Hum—
Yu Feng felt a rush of blood surge straight to his head, his face instantly turning crimson: “The Rakshasa Cult? These remnants actually dare to intrude upon the borders of Jiangdu City!”
But then, a wave of doubt washed over him: “They should be over a thousand miles away in southern Hunan. Why are they suddenly showing up here?”
“I’m not sure either, my lord. So far, we’ve only confirmed they’re hiding deep in the mountains, and haven’t made any moves yet. But in my humble opinion, they’re definitely up to no good and intend to harm Jiangdu!”
Yu Feng suppressed his anger and gave a grave order: “Immediately assemble the city’s defensive forces and seal off all the city gates!”
“Yes, sir!”
The subordinate quickly took the order and left.
Yu Feng forced himself to stay calm and began formulating a defense plan.
Although he couldn’t figure out what was going on just yet, strengthening the defenses was absolutely the right call.
After all, this was the infamous Rakshasa Cult!
No level of alert was too high!
But Jiangdu’s city defenses were, after all, limited.
He immediately called the four great families and the ten nouveau riche of Jiangdu, demanding that they dispatch their forces immediately to jointly defend the city.
This was also part of the duty of the local families.
…
South of the city, at the Sun family estate.
Sun Qingcang, having just received the call, furrowed his brows deeply, also finding it hard to believe: “Rest assured, my lord. I’ll send my men to assist in the defense immediately. I’ll see you on the city wall!”
“Dad, what’s going on?” His daughter, Sun Yourong, asked from behind him, rarely seeing her father so serious and on edge.
“Yourong, stay at home these next few days and don’t go out. Jiangdu is about to become dangerous!”
“What exactly happened?”
“The Rakshasa Cult has appeared outside the city. Their intentions are unclear.”
“The Rakshasa Cult? Why would they come to Jiangdu?”
Sun Yourong’s expression shifted in alarm.
“I don’t know the details either. Just stay put at home, and don’t go anywhere.” Sun Qingcang grabbed his coat and was about to head out, but then stopped and turned back to instruct her: “Oh, and send someone to Lu Chen’s house and bring his whole family over to our place. If the Rakshasa Cult unleashes their poison techniques, who knows how chaotic things will get inside the city.”
“Alright, I got it!”
After Sun Qingcang hurried off, Sun Yourong thought it over and decided to drive over there herself.
Meanwhile, Yu Feng acted with swift efficiency.
In less than half an hour after making his calls,
Jiangdu’s city defense force totaled ten thousand men.
Each of the four great families contributed three thousand troops.
The remaining ten nouveau riche each contributed one thousand.
In total, thirty-two thousand men stood in formidable formation at the city gates, a grand display of force.
“City Lord, what’s the situation?”
The family heads who had rushed over asked in unison.
“We’re still pinpointing their exact location. The previous coordinates have disappeared.”
Yu Feng’s brows were locked in a tight frown.
“The Rakshasa Cult is based in distant southern Hunan. Why would they suddenly show up in Jiangdu?”
Sun Qingcang asked in a deep voice.
“I don’t know. But when these cultists show up, it’s never good news!”
Yu Feng slammed his fist against the city wall in frustration: “Damn it, the Demon-Suppressing Army wasn’t thorough enough. If they had wiped out the Rakshasa Cult in one fell swoop, none of this would be happening. For now, we have to find out exactly where they’re hiding and try to crush them all in one decisive blow!”
The four family heads exchanged uneasy glances.
It seemed a bloody storm was now inevitable.
This time, who knew how many would die!
…
Although atop the city walls, the atmosphere was one of grim determination and readiness for battle,
within Jiangdu city itself, the ordinary citizens had no idea what was happening. Life continued on peacefully and quietly, just as before, with no discernible difference.
At Nanshan Residential Community.
At this moment, an elegant, graceful figure stepped lightly into this old, worn-down neighborhood.
“Excuse me, Auntie, could you tell me how to get to Lu Chen’s house?”
Aunt Wang, who had just returned from grocery shopping, stared at the stunningly beautiful woman before her and froze on the spot.
The last person who had given her such a breathtaking impression was the Sun family’s eldest daughter, Sun Yourong, who had come to take them to worship at the Sun family temple.
She replied in a daze: “Young lady, you are…? Oh, I see, you’re here to buy underworld currency too, aren’t you?”
“Underworld currency?” The woman was slightly taken aback, clearly having no idea what that was, but then she smiled and nodded: “Yes, that’s right.”
“From your accent, you sound like you’re from out of town? Hehe, I didn’t expect Xiao Chen’s underworld currency business to have spread this far. Come on, I’ll show you. Go up this stairwell, third floor, the door on the left.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“Don’t mention it! Hurry on up.”
The woman nodded in thanks, looking at the dilapidated neighborhood before her. She furrowed her delicate brows slightly, still finding it hard to believe.
