Chapter 333: Chapter 196: The Faithless Shall Die (Part 2)

After twenty-three new Soul Slaves appeared, Cheng Zongyang allocated their points, copied their Skills, and then informed Luo Dingran of each of their Attribute Points, Skills, and Talents.

Cheng Zongyang was particularly pleased by one with the Animal Affinity Talent; it meant Luo Zheng could finally share some of his workload.

Luo Dingran noted it all down, getting a clear picture of the situation.

Assignments would be made based on their individual Talents and Skills. Of course, nothing was set in stone; personnel needs would be adjusted flexibly on the fly.

"My Lord, I’ve noted everything down. Do you have any other orders?" Luo Dingran asked.

Cheng Zongyang shook his head with a small smile. "Just earn more Points."

He then left the Wilderness World.

After a brief look at the private residence, Cheng Zongyang didn’t linger and left for the He Family estate on North East Street.

The County Town had no curfew, so there were still a few people on the streets. But with almost no commerce to speak of, the city was quite deserted.

Cheng Zongyang was in no hurry. He observed the situation from West City all the way to the northern districts. As he passed through Northwest City Street, he could still see Lu Family members patrolling.

’I don’t see what’s worth patrolling in this environment. Or are they on guard against something?’

Upon entering North East Street, the roads became nearly empty, amplifying the desolate atmosphere.

In an empty alley, Cheng Zongyang took something out before arriving at the He Family’s courtyard.

This time, Cheng Zongyang didn’t use the back door. He went to the main gate and had a guard announce his arrival.

A short while later, the guard led him through a series of corridors, heading straight for the rear courtyard.

This puzzled Cheng Zongyang.

"Where is your Patriarch?" Cheng Zongyang asked with a frown, following behind the guard.

"The Patriarch instructed me to take you to the study," the guard replied simply, saying nothing more.

Cheng Zongyang didn’t press the issue.

He had no interest in the layout or scenery of the He Family’s courtyard.

When they reached the study, the guard opened the door. "Patriarch, I’ve brought him."

"Mm, you may go," He Shujun’s indifferent voice drifted out from the study.

"Yes, sir." The guard cupped his hands in salute. After Cheng Zongyang entered, the guard closed the door and departed.

Inside the brightly-lit study, Cheng Zongyang immediately saw He Shujun sitting behind a desk, reading a book by candlelight.

"Why no advance notice this time? I would have arranged for a private meeting place."

He Shujun put down his book. He was somewhat surprised by Cheng Zongyang’s unannounced visit, but more than that, he was displeased.

’Coming to my front door like this... is he trying to make sure the other families see? Still, he’s already here. No point in bringing it up.’

Cheng Zongyang took a seat in the chair opposite him without ceremony. He placed a Beast Hide Scroll, on which a cooperation agreement was written, onto the desk.

"Take a look at this first."

He Shujun didn’t mind Cheng Zongyang’s directness. He took the scroll, but when he realized it was made of beast hide, his eyes paused, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.

’An agreement written on beast hide?’

’Isn’t that a bit dramatic?’

However, his expression darkened as soon as he unrolled the hide and read its contents.

He tossed the Beast Hide Scroll onto the desk, his face turning cold. "You call this a cooperation agreement? It looks more like a cursed contract."

"You guessed it. Are you scared?" Cheng Zongyang said with a small smile.

He Shujun said, "The terms of cooperation in your agreement are fine. But what about Lu Yan’s corpse? Why isn’t it included?"

His sole objective was Lu Yan’s corpse!

’But this kid didn’t include it. The agreement just restricts either side from acting first and states we’ll cooperate. Do I need any of that?’

’Then again,’ he thought, ’is this agreement even meaningful?’

’The outcome can be changed at any time, can’t it?’ At this thought, He Shujun felt a sense of relief.

’So what if I sign?’

’Kids will be kids. How naive!’

’To think an agreement can bind someone...’

’A curse? What a load of crap.’

Just then, Cheng Zongyang spoke up. "Who can guarantee you’ll get the corpse? You can go find it yourself when the time comes. But I am curious... what do you want a corpse for?"

’I have my own secret reasons for wanting corpses, but what is *his* motive?’

Meeting Cheng Zongyang’s probing, curious gaze, He Shujun picked up the Beast Hide Scroll and looked at it again. With a calm expression, he said:

"What I want with Lu Yan’s corpse is my business. The terms of this agreement are mostly fine, but my one demand is that Lu Yan’s corpse must be delivered to me."

Cheng Zongyang stared at him and let out a dry laugh. "Just sign your name and leave a Blood Fingerprint. Oh, and you’d better do it willingly. Otherwise, I might suspect you have ulterior motives."

’I couldn’t care less what he wants,’ Cheng Zongyang thought. ’As long as this contract is signed, how long he lives depends entirely on whether he honors it.’

He Shujun’s brow furrowed. "I have to leave a fingerprint after signing? A Blood Fingerprint? What are you planning?"

Though he was dismissive of the agreement’s content, the requirement of leaving a Blood Fingerprint after signing truly gave him pause.

He had never seen ghosts or gods, but he never doubted the existence of bizarre and uncanny methods for dealing with people.

This was especially true since he himself had obtained three pairs of Gu Insects from a Poison Physician, along with a journal from the same physician that detailed how to use Gu Insects to kill.

Therefore, the demand for his own Blood Fingerprint naturally made him suspicious.

Seeing his hesitation, Cheng Zongyang snatched the Beast Hide Scroll back from He Shujun’s hand. "If you’re unwilling, there’s nothing more to say. Opportunities for peaceful coexistence are rare enough as it is. In any case, I’m not one to look for trouble."

With that, he stood up and turned to leave.

’Whether or not to kill Lu Yan now is merely a matter of my whim.’

’With my current Cultivation, never mind Lu Yan—even killing Li Mingxin would be no issue.’

’If the County Town were still the stable place it once was, and if I weren’t reluctant to shoulder the entire burden of restoring its economy and stability by myself, I would have made my move long ago. Why would I need to waste time feigning civility with these people?’