Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

"Immortal Lord, spare us! We know we were wrong! This was all our leader's idea; we never intended to harm those people!"

Although they kept kowtowing, the two listened to the sounds around them and naturally knew that the person standing there was a celestial being, or the immortal lord the villagers were talking about.

The kowtowing, which had paused somewhat, quickened, and they shouted in hoarse voices.

"Immortal Lord, have mercy! Have mercy!"

Tick, tick.

What does it taste like? It's sour.

Bai Li wrinkled his nose, looking disgustedly at the crotch of one of the officers, which was soaked through and water was constantly seeping down.

He then looked at the two men's bruised scalps, blood dripping down their cheeks onto the ground, and even the grass was covered in scratches.

The main culprit had already been beaten so badly by the iron golem, and these two accomplices had been kowtowing for so long, it seemed like they had had enough.

But we can't let this opportunity slip by. I've got it!

An idea flashed through Bai Li's mind. He looked at the two men with ill intent, then composed himself and said solemnly, "I didn't originally intend to let you go like this, but since you've been kowtowing for so long, I'll spare your lives."

"Thank you, Immortal Lord! Thank you, Immortal Lord!" The two kowtowed happily, but Bai Li's next words made their hearts sink to the bottom.

"However, you may escape the death penalty, but you cannot escape punishment. How about this, in your next life, you will be reincarnated in the animal realm to atone for the sins of this life." Bai Li shook his head and convincingly persuaded them.

Although he can't control their next life, they don't know anyway! There's no problem with him fooling them a little.

To be reborn as livestock in my next life? I'd rather die!

If they die, they can live for a few more years and become heroes again. But if they are turned into livestock, they won't even have a human form left!

These are celestial beings. If we just say that to Meng Po, won't we all be unable to become human again?

This is what the gods themselves said; it can't be faked. How could they possibly doubt that it's fake?

In an instant, they turned pale with fright, and one of them even kicked his legs and fainted on the spot.

"Immortal Lord, is there any way to atone for my sins?" The one who was still conscious buried his head in the ground, tears streaming down his face, and asked in a hoarse voice, "I want to continue being human!"

The effect seems to be surprisingly good?

Hey, you actually believed my nonsense!

This scared them so much they fainted. It seems the punishment was a bit too harsh. Let's give them some hope.

Bai Li sighed: "Fine, I'll give you a chance to atone for your sins. As long as you start doing good deeds from now on, I will decide on the matter of turning back to the animal realm later."

"Thank you for your mercy, Immortal Lord." The official was overjoyed. Although the outcome was still the same, at least there was a way to make amends.

"If you heard me right, then get lost!" Bai Li said rudely.

Seeing that the deity was willing to let them leave, the man's tense body relaxed.

"I will not reveal a word about what happened here. As for our leader, he just tripped and fell on the way and rolled around a few times on the mountain."

He kowtowed several more times on the ground with great difficulty before carefully standing up.

However, after squatting for several hours, coupled with the emotional turmoil he had just experienced, his legs were so weak that they were trembling.

It took several attempts before I could barely stand up straight.

Seeing that he couldn't carry the two of them, he shook the unconscious person awake, and the two of them, supporting each other, stumbled and staggered to their leader.

They helped him up from both sides, wanting to leave as quickly as they could ever go.

"Wait a minute!" Bai Li suddenly shouted.

*Splat*

The three of them fell to the ground in unison. The one who was still conscious turned his head pitifully and quickly knelt down: "Immortal Lord, is there anything else you need?"

"If Liujia Village can't pay its taxes, just say that if your county magistrate asks, understand?" Bai Li instructed.

"Yes, Your Excellency, I will obey your decree."

"Get lost."

The three stumbled and fell, leaving the village in a sorry state.

"Phew, the matter is perfectly resolved."

My boss is amazing! He can actually make them reincarnate as animals in their next life! I wonder if I could ask him to plead for me so I can be my dad's child again in my next life.

Liu Er stared at Bai Li with admiration, when suddenly a question occurred to him.

"Boss, we can pay our taxes, so why should we let those officials go back empty-handed?"

"Just because Liujia Village can afford to pay doesn't mean other villages can! I don't think your county magistrate is a good official. He couldn't collect taxes during a severe drought, so he sent people to forcibly collect them."

Bai Li sighed and continued.

"If this tax is paid, Liu Family Village might have to pay some other taxes later, and the county magistrate might think that other villages also have surplus money but are unwilling to pay taxes, which would be bad."

"I understand now. That corrupt official will definitely send more people to cause trouble in the village," Liu Er added indignantly.

"That's right." Bai Li nodded.

Perhaps this is why there were so many peasant uprisings at the end of the Ming Dynasty; it was not only due to natural disasters, but also to man-made calamities.

The officials are forcing the people to rebel!

If ordinary people had enough to eat, things wouldn't have come to this.

"Liu Er, go and ask the village chief if there's any open space nearby. I want to settle down there."

"Anjia?" Liu Er said, "Our village has cleared out a house for you, Boss. Why don't you go take a look? Everything inside is new, no one has used it before."

"Did you prepare a house for me a long time ago?" Bai Li smiled and patted Liu Er's head.

"Yes, it's the village chief's house."

"I see!" Bai Li pondered for a moment, then shook her head and declined, "I appreciate your kindness, but I still want to build the house myself so I can live more comfortably."

The important thing is that it also helps me pass the time.

"Talk to the village chief and ask the villagers to take their things back with them."

"Okay," Liu Er said regretfully, his expression slightly disappointed. "I'll go talk to the village chief now."

"Go."

What should I do with this iron golem?

After Liu Er left, Bai Li looked at the iron golems patrolling the village and was at a loss.

If it weren't for its existence, the villagers might have already suffered a terrible fate. I'm not without feelings, so I couldn't bring myself to do it.

However, this iron golem was the only thing that posed a threat to him; if he made any careless move, it would be judged as harming the villagers.

Two Steves in one is no joke.

At this moment, he noticed that the patrolling iron golem was suddenly looking at him. Bai Li had a strange feeling that the iron golem in front of him seemed to have intelligence.

"Hey big guy, come here for a second."