The rumor that there were evil spirits in the Central Plains that ate children quickly spread Northern Lands.
The rumors grew increasingly exaggerated. One claimed that the Ghost Temple in the capital were built by the imperial court to snatch children from the outer city. Another said that many people in the capital had already become ghosts and monsters, and that they would eat their own children in the middle of the night.
The imperial court has raised a ghost army that feeds on children. Apart from the four cities of the Capital, most of the cities in the Central Plains are now devoid of ghosts!
Most importantly, neither the Nether Moon Sect nor any other cults in the city prevented the people from traveling to the Central Plains; they merely offered persuasion. If the people insisted, they would still be escorted, but only to the northern border.
"Father, are we really still going to the Central Plains?"
In a sizable mansion, a group of younger generations stared in shock at their elders' decision.
The rumors about the Ghost Temple in the Central Plains are now quite detailed and convincing. At this time, given the opportunity to go to Jiangnan, why would one choose to suffer in the Central Plains?
"Hmph," the leading old man sneered, "This deliberately fabricated rumor is enough to fool some ignorant commoners, but how come you few actually believed it?"
"You're all too young," another old man said. "What ancient organization, only concerned with preserving the flame for humanity? You actually believe that?"
"But what is their purpose?" The younger generation still didn't quite agree with their elders' explanation.
"The purpose of any ambitious person's manipulation is to rule; just remember that." The leading elder sneered, "Do you really think that Chen Qing is some kind of good person? In just a few years, he's built such a large operation; do you really think he hasn't done anything else behind the scenes? You've only heard good reputations, but can a saint really build such a large operation in this wolfish world in just a few years? Haven't you considered that he might be the biggest wolf in the wolf's den?"
"Please enlighten me, Elder!" the white-robed youth hurriedly bowed.
"Haven't you noticed? This situation is very similar to when Chen Qing first started out."
"Huh?" Many disciples were taken aback, but some clever ones immediately understood. "Elder, you mean..."
It is indeed very similar. Back then, Jiangnan suffered a zombie apocalypse, and it is said that a huge number of people died. In just one year, billions of people became zombies. Many people were so frightened by this that they couldn't sleep at night.
"Think about it carefully. Wasn't Chen Qing the prefect of Liuzhou that year? How long had he been in office? And then this happened? And yet, he single-handedly turned the tide, saving Jiangnan and earning everyone's gratitude!"
All the disciples were stunned, a chill running through them.
"And now?" the elder said quietly, "Isn't it very similar to the situation back then? Demons wreaked havoc, the population was halved, and a savior descended from the heavens, becoming that savior once again."
"Hiss!!" Everyone gasped, a chill running down their spines.
Everyone knows what that means, but no one has ever thought of this line of thought before. Chen Qing, perhaps he's with these demons?
"Elder, since that's the case, will it be safe for us to return to the Central Plains?" the disciples couldn't help but ask.
"Even if it's unsafe, we have to take the risk!" the elder said coldly. "We will try to communicate. We don't need dedicated guards, just one Black Lantern Envoy will suffice. I will unite all the aristocratic families willing to go to the Central Plains and publicly demand our assistance, then we'll see their reaction!"
"Elder, even if Chen Qing is faking it, is it really necessary for us to risk moving our entire families to the Central Plains?" someone couldn't help but ask. "Even if Chen Qing really is colluding with demons, he'll at least try to win us over with his pretense. Going to Jiangnan would at least be safe for now, and we can slowly plot against him later. But if we go to the Central Plains now, there's no guarantee we won't be ambushed halfway!"
The elders fell silent upon hearing this, exchanged glances, and finally spoke up, "We've thought of that too."
The Grand Elder sighed and said, "But we still have countless businesses in the Central Plains, and we have loyal followers in the capital. Our foundation is there. If I'm not mistaken, it's only a matter of time before Chen Qing and the Central Plains go to war. If... if we go to Jiangnan, it's very possible that everything in the Central Plains will be reduced to nothing."
"This"
All the young men looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
"So the reason I've summoned you all here is not only to remind you of Chen Qing's danger, but also to consider the future of the family. We can't put all our eggs in one basket. You were right earlier, even if Chen Qing is only superficially trying to win you over, he's at least safe for now if he goes to Jiangnan."
"Therefore, we decided to split into two groups: one would go to Jiangnan as they wished, and the other would go to the Central Plains to recover as much property as possible."
"What if, as the elders say, the two sides really do start fighting?"
"If it really comes to that, we'll have to play it by ear. Leaving the Northern Lands right now is the key, so let's all vote now. Those who want to go to the Central Plains and those who want to go to the Jiangnan, please state your opinions."
For a moment, everyone in the courtyard fell silent. Chen Qing's side seemed safe, but in reality, he might be associating with demons, and the future might be even more dangerous than now. On the other hand, if they went to the Central Plains, they might face a life-or-death crisis right now. Choosing either side could be a trap.
It really is a test of character.
"The Emperor's Envoy."
The next morning, inside the former government office in North Wild Goose City, a member of the family dressed in Nether Moon robe rushed in to report the situation.
"As you predicted, most common people prefer to go to Jiangnan or the Northern Wasteland, while many members of the aristocratic families want to go to the Central Plains!"
Inside the courtyard, Abe Ayaka sipped her tea and looked at a tall man opposite her.
" Chen Qing's prediction was quite accurate."
"What's so hard to predict?" the burly man sneered. "Those aristocratic families, over the years, which one hasn't had businesses in the Central Plains? Especially those old guys who built these businesses from scratch, how could they easily give them up? They'd find excuses to go back to the Central Plains for a visit."
Abe Ayaka nodded and said, "But in order to prevent the family from being completely wiped out, some members will definitely be left to go to Jiangnan. In this way, a family will always have a secret technique for long-distance communication. When those elders arrive in the Central Plains and truly see the current state of the Central Plains, they will definitely realize that we were not lying and will do everything they can to transfer the assets back to Jiangnan."
"With the elders of the family as sources of information, those powerful families will no longer have any doubts, and the emperors of the Central Plains will not have such a legitimate reason to launch a campaign against them!"
"Hmph," the burly man sneered, " Chen Qing wants to have it all, wanting both fame and territory!"
"Who told them to have so many trump cards up their sleeves now?" Abe Ayaka chuckled. "A guy with no powerful background has built up this kind of military strength in just five years. That's truly impressive. Even if they completely withdraw from the north now and rely on the Dragon Palace's resources to stay in Jiangnan, at least they can protect themselves. It's completely different from our precarious situation."
The burly man's face was grim. For so many years, the Four Great Guilds had monopolized this world, never considering anyone else as a rival. Yet now, they were being forced into such a sorry state by an NPC. What a disgrace!
The Xiao Household, right? Human emperors, right?
Once the guild's leadership recovers, he will show this arrogant emperor what true terror is.
He wanted to extract the souls of the Xiao Household —no, all those loyal to this emperor—and torment them for ten thousand, even a million years!
He was transformed into the most twisted ghost, a ghost that feeds exclusively on humans, amidst regret and torment.
Such torment was something those sages who once rebelled against them for the sake of humanity had already experienced; he would soon taste it himself.