In Minnan, from various festive activities to rural deity welcoming and incense offering, to common people's weddings and funerals, there would always be groups dressed in various forms, dancing and parading through the streets. These groups are what's known as "Zhen Tou".

 

Zhen Tou is divided into "Wen Zhen" and "Wu Zhen". The former is heavily song-oriented, focusing on entertainment, no need for further explanation. The latter, however, has a certain religious nature, only dancing, not singing, emphasizing special martial arts skills. The more common ones include lion and dragon dances, the Eight Generals, Seven Brothers, and the leading officials.

 

In simple terms, it's "playing god".

 

The leading official, also known as the two generals of increase and decrease, were originally evil spirits that plagued the human world. Later, they were subdued by the compassion and Buddhist teachings of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, willingly serving as protectors before the chariot, entrusted with the task of sheltering the common people.

 

The setting is similar to that of Seven Brothers, one gentle and one fierce.

 

The General of Increase is very friendly, often splitting into two gods, red and blue, to help the good people he encounters, always leaving room for maneuver in his actions.

 

The General of Decrease hates evil like an enemy. Born of an evil spirit, his nature is like a raging fire. Whenever he encounters an evil ghost, he is bound to fight to the death.

 

Yes, that's right, fight to the death.

 

As an ancient ghost king, his strength is already incredibly strong. After years of being influenced by the Buddhist teachings of the Ksitigarbha, he has been slaying demons and upholding justice, deeply loved by the people, and has received a lot of faith and incense offerings.

 

When dealing with ghosts, it's a pure dimensional strike, not a "fight to the death".

 

"The killing nature of the General of Decrease is just too strong. When dealing with evil ghosts, he must destroy them completely. He can be called a 'material destroyer'."

 

"But his strength is indeed real."

 

"What's more important is that if I choose the 'Zhen Tou' series for my pending 'Playing God' domain card, it happens to be the home field of the two generals of increase and decrease."

 

"Instead of me playing the role, why not let the real deal come and guest star? Isn't that better?"

 

"As for me, I can just switch roles."

 

"Zhen Tou changes its lineup for the sake of aesthetics, the roles are flexible, there's always one that suits me."

 

"When the time comes, with the two generals of increase and decrease and Seven Brothers supporting me, being in the domain, I will be invincible at the same level."

 

"Moreover, these two generals are also the protectors of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. After the card is made, there should be corresponding bonds generated."

 

"When I grow up in the future and invite him over, it can form a connection with this early-stage card group."

 

"It can be said that it's like Qin Shi Huang touching the electric wire – winning the game."

 

Chronicle thought to himself, and heavily circled a few materials that matched the elements of the "Two Generals of Increase and Decrease".

 

To be honest, before seeing this material book, he had been struggling with what summoning card to create next.

 

As a gradually growing bronze card master, four summoning cards are clearly not enough.

 

The choice of card-making targets must be put on the agenda.

 

In his initial idea, both Ox-Head and Horse-Face, and Shen Tu and Yu Lei were suitable.

 

But each has its drawbacks, and the cost-effectiveness is average.

 

Among them, Ox-Head and Horse-Face have a hard name, but their identity and ability setting as underworld ghost officials overlap too much with Seven Brothers.

 

Although according to some myths, these two can be called "Third Brother and Fourth Brother", ranking higher than Seven Brothers.

 

But the elements involved in their original forms, Ox-Head Abang and Horse-Face Rakshasa, are too few, and their growth potential and expandability are seriously insufficient.

 

Simply put, the "Impermanence" theory involved by Seven Brothers stems from people's thinking about the top concepts of Chinese mythology such as life and death, yin and yang, and Tai Chi Yin and Yang fish.

 

When they grow up in the future, they can form a linkage with some big gods with similar backgrounds and characteristics, and they can still be used in the later stages.

 

But Third Brother and Fourth Brother only have a little bit of Buddhist background, and they are at a loss in this regard.

 

Then there's Shen Tu and Yu Lei, the first generation door gods of China.

 

Legend has it that they guard the ghost gate, suppressing hundreds of ghosts from harming the human world.

 

There's no doubt about their strength, and they also fit very well with his direction of creating "Incense" series material cards.

