13: Chapter 13 The Moon Worship Cult, The Feast at Hongmen

After being promoted to Head Constable, Lin Feng's days became much more leisurely.

Those old veteran constables, under the watchful gaze of this "God of Slaughter," were like they had been injected with chicken blood, their work efficiency increasing several times over.

The mountain of trivial cases that had piled up in the past were cleared away in less than three days.

The law and order in the entire Qingyang County presented an unprecedented scene of harmony.

This actually made Lin Feng, who wanted to farm critical hit points, rather bored.

However, new news soon came from Huang Fugui.

"Master! There is movement from Wealthy Merchant Zhang!"

That afternoon, while Lin Feng was in the office, Huang Fugui's voice hurriedly rang out in his mind.

"He is holding a grand banquet at his manor tonight and has invited all the prominent figures in the city. The invitation will be delivered to you soon!"

As he spoke, a bailiff opened the door and respectfully presented a gold-stamped invitation.

Lin Feng opened it and saw that it was indeed an invitation from Wealthy Merchant Zhang for him to attend the banquet, with earnest words and extreme flattery.

"Oh? A Hongmen Banquet?"

Having just become Head Constable, Zhang Datou couldn't wait to jump out; his intentions were questionable.

"Master, you absolutely must not go!"

Huang Fugui's tone was somewhat anxious, "This one feels that Zhang Manor is very sinister, just like a monster's lair! If you go, aren't you walking right into a trap?"

"A monster's lair?"

"Then I must go and take a look even more."

Just kidding, for others it might be a Dragon's pool and tiger's den.

For Lin Feng, it was a giant gift package!

How could he not accept it?

"Huang Fugui, don't you be idle tonight either."

Lin Feng said, "While they are hosting guests in the front courtyard, you sneak into the back courtyard and carefully investigate for me where that sinister, bloody smell is coming from. Remember, safety first; if something happens, just run."

"Master, rest assured! This little demon doesn't have many skills, but the ability to dig holes and escape is ancestral!"

...

At nightfall, Zhang Manor was brightly lit with a constant stream of carriages and horses.

As the newly emerged "Number One Person" of Qingyang County, Lin Feng's arrival naturally attracted the attention of everyone present.

All the guests, whether officials, gentry, or wealthy merchants, took the initiative to come forward to converse and greet him, their attitudes respectful to the point of sycophancy.

Wealthy Merchant Zhang, Zhang Datou, a middle-aged fat man who looked quite refined, even personally greeted him at the door, holding Lin Feng's hand, smiling until his face blossomed.

"Oh my, for Head Constable Lin to grace my humble abode, it truly makes my home shine with brilliance!"

"Wealthy Merchant Zhang is too polite."

Lin Feng calmly withdrew his hand and swept his gaze casually across the entire banquet hall.

The banquet was extremely luxurious, with delicacies from land and sea, fine wines, and exquisite dishes—everything one could wish for.

The guests were clinking cups and exchanging pleasantries, a scene of peace and prosperity.

But Lin Feng keenly sensed that beneath this luxury and liveliness, a trace of something strange was hidden.

For example, the maidservants and servants serving, although they all wore smiles, their eyes appeared somewhat dull and numb, as if they were soulless puppets.

Another example: the incense permeating the air, while smelling good, faintly masked another scent.

It was exactly the sinister, bloody smell that Huang Fugui had spoken of.

"Head Constable Lin, please take the seat of honor!"

Zhang Datou enthusiastically led Lin Feng to the head table.

Magistrate Zhao Dehai was also present, and upon seeing Lin Feng, he just nodded slightly, looking somewhat awkward.

The banquet began, and Zhang Datou frequently toasted Lin Feng, constantly probing Lin Feng's origins, background, and views on "demons and ghosts" between his words.

Lin Feng answered every question, giving nothing away, occasionally showing deep hatred for demons, while pretending to know little about certain "folk beliefs."

He portrayed the image of a young expert with innate talent but little experience in the world to perfection.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhang Datou seemed to feel the time was ripe; he dismissed those around him, lowered his voice, and said to Lin Feng with feigned mystery:

"Head Constable Lin, to be honest, I have long heard of your reputation and admire you greatly! At such a young age, you have such cultivation, able to slay demons and eliminate gangs; you are truly a blessing to the people of Qingyang County!"

"Wealthy Merchant Zhang is too complimentary."

"Aiya, Head Constable Lin, no need to be overly modest."

Zhang Datou changed the subject, "It's just that there are so many demons in this world; they cannot be killed or eradicated completely. Relying solely on fighting and killing is, after all, treating the symptoms but not the root cause."

"Oh? Then in your opinion, Wealthy Merchant Zhang, what should be done?"

Lin Feng asked with great interest.

A flash of fanatical light flickered in Zhang Datou's eyes.

"To truly obtain peace, there is only one way... believe in the true god! Obtain the god's protection!"