“The cult leader… actually lives in a place like this!?”
A moment later, on the third floor.
Standing at the door, the woman took a deep breath, straightened her collar, and then knocked.
Knock, knock, knock!
Inside, Lu Chen was playing with his little sister.
Hearing the noise, he got up to answer the door.
Opening it, he saw a graceful and charming stranger standing there. Lu Chen paused briefly: “You are?”
“Excuse me, are you Mr. Lu Chen?”
“Yes.”
The woman’s expression turned solemn, and she lowered her voice with utmost respect: “Rakshasa Cult—Zeng Rou.”
Lu Chen’s pupils contracted slightly. He stepped aside: “Come in. Let’s talk inside.”
“Yes!”
Zeng Rou stepped into the apartment, her gaze quickly sweeping across the small but tidy living room, finally landing on a little girl.
“Little sis, go to your room. We have a guest, and big brother needs to entertain them.”
“Okay!” Lu Wan obediently ran into her room.
Just then, Lu Chen’s parents were also out, making it convenient for them to talk.
Lu Chen plopped down on the sofa.
Zeng Rou knelt directly on the ground: “Zeng Rou, Elder of the Rakshasa Cult, by order of the Ancestor, has come especially to pay respects to the Cult Leader!”
“So you’re Zeng Rou.”
Lu Chen remembered that name.
Earlier, Zheng Changguo had asked her to stabilize Lady Zheng’s illness.
At the time, he’d found it strange that a mere cult had the means to control the “Heaven’s Wrath” curse.
Now, thinking back, it all made sense.
Turns out they were all from the Plague Ministry, so of course they had the right remedy for the ailment.
“The Cult Leader knows of me?”
Zeng Rou kept her head lowered, but her eyes darted up to take in Lu Chen, a flash of disbelief in her gaze.
She hadn’t expected the first “Cult Leader” in the Rakshasa Cult’s history to be this young.
And on top of that, he knew of her?
Had the Ancestor mentioned her to him?
“You went to treat the former governor’s wife, Lady Zheng, didn’t you.”
“Cult Leader, how… how did you know?” Zeng Rou was even more surprised.
“Because I was there too.”
“I see. That Lady Zheng’s illness was extremely difficult to treat. I used every means at my disposal and could only delay it. I wonder if the Cult Leader…”
“It’s cured.” Lu Chen said flatly.
Zeng Rou: “!!!?”
“How many of you came in total? Where are you now?”
Lu Chen got straight to the point.
“Reporting to the Cult Leader, there are currently only three thousand one hundred and twenty-seven members left in the cult. We’re currently lying in wait at Black Wind Ridge, thirty miles outside the city.”
Zeng Rou’s expression was mournful: “Ever since our main altar was destroyed by the Demon-Suppressing Army, and Elders Feng and Tianhua fell, the cult has been without a leader, and everyone’s in a state of panic. A few days ago, I received the Ancestor’s divine decree, stating that the Cult Leader is the ‘Holy Ancestor Descending to the Mortal Realm.’ We were specially ordered to come and pledge our allegiance, willing to honor you as our master and revive our cult.”
“Stop, stop, hold on! I didn’t bring you here to keep being an evil cult. Do you want to spend the rest of your lives living like rats, scurrying and hiding in the shadows?”
“Well…”
Zeng Rou carefully probed: “What does the Cult Leader mean by that?”
“I have other plans for you, all three thousand-odd of you. In short, you need to change your way of thinking. As long as you’re willing to follow me, you’ll live a life of comfort and plenty from now on. Good days are waiting for you.”
Lu Chen changed the subject: “Oh, and first, tell me, among these three thousand people, how many are Second Rank, how many are Third Rank, and how many are Fourth or Fifth Rank?”
“Reporting to the Cult Leader, right now we have two Fourth Rank, which are Elder Wang Zhidong and myself. There are still twenty-seven Third Rank, three hundred and forty-two Second Rank, and the rest are all First Rank. Because the Demon-Suppressing Army’s assault was so fierce, most of the cult’s elite were lost. Otherwise, we would have had over a hundred Third Rank members alone.”
BOOM!!!!!
Lu Chen’s mind practically exploded!
Over twenty Third Rank?
Over three hundred Second Rank?
Holy crap!
With this kind of foundation, he could just waltz right through Jiangdu!
Forget the nouveau riche—even if one of the great families came knocking,
Lu Chen now had the capital to go toe-to-toe with them!
Jackpot!
He’d hit the motherlode!
—Jiangdu’s, no! The strongest nouveau riche in the nation’s history, was now officially born!
Though his heart was racing, on the outside, Lu Chen remained as steady as an old dog. He just cleared his throat and asked: “So, what about the character of the rest of these people? Oh wait, never mind…”
They were an evil cult, after all. What did character have to do with anything?
