After being promoted to chief constable, Lin Feng's days became much more leisurely.
Under the gaze of their "God of Slaughter," those seasoned constables worked as though they had been pumped full of chicken blood, their efficiency rising severalfold.
The trivial cases that had once piled up like mountains were cleared away in less than three days.
Public security throughout Qingyang County took on an unprecedented air of harmony.
This left Lin Feng, who wanted to farm Crit Points, feeling rather bored.
However, new information soon arrived from Huang Fugui's side.
"Master! There's movement at Steward Zhang's!"
That afternoon, while Lin Feng was in the constables' office, Huang Fugui's urgent voice rang out in his mind.
"He's holding a grand banquet at his residence tonight and has invited every notable person in the city. An invitation for you is about to arrive as well!"
As he spoke, a yamen runner opened the door and respectfully presented a gilded invitation.
Lin Feng opened it and found that it was indeed an invitation from Steward Zhang, inviting him to a banquet. The wording was earnest and flattering to the extreme.
"Oh? A Hongmen Banquet?"
He had only just become chief constable, and Zhang Datou was already impatient to jump out. His intentions were worth pondering.
"Master, you absolutely must not go!"
Huang Fugui's tone was somewhat anxious. "This little one feels that Zhang Manor is terribly sinister, like the lair of demons! If you go, won't you be walking straight into the net?"
"A demon lair?"
"Then I have even more reason to take a look."
What a joke. To others, it might be a dragon's pool and tiger's den.
But to Lin Feng, it was a gift package!
How could he possibly refuse it?
"Huang Fugui, don't idle around tonight either."
Lin Feng said, "While they entertain guests in the front courtyard, sneak into the rear courtyard and investigate carefully where that sinister bloody smell is coming from. Remember, safety first. If anything happens, run."
"Master, rest assured! This little demon may not have any other skills, but digging holes, burrowing through them, and running away are ancestral talents!"
Night fell, and Zhang Manor was ablaze with lights, carriages and horses flowing endlessly through its gates.
As Qingyang County's newly risen "number one man," Lin Feng's arrival naturally drew the attention of the entire gathering.
Every guest, whether officials, gentry, or wealthy merchants, took the initiative to approach him, make conversation, and greet him. Their attitudes were so respectful that they bordered on fawning.
Steward Zhang, Zhang Datou, a rather refined-looking middle-aged fat man, personally came to greet Lin Feng at the entrance. Grasping Lin Feng's hand, he smiled so broadly that his face seemed to bloom with flowers.
"Ah, Chief Constable Lin, your presence in my humble home truly makes this humble residence shine!"
"You are too polite, Steward Zhang."
Lin Feng discreetly withdrew his hand, his gaze seeming to casually sweep over the entire banquet hall.
The banquet was extravagantly lavish. Delicacies from land and sea, fine wines and exquisite dishes—everything was present.
The guests raised cups and traded drinks, chatting and laughing amid an atmosphere of singing, dancing, and peace.
Yet Lin Feng keenly sensed a faint, elusive strangeness hidden beneath all that luxury and bustle.
For instance, although the serving maids and servants all wore smiles, their eyes were somewhat vacant and numb, as though they were soulless puppets.
And then there was the incense permeating the air. Though it smelled pleasant, it faintly concealed another scent.
It was precisely the sinister bloody smell Huang Fugui had mentioned.
"Chief Constable Lin, please take the seat of honor!"
Zhang Datou enthusiastically led Lin Feng to the head table.
County magistrate Zhao Dehai was also seated there. Upon seeing Lin Feng, he merely nodded with slight awkwardness.
The banquet began. Zhang Datou repeatedly toasted Lin Feng, constantly probing into Lin Feng's origins, background, and opinions on "demons and ghosts."
Lin Feng answered every question without a drop of leakage. At times, he displayed a deep hatred for demons, while pretending to know little about certain "folk beliefs."
He played the part of a gifted but inexperienced young expert to perfection.
After three rounds of wine, Zhang Datou seemed to feel that the time was ripe. He dismissed the attendants, lowered his voice, and spoke to Lin Feng with feigned mystery.
"Chief Constable Lin, to be honest, I have long heard of your great name and admired you immensely! At such a young age, you possess such cultivation. You can slay demons and eradicate criminal gangs. You are truly a blessing to the people of Qingyang County!"
"You overpraise me, Steward Zhang."
"Ah, Chief Constable Lin, there is no need for such modesty."
Zhang Datou changed the subject. "But there are so many demons in this world—impossible to kill them all, impossible to eliminate them completely. Relying only on fighting and killing is ultimately treating the symptoms, not the root."
"Oh? Then what does Steward Zhang think should be done?"
Lin Feng asked with great interest.
A fanatical gleam flashed through Zhang Datou's eyes.
