This year, a Heavenly Worship Ceremony and a Liberation Rites of Land and Water had been held in Cloud Pagoda City and Pond Water City of Bamboo Scroll Lake. Both had been costly affairs as the services of many Buddhist and Daoist immortals had been employed.0

Even then, significant savings had been made because the two overseers of the events were very important figures, namely General Guan Yiran of the Great Li Empire and River Severing True Lord Liu Zhimao, who had turned from a prisoner on Palace Willow Island to a guest elder of the True Realm Sect. 0

Otherwise, it would've cost at least twice as much to employ the services of these immortals, and many favors would've had to have been redeemed as well. Of course, the immortals involved stood to benefit as well, seeing as they could accumulate merit while simultaneously acquainting themselves with Liu Zong and Guan Yiran, so all of them performed their duties diligently and in earnest during the two ritualistic events.1

Throughout this entire process, there had been three figures constantly hiding behind the scenes, but the administrative officials under Guan Yiran were very impressed with the trio's calculation abilities.0

The trio in question consisted of Gu Can, Zeng Ye, and Ma Duyi.0

The two rituals went very smoothly, and everyone praised Guest Elder Liu and General Guan for their magnanimity.0

That night, Guan Yiran enjoyed a celebratory feast with his administrative officials, while Gu Can made his way back to his residence. He had rented a small house in a peaceful alley in Pond Water City, and waiting for him at the entrance was Zeng Ye, who heaved a sigh of relief upon spotting him in the night. 0

Ma Duyi hadn't gone to sleep, either. As a ghost, she was able to progress much faster in her cultivation at night. At this moment, she was seated at the table, going through an accounting book under the light of a lamp. 0

The Liberation Rites of Land and Water and the Heavenly Worship Ceremony had both...1