35: Duke Chuping took action

At the same time, guided by the villagers, the refugees successively entered the temple and knelt before Lord Chuping's statue.

Although they still had doubts in their hearts, facing the firm attitude of Chang Sheng Village's villagers, they dared not act presumptuously.

"Next!"

As Liu Chunsheng called out, San Wazi quickly offered an incense stick.

The entire process was as smooth as an assembly line.

Until a young man stepped forward, a hint of reluctance on his face.

He walked to the statue, knelt perfunctorily, his head only symbolically bowed, his eyes still darting around, then he quickly stood up.

Crippled Wang frowned at the sight, strode forward, and reprimanded in a low voice, "Young man, that's not the attitude for worshipping a deity. If you don't want to worship, then leave here early!"

Upon hearing this, the young man's expression instantly flickered with panic, but he stiffened his neck and spoke forcefully, "You told me to worship, and I have worshipped. I didn't refuse to worship; as for how I worship, that's my business."

"You..."

The straightforward Wang Houshi, seeing his unyielding attitude, was about to make a move.

Crippled Wang subconsciously looked at Liu Chunsheng, who narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze lingering on the young man for a moment, then he nodded almost imperceptibly.

Only after seeing him nod did Crippled Wang let the person leave.

"Chunsheng, why don't I find a few people to teach that guy a lesson?"

Wang Houshi was indignant; daring to disrespect Lord Chuping here was purely courting death.

Liu Chunsheng thought for a moment, then shook his head.

It wouldn't be appropriate to confront him directly now.

"Chunsheng, you are the Temple Official personally chosen by Lord Chuping. How can you just stand by and watch him be so disrespectful in front of the deity?"

Liu Chunsheng then realized that his actions seemed to have caused a misunderstanding.

"Brother Houshi, my point is, they were forced to come offer incense this time, so some emotions can be forgiven."

"Let's observe for three more days. If this guy remains unrepentant, then directly drive him out of Chang Sheng Village and let him fend for himself!"

There's no such good thing as eating your fill and then cursing your benefactors.

Upon hearing this, Wang Houshi immediately gave Liu Chunsheng a thumbs-up.

"Chunsheng, you're still the clever one, no wonder you can be the Temple Official!"

*

After the young man left after offering incense, Lin Chuping in the statue felt something was missing.

"Tong Ge, did that person just now not contribute any Incense Qi Value?"

"Ding! Only those with sincere faith can contribute Incense Qi Value."

"So that's how it is."

He had originally thought that as long as someone came to offer incense, he could gain Incense Qi Value, but now it seemed things were not that simple.

It still required their willingness!

Thinking about it, it made sense.

Chang Sheng Village forcing these outsiders to come to the temple to offer incense was, to a certain extent, an incorrect action.

It would be better to exercise a little restraint in the future.

*

There were so many people this time. It took an entire night of busy work to receive all the people who arrived one after another.

Wang Tieshan and his family were among the last to arrive, along with Old Mrs. Wang.

Wang Damei and Wang Tieshan, each holding a child, stumbled through their incense offering, then collapsed directly at the entrance of the temple.

By this time, many people were already lying scattered about in front of the temple.

Tired.

Too tired.

It felt like all the bones in their bodies had fallen apart.

"My dear, drink some water quickly. We are finally safe."

Neither of them had the slightest doubt about the authenticity of Lord Chuping; if those noble people believed it, how could they have any reason to question it?

Wang Tieshan took the water skin, took a small sip, and handed it to Wang Damei.

"You drink too."

Wang Damei took the water skin, but instead of drinking directly, she held it to the mouths of the two children, each taking a small sip.

"So this is Chang Sheng Village! It doesn't look much different from other villages."

"How is there no difference? Look at them, then look at us. Can their spirit be the same as ours?"

"That's true. Even the nobles from the Prefecture City are flocking here, so it must be good. Nobles aren't stupid."

"I like it here, I feel like breathing is much easier."

In the Prefecture City, he always felt as if something was pressing down on his head, making even breathing difficult.

"Now that you mention it, I feel it too."

"Look at Old Mrs. Wang, isn't she acting a bit strange?"

"I don't see it."

