Behind the golden giant of Dao Xuan Tianzun, a narrow path curved through quiet woods. Trees leaned close overhead, and smooth flagstones looped around until the trail circled behind the statue itself.
There, a small pond glimmered. Tadpoles darted through the shallows beside a stone table and four squat stools.
Liang Shixian and Feng Jun sat down; their attendants spread out in the trees, keeping a discreet perimeter.
Liang glanced around and nodded.
"No one dares eavesdrop here. With Tianzun Himself watching from two steps away, even ghosts keep their mouths shut. Speak freely, Brother Feng."
Feng Jun eyed the immense back of the statue — a literal hill of gilded muscle — and tried not to whistle. He took a slow breath.
"Brother Liang, we both studied under the same roof at Donglin Academy. I trust your character; that's the only reason I dare ask this. If I offend, please forgive me…"
Liang Shixian tilted his head. "What's happened?"
Feng Jun leaned forward.
"Three days ago, Bai Yuan, master of Bai Fortress in your county, led the Gaojia Militia to assist at Qiachuan Dock. We were attacked by the rebel general Bai Yuzhu, ten thousand strong. My county guard couldn't hold, but then your Bai Yuan arrived — with five hundred musket men, three hundred cavalry, and several hundred troops tossing strange bombs. All armored. Brother Liang… that looks an awful lot like a private army."
Up above, Dao Xuan Tianzun nearly spat out his noodles.
Ah, so that's what this is about. The bureaucrats have finally noticed Gaojia Village's 'equipment upgrades.'
Liang Shixian blinked. "Five hundred muskets? A thousand suits of armor?"
He frowned. "I knew they'd been issued a few firearms and helmets, but those numbers… first I've heard of it."
Then a thought hit him. His face changed.
"These men—were they from Gaojia Village?"
Feng Jun nodded. "Exactly. They called themselves the Gaojia Militia."
Liang's brows rose. "Then it's clear. Not Bai Yuan's army. Tianzun's."
"Huh?" Feng Jun blinked. "Tianzun's army? He's a god. Gods have armies now?"
"Of course they do," Liang said as though explaining rain to a fish. "Tianzun isn't a silent statue. He manifests, punishes evil, rewards good, delivers grain and divine tools. He literally drops miracles in bulk shipments."
Feng Jun's mind jumped. That train-thing I rode through Gaojia Village when I went to Xianyang… that was one of the "divine tools"?
"So Tianzun is… an actual god?"
Liang gave him a look. "What, you thought we'd all hallucinated the weather? Who else could hand a farming village five hundred muskets and a warehouse of armor?"
Feng Jun thought about it. True. A normal village could barely afford five guns, let alone five hundred.
Half of him believed, half refused.
Sure, gods summoning rain—fine. But gods running arms factories? That was harder to digest.
He lowered his voice.
"Brother Liang, divine or not, once mortals hold that many weapons, the story changes. Bai Yuan and his people—armed better than half the rebels in Shaanxi. What if they decide to rebel?"
Liang laughed softly.
"Rebel? Against whom? You think Tianzun cultivates mortals to storm Heaven's bureaucracy? He's already higher than the Emperor. Why would a god 'rebel' downward? What's He going to do—apply for demotion to Son of Heaven?"
Feng Jun opened his mouth… closed it again.
That actually made sense.
He rubbed his temples. "Still, temptation is real. Divine gifts or not, men can grow greedy. What if one of them—Bai Yuan, Instructor He, Instructor Zao—turns ambitious? Tianzun's weapons could burn half the province."
Liang waved a hand.
"Heaven sees all. The god who gives can also take away. If any mortal misuses His gifts, Tianzun will deal with it Himself."
Feng Jun muttered, "Even gods nap sometimes. Remember when Taishang Laojun's sacred ox escaped and caused chaos? Heaven's HR department isn't flawless either."
Liang blinked. "...Fair point."
Even Dao Xuan Tianzun, listening from above, nodded reluctantly. He'd been feeling that workload himself.
Between Gaojia Village, Chengcheng County, and Heyang County, he was already stretched thin. Smaller towns like Bai Fortress and Quangou Village? He hadn't checked in weeks.
Maybe a little divine delegation was in order.
Feng Jun pressed on.
"We can't manage the heavens, but we must at least watch the mortals beneath them. Brother Liang, Gaojia Village is under your jurisdiction. I can't cross county lines. You're the only one who can keep this from blowing up."
Liang gave an embarrassed chuckle.
"Ah, Brother Feng… small problem. I no longer can."
"Why not?"
Liang exhaled. "My term's up. Three years."
Feng Jun blinked. "Oh. Already? I've barely done one."
Liang nodded.
"I was just reporting that to Tianzun—offering incense, ringing the bell. I'm due in the capital any day to give my debrief and await reassignment."
Seeing the hint of regret in Liang's eyes, Feng Jun's brain shifted gears.
"Brother Liang… I might have a way to keep you from being transferred."
Liang's brows shot up. "What? That's impossible. Three-year rotation is law. How could I stay?"