21st Century Necromancer

"Yeah, when an individual's power reaches the peak of mortal limits, naturally there's a need to seek further possibilities." Faced with Naoki Inomata's surprise, Chen Yu remained quite calm.

As for the matter of deification, he had not only been planning it for a long time, but was now already prepared, so there was no excitement or anxiety, nor did he feel that as a mortal he was desecrating the divine realm by ascending there.

Chen Yu had seen what the deities were like with his own eyes; they weren't insurmountably great, just more powerful entities.

Having a thorough understanding of the deities and growing to a point where he was only one step away from them, what reason did Chen Yu have not to take that step?

"Deities... Brother Yu, you're becoming a deity..." Naoki Inomata still found it hard to believe, a bit hard to accept: "Does this mean that when I visit a shrine in the future, I'll be worshipping you, Brother Yu?"

In Japan, faith in deities is actually quite common, and Japanese people maintain a considerable level of respect and reverence for them, with all sorts of worship and offerings. For Naoki Inomata, having a friend and brother become a new deity was a profoundly impactful thing.

Hearing Naoki Inomata say this, Chen Yu couldn't help but laugh: "That's hard to say. The divine duty I'm choosing is the God of the Underworld River. If I succeed in deification, I will become the God of the Underworld River. After death, if one wishes to enter the Netherworld, they must cross the river, so they must worship me then. Whether or not they worship me while alive depends on personal choice."

"The God of the Underworld River? Isn't that the ferryman on the Sanzu River?" Naoki Inomata immediately recalled figures associated with the river in mythology.

However, Chen Yu shook his head, dismissing Naoki Inomata's association: "The God of the Underworld River is not a ferryman. The ferryman merely guides souls, while the God of the Underworld River will control the entire river. You can't seriously compare a boatman on the river with the lord of the river, can you?"

With Chen Yu's explanation, Naoki Inomata understood what kind of deity the God of the Underworld River actually was.

"Sugoi! Then it seems I should properly worship you in the future, Brother Yu! So that when I die, you won't leave me to drown in the river," Naoki Inomata joked. Although he said he would worship Chen Yu as a deity, in his heart, he still regarded Chen Yu as his best friend and brother.

"Hahaha, instead of worrying about things after death, why don't you work a bit harder now? If you can elevate your own power, I'll help you get a divine position while you're alive. Wouldn't becoming a deity be nice?" Chen Yu laughed and joked after hearing Naoki's words.

He didn't see any problem with it. Although obtaining a divine rank was difficult, getting a divine position and becoming a deity wasn't particularly hard in Japan.

Just like the time Chen Yu met Little Rice Princess, she was considered a deity as well. But both her power and followers were too weak; back then, certified necromancer Chen Yu, who hadn't even reached legendary status, could easily handle her.

The lower threshold for Japanese deities is actually quite low. Even a stone receiving worship can possibly birth a deity, but the existence of these deities relies entirely on faith. Without faith, they will vanish.

The so-called Yaoyorozu no Tenjinshu, the vast majority belong to this type of existence.

If Chen Yu wished, with his current abilities, he could arrange for Naoki Inomata to get such a divine position, build a shrine for worship, and even arrange for an official conferment from Amaterasu Ōmikami.

Though this was an everyday matter for Chen Yu, it seemed astonishing to Naoki Inomata, who couldn't help but exclaim: "I can really become a deity too?"

"If you're referring to a Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva by the fields or a deity worshipped in a small roadside shrine, then yes, it's possible and not even difficult." Chen Yu nodded affirmatively, leaving Naoki Inomata in shock and disbelief.

Hiromi Jounouchi, seeing Naoki's overturned worldview, interjected with a laugh: "Naoki, you don't need to be surprised. Becoming a deity isn't as difficult as you think. It's just that the threshold for becoming a truly immortal deity is high.noveldrama

If you want, Mr. Chen Yu and I can help you arrange it. But I think you should still be thinking about Dr. Tokairin. Didn't you say you wanted to propose to her?"

With the topic shifted by Hiromi Jounouchi, Chen Yu also immediately asked Naoki Inomata with concern: "Right, enough about this. Naoki, when are you planning to propose to Dr. Tokairin? I think Valentine's Day is great. Want me to help with the arrangements? I guarantee to prepare a grand and romantic proposal scene for you."

"This..." Naoki Inomata didn't expect the topic within the Chen Yu couple to switch so quickly, and he wore a look of embarrassment and shyness.

But after hesitating for a moment, he agreed to Chen Yu's suggestion and sincerely requested: "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Yu."

Chen Yu smiled and nodded, agreeing to the matter.

"By the way, Naoki, do you prefer something more romantic or more solemn?" Chen Yu asked Naoki Inomata, intending to design a good marriage proposal for his good brother.

Suddenly asked this question by Chen Yu, Naoki Inomata was also bewildered, not knowing how to respond. He could only go with his gut feeling and said: "Romantic, I guess? I haven't really thought it through."

Hearing Naoki's words, Chen Yu couldn't help but look to Hiromi Jounouchi, asking her: "Honey, what do you think?"

"All girls love romance. If Naoki-san prepares a romantic proposal with effort, Dr. Tokairin will definitely agree and be very moved." Hiromi Jounouchi offered her advice while also rolling her eyes at Chen Yu, evidently reminiscing about how poorly Chen Yu had done his own proposal back then.

Receiving an eye-roll from his wife left Chen Yu a bit embarrassed, as he did indeed do a terrible job during his own proposal.

However, Naoki Inomata evidently wasn't aware of the dynamics between Chen Yu and Hiromi Jounouchi, nor did he intend to inquire into their affairs. Instead, he humbly asked Hiromi for guidance: "So, sister-in-law, what do you think I should do?"

"Propose to Dr. Tokairin at the Sky Tree. It's the tallest place in Tokyo right now, and have Chen Yu reserve the top-level restaurant. Proposing to her at the tallest point in Tokyo, Dr. Tokairin definitely won't refuse." Hiromi Jounouchi offered ideas, showing great enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Chen Yu didn't have much to add, planning for Naoki Inomata to propose to Yuko Tokairin on Valentine's Day. He would also help retrieve their memories, breaking the barriers of life and death, seizing the opportunity to commence the Deification Ritual.