Chapter 118: Passing Off the Fake as the Real

Chu Wencai exclaimed loudly upon hearing this: “The Thunder God, it’s the Thunder God! I never imagined that the Earl’s master would actually be the Thunder God! No wonder his immortal technique sounded just like thunder—that was his thunder magic in action!”

With that, he knelt down and bowed with utmost reverence. “Thank you, Thunder God, for helping our Chu family town repel the Witch Doctor Sect with your thunder magic. We are deeply grateful…”

As the respected scholar of Chu family town, Chu Wencai held great authority, and everyone trusted him implicitly.

Seeing him act this way, the others quickly followed suit, kneeling and bowing in thanks. “Thank you, Thunder God, for driving back the Witch Doctor Sect with your thunder magic…”

The man who had lied earlier was momentarily stunned by the scene. Then, hastily, he too knelt down and joined in the worship.

Not long after, Chu Yun returned on horseback.

At that moment, the crowd had still not dispersed.

Having heard the man’s description and Chu Wencai’s declaration that Chu Yun’s immortal master was the Thunder God, they became even more curious, eager to catch a glimpse of the Thunder God’s grandeur.

All hoped that the Thunder God might come to Chu family town along with Chu Yun.

From outside the city, Chu Yun saw the town’s people crowding the city walls and laughed heartily. “Ha ha ha! Everyone has seen the immortal magic my master wielded, haven’t you?”

He was genuinely delighted inside.

He believed that so many people witnessing the explosion from afar and mistaking it for immortal magic would quickly spread the news throughout Chu family town, then across the entire Great Qi Dynasty, even to neighboring vassal kingdoms.

In that case, everyone would firmly believe he was truly a descendant of the immortals.

No one would dare to harm him.

As for the secret of the bomb, it would be difficult for anyone to discover for the time being.

The people, seeing Chu Yun return alone without his Thunder God master, felt a slight disappointment.

But considering the Thunder God was a divine being, it was impossible for mortals to see him easily, so they were not troubled.

Moreover, since Chu Yun had returned safely, it meant they had won—the three thousand-strong army of the Witch Doctor Sect had been driven away by the Thunder God’s thunder magic.

So, upon hearing Chu Yun’s words, the crowd quickly responded loudly.

“We saw it! Earl, we saw it!”

“Your master, the Thunder God, wielded immortal magic so powerful and earth-shaking! At first, we didn’t know and thought it was thunder, signaling rain.”

“With the Thunder God here, we no longer fear the Witch Doctor Sect…”

Hearing them speak of the Thunder God, Chu Yun was even more joyous.

He realized these people had mistaken the bomb’s explosion for thunder.

Hence, they believed it was the thunder magic of the Thunder God.

Chu Yun had worried that concretely depicting his immortal master might arouse suspicion among the clever ones.

Now, with the Thunder God’s name established, he had no worries at all.

He pondered for a moment, then deliberately exclaimed, “How do you know my immortal master is the Thunder God? Has anyone actually seen what he looks like?”

He asked this because he did not know what image they had of the Thunder God.

He needed them to help him describe it.

Soon, someone repeated the Thunder God’s image as described by the lying man.

Chu Wencai then added, “I have read about the Thunder God in some ancient texts; the description is largely the same as what he said. Earl, since we saw the Thunder God’s appearance, will we be safe?”

The man who had lied suddenly grew anxious, fearing Chu Yun would say the Thunder God did not look like that and expose his lie.

Lying before so many was humiliating; how could anyone trust him afterward?

Chu Yun thought for a moment, then quickly knelt. “Master, please forgive us. We only saw your appearance unintentionally.”

Seeing this, the others hurriedly knelt as well. “Thunder God, forgive us, Thunder God, forgive us…”

In their hearts, they were all very uneasy, fearing the Thunder God would not pardon them and might hurl a heavenly thunderbolt upon Chu family town—perhaps several bolts—like the bombardment of the Witch Doctor Sect’s camp.

At the same time, they became even more convinced that Chu Yun’s master was indeed the Thunder God.

The lying man was left dumbfounded, secretly wondering if his random description of the immortal’s appearance just happened to be correct.

Or perhaps, when he was intently watching earlier, he had caught a few glimpses of the Thunder God’s true form, allowing him to describe it so accurately.

He thought the latter possibility was more likely and regretted not observing more carefully.

Still, he felt somewhat relieved—not having to worry that others would discover his lie.

After the crowd had bowed for a while, Chu Yun stood up and loudly declared, “Everyone, rise. My master has forgiven you.”

Hearing this, the crowd quickly knelt and expressed their thanks. “Thank you, Thunder God! Thank you, Thunder God!”

Seeing this, Chu Yun’s heart swelled with joy.

He believed that being the Thunder God’s disciple and having the Thunder God aid him by blasting the Witch Doctor Sect’s camp with thunder magic would quickly become common knowledge—and no one would doubt it.

Perhaps, when people eventually realized there was no actual Thunder God and that the noise was caused by the bomb he invented, he would already be more powerful and no longer need such myths to protect himself.

Then, the townsfolk opened the city gates for Chu Yun, allowing him to enter.

Chu Wencai approached him and asked, “Earl, the Witch Doctor Sect’s army must have been driven away, right? What shall we do next?”

At these words, everyone’s eyes turned to Chu Yun.

Huang Daniu even brought over a jar, holding it up before Chu Yun to help amplify his voice.

Using the jar for resonance, Chu Yun announced, “My master, the Thunder God, personally took action and unleashed thunder magic, so of course we won! The Witch Doctor Sect’s army—some were wounded, some died, and the rest fled. The enemy camp is likely empty now; even if anyone remains, they are gravely injured and unable to escape.”

“My master, considering the grain shortage in Chu family town, deliberately spared the food supplies when he bombed their camp.”

“Therefore, my sixty guards, along with the thirty guards who formerly served at the town office, and all able-bodied men and women, will immediately follow me with carts out of the city to the enemy camp to retrieve the grain as quickly as possible.”

“Each person participating in the grain transport will be rewarded with two knife coins. All grain will be stored in the granary, and starting from the first meal tomorrow, all residents of Chu family town will eat meals prepared collectively, three times a day.”

“Additionally, my master did not harm their warhorses. Anyone lucky enough to capture a warhorse and bring it back to Chu family town will receive a reward of twenty knife coins.”

“However, everyone must be cautious and not stray too far from the group to avoid encountering small enemy squads. The ninety guards must maintain order and ensure everyone’s safety.”

Now that the Witch Doctor Sect’s army had been routed, and the people of Chu family town recognized his prowess, no one would dare escape. Naturally, he could now coordinate their meals uniformly.