That single "Hmm?" placed immense pressure on the City God.
His psychological defenses, which were already on the verge of collapse, finally shattered completely. Trembling, he began to explain the true situation.
This incident was indeed a unilateral dereliction of duty on the City God's part. Because he had focused all his attention on the county seat, his management of other areas had become extremely lax. He hadn't even read many of the official dispatches sent from the various towns.
However, he had indeed seen the dispatch regarding the demon. It was just that he felt the demon's strength was not significant, believing the Earth God could handle it himself, or perhaps a passing cultivator would take care of it. Therefore, he simply ignored it.
It was... preposterous. So preposterous that Su Qing felt something must have gone wrong for this man to be appointed as a City God in the first place.
Unfortunately, it wasn't convenient for Su Qing to punish him directly. At most, she could only offer a few threats and a stern warning. Otherwise, she truly would have given him a proper lesson to satisfy her sense of justice.
Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Su Qing looked at the City God and delivered a sharp reprimand.
Hearing the scolding, the City God didn't dare to talk back in the slightest; he could only accept it honestly. Though he was the venerable of a whole county, at this moment, he was like a child who had done something wrong, taking his lecture with head bowed. It was a rather amusing sight.
Finally, Su Qing said, "I have already dealt with the demon this time, and I'm too lazy to punish you further. However... if you ever commit the same mistake again, do not blame me for reporting this matter to the higher authorities! When that time comes, things won't end so simply."
After speaking, Su Qing turned and left, showing no intention of staying a moment longer. She didn't even want to spare another glance at the fellow. As a City God, this man was doing a truly abysmal job.
'It seems that even among City Gods, there are good and bad ones... The immortals of this world are really no different from the officials of the mortal realm.'
Su Qing shook her head slightly at the thought and departed on a cloud.
After Su Qing left, the City God wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Although their conversation hadn't lasted long, he felt as if his back was completely soaked. Since becoming a City God, this was the first time he had felt such panic.
"Fortunately, fortunately, Lady Sovereign gave me another chance."
The City God breathed a sigh of relief, while simultaneously thinking: 'No, I must go back and read all the remaining dispatches! If I fail again, I'm afraid...'
The City God didn't dare imagine his fate. He was an immortal, yes. But as an immortal, he was subject to the regulations of the Heavenly Court. It was one thing for a dereliction of duty to go unnoticed, but if it were discovered... His Majesty would surely hand down a punishment. When that time came, it wouldn't just be a verbal warning like the one Su Qing gave.
Being sent into the cycle of reincarnation and losing centuries of incense power cultivation would be considered a light sentence. If he were sent to the Soul-Severing Platform, even an immortal would end up with their soul scattered.
Therefore, after such an experience, how could the City God dare to act as he had before?
Su Qing didn't know the City God's thoughts, nor did she care. It would be best if he changed; if not, she wouldn't mind making another trip. It wasn't exactly a difficult task anyway.
Back at the manor, Su Qing had just sat down when Jin Xin brought her a cup of tea.
Seeing the tea, Su Qing's eyelid twitched, and she asked, "You didn't put something in here, did you?"
"Rest assured, it's not poisoned." Jin Xin maintained her standard smile, showing no flaws whatsoever.
However, Su Qing didn't believe a word of her nonsense. She looked at Jin Xin and asked, "If it's not poison, then you've added an aphrodisiac?"
Su Qing knew Jin Xin all too well. For this person to be so attentive, there had to be a catch. Otherwise, why would she serve tea the moment Su Qing returned?
Hearing this, Jin Xin looked shocked and couldn't help but ask, "How did you know, Big Green Sister?"
At Jin Xin's 'shock,' Su Qing's mouth twitched. She rolled her eyes and said, "How else would I know? Haven't you done this sort of thing plenty of times? However, I regret to inform you that this body of mine is most resistant to all kinds of drugs. So, even an aphrodisiac is useless against me."
Su Qing spoke helplessly before drinking the tea in one gulp. "Next time, don't do something so meaningless."
"That's impossible? This aphrodisiac is something even an Earthly Immortal might not be able to withstand!" Jin Xin lacked confidence in other things, but she was very confident in the medicines she refined.
Su Qing shook her head. "It works on Earthly Immortals, but I am no ordinary Earthly Immortal. Furthermore, this body is a specially refined clone... It is naturally immune to all toxins and drugs. Forget an aphrodisiac an Earthly Immortal can't handle—even one that could take down a Heavenly Immortal would be meaningless to me. Besides, even if I did somehow fall for it, this body is controlled by my main consciousness... No matter how strong the drug, it wouldn't affect me."
Hearing Su Qing's words, Jin Xin looked disappointed. "How boring. I'll try adding something else to the tea next time then."
"?"
Su Qing was utterly bewildered. This girl simply didn't listen to a word she said!
As Su Qing and Jin Xin were having their nonsensical chat, Ao Yiyi walked out from the inner room.
"Sister Xiao Qing, have you settled the matter with the City God?" Seeing Su Qing back, Ao Yiyi naturally understood that the business with the City God had come to a close.
"Mhm, more or less. Whether he changes his ways, I don't know. But it doesn't have much to do with us; we should focus on our own affairs from now on." Su Qing smiled and nodded.
"I see! So the next steps are building the temple and developing incense power, right?" Ao Yiyi nodded. Seeing there was still tea in the pot, she naturally poured herself a cup and drank it down. She happened to be a bit thirsty.
Beside her, Jin Xin, who had been busy thinking of how to win over Su Qing, noticed Ao Yiyi drinking the tea. She wanted to stop her, but it was already a bit too late. For a moment, her eyelid twitched, sensing that things were about to go south.
Su Qing didn't notice the subtle shift and simply nodded. "Yes, it will take a year or two at most. If things go quickly, we might be able to move to the next city in about six months!"
Ao Yiyi nodded. "There's no need to rush our departure. We have plenty of time. While collecting incense power, I can also look for the answers I'm seeking."
As she spoke, Ao Yiyi suddenly felt a wave of heat and restlessness rising in her heart... Her skin also began to feel slightly itchy. This strange sensation caused her to furrow her brows.
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