Chapter Ninety-Five: The Violet True Seed [Request for Favorites!]

Liu Ping had no choice but to admit that he had truly passed.

This was not entirely his own doing. Talent was certainly part of it, but there was a more important reason.

The examinations of the netherworld had always been simple, and for what reason? Because the souls of those former degree-holders, though they could barely preserve their intelligence and most of their memories and did not sink into utter confusion, were still in a dazed, clouded state. The knowledge they had in life could not be fully expressed. Thus, only one question was needed to test them.

With that advantage and disadvantage balanced against each other, it was hardly strange that Liu Ping, who had written, “With intent to do good, yet good is not rewarded; with no intent to do evil, yet evil is not punished,” would pass with ease.

Having been named so openly, he could no longer muddle through. He could only step forward and say, “I wrote it,” seeking to be aboveboard about it.

At those words, every ghost in the hall turned to look at him at once. The faces of the ghost scholars were full of envy and jealousy, while the examiners were all astonished.

Who was this man? Most of the examiners could see something amiss. They felt he was not a ghost, but if he was not a ghost, why was he here?

On Liu Ping’s body there was a faint radiance. Though dim, it carried an unspeakably sacred air, and within it seemed to conceal a thick, hidden force of destiny. Their hearts trembled slightly, a trace of fear arose, and none dared speak. They all lowered their heads.

The Bright Emperor frowned slightly and looked at Liu Ping. He had not examined him closely before and had not noticed the trick, but now that he looked carefully, he immediately saw many things. His pupils contracted slightly, and at once he showed an interested expression.

An amusing fellow. In the long years after death, what was lacking most was something interesting.

After all, he was an emperor. Though such a thought flashed through his mind, it did not show on his face. Instead, he asked calmly, “You composed this very well. Who are you?”

“I am the scholar Liu Ping of Qinxian County. I greet Your Majesty.” Liu Ping did not kneel, only bowed deeply.

“Would you be willing to serve as the city god of Zhang County?” The Bright Emperor heard Liu Ping call himself “I” rather than “your subject,” and thus became fully certain that he was indeed alive. How could one who owed loyalty to a living emperor lower his head and call another sovereign master? Yet he did not mind this at all. As a wise and enlightened emperor, he possessed enough breadth of mind.

“I fear I cannot accept,” Liu Ping said, shaking his head.

The Bright Emperor did not anger. Instead, he asked, “Why not?”

Liu Ping replied, “I have not yet died. As a scholar of the Great Xia Dynasty, I should take part in the examinations, serve the nation loyally, and devote myself to the realm. That is my foremost duty. So however generous Your Majesty’s intentions may be, I can only decline.”

The Bright Emperor gave a slight nod. To ghosts such as them, the Great Xia Dynasty came first. Though Liu Ping’s answer left him somewhat regretful, it did not displease him.

In truth, Liu Ping knew this very well, and that was why he dared remain here rather than flee.

If the Great Xia Dynasty were to collapse, these ghost emperors would all have to step down. At worst, their cultivation would fall. At best, they would be reborn through reincarnation. Only if their souls were scattered would it truly be disastrous.

Seeing no offense taken, the Bright Emperor’s interest deepened. He continued, “Since you have not yet died, why are you here before me?”

The scholars and degree-holders beside Liu Ping were all dumbfounded, staring at him in shock. This man was not dead? The only one among them with some clarity, Yin Bing, sensed something was wrong even more keenly. He unconsciously stepped back several paces, his heart surging with wild delight. If this man did not accept the city god office, then perhaps he himself could become the city god. A county judge was fine enough, but how could that compare to the city god?

Liu Ping said, “I do not know either. Just now I was still drowsy, and before I knew it I had opened my eyes. Hearing gongs and drums sounding in the street, I followed them here without thinking. I have been rude. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“Forgiveness is easy enough, but there is one thing I do not understand. Could you explain it to me?” The Bright Emperor truly did not blame him, and this made Liu Ping relax. He asked, “Please speak, Your Majesty.”

“You are only a minor scholar. Why do you have so much fortune within you?” The Bright Emperor stared straight at Liu Ping and asked each word deliberately.

“Fortune? That…” Liu Ping was startled. The Bright Emperor truly was no simple figure. After thinking it over, he still answered honestly, “I do not know what is going on, but if I understand it correctly, it should be related to a book I recently wrote.”

“Oh? And what book did you write?”

“Gods of Destiny: Three Kingdoms.”

“Gods of Destiny: Three Kingdoms? You are the author of Gods of Destiny: Three Kingdoms?” The Bright Emperor’s eyes lit up as he asked in wonder.

