42: No need to offer sacrifices

Prefecture City is stable again!

This news quickly spread throughout Chang Sheng Village.

The Mortals who had just moved here were stirred and restless.

Some had even quietly packed their belongings, ready to flee at any moment.

Of course, there were also some clear-headed individuals who felt that the Yao Race's words could not be trusted. Besides, Chang Sheng Village had beautiful mountains and rivers, and a pleasant climate. Living here was quite leisurely and comfortable, so why bother with all the fuss?

These past few days, the people who came from Prefecture City argued endlessly in private.

"I heard that Lord Blood Fiend is very benevolent now. As long as we go back, life will be the same as before..."

"Yes, yes," a woman next to him quickly echoed, "My husband said that the houses in Prefecture City are still there; it would be a shame to just abandon them..."

"It sounds good now, but who knows what will happen in the future? Chang Sheng Village has Lord Chuping's protection, so it's safe and worry-free. If you go back... what if Lord Blood Fiend changes his mind?"

"Then what should we do? Why don't we see what the nobles choose first?"

"How can we compare to the nobles? The nobles have treasures to protect themselves, but we only have our lives!"

When Jin Zihua heard the news... he was utterly speechless!

Isn't it good to live well? Why seek death!

This is truly like an old man hanging himself — tired of living.

In this era, the most abundant thing is ignorant people, who, with a little guidance, will become the most convenient tools in the hands of ambitious individuals.

What Jin Zihua couldn't understand was when the Yao Race also learned to play such insidious tricks, just like humans!

Jin Zihua stood by the window on the second floor of the Chamber of Commerce, looking at the groups of people arguing in the courtyard, and sighed heavily.

Save?

Or not save?

"Shopkeeper, should I go..."

Jin San made a throat-slitting gesture.

"No need!"

Jin Zihua glared at him, full of helplessness.

Why was this guy so out of sync with him? He was here weighing the pros and cons, deliberating whether to save or not, and this guy immediately wanted to go to extremes.

He wanted to cut off the source directly!

"Jin San, we are merchants. Don't always think about fighting and killing. Be gentler in your methods."

"Although these people are foolish, their crime is not punishable by death."

"Okay, Shopkeeper."

Seeing that the Shopkeeper disagreed with his idea, Jin San silently retreated to the side.

Jin Zihua pointed to the man who was jumping around the most excitedly in the crowd and asked.

"That troublemaker, that two-faced guy, have you found out his background?"

Jin San lowered his voice: "We've checked. This person is Zhao Si, who was a hooligan in Prefecture City before. However, this person has some tricks up his sleeve, and those who opposed him all died tragically."

At this point, Jin San paused slightly, leaned closer, and lowered his voice.

"Your subordinate suspects... he is a Yao Race traitor!"

Jin Zihua's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Go, let Liu Chunsheng know about this. Remember, do it naturally."

"Also, send people to spread the word that living in Prefecture City is uncomfortable because the Feng Shui of Prefecture City is bad."

As for what's wrong with the Feng Shui, people will automatically imagine it.

Who made Prefecture City not innocent in the first place!

Jin Zihua did not directly reveal the matter of the Spirit-奪取 Array.

The Spirit-奪取 Array is the biggest secret of Prefecture City. If this secret is made public, Lord Blood Fiend will directly tear off his disguise, and it is unknown if Lord Chuping can withstand it.

"I hope this can stabilize some people."

This is only a temporary measure. With people in a state of panic, there are too many variables.

We still need to know Lord Chuping's attitude as soon as possible.

The thoughts of a deity cannot be judged by common sense.

*

"By the way, where is Jin Er?"

Jin Zihua suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Jin Er for several days, which made him feel a subtle unease.

Jin San was also startled by the question and frowned: "Replying to the Shopkeeper, ever since you reprimanded him last time, he has rarely shown up at the Chamber of Commerce. Your subordinate thought..."

"Thought what?" Jin Zihua's eyes sharpened, "Hurry up and find him!"

Jin San quickly responded and withdrew.

Jin Zihua stood by the window, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the window frame.

Jin Er was the child of an old friend of his. Before his friend's death, he entrusted Jin Er to Jin Zihua's care.

However, Jin Er was sensitive and prone to extremes, so Jin Zihua could only keep him by his side and teach him slowly.

