21: I really want to kill them all!
The Earth God Zhu Gang explained for a long time.
Xu Qing finally understood the situation.
The Demon Slaying Division losing a group of experts here was not inherently a big deal.
The fatal issue was that neighboring areas enjoyed peace year after year and succeeded in slaying demons.
Compared to them, didn't this make the Fengyang City God and Centurion Li seem incompetent and negligent?
Regardless of whether this was true, if their superiors found out, their path upward would be basically cut off.
It was likely that an investigation would be launched, and they would be charged with dereliction of duty.
To suppress this matter, they chose to seek help from the Buddhist power, Xuanyang Temple.
However, Xuanyang Temple, holding this leverage, took the opportunity to gather believers along the way, in no rush to travel.
"If they don't hurry over, aren't they afraid I'll descend the mountain and massacre this village?" Xu Qing asked.
Upon hearing this, Earth God Zhu Gang looked directly at Xu Qing for the first time and gently shook his head.
"What do they have to fear?"
"The hundreds of residents in Dongshu Village are just hundreds of worthless lives to them."
"They don't care about descending the mountain to slaughter common people. How could that be as important as the Incense Offerings and silver they collect along the way?"
"It's just a few common people dying; there are plenty of common people in the world. But they are different..."
A look of grief and indignation appeared on Earth God Zhu Gang's face.
Xu Qing looked at the Old Earth God, listening to his words, and suddenly had a realization.
Although this world had extraordinary individuals capable of moving mountains and filling seas, possessing powerful, world-changing strength.
Essentially, they were still people.
There wasn't much difference compared to the technological world.
"How much longer until they arrive?" he asked.
Earth God Zhu Gang calculated with his fingers: "It will probably take another three days."
Hearing this, Xu Qing released Zhu Gang from his restraints, turned, and returned to the jungle.
This time, however, Zhu Gang did not impatiently flee.
He watched the direction Xu Qing departed, his eyes flickering... As soon as he returned to the Taihang Mountains.
Xu Qing saw several snake demons respectfully waiting at the foot of the mountain.
Seeing Xu Qing, they quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Our King."
Immediately, one snake demon released the leather pouch it held in its mouth.
The mouth of the pouch opened, revealing vermillion-colored fruits inside.
"Great King, a few trees in Profound Yin Mountain's Vermillion Jade Fruit Tree Grove ripened two days ago. We picked some Vermillion Fruits for the Great King to enjoy."
The pouch emitted a dense Spiritual Qi.
The reason Profound Yin Mountain has so many snake demons is because of a Vermillion Jade Fruit Tree Grove, whose fruits can help the snake Bloodline undergo transformation.
This was considered a specialty of Profound Yin Mountain.
Xu Qing tasted one and found the flavor decent, and the Spiritual Qi within could also increase his Cultivation Level.
"Not bad. Send some more over later."
Xu Qing casually sent out several streams of magical power, helping the few snake demons in front of him temper their bodies.
The snake demons thanked him profusely and left happily.
Xu Qing put the Vermillion Fruits into his storage ring, and as he climbed up the mountain, he distributed them along the way.
These things were only snacks to him, but they were useful to the other Female Snake Demons.
If their strength increased, it would also benefit the fetuses in their bellies... Time flew by.
Three days later.
Xu Qing quietly left the Taihang Mountains and headed toward Dongshu Village.
A moment later.
He stopped at the edge of the mountain forest, his pair of golden vertical pupils silently gazing toward the distant village.
He waited for more than an hour.
At dawn.
Figures appeared on the road outside Dongshu Village.
The leader was clad in a vermillion kasaya, held a Nine-Ringed Staff, had scars from Buddhist precepts on his head, and wore a compassionate expression as he walked toward Dongshu Village.
It was none other than the Abbot of Xuanyang Temple, Good Cultivation!
Behind him followed dozens of monks, all strong and possessing dense vital Qi and blood.
