43: It doesn't matter who you do the work for.

“Is there really no other way?”

Liu Chunsheng's brows were tightly furrowed, his voice trembling slightly.

Jin Zihua sighed deeply, spreading his hands powerlessly, his tone tinged with despondency.

“That’s just how it is. Mortals are like meat on a chopping block, to be slaughtered at will. How easy is it to turn the tables?”

“It’s almost an impossible thing to do.”

For a moment, the room fell into a deathly silence.

After a long while, Jin Zihua seemed to suddenly remember something, a glimmer of imperceptible light flashing in his eyes as he murmured,

“However, in this world, who can say for sure?”

“Mortals, they are both fragile enough to be shattered with a single blow, yet strong beyond imagination. These past years, demons have run rampant and unbridled, yet Mortals, struggling and fumbling in the cracks, have managed to survive until now. This alone is enough to prove the resilience in our bones.”

As he spoke, his tone unconsciously lifted.

“Perhaps, we truly have the ability to create miracles.”

Jin Zihua paused, his gaze returning to Liu Chunsheng.

“Temple Official Liu, we may be lacking in ability, but that doesn't mean Lord Chuping is also without a plan.”

“Shopkeeper Jin is absolutely right!”

Liu Chunsheng’s taut heartstrings felt as if struck by a bolt of electricity.

He suddenly stood up, the chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound, then turned and ran.

*

At this moment, ten kilometers from Chang Sheng Village, on Black Rat Mountain, there was a person… no, there was a snake also running desperately.

Behind the snake’s tail, two furious rat demons were hot on its heels.

Before these two aggressive rat demons, the Little Green Snake was like a small loach being chased relentlessly by a big black fish, panicked and disheveled, only able to flee with all its might.

Fortunately, the Little Green Snake had grown quite a bit recently after being fed by Lin Chuping, and its speed was vastly different from before. Otherwise, it wouldn't even be comparable to a loach.

“Ah ah ah aow!”

“Hiss hiss!”

“Good sirs, please don't chase me! I, the little snake, really am bringing you good news!”

The Little Green Snake flicked its tongue, trying its best to show it had no ill intentions.

“Squeak squeak!”

“Thieving rat, you actually dare to come again!”

“Even if you talk your way out of it today, you must pay for my child’s life!”

“Hiss hiss!”

The Little Green Snake cried out in grievance, attempting to explain.

“Rat Spirit, Rat Chestnut, you two are being unreasonable. Besides, you have so many rat pups, what’s wrong with me eating one?!”

“You still dare to mention that? Take this!”

Upon hearing this, Rat Spirit became even more enraged.

With that, it lunged forward, its entire body leaping high into the air, accurately pouncing on the tip of the Little Green Snake’s tail.

The Little Green Snake hissed in pain, half its body springing high before falling heavily.

Next was a period of inhumane group beating.

Brutal, too brutal.

After a flurry of blows, the Little Green Snake lay limply on the ground like a stick, motionless, its entire body feeling as if it had been run over by a wheel.

“Rat Spirit, Rat Chestnut, now will you listen to me?! I really came for your own good this time!”

Rat Spirit sneered, its paw fiercely slapping the Little Green Snake’s head.

“Enough nonsense! You stole and ate our rat pups, and you still dare to say you’re doing us good? Where’s your shame?!”

Little Green Snake: It hurts so much, can't we just let this go!

The Little Green Snake grimaced in pain, inwardly complaining: These two shameless old geezers do nothing all day but hide on the mountain and have pups. After more than ten years, the entire Black Rat Mountain is almost too small for them.

And they won't let a snake eat them!

Snakes are supposed to eat rats; what's wrong with a snake doing that!

Although the Little Green Snake thought this, it dared not say it. Now was not the time to argue about right and wrong.

In pain all over, the Little Green Snake simply lay flat, not intending to get up.

“Rat Spirit, Rat Chestnut, I’ve newly pledged allegiance to a deity as my boss, and now I’m working under him. Are you willing to come?”

“Don’t refuse me yet, this is a great Opportunity. He has a good thing in his hands; after eating it, your whole body feels warm, and your strength can increase quite a bit.”

“Look at me, aren’t I much stronger than last time!”

Rat Chestnut looked suspiciously at the Little Green Snake; it had grown a bit, but was still a weakling.

“If there’s such a good thing, you’d think of us?”

“Of course, even though I ate one of your little pups, we are still good neighbors!”

Rat Spirit and Rat Chestnut exchanged glances. One of the rats went over and kicked the Little Green Snake.

However, deep down, they were a little tempted.

Over the years, they had produced thousands of little pups, most of which were small rats without developed intelligence. Rat Spirit and Rat Chestnut didn't really care about them.

They were also tired of constantly having babies, so a change in lifestyle seemed pretty good now.

They heard that the adult Blood Fiend was recently hunting minor demons, and both of them were on the list.

Working for anyone is the same, but if they were going to pledge allegiance, they should choose a powerful one.

Otherwise, if the two sides clashed, how could these small cannon fodder survive!

Thinking of this, Rat Chestnut asked in a low voice, “Who is more powerful, Lord Chuping or Blood Fiend?”

The Little Green Snake didn't even have to think about this question.

“Of course, Lord Chuping is more powerful. Lord Chuping is a deity! Do you know what a deity is? He is an existence that crushes all evil forces.”

Rat Spirit frowned, its paw still pressing on the Little Green Snake’s head, its tone carrying a hint of doubt.

“Is Lord Chuping really that powerful? You’re not just boasting, are you? Blood Fiend even defeated the Qingyun Immortal Sect. How can Lord Chuping possibly crush him?”

Although the Little Green Snake was pinned to the ground, its tone remained firm: “Lord Chuping is a deity! Do you know what a deity is! You two ignorant country demons…”

“Aow aow aow!”

“Hit me lighter, Big Brother!”

Rat Chestnut only released its paw when it saw the Little Green Snake begging for mercy.

“A deity? Is he really that miraculous?”

The Little Green Snake nodded repeatedly: “Absolutely true! If you don’t believe me, you can come with me to Chang Sheng Village and see for yourselves. Lord Chuping protects not only Mortals, but as long as demons are willing to abide by his rules, they can also receive his protection.”

Rat Spirit and Rat Chestnut exchanged glances, a hint of hesitation flashing in their eyes.

Rat Spirit said in a low voice, “If we pledge allegiance to Lord Chuping, will Blood Fiend retaliate against us?”

The Little Green Snake shook its head, its tone carrying a hint of confidence: “Although Blood Fiend is powerful, he would not easily provoke Lord Chuping. As long as we pledge allegiance to Lord Chuping, Blood Fiend would not dare to lay a hand on us.”

Rat Chestnut was silent for a moment, then turned to Rat Spirit and said in a low voice, “Rat Spirit, perhaps we can try. Blood Fiend’s threat is already imminent.”

A flicker of struggle crossed Rat Spirit’s eyes, but he finally nodded.

“Alright, we’ll trust you this once. But if Lord Chuping doesn’t accept us, we won’t let you off the hook!”

The Little Green Snake breathed a sigh of relief, struggling to get up, its tone however, was very excited.

“Thank you for believing me. We don’t have much time. Blood Fiend’s people could come to Black Rat Mountain at any moment. You two quickly notify the other rat demons and prepare to evacuate. I will lead you to Chang Sheng Village to pledge allegiance to Lord Chuping.”

“Oh, do you have any other demon friends?”