Lin Jun was handling the Lizardman captives when the Earl’s soldiers suddenly showed an unexpected commotion. Some shook their heads fiercely, as if trying to dispel the fog in their minds; others briefly regained clarity in their eyes, revealing a moment of confusion and fear.

This made Lin Jun immediately realize that there was a mishap with the Yellow-covered Book, and he quickly rushed back.

It now seemed that the chaos was deliberately caused by the Yellow-covered Book.

After all, its mental field was not as convenient as the Fungal Network to directly convey information.

To notify Knight Puki afar, it could only create some chaos.

Fortunately, the Yellow-covered Book was indeed adept at manipulating the psyche, this chaos was well controlled within certain limits, only losing a few insignificant personnel.

Honestly, apart from the last moment when the Yellow-covered Book quietly guided the Demon King’s emotions to create an opportunity for Puki to launch a surprise attack, Lin Jun didn’t know what else had happened before.

No matter if it’s because its little life is still in Lin Jun’s hands, or because it’s assessed that Lin Jun is more likely to fulfill its wish regarding soul, in short, this cunning broken book chose to stand by Lin Jun’s side just now, at least temporarily...

Puki’s tendrils rolled up the Yellow-covered Book, which seemed to be trembling slightly, not gently, rubbed it a few times at random, and then stuffed it back into the incapacitated Earl Bona’s arms lying on the ground.

The Demon King had already awakened and began moving, which was undoubtedly bad news, but Lin Jun seemed not to worry about it temporarily.

At least from the Demon King’s attitude just now, it clearly didn’t intend to kill the Yellow-covered Book that joined the Mushroom Garden, nor interfere with Lin Jun’s arrangements at the Giant Beast Bone Field.

Therefore, the influence brought by the Demon King can be temporarily postponed.

Of course, no precaution should be overlooked. Down below the Tide Sanctuary, and deep inside the Pujie Dungeon, the most elite guards must be deployed immediately, with more and stronger traps added!

Next time the main game battle, that guy won’t be allowed to appear so unfazed, as if everything is under control!

Lin Jun detests it when others act like experts before him.

Lin Jun was puzzled about why the Demon King would choose to spare the Yellow-covered Book.

If it was just a piece of waste paper capable of language, it wouldn’t matter.

However, the Yellow-covered Book possesses multiple functions, constructing a mental field, guiding emotions, sensing emotions, storing knowledge, absorbing souls, adding basic attributes... Even Lin Jun regarded it as quite useful.

If it were Lin Jun himself, facing a tool about to fall into enemy hands which truly holds utility, his first choice would be to destroy it without hesitation, never aiding the enemy.

Could it be that the Demon King was benevolent, reminiscing the joyful times of one history one book from three hundred years ago without bearing to strike?

Eliminating this almost fantasy-like assumption, there aren’t many possibilities left.

The Yellow-covered Book probably holds some irreplaceable use for the Demon King.

It’s a pity, even directly asking the Yellow-covered Book itself, it could only list a bunch of possibilities, unable to give a precise answer.

Lin Jun could only press this question at heart temporarily, exploring it later when the opportunity arises.

Nonetheless, regardless of the situation, holding the Yellow-covered Book to threaten the Demon King could be somewhat useful in a necessary situation?

Hmm... Note it down as one of the backup methods.

Additionally, "Ah Huang" and the like.

That name sounds just like a farmer from a border village calling his guard dog.

That Slime Demon King, clearly donning a garb of fabricated mystery, posturing an ancient and enigmatic demeanor, yet his inner taste is so... pathetic.

Even wasted that impressive aura, making him, the destined to vanquish it Hero, feel his style inexplicably lowered by a few notches.

...

Let’s not talk about the Demon King for now, the transfer magic array setup at the Giant Beast Bone Field is still quite smooth.

The black pot of the Empire’s search team dying in action was firmly placed on the remnants of Hand of Death.

Although that officer’s immediate superior, Marquis Ravenclaw seemed skeptical, raising minor doubts before his injury was healed, but chasing the Cult was the main objective now, clearly no time to play detective games.

The Empire immediately pursued the remnants of the Cult.

However, the remaining forces of the Hand of Death proved more cunning and evil than anticipated.

They decisively sacrificed some followers as bait, leaving clear traces purposefully, leading the main pursuit force into the rugged Southeast Mountain Area.

When the Empire’s officers hunted down and eradicated this batch of Cult, only to find they were misled, hastily rearranging the deployment, the most crucial High Tier Priests and core followers had already utilized this precious gap to escape from the encirclement.

According to scant and vague information, they eventually vanished into the West.

After this battle, the Hand of Death was severely damaged, years of resource accumulation and concealed personnel suffered heavy losses.

This wasn’t over, the Empire took advantage and initiated a severe purge internally.

Aristocrats, guilds, even gang groups who once had ambiguous records with the Hand of Death faced varying degrees of investigation and cleansing.

Of course, Lin Jun couldn’t know how much was truly about catching Cult collaborators, and how much was the Emperor taking the opportunity to eliminate some thorns in his eyes, embedding his power deeper into the Empire."

Anyway, each Duke’s territory was affected to different extents, the area west was fine, as they managed to elevate the tribute delicacy level by another grade, the Emperor only took away a few guys with indisputable evidence."

No matter the case, within the Empire, everyone felt on edge for a time despite lacking concrete evidence, no one dared get involved with anything potentially tinged with Cult associations."

Though the Hand of Death was surely not extinct, if it were to recover and instigate another big wave, unless some huge chaos occurred within the Empire, there wouldn’t be any chance."

As for whether they would shift their gaze outside the Empire’s territory?

Then Lin Jun would definitely not hold back...

...

With time passing, as the transfer ritual neared completion, an unexpected yet not entirely surprising figure appeared at the Giant Beast Bone Field again.

Marquis Ravenclaw.

Clearly, the pursuit of the Cult’s work came to a temporary close, and he wanted to return to fuss over the search team’s annihilation."

"Holy Scripture, quite a bother!"

"That search team’s captain was a trusted aide of Marquis Ravenclaw, the Marquis evidently isn’t willing to let it rest."

"The excavation site cannot withstand investigation, even if there’s no evidence pointing us to taking action against the search team, there’s still..."

Still the transfer ritual.

Much like previously mentioned, a Mage adept in magic arrays taking a field observation could easily discover differences in the ritual compared to external publicity."

However, the Yellow-covered Book clearly remained calm."

[If he had come a bit earlier, it would’ve posed some trouble]

[As for now...]

[Bona, delay him for a day. Surely you can manage this much?]

"Shouldn’t be a problem, but in case...?"

[By any means necessary]

"Understood!"