Chapter 99: Good Deeds

“One thousand good deeds?”

Wu Ming and Xu Zi Quan were both puzzled, immediately thinking of the Tian Gong system in the Main Temple.

“Oh! My fault, you two are newcomers and probably not familiar with the rules of Heitai Yin City…”

Wei Shanchu patted his head and laughed, “This is a merit system proposed by our City God, known as ‘Good Deeds’, which actually refers to contributions made to Heitai Yin City. For instance, I once rescued a believer of our City God in Heishan Ghost Country and earned one good deed!”

“The accumulation of good deeds has many uses. Whether a divine official or yin soldier wants promotion or long-term residency rights, good deeds are indispensable. Moreover, if one accumulates an astonishing amount of good deeds, one might even earn a personal audience with the City God…”

“Some external ghosts and deities who wish to join the City God’s system and receive protection also need to prove themselves through good deeds…”

“If that’s the case, then one thousand good deeds would mean rescuing one thousand souls of the City God’s believers?”

Wu Ming and Xu Zi Quan exchanged glances, both feeling somewhat challenged.

To be honest, while a thousand vengeful spirits might appear to be a daunting number, both of them had their own exceptional abilities and techniques, so neither was intimidated by the task itself. However, the three-day deadline made it an extremely urgent matter.

“Not necessarily rescuing believers only!”

Wei Shanchu was taken aback: “The City God has issued various tasks in the form of proclamations, which anyone entering the city can accept.”

Having said that, he bowed gracefully, speaking with exceptional sincerity: “Esteemed gentlemen, I presume you will soon return to the land of the living. I regret not being able to consult with you daily and benefit from your wisdom. Please allow me to host one more banquet to ease my heart…”

Upon hearing this, Wu Ming inwardly rolled his eyes.

Fortunately, food in the underworld contained spiritual energy, which transformed into subtle magical power when consumed. Thus, there was no such thing as overeating.

“Honored by the invitation, we dare not decline!”

Xu Zi Quan replied, making Wei Shanchu very happy. He immediately ordered preparations for another grand feast.

Although merely a minor official, within his own mansion, Wei Shanchu was as mighty as a prince or marquis. At his command, a hundred servants immediately began bustling about to set up the venue.

Before long, everything was ready. The hall was resplendent with golden and jade-like decorations, over a hundred exquisite dishes served on jade plates, all extravagantly prepared. Colorfully dressed dancers and musicians came forth to perform, creating a joyous atmosphere for both hosts and guests.

After the third round of wine and five courses of food, Wei Shanchu finally spoke, somewhat embarrassed, revealing his true purpose.

This feast was already quite luxurious for him, not something he could casually offer. Giving gifts usually meant seeking favors. What he requested was merely that Wu Ming and Xu Zi Quan, upon returning to the land of the living, deliver a message to his descendants there, thus repaying his kindness. If they could also offer slight assistance, he would be eternally grateful.

Wu Ming and Xu Zi Quan were not reluctant and readily agreed, greatly delighting Wei Shanchu, who kept urging them to drink until they all parted joyfully.

“Brother Ming, shall we go together and take a look at the Good Deeds List?”

After the banquet, both being yin spirits who had achieved cultivation, they naturally did not require rest nor needed to sober up. Thus, Xu Zi Quan suggested.

“Excellent!”

Wu Ming nodded, and the two walked side by side, admiring the scenery along the way.

Now they could see the difference between the underworld and the land of the living. Walking along the extremely spacious street, there were few pedestrians, almost giving the impression of entering a land of giants.

The buildings on both sides were mostly grand mansions, elaborately decorated, with several palaces, all residential in nature, while other commercial shops were scarce.

In the underworld, each grave and plot of land forms its own domain. Ghosts differ from the living—their needs are primarily fulfilled through ancestral sacrifices and incense offerings from the world of the living. Apart from lawful money and virtuous deeds, their demands are minimal, so they all become household spirits?

(Note: “宅鬼” is translated as “household spirits” based on context, as it refers to ghosts attached to specific dwellings. If a more literal or culturally specific term is preferred, alternatives like “residential ghosts” could be considered.)

Wu Ming speculated, sighing as he noticed several ruins emitting faint spiritual light.

Ghosts are not immortal either; once ancestral worship ceases in the living world and there are no legal money or yin energy to replenish them, or if they cannot cultivate themselves or obtain divine positions, they will eventually perish and vanish.

These houses were clearly abandoned for a long time due to the descendants neglecting ancestral worship, unable to sustain themselves, hence falling into disrepair.

Once these ancestral spirits completely vanish, this place will enter a state of complete oblivion, awaiting the arrival of a new yin residence.

Gradually, they reached the city center.

This area was different from the surroundings; the crowd was denser, and the atmosphere was filled with military presence. Patrols of yin soldiers could be seen on the streets, imposing and solemn, giving a sense of security.

A thick golden-red divine light shimmered across the sky, evoking awe and reverence from all who beheld it.

“How… how is this possible? Is this still just a county-level City God?”

Indeed, Xu Zi Quan beside Wu Ming, who could somewhat perceive spiritual phenomena, was also visibly affected. In the underworld, yin spirits could more easily open their spiritual eyes, and now his expression kept changing, even showing slight cold sweat, indicating the immense pressure brought by the City God’s divine might!

At the heart of Heitai Yin City stood a palace, with four massive military camps at its corners, exuding a black-red aura that pierced the heavens.