*

As soon as Jin San stepped out of the room, a servant rushed in to report that Liu Chunsheng wished to see him.

After hearing the servant's words, Jin Zihua walked downstairs with light steps.

Upon reaching the main hall, he immediately saw Liu Chunsheng standing there with a solemn expression.

"Temple Official Liu, does Lord Chuping have any instructions?"

Liu Chunsheng slowly shook his head, then took a deep breath, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"Not exactly. It's just that there are some things in my heart that I still can't figure out, so I specifically came to ask for your guidance, Shopkeeper Jin."

Liu Chunsheng's tone was a bit hesitant.

Seeing this, Jin Zihua quickly said, "Temple Official Liu, please speak freely. I will certainly tell you everything I know, holding nothing back."

His attitude was sincere and natural, giving people a very reliable feeling. Liu Chunsheng felt as if he was in front of an elder, and unknowingly, he let down his guard.

After a slight hesitation, Liu Chunsheng finally spoke.

"It's about the villagers of Bao Shan Village who suddenly disappeared a few days ago. I've been trying to understand it."

Jin Zihua thought Liu Chunsheng had encountered some difficult problem, but it turned out to be this!

I know this one, Jin Zihua smiled confidently and slowly explained.

"In my opinion, there are roughly two possibilities."

"Firstly, those low-level demons, out of fear of Qingyun Immortal Sect's reputation, usually only dared to covertly and stealthily capture people to devour. But now the situation has changed drastically. Qingyun Immortal Sect has been defeated by Lord Blood Fiend. Without this powerful deterrent, those demons are like wild horses unbridled, acting recklessly. It's not impossible for them to directly slaughter an entire village."

"Secondly, Lord Blood Fiend is ambitious, attempting to regard all the common people of Qingzhou as his meal. His appetite is astonishingly large. Bao Shan Village naturally couldn't be spared by him. Perhaps the villagers have already been raised by Lord Blood Fiend, becoming nourishment for him to expand his strength, becoming lambs to be slaughtered."

Liu Chunsheng was about to nod when he suddenly remembered what he had just heard.

"But... but I just heard people discussing that Lord Blood Fiend will protect Prefecture City and doesn't require any offerings."

After hearing this, Jin Zihua gave a bitter smile.

"You are still too young, young man. Not needing offerings doesn't mean not needing a price."

"The world often operates for profit."

"Why would Lord Blood Fiend, a Yao Race member, bother to protect Mortals in a thankless task? There must be profit in it."

"Furthermore, Prefecture City is now Lord Blood Fiend's personal domain. If he says he won't collect offerings today, and then goes back on his word tomorrow, what can we do then?"

"The world often operates for profit."

Liu Chunsheng carefully pondered these words, his eyes growing brighter.

"Profitable. Lord Blood Fiend has gone to such great lengths; his ambition must be immense. What can make the Yao Race so attentive is power and descendants."

"Shopkeeper Jin, could it be that Lord Blood Fiend's true purpose is still to devour people?"

After hearing Liu Chunsheng's words, Jin Zihua muttered inwardly, "How clever."

He didn't play coy and directly revealed everything he knew.

Rather than him racking his brain here and still not coming up with a solution, it's better to throw the problem to Lord Chuping. Perhaps in the eyes of a deity, these are not problems at all!

"As far as I know, Prefecture City is a huge Spirit-奪取 Array. As long as one is within it, their Qi and blood will be slowly absorbed to supply the Cultivation of the people on Qingyun Mountain."

"Now that Qingyun Immortal Sect has been occupied by Lord Blood Fiend, his intention is very clear."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chunsheng's face turned pale, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead. "This... this Spirit-奪取 Array is so malicious. Aren't the people of Prefecture City in grave danger?"

Jin Zihua gently shook his head and sighed, "It is precisely because it is so perilous that I have been hesitant about whether to save those deluded villagers. If I reveal it rashly, Lord Blood Fiend will surely become enraged. It is unknown whether Lord Chuping can withstand his furious retaliation. But if I sit idly by, these ignorant people returning to Prefecture City are undoubtedly lambs entering a tiger's den."

Liu Chunsheng paced back and forth, his heart burning with anxiety.