Gentleman's Sincere Heart Bamboo, Interrogation
A moment later, Luo Yexian and Tan Zhuyin returned from their investigation.
"So fast?"
Yuwen Cuojin looked at the two of them and asked calmly, "Speak, what have you discovered?"
Tan Zhuyin nodded and said, "We have found out everything that the immortal did here."
"He arrived here before the New Year and moved a large mountain in Three Mountains Town, driving away the High Priest of my sect."
"Strangely, they ordered all the townspeople to quarry stones from the other two mountains as offerings to him."
"Furthermore, after collecting the stones, they would regularly provide the townspeople with various kinds of grain and production tools."
Tan Zhuyin grew increasingly strange as he spoke.
Even the members of the demonic sect, including Yuwen Cuojin, frowned. Exchanging food and tools for stones—wasn't that clearly a losing proposition?
Vice Leader Yuwen snorted coldly and said:
"This person truly has absolutely no idea how to manage followers."
"If mortals have enough to eat and wear, what need is there for gods?"
He couldn't help but offer instructions to those present:
"To obtain the Power of All Living Beings in a long-term and stable manner, we must tie a rope around the necks of those ignorant people. If they are too comfortable, tighten the rope; if they are about to strangle us, loosen it."
"If you loosen the reins too much, they'll lose their sense of awe; if you tighten them too much, they'll fight to the death, like ants trying to shake a tree. A state of being neither alive nor dead is the best outcome."
The members of the demonic sect nodded in agreement. As expected of the vice leader, he was truly capable.
"Birth..."
"Um?"
Yuwen Cuojin turned his head and looked at Luo Yexian with an unfriendly expression.
Luo Yexian's expression turned serious, and he said, "What I heard from the Vice Leader is quite similar to how one manages beasts."
"Hmph, how's your investigation going? Have you found out the reason for the surging Power of All Living Beings here?"
Yuwen Cuojin felt that with this kind of preaching, the Power of All Living Beings in this place would gradually weaken.
But the truth is quite the opposite; there must have been other methods.
"I obtained this item from a townsman."
Luo Yexian took out an earthenware pot:
"This item is quite common; many townspeople know what it tastes like. I suspect that my elder brother, the immortal, spread his teachings through this."
"Oh?"
Yuwen Cuojin cautiously opened the jar.
A unique fragrance wafted out, and upon smelling it, the members of the Demonic Sect, who had already been traveling for many days and enduring wind and rain, all showed expressions of intoxication and gasped several times.
What... can smell so good?
The aroma is so enticing, it's almost overwhelming.
"Why does this smell so familiar..."
"Barbecue? No... it smells even better than that!"
"So where can I get it?"
Upon hearing someone ask, Luo Yexian said, "I've already asked the villagers. They're holding a ceremony at the temple and treating the whole town to a feast. You can get yours by going there, and you can even eat braised beef noodles for free."
"What kind of behavior is this!"
Yuwen Cuojin swallowed hard, but his saliva still flew everywhere as he scolded her:
"Hmph, my prediction was right. That so-called immortal used this method to control the townspeople. There must have been some illegal and disorderly substance added to it!"
"A temple, is it? Follow me, all of you. I want to see what kind of wicked tricks he's up to!"
A group of members of the demonic sect arrived at the temple with great momentum.
What greets the eye is a bustling and vibrant scene, both in terms of description and reality.
Many people brought bowls from their own homes, and those who had already received their noodles squatted on the ground and slurped them down. More townspeople formed long queues.
At the end of the long queue was a figure standing in front of a stove, amidst the exploding flames, flipping a wok.
"Immortal brother?"
Luo Yexian's eyes widened.
"Is this what they call an immortal?"
Yuwen Cuojin stepped forward, about to unleash his power.
At this moment, the woman who was helping out at the stove seemed to sense something, raised her head, and cast her gaze at them.
"Profound Mastery?!"
As fellow Profound Mastery, Yuwen Cuojin instantly sensed the presence of someone in the same realm.
He naturally had no reason to fear those who were in the same realm.
The problem is, a master of the Profound Mastery Realm is actually willingly chopping scallions like a kitchen apprentice!
Who exactly is this Black Soil Earth Immortal who is in charge of cooking?
"Holy Son, let's go line up." Luo Yexian wiped his drool first.
"Queue up? What kind of status do I have? What level is the Vice Leader!"
Yuwen Cuojin hesitated for a moment, then slowly said:
"Queue!"
"?"
Thus, the dignified Deputy Leader of the Demon Summoning Cult, along with a group of members of the Demon Cult, obediently moved to the end of the line.
The Demon Summoning Holy Son wasn't the only one with a question mark on his head.
There's also the Immortal of Black Soil, Chef Li.
"What are these people up to?"
Qin Yuzhi had just secretly told him that there was Profound Mastery Realm present.
Then, Li, who was cooking braised beef noodles, looked up and saw Luo Yexian and Tan Zhuyin, and obediently stood at the end of the line.
"Are all members of the Demonic Sect... this polite?"
"This proves I'm a good manager!"
Qin Yuzhi raised her head, almost putting her hands on her hips.
"... Let's think about how to deal with this first."
Li Mo hadn't expected a Profound Mastery Realm to appear.
In the Demon Summoning Cult, the Dharma Body Realm is considered a high-ranking Dharma King, while the Profound Mastery Realm is probably at the sect leader level, right?
If they weren't here to demand an explanation, why would they send such a powerful expert?
But if you were to confront them and demand an explanation, it would seem rather impolite...
Li Mo activated his Heavenly Mandate Divine Eye and glanced around, deciding to meet force with force and water with water.
One has to admire Chef Li's efficiency; he tossed and turned that huge pot up and down with incredible skill, all thanks to the Stir-Frying Steel Method he practiced at Divine Weapon Peak. A mere thousand bowls were ready in no time.
Soon, the people happily went home.
The temple fell silent.
The two sat facing each other in front of the stove, and in the silence, the atmosphere was quite serious.
"Snoring..."
"Um?"
Yuwen Cuojin turned his head and found that Luo Yexian one bowl and then had another, not only eating but also smacking his lips.
It's worthless junk! Don't you understand?
What brings you gentlemen here?
Li Black Soil, the immortal, greeted Luo Yexian, then looked at the other side with a nonchalant expression.
"My lord, before we begin our conversation, I'd like to make a preliminary decision."
Yuwen Cuojin took something out of his sleeve.
It was a section of emerald green bamboo, as if made of jade, exuding Spiritual Qi.
"This plant is called the Gentleman's Sincere Heart Bamboo.' If it senses someone lying, it will grow rapidly, so we can treat each other with honesty. What do you say?"
"..."
Li Mo thought to himself, "Could Pinocchio's nose have been made from this thing?"
Qin Yuzhi angrily retorted, "You unfilial descendant, how dare you!"
Leader Qin seems to be really into his role.
"?"
Yuwen Cuojin was taken aback for a moment, but his expression remained unchanged as he looked at Li Mo.
Li Mo nodded and smiled, "Black Soil my life, I, Hei Tu, have always acted with a clear conscience. I am a righteous gentleman, so what do I have to fear from a gentleman's conscience?"
"Very well, then shouldn't you give us an explanation regarding the Cloud Dream Underground Palace?"
Yuwen Cuojin stared into Li Mo's eyes, vaguely releasing a terrifying aura of the Profound Mastery.
Accompanied by his deep voice, his imposing aura swept over them!
As soon as he finished speaking, he activated the Gentleman's Sincere Heart Bamboo.
It will grow immediately upon hearing a lie.