“That is correct.” Liu Ping nodded, secretly astonished. Had his novel become so popular even in the underworld? But things from the living world could not be brought down to the netherworld, and ordinary people would not burn novels for their ancestors. By that reckoning, could these ghosts be reading pirated copies?

“So you are the author of Gods of Destiny: Three Kingdoms. No wonder I am astonished. To be so young and yet so brilliantly talented, you truly count among the finest of men. Someone like you ought indeed to serve the Great Xia with all your heart!” the Bright Emperor praised.

“Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!”

“By the way, why has the third volume of your Gods of Destiny: Three Kingdoms not yet been released? It has been delayed for quite some time now!” the Bright Emperor asked.

“This…” Liu Ping’s heart shook, and he was speechless. He had never been hounded for an update by anyone before, yet now he was being pressed for one by a ghost, and a ghost emperor at that! He only felt as though ten thousand alpacas had thundered across his heart. He was utterly dazed.

Talking with the Bright Emperor like this left the many other candidates and the examiners on the side staring in stupefaction. They looked at Liu Ping in horror and confusion, wondering what sort of book Gods of Destiny: Three Kingdoms was that even the Bright Emperor was urging for a sequel.

“Haha.” Seeing Liu Ping’s troubled expression, the Bright Emperor could not help but laugh. Then he said, “I have been dead for so many years. After arriving in the netherworld, life has been rather comfortable, but it is truly dull. The only thing to do was hold examinations to pass the time. Those vulgar and tasteless worldly novels are simply worthless; I had no expectations of them. But after I read your Gods of Destiny: Three Kingdoms, I finally took some interest. I also read many other novels in the same vein, and none were as good as yours. So I pressed you a little. I hope you will not take offense.”

“I would not dare. I will certainly return and write the third volume as soon as possible,” Liu Ping said. His skin already felt faintly prickly, and he could only agree.

“That is more like it. Your line, ‘With intent to do good, yet good is not rewarded; with no intent to do evil, yet evil is not punished,’ is elegant and profound, and very much to my taste. Since we have spoken so well, how could I be stingy? I will bestow this upon you.” As he spoke, the ghost emperor took a jade cup from his robes and tossed it over.

The jade cup emitted a faint glow, and within it there was a trace of pale purple spiritual light. It was clearly no ordinary thing. Liu Ping looked at that hint of purple and felt his heart shake. He immediately sensed that this gift was far too weighty. He hurriedly caught it, not being coy, and accepted it without hesitation before saying respectfully, “Many thanks, Your Majesty!”

A purple spiritual seed! The eyes of the examiners nearby turned red one by one. Was this gift not a little too generous? The scholars beside them did not know how precious this object was, but they knew very well. If an ordinary mortal carried a purple spiritual seed close by, it could extend life by fifty years. Much less Liu Ping, who was clearly no ordinary mortal. For one engaged in the path of cultivation, its benefits would be even greater. At once, all of them felt the urge to rush over and snatch it.

“Mm, I shall have a ghost soldier escort you back!” the Bright Emperor said casually, issuing the order to leave.

“Yes.”

Only after Liu Ping had gone did one of the officials hesitate and begin to speak. “Your Majesty?”

The Bright Emperor said lightly, “Of course I know that Liu Ping is no ordinary mortal. But so what? For someone like that, making a friendly connection and wasting one purple spiritual seed—what of it?”

What is one purple spiritual seed worth? The many examiners beside him were speechless. Only the Bright Emperor could say such a thing. Only he had such boldness. If it were the other emperors, they would never make such a grand gesture.

“Then, Your Majesty, what about the city god?” one asked.

“Let Yin Bing take the post. As for the county judge, dismiss the current one and let him continue for another fifty years. At that time, replace him.”

“Yes!”

Outside, the ghost soldier asked, “Young Master Liu, where do you live?”

“No need. I can walk on my own,” Liu Ping said with a slight smile.

“You will lose your way. Let me guide you,” the ghost soldier said.

“I won’t.” Liu Ping shook his head.

How unreasonable this mortal was! The ghost soldier cursed inwardly in irritation. Just as he was about to speak again, he turned his head and discovered that Liu Ping had suddenly vanished. He stared in disbelief, eyes wide, and looked all around. Then, in the distance, he caught a flash of Liu Ping’s figure.

The ghost soldier was horrified. He stood there dumbfounded, watching Liu Ping until he disappeared completely, unable to make sense of what had just happened. After a long while he remained silent, and only then did he mutter, “These days, are mortals this terrifying now?”