64: Chapter 64: The Festival of Sacrifice (Part 9)

"You're still pretending to be innocent!"

"Seeing us in that state, you must be very pleased with yourself."

Zhang Yan grew angrier the more she thought about it.

All of her pathetic state had been seen by her.

"Pleased?"

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity stared at her and suddenly laughed, her eyes shimmering with a brilliant light as she carried her hong ling umbrella and walked elegantly toward her, step by step.

The arrogance in Zhang Yan's eyes had not yet faded when, the next instant, a sharp pain suddenly struck her stomach.

The next second, she was kicked down to the ground hard.

"You..."

Zhang Yan's pupils constricted sharply as she lay on the ground, curled into a ball in pain.

"Hee hee~ You look much better like this..."

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity curled her lips, her face full of malice.

"Qian Yes assumed NPC identity, I'm going to kill you!" Zhang Yan clutched her stomach as fresh blood continuously seeped through her fingers.

"Boss!"

Zhang Yan's eyes were bloodshot, her face full of hatred.

Trench Coat Boss shot a sharp glare at Qian Yes assumed NPC identity. "You've gone too far this time."

"Ah, I can go even further, if you'd like~" Qian Yes assumed NPC identity radiated malice.

"I'm just teaching her; if you don't like something, just take action..." She paused here, her eyes gleaming with a strange light.

"Hee hee, see how satisfying this is."

In any case, she was in a good mood now.

Ignoring their murderous gazes, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity looked at the large stone table in front of her and found a comfortable spot.

Trench Coat Boss helped Zhang Yan up and guided her to the side, looking at Qian Yes assumed NPC identity with disapproval. "Qian Yes assumed NPC identity, if you continue to act so recklessly, I won't indulge you anymore!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity turned sideways and fiddled with the small flower in her hand, looking completely indifferent.

"Eat, let's eat..."

The villager brought over a large platter of meat and placed it on the table. Several others followed, taking turns serving dishes. In no time, it felt like a full-course banquet.

After serving the dishes, the villagers did not leave. The lead villager stared straight at Zhang Yan.

To be precise, he was staring straight at the wound on her abdomen. Bright red blood had soaked the surrounding clothes, and a faint scent of blood drifted in the air.

The villager's gaze swept greedily toward the seeping blood, his throat bobbing up and down.

When Trench Coat Boss's gaze swept over, he returned to normal, the lead villager even putting on a look of concern.

"What happened? How did she suddenly get hurt? Let us help her bandage it."

"The food is served, you all should eat first."

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity looked at the banquet on the table. In the middle, the largest pot was filled with meat, the aroma of which involuntarily wafted into her nostrils.

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity stared at the pot of meat in the center, recalling the rules Meng Yu had mentioned: eating meat was not allowed before the Sacrificial Festival, yet this was exactly what had been served.

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity watched these villagers with great interest. Good grief, upon closer inspection, she realized they were all staring intently at Zhang Yan like starving wolves.

With her gaze fixed on the wound she herself had inflicted on Zhang Yan, a flash of realization crossed Qian Yes assumed NPC identity's eyes.

Enduring the intense pain, Zhang Yan was helped into the room by two villagers, and the villagers behind followed them in.

Before leaving, Zhang Yan's eyes were filled with venom as she glared at her. In contrast, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity flashed her a big smile.

The villagers did not forget to remind them to enjoy their meal before leaving.

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity didn't move at all, watching the people present with great interest.

The people present were all NPCs; they didn't have the same level of vigilance as players. Looking at the delicious food in front of them, it was hard not to be tempted.

Especially the young people; looking at the food, they were practically salivating.

"Aren't they eating with us?" Xie Hong glanced into the room. From the outside, the entire room was pitch black; nothing could be seen clearly.

"Perhaps they are in the middle of eating!" Qian Yes assumed NPC identity curled her lips, her eyes shining with a keen light.

As soon as she finished speaking, Trench Coat Boss's expression changed, and he rushed directly into the room. Immediately, faint sounds came from inside. "Boss?"

Soon, Trench Coat Boss came out with a dark face and glared fiercely at Qian Yes assumed NPC identity.

"It's better to be cautious with your words."

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity was somewhat surprised. Zhang Yan was actually still alive? This was somewhat unexpected; it didn't look like they would let food go to waste.

Resting her chin in her hand, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity felt a bit exasperated. What was going on? They hadn't even taken her down.

Soon, Zhang Yan also came out from inside. She had changed into villagers' clothes, walking slowly with a wounded posture, her face pale.

"Why hasn't everyone eaten yet? Hurry up and eat while it's hot; we have other things to do this afternoon."

"Ma'am, what are we going to do this afternoon?"

Hearing Qian Yes assumed NPC identity's words, the villager became very amiable. "The Sacrificial Festival is almost here, isn't it? Every household has to send someone to start preparing for the God-Worship Dance."

"That sounds very sacred."

"Of course, this only happens once a year. It must be celebrated grandly; we dare not offend the Mountain Spirit, otherwise..."

The villager didn't continue, instead continuing to urge the people at the table, radiating sincerity from head to toe.

She really looked exceptionally hospitable.

"Eat, everyone eat..."

"You must eat more, eat more."

As she spoke, a strange smile appeared on her face.

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity kept a close eye on her every move; nothing escaped her sight.

"Girl, eat more." The villager enthusiastically picked up meat for Qian Yes assumed NPC identity. Seeing Qian Yes assumed NPC identity reach for the meat, a satisfied smile appeared on the woman's face.

But halfway there, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity pulled her chopsticks back. "Ah, I forgot, my stomach hasn't been feeling well lately. It's not suitable to eat greasy food; it easily upsets the stomach."

As soon as Qian Yes assumed NPC identity spoke, Trench Coat Boss also avoided the meat, picking only some vegetable dishes, and the short man beside him also decisively chose the same type of food.

This scene made Qian Yes assumed NPC identity very curious about what role she was playing in the game. Why did they believe her so much after she spoke?

She said she couldn't eat meat, and they decisively chose vegetables. Just like when she said they might be eating, Trench Coat Boss immediately changed his expression.

Because of Qian Yes assumed NPC identity's words, no one at the table dared to touch the pot of meat in the middle.

The villagers' expressions instantly turned ugly.

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity was curious about what Trench Coat Boss had said to that group of young people, as they were now following his lead.

For a moment, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity, who had wanted to watch a show, felt listless and lost interest in the people in front of her.

Seeing that the meat hadn't been touched, the villagers instantly looked anxious. "Eat, why aren't you eating?"

"It's better not to touch meat or fish lately."

After Qian Yes assumed NPC identity finished speaking, even if the villager was unwilling, there was nothing she could do.

She forced a smile again. "You're right. Look at my memory; it really isn't suitable right now."

After saying that, she cleared the dish from the middle.

After the meal, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity learned that these NPCs were just staying here temporarily—no wonder they appeared here. What she was very curious about now was the Fountain of Longevity that the NPCs mentioned; what exactly was its purpose?

After the meal, Qian Yes assumed NPC identity soon learned from the villagers where they were to rehearse the God-Worship Dance.

Following them to the south end of the village, there was an open space there.

It was a square platform, the kind usually used for performances.

Qian Yes assumed NPC identity observed the surroundings and discovered that something resembling talismans was drawn on the four corners.

The patterns on the four corners were roughly similar, though there were some specific differences.

Drum music suddenly arose. Drumbeats came from all around, and a group of old men with drums strapped to their bodies came slowly, dancing, from all directions.