In Order To Ascend, I Became A Modern Wage Slave - Chapter 06: The Cherished Immortal Lord (5)

Chapter 06: The Cherished Immortal Lord (5)

 

Xi Yu dreamt of that woman again.

 

The woman knelt before the statue of a deity, each time longer than before, her appearance increasingly haggard. She looked as if she had endured tremendous torment, clinging to her prayers in desperate hope for a glimmer of salvation.

 

As Xi Yu woke, a single phrase grew ever clearer in his mind:

 

—You cannot help her, or all will be in vain!

 

The ancient texts recorded a saying: “Those with desires are human; those with resentment are ghosts; those with neither are gods.”

 

That phrase sounded like both a plea for help and a temptation.

 

Ghosts and spirits often entangled him, their tricks strange and unpredictable. How could he discern whether this place was real or an illusion?

 

Was she resentful of the past, seeking resolution? Or was she angry at the Northern Ascension Deity, who knew but chose not to act, using him to vent her frustrations?

 

He needed to leave this troublesome place as soon as possible. With that thought, he knocked twice on the table.

 

Hearing the crisp knocking, Luo Yang turned his head and asked, “What’s up?”

 

Picking up the remote control, Xi Yu switched on the TV to the morning news channel, ready to check the weather forecast.

 

Xi Yu asked, “Besides Hua Xi Mountain, is there another towering peak in this area?”

 

Luo Yang thought for a moment. “Not really, just two mountains here. The other one’s not very tall.”

 

“What mountain?”

 

“It’s called… something like… Luo Nan Mountain.”

 

Xi Yu had heard of this mountain. A deity had once ascended there, though he couldn’t recall their name or divine title.

 

Luo Yang suddenly slapped his forehead. “There’s supposed to be a temple on it, though I heard it’s about to be demolished—not many people go there anymore.”

 

“What temple?”

 

“It’s just named after the mountain—Luo Nan Temple.”

 

Luo Yang wasn’t omniscient. He’d only remembered it because he happened to come across the information yesterday. Taking out his phone, he searched on Baidu and began reading useful snippets aloud:

 

“Uh, Luo Nan Temple is located on Luo Nan Mountain—”

 

“—Legend has it that a husband, whose wife was gravely ill, carried her up the mountain to pray to the gods. Step by step, he walked for three days and nights. Unfortunately, before reaching the peak, his wife passed away. Just then, the Heavenly Emperor passed by, moved by their faithful love, and granted the husband ascension as a deity. He became the Loving Sentinel Immortal, tasked with overseeing all worldly romances, ensuring lovers could grow old together… Thus, Luo Nan Mountain is also known as Love Mountain.”

 

“…”

 

After reading, Luo Yang looked up at Xi Yu in surprise. “Judging by your expression, have you heard this story before?”

 

“No.” Xi Yu’s gaze landed on the device in Luo Yang’s hand. “Where did you learn all this?”

 

“Baidu Baike.” Luo Yang waved his phone and explained, “It’s like an encyclopedia. You tell it what you want to know, and it gives you related information. Very convenient.”

 

Xi Yu understood bits and pieces and gave an instruction: “Then ask it if it knows about the Northern Ascension Deity.”

 

“Oh, sure.” Luo Yang quickly typed. He’d heard this name from Xi Yu several times and couldn’t resist asking, “Is that you?”

 

“It’s not me. I haven’t ascended to godhood.”

 

Xi Yu deliberated for a moment, then solemnly declared, “I am his follower.”

 

“Uh…” Luo Yang carefully confirmed, “The character for ‘north’ as in ‘northern,’ and the one for ‘ascend,’ right?”

 

Xi Yu nodded.

 

“There’s no such deity.”

 

Seeing Xi Yu’s incredulous expression, Luo Yang held his phone up to show him. “A bunch of random stuff, not even a related novel.”

 

If such a figure truly existed, Luo Yang would be the one baffled.

 

He still believed Xi Yu was simply delusional rather than entirely replaced by someone else internally.

 

Though Xi Yu couldn’t fully comprehend, he peered closely at the screen. The four characters “Northern Ascension Deity” appeared scattered but never combined.

 

“How is that possible?”

 

Luo Yang withdrew the phone and casually delivered a blow that struck to the core: “You probably just remembered it wrong.”

 

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

 

Seeing Xi Yu’s sudden outburst, Luo Yang immediately changed the subject. “Are you hungry? How about we go downstairs for some beef noodles?”

 

Steaming bowls of beef noodles arrived. Luo Yang dived in immediately, slurping away, while Xi Yu waited a moment for the steam to subside before picking up his chopsticks.

 

He had just begun eating when Luo Yang, having already finished, wiped his mouth. Before he could speak, his phone rang. After a brief exchange, he ended the call and cautiously said to Xi Yu, “I’ll take you to a temple later.”

 

“What temple?” Xi Yu asked after swallowing.

 

“It’s more of a Taoist shrine. I’ve heard the Taoists there are pretty skilled. Maybe they can resolve your… situation.”

 

The night before, Xi Yu had fallen asleep on the couch. Luo Yang had tried calling him a few times, then decided to carry him to bed. But as soon as he touched him, Xi Yu had thrown a punch, sending him flying into the TV cabinet.

 

The punch was unnaturally strong, as if meant to kill. Luo Yang sat on the floor for a long time, dazed and seeing stars, unsure of what day it was.

 

When he regained some clarity, Xi Yu was still asleep, having shifted from lying on his back to his side. His legs, too long for the couch, hung off the edge.

 

That punch left Luo Yang holding his leg in pain for ages. Other incidents he could chalk up to mental instability, but such strength? Xi Yu, normally frail and timid, couldn’t have thrown such a punch unless…

 

He stayed awake all night researching online. True or fake, he read everything he could, eventually deciding on a Taoist shrine.

 

—“No matter the demon, ghost, or spirit, we’ll deal with it all at our Taoist shrine! Special offer today: not 9,999, not 999, only 666!”

 

—“Great service! The Taoist was so dedicated, my grandpa with dementia for 60 years got into Tsinghua University!”

 

—“Five stars! I’ve been bedridden for 40 years, and now I can run 100 meters faster than Liu Xiang! The national team recruited me!”

 

—“Very satisfied! My late grandfather even visited me in a dream yesterday. He said he’ll send 666 rockets during your next livestream!”

 

—“No complaints.”

 

The shrine was in a remote forest, and the taxi fare alone cost over 200 yuan. While paying, Luo Yang said, “I’ll give you an extra 100 if you wait for us and drive us back later. Deal?”

 

“No deal,” the driver replied firmly.

 

“200 extra!”

 

The driver shouted, “Not even for 1,000!”

 

As the payment notification chimed, the driver said no more, revved the engine, and sped off, leaving Luo Yang choking on exhaust.

 

“What an idiot, turning down money!” Luo Yang muttered.

 

The area was deserted, with no houses in sight for miles. Even the path was overgrown, suggesting it had been long abandoned.

 

But weren’t the reviews glowing?

 

Carrying doubts, they entered the shrine. The gates were shut tight, and despite Luo Yang knocking repeatedly, no one responded.

 

Xi Yu frowned. “Are you sure this is reliable?”

 

“Of course. I’ve always had great judgment,” Luo Yang assured him.

 

Meanwhile, inside the shrine—

 

“Are you ready?”

 

A scar-faced man in Tai Chi robes stood not far from the door. On closer inspection, the hem of his robe bore the words: Supreme Square Dance Society.

 

“I’m ready!”

 

Rarely did such fools come along. Judging by his social media, he was even a company boss—a perfect mark for a few hundred thousand.

 

“Today, we’ll make them leave penniless and naked!”

 

“Right!”

 

Xi Yu looked up toward the shrine.

 

Luo Yang kept knocking persistently. “Hello? Taoist master? Are you in there? I’m the super handsome gentleman who booked an appointment with you on WeChat yesterday!”

 

Creak.

 

Groan.

 

The shrine door opened, revealing two faces—one large, one small. Xi Yu scrutinized them and silently remarked: Do modern Taoists not care about appearances anymore?

 

Ancient texts stated: “Practitioners should possess dignified features, for heaven favors the beautiful. If one is unattractive, their heart must surpass others in purity, or they will achieve nothing.”

 

These two—one looked like a squashed pancake, the other like stretched noodles.

 

Impressive, indeed…

 

Could their inner beauty have reached unparalleled heights?