Lord Hou, it seems the officials from the Demon Suppression Bureau are chasing after them," Butler Xiao Erxian persisted in his inquiry, unwilling to let it go.

Lord Hou Seven was speechless. This grandson cares more about money than his own life! He had no choice but to escalate, "We're not outsiders. I won't hide it from you. Let me tell you, I'm preparing to take my whole family to the capital and hide for three to five months. This matter is sealed with blood, and we won't rest until it's resolved."

The butler was completely stunned. If someone else had said this, he would have taken it as an attempt to extort. But this was Lord Hou Seven we're talking about. Who is Lord Hou Seven? He handled everything in Qinghe County, from lost souls to embroidered shoes appearing at the foot of beds, from corpses crawling out of ancestral graves to decayed bodies. He was the renowned "capable person" in Qinghe County. If even he had to run away, how could they handle this?

While Lord Hou Seven could run, the butler couldn't. He had to find a way to make up for the losses this time and explain to Prince Ning.

In panic, seeing Lord Hou Seven with a conflicted expression as if hesitating about something, Butler Xiao Erxian couldn't care less and urgently asked, "Lord Hou, is there a solution? As long as you can point me to a way out today, I'll agree to any conditions you propose!"

Even formal language was used.

Lord Hou Seven didn't reply immediately. He lowered his head in contemplation for a moment.

Seeing the returning crowd of pursuers, he reluctantly raised his head and said, "Old Xiao, technically, this isn't something I should get involved in. If I step forward, I'll also face the consequences."

As he spoke, his face became even more unpleasant.

"But for the sake of our fellow villagers and for my own sake, I'll show you a clear path."

Just as the butler was about to express his determination, Lord Hou Seven interrupted, "Handling the 'blood pact' may be difficult, but it's not impossible. Lord Li has an item called the 'Evil-Expelling Talisman,' extremely mystical and effective against the 'blood pact.' However, Lord Li has to buy it from the government, and how he uses it depends on you."

"Alright, I'll pay whatever it takes! I'll trouble Lord Hou to put in a good word for me!" The butler breathed a sigh of relief. When it came to avoiding disaster by spending money, it wasn't a big issue.

Lord Hou Seven nodded without hesitation and headed straight for the returning crowd.

Approaching Lord Li's side, he adopted a cautious and respectful demeanor, completely different from the previous intimacy. However, the words he whispered under his breath were different from his outward demeanor, "Brother Li, it's settled. I fabricated an introduction to the 'blood pact.' With the Evil-Expelling Talisman, just name your price. I suggest at least eight hundred taels!"

Lord Li wore a troubled expression and replied in a low voice, "Eight hundred taels? Does he have that much?"

While speaking, he cast an unfriendly glance at the butler and then pointed at Lord Hou Seven, as if Lord Hou Seven had committed a taboo!

Lord Hou Seven looked alarmed and continued to whisper, "Brother Li, eight hundred taels may be too little. Why don't you ask for more? Don't be fooled by his seemingly honest appearance; he's quite well-off."

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At this point, Lord Li was completely immersed in the act, his expression becoming even more sinister. He shouted loudly, "Hou Seven! Are you stupid? Do you not understand what you can and cannot manage?"

With a sharp 'pop,' Lord Hou Seven dropped to one knee, his voice pleading in a pitiful and desperate tone, "My lord! My entire family is still in Qinghe County. If this matter isn't resolved, my family of eight will likely lose their lives!"

His appearance, wiping his nose and tears, was truly heart-wrenching. Anyone who heard or saw it couldn't help but feel sympathy; he seemed genuinely distressed and terrified.

"You have the nerve to speak? What is that? It's a blood pact! How do you expect us, brothers, to deal with it? Evil-expelling talismans are meant for preserving lives! Are we supposed to risk our lives to suppress demons after using them on this?" The elderly men played along perfectly, their eyes glaring at Lord Hou Seven with fury. The newcomers either glared at him or kept their heads down in silence.

Nanmen Puyu quickly immersed himself in the role, advancing to kick Lord Hou Seven out, scolding him, "Hou Laosi, what does your family's life and death have to do with us brothers? Are we supposed to risk our lives for your family? You scoundrel, your schemes are truly audacious!"

Butler Xiao Erxian couldn't bear to watch any longer. How does Lord Hou Seven handle things? Just pay the money!

Approaching with quick steps, he bowed low and smiled apologetically, "Respected lords, Brother Hou is also working for the people of Qinghe County, for the Prince Ning's estate, and, more importantly, for everyone in this mansion. If there's anything wrong, I apologize on his behalf!"

This somewhat helped Lord Hou Seven save face. After a pause, he continued, "If we can help resolve this 'blood pact' in Qinghe County, I am willing to offer eighteen hundred taels of silver to compensate for the losses suffered by the esteemed lords!"

By now, Lord Hou Seven had climbed to his feet, looking flustered. He started berating Xiao Erxian, "Xiao Erxian! What nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean willing to pay? You're tarnishing the reputation of the officials from the Demon Suppression Bureau! Get out, just get out!"

With an expression as if choosing someone to devour, it seemed like Xiao Erxian had committed some unforgivable crime.

The faces of Lord Li Gou and his men looked grim. After chasing Xiao Erxian away, Lord Hou Seven quickly put on a smiling face and apologized, "Lord Li, Old Xiao doesn't understand manners. His intention is to show appreciation for the hard work of the esteemed lords with a small gift. Thank you for all you've done for the people of Qinghe County!"

Lord Li Gou's expression improved slightly as he said, "I appreciate the sentiment."

After saying that, he led his men to leave.

Butler Xiao Erxian was dumbfounded. What did he say wrong? Are the rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau so strict?

Fortunately, when Lord Li Gou passed by him on the way out, he turned back and said in a cold voice, "The blood pact has just dispersed, and it will coagulate an hour later, making it the best time for dispelling. Lord Seven, clear out unrelated people. Within a hundred meters around the mansion an hour from now, there should be no one. If anything goes wrong, you'll be facing death!"

After the officials from the Demon Suppression Bureau left, Lord Hou Seven, wearing a resentful expression, scolded the butler, "What nonsense are you talking? This matter almost fell through because of you! Not to criticize you, Old Xiao, but do you know more about the Demon Suppression Bureau's methods, or do I? It could have been settled for fifteen hundred taels, but with your meddling, if it's less than two thousand five hundred taels today, you can expect your son to burn paper for you next year!"

As he was about to leave, he added, "I misspoke; there's probably no one left in your family to burn paper for you."

Xiao Erxian couldn't let Lord Hou Seven leave like this. He reached out, grabbing Hou Seven's sleeve, and with a tearful face, pleaded, "Brother Hou, I'll pay the money! Three thousand taels! Please talk to Lord Li for me; make sure everything is thorough!"

He was genuinely scared now. Initially, there was a slight suspicion that Lord Hou Seven might be tricking him.

But now it wasn't about suspicion anymore. These people were exuding an evil aura.

Lord Hou Seven didn't say it explicitly, but Lord Li was already angry. If this matter isn't resolved properly today, Xiao Erxian can expect trouble in the future.

Not many people in Qinghe County knew about the Demon Suppression Bureau's methods, but as the trusted steward of Prince Ning, Xiao Erxian was well aware of the nature of these people.

Paying money to avert disaster, now all they could do was pray that this group would take the money and handle the matter properly.

Otherwise, they might have to go to the capital to report them.