"Old Mrs. Wang is amazing. Our young legs are about to break from running, yet she's acting like nothing happened."

"Yes, yes. Many old people among us who fled didn't make it, but Old Mrs. Wang, she's really got a strong life force."

Everyone exchanged words, one after another.

They were dispelling the helplessness of their journey, and their words were full of anticipation for the future... Old Mrs. Wang, who was being praised for her strong life force, felt her consciousness grow hazy and her body tremble just as she was about to enter the temple, as if she were extremely afraid.

Immediately after, she suddenly opened her eyes, revealing two blood-red eyeballs.

This appearance left Lin Chuping, who had been watching her, completely stunned.

"Oh my! She's about to transform."

"Hungry... hungry... so hungry..."

Old Mrs. Wang's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper grating against the heart, making people very uncomfortable.

The surrounding people were startled by this sudden change and quickly retreated a few steps.

"What the hell is that?"

"What's wrong with Old Mrs. Wang?"

"Is she... is she possessed by a demon?"

"I just said she wasn't right."

"Run!"

The people immediately panicked and scattered in all directions.

Old Mrs. Wang's body suddenly swelled, her skin turned pitch black, and her fingernails grew long, like sharp blades.

She quickly completed the transformation from a human body to a demonic creature.

"Ugly, too ugly!"

Everyone avoided her, but a few brave villagers from Chang Sheng Village were not afraid and even had the nerve to point and comment on Old Mrs. Wang's new appearance.

"Good heavens, even if you don't cut your nails for ten years, they wouldn't grow this long, would they?"

"Her skin is so black, is it poisonous?"

"Brothers, grab your weapons, I'll go up and test her strength first."

"Isn't she just an old woman? Take this, my Cleaving Axe!"

The axe struck Old Mrs. Wang's shoulder as if hitting a corpse, not moving an inch, but instead enraging her.

"Holy crap!"

"Hungry... I'm so hungry..."

Old Mrs. Wang was incredibly fast, and in a flash, she pounced on Wang Tieshan, her sharp claws seemingly about to pierce his chest.

A dazzling light suddenly lit up above the temple.

A hair-thin bolt of lightning struck directly down from Old Mrs. Wang's crown.

"Sizzle sizzle ~"

The black smoke completely dissipated, and the scene fell silent.

Everyone watched this scene dumbfounded; the divine power of Lord Chuping was truly real.

"Lord Chuping has manifested! Lord Chuping has manifested!"

The villagers shouted loudly, their faces filled with excitement.

"Thank you, Lord Chuping! Thank you, Lord Chuping!"

After the black smoke dissipated, Old Mrs. Wang's body instantly stiffened, then slowly fell, transforming into a puddle of black water.

The air in front of the temple seemed to solidify, everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the puddle of black water, as if fearing it would reform.

After a few breaths, the black water on the ground also slowly disappeared, as if nothing had ever happened.

The people were first stunned by the sudden turn of events, then a cacophony of discussion erupted among the crowd.

"This... this is truly Lord Chuping's manifestation!"

"I... I had some doubts before, but now I truly believe!"

"It's a good thing we came to Chang Sheng Village, otherwise we wouldn't even know if we were harmed by this monster."

Those refugees who had previously harbored doubts about worshipping the deity now devoutly knelt in the direction of the temple.

"Lord Chuping, you are magnanimous, please don't hold our ignorance against us. We were truly blind before!"

The young man who had been reluctant to offer incense earlier now had a pale face, kowtowing like pounding garlic.

"We beg Lord Chuping to bless us with peace and safety."

At this moment, a child's tender voice rang out: "Mom, Lord Chuping is so amazing. From now on, will we not be afraid of monsters anymore?"

The child's mother hugged her child tightly and said, "Yes, baby, don't be afraid. With Lord Chuping here, no monster will dare to come."

The villagers of Chang Sheng Village watched the refugees' reactions, feeling both proud and emotional.

However, there was still one problem at hand.

"Village Chief, with so many people, can our village accommodate them all?"

"Yes! It absolutely can!"

Li Fu stroked his chin, chuckling.

Now everyone was a believer of Lord Chuping, so they couldn't just turn people away.

If there wasn't enough space, wasn't there still Nan Shu Village!