"The one in the middle is Chenghuang Ye (City God), and the ones on the sides are the civil and military judges of the Underworld."

"Is Chenghuang Ye the same as Yanwang Ye (King Yan)? What are the civil and military judges of the Underworld doing?"

I asked curiously, looking at Chen Yuanshan.

"Chenghuang Ye and Yanwang Ye are not the same. Chenghuang Ye is the local official of the underworld, equivalent to the mayor in our yang world. Almost every city has a Chenghuang Temple. Most Chenghuang Temples only enshrine three deities: Chenghuang Ye and two judges from the Underworld.

Chenghuang Temples are not only landmarks in local areas but also the entrances to the Underworld from the yang world.

The civil and military judges assist Chenghuang Ye. The judges in each place are different. Some places have judges with black and white imperfections, some have judges with ox-headed and horse-faced appearances, and others have judges in the departments of rewarding good, punishing evil, Yin law, and investigation."

Chen Yuanshan explained to me.

After listening to Chen Yuanshan's explanation, I nodded in understanding. Although there were still many questions in my mind, I refrained from asking too much. I was afraid of annoying Chen Yuanshan.

"He Zhihui, I also bought a bundle of incense. Did you see it?"

"Here it is."

I picked up the bundle of incense from the joss paper and handed it to Chen Yuanshan.

Taking the incense from my hand, Chen Yuanshan opened it and took out three sticks. He walked toward the Chenghuang Temple in front.

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Seeing Chen Yuanshan holding three sticks of incense walking towards the Chenghuang Temple, I followed closely behind him.

Entering the Chenghuang Temple, I looked around. The white plaster on the walls had fallen off, revealing the green bricks inside. On the east side of the Chenghuang Temple, behind the roof ridge, there was an oval hole with a diameter of about fifty centimeters.

While looking at the three deities from the outside, I didn't feel much, but now, seeing them up close gave me a eerie feeling.

Chen Yuanshan approached, took out a lighter from his pocket, lit the three sticks of incense, and inserted them into the ceramic incense burner in front of the stone table.

Next, Chen Yuanshan knelt down and respectfully kowtowed three times to the three deities.

"Now that you're here too, kowtow three times to Chenghuang Ye and the two judges to show respect."

After standing up, Chen Yuanshan pointed to the three deities and said to me.

Originally, I didn't want to kowtow to the three deities, but for some reason, my legs suddenly didn't obey me. With a "thud," I knelt on the ground and inexplicably kowtowed three times to the three deities.

After kowtowing, I quickly stood up and retreated from the Chenghuang Temple. I felt that this place was very ominous.

Exiting the Chenghuang Temple, I noticed that the sky outside had completely turned dark. The people who had burned paper money at the intersection in front of the Chenghuang Temple had all left. Now, only Chen Yuanshan and I remained in this place.

Walking to Chen Yuanshan's car, my phone in my pocket suddenly rang. It was a call from Aunt Wu.

"Zhihui, your house has been tightly locked these past two days. I called your dad; either I couldn't get through, or he didn't answer. Where have you and your father gone?"

Aunt Wu asked me anxiously over the phone.

"My dad and I are not together. He should be with Uncle Lin San. I don't know what they are doing."

"Your dad can't stay put as soon as he has money. What's the matter with you? Your dad doesn't come home, and you don't come back either."

"Aunt Wu, I told my dad that I was going to accompany a friend for a few days. I don't know when we'll be back."

"You and your dad, always so carefree. Alright, you take care. If you need anything, just call me."

"Okay, Aunt Wu, I'll let you know if anything happens."

I hung up the phone and turned to look at Chen Yuanshan, who was standing beside me, and said, "My dad and I are not at home these days. Aunt Wu is worried."

"It's okay, just go on doing what you need to do. I'll take you back first."

Chen Yuanshan started the car, and we left the Chenghuang Temple, heading back to Dao Zun Hall.