Chapter 133: Are You Hungry?

The rain gradually lessened, but once it reached a moderate downpour, it maintained that intensity without easing or intensifying further.

Yet, despite the heavy rain, the mountain village was not submerged.

This was largely due to the village’s elevated position, surrounded by sunken farmland. The water had to fill these fields first before it could threaten the village itself.

The rain only ceased at dusk, so everyone remained fortunate enough to avoid being washed away by floodwaters and, metaphorically, spared from becoming prey to some lurking demon.

At evening, after the rain stopped, Chen Jin slipped out of the farmhouse. He was reluctant to spend the night crowded under one roof with so many people, so he decided to find a separate place to rest.

However, as soon as he emerged, he sensed someone following him.

The one tailing him was a member of the escort team.

Chen Jin did not immediately confront him; instead, he lightly leapt, flipped in the air, and landed silently behind the man.

With a swift, claw-like hand, he grasped the man’s neck. “Don’t move or scream, or I’ll snap your neck.”

The man immediately nodded, surprisingly offering no resistance, which thoroughly disappointed Chen Jin.

Still holding his neck, Chen Jin lifted the man like a chick and tucked him away into a narrow gap between two farmhouses.

“Why are you following me?” Chen Jin straightened the man’s posture and looked him squarely in the eyes.

The man was unremarkable in appearance—dark-skinned, pockmarked face, and otherwise nothing distinctive, except perhaps a slightly sturdier and taller build than average.

“I…I was feeling stifled in the room, uncomfortable, so I just came out for a walk… that’s all,” the man stammered nervously.

“Don’t want to tell the truth?” Chen Jin’s expression suddenly turned harsh and fierce.

He had mastered the art of changing his facial expression flawlessly; controlling his face muscles was as easy as moving his hands or feet.

“I’m telling you, I came specially to find you,” the man said immediately, clearly frightened.

“Mm, what for?” Chen Jin softened his tone somewhat. Maintaining a constantly severe demeanor could terrify the man to the point of losing control, which would annoy Chen Jin himself. It was better to make him feel a little at ease.

“I… I want to talk to you about some strange things I’ve encountered recently,” the man replied.

This man, named Luo Xiangbao, then proceeded to recount all the bizarre experiences he had faced on the road.

The reason he was so obediently sharing these details stemmed from Chen Jin’s use of illusion magic to coax the truth out. Initially, Chen Jin intended to directly control him, but for some unknown reason, he failed to do so. Thus, he resorted to guiding him subtly through illusions, which made Luo Xiangbao pour out his thoughts and memories like spilling beans from a bamboo tube, much like drunken truth-telling.

“Wah… I’m really unlucky. If only I had quit the escort agency sooner, I wouldn’t have so much trouble…”

Along with the information Chen Jin sought, Luo Xiangbao also vented his sorrow and complaints until Chen Jin lightly slapped him.

The slap sent Luo Xiangbao flying about a meter away.

He landed on the ground, dazed and staring at Chen Jin, bewildered as to why he had been struck.

“Stop whining—it's annoying, you know? Be careful or I’ll cut you down,” Chen Jin barked.

He was playing the part of an irritable person, so the slap had to be forceful.

Besides, it felt satisfying to land that hit...

Another reason was that after extracting enough information, Chen Jin foresaw only endless complaints from Luo Xiangbao ahead. He planned to lift the illusion he’d placed on him, but unexpectedly could not. So he resorted to physical means to break it.

“...Mm,” Luo Xiangbao replied with a helpless, tearless expression.

Chen Jin nodded in approval and said, “The cargo you’re escorting is filthy.”

“Obviously,” Luo Xiangbao thought, though he did not say it aloud.

“Moreover, this filthy thing’s magic is strong. It has already enticed your soul, so you can’t escape. The other escorts with you are probably doomed. I didn’t sense any life force on them just now,” Chen Jin began to spin his tale.

But Chen Jin’s fabrications were always mixed with truth.

“Huh? You’re a mage?” Luo Xiangbao’s expression was a mixture of surprise and doubt.

“No, a sword immortal. Just came down from Mount Emei, here to slay demons. Didn’t expect to run into you,” Chen Jin said proudly, radiating sharpness and arrogance, as if he truly were a sword immortal.

“A sword immortal? Are you really a sword immortal?” Luo Xiangbao asked again, both amazed and admiring.

“Want me to prove it with my sword? When I draw it, there must be blood,” Chen Jin said sideways, his eyes narrowed.

“I believe you, I believe you…” Luo Xiangbao didn’t hesitate, nodding repeatedly like a head-banging bug.

“Hm.” Chen Jin nodded in satisfaction. “From now on, you need to act wisely and follow my orders exactly. If you make a single mistake, your life won’t be safe.”

“I know, I know. I’ll do exactly as you say,” Luo Xiangbao promised, pounding his chest.

Chen Jin then leaned close to his ear and whispered his plan. Luo Xiangbao’s eyes flickered between brightness and worry, ending with a resigned expression. He had no choice but to agree; after all, he needed help—and he was no match for Chen Jin.

...

Later that night, inside the farmhouse, Luo Xiangbao steeled his resolve, muttering to himself, “I want a wife, I want a wife,” while tensing his muscles and approaching the escort leader Zheng Duo.

“What are you saying?” Zheng Duo looked at him oddly.

“Escort leader, are you hungry?” Luo Xiangbao asked.

“Hungry… hungry… hungry…” Zheng Duo repeated the word like a man possessed, as if possessed by a spell.

“Hungry… hungry… hungry…”

Zheng Duo’s trance-like state persisted, and the other escorts joined in, their eyes vacant as they murmured the same.

“...” Luo Xiangbao stood there dumbfounded, but at least he wasn’t repeating “hungry” over and over.

Suddenly, a voice pierced Luo Xiangbao’s mind like a worm boring into a tooth, twisting his head with nausea and pain.

“I’m hungry…”

Luo Xiangbao managed to utter those words with great difficulty.

...