"Do you think you are worthy to see me?"
The voice was hoarse and chilling, making it impossible to tell if it was male or female. This sent goosebumps rising on everyone present.
It also made the old treasure hunter's expression tense, causing him to doubt his earlier judgment.
The rooster hadn't crowed, and the hundred-fragrance feast had been consumed. Normally, the main entity should have appeared to meet them and discuss how to handle matters.
If there was no eating or drinking, it would represent a situation of no surrender and no compromise. However, the main entity present had enjoyed the hundred-fragrance feast, suggesting it should be amenable. Yet, why did its voice sound so… peculiar?
Although the old treasure hunter cursed it internally as something unseemly, he maintained a polite demeanor. "Of course, your arrival is a great honor to us. May I know how you wish to be addressed, senior?"
"Hmph!"
"It has been a long time since I've savored the flavors of the mortal world. This taste is truly wonderful!" He seemed not to hear the old treasure hunter's flattery, his voice carrying a hint of enjoyment and a touch of nostalgia.
"Considering the arrangement you've made, I can see you are a practitioner of the Tao. I have some connections with the Taoist path. You may address me as Fifth Prince."
Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this.
What era was this? Who still referred to themselves as Fifth Prince?
Even the old treasure hunter couldn't help but frown. Although he hadn't seen the coffin with his own eyes, he had learned from Wang Fugui about the wood used and the style of the coffin. By all accounts, it did not befit the status of a prince.
Yet, the main entity before them claimed to be the Fifth Prince. Had he misjudged?
Despite his doubts, he showed no outward sign.
Anyone who dared to call themselves "Lord" was no ordinary being. Regardless of whether he was a true prince or not, the mere ability to condense Yin energy onto the face of a living person was enough to earn him the title of "Lord."
If he were indeed a prince, he would at least have a century of cultivation. His own meager tricks would be insignificant in comparison.
Since the entity was being so courteous, the old treasure hunter seized the opportunity. "Fifth Prince, these are all ignorant commoners who have inadvertently disturbed you. Might I ask if you would let this matter pass?"
The villagers present were not foolish either and quickly knelt on the ground.
"Please spare us, Fifth Prince."
"We were wrong. We shouldn't have taken your belongings..."
"..."
Before this, the old treasure hunter had instructed the villagers that if the malevolent entity was reasonable, they should speak kindly and perhaps even gain some benefits. If it was unreasonable, they should act according to his cues.
"A little wealth is but an external possession. It's fine if you took it."
Upon hearing this, the old treasure hunter thought there was hope, believing the matter might be easily resolved.
The villagers kneeling on the ground also breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that as long as they weren't held accountable, it was good enough. Who would choose death when they could live? Su Dan Novel Network
Just as everyone believed the matter was settled, the Fifth Prince's voice echoed again, "However… you took some things you shouldn't have. Return what you took, and it shall be forgiven. Otherwise..."
As his words fell, the temperature in the courtyard plummeted. A layer of frost appeared on the ground, and even breathing produced a faint mist.
The old treasure hunter knew this was the Fifth Prince demonstrating his power, offering a carrot after a stick, truly exhibiting the demeanor of a prince.
The old treasure hunter's expression shifted, and he berated the kneeling villagers, "You blind fools! What else did you take? Hand it over quickly!"
It would be a lie to say he wasn't anxious. His scolding was merely a pretense, but he secretly hoped someone had indeed taken something else, and that it was still not too late to reveal it. Otherwise, the situation might become dire.
The kneeling villagers were stunned by the old treasure hunter's reprimand. They had already placed the items they took under the table. What else could they be asked to produce?
"Aside from each of us taking a gold ingot, we didn't touch anything else."
Seeing the villagers on the verge of tears, the old treasure hunter believed they were truly innocent of taking anything else. After all, one only had one life. Even if they possessed a mountain of gold, it would be useless without life to enjoy it!
"Fifth Prince, look at how timid they are. How could they possibly dare to take anything else of yours? They were terrified enough after taking a few gold ingots. Perhaps you are mistaken?"
Although the old treasure hunter said this, he prayed inwardly that it wasn't the absent Zhao the Cripple who had taken something he shouldn't have, as that would make it impossible to resolve the situation peacefully today.
As soon as the old treasure hunter finished speaking, a fierce wind suddenly swept through the courtyard.
The rooster, which had just flapped its wings on the table, ready to fly, had its neck twisted in mid-air. Its blood splattered across the ground.
The incense burner on the table flew up, heading directly for the old treasure hunter's head.
Fortunately, the old treasure hunter had been paying close attention to the unfolding events. He instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding the projectile.
With a bang, he looked back to see the incense burner embedded perfectly into a wooden pillar.
"While I am willing to be reasonable, it does not mean you can deceive me. Return what was taken, or all of you will die."
Upon hearing this, the old treasure hunter's heart sank. He even felt a pang of regret.
He should have left when he first learned of this matter. Instead, he had stayed to mediate out of respect for Wang Fugui's "face." Now, it seemed the problem was far from resolved, and he had gotten himself entangled.
The villagers present also turned pale, inwardly cursing Zhao the Cripple profusely. If not for his greed in insisting on opening the coffin, how could they have ended up in this predicament?
Despite his fear, the old treasure hunter pressed on, "Fifth Prince, we don't know what was lost. Perhaps you could tell us, so I can have them search for it or compensate you?"
"Compensate? You speak so nicely. Even selling all of you wouldn't be worth that item. Besides, that item… never mind. I will give you three days. If the item is returned, the matter will be dropped. Otherwise, do not blame me for being ruthless."
Only then did everyone feel the chilling presence disappear. Simultaneously, the old treasure hunter's face turned deathly pale.
He saw that the knife, which represented "Tao," had shattered into pieces, neatly arranged on the table. This signified that if the item wasn't found, not only would the villagers die, but he would also be implicated.
However, there was still a chance for redemption. As long as they found Zhao the Cripple and retrieved the item to return it, there was still hope. He then called out Wang Fugui, who had been hiding behind the door.
"You've heard everything. No matter what method you use now, find that fellow Zhao the Cripple immediately. Otherwise, not only will I die, but your entire village will struggle to have a single survivor."
Upon hearing this, Wang Fugui trembled. The other villagers were so terrified they dared not utter a sound, and some women and children began to cry softly.
"Why are you all crying? Go find Zhao the Cripple quickly!"
Although it was not yet dawn, with this commotion, no one felt like sleeping. They ran off in groups to other villages, eager to find Zhao the Cripple immediately.
During these three days, Wang Fugui almost dug up Zhao the Cripple's ancestral graves, checking if he was hiding within.
Zhao the Cripple seemed to have vanished into thin air. There was no trace of him in the surrounding villages, and the road to the county town had been washed away by a mountain flood. Unless one could fly like a bird, passage was impossible.
Wang Fugui relayed the situation to the old treasure hunter.
After listening, the old treasure hunter frowned and said in a low voice, "There's no need to look for him. He should be dead by now."