37: Feast

After a long while, Qian Shi rubbed his arms and sighed.

“This young woman is really different after getting married.”

Just now, he could feel a subtle charm emanating from Lian Ruyue, a temperament, posture, and gaze that was distinct from when she was a young girl… “Holy crap! She’s not trying to seduce me, is she?!”

“Heh heh, it’s not impossible.”

He couldn't help it; it wasn't that he lacked backbone, but rather that finding a wife was too damn difficult. When offering sacrifices to the Naked Ghost before, many people prioritized sacrificing female infants.

When one is well-fed and warm, lust arises.

Now, the village was severely imbalanced with too many men and too few women, to the point where even the old hens looked pretty to a few of the strong young men.

*

Over the next few days, while Chang Sheng Village and Nan Shu Village were busy constructing buildings with great enthusiasm, Blood Fiend initiated its ‘Farming Plan’ for Qingzhou.

Blood Fiend cautiously bypassed the Naked Ghost’s former jurisdiction.

Peach tree spirit, kill!

Rat monster, kill!

Fox demon, kill!

Kill, kill, kill!

Through a bloody massacre, in just five days, Blood Fiend dominated most of Qingzhou’s territory with a thunderous momentum.

Those unwilling to submit were all suppressed and killed.

The Mortals, taken as spoils of war, were all driven to Prefecture City.

“Lord Wolf Shadow, ahead is the last target. This is the territory of a black fish.”

Wolf Shadow stood at the very front of the procession, followed by various bizarre and grotesque monsters.

There were human-headed snakes, rats wielding two large pincers, and large trees walking upright on two roots.

At first glance, this group was practically the epitome of a “motley crew.”

Seeing Wolf Shadow deep in thought and motionless, a small demon from the ragtag army beside him volunteered.

“Lord, let this humble one go this time. This humble one will surely bring back all those Mortals, not a single one missing.”

Wolf Shadow nodded slightly, not objecting.

After the small demons departed, Wolf Shadow looked up towards Chang Sheng Village.

With his nose, he could easily detect wafts of fragrance drifting from that direction.

This fragrance was subtle, like an invisible hand gently teasing his olfactory nerves.

It wasn't the strong, pungent smell emitted when vital blood boiled, but a more elegant, more enticing aroma, as if some delicious delicacy was being cooked.

Wolf Shadow secretly swallowed his saliva.

He wanted to eat.

However, Wolf Shadow deeply remembered his wolf mother’s teachings from childhood: human greed and cunning are rooted in their Soul.

Because when the gods created humans, they exchanged their own talents for this cunning.

The young Wolf Shadow believed it, and believed it deeply.

However, Wolf Shadow still decided that after returning, he would have the Mortals in Prefecture City cook him something delicious.

A wolf should not shortchange his stomach.

*

At this moment, Chang Sheng Village’s first major project—the Wanbao Merchant Guild—was completed, and a grand banquet was being held.

In the open space of the village, dozens of wooden tables laden with delicious food were arranged in rows, and the steaming aroma of dishes filled the air, making the hungry worms in people’s stomachs rumble.

On the tables were both plump wild game hunted from the mountains and poultry collected from villagers’ homes.

Without exception, they were all roasted until their skin was golden and crispy, sizzling with oil, and when cut with a knife, savory meat juices flowed along the cut.

It was incredibly appetizing.

Liu Chunsheng, Li Fu, and Fang Youjin sat nervously at the main table, with Jin Zihua and Shi Da personally accompanying them on either side.

The other people at the main table were also figures formerly renowned in Prefecture City.

Li Fu sat beside Liu Chunsheng, the wrinkles on his Face deepening by three points from his smile.

He never would have thought, never would have thought, that at his old age, he, Old Li, would still have such good fortune!

This entire table of dishes was something he wouldn't even have dared to dream of in his first half of life!

Look at this whole roasted chicken, it's golden and crispy, glistening with oil, and looks so appetizing.

Li Fu recognized this old rooster; it was raised by Aunt Liu. Cooked this deliciously, this chicken died a worthy death!

And look at this small, unidentifiable piece of meat next to it. He heard it was from a deer demon, and Shopkeeper Jin was willing to bring it out.

What a waste of money.

Slurp.

Liu Chunsheng next to him also tried to suppress the upturn of his lips, secretly swallowing his saliva. Times were different now; he couldn't let Lord Chuping lose Face.

There was even less need to mention Fang Youjin; he was so excited that he didn't know where to put his hands, only rubbing his knees constantly, his eyes fixed on the delicacies on the table, desperately suppressing his drool, afraid of letting it flow out first and making a fool of himself.

*

Seeing that all the dishes were ready, Jin Zihua raised his wine cup and cleared his throat.

“Thanks to the great kindness of the Temple Official and the two Village Chiefs, we were able to survive in this chaotic world. This junior here pays his respects to the three benefactors.”

“The construction of the Wanbao Merchant Guild relied on everyone’s collective efforts, and even more so on the tireless efforts of the two Village Chiefs and the Temple Official, who traveled around and mediated.”

“This banquet today is, firstly, to celebrate the completion of the Merchant Guild, which will provide a Foundation for our village’s prosperity; secondly, it is to properly toast our benefactors and all the heroes present!”

Liu Chunsheng quickly waved his hand.

“Shopkeeper Jin, speaking like that is too formal. For building the houses, the Wanbao Merchant Guild also paid wages. Ever since you all arrived, our lives have improved quite a bit.”

Jin Zihua smiled, not daring to respond directly to that remark.

Although Liu Chunsheng’s words were polite, Jin Zihua knew in his heart that even though Liu Chunsheng was not tall and looked thin, appearing to be a weakling, his high rank was undeniable.

He paused briefly, then continued along Liu Chunsheng’s line of thought: “The Temple Official is right, we are all one family, and in the future, we will have to rely more on everyone…” The atmosphere was filled with joy.

At this moment, on the outskirts of Chang Sheng Village’s back mountain, two small figures were quietly approaching the direction of the banquet.

“Brother Huzi, did you find it?”

A little girl with pigtails and a little boy in an earthy yellow linen shirt were crouching, hiding behind a large tree, carefully observing the direction of Chang Sheng Village.

The little girl’s eyes were bright and curious, and she clearly looked well-nourished.

The little boy, on the other hand, appeared much calmer. He held a crude wooden bow in his hand, and his quiver contained several self-made bamboo arrows.

“Little Die, don’t rush, we need to be careful.”

Huzi said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the distant banquet, “Those people don’t seem like bad guys, but there are many of them, so we need to find an opportunity to blend in.”

Little Die nodded, carefully tugging at the boy’s sleeve, and whispered, “Brother Huzi, I’m hungry… Can we secretly take some food?”

“We need to go back quickly. We’ve been out for so long, Mom and Dad will definitely come looking for us.”

Huzi frowned.

“Wait a little longer. When they’re almost done eating, we’ll make our move.”

Although there seemed to be a lot of food, he didn't dare to rush forward recklessly.

Food was always a very scarce commodity.