These words struck the remaining people like a hammer to the head.
Although they had some history with Shui Xuan.
Gratitude is gratitude, it's not some life-saving favor.
Shui Xuan was dead, his body completely gone. They didn't want to die, didn't want to vanish without a trace either.
Not to mention, this old Taoist priest before them had such explosive temper.
Plus that massive bombardment he just demonstrated.
If that landed on them, they'd be done for.
Their hearts secretly wanted to retreat, deal with things later.
Unable to repay past kindnesses, they'd just be oxen and horses in their next lives.
But these petty thoughts of theirs were precisely noticed by the Crooked-Mouth Old Man.
With a cold snort through his crooked mouth: "You came willingly, now you want to leave? Too late!!"
These people didn't dare touch Lu Ding now, but they'd remember his face.
He couldn't guard Lu Ding every day.
Moreover, Lu Ding just mentioned that Bureau 749 had passageways.
The Crooked-Mouth Old Man definitely needed to hurry and restore his cultivation to ascend.
Once he ascended, what if these people relied on their cultivation to find Lu Ding again?
The kid's so young, so weak, what if he gets hurt!?
Not that he's making baseless assumptions.
The Crooked-Mouth Old Man has simply seen too much of this.
He needed to beat these people until it hurt!
Anyone who disagrees gets killed!
Screw heavenly virtue, today he'd be the villain for once.
Had everyone cornered.
The ancient bronze mirror held steadily in hand, radiating an aura of "move and you die."
Qi Wudao's expression was ugly.
Before reaching Heavenly Perception, he had to defer to others.
After reaching Heavenly Perception, goddammit, he still had to defer to others.
Though his cultivation wasn't showing, that magical artifact was terrifying.
Swallowing his pride, since the Crooked-Mouth Taoist called him out, he had to speak up.
Gritting his teeth: "May I ask, senior, what do you intend?"
First they called him "old man," then "fellow cultivator," now "senior."
Said nothing, watching the old man perform.
After all, the longer he charged up, the stronger he became.
The more time passed, the greater the power of the Way of the Jinche.
"What do I intend? You were about to make a move earlier, now you ask my intentions? This Taoist has only one demand now - all of you, every single one, squat down."
"Senior, don't push too far!"
The Crooked-Mouth Old Man glared sideways at him.
Asked with a smile: "Oh? Which family are you from? Any powerful backing?"
The speaker cupped his hands, somewhat proudly: "This humble one is Che Tonghe from the Che Family of Western Chang Mountain."
"Oh~ the Che Family, I see. You go ahead first, I'll visit the Che Family soon."
The bronze mirror rotated, a beam shot forth.
A glorious pillar of light from the heavens directly pulverized him, leaving not even ashes.
The Crooked-Mouth Old Man coldly watched: "Hmph, pushing too far? Today I'm pushing you, so what!?"
"Befriending demons, this old Taoist treating you as demons isn't excessive, right?"
"Now my second notice - no third warnings. When my mirror shines next, whoever isn't squatting - DIES!"
His tone was icy, as if he'd become a different person.
Lu Ding stood behind him.
Almost seeing the old man's past.
Mentally picturing their first meeting when the old man still had an immortal's demeanor.
As for his current appearance...
Friendly fire, all friendly fire.
He'd said not to calculate, but the old man wouldn't listen.
The bronze mirror swept across, its beam forcing everyone to crouch, not daring to look up.
With the earlier example fresh in mind.
They were monkeys who'd seen the slaughtered chicken - who'd dare speak now?
These unrivaled Heavenly Perception and Earth Observation experts now resembled new recruits being disciplined.
They wanted to argue - how were they to know Shui Xuan was a demon?
In human form without demonic aura, they thought him human.
Only his final scream and current situation revealed the truth.
But helped is helped.
Involved is involved.
Putting themselves in the old Taoist's shoes - holding such power, would they listen to explanations?
The Crooked-Mouth Old Man nodded satisfied, scattering talismans.
Covered in tiny writing.
Essentially meaning: today's matter ends here.
If submitting, sign your name. Violating the terms means ruined prospects, heavenly punishment, cultivation regression, nightly inner demons.
Stand up, take two steps, say it to my face!
While they examined the talismans, the old man said:
"Let me educate you first - this is Zhuyou's ultimate technique, the Huanghuang Contract's secret. Don't think of loopholes, or don't blame me for not warning you."
"Of course you can try, but I estimate I'll find you before it kills you. Consequences... think for yourselves..."
The old man's crooked mouth smiled.
Lu Ding listened, surprised by this function.
Huanghuang Contracts were usually folk remedies.
Most commonly red cloth tied to trees.
Reading: "Heaven trembles, earth quakes, my home has a night-crying babe, passing gentlemen recite thrice, sleep soundly till daylight dawns."
For children's night crying.
Could also bind contracts - new knowledge.
This part Lu Ding hadn't studied deeply.
But these Heavenly Perception experts knew.
Signing this basically trapped you!
But hadn't this been lost for centuries?
How did this crooked-mouth know it?
They doubted, but didn't dare gamble.
Winning was fine, but losing?
Then stand up and walk.
So they could only sign obediently.
The "harmonious weapon" in the old man's hand was too terrifying.
This world had many clever people.
Like Qi Wudao, one of the two Heavenly Perception experts present.
I'll sign immediately!
I promise not to act!
But whether others will act, who knows!
He guessed the old man did this for the youth, Lu Ding.
But as a Heavenly Perception expert suffering such humiliation.
How could it end here?
While scheming other plans.
If I can't mess with you, old man, can't I mess with a kid?