Water Monkey Also Raises Pigs

"No, no. Even that scoundrel Lu Hualong might just be tricking the wealthy gentry in the city into providing manpower and resources, only to sell them out to some demon tribes, dragon lairs, or the like in the end."

"After all, splitting profits 30/70 with Yelü Yuyan is already painful enough. Why would they be willing to share more?"

As Ge Xian pondered Lu Hualong's wickedness, the other peddlers were thoroughly terrified.

Dozens of "demons" suddenly emerged from the surroundings. If the yamen runners and ghoul hadn't explained beforehand, everyone would have wet themselves and fled in panic.

Ge Xian already knew, so he took the opportunity to observe more closely.

He was able to determine that these cultivators came from the various wealthy families and influential households within Qiantang County because of their conspicuous clothing, and he recognized some of them from his past life.

"That middle-aged man with a sharp mouth, monkey cheeks, and a rat-like appearance, covered all over in dark, sleek rat fur, is clearly the second shopkeeper of the city's [Gong Family Rice Shop]. Looking at him, it seems he entered the Dao using some exotic item or flesh related to 'rat demons.' I wonder if his bad habit is stealing oil to eat?"

"That man whose mouth won't close, with fleshy tendrils and feelers protruding, is actually the younger brother of the city's great lawyer Song Zhengyan, the third son of the Song family. Who knows what evil magic he's cultivated to reach this state."

"And that seemingly kind old man, his exposed skin is densely covered in needle-like protrusions, and he's still wearing the robes of a consulting physician from the [Jici Medical Hall]. I wonder what kind of technique this is?"

"The strangest is that woman. In my original memory, I recall she's the eldest daughter-in-law of the Wang family, a major cloth merchant. She still appears human, but her soft, boneless hands are filled with terrifying power... Could she be practicing a bizarre martial art like the Bone-Melting Palm?"

Ge Xian observed and speculated, almost understanding the entire capability of the guard team.

At the same time, he confirmed one thing again:

Although the people sent by these wealthy families were undoubtedly low-level cultivators.

It was enough to judge that once cultivators in this world begin to enter the Dao and cultivate, they gradually lose their human form.

"Even so, as long as they can enter the Dao and cultivate, all mortals would flock to it, right?"

"After all, no one can resist the temptation of transcending the mundane, even though the first hurdle, [Rejection], is enough to cause most aspirants to die on the spot."

As Ge Xian sighed, the propaganda team and the guard team had already set off.

Amidst the cheers and farewells of the entire city, they left Qiantang County, following the orders of the great County Magistrate, to recruit the homeless refugees and savages outside the county back to Qiantang.

The weather was not good today!

As soon as they left the city, everyone saw the vast wilderness and dense forests stretching endlessly under the dim, overcast sky. Everywhere was filled with its own kind of eerie dread. Interspersed within were narrow official roads, like small snakes and earthworms, extending towards other human settlements.

Looking towards the slightly closer areas, faint sharp roars and unintelligible cries could be heard. With slightly sharper eyesight, one could also see the shadows of jackal dogs and wolf ghosts darting about.

These low-level demonic creatures, smelling the scent of "fresh humans," scrambled out from the desolate graves and wildlands, their blood-red beast eyes staring at the propaganda team from afar, drooling profusely.

As the team began to stir, the leading ghoul yamen runners, Zhang Buzu and Zhao Wuyou, both sneered and reassured them:

"What are you panicking about? These beasts wouldn't dare approach. Last night, we were ordered to sprinkle [Gu-Eating Divine Slurry] all around Qiantang. With the scent of the [Gu-Eating Spirit God] covering the entire county, let alone these lowly beasts tainted with a bit of demonic energy, even true demons wouldn't dare to enter the city."

"The validity period is at least half a year."

The two ghosts said this, but it didn't comfort the peddlers, as they were about to leave the city and head to the countryside.

Ge Xian, however, felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this, and it led him to guess another secret.

"Heh!"

"The so-called Gu-Eating Divine Slurry is likely the urine of the [Qiongqi], diluted with water and sprinkled all around to deter demons from approaching."

"The half-year period should be the pig-raising limit for Lu Hualong and Yelü Yuyan, that monstrous couple."

"Good, good, there's still time."

As Ge Xian finished his thoughts.

The two ghosts, Zhang Buzu and Zhao Wuyou, spoke loudly again:

"Remember this, it's dangerous outside the city. Although we offer protection, you must still follow the rules. Do not wander off, and do not make any sudden movements."

"The first place we're going is Jiudao Village by the Qiantang River. A few days ago, it suffered a disaster. Half the village population was invaded and eaten by Water Monsters and Water Ghosts from the riverbed. We need to go there to preach. Once you enter Qiantang County, you'll be under Lord Lu's protection, so you don't need to worry about these things."

"Depart!"

These Ghoul and evil cultivators must have gained considerable benefits, hence their high enthusiasm.

