Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 966 - 833: One of Us? (Part 2)
She paused, feeling that her thoughts were too erratic, and laughed, "At first, I thought maybe the Ancient Ten Great Sects were involved. But then I reconsidered, the Demon Realm invading the entire world becoming a playground for Demon Cultivators, the Ancient Ten Great Sects only target Demon Cultivators, it's not like they want to destroy the Wilderness World, so it's probably impossible."
Jiang Yuan didn't answer directly and pressed, "The Demon King plans to build these Teleportation Arrays on a large scale, and then simultaneously activate the input of Demonic Energy, to completely pollute the Wilderness World, do you think that's possible?"
"How many Arrays would need to be built for that?!"
"What if they're transporting the undiluted, highest purity, purest Demonic Energy, which even High Tier Demon Cultivators avoid? Does City Lord Yuan think it's possible?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Faced with this question, Yuan Man shook her head gravely, "That's really hard to say. I don't know much about the Demon Realm, I've only heard that, like the Wilderness World, their realm can generate energy cultivators can absorb and refine on its own."
If there's truly the purest Demonic Energy that even High Tier Demon Cultivators avoid, it would certainly be troublesome for cultivators absorbing spiritual energy. Simultaneous activation could really let them succeed!"
Indeed, this theory is quite convincing, at least it fooled a Great Demon Cultivator at the Tribulation Crossing Realm like Yuan Man.
He stared blankly at the detail in the text—"Fake Demon King used this scheme to deceive and persuade the Lords", suddenly feeling that what Yuan Man thought was not out of the question, perhaps this Fake Demon King is actually an "inside man".
After all, the system clearly indicates that the Fake Demon King's Demonic Energy invasion is to deceive the Lords of the Demon Realm, which means this plan is fundamentally unworkable or wasn't meant to be implemented!
However, the plan for assassination is definitely being prepared for execution, looking at how the target seemed to be hiding under the guise of invasion, aiming to kill the Great Demon Cultivators of the Wilderness World.
"If they don't go after Xiao Bai and see what happens, it should be quite interesting," Jiang Yuan thought, but alas, there is no if, daring to lay a finger on my pet, you must die!
Both Teleportation Arrays could no longer function after losing the infusion of Demonic Energy and were dismantled to eliminate any potential safety hazards.
Meanwhile, He Miancun used unique soul-targeting skills to relentlessly torment Gu Yi and the Demon Armor Army to the point where they were unrecognizable, ultimately extracting only trivial information.
Gu Yi admitted that according to Luo Nanjia, there would be some big movement by Demon Cultivators in the Wilderness World soon, but they didn't know the specifics, which was as good as saying nothing.
Commanding Yan Xuan and a few others to dispose of the bodies, Jiang Yuangang prepared to lead everyone back to the courtyard, when Jian Shichu, realizing the situation below was mostly resolved, quickly flew down and summoned the courage to step forward with a salute, "Miss He, are you well?"
"General Jian, the Demon Cultivators have all been brought to justice, you can return and report to the Celestial Ghost General," He Miancun said, having heard of the Demon Nether Chief Envoy Jian Shichu by name but wasn't familiar with him.
After all, when she left Fengdu, he was still an unknown small fry.
"I..." Jian Shichu saw the cold and guarded look in her eyes, and couldn't help but smile bitterly, thinking of himself as a failure, and hurriedly saluted again, "Miss He, don't you recognize me?"
He Miancun: ???
Who are you? Should I know you?
So awkward, could it be an old colleague from the Yin Messengers? But I can't remember such a ghost...
"It seems it's been too long, and the young lady truly doesn't remember. Back then my sister and I were just ordinary young ghosts residing in Bitu Town. Because we didn't commit sins in life, we didn't fall into Hell upon death, but neither did we accumulate much merit, so we were assigned to live in a very remote small town, waiting for reincarnation."
He briefly explained, "At that time the Netherworld was chaotic, and the Yin Messengers of Fengdu were unwilling to manage the far-off, unprofitable small town. There, some powerful families' ghosts showed off and there were even some connected with Ghost Cultivators; ordinary ghosts didn't dare provoke them.
Our livelihood was difficult and unstable.
To help earn more paper money, my sister revealed herself on the street to help me sell goods and was noticed by Landlord Zhang who wanted to buy her as a concubine. I refused, got into a scuffle with them but couldn't contend with their numbers. In fury, I swallowed two ghosts alive, unexpectedly becoming a rogue Ghost Cultivator, and fled with my sister.