“Are the rest easy to manage? If they’re dead set on the path of evil, they won’t fit the development needs of this cult going forward.”
Zeng Rou’s heart stirred. She immediately understood Lu Chen’s meaning and said with more sincerity: “Please rest assured, Cult Leader. In truth, the Rakshasa Cult was divided into several factions. The radical faction, represented by Elders Feng and Tianhua, the moderate faction, which I represent, and the neutral faction, led by Protector Wang Zhidong. In the battle against the Demon-Suppressing Army, the radical faction was almost entirely wiped out. We were outmatched, so we could only preserve our strength and make plans for the future.”
“Fleeing from battle doesn’t sound like something to be proud of.” Lu Chen’s lips curled into a cold smirk.
Zeng Rou trembled like a leaf in the wind. She thought for a moment, then offered no excuses: “I failed in my duty, Cult Leader. Please punish me!”
The air grew still and heavy. Cold sweat beaded on Zeng Rou’s back.
After a long while, Lu Chen’s lazy voice finally broke the silence: “Enough. I’m willing to overlook the past. But from now on… I think you understand.”
BOOM!!!!
A surging wave of green miasma suddenly enveloped Zeng Rou.
It left her utterly stunned.
The purity of the poison within that green haze was actually dozens, even hundreds of times more refined than that of the cult’s most powerful member, Feng Tianhua.
“Hiss!” She sucked in a sharp breath, marveling inwardly: “As expected of the Holy Ancestor Descending to the Mortal Realm. His mastery of poison arts is far beyond imagination!”
She pressed her forehead to the ground: “Cult Leader, rest assured. From this day forward, Zeng Rou swears to devote her life to you. If I break this oath, may heaven and earth destroy me!”
Lu Chen wasn’t particularly interested in such dramatic oaths: “I’ve heard you’re quite skilled in managing cult affairs? Then I’ll leave the day-to-day operations of the Rakshasa Cult to you. I hope you’ll serve me well. For now, first focus on keeping those three thousand members calm and settled. Once I’ve cleared your identities as cultists, I have other important tasks for you.”
“Cult Leader, you… you mean you can clear our criminal records?” Zeng Rou’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.
“It’ll take some effort, but… it’s not too hard.”
If all else failed, Lu Chen could just exchange some military merits at the Royal Treasury for an iron certificate of amnesty.
Spend ten thousand merits for a pardon, no big deal.
Zeng Rou was overwhelmed with excitement: “If that’s the case, Cult Leader, please rest assured. I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life, to never fail your trust.”
She then looked up and asked: “If you permit it, Cult Leader, I can lead the members into the city in small groups tonight, without alerting the city defenses.”
“No need.” Lu Chen waved his hand. “I want you to march into this city openly and legitimately.”
Knock, knock, knock!
No sooner had he spoken than another urgent knock sounded at the door.
Lu Chen signaled Zeng Rou to stand up first, then went to open it.
“Sister Sun? What are you doing here?”
“Lu Chen, where are your parents and your little sister?”
Sun Yourong’s gaze swept the room and suddenly landed on an exceptionally stunning woman standing in the living room.
Her heart gave a little jolt: “And she is?”
“Oh, this is a new talent I just hired. She’ll be working at the company from now on.”
“Okay, fine.” Sun Yourong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then became anxious again: “Quick! Call Uncle and Auntie and come with me!”
“Where to?”
“To my place. I just got word that Jiangdu is about to become dangerous!”
“What happened?”
“Do you remember the Rakshasa Cult? I mentioned Spirit Water Master to you before. Lord Yu just called my dad, saying the Rakshasa Cult has suddenly appeared in Jiangdu and intends to breach the city. Right now, the entire city is mobilizing heavy forces to eliminate this threat. My dad’s worried the cult might go all out, so he told me to bring you and your family over to our house to take shelter!”
Sun Yourong spoke in a rush, as if rattling off beans from a bamboo tube, using the fastest speech of her life.
“Uh… there’s no need to be so nervous. They don’t actually mean any harm.”
“How do you know that? You’re not a member of the Rakshasa Cult! Hurry up! This is no joke!”
“What if I told you… I am a member of the Rakshasa Cult? Would you believe me?”
“Stop fooling around, or I’ll get really mad!”
Lu Chen: “…”
He glanced back at Zeng Rou.
Understanding his cue, Zeng Rou immediately dropped to one knee and declared with utmost reverence, loud and clear: “Zeng Rou, Elder of the Rakshasa Cult, pays her respects to the Cult Leader!!!”
Sun Yourong: “????!!!!”
She was completely flabbergasted, stammering: “She… Elder? Rakshasa Cult? She called you… what?!”
Lu Chen said with a perfectly straight face: “Cult Leader. As in, boss…”
