Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 748 - 481 New and Old Resentments_3

He looked toward Sage Peak, his face full of longing as he said, "We’ve created a disaster with our own hands. I can’t wait to see what this disaster looks like."

Li Banfeng sighed. "I feel that my contribution to this matter is insignificant."

Cui Tiq said, "You don’t need to be so modest. In the matter of the Knife Labor Ghost mutation, I provided the technique, and you created the opportunity. Our contributions are completely equal."

Li Banfeng was speechless. Cui Tiq sighed softly and said, "Who knows how many people live here; in my memory, there should be tens of thousands. After this calamity, I wonder how many of them will survive? The disaster has already unfolded on Sage Peak. Friend, are you ready? Are you prepared to join me in witnessing this grand achievement?"

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly. Along the way, he shivered from time to time.

Some high-level dangers cannot be directly perceived. However, the Coachman had warned him never to overlook details, as many of them were key to survival.

Cui Tiq said, "You are a Traveling Cultivator. I know you have the ability to ’Seek Fortune and Avoid Disaster.’ I can understand if you don’t want to go up the mountain, but I will definitely not miss such an important moment." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Cui Tiq walked toward Sage Peak alone.

Li Banfeng went to a secluded place and returned to his Portable Residence.

When he emerged, a dozen or so Cabbage People followed him.

The Cabbage People dispersed in different directions, and Li Banfeng himself entered the village closest to him.

At the entrance of the village, he encountered a young man and directly asked, "Do you want to die?"

The man was terrified. He bowed his head and kept retreating, not daring to respond or even glance at Li Banfeng again.

"If you don’t want to die, take your whole family out. Wait at the village entrance, and I’ll take you with me."

Before the man could react, Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat and continued into the village. He said to a woman with a child, "If you don’t want to die, take your family and wait for me at the village entrance."

Cheap Person Ridge was full of despicable people, and they were very annoying. But at least they deserved a chance to live.

A man had sought to learn from the Saint for eighteen consecutive years. Although he had never been taken in, his admiration for the Saint remained unchanged.

He stood on the village road, pointed at Li Banfeng, and said, "Fellow villagers, do not listen to this outsider’s bewitching lies!

The changes in heaven and earth begin with the thoughts of the Saint. With just a thought from the Saint, evil spirits can be exterminated. We who live here are protected by the Saint; how can we be bewitched by this petty crook?

Villain, I have seen through the malevolence of your intentions! I advise you to turn back from the cliff’s edge and cease your delusions. If you wait for the Saint to exert his might, you will be crushed to pieces..."

CRACK!

Li Banfeng broke the man’s neck.

"Those who want to die, join him on his journey," Li Banfeng pointed at the man’s corpse and said. "Those who don’t want to die, go to the village entrance and wait for me."

...

On Sage Peak, corpses littered the ground amidst the ruins.

Apart from the Saint’s Residence, the other buildings were mostly destroyed.

The Saint had recalled hundreds of disciples from all over Puluo State, but now only a little over thirty remained, desperately defending within the residence.

It grew slightly quieter outside the courtyard wall as the Knife Labor Ghosts besieging the residence dispersed.

They returned to Knife Ghost Ridge to replenish their Yin Energy, but another batch of Knife Labor Ghosts would soon arrive. Never underestimate the wisdom of the Knife Labor Ghosts; they know how to take turns in combat.

In close combat, they know how to use their sturdy physiques; at a distance, they know how to utilize their range advantage.

Especially in group battles, they excel at launching attacks from within poison mists, coordinating with each other very skillfully.

The Saint still harbored a glimmer of hope, thinking that through these days of battle, he might find a way to control the Knife Labor Ghosts.

But he had tried thirteen different Technique-enabling Taoist Sects, none of which could substantially influence the Knife Labor Ghosts’ behavior.

There were many casualties on both sides, but the number of Knife Labor Ghosts far exceeded the Saint’s estimates. The Saint’s disciples were nearly all dead, while the Knife Labor Ghosts seemed to have lost less than ten percent.

At this point, it was clear the Saint’s Residence could no longer be held, but it was also too late to flee.

The disciples had already gathered information: Pan Dehai, Greenwater Beggar, Drachma Calligrapher, Half-mouth Broth, Hundred Flowers Fine Painting, Smiling Face Ghost King, and Three-pot Smoking Pipe had already ascended Sage Peak.

The Saint knew what these individuals were made of. He sighed deeply and said, "You have followed me for many years, and now you are about to perish with me on the battlefield. Do any of you harbor regret in your hearts?"

The crowd responded in unison, "We have no regrets!"

The Saint, with tears in his eyes, lamented, "You are all loyal and good subjects; my heart is greatly comforted!"

The scene was very tragic. A disciple came to report, "Pan Dehai, the Local Deity of Hai Chi Ridge, has arrived at the entrance of the residence."

Upon hearing this, the Saint gritted his teeth and exclaimed, "To serve the king is to be loyal to the king! Pan Dehai, you were a minister in the court, and now you engage in regicidal and treasonous deeds! Do you realize your crime? Do you know shame? You claim to be a man of Virtue, but do you even remember how the word ’Virtue’ is written?"

Standing outside the door, Pan Dehai laughed and said, "I spent twenty years studying in bitter conditions. At the age of twenty-eight, I became an Imperial Scholar. I served faithfully as an official for ten years, doing countless things for you, of which you are well aware.

"At thirty-eight, you discarded me like an old broom with the claim of prioritizing those with Virtue, and you demoted me.

"At forty-eight