44: Chapter 44 The Great Black Heaven Buddha Mother Cult

Yan Shu was startled and hurriedly looked up.

From beginning to end, Shen Yi's expression remained indifferent.

This was an essential skill for an official of the Immortal Dynasty.

To avoid having one's thoughts guessed by others.

To avoid being scrutinized by others!

However, this indifferent expression put immense pressure on Yan Shu!

Yan Shu hurriedly spoke, "This humble one would not dare..."

Shen Yi said calmly, "The Great Black Heaven Mother Buddha Sect... is an evil cult strictly prohibited by the imperial court."

"As an official of the Immortal Dynasty... naturally, I must take it to heart."

"However, the military forces under my command are truly limited... I fear that while my heart is willing... my strength is insufficient!"

Shen Yi's words were full of regret... but to Yan Shu, they carried a different meaning.

The meaning was very simple.

This incredibly young Immortal Dynasty official was reaching out to him... for money?

A flash of anger crossed his heart, and he cursed inwardly, "Imperial lackey."

But with lives at stake, he had no choice but to make concessions.

Yan Shu took out the three hundred and twenty-one copper coins in his hand and said through gritted teeth.

"Yan Shu has traveled far and wide to accumulate experience in geomancy, working for many aristocratic clans... these copper coins are all of Yan Shu's savings!"

Shen Yi took the copper coins... and coughed. "This amount of money... makes it truly difficult for this official to get things done."

"You are aware of my Dao soldiers... if there are any casualties, even one or two, the cost would be far more than this!"

Seeing this, Yan Shu felt even more desolate. He cupped his hands and said, "Lord... whatever you want, just say it!"

"As long as I can save the people within a hundred-mile radius, and save the thousands of clansmen in the underground karst cave... there is nothing Yan Shu would not agree to!"

Shen Yi smiled and pointed at the ancestral hall. "This item is not bad..."

Yan Shu was very reluctant to part with it. If he could survive, the ancestral hall could be resold.

Then he would be able to obtain many cultivation resources... and comfortably be a Loose Cultivator.

Worry-free for the short term.

If he were to pledge allegiance to an aristocratic clan, this ancestral hall would be an excellent stepping stone.

But right now, there seemed to be no other choice.

He gritted his teeth and said, "If Lord Shen wants it... then take it."

Shen Yi nodded with a smile and continued, "According to the land deed, the people... all belong to this official."

"That is natural."

"In addition..." "I also need one person..."

"Who?" Yan Shu raised his head in confusion... only to see the young man pointing at him.

A shiver of disgust flashed through Yan Shu's eyes.

Most scions of the Immortal Dynasty's aristocratic clans... had some unique and strange quirks, especially prevalent in the Jiangnan region.

That would be homosexuality...

Yan Shu knew his appearance was extraordinary... and his temperament even more so... having suffered harassment and violence for years... he naturally loathed it deeply.

He stood up on the spot, flicked his sleeves, and said, "Lord... you have gone too far!"

"I am a grown man; no matter what, I will never submit to a man!"

"If that is the case, I and the many commoners will just die together!"

Shen Yi was instantly dumbfounded.

What is this sissy babbling about? Submit to a man? Does he think I have a penchant for men?

No... where do you get the confidence? Is Rich Lady Pei not fragrant enough... or has he, Shen Yi, gone mad?

Can you not look in a mirror before speaking?

Shen Yi rolled his eyes at Yan Shu and sneered, "Fool... this official does not have any special quirks!"

"This official is a married man..." "Do not use your dirty thoughts to think of this official."

"This official only sees that you are a talent worth molding and wants to take you under my command to cultivate you carefully!"

"To stabilize the people of Shuhe Ancient Town, and to find a good place for you!"

"Why are you being ungrateful?"

Yan Shu was verbally assaulted at point-blank range, his eyes stiffening!

His expression became unnatural, he coughed twice... and hurriedly knelt on the ground.

Simply put... the number of times he had knelt in the past three years was not as many as in these three sticks of incense!

He answered devoutly, "I am willing to climb a mountain of blades and descend into a sea of fire for you, Lord..."

Shen Yi had black lines on his forehead.

Can people pledging allegiance come up with some new tricks?

If he wasn't mistaken, this was the third one to climb a mountain of blades and descend into a sea of fire, right? Is it that simple?

However, Shen Yi did not say much, hurriedly walked forward... and helped Yan Shu up.

A line of prompts appeared before his eyes!

[Currently, you have gained a Genius, Yan Shu, with a return rate of 377%. The people of the Yan Clan are all fools; a seedling for the various arts of cultivation was almost wasted.]

[This person's talent in array formations and geomancy is something that even eight hundred Shen Yis added together could not catch up to!]

[In the future, he might be able to stabilize as a Great Grandmaster in both array formations and geomancy!]

"Hiss... this is the first time I've seen such a high evaluation!" "I've found a treasure!"

Shen Yi thought for a moment and smilingly took the Sixteen-Character Feng Shui Geomancy Secret Manual from his robes.

If you suspect a person, do not use them; if you use them, do not suspect them.

The carrot and the stick; use intimidation first... then flood them with rewards.

Naturally, you will gain their 'loyalty!'

Shen Yi stuffed the damaged Rank 2 Sixteen-Character Feng Shui Geomancy Secret Manual into his robes...

When he saw the specific item clearly, Yan Shu's mouth hung open.

"Lord..."

Shen Yi shook his head and took out the tortoise shell.

He said in a deep voice, "If you suspect a person, do not use them; if you use them, do not suspect them... You were able to give up a wonder to seek the survival of the people, and you were able to put the common people first!"

"That is enough to prove that you are a diligent, loyal Loose Cultivator who cares for the common people!"

"What's more, this official has always believed in not using those I suspect, and not suspecting those I use."

"This is what you deserve!"

"This secret manual and the tortoise shell shall be considered the payment for your ancestral hall... copper coins?"

"Do not complain that this official is stingy."

Yan Shu's face was filled with emotion, and he even shed tears involuntarily.

"Lord... how could Yan Shu dare to?"

"The various arts of geomancy... have orderly legacies, and even this Rank 2 secret manual of yours is something Yan Shu has sought his whole life but could not obtain!"

"In the future, Yan Shu... will definitely... climb a..."

"Enough... what did the mountain of blades do to offend you? You all want to climb it?"

Shen Yi waved his hand helplessly and said softly, "Take me to the water vein..."

"Di the Charcoal!"

Di the Charcoal quickly stepped forward! "Lord!"

"Lead sixty Rakshasa Guards and the soldiers of the Dead Prisoner Camp... to guard the entrance."

"Any evil spirits or demons that dare to invade this place, kill them all!"

"Understood!"

"Wang Meng..." "Present!"

"Lead one hundred Rakshasa Guards... and come with me!"

"Yes!"

Seeing this, Yan Shu was full of hope and turned to lead the way!

They arrived at the back of the hall and moved aside a rockery.

A set of stairs that could accommodate three or four people descending appeared.

The stairs were covered in moss.

Yan Shu did not hesitate any longer and stepped into it first...

A damp... scent of living, breathing life rushed towards them!

The ground had been hollowed out, a work of nature, clearly formed naturally!

Torches were bright, and thousands of commoners were huddled together in groups of three or five, shivering.

Their eyes looked at Yan Shu at the same time... and then at Shen Yi!

A glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes!