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Chapter 466 Truth and Falsehood Are Easily Distinguished
Xu Yuan's eyes were fixed on the black crow, which was clearly a size larger, perched on the twisted, sprawling withered branch.

It's exactly the same as the one from before.

Xu Yuan was still waiting—in the canal, Pi Long was swimming swiftly towards the spot where the black crow had fallen into the water.

Because the river here is wide and flat, making it easy to be exposed, Xu Yuan had Pi Long hide further away.

Pilong arrived swiftly, and a faint line of water appeared on the river surface.

But everyone's attention was on the village, and no one turned to look at the river.

Pilong swam in circles and quickly found the black crow that had fallen into the river.

Two ringed worms were chasing a black crow in the river, and after several attacks, they had already torn off several pieces of flesh with feathers from its body.

The blood flowing from the black crow's wound immediately spread in the river in a misty manner.

The stench of blood will surely attract more evil spirits to devour it.

The lemur swung its body and swooped down.

The two segmented worms refused to give up their prey.

The two stood side by side, and suddenly opened their large, ring-shaped mouths at the front of their bodies as the charging draconian dragon approached.

These mouths can open to be three times larger than their bodies!
A special gland in their bodies secretes large amounts of a terrifying and stiffening toxin, which is released into the river and quickly spreads to the surrounding areas.

Most opponents would be frightened and run away in the face of such "demonstrations".

It always works.

But today they encountered a piranha.

When Pilong was offended, it did not, like the others, fabricate its power by appearing fierce.

Pilong suddenly pulled his body up and suspended it in the river, displaying his majesty!
This is a dragon!
It is born to suppress all beasts.

The two segmented worms shuddered and quickly closed their huge mouths, shrinking their originally python-like bodies into tiny worms only a little over a foot long with a hiss. Then they plunged headfirst into the mud and sand at the bottom of the river, trembling and never daring to show their faces again.

Pilong flicked its tail and swallowed the black crow whole.

……

When Pi Long discovered the black crow in the water, Xu Yuan thought that the withered tree and the black crow were bluffing and making a fuss.

They are deliberately misleading everyone into thinking:
Black crows are immortal.

Even if it is killed once, it will revive on a withered branch.

But when Pi Long found the black crow in the river, Xu Yuan knew that the black crow on the branch, although exactly the same as the previous one, was not the same one at all.

But after Pilong swallowed the black crow, he discovered that it was just an empty shell, without the crow's soul inside.

Xu Yuan frowned: "Could it be that the soul is immortal? It's just that some kind of power supports it, constantly giving birth to new bodies?"
Then it's possible that it's not that the soul is immortal, but rather that the black crow's soul is imprisoned by this withered tree..."

Zhou Leizi was dragged back by his master, and knelt down in front of him with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Master, Master, save Old Di!"

Wei Jinyuan finally found an opportunity to speak, and said solemnly, "Don't force your Lord Xu, this might be the Ghost Gate Village!"

Guimen Village can also be classified as a "strange place," but it is the most dangerous kind of strange place.

Because every Ghost Gate Village has its own set of "rules".

For example, a system where money only goes in and never comes out.

Wei Jinyuan: "Ghost Gate Village is extremely dangerous. If you enter rashly, even if you are only a fifth- or fourth-rate person, you may be trapped inside forever!"
It's right for your family members to be cautious.

As for Di Youzhi… we can't risk all of us getting involved just to save him.”

Uncle Xi agreed with his young master's judgment and said in a deep voice, "Young master, you must not go in!"

He was admitting that even if it were Guimen Village, he wasn't entirely confident he could bring everyone out alive.

The main reason is that Uncle Xi's Gu worms were completely lost.

Many of his supernatural powers reside in those Gu worms.

Now all that's left is their own skill; they still have fourth-rate strength, but their methods have become too simplistic.

Zhou Leizi raised his head, his face full of anxiety.

Worried about Di Youzhi's safety, he disregarded his pride as a young master from the Northern Capital: "My master recently conquered a village known for its strange gates."

Wei Jinyuan originally wanted to show off his "knowledge".

Now I'm stuck in an awkward situation.

What he found even more unacceptable was that Miss Jinxi, who was standing five feet away from him, secretly turned her head and smiled.

Miss Jinxi knew that Xu Yuan had broken the Ghost Gate Village.

Wei Jinyuan's face turned bright red.

He wasn't usually this pathetic, but in front of Miss Jinxi, he was exceptionally concerned with saving face.

Uncle Xi came to his young master's rescue: "Even though they are all Ghost Gate Villages, the level of danger is different. This one may be more dangerous."

“Uncle Xi is right.” Wei Jinyuan nodded hurriedly: “Uncle Xi is a fourth-rate person, his judgment must be correct.”

Wei Jinyuan felt that the most capable person present was Uncle Xi, so Uncle Xi's judgment must be far superior to everyone else's.

He was unaware that Master Xu's "Dragon Transformation Method" had already become a fourth-rate technique.

Wei Jinyuan felt that everyone should respect the judgment of a fourth-rate cultivator, but everyone around him was looking at Xu Yuan.

This was especially true for Geng Qi and Wei Shi, who were close to Miss Jinxi.

He was unaware that during their last joint battle, Xu Yuan's abilities had already been recognized by Geng Qi and Wei Shi.

So he was filled with confusion: Shouldn't you have more faith in the only fourth-rate person in the team?

But in reality, Uncle Xi himself trusted Xu Yuan more.

The incident in Gangtou Village happened not long ago.

We all survived thanks to Master Xu.

Uncle Xi shook his head inwardly: Young Master has lost his composure because of Miss Jinxi.

Jealousy twisted him.

But he was the prince's retainer and had to protect him.

Xu Yuan shouted at Zhou Leizi, "Get up!"

Zhou Leizi obediently stood up.

"When have I ever abandoned my own people?" Xu Yuan said unhappily.

Zhou Leizi felt ashamed, his face flushed, and he lowered his head in silence.

"Besides, you're underestimating your inspector. Di Youzhi is already a seventh-rate official; he won't die so easily."

Xu Yuan arrived at the ancient stele, observed it carefully, and then walked around the village.

The village was very peaceful and serene.

The aroma of food could even be faintly smelled.

The big yellow dog nearby was barking wildly at the people outside the village.

They even chased them for a long distance, but refused to rush out of the village.

Wei Jinyuan was even more convinced that his judgment was correct: "This is clearly a village of strange gates, and the fact that the vicious dog can't come out means that this village is likely one where you can only enter and not leave."

He paused, then muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with emotion, "Once Di Youzhi goes in, he'll never come out. A seventh-rate person isn't exactly high-level..."

The group had now walked halfway around the village, reaching exactly one end of the village from the other.

Before Wei Jinyuan could finish his soft chirping, Xu Yuan suddenly looked up and gazed into the distance: "That's... Di Youzhi?"

Zhou Leizi immediately shouted, "Where? Where is it?"

The road ahead was winding and there was an old pine tree that it would take one person to hug it. A figure was running quickly around the tree.

They had already gotten close when they started talking. Who else could it be but Di Youzhi?
Zhou Leizi was overjoyed and rushed forward with a loud laugh: "Old Di!"

Everyone was immediately puzzled: Why didn't Di Youzhi enter the village?
Xu Yuan ordered him to act as a scout and arrange everyone's accommodation in the village for the night.

Why is he still outside the village?
Did he disobey Lord Xu's orders, or did he sense something strange about the village and not dare to go in?

If it's the latter... then I'll say it again: Lord Xu has a wealth of talented people under his command.

A third-rate inspector has such remarkable insight.

Wei Jinyuan's face burned with embarrassment.

I thought Di Youzhi would never come out once he went in, but then he appeared?

But at that moment, everyone's attention was focused on why Di Youzhi was outside the village, and no one noticed his mutterings.

Wei Jinyuan was embarrassed.

When he was in Beidu, he was always the center of attention.

I still believe that to this day.

But the people here don't pay any attention to him at all.

Zhou Leizi has already met up with Di Youzhi.

Wei Jinyuan said in a low voice, "Should we be more cautious? What if Di Youzhi has already transformed into an evil spirit and is deliberately coming out to lure us in?"

Xu Yuan ignored him.

By the time they left Gangtou Village, Wei Jinyuan had been almost completely subdued.

At least they no longer dared to actively cause trouble for Lord Xu.

The reason why solid-state germination has now occurred is obvious.

Lord Xu secretly found it amusing.

Geng Qi couldn't help but say, "It can't be an evil spirit."

Wei Jinyuan retorted, "How can you be sure?"

Zhong Die spoke up for Wei Jinyuan, saying, "Young Master Wei's concerns are not without merit."

Uncle Xi stopped his young master: "Lord Xu is a cultivator of destiny, he can see whether Di Youzhi has already changed his ways."

Wei Jinyuan was taken aback for a moment before remembering that cultivators of destiny had the ability to "observe fate".

When they left Beidu and arrived in Jiaozhi in the south, their father's students collected information about Xu Yuan for them.

After the battle between Xu Yuan and Bai Huahun, many people in Nanjiaozhi learned of Xu Yuan's identity as a cultivator.

However, from their perspective, Xu Yuan had never used his life cultivation ability, which led Wei Jinyuan to overlook this point.

Wei Jinyuan couldn't help but curse himself for being stupid.

In less than half an hour, he had already embarrassed himself in front of Miss Jinxi several times.

He finally calmed down a bit, recalled his experience in Gangtou Village, and secretly made up his mind: I have to say less.

Don't speak unless you are absolutely certain.

Di Youzhi and Zhou Leizi came over together and clasped their hands in greeting to Xu Yuan: "My lord."

"You didn't enter the village?"

"We've entered," Di Youzhi said, "but not this village."

Everyone was puzzled.

"Not this village?"

Di Youzhi also scratched his head: "This is not Pingquan Village. Pingquan Village is still two miles ahead."

Xu Yuan's expression shifted: "When you set off, we were still eight li away from Pingquan Village."

Thinking about it carefully, it seems we really haven't gone that far.

The others looked back at the village, even more confused.

Geng Qi said, "But why isn't such a large village marked on the map? And how can the two villages be so close to each other?"

Di Youzhi was also puzzled: "When I passed through this area, there was no such village."

"What did you say?!" Everyone was shocked.

Di Youzhi: "I am also puzzled. I only went there half an hour ago. How could a village appear out of thin air in such a short time?"
And this village... is exactly the same as the real Pingquan Village!

Di Youzhi then pointed to the canal next to him: "Even this canal is almost exactly the same."

Zhong Die couldn't help but exclaim, "Impossible! You mean, in the past half hour, some evil spirit has replicated a new Pingquan Village? Impossible! What kind of evil spirit would dare to replicate a section of the canal, and even connect it to the real canal?!"

She didn't say that evil spirits couldn't do it.

There is one person in Ghost Mountain who can do it.

But they would never dare to do that, as it would be a direct provocation to the Canal Dragon King.

The Dragon King of the Canal is just too lazy to move, but if you dare to mess with him, he will definitely teach you what it means to be "number one in the world".

Xu Yuan looked at the canal for a while before saying, "There's no problem with this section of the canal."

Piron could then swim in the canal and distinguish between the real and fake canals.

"In other words, this is what this section of the canal looks like."

"The evil spirit simply chose a suitable spot by the canal and replicated Pingquan Village."

People were puzzled again: "Why do that?"

Xu Yuan looked at Jia Zong and asked, "Can you tell whether the place in your memory is this place or the real Pingquan Village ahead?"

Jia Zongdao looked puzzled and shook his head.

Xu Yuan then waved his hand: "Go to the real Pingquan Village ahead."

Di Youzhi had already arranged accommodations for the night in the real Pingquan Village.

He estimated the time and thought that Xu Yuan and his group should have arrived by now, so he came out to greet them.

The group quickened their pace, and the two-mile distance was quickly covered.

Although they were mentally prepared, everyone was still speechless when they saw another identical village appear before their eyes.

Even the fishing boats along the canal are exactly the same.

Xu Yuan carefully examined the canal here: "Indeed, there are some differences."

This confirms that there is no problem with the canal.

Xu Yuan pointed to a fishing boat and said to Nan Zhenchuan, "Tow it up."

Nan Zhenchuan immediately took action. The boat was the one with Jia Zongdao's "forehead mark" at the entrance of the "fake" village ahead.

When the boat capsized, Xu Yuan and Jia Zongdao went up to take a look and found that there was no dent on the bottom of the boat from the collision.

"It's in that village up ahead..."

In Pingquan Village, the village head, who was over forty years old, came out to greet them. He was very nervous in front of so many distinguished guests and dared not step forward. He only dared to say cautiously to Di Youzhi, "The house has been vacated. I personally led people to clean it three times to ensure it is clean."

Xu Yuan waved his hand: "Go back."

Everyone immediately turned back.

They all left in a flash.

The village head was left looking bewildered: Are you going to stay here tonight or not?

The group soon arrived at the end of the fake village.

The village remained the same, and the black crow landed on the roof of the house closest to them.

Perhaps because it suffered a loss at Dafu's hands, it dared not fly too high anymore.

But he also had to keep an eye on everyone.

The group stood at the end of the village, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

This village is too eerie; no one dares to go in.

But without going inside, it's impossible to find out Jia Zongdao's true origins.

Jia Zongdao lowered his head and finally made a decision after a long while. When he raised his head again, the confusion on his face disappeared, but his expression became extremely complicated.

"Lord Xu," he said slowly, "I might be a bad person, or even an evil spirit!"

I don't know how I came back to life, but ever since I came back, I've been a good person.

He specifically emphasized, "What Uncle Jiu said is true, I am a good person."

He glanced subconsciously in the direction of Zhancheng: "What I'm worried about is Xiaoling. She and her grandfather have been relying on each other for so many years, making a living by singing for a living. They live cautiously, afraid of offending someone by accident."

They don't need any big shots; a street thug is enough to make their lives impossible!

I thought I could give them a simple but stable life, but I never expected...

I truly wanted to make her happy, but now I might have ruined her life.

Miss Jinxi and Zhong Die softened their hearts.

Zhong Die couldn't help but speak up: "Why don't we stop here? Xu Yuan, you should find someone else to cultivate the Two Realms Technique and take over guarding the mortuary from him."

Let them move out; there's no need to find out exactly who he is.

Although Miss Jinxi did not speak, she looked at Xu Yuan with a pleading expression.

Xu Yuan, however, was hard-hearted. He shook his head and gritted his teeth, saying, "No. The mortuary is of utmost importance!"

The mortuary is the gateway between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

To find out Jia Zongdao's background, the key is not Jia Zongdao himself, but to figure out whether Jia Zongdao is a pawn planted by some behind-the-scenes manipulators specifically targeting the Champa Charity Estate!
Not the best.

If so, it would be a massive catastrophe affecting the entire Champa!
Xu Yuan is the head of the Champa law department of the Exorcism Bureau. Although he sympathizes with Jia Zongdao and Xiao Ling and her grandson, he cannot be soft-hearted.

Zhong Die sighed and took a step back.

She was personally taught by Mr. Feng Si, and although she was soft-hearted, she could understand Xu Yuan's decision.

But in my heart I couldn't help but think that this man was heartless.

Wei Jinyuan also figured it out.

Jia Zongdao's background may be related to the safety of the entire Champa, and it is unknown how much longer Miss Jinxi will stay in Champa.

I'm prepared to stay with Miss Jinxi for as long as she stays, so both of us will be shrouded in the shadow of this crisis!

How can this work!
Wei Jinyuan rarely spoke up in support of Xu Yuan: "Indeed, we need to get to the bottom of this. Jia Zongdao, rest assured, I will provide a sum of money to ensure that your widow lives a life free from financial worries."

Jia Zongdao did not respond to his "generosity".

Jia Zongdao straightened his clothes and bowed deeply to Xu Yuan: "I can only entrust this to Lord Xu. If I am not able to return, please take care of my grandfather and grandson."

Jia Zongdao has nothing of value to repay your kindness, but in his next life he will repay it even if it means repaying a debt of gratitude.

Wei Jinyuan, feeling rebuffed, pouted unhappily.

You don't want the money?

No, that's perfect, it saves me money.

Xu Yuan shook his head: "I cannot agree to your request."

Everyone was taken aback. Jia Zongdao forced a smile and said, "My lord... it's only natural that you wouldn't agree."

Xu Yuan shook his head again: "I will go in with you."

"You mustn't, sir!" Di Youzhi and Zhou Leizi stepped forward to stop them.

Even Jia Zongdao said, "My lord, you mustn't!"

Xu Yuan raised his hand to stop them, saying, "No need for further words. This is Champa, and I am the Champa law officer. This is my duty."

Then he smiled at Jia Zongdao and said, "Zhu Zhanlei and Miao Yu have been praising Xiaoling in front of me. If something happens to you, they will blame me too."

Zhu Zhanlei liked Xiaoling very much, but Xiaoling followed Jia Zongdao. Although Zhu Zhanlei scolded Xiaoling for being "blind", in what way was he not better than Jia Zongdao?
But Zhu Zhanlei also said privately that it would be better for Xiaoling to marry Jia Zongdao than to stay with him.

Zhu Zhanlei felt that Xiaoling was a very intelligent girl. If she really followed him, he couldn't give her a proper status, so he could only buy her a house to live in.

In Zhu Zhanlei's own words, it was like "transplanting the deep blue of the valley into a flowerpot."

Zhu Zhanlei also hopes that Xiaoling can be happy.

Xu Yuan beckoned to Jia Zongdao: "Come with me. With your skills, you probably won't come out alive if you go in alone."

What's the point of sacrificing yourself if you can't get the message out?

Master Xu's "Dragon Transformation Technique" has been upgraded to the fourth rank, and his "dream come true" after being transformed by his stepmother is his source of confidence!
Only by going in personally can we truly uncover the secrets hidden behind Jia Zongdao.

After thinking for a moment, Jia Zongdao stopped being coy and followed Lord Xu forward.

Zhong Die watched the two figures disappear into the distance and realized she had made a mistake.

This man is not heartless.

He made the right decision.

Then he did his best to save the poor people who were implicated in this "decision".

Such people are extremely rare in the Ming Dynasty today, especially in its various government offices.

In a daze, Zhong Die suddenly felt that there seemed to be someone else beside her with the same character.

Zhong Die thought for a moment before it dawned on her: "Lord Supervisor!"

Wei Jinyuan suddenly felt that someone was watching him.

He turned his head and his eyes met Wei Shi's.

Wei Shi's eyes held a hint of interrogation.

You also think Jia Zongdao should go to the village.

This was practically forcing Jia Zongdao to his death.

You worry that the shadows hidden behind Jia Zongdao will affect you.

Do you have the same sense of responsibility as Lord Xu, and accompany Jia Zongdao into the village?
Miss Jinxi stood beside Wei Shi and glanced at Wei Jinyuan indifferently. Clearly, what Miss Jinxi was thinking was similar to what Wei Shi was thinking.

Wei Jinyuan was extremely annoyed.

He didn't think he was wrong for not going into the village. What kind of lowly life did Jia Zongdao have? Was he worth this young master going to his death with?
Wei Jinyuan was annoyed that he had said the wrong thing again.

If I hadn't said that one thing, I wouldn't be being scrutinized by Miss Mishi now.

I'm torn between opposing Xu Yuan and agreeing with him. It's so hard for me!
Can someone teach me how to speak properly?!
Xu Yuan and Jia Zongdao had reached the edge of the village and were about to go in when suddenly a white shadow fell from the sky at great speed. It landed with a thud, creating a crater on the ground.

A cloud of dust rose up.

Dafu poked its head out of the pit and started squawking at the rice trough, looking rather anxious.

Xu Yuan frowned and glanced around.

Something is wrong!
Xu Yuan suddenly pulled Di Youzhi aside: "Look at that tree."

At the end of the village, there is a large pine tree that takes one person to hug.

Di Youzhi noticed it when he ran over.

"what--"

Miss Jinxi exclaimed in surprise, "That tree is closer than before."

When Di Youzhi ran over, everyone was standing at the end of the village, about twenty feet away from the pine tree.

But now it seems that the pine tree is at most fifteen zhang away from the end of the village!

Zhou Leizi exclaimed in surprise, "This village is moving!"

Dafu squawked loudly, as if urging it on.

When Xu Yuan looked up again, he saw a black crow on the rooftop at the end of the village, staring intently at the group with a hint of mockery and ridicule in its eyes.

The black crow was even closer to me than before!

Xu Yuan waved his hand: "Let's leave here first."

He grabbed Jia Zongdao again: "Don't go into the village for now."

The group immediately retreated to the real Pingquan Village.

After running past the old pine tree, Xu Yuan raised his hand and everyone stopped.

Looking at that "fake village" from a distance, it was actually clearer because of the distance.

The fake village is slowly moving along the road.

Di Youzhi frowned and asked in confusion, "Where is this strange thing going?"

Xu Yuan: "We're going to Pingquan Village!"

(End of this chapter)