Ling Tian frowned as he looked at the intelligence report. Xie Chong and Zhang Ziying had been missing for several days. The Alliance had sent people to search for them and discovered their decomposed bodies in the forest.
The autopsy revealed that they had been murdered. Furthermore, Xie Chong's body contained some toxins. Toxicological analysis identified these substances as corpse poison!
Moreover, Xie Chong's wounds were not inflicted by ordinary humans! The autopsy report speculated that zombies might have been responsible!
Combining this with the earlier intelligence about the mass disappearance of villagers, Ling Tian instantly formed a clear picture in his mind.
"Gentlemen, it's evident that there's the shadow of unorthodox practices behind this!" Ling Tian immediately made his judgment.
Xie Liheng said with difficulty, "Ling Tian, this is where our predicament lies. Unorthodox practitioners are causing chaos everywhere, and our manpower is severely insufficient.
Especially for a thorough investigation here, we need to deploy a large number of personnel. But if we do that, the culprit might go into hiding.
However, if we send too few people, it's just sending them to their deaths! Moreover, the problem there is likely beyond what your cultivation can solve!"
Ling Tian nodded. "Elder, please leave this matter to me. I will handle it personally!"
"Ling Tian, if you need any support, please tell us!" Xie Liheng was grateful because Ling Tian had every reason to refuse their request.
"I don't need anything. If you have any information about unorthodox practices, just provide it to me. I will handle the rest.
However, I wish to have the autonomy to decide which targets to strike. Also, I request the three of you to keep my presence a secret!"
The three men patted their chests and assured Ling Tian that they would keep his secret. They were also well aware that the Orthodox Alliance was not monolithic, and some individuals within it might have already been compromised!
After bidding farewell to the three bigwigs, Ling Tian called home to inform the women that he was going out. Soon, a sea eagle took to the sky and flew towards Western Hunan.
A day later, Ling Tian arrived at the village. The atmosphere in the village was one of extreme fear. The villagers dared not leave their homes. Even for activities like chopping firewood or gathering wild vegetables, they only ventured near the village, and only in groups. They already knew that the officials who had come to investigate earlier had also died there.
Some villagers who could move had already relocated far away. Those who remained were simply those who could not afford to move and were waiting to die.
Ling Tian disguised himself, his appearance resembling Xie Chong's somewhat. Upon meeting the villagers, Ling Tian claimed to be Xie Chong's younger brother, Xie Feng, and that he was here to investigate his brother's death.
No one doubted him, as it was a natural course of action. Anyone whose brother had died mysteriously abroad would surely be upset.
As usual, Ling Tian visited various villagers to understand the situation. However, the villagers were still wary and avoided him as much as possible. In their eyes, this was already a supernatural event.
Finally, the elderly village chief arranged for Ling Tian to stay in the thatched hut where Xie Chong and the other two had previously resided.
In the evening, a young man named A Liang found Ling Tian. This person was very talkative and shared some local legends and supernatural events that had occurred there with Ling Tian.
The young man was an excellent orator, recounting his stories so vividly that even skeptics would likely feel uneasy after hearing his ramblings.
Ling Tian's brow furrowed, his expression a mixture of fascination, as if he were captivated by the stories. In reality, Ling Tian's heart remained as still as a deep well.
He knew very well that this young man was employing psychological tactics. Once people believed such things, their thoughts and judgments would be interfered with, making it difficult for them to view things objectively.
But Ling Tian was no ordinary person, and he wouldn't be easily swayed by such tactics. Thus, he happily played along with the man's act.
Ling Tian had already noticed something amiss with A Liang. He had taken a stroll around the village and observed that it was very poor and impoverished. However, A Liang was dressed in designer brands and carried the latest model of a phone worth over twenty thousand yuan. It was clearly abnormal. There were no businesses in the village that could generate such income. Moreover, with so much money, why wouldn't he move to the city to enjoy a comfortable life?
It was highly suspicious for such a person to approach him proactively. If he had nothing to hide, it would be strange.
A Liang became increasingly animated as he spoke. Recently, he had found a lucrative opportunity and was introduced to a job that paid well. Although he knew his actions were illegal, as long as he could get rich...
Unknowingly, A Liang became immersed in his dreams of wealth. Little did he know that Ling Tian had already made his move!
Within Ling Tian's inheritance was a technique called the Soul Mesmerizing Art. This art was no less potent than the most powerful hypnosis techniques in the world today.
Of course, it wasn't easy for this mind-altering technique to affect cultivators or individuals with strong willpower. However, for ordinary people like A Liang, especially those driven by greed, it was incredibly effective.
Unknowingly, A Liang fell under its spell, his thoughts controlled by Ling Tian.
"Tell me, why did you come to me, and what is your true objective?"
"Of course, it's to lure you into the mountains, into the ambush. Each person brings in 20,000 yuan..." A Liang said with a vacant stare, yet his tone was somewhat happy and excited.
"Who instructed you to do this?"
"The Ancestor..."
"Who is the Ancestor?"
"A very mysterious person. He told me to lead villagers into the mountains, and for each person I brought in, he would give me 20,000 yuan..."
"So, you were also responsible for the missing villagers?"
"Naturally. I've already earned several hundred thousand yuan. A few more jobs, and I'll be able to buy a house in the city and leave this impoverished place for good..."
Under Ling Tian's guidance and questioning, he spilled out the entire truth like a burst dam.
However, this fellow was merely following orders for money. He knew nothing about who the Ancestor was or how many people were under the Ancestor's command.
Ling Tian soon ceased the technique, and A Liang's consciousness returned to normal. He arranged to meet Ling Tian the next morning to go into the mountains. Of course, he still expected to be paid. This fellow had no recollection of what had just happened or what he had said.
After A Liang left, Ling Tian quietly crept to the edge of the village and summoned his Shadow Leopard and Sea Eagle. The leopard and the bird instantly vanished into the dark night.
The next morning, A Liang was already lying at Ling Tian's doorstep, anticipating another ten thousand yuan in income.