With them escorting, no matter how terrified the peddlers and traveling merchants were, they couldn't struggle and could only obediently follow.

Leaving the city, heading to the countryside.

As soon as they deviated from the official road and passed through a sparse wild forest, a gust of wind with a slightly earthy, fishy taste blew.

All the peddlers and traveling merchants felt waves of invisible malice intruding upon them. They all shrank their heads, hugged their arms tightly, their hair stood on end, and they frantically swallowed their saliva.

Ge Xian felt even worse. He was extremely sensitive to all extraordinary auras. At this moment, his mind began to roar as if various sounds were intruding—screams, roars, whispers, mad laughter, wails... causing his face to instantly turn pale and his body to tremble.

Fortunately, he was now a cultivator in the [Dao Entry Realm]. He quickly suppressed it and learned to shield and filter.

Instead, it was a blessing in disguise, deepening his understanding and control of his innate abilities.

The next moment, his heart's alarm bells rang, and he cried out in his mind, "Not good..."

Ge Xian didn't have time to consider whether to expose himself to warn them; the dangerous change had already arrived.

With a sharp howl, hundreds of bizarre Jackal Dogs suddenly sprang out from all directions of the wild forest, charging madly towards the group.

Ge Xian's eyesight was sharp. He saw clearly at a glance.

These monsters were extremely ugly, resembling dogs. Their bodies were earthy chestnut-colored, with long beaks, sparse yellow teeth, and tongues covered in barbs. Their cries were like those of vengeful spirits. When they ran, they were like ghosts, covering dozens of yards in the blink of an eye, pouncing towards the peddlers and traveling merchants.

They weren't exactly defenseless, but how could they resist such monsters?

As soon as the "Ghost Dogs" got close, their foul, fishy breath sprayed onto the merchants, causing their legs to go weak and nearly making them soil themselves.

Fortunately, the guard team sprang into action at this moment.

First, the Two Ghoul Spirits let out roars and transformed, saying with a sinister grin:

"Don't panic, don't panic, this is a good thing."

"Fellow Daoists, these beasts are called [Chunwei Ghost Jackals]. They were originally wild dogs that mutated from eating too much human flesh. They crave human flesh, especially infants. They pose no real threat. Their internal ghostly energy benefits my brother and me. There's no need to kill them, just cripple them all. Leave them for my brother and me to devour."

Before the words even fell, dozens of evil cultivators from the guard team appeared, charging towards the pack of ghost jackals.

No one expected the battle outside the city to erupt so quickly.

As the two spirits had said, these ghost jackals, drawn by the scent of fresh human flesh, posed no threat to the cultivators.

Any one of the evil cultivators could easily shatter their skulls and spinal bones.

In an instant, the air was filled with continuous, shrill ghostly cries.

The peddlers and traveling merchants huddled together, trying their best to hide.

Ge Xian, mixed in among them, seized the opportunity to observe the methods of the evil cultivators, seeing them clearly and correcting his previous guesses.

Of course, some of his guesses were correct.

For example, the [Wang Family Eldest Daughter-in-law] was indeed practicing "Guǐ Wǔ". Her technique was very similar to the Bone-Melting Palm. With a seemingly light palm strike, a charging ghost jackal instantly turned into a mass of soft flesh, splattering to the ground with a wet thud.

While observing, Ge Xian suddenly felt a sense of danger again.

Glancing around, he quickly picked up a tree branch from the ground, thick at the bottom and pointed at the top.

As expected, the next moment brought another sudden change:

Due to the significant difference in numbers between the two sides, and the two spirits' instruction to the evil cultivators not to be too ruthless.

Under these constraints, someone inevitably let their guard down. Seven or eight "Chunwei Ghost Jackals" managed to break through. With a single bite, they snatched up seven merchants in an instant. The unluckiest ones were dragged to the ground, their necks bitten, blood spraying out, and their lives ended on the spot.

Ge Xian was also targeted by a ghost jackal. Looking up, he saw the dog-like face with its long beak lunging at him, reeking of foulness.

"Vermin!"

He cursed, but Ge Xian didn't use his internal power. Relying solely on his senses, he suddenly crouched down, raising the sharp tree branch.

The next moment, accompanied by a howling ghostly cry, this ferocious ghost jackal had its belly ripped open by Ge Xian. With the momentum of its charge, hot organs and intestines spilled onto the ground. Faintly visible within them were remnants of human flesh, teeth, and hair.

His ability to achieve a solo kill miracle was entirely due to Ge Xian's exquisite grasp of timing.

To outsiders, it looked as if the ghost jackal had willingly opened its belly to charge onto the young peddler's pole, marveling at his good fortune.

Around the same time, the two ghosts, leading a group of evil cultivators, had finished slaughtering the ghost jackals and quickly returned to deal with the remaining few.

Unfortunately, in those few breaths of change, two peddlers had already died.

Regarding this, neither the two ghosts nor the evil cultivators showed any intention of taking responsibility.

