73: Evil Gods and the Righteous Church

“Let me speak.”

Yagyu Han hurried out from behind the tree, one hand still holding up his pants.

He had clearly gone to fertilize that big tree.

“Why are you here?” Chen Heng glanced at Yagyu Han, who smelled strongly of perfume.

“Big Brother, I’m on duty today.” Yagyu Han also caught the scent of perfume on himself and said somewhat awkwardly.

Speaking of being on duty, it was a rule Chen Heng had set for them.

There were fourteen brothers at the mine in total, seven for the day shift and seven for the night shift.

This ensured both rest and that someone was always at the mine twenty-four hours a day.

“Alright, get to the point.” Chen Heng waved his hand, signaling Yagyu Han to speak quickly.

“Big Brother, Black Oil Alley, below Goulan Street, has a problem.”

“And it’s exactly the same situation as when we were at the mine before.”

“I feel like it must be an Anomaly at work again.”

Yagyu Han truthfully recounted what had happened in Black Oil Alley, awaiting Chen Heng’s response.

Chen Heng subconsciously wanted to say, ‘That’s great,’ but he managed to swallow it back down.

For him, it was indeed a good thing; he would get many more Optimization chances.

But for his subordinates and the refugees in Black Oil Alley, this was a disaster.

“Let’s go, we’re heading back now.” Chen Heng didn’t want to wait a moment longer; he needed to quickly kill that Anomaly and then ruthlessly plunder its treasures.

By the time Chen Heng and the others returned to Qiyang City, it was already late.

The entire Qiyang City was dark, everyone had gone to bed.

Except for Goulan Street, which was still brightly lit and bustling with activity.

After getting out of the carriage, Chen Heng immediately smelled the unique foul odor of the Anomaly.

And this stench was exceptionally strong, even comparable to the smell of Helian Xuning before.

Not only that, the Prostitutes and guests on Goulan Street seemed to be affected.

One by one, they were repeating their daily routines like soulless puppets.

“Don’t go in yet, this Anomaly is not easy to deal with this time.”

Chen Heng drew his black fiend blade and walked towards Black Oil Alley, where the smell was strongest.

“My lady, is that Vice Envoy Chen?” Liuer stood by the window, looking out, and immediately saw Chen Heng, wielding his black fiend blade with a formidable Aura.

Hundred Flowers, looking somewhat weak, peered out the window, her eyes widening instantly.

“Liuer, quickly go invite Master Chen up, I can’t hold on much longer.”

Looking closely, Hundred Flowers’ wrist had a small cut, and blood flowed like a thread into the Formation on the ground.

Hundred Flowers was actually using demon blood to form a Formation, protecting the entire Qingyun Tower!

Liuer dared not leave Qingyun Tower, so she could only lean out the window and shout to Chen Heng.

“Master Chen! My lady has something to ask of you!”

That shout startled Chen Heng; he hadn’t expected anyone to still be conscious.

“What does that demon from Qingyun Tower want with me?”

Although Chen Heng was a little puzzled, he still walked over.

As soon as Chen Heng entered Qingyun Tower, he immediately understood why the people here still maintained their original state.

An extremely strong smell of blood blocked out the foul odor from outside.

The source of this bloody smell was Hundred Flowers’ bedroom.

Pushing open the door and walking in, Chen Heng sat down, looking at the pale-faced Hundred Flowers.

“Why?”

Chen Heng was somewhat confused; she was clearly a demon, so why would she do such a thing?

And judging by her appearance, Hundred Flowers could clearly have easily protected herself without paying such a high price.

“Please, Vice Envoy Chen, quickly slay that Evil God.” Hundred Flowers shook her head, not answering Chen Heng’s question.

She couldn’t possibly say that she had genuinely fallen in love with Qingyun Tower and Qiyang City, could she?

“Evil God?” Chen Heng’s interest was immediately piqued.

“Tell me, what exactly is this Evil God?”

“This Evil God thing was created by your Human Race.”

Although Hundred Flowers was very weak now, when the Evil God was mentioned, a trace of fear and disgust still involuntarily appeared on her face.

“Your Human Race has many evil cults. These cults raise Anomalies and worship them as gods.”

“Once these Anomalies consume incense for many years, they will transform into Anomalies exclusive to that evil cult.”

“That is, a monster called an ‘Evil God’.”

“These monsters will not harm their faithful followers, but any other living creature is their food.”

“So, the current situation in Goulan Street and Black Oil Alley is man-made?”

Chen Heng frowned, realizing that besides the imperial family and the Aristocratic Families, there were others who could utilize Anomalies.

“That’s right, there’s only one Evil God with this effect.”

“That is the Earth God of the Fude Orthodox Sect!”

Hundred Flowers seemed to have spoken too much, and her whole body became even weaker.

“This Evil God strengthens itself by plundering the Life Qi of living beings.”

“And their followers can also transform themselves into something neither human nor monster by devouring fragments from the ‘Evil God’.”

“But I remember the Fude Orthodox Sect was completely eradicated by the entire Great Liang five years ago, so why would it appear in Qiyang City?”

Hearing this, Chen Heng also fell into deep thought.

First the Wutong Sect, then the Fude Orthodox Sect.

And there was still a Ghost Corpse Temple waiting.

Had Qiyang City violated a heavenly decree?

“I basically understand the situation now; I’ll handle it from here.”

Chen Heng didn’t think that much at all; he was no longer the noob who was scared half to death by Cool Daoist.

No matter what demons or monsters came, it was just one saber strike.

If one saber strike didn’t kill them, he’d just add a few more; they would die eventually.

Getting up, Chen Heng opened the window and jumped out, continuing towards Black Oil Alley.

In a corner of Black Oil Alley, Qian Zhicheng and Qian Zhizhong huddled together, trembling.

“Brother, what’s going on?” Qian Zhizhong sniffled, looking at the white statue in front of him with a face full of terror.

“How should I know? This ghostly thing seems to be getting out of control!”

Qian Zhicheng’s heart was also filled with dread.

The Earth God, for some unknown reason, had been growing larger and larger ever since it devoured its hundredth soul.

Qian Zhicheng tried to control it with secret arts, but it had no effect whatsoever.

Finally, he even took out the Magic Treasure of suppression bestowed upon him by the High Priest, but it was still useless.

He could only watch it grow bigger and bigger.

“Isn’t this just a disaster? It’s grown so big, how are we supposed to take it back?” Qian Zhizhong looked despairing.

Although the Earth God hadn't harmed them, if they failed the mission, they would still die upon returning.

“If it doesn’t work, let’s just run.” Qian Zhicheng’s eyes darted around, and the thought of escaping arose in his mind.

“Anyway, it’s already become like this; the Fude Orthodox Sect won’t be able to hide it.”

“With the High Priest’s limited abilities, he’s definitely no match for Chen Heng.”

“There’s no need for us to risk our lives with them!”

Once this thought appeared, it could no longer be dismissed. The two immediately began packing their things, ready to slip away.

But just then, the white statue suddenly trembled.

With a crack, a fissure appeared on the surface of the statue.