He leaned into Lin Feng's ear, his voice as soft as a dream-muttering.

"The reason we Mortals are harassed by demons is all because we are too weak. But if we can serve a truly great existence and offer our loyalty and sacrifices to Him, we can exchange it for supreme power and eternal protection!"

"Head Constable Lin, you are a heaven-sent talent, a one-in-a-million martial arts genius. If you can receive the Moon God's favor, your strength will surely reach a new level. By then, let alone this small Qingyang County, even in the entire Great Xia Dynasty, who would be your match?"

It's here. Finally showing its fox tail. Moon-Worshipping Cult!

Lin Feng sneered inwardly, but on his face, he revealed an expression of shock and curiosity: "Moon God? Is it the moon in the sky that you speak of, Wealthy Merchant Zhang?"

"It is... and it is not."

Zhang Datou's expression became incomparably devout, "The Moon God is the supreme Dominator who holds dominion over the dark night and death, the Protector of all dark creatures! His power is beyond your imagination!"

"As long as... you are willing to join us and become the Moon God's most loyal follower. I guarantee you will obtain everything you want! Money, power, women, and... even greater power!"

A naked solicitation.

Lin Feng "hesitated" for a moment, revealing an expression of "I am very tempted but I still have some concerns."

"This matter... is of great importance. May I... consider it for a moment?"

"Of course! Of course!"

Seeing this, Zhang Datou was overjoyed, thinking Lin Feng had taken the bait, "Head Constable Lin, take your time to consider! Tonight, you can stay in the manor; I have arranged the quietest guest room for you, guaranteeing no one will disturb you!"

He wanted to place Lin Feng under house arrest and then slowly brainwash him.

"In that case, many thanks, Wealthy Merchant Zhang."

After the banquet ended, Lin Feng was led by a maid with dull eyes to a remote and luxurious courtyard.

Closing the door, the expression on Lin Feng's face instantly became cold.

He did not rest, but sat cross-legged, quietly waiting. Waiting for news from Huang Fugui. And also waiting for the fish... to deliver itself to his door.

...

Meanwhile, in the back courtyard of Zhang Manor, beside a long-dried well.

The yellow shadow that Huang Fugui had transformed into silently crawled out from the gap in the well mouth, his small eyes filled with horror.

"My goodness... this... this place below is simply a slaughterhouse!"

Just a moment ago, he snuck into the back courtyard, following the source of that bloody smell, all the way to this dry well.

Relying on his small size, he squeezed through the gaps in the well wall. As a result, he was so frightened by the scene at the bottom of the well that he almost experienced Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.

Below that dry well was actually a huge underground stone chamber!

In the stone chamber, it was piled with the carcasses of various animals, and blood flowed like a river.

And in the center of the stone chamber, there was a strange magic circle drawn with fresh blood; in the center of the magic circle, chained with iron, was a... monster!

That monster resembled an ape but had three eyes, its whole body covered in black scales, its aura violent and fierce; it was at least a Tier 2 monster!

At this moment, it was being suppressed by the power of the magic circle, unable to move, and could only let out impotent roars.

Around the stone chamber, there were also a dozen iron cages, and inside the cages were actually young boys and girls! They were all sallow and emaciated, their eyes filled with despair and numbness.

"Sacrifice... raising monsters... human sacrifices..."

Although Huang Fugui was a small demon, he knew what this meant. This was the most vicious and evil method of a cult!

"No! Must hurry and tell Master!"

Huang Fugui dared not delay and was about to return the way he came. Suddenly, the door to the stone chamber was opened.

Zhang Datou, along with several mysterious people dressed in black robes, walked in.

"Lord Priest, everything is ready."

Zhang Datou said respectfully to the black-robed person at the lead, "That Constable surnamed Lin has been pacified by me. As soon as he drinks that cup of tea spiked with Soul-Confusing Powder, he will be at our mercy to slaughter."

"Very good."

The priest let out a raspy, unpleasant voice, "This boy's Qi and blood are vigorous; he is a top-tier sacrifice! As soon as he is sacrificed to the Three-Eyed Demon Ape, it will break free from its restraints and completely become our sect's Protector Divine Beast! By then, the entire Qingyang County will be the pasture for our Moon-Worshipping Cult!"

"Congratulations, Lord Priest! Congratulations, Lord Priest!"

Zhang Datou and the others knelt on the ground, their expressions fanatical.

Huang Fugui, hiding at the well mouth, heard all of this clearly and was so scared he even forgot to breathe.

Drugging Master? And wanting to use Master as a sacrifice? These damn cultists!

He suppressed his fear, carefully retreated back into the well, and prepared to go and report to Lin Feng.

But just at this moment, that black-robed priest seemed to sense something, abruptly raised his head, and those eyes hidden under the hood shot precisely towards the direction of the well mouth!

"Who is there?!"