Inside the main hall
Upon entering, 'Lady Honghua' bowed down.
"Hong Hua thanks the Young Master for the great kindness!!"
"You are indeed the deity from that temple!"
Zhang Jian's eyes carried a hint of a smile, then he helped Lady Honghua up.
"Rise, as a deity, you must ultimately follow the Divine Laws and cannot take shortcuts!"
"Look at the Red Lotus Dao followers outside, harassing the common people, nearly causing a great disaster!"
Though his eyes were gentle, his words carried reproach.
The Red Lotus Dao's spread was rapid, not only in the counties of Fengyang County but also in other counties, all thanks to the 'efforts' of the Grand Host.
The deity before him! Added a share of force into it.
At these words, Lady Honghua's expression changed slightly, and she clasped her hands after a moment.
"This minor deity feels ashamed!"
Lady Honghua was somewhat uneasy; she glanced at Zhang Jian in front of her, somewhat lacking in confidence.
After all, she was just a Wild God. Although she had a shrine, unlike the Mountain and River Gods with territories and secure positions, she relied entirely on her 'own efforts.' If the County Government Office of Fengyang County decided to demolish the temple, she would have no solutions and would be reduced to becoming an Evil God.
During her confinement, although Lady Honghua was aware of the Red Lotus Dao's clandestine activities, which expanded at a frightening speed, even she was alarmed.
No need for dirty tricks, there were too many irregularities!
Lady Honghua expressed, "Once this minor deity manages the temple, I will surely restrain the followers, ensuring they do not disrupt the order in Fengyang County!"
Zhang Jian glanced at Lady Honghua, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
In truth, he did not oppose the emergence of religious beliefs in the county, but the problem was that it should not affect the livelihood of the common people or Zhang Family's foundation, and ideally, this power should be controlled by the Zhang Family.
However, at present, he couldn't trust Lady Honghua.
But after meeting Lady Honghua, an idea had already formed in Zhang Jian's mind, so he said solemnly, "The Red Lotus Dao is too dangerous; its current state is almost uncontrollable. If you want Fengyang County not to eliminate the Red Lotus Dao followers, that is indeed possible, but you need to make a choice."
Lady Honghua's expression became serious and she said,
"Please speak directly, Young Master!"
"First, dissolve the Red Lotus Dao, keeping only the original followers of the Red Flower Lady Temple to slowly accumulate Incense Fire Divine Power, and strive for the path of True God!"
"Second, accept my control. I will plant a Forbidden Technique deep in your Divine Soul. By then, you will inevitably lose precious freedom, but I can promise not to enslave you arbitrarily. Additionally, I will help you get a formal title of Sheji God, assisting you to obtain the official position of Fire God!"
Zhang Jian's expression was calm.
"Fire God official position?"
Lady Honghua's eyes lit up.
She was well aware of the difficulties faced by being a god without a divine position, surviving in the cracks. Whenever there was a stir, she had to be twice as cautious and deal with government policy changes.
Many such minor gods gradually disappeared in the changing times, becoming wandering spirits or, if lucky, reincarnating in the Netherworld, or if unlucky, having their souls scattered.
To secure a formal title is the dream these minor gods pursue tirelessly!
But giving up the Red Lotus Dao was also a very difficult decision for Lady Honghua.
With the Red Lotus Dao, she had the power to resist City Gods, Mountain Gods, and River Gods, but without it, she would return to a pitiful state, slightly better than a wandering spirit.
After some thought, Lady Honghua made up her mind and said,
"I am willing to have the Forbidden Technique planted by the Young Master and serve the Young Master from now on!"
Lady Honghua had made up her mind.
Apart from owing a life-saving debt and being unable to let go of the Red Lotus Dao, the critical factor was the half-stick of incense from earlier.
That half-stick of incense made her realize that following this young master from the Zhang Family might be a chance to turn her fortunes.
Although there were risks involved.
But for a deity, when is a decision ever without risk!
"Very well! Open your Divine Soul!"
Zhang Jian gathered magical power in his palm to form a Soul Fusion Seal. With Lady Honghua's cooperation, it entered deep into her brow, merging with her Divine Soul.
Then, Zhang Jian felt a special connection had formed between himself and a unique being, and with a single thought, he could manipulate the Soul Fusion Seal to control and discipline her.
"This Soul Implantation Technique is indeed overbearing and sinister!"
Zhang Jian's heart stirred.
In fact, when he first overheard Lady Honghua's plea for help at Paperman Zhang's house, such an idea occurred to him.
Using Lady Honghua to master the Soul Implantation Technique.
Lady Honghua was essentially a very peculiar Spirit Ghost, simply becoming a Ghost God. Successfully mastering a Lifebound Spirit Ghost could not only secure a very potential Ghost God but also gain a significant force for nothing, so why not do it.
Feeling the traces of the Forbidden Technique deep in her soul, Lady Honghua felt a bit uncomfortable, inevitably anxious, but being decisive, she quickly adapted to the path she had chosen.
She directly asked the most pressing question on her mind.
"May I know what official position the Young Master intends for me?"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian smiled and said, "Kitchen God!"
"Kitchen God?" Lady Honghua's jade-like face showed surprise.
"Why have I never heard of such a divine position?"
Zhang Jian laughed: "Because it has not yet been established, so naturally, you have never heard of it!"
There was a hint of a smile in Zhang Jian's expression.
As far as he knew, although there was the formal position of Fire God in the Daqian Court, most were in charge of lamps and fires, a ceremonial post hard to compare with gods of great rivers and mountains.
Here, neither the Kitchen God Fate Star Monarch nor Granny Kitchen God existed.
But in Zhang Jian's view, the Kitchen God was a position sufficient to allow the Fire God to step openly into the limelight, a very grounding divine position.
The Kitchen God presides over stoves, with the great divine duties of expelling evil, averting disasters, bringing in prosperity and blessing. If she can secure this orthodox title, Lady Honghua's divine path would become transparent, and possibly she might achieve the godly form of a Star Monarch.
His gaze swept over Lady Honghua in front of him.
Since Lady Honghua had become his companion, he wouldn't let the benefit fall to others.
He then explained in detail the divine duties of the Kitchen God.
"Presiding over the Mortal World Stove Fires is indeed a very powerful divine position. But how to obtain the title?
It seems that for minor gods like us, without recognition from the orthodox Path of the Gods, we will inevitably be challenged!"
Lady Honghua's eyes sparkled as she also recognized the great opportunity hidden within the Kitchen God position.
The Kitchen God presides over stove fires, and every household needs to use them for cooking and to ensure peace!
But she was worried that such a powerful divine position was beyond her grasp. Without backing and without the favor of a Sheji Great God, such a powerful divine position, once established, would likely be claimed by other Fire Gods. Not only would she gain no benefits, she might end up in trouble herself.