Chapter 269 - 134: Stop Modifying, Okay?

Chapter 269: Chapter 134: Stop Modifying, Okay?

Jiang Mu could easily see what Si Rumeng was getting at.

This woman wanted to go legit.

She wanted to take the "official route," so to speak—to shed her demonic nature and walk the righteous path of Incense and Candle Power.

This would allow her to gain the Celestial Dao’s recognition and attain a Star Position, even with a demon’s body.

For a Demon, this was the only path to the Great Dao—and the most difficult one.

Jiang Mu had heard Xu Fu mention that in ancient times, a few Great Demons had indeed succeeded on this path. They ultimately joined the ranks of the immortals, worshiped for millennia.

But those were legends. In reality, he’d never heard of any Demon actually succeeding.

But the problem was...

’Why should she be the one?’

’Why should a Tree Demon like her get to transform and enjoy the worship of mortals?’

Besides, Jiang Mu didn’t think he possessed the heaven-defying power needed to help a Tree Demon go legit, to help her defy fate and alter her destiny.

"Several months ago, before the rebellion in Yan City, that man, ’Black Mountain,’ found us."

Si Rumeng slowly walked to the ancient locust tree in front of the temple, reaching out to gently stroke its rough bark. Morning light filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled pattern across her bewitching face as she spoke in a cool, distant voice:

"He planted an incense-based restriction within our Soul Bodies. Our lives are his to take with a single thought. If any of us even consider betrayal, a mere whim of his would cause our souls to be obliterated.

He drove us into a small world he created.

Inside, he kept a Dharma Lamp, a Magical Artifact that seemed connected to his very Life Chart and was saturated with Incense and Candle Power.

That’s how Yu Xiaoqian and the others were able to condense their true bodies from that power.

The price was that every month, we had to find him at least twenty living human hearts to offer before the Buddha Lamp..."

Si Rumeng paused, a sharp glint in her phoenix eyes.

"It was during those days of imprisonment that I slowly developed a bold idea.

I deduced that Black Mountain must be a major figure in the real world. Someone officially enfeoffed by the Court, with his own temple, receiving year-round worship from the people.

Although the Great Qing’s fortune is waning, it remains the orthodox nation of the Central Plains. The Court’s appointments and temple charters must therefore be recognized by the Celestial Dao, and are even linked to the nation’s destiny.

I have a Secret Technique that can borrow his status to create a new ’god.’

But the prerequisite is to obtain a large amount of his foundational Incense and Candle Power. I tried many times to steal the power from the Buddha Lamp, but I always failed and was nearly discovered.

But now, you have succeeded."

She turned, her gaze burning as she stared at Jiang Mu. A fierce flame ignited in the depths of her demonic eyes.

"So, if you’re willing to help me, we can absolutely create a ’new god’ of our own.

Then, you’ll have a continuous supply of legitimate Incense and Candle Power. You’ll be able to use many top-tier Magical Treasures that require it for activation, like that Buddha Lamp in your hands.

Furthermore, if you’re lucky enough to raise your Cultivation Level to the Tenth Realm or higher, the boost you’ll receive from this Incense and Candle Power will be immeasurable."

Jiang Mu understood Si Rumeng’s plan.

To obtain legitimate mortal worship and gain the Celestial Dao’s approval, one needed a "license."

Black Mountain currently held a genuine license to collect Incense and Candle Power, issued by the Court.

Si Rumeng, on the other hand, wanted to secretly copy Black Mountain’s license—to run a counterfeit operation, essentially—and trick the Celestial Dao. Then, she would exploit the volatile sentiment of the people in these chaotic times to harvest legitimate Incense and Candle Power.

’But was the Celestial Dao really so easy to deceive?’

Seeing Jiang Mu pondering in silence, Si Rumeng took another step forward, her voice tinged with confidence:

"If you are willing to help me, I’m eighty percent sure I can get the Celestial Dao’s approval!

And, if we become powerful enough to kill Black Mountain later, we can replace him completely and take everything he has.

You must understand, once the Court enfeoffs a mortal god, the decree cannot be rescinded. It’s like water that’s already been spilled. There are many complex factors involved, which you’ll understand in time.

So, once we replace Black Mountain, even if the Court finds out, they’ll have no choice but to accept it.

Furthermore...

If the Great Qing dynasty falls, no matter which new dynasty rises to become the orthodox power in the Central Plains, we can use our vast following and our Incense and Candle Power as bargaining chips to negotiate with them.

We can get them to support us, build temples for us far and wide, and proclaim our miracles.

It’s mutual exploitation.

It’s true that mortal gods enfeoffed by the Great Qing are bound to the nation’s destiny, and its collapse would harm them. But I have a way to sever that connection, to become immune to the rise and fall of dynasties.

And even..."

She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Jiang Mu, her eyes glinting with a seductive allure.

"If you wanted to rebel, you could also use this mortal god you personally created to build momentum for your cause.

Never underestimate the people’s superstitious worship of gods and immortals. In chaotic times, a single divine oracle is worth more than a million soldiers!"

Jiang Mu narrowed his eyes, looking at this ambitious woman before him.

This was perfectly in character for the Tree Demon.

Even after their brief time together, he could tell she was fiercely independent, with a core of insatiable ambition and resentment.

She would never be content with just being a puppet.

Even as a Demon, she had to be the one controlling the board, not a piece on it.

"What’s your method?" Jiang Mu asked, his curiosity piqued.

Si Rumeng shook her head, a mysterious smile touching her lips.

"You’ll know when the time comes. After all, this isn’t something that can be accomplished in a short time, but it won’t take too long either."

"Then what do you need from me?"

Jiang Mu asked.

Si Rumeng held up three slender, jade-like fingers.

"Three things.

First, help me forge a gilded body.

The best way would be to modify a Bodhisattva statue from a temple, one that has been steeped in incense for many years. The more popular the temple and the longer it has existed, the better."