84: Carry forward the spirit of our ancestors

“That is natural.”

Shen Jianxing nodded, full of confidence. Three years ago, during such difficult times, he persevered. Now, with the advantage on his side, he must not retreat.

The sense of security Lord Chuping provided was simply too great, leaving them with no worries at all.

He had never fought such a 'rich' battle in his life.

If Shen Jianxing had played modern games, he would understand that Lin Chuping’s territory was, for them, a bona fide safe house, an existence like a cheat code in this world.

With a cheat, how could they not win? That’s impossible!

“Temple Official Shen, when do we act?”

“Yeah, Temple Official Shen, we can’t beat the powerful demons, but the weaker ones, they’re perfect for us to practice on.”

“I wonder if we should set a trap?”

“Demons aren’t stupid; would they foolishly jump into your trap?”

“Yeah, traps are fine for catching wild chickens and rabbits, but for demons, it’s ridiculous…”

“…”

The council hall was noisy, with a dozen people gathered around a long table, discussing animatedly.

Outside the window, the setting sun stretched everyone’s shadows long, casting them on the mottled walls, looking menacing, showing no fear at all.

Shen Jianxing sat at the head of the table, his fingers lightly tapping the desktop, lost in thought.

Listening to the clamorous discussions, Shen Jianxing suddenly had an epiphany.

Traps?!

How had he not thought of it?

Traps are good. Ordinary traps, of course, couldn't attract low-level demons, but that's just because the bait wasn't enough!

As the saying goes, if the hoe is wielded well, no corner cannot be dug; if enough bait is laid, no demon cannot be caught.

What do demons like most?

It’s the pure Qi and blood of children and young adults. So, as long as enough children and young adults are gathered at the village border, a group of crying children will be like a plate of fragrant braised pork placed before the demons, exuding an irresistible aroma.

This method might not work for high-level demons, but for those with less intelligence, it will definitely work every time.

Even killing one is a profit.

As for the moral issue of using children as bait, Shen Jianxing hadn’t considered it at all.

And he believed that everyone else wouldn't mind either.

Have you not heard? When the Human Race ancestors were at their strongest, they used the cries of children as bait to hunt demons. They should also carry forward the spirit of their ancestors!

“Ahem!”

Once his plan was set, Shen Jianxing cleared his throat, and the hall immediately fell silent.

“Everyone, I have a plan!”

“This young man just mentioned traps, and that reminded me.”

Shen Jianxing leaned forward slightly, “What do demons like most? The Qi and blood of children and young adults. If we can set up bait in the border villages…”

“Use children as bait?”

Li Fu suddenly stood up, his eyes wide like copper bells.

Just as Shen Jianxing thought the old village chief was about to object, Li Fu suddenly shouted loudly.

“Brilliant! Brilliant!”

“It’s decided then, all the children who contribute will split the reward equally with the demon-hunting team!”

Hearing Li Fu say this, those families with children also chuckled and fell silent.

* * *

On the other side, Little Green Snake stealthily returned to Black Rat Mountain, his previous dejection gone, replaced by a glint of triumph in his eyes.

“Little Snake! Little Snake!”

A grey, dusty little figure suddenly darted out from behind a rock, blocking Little Green Snake’s path.

“Shh—be quieter!”

Little Green Snake flicked his tongue, cautiously looking around. “You grey-furred rat, trying to get me killed?”

Little Grey Rat, however, ignored him, biting Little Green Snake’s tail tip and dragging him vigorously sideways.

Little Green Snake gasped in pain, his snake body instantly tensing, nearly whipping Little Grey Rat away with his tail.

“Let go! Let go! You disrespectful thing!”

Little Green Snake hissed angrily in a low voice, his tail tip burning with pain.

“By seniority, you should call me Little Uncle!”

Only then did Little Grey Rat release his bite, wiping away the bits of snake scale from his mouth.

“Little Snake—no, Little Uncle! Blood Bat and Shadow Spider have already arrived, and Mom and Dad are entertaining them in the Immortal Cave!”

Little Green Snake’s pupils suddenly constricted into a thin line.

“How long have they been here? Quickly, sniff me, do I have any special scent?”

Little Green Snake quickly coiled himself up, asking in a low voice.

“They just arrived not long ago,”

Little Grey Rat rubbed his paws, “Little Uncle, you don’t have any special scent. You’re still the same as before, your own unique scent that makes a rat’s heart race when he smells it…”

Little Green Snake didn’t let him finish, lightly tapping his head with his tail tip.

“Don’t you dare bite my tail tip again!”

Don’t you know this is the second most important part of our snake clan? Do you have any common sense?

Little Grey Rat rubbed his head, feeling wronged: “I was just anxious… And Little Uncle’s tail tip is cool and comfortable to bite…”

“Comfortable my foot!”

Little Green Snake was so angry that his scales bristled. “If it gets damaged, how will I in the future…”

He suddenly stopped speaking, looked around cautiously, and changed his words: “Never mind, you wouldn’t understand. Lead me in through the back mountain path, don’t let them find out I snuck out.”

Little Grey Rat blinked, nodded as if he understood, and turned to lead Little Green Snake down a hidden path.

* * *

Black Rat Mountain summit Immortal Cave.

This was the largest Immortal Cave on Black Rat Mountain, its interior extremely spacious, well-lit, and unusually bright.

In the past, Rat Li and Rat Ling often came here to gaze at the stars and moon, discussing ideals and love.

With the sky as their canopy and the earth as their bed, they would roll around, leaving traces of their love everywhere.

Afterward, they would continue to watch the stars and moon.

At this moment, Rat Li and Rat Ling sat on the ground, trembling, watching Blood Bat sitting in their once favorite chair, sighing silently.

Life as a rat was difficult.

Fortunately, Shadow Spider did not sit, merely standing quietly to the side.

“I remember there was also a little long worm. Could it be that he was afraid of failing the mission and has already fled?”

“Not fled, not fled, Your Excellency, I am here!”

Little Green Snake had just slithered to the entrance when he heard this, his heart pounding with fear.

“Little long worm.”

Blood Bat’s voice carried the echo of a deep cave, “You carry the scent of humans.”

Little Green Snake’s scales instantly exuded a sticky fluid.

He had deliberately rolled through a pile of rotten leaves on his way back, but he hadn't expected to be found out.

That nose was too keen.

“Your Excellency, I wanted to go observe those humans first, so I could better complete Lord Blood Fiend’s mission! I have no ulterior motives.”

Shadow Spider remained noncommittal regarding Little Green Snake’s words.

“You don’t have much time left.”

Shadow Spider spoke, her voice a clear, melodious female tone, “Act tonight. You will infiltrate the village and bring the humans out.”

After speaking, Shadow Spider produced some spider silk from an unknown place.

“Once entangled by my spider silk, those prey will immediately lose their minds, becoming like walking corpses, only able to obediently become our blood sacrifices.”