Without even an apology, they merely cautioned the peddlers and foot merchants to be more alert. Afterward, Zhang Buzu and Zhao Wuyou, maintaining their true forms as the "Suffocated Ghost" and "Starved Ghost," absorbed all the ghost jackals on the ground into bare bones.

Each revealed an expression of ecstasy, patted their bellies, and shouted:

"Let's keep moving!"

Before even reaching the first territory, they had lost two people.

This made the peddlers and foot merchants feel the danger outside Qiantang County once again. Although they were mostly dissatisfied, they became incredibly obedient for the rest of the journey, sticking close to the two ghoul-like beings and the escort team, fearing they might inexplicably suffer disaster and lose their lives again.

And indeed, they encountered many dangers afterward.

Besides low-level monsters like the Chunwei Ghost Jackal, there were also some unbelievable and terrifyingly strange phenomena.

For example, there was a strange wind called "Meng Po Wind." As soon as one was blown by it, their body and soul would be instantly destroyed, leaving them dazed and vacant, forgetting everything, and wandering with the wind into the depths of the wilderness.

Even cultivators at the Dao Entry Realm were not exempt.

Fortunately, this wind had a form, appearing grayish-white, and it was not fast. It could be seen with the naked eye in advance, allowing them to avoid it.

There was also a strange entity called "Heart-Burning Fire," which could appear out of thin air. Initially, it was a fist-sized green-scaled flame. It seemed to have a spirit, moving incredibly fast, and would actively charge at living beings. Once it collided with someone, it would immediately ignite self-immolating flames, burning from the inside out, reducing a person to a skeleton in two to three breaths.

Fortunately, this fire mostly appeared in desolate graves and wild lands, so they could avoid it by staying away.

Even with this knowledge guiding them, as they approached "Jiudao Village," another peddler and a foot merchant died.

They had already suffered such losses before even finding the considerable number of refugees and wildlings. If they found them, and the team suddenly expanded tenfold or a hundredfold, how could they guarantee safety?

Zhang Buzu and Zhao Wuyou, the two ghosts, also considered these issues, but they couldn't think of a solution for the moment, only becoming enraged in helplessness.

They constantly cursed along the way.

In contrast, Ge Xian, mixed within the group, had his eyes shining with excitement, his thoughts churning.

After much experience, he gradually confirmed one thing: his extraordinary perception was so extensive and acute that it could crush all the cultivators present.

Whether it was monsters, demons, or mysterious phenomena, they could not hide from him.

Every time, he knew about them in advance.

In other words!

If this team, or even the expanded team, were led by him, Ge Huolang, he could guarantee not a single person would be lost.

Although this thought crossed his mind, Ge Xian did not act rashly.

Firstly, the time was not right!

Secondly, he had not yet seen any benefit!

And these two things, he would soon receive.

After some twists and turns, the team soon arrived at Jiudao Village by the Qiantang River.

This was originally a sizable village, situated by the river, with several hundred households and over a thousand villagers. Intelligence reported that it had suffered a disaster not long ago, with many being eaten.

Upon arrival, everyone immediately began beating gongs and drums, drawing out the remaining villagers to begin their preaching.

Soon, everyone realized they were mistaken; this place did not need a "preaching team" at all.

The approximately six hundred survivors in the village, regardless of age or gender, were all sallow-faced, still in shock, with fear filling their faces and eyes.

Upon hearing they were from Qiantang County, accompanied by dozens of cultivators and a general under the County Magistrate as guards, and invited to the county town to seek refuge, with provisions of money and grain provided after settling down.

Instantly, they all cheered and rejoiced, expressing immense gratitude, with some of the more emotional ones kneeling directly, shouting the honorable name of County Magistrate Lu from afar.

Without any need for persuasion, these villagers eagerly agreed, then voluntarily returned to their homes to quickly pack their belongings.

This went so smoothly!

It put everyone in a great mood.

Only Ge Xian's expression changed slightly at this moment. He stared intently at the surging Qiantang River not far away. It was broad daylight, yet gray-black water clouds rose from the surface, resembling dragons and pythons, churning restlessly.

And within Ge Xian's vast "perception," near the riverbed, within those submerged reefs and hidden caves, there were clearly dozens of extraordinary Qi signatures gathered, filled with chilling malevolence.

They seemed to be waiting for a certain moment, stirring restlessly.

Ge Xian then recalled the intelligence about Jiudao Village that the Two Ghoul Spirits had mentioned on their way. A bizarre yet extremely plausible guess immediately formed in his mind, and he couldn't help but curse:

"This damned world!"

"It's one thing for Yelü Yuyan and Lu Hualong, that pair of perverts with deep backgrounds, to raise and sell their city. But now even a bunch of water monsters, water ghosts, and water monkeys have learned to farm humans?"

"They eat some, leave some, so they can continue to reproduce and wait for the next harvest, right?"

After cursing, Ge Xian had also made up his mind.