Rows of soldiers, fierce and valiant, were led by their squad leaders and camp commanders, their drill cries shaking the surrounding areas.

The palace walls were tall and deep, covered with intricate talismanic lights, densely packed, representing formidable protective forces.

At the palace entrance, a giant plaque was hung, with the four characters “City God Palace” standing out prominently.

Beneath it, countless yin generals stood guard and patrolled, their appearances majestic and firm as iron, their auras as profound and unfathomable as an abyssal sea.

“This…”

Xu Zi Quan was stunned: “Governing a million ghosts, with divine power like an ocean, not to mention the palace and barracks… even city gods of prefecture or province level might not necessarily possess such might!”

“At least a prefectural City God definitely wouldn’t have such a presence!”

Wu Ming beside him echoed with a sense of shared awe. He had seen prefectural City Gods before, but if Wang Zhong had such power, the Wang family would have already become a regional feudal lord.

Around the palace, the market was vaguely bustling, with a few shops, mostly blacksmiths, and a tavern.

Weapons in the underworld needed to be forged from spiritual iron, and ghost food for enjoyment was no easy commodity. Most relied on offerings from descendants in the living world. Those who could afford to indulge in a tavern were rare, mostly ghosts or deities with high magical power.

“We’ve arrived at the Good Deeds Leaderboard!”

Xu Zi Quan, not particularly interested in these surroundings, noticed a crowd of yin ghosts gathered beneath the palace wall, where a large yellow proclamation was posted, and his eyes lit up.

Both he and Wu Ming bore clear auras, their fortune rising several feet, making them anything but common in Heitai Yin City.

In fact, without pushing through the crowd, their innate spiritual pressure caused many yin souls to look fearful, smiling obsequiously and making way.

“Good Deeds List! All who enter Heitai Yin City shall uphold righteousness and accumulate good karma, and divine merit shall be bestowed accordingly…”

Wu Ming read a few lines, his eyes flickering: “This City God speaks with great authority and ambition, actually attempting to act as Heaven itself, rewarding good and punishing evil!”

In the middle of the proclamation were densely packed entries.

Indeed, rescuing a believer of the City God was worth exactly one good deed.

Besides that, there were also rewards for exploration, cultivation, assistance, and even for killing enemy ghosts serving under the Black Mountain Lord, each with corresponding good deed rewards.

Around the Good Deeds List, another proclamation clearly outlined the purposes of good deeds.

From exchanging for legal money, obtaining Heitai Yin City residency, to reincarnation, and even joining the City God’s office as an official or requesting an audience with the City God himself, all were specified.

“Hmm?”

Wu Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly upon reading a line:

“Joining the City God’s office requires 5,000 good deeds! And one must possess a red glow or auspicious aura? This is merely an unranked official position, yet it seems quite popular… I wonder how much my land god edict is worth?”

The land god edict he carried was of the legitimate rank of Zhengjiupin (Ninth Grade), serving as a local chief official—essentially a smaller version of a City God. Its value would certainly not be low.

Scanning the Good Deeds List, there was no option for returning to the land of the living, indicating that the Heitai City God had indeed shown them special favor.

“Reincarnation, all enmities erased, costs fifty good deeds per soul…”

Wei Shanchu’s eyes flickered as he read this line: “Even reincarnation comes with such a cost. This underworld is truly no place of kindness…”

Ordinary ghosts, when their time is up, if they do not reincarnate or find other paths, will dissipate and perish, suffering true annihilation with no chance of rebirth.

“How pitiful for ordinary ghosts!”

Xu Zi Quan sighed: “If I were a legal officer, I would…”

“Hehe…”

A nearby burly man chuckled.

“Does this brother have any insightful views?”

Xu Ziquan noticed that this man had half of his face covered in black spiritual patterns, with black-red flames rising three feet from his body. Clearly a formidable ghost deity, he showed no fear toward the spiritual pressure emanating from Xu, prompting Xu to inquire.

“I’m just laughing at you, standing there talking without feeling the burden!”

The burly man was quite blunt, immediately replying: “The City God is merciful, issuing decrees willing to use his divine power to help wronged souls reincarnate and escape suffering. What a great kindness is that?”

“If everyone could be exempt from payment, even with the vast divine power of the City God, it would not withstand such depletion. Eventually, when this path is severed, we’d all end up like in the Black Mountain Ghost Kingdom, never to be reborn—wouldn’t that be just wonderful?”

“Exactly!”

“City God is indeed a top-tier benevolent deity!”

“Pity there’s no second such deity within Black Mountain territory…”

The other ghosts, upon hearing this, all nodded in agreement, clearly convinced from the bottom of their hearts.

“Brother, your words are quite reasonable. May I know your name?”

Wu Ming bowed to the burly man.

“My name is Qing Mangzi, and I’m here to warn you two: being under the City God’s protection is a great fortune, so don’t be ungrateful anymore…”

Qing Mangzi snorted, tore down a proclamation about quelling minor border disturbances, and strode away.

“Xu Brother seems to have missed this line earlier!”

Wu Ming halted Xu Ziquan, gesturing towards the Good Deeds Board.

Xu Zi Quan read carefully: “If one is my believer, reciting the City God Sutra day and night, one year equals one good deed!”

“According to this rule, as long as a ghost sincerely prays, they can exchange for reincarnation before their time runs out… This City God is indeed a righteous deity with a well-structured system!”

Wu Ming sighed softly.