Within the Serpent Deity Village, all villagers looked up at the colossal face that is formed of dark clouds.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!* one by one, the villagers fell onto their knees, and kowtowed in worship.
From a bird’s eye view, the houses of the village are all made from wood with glazed-tile roofs.
Surrounding the village is a tree-covered landscape with mountainous bodies, along with a large river.
And situated in the center of the village is a 15-meter statue of Lord Tian She Zi.
The gender model of this statue is male with no weapons present in its hands. However, the statue’s right hand is raised near its chest, and is forming an incantation gesture—making it seem more like a practitioner than an actual deity.
To the right side of the statue is a large field—where various crops are raised, and to the right of the field itself is the large river.
Left of the statue, passing a few houses is a fence, which is used to contain the village’s livestock.
A bridge stretches out into the river, and serves to connect the village to the forest. Situated in the center of this bridge is a tower that is attached to a watermill.
“Chief, this situation…?”
Rising to his feet, Yang Hai looks to the white-haired and red-eyed man beside him.
“…”
The village chief is named Zhū Xù (朱旭).
Appearance wise, Zhu Xu looks to be around 30 years of age, and his attire consists of a black set of robes.
“…Huī Sāng. (辉桑)”
“Here.”
Standing beside Zhu Xu is a young lady with dark brown hair that is tied into a scorpion’s tail. Attire wise, she is wearing a pale pink set of robes with a white sash.
“Go to the catacombs, and ask Ancestor Xu what she makes of this situation.”
“Understood.”
Nodding her head, Hui Sang runs off.
Turning to Yang Hai, Zhu Xu says—
“Yang Hai, I want people to be present on the watermill tower at all times, is that clear?”
“Understood.”
“Also, make arrangements to send a few groups out. You’re to make contact with the foreign Sinners, and bring them here. If they aren’t open to our invite, you may use force.”
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“I’ll make arrangements immediately.”
“Go.”
………
“…”
Having survived for the time being, Yao Ying is rather amazed, and speechless about how she should feel about the situation.
“…”
Glancing at Qing Ming Yang—who had a lifeless look in his eyes, as he leans his back against the base of a tree, Yao Ying contemplates for a moment, and—
“Qing Ming Yang.”
“Hm?”
“I won’t tell my maternal grandfather about your involvement with me falling into the Leng Bing Realm. I’ll deal with you myself when I have the strength to do so.”
“…?”
Hearing this, Qing Ming Yang puts on a look of surprise. If this were true, it would help to alleviate pressure off him, to which, he says—
“Make a Dao oath. I’ll do the same—to not harm you until you challenge me yourself.”
“Very well.”
“…”
Off to the side, Lin Yu Heng looks to Long Hua, and asks—
“Senior, what now?”
“Hmm.”
Contemplating for a bit, Long Hua answers—
“Let’s part ways for the time being. You’re to gather your clansmen, and follow us in secret. As for excuses and explanations… Think of one yourselves. I’m sure that face formed of dark clouds is something that you can work with.”
Thinking for a brief instance, Lin Yu Heng nods, and replies—
“Very well. Also… Um, does senior still have cigars?”
“If you got things to trade me with.”
“I only have this for the time being.”
Receiving a fist-sized ore from Lin Yu Heng, Long Hua examines the item in detail prior to storing it away, and handing a cigar to the former, while remarking—
“The Zhen family should start selling these things soon.”
“Oh?”
Keeping this matter in mind, and turning to Qing Ming Yang—who had just finished making his Dao oath with Yao Ying, Lin Yu Heng gestures in a random direction with his thumb.
“Senior, I also want one.”
Picking himself off the ground, Qing Ming Yang takes out a small ore of metal, and tosses it to Long Hua.
Nabbing the ore out of the air, Long Hua throws a cigar back at Qing Ming Yang.
Catching the cigar, Qing Ming Yang goes after Lin Yu Heng, and with these two gone—
“…”
“…”
“…”
Silence looms over the remaining three.
“…”
Without saying anything, Long Hua turned towards the way he came—with Tian Cheng following him.
“…”
Blinking her eyes, Yao Ying timidly follows after the two.
………
Eventually, Long Hua and Tian Cheng made their way back to the others.
“Yo.”
For the most part, everyone in this group came out of their confrontation with light wounds.
“How’s things on your end? Ours managed to escape.”
Shrugging a shoulder at Ye Chen’s question, Long Hua answers—
“Same deal.”
“I see. …And that is?”
Emerging out of the trees’ shadows, Yao Ying comes forward.
“…”
Standing in front of this many combat-ready weapon spirits, Yao Ying’s expression shows an obvious sign of nervousness.
“…”
Glancing at Yao Ying, Long Hua says—
“She…- Well, shit happens amidst chaos.”
“Ai…”
Accepting this explanation, Ye Chen raises a sigh.
“Long-laoban, that Immortal in black, are you able to describe his weapon to me?”
“Hm?”
Towards Li Xue’s question, Long Hua raises an eye, and replies—
“If I recall it was… A three-feet sword—blade is about the width of a hand, and is made from jade.”
“…Really is familiar.”
“You’re thinking about Colonel Li’s Relic?”
“Un.”
Nodding in response to Ye Chen’s question, Li Xue adds—
“But my father’s Relic wasn’t a sword of that scale. It was much bigger. Basically, the same size as your Relic.”
“…”
Overhearing this conversation, Zhang Yong narrows his eyes, and says—
“…We tend to see weapons—that are similar to the Relics of our fallen comrades, in the hands of the Immortals every now and then.”
“…?”
“Do you now?”
Simultaneously, Ye Chen and Li Xue turn towards him, to which, Zhang Yong shrugs his shoulders, and adds—
“Sorry, not much else that I can tell you beyond that.”
The only reason Zhang Yong had been willing to say this, was because Ye Chen had saved him from a bit of trouble—during their confrontation with the practitioners just now.
“…”
Sweeping an eye over what remains of their group, Shao Tianming asks—
“Right, if we’re all done catching our breath, shall we continue to move along?”