Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 129 Sacrificing the Head (Part 4)

When asked about the spice merchant, the priests immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

However, as seasoned priests, they were prepared for any situation in advance. Just like now, when faced with the ancient serpent's questioning, these priests decisively took out several idols that they had found in the spice merchant's house.

"He actually dared to worship the god of the north in your territory! If he doesn't die, who will?"

The priest-chief spoke with an air of righteous indignation, as if the spice merchant had committed a grave sin.

Du Yi had heard some news about the gods in the north during this month—unlike the snake god worship popular in the south, the gods worshipped in the north were the eagle god, also known as the sun god, and the gods subordinate to the eagle god.

And these priests in front of me...

I think they used to worship the sun god too?
"We have found something more worthy of our pursuit."

The priests' faces were filled with loyalty.

"So naturally, we won't allow that evil spice merchant to continue his disguise."

Du Yi didn't have much contact with spice merchants, so he didn't know whether they were disguised or not. But if we're talking about evil... Du Yi remembered that when he asked Old Buto to buy pepper and vinegar for him, the spice merchant not only didn't give them a discount for bulk purchases, but even raised the price by a full 20%.

From this perspective, this spice merchant was indeed quite evil.

However, what Du Yi was really concerned about were the priests in front of him.

Capable, loyal, and most importantly, extremely loyal—Du Yi himself couldn't understand where these priests got their loyalty from.

He hadn't done anything wrong, and these priests had been inexplicably picking on him not long ago, but judging from their current demeanor, it seemed that even if he wanted these priests to die, they would do so without hesitation.

"How is this going?"

Du Yi was quite puzzled. Could it be that he really had some strange personal charm?
He had considered the possibility that these priests harbored ill intentions, but even if they did, he didn't have anything on him that these priests would covet. If these priests wanted to harm him, that made even less sense. Even if he lay on the ground and let these priests do as they pleased, they might not be able to break through the snake scales on his body.

"So...it should be a good thing?"

Du Yi never allowed himself to get caught up in digging into things that were unclear. As long as this matter could have a positive effect, it was naturally a good thing for him.

It was at this point that Du Yi began to take these priests seriously.

There were four priests in total. The one who used the golden scarab amulet was the leader, and the other three used a goose-headed warhammer, an ostrich feather, and a twin lion-headed pendant, respectively. Of course, for safety reasons, they had all been disarmed, but Du Yi still preferred to use their weapons as a way to remember these people.

After all, the names of these priests were rather difficult to remember; their respective weapon styles were much easier to recognize.

"Perhaps I should make a more careful note of their names...after all, they are indeed very capable."

Gaining the loyalty of these four priests was a pleasant surprise for Du Yi. Even if you include the Ignivas people he had previously controlled, these four priests were definitely the four most capable people under his command.

Du Yi never hesitates to praise capable people.

First, Du Yi lifted the confinement order on the four priests. Since they had been so loyal, they could go wherever they wanted. After that, Du Yi, who hadn't decided what reward to give them, simply told the four priests to choose for themselves.

"I'll say anything I can do."

Du Yi showed unusual generosity.

However, this generosity was not seen in the eyes of the four priests at all.

"A test! This is definitely a test!"

The backs of the four priests were completely soaked with cold sweat.

Although they had prepared contingency plans for all sorts of scenarios, and could come up with various excuses whether they got away with it or not, the fact that everything was resolved so easily, and even the curfew was lifted, far exceeded their expectations. And now, this seemingly limitless reward filled them with immense terror.

Yes, they were indeed working hard and their results far exceeded expectations, but a mere amount of spices is hardly worthy of such generous praise.

Therefore, the problem becomes obvious.

This is a test, a test to see if they are truly loyal.

"How to do?"

One priest was about to express his loyalty, but he was immediately silenced by the look in the priest leader's eyes.

"It is precisely at times like these that one should not express loyalty."

The priest leader shook his head slightly.

In their previous actions, they had already proven their loyalty. If they were to prove it again, their intentions would be too obvious. After all, in the eyes of that ancient serpent, they had only just chosen a new faith and hadn't even seen any benefits yet. What were they trying to do by being so loyal?
Excessive concealment is not necessarily a good thing; it may even have the opposite effect.

"Think about it, what kind of people are the easiest to control?"

The chief priest secretly gestured to the other three.

Upon seeing this guidance, the other three priests immediately understood the key point.

Yes, right now they want to gain the trust of the giant serpent, so they naturally need to act more like they can be controlled—as for what kind of people are easiest to control, they, as priests, know all too well.

That is, there are greedy people.

The reason people worship gods is ultimately because they have desires for them, such as praying for good luck, unexpected wealth, protection, or good health. As for those who have no desires, they have no reason to enter the temple, since they can do everything themselves.

"So... don't appear too loyal, and don't appear too clever. Be like those believers and show your foolish side."

Thinking this, the four priests spoke in succession.

"I want to be healthy forever, is that possible?"

The priest who used the twin lion head pendant was the first to utter his prayer.

"I want money, lots and lots of money, anything valuable is fine too."

The priest, who used ostrich feathers, said this.

"I want power, unparalleled power."

The priest wielding the goose-headed warhammer appropriately expressed his desire.

“I want power and status, I want to be the highest... I’ve wanted to sit in the position of the chief high priest for a long time.”

The priest who used the golden scarab beetle performed the role with remarkable skill.

"This……"

Faced with the requests of the four priests, Du Yi began to scratch his head with his tail.

"Alright."

Although the four priests' demands were a bit excessive, Du Yi had already made his promise and would certainly not go back on it.

(End of this chapter)