When the villagers saw the monks, they all stopped what they were doing.
Those who believed in Buddhism excitedly came out to greet them, shouting "Great Master."
"Amitabha!"
Good Cultivation smiled, stopped, and held the hand of the elderly Woman in front of him, saying something.
The elderly Woman was covered in tears, and soon rushed back into her dilapidated courtyard, rummaging through boxes and cabinets to find her hidden silver.
Good Cultivation smiled as he accepted the silver, and a young monk beside him took out a string of Buddhist beads and handed them to the elderly Woman.
The other monks also went to the doors of other households.
No one knew what they said.
Before long, many people took out the only money they had at home and handed it to the monks, exchanging it for a string of Buddhist beads, a Buddha statue, or a few Talismans of Peace and House Protection.
Dongshu Village was mostly populated by hunters, and it was very dangerous for men to enter the mountains.
A slight mistake could cost them their lives.
Therefore, almost every household exchanged money for something to act as a protective charm.
Some even became believers of Xuanyang Temple on the spot, their expressions devout, constantly muttering "Amitabha" and "May the Buddha bless us," and so on.
"It's not just the money."
A faint light flickered in Xu Qing's vertical pupils as he used his Spiritual Eyes to observe everything in the village.
He could see faint strands of azure Qi continuously emerging from the believers' bodies. This azure Qi gathered into a stream, finally flowing into the jade bottle held by the leading fat monk.
"Is that the Incense Offerings of faith and vows from all beings?"
Xu Qing watched the busy monks, finding their bald heads exceptionally irritating.
These bald donkeys.
I really want to butcher them.
A thick killing intent spread in his heart.
Xu Qing forcibly suppressed his agitated emotions and slowly retreated into the depths of the jungle.
The leading fat monk had some strength; he was much stronger than the Chief Flag Bearer from a while ago.
He couldn't hold back this time, lest any accident occur.
Lure the dogs in and then kill them.
Xu Qing closed his eyes and began to wait.
This wait lasted several more hours.
Dongshu Village.
It wasn't until noon, after confirming they had 'scoured' the village clean.
That Monk Good Cultivation led his people into the mountain forest.
"That Prodigy is very strong. Since he could kill Chief Flag Bearer Xue and the others, he must have some tricks. When the time comes, immediately form the Arhat Demon Subduing Array. The demon subduing pestle is the most effective against these evil demons and should severely wound the Prodigy!"
Good Cultivation instructed the Disciples accompanying him.
His expression was calm. As a Sixth-Rank Buddhist Cultivator, he was quite confident.
Buddhist Cultivators possess many means that are highly effective against evil demons.
Especially the Dharma Arrays formed by the monks—their power is fierce and strong, enough to give a Great Demon with a thousand years of Cultivation Level a run for its money.
"Junior Martial Uncle Abbot, rest assured. We have painstakingly practiced the Dharma Array for decades; we have been waiting for this day."
The monks excitedly took out their demon subduing pestles.
Halfway through their journey.
Good Cultivation sensed the aura and immediately led them to change direction.
Before long.
The group ascended a low, rocky hill.
Good Cultivation looked at the deep pool not far away, his expression becoming solemn: "That beast is hidden beneath the pool. Get ready."
As soon as his voice fell.
"Boom!"
A huge water column exploded in the center of the deep pool. The pool water swept up into the sky and then fell, causing a heavy rain in the forest.
The pouring rain formed a water curtain.
The next moment.
The water curtain was shattered by a long tail, and howling winds descended upon the rocky hill!
"Audacious beast!"
Monk Good Cultivation roared, and the staff in his hand erupted with dazzling Buddhist light!
"Clang!"
The long tail struck the staff, producing a deafening crack.
"Crack... crack!"
Good Cultivation's face flushed red, his expression drastically changed, and cracks appeared beneath his feet.
Immediately after.
With a sound of "Rumble."
The rocky hill collapsed instantly!