"To truly obtain peace, there is only one way... believe in a true god! Obtain the protection of a god!"
He leaned close to Lin Feng's ear, his voice as soft as a dreamlike murmur.
"We mortals suffer the harassment of demons because we are too weak. But if we can serve a truly great existence and offer It our loyalty and sacrifices, we can gain supreme power and eternal protection!"
"Chief Constable Lin, you are blessed by heaven and a martial genius found once in ten thousand. If you receive the Moon God's blessing, your strength will surely climb another hundred-foot pole. At that time, not to mention this tiny Qingyang County—even in the entire Great Xia Dynasty, who could be your match?"
There it was.
The fox had finally shown its tail.
The Moon Worship Cult!
Lin Feng sneered inwardly, but his face showed shock and curiosity. "The Moon God? Is Steward Zhang referring to the moon in the sky?"
"Yes... and no."
Zhang Datou's expression became incomparably devout. "The Moon God is the supreme ruler over the dark night and death, the protector of all creatures born of darkness! Its power is beyond your imagination!"
"As long as... you are willing to join us and become the Moon God's most loyal believer, I guarantee that you will obtain everything you desire! Wealth, power, women, and... even greater strength!"
It was a naked recruitment attempt.
Lin Feng "hesitated" for a moment, putting on an expression that said, "I'm tempted, but I still have some reservations."
"This matter... is of great importance. Could you allow me... some time to consider?"
"Of course! Of course!"
Zhang Datou was overjoyed at the sight, believing Lin Feng had taken the bait. "Chief Constable Lin, take your time considering it! Stay at the manor tonight. I have arranged the quietest guest room for you, and I guarantee no one will disturb you!"
He was planning to place Lin Feng under house arrest, then slowly brainwash him.
"Then many thanks, Steward Zhang."
After the banquet ended, Lin Feng was led by a vacant-eyed maid to a secluded yet luxurious courtyard.
The moment the door closed, the expression on Lin Feng's face turned icy.
He did not rest. Instead, he sat cross-legged and waited quietly.
He waited for news from Huang Fugui.
He also waited for the fish... to deliver itself to his door.
Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard of Zhang Manor, beside a long-dried ancient well.
The yellow shadow that was Huang Fugui silently slipped out through a crack at the mouth of the well, his little eyes filled with horror.
"My goodness... down there... it's practically a slaughterhouse!"
Just moments ago, he had infiltrated the rear courtyard and followed the source of that bloody smell all the way to this dry well.
Because of his small size, he had squeezed down through a crack in the well wall.
What he found at the bottom nearly scared his soul out of his body.
Beneath that dry well was actually a huge underground stone chamber!
The chamber was piled full of animal carcasses, with blood flowing like a river.
At the center of the stone chamber was a bizarre ritual array drawn in blood. In the middle of the array, bound in iron chains, was a... demon!
The demon resembled an ape, yet possessed three eyes. Its entire body was covered in black scales, and its aura was fierce and violent. It was at least a second-rank demon!
At that moment, it was suppressed by the power of the ritual array and unable to move, only able to let out helpless roars.
Around the stone chamber stood more than a dozen iron cages. Inside them were young boys and girls! Every one of them was sallow and emaciated, their eyes filled with despair and numbness.
"Sacrifices... raising demons... living human offerings..."
Though Huang Fugui was only a little demon, he knew what this meant.
These were the most vicious and evil methods of a heretical cult!
"No! I have to tell Master immediately!"
Huang Fugui did not dare delay and was just about to return the way he had come.
Suddenly, the stone chamber door opened.
Zhang Datou entered with several mysterious figures dressed in black robes.
"Priest, everything has been prepared."
Zhang Datou respectfully said to the leading black-robed figure, "I have already stabilized that Constable Lin. Once he drinks the tea laced with Spirit-Confusing Powder, he will be at our mercy."
"Very good."
The priest let out a hoarse, unpleasant voice. "This boy's blood and vitality are abundant. He is a superior sacrifice! Once he is offered to the Three-Eyed Demon Ape, it will break free of its restraints and completely become our cult's guardian divine beast! At that time, all of Qingyang County will become the pasture of our Moon Worship Cult!"
"Congratulations, Priest! Congratulations, Priest!"
Zhang Datou and the others all fell to their knees, their expressions fanatical.
Hiding at the well mouth, Huang Fugui heard every word clearly and was so terrified that he forgot to breathe.
They had drugged Master?
And they wanted to use Master as a sacrifice?
Those damned cultists!
He suppressed his fear and carefully retreated into the well, preparing to report back to Lin Feng.
But at that moment, the Black Robe Priest seemed to sense something. He suddenly raised his head, and the eyes hidden beneath his hood shot precisely toward the well mouth!
"Who's there?!"
Before you continue