fox, even if he is a student of the Heavenly Fox Academy, and to deal with a ninth-rank immortal official from the Heavenly Fox Academy, the weight of the matter in the eyes of the gods is different.
Gods value status and rely on Shinto. Without official status, they are just common people who can be suppressed and dealt with. With official status, they enter the system and have to consider more consequences.
The reputation of Tianhuyuan was not great, at least not as great as that of the City God. The headmaster of Tianhuyuan was only of the third rank, but the City God was already a first-rank prince.
I hid my official rank for no other reason, I just wanted to see what kind of person the City God was.
After all, Gong Mengbi is not a priest, so he comes to pay a visit as a fox fairy.
Before the visit, the gift list is prepared.
He prepared moon dew wine, agarwood incense, cloud-top tea, and water-bottom pearls, totaling four items, and made a gift box.
When night fell, he walked with an umbrella, followed by the five ghost gods, and floated towards the City God Temple.
When the city gates were still open, the group entered the city and looked along the streets, which seemed no different from usual.
Only the patrolling ghosts paid more attention and passed the message to the City God Temple.
The City God Temple at night is completely different from that during the day. Even though it is brightly lit, it is not a place where living people live.
When Gong Mengbi arrived in front of the City God Temple, two gatekeeper ghosts stopped him with swords drawn: "Who is here?"
Gong Mengbi raised his umbrella slightly, revealing his face beneath a fiery red robe, and said, "I'm Gong Mengbi. I've handed in a visiting card during the day to pay a visit to the City God."
After taking a look at Gong Mengbi's face, the two gatekeeper ghosts paused slightly, not daring to act rashly, and said, "Please wait a moment."
One of the gatekeeper ghosts went in, and after a moment, came out with a wealthy and amiable ghost messenger.
The ghost messenger laughed and said, "These two little devils are ignorant of etiquette and neglect our distinguished guests. Why don't you apologize to the fox fairy?"
The two little ghosts then apologized to Gong Mengbi. The ghost messenger said, "I am Judge Wu of the Yin and Yang Division under the City God. Fox Fairy, please come this way."
Gong Mengbi followed Judge Wu's instructions and went to the City God Temple.
Pass through the Qilin Screen Wall and walk through the back hall to reach the City God’s residence.
It is opposite to the City God Temple, but it is somewhat different. It is a place where yin and yang meet, a magnificent temple.
Judge Wu led Gong Mengbi into the courtyard.
The space between the Yin and Yang worlds was no longer disturbed by the rain. Gong Mengbi folded up the paper umbrella and handed it to the Five Ghosts.
Judge Wu said, "Fox Fairy, the City God has already held a banquet in the courtyard. I have official business to attend to, so I cannot join him."
Gong Mengbi went to the courtyard. The five ghosts were about to follow him, but were stopped by Judge Wu.
The judge smiled and said, "Please come this way, the five of you. We have prepared some drinks in the side hall. Please do me a favor."
The five ghost gods handed the gift list to Judge Wu, who then sent a little ghost to take the gift box. He then ordered two ghost servants to accompany the five ghost gods and lead them into the side hall.
Gong Mengbi glanced sideways without saying a word and entered the courtyard. Immediately, a ghost girl came up to guide him.
This ghost princess was born beautiful, with cloud-like hair and colorful clothes, revealing a slender and white neck and a graceful figure.
Gui Ji led Gong Mengbi to the courtyard, where they saw a tall ghost sitting there, wearing a green robe and with a rough face.
When the ghost saw Gong Mengbi, he immediately laughed and said, "The fox fairy has come, bringing glory to our humble home."
Gong Mengbi laughed and bowed, "Gong Mengbi of Tianhuyuan, greetings to the City God."
The City God carefully examined Gong Mengbi, a look of surprise on his face. "I've long heard that the Heavenly Fox Court controls the fox immortals of the world, and that they are all virtuous and sage. Seeing them today, I can see that they are indeed extraordinary."
It is not difficult for a fox fairy to transform into a human form and become beautiful, but when it comes to Gong Mengbi's level, it is not something that can be created by illusion. It is commonly known as being favored by heaven.
Gong Mengbi smiled and said, "Your Excellency is too kind to praise me. My cultivation is so low that I dare not call myself a Taoist immortal."
The City God invited him to take a seat, and the Ghost Lady came forward with two ghost girls to pour wine.
Gong Mengbi looked at the cups and plates on the table, all of which were made of fine gems, and the plates containing fruits and pastries were all made of gold and silver.
Gong Mengbi raised his wine cup and said respectfully, "A toast to you, sir. I have been practicing in this county for many years and have often heard that you are extraordinary and have benefited all quarters. I admire you deeply."
The City God drank the wine with a smile and said, "So the fox fairy is from this county?"
Gong Mengbi said, "Yes, I have been practicing in this county. Later, I was admitted as a student of the Heavenly Fox Academy. I was taught by my teachers and appointed to the Fox Association. I was asked to be the chief administrator of the foxes and educate them so that they would not cause harm."
The City God said, "That's also a good deed. Foxes and spirits often roam the streets. If they follow the rules, it's fine. But if they don't, they're bound to cause harm."
Gong Mengbi said, "That's right. The City God governs a county and guards the area. He's very busy with official duties. How dare I disturb him because of a fox attack?"
"Your Excellency is the local parent, governing both the Yang and the Yin. Foxes cultivate between the Yin and Yang. Therefore, even though I have been appointed by the Heavenly Fox Academy, I dare not fail to come and pay my respects to Your Excellency."
The City God smiled when he heard this: "Teaching the foxes is a good thing, and I certainly support it. However, since you are in charge of the foxes, don't blame me for vilifying them. If any fox harm occurs, I will hold you accountable."
Gong Mengbi said, "I certainly wouldn't dare to cause trouble to you, my Lord."
The City God smiled and said, "Okay, how do you plan to educate the foxes?"
Gong Mengbi said, "When it comes to education, we must first understand etiquette. I plan to build a fox academy and invite you to give lectures to the foxes."
The City God seemed to be thinking about something, and said, "It would be a great spectacle if foxes could do this and gather all the foxes together."
Gong Mengbi's expression remained unchanged as he said, "They are just wild foxes, barbarians. How can they be called glorious?"
"That's not right," the City God said. "Foxes and demons roaming the streets are also citizens under my rule, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the city."
Gong Mengbi said, "Your Excellency is right."
The City God said, "Educating the foxes is a good thing, but it can't just be education. Fox Association, my Inspection Department is still short of a chief judge. I wonder if you are interested in leading the fox spirits to head the Inspection Department for me?"
Gong Mengbi was stunned for a moment and said, "I am just a wild fox, how can I be worthy of such an important task?"
The City God looked at him with a smile and said, "You are a senior disciple of the Heavenly Fox Academy. Besides you, who else can take on this important task?"
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