That Landlord Zhang was powerful and influential, complained to Fengdu that I ate ghosts. In Fengdu, this is a serious crime; left unaddressed if there's no complaint, but if there's a report, a warrant would be issued.
On one side there was the Ghost Messengers hunting us down, on the other, Landlord Zhang's mercenaries relentlessly pursuing us, my sister was gravely injured and nearly died. Luckily, you were the one responsible for catching us!"
As he recounted, Jian Shichu's eyes glistened as he looked at her.
However, He Miancun still looked bewildered. During her years working in Fengdu City, cases like these were too numerous to count, if it wasn't particularly outstanding, how could she possibly remember each one?
"You led the Ghost Messengers to surround my sister and me back then, I thought for sure we were dead. But unlike those before, Miss He didn't grant death without reprieve, instead patiently inquired the circumstances and even checked on my sister's injuries.
After discovering her severe injuries, and corroborating my account, Miss He took us back to Fengdu, personally reported and requested leniency for us. She then used personal connections to let my near-dead sister reincarnate first; I stayed in Fengdu working hard for half a year.
After completing my sentence, Miss He told me that as a Ghost Cultivator, I had some minor abilities, but was ultimately not orthodox. To become a proper Ghost Cultivator, one had to start as a Ghost Messenger to get true cultivation techniques."
Jian Shichu said this, shaking his pale blue robes to reveal the Fengdu official uniform, smiling, "Look, I started as a minor Ghost Messenger, to eventually become the Demon Nether Chief Envoy.
Later I even asked the Judge to check. My sister, thanks to you, had a good reincarnation, lived a peaceful and ordinary life, and eventually her bond with me ran its course through samsara. If we hadn't met you back then, my sister and I would already be gone, so..."
He bowed deeply, solemnly saying, "Jian Shichu is willing to face any peril, serve at Miss He's side, to repay the kindness!"
"Look at her accumulating good deeds," Ling Di lazily commented, "If she had directly executed him it wouldn't be excessive, yet she bothered to properly handle it. That former little ghost became the Demon Nether Chief Envoy, that's some connection."
Bai Yunqi suddenly understood after listening, "I see, no wonder he came looking for trouble with me back then!"
Yuan Man looked confused, "You two had some conflict?"
"Not really a conflict, just a bit of sparring." Thinking of how back then they came to blows readily, he felt since joining the Venerable Family, he had become more steady.
Indeed, just as the fine company one keeps influences them, even their disposition changes!
He Miancun thought hard, but couldn't recall it at all.
She frankly told him, it was right not to kill indiscriminately. Even if Fengdu had issued a wanted order, cases she handled would be reviewed to avoid any wrongful convictions.
All cases were treated equally, no ghost was spared because of pity; likewise, no ghost was given harsher sentences because they were disliked.
Though Jian Shichu had a reason for consuming ghosts, he still violated the law. Receiving a half-year sentence labor was atonement, and achieving selection as a Ghost Messenger later was through his own effort, unrelated to her.
As for his sister's reincarnation, it was merely an emergency measure.
An innocent little ghost severely injured from other ghosts' bullying, unable to receive medical treatment, according to Fengdu City's law could be prioritized for reincarnation. Many ordinary ghosts didn't have such channels, and not many responsible Ghost Messengers would put in the effort.
Thus, in He Miancun's view, she merely performed her duty.
She clarified her stance, declined any repayment, and friendly advised that higher positions mean greater responsibility, hoping he could learn from his experience, ensuring subordinates wouldn't resort to rash measures, preventing unjust wrongful convictions.
"Jian Shichu thanks the young lady for her guidance!" He saluted again, taking out a bamboo slip with both hands, "You may see it as just your duty, but it was truly a favor to me. Please take this bamboo slip, if you ever need, I am at your service, let's see it as making a friend."
She thought to refuse, but then reconsidered. After being scolded by Mr. Jiang, she'd eventually return to the Netherworld. Given the uncertain conditions there, a network could indeed be useful, worst case she'd repay him with interests and leverage in exchange.
Accepting the bamboo slip, they bade farewell, and Jian Shichu, finally getting a chance to speak with her, secretly sighed with relief, returning to Fengdu to report.
Jiang Yuan then led his group back to their small courtyard.
"Brother! You're back! Today we have a double blessing to celebrate, let's indulge in another Flood Dragon Banquet and drink to our heart's content, how about it?" Just as they steadied themselves back at the courtyard, Qing Niao's cheerful voice rang out, remarkably loud.