 

The door god, that is, the god who guards the door.

 

From ancient times to the present, people have always attached great importance to "doors".

 

The great god in charge of guarding the door naturally enjoys a superior status.

 

Chronicle also thought that after creating these two, he would mass-produce images according to their images and sell them to the citizens of Land of Peach.

 

In this way, the two great gods can "hang up" and carry out their "main job", and their levels will rise rapidly.

 

And the people get the blessing, their hearts are full of worship and conviction, and they will continuously provide faith and incense.

 

Money, level, incense, three birds with one stone, isn't it beautiful?

 

"The benefits are even more than that…"

 

Imagining the scene at that time, Chronicle couldn't help but brighten his eyes: "If I can really develop the 'Door God Image', my reputation in Land of Peach, and even the four major ghost cities of Jiuzhou, will rise to a terrifying level."

 

"By then, even Old Su, Lao Fan, Old Xie will have to lick their faces and smile when they see me. As for Little Ya, Little Liang, they can be my drivers, Yo Yo cooking…"

 

Of course, these are all jokes.

 

Since Chronicle chose to replace these two with the "Two Generals of Increase and Decrease" as his next creation target, there must be a reason.

 

And this reason is very simple.

 

Shen Tu and Yu Lei are "God Generals", not "Yin Gods".

 

Although they are related to ghosts, they cannot be created from ghost materials.

 

Now that express delivery is convenient, it's not a very easy thing to buy materials across cities.

 

Even if he can come up with the money, it would take at least two months to gather the materials.

 

Unless he risks going to get it himself, or asks someone to bring it back…

 

"Forget it, let's first create the Red and White Collision Ghost and the Two Generals of Increase and Decrease."

 

"As for Shen Tu and Yu Lei, I'll figure out a way when the conditions are convenient in the future."

"Isn't there Old Xie? Although I don't know why he's so good to me, he clearly doesn't have any ulterior motives. I should take advantage of this."

 

"When the time comes, I'll just find an excuse to ask him for help. By then, I should have some foundation. It's not like the cards won't come out when I say so."

 

Chronicle lay on the sofa, planning his future.

 

After moving his body slightly, he took off the Mountain Ghost Coin from his neck and pressed it on the newly bought coin materials.

 

A golden light shone, and the card frame gradually turned from light green to dark green.

 

With a sound similar to glass shattering, the "Yuanxi Fang Beast Swallowing Ghost Money" card burst open.

 

The new card information was also fed back through his sea of consciousness.

 

"Mountain Ghost Coin"

 

Quality: Blue

 

Category: Human/Immortal

 

Card Type: Equipment

 

Skills:

 

"Mountain Ghost": Consume a small amount of mental power to summon a Mountain Ghost clone. The clone's strength and duration depend on the user's mental power.

 

"Spending Money": Consume a large amount of Yang Qi to set up a "Spending Money" contract for the target. When our unit defeats it, the highest value part or equipment on it will not be destroyed.

 

"Ghost Killing": Consume a small amount of Yang Qi, recite a spell, call for divine thunder, can cause huge damage to units with "Evil" and "Wicked" characteristics, and has a small chance to trigger the "Instant Kill" effect.

 

Terms:

 

"Gathering Qi": When worn daily, it can automatically absorb the scattered Yang Qi between heaven and earth as a substitute for mental power.

 

"Exorcism": Monsters and evils of the same quality and below will be deterred by the majesty of the Mountain Ghost and will not dare to approach within ten meters of the wearer.

 

"Evil Warding": Gather Yang Qi, release golden light or divine thunder on monsters and evils within ten meters who harbor malicious intentions.

 

Introduction: Thunder, ghost killing, monster slaying, evil repelling, always keep the mind clear.

 

Upgrade: You can currently choose "Single Coin Strengthening" or "Multiple Coin Combination" as the upgrade path.

 

Just like the previous Zongzi Brother, the repeated parts of the Mountain Ghost Spending Money information do not cost money.

 

Some readers have commented that the pace and updates are a bit slow. Starting tomorrow, I will update more frequently, rushing for the Red and White Collision Death card.

 

(End of this chapter)