The Fire God boasted, unleashing flames. Luo Sigong's vision was engulfed by a sea of fire, but the imperial golden plaque on his person emitted divine light, rendering the divine flames powerless against him, though they burned fiercely within the Longde Hall.
Seeing this, the Fire God's expression soured.
Luo Sigong's mind went blank. Realizing he was unharmed by the demonic fire, he mustered his courage and slashed with his waist saber, severing one of the Fire God's arms. Before he could celebrate, the Fire God grew two more arms, which lunged forward in the same motion!
Daring not to engage, Luo Sigong retreated several steps, only to hear a voice:
"Gǎn fān!"
In an instant, the Fire God was upon him. Luo Sigong, unable to dodge, was struck in the face by the Fire God's fists!
He staggered back seven or eight steps, his vision swimming with golden and fiery light. His body swayed precariously, and his nose and mouth were filled with crimson blood!
The flames themselves could not harm Luo Sigong, thanks to the imperial golden plaque. Otherwise, those two punches would have ignited his face, burning into his orifices and scorching his brain, leading to immediate death.
Enraged, Luo Sigong attacked again with his saber, but to no avail. After two or three exchanges, his saber was snatched away. Once separated from his hand, the saber lost the protection of the imperial golden plaque and was instantly assimilated by the Fire God, transforming into a torch.
Struck in the chest by the fiery saber, Luo Sigong was sent flying and crashed onto the steps of the Longde Hall's main entrance, blood gushing from his forehead.
The Fire God, observing the heavily wounded Luo Sigong, ceased its attack and taunted again:
"Without that golden plaque, you would be dead by now. After all, national prestige cannot harm national prestige, as they are one and the same... A fourth-rank martial officer, it seems you have an opportunity to kill me. Care to try? My flames cannot harm you now."
Luo Sigong's mouth was filled with the taste of blood. He looked at the blazing, luminous Fire God before him, as if seeing a fiery path leading to the underworld.
He asked:
"Why did you come here to kill this Daoist? What grievance do you have with him?"
Just as the Fire God was about to speak, it suddenly gestured to the side. Luo Sigong's head snapped around to see a junior officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had been attempting to scale the wall to report. He was struck by a ball of flame, cried out, and rolled down the wall, engulfed in fire. He writhed on the ground before his life quickly ebbed away.
Luo Sigong's eyes immediately turned red.
The Fire God chuckled, "Trying to slip out and send a message? You won't succeed. And this imperial palace is vast. The vicinity of Longde Hall is rarely frequented. If those palace maids and eunuchs saw your Embroidered Uniform Guards approaching, they would surely flee as far as possible."
After its taunt, the Fire God began to answer Luo Sigong's question.
"As for the grievance between me and that young Daoist... there is no grievance, I haven't even met him, how long has he been here!"
"But he must die! As an Embroidered Uniform Guard, how could you ask such a question? In any scheme, anyone who cannot be controlled must be eliminated, regardless of whether they pose a threat to us!"
"Oh, right, right! You're from the Southern Bureau of Military Affairs. You haven't eliminated many people, nor have you undertaken any grand plans. You're all just good-for-nothings... Why can Consort Zheng's brother only command you and not the Northern Bureau? Because you are useless."
"Mortals can be replaced when they are gone."
The feeling of being able to slaughter members of the formidable Ming secret service, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, within the Forbidden City, filled the Fire God with an unprecedented excitement.
The more dangerous the forbidden ground in the world, the more freely it could come and go, holding so many lives in its grasp, their life and death dictated by its whim!
This sense of absolute control, of soaring arrogance with no one to restrain it, was truly intoxicating!
The Fire God's response to Luo Sigong's questions grew increasingly animated!
The Fire God reveled in this feeling, especially in Luo Sigong's expression of wanting to strike it but being unable to!
You dislike me, but you can't kill me!
To toy with someone before their death is such a pleasure!
Luo Sigong suppressed his anger, wiped the blood from his forehead, and feigned conversation, "A scheme? Killing this minor Daoist is one of your grand schemes? It seems your schemes are not that brilliant, to be wary of such a small figure!"
"Moreover, this is the Forbidden City. Even if you, this thing, attain the position of a true deity, you won't be able to run amok here."
The Fire God burst into laughter:
"Hahaha! Whether it's brilliant or not, a small figure might have great means. This is called caution."
Luo Sigong sneered, "Are you perhaps planning to kill the Emperor?"
The Fire God also laughed, "To cause chaos in the Forbidden City, of course, it's to kill the Emperor. Why else would we come here, to seek rewards?"
Luo Sigong: "If you cease your rebellion, tell me who is behind you, and I can report it to His Majesty. He will surely grant you further rewards. With your merits, you can have as grand a temple as you wish!"
The Fire God: "No, that won't do. Do you think I'm here for meager incense offerings and rewards? Am I that kind of deity?"
"I have never defected mid-battle!"
The Fire God revealed a sinister grin and stepped forward.
Luo Sigong took a deep breath, coughed, and managed to sit up on the steps of the Longde Hall. The Fire God assumed Luo Sigong had given up resistance and was ready to die.
But at that moment, a voice echoed from within the hall!
"Thank you, Commander Luo, for holding him off!"
Ji Xiang, holding a magic sword and adorned with various talismans, stood at the doorway with a solemn expression.
"This humble Daoist is ready."
Luo Sigong looked up. Only a few surviving Embroidered Uniform Guards remained. They dared not move rashly. Luo Sigong retreated to the doorway and pleaded with Ji Xiang:
"It was my ignorance before. Now, the lives of my brothers depend entirely on you, Daoist!"
Ji Xiang's expression was grave as he said earnestly:
"Rest assured, in my eyes, this deity is merely a straw man to be knocked down!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Sigong's expression also turned serious. In his eyes, Ji Xiang now appeared remarkably tall.
At the same time, he made a resolution: if he survived this incident, he would transfer to the Northern Bureau of Military Affairs.
Now, Ji Xiang faced the Fire God directly!
"Let me see what you are!"
Within his inner vision, text appeared on the blank divine plaque!
[Song Wuji: A fiery spirit, a divine being of the moonlit night. Its original form resembles a fireball, floating in the air. When it takes human form, it wields a torch and is adept at toying with people. Call its name, and it will travel a thousand li.]
However, this time, after the initial text appeared, the blank divine plaque paused, and then more small characters floated onto it.
[This fire spirit has stolen national prestige. Though it has become a true deity, it has not received a divine name. Calling its true name, if it does not depart, will strip it of three parts of its divine power.]
Having obtained the strategy, Ji Xiang let out a stern hum and rebuked the Fire God before him:
"Fire God! I call you, do you dare to answer?"
The Fire God chuckled, "Calling the true name? Even if you know my name, it's useless. I am a true deity now..."
Ji Xiang smiled, "Whether it's useful or not, we'll know after one call!"
With that, his expression turned grim!
Adopting an angry glare, he raised the Taiyi Sanyuan Sword high and roared:
"Song Wuji! Reveal yourself!"