In the early morning, the prominent figures of Qinghua County arrived at Han's door, showering him with praises. They eagerly expressed their desire to host him, hoping that he would honor them with his presence.

It was no wonder they were bending over backward. In Da Qi, any evidence of collusion with the Heavenly Mother Sect was punishable by death. Given the recent events in Qinghua County, even if these individuals had no direct ties to the sect, they would still face severe repercussions once an investigation was launched.

In this context, Han, who had contributed immensely to their survival, was crucial.

Looking at the flattering faces around him, Han couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. Who would have imagined that the person they now sought to please, a head-chopping official, was once an orphan facing life and death just over ten days ago?

The wheel of fate had quietly turned that night, changing many lives, and more profound shifts were yet to come.

Despite these thoughts, Han remained clear-headed, not allowing himself to become complacent. These people were not truly flattering him—they were flattering the position of "the official" who could help them, a position Han just happened to occupy at that moment.

Han had not forgotten the cause of this sudden change, nor what had brought him the praise he now enjoyed. At that moment, his resolve became even firmer.

The world was chaotic: people were complex, ghosts were vicious, demons were cunning, and beasts were brutal. Only power, true and unassailable, was real.

When faced with the invitations of the influential figures in Qinghua County, Han politely refused.

What did their hospitality truly entail? Wine, wealth, and women.

Wine? He preferred tea.

Wealth? Accepting that would only complicate matters.

As for women...

Hmph, they were nothing more than ordinary distractions. How could they ever disturb his heart?

After politely escaping their awkward conversations, Han made his way to the Ghosts and Gods Bureau and sought out Zhao Duguan.

Even as a night-walking cultivator, Zhao Duguan looked haggard.

"Is the esteemed Lord Jia leaving already?"

"I’ve done what I needed to do. It’s time for me to leave."

Han was skilled at executing punishment, but when it came to soothing the citizens or quelling the faith of the followers, he was not the right person for the job.

"Qinghua County is a mess. I won’t keep you here, Lord Jia," Zhao Duguan hesitated before adding, "If possible, could you speak a few words in my favor to Lu Duguan?"

Han had no intention of agreeing. The choices were his, and the mistakes made were his to face.

Zhao Duguan sighed but didn’t press further. He escorted Han out.

"Zhao Duguan, there's no need to see me off."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

As Han walked out of Qinghua County, something suddenly felt off. Had he forgotten something?

After a brief pause, Han had a realization.

His horse!

Not long after, a swift horse galloped out of Qinghua County, racing into the distance.

A figure watched as the rider vanished from sight. Though the person had left, the name of the "head-chopping official" would remain forever in Qinghua County, becoming a legend that would be passed down for years.

Han’s sudden appearance had obliterated the Heavenly Mother Sect’s stronghold, shaking the entire county. He was feared, respected, and even hated.

"Uncle, what should we do now?"

"First, let Qinghua County stabilize, then..."

"Follow me to the prefecture and confess."

Black Cloud Peach Forest.

"This is the situation."

Han shrugged, looking directly at Lu Qingmo.

After a brief pause, Lu Qingmo spoke thoughtfully, "Are you saying you infiltrated the Heavenly Mother Sect?"

"I infiltrated. I would never join them—evil and I are sworn enemies!"

"Hmm. You infiltrated the Heavenly Mother Sect, killed two deputy officials in Qinghua County, eliminated three Heavenly Maiden guardians, and captured a Heavenly Maiden messenger alive?"

"That's exactly it."

Lu Qingmo’s expression was mixed. Initially, she had only wanted Han to gather intelligence, then send reinforcements to Qinghua County to resolve the situation. But he had single-handedly handled it all.

“You’re quite capable, making me speechless."

"Have you made a breakthrough in martial arts?"

"Some minor progress. I’ve just entered the Meridian Realm."

"Very good," Lu Qingmo replied with a smile. "This is the third time I’ve heard you say 'minor progress'—is that all it ever is for you?"

Han laughed awkwardly and took out a spatial pouch. "Aunt Mo, this is everything I seized from the Heavenly Mother Sect’s base."

Inside the pouch were not only items from the sect but also a few things Han had taken from the Immortal Tree, hidden among the spoils.

Lu Qingmo inspected the pouch, pulling out several items related to demonic forces, including a statue of the Heavenly Maiden, and returned the pouch to Han.

"Your spoils, of course, belong to you."

"Excellent," Han said, appreciating how Lu Qingmo had arranged the proper handling of these materials.

"Aunt Mo, about this statue..." Han began, detailing the events regarding the Heavenly Maiden.

"Su Tian Nu…" Lu Qingmo thought for a moment, shaking her head. "I haven’t heard of her during my time in Black Cloud Town."

"The mist inside the statue is actually incense created from thoughts and intentions—a special type of incense born from the ideas of living beings."

With a wave of her hand, Lu Qingmo summoned the mist from the statue.

"This incense is one of the foundations of deities, with many mystical uses—it can be used in pill refinement, artifact crafting, and even for forming seals and formations."

"However, this incense is too disordered and of low quality. Even deities don’t dare absorb it directly. It needs to be purified multiple times."

"Thought incense..." Han murmured.

"Can cultivators absorb it?"

"They can, but they must be prepared to sever their path, even losing their sense of self. Very few cultivators would directly refine thought incense. Most only use it for external purposes."

"This is something gods need, part of their innate abilities." Lu Qingmo glanced at Han.

"If you were to refine this incense, your soul would be tainted. The mildest consequence would be remaining forever in the out-of-body realm."

"But this incense is useless," Han frowned. "It’s something gods need, but I’m no god."

"I understand how the incense taints the soul," he added.

One thousand people have one thousand thoughts, and the power birthed from their ideas naturally carries their will. This was completely different from incense made from natural materials, like calming incense.

"It’s not entirely useless," Lu Qingmo said, pulling out a jade cup.

She poured the incense into the cup, and it miraculously transformed into liquid, filling the cup to the brim with grayish-white liquid.

"This is an incense cup. Once thought incense is poured in, it turns into liquid. When the cup is full, it holds value."

"You could sell it. Those backed by deities would pay a good price for it."

Han smiled helplessly. "How would I find such a group?"

"Aunt Mo, do you need it?"

"I'm no god," Lu Qingmo shook her head. "I haven't reached the level where I can utilize thought incense."

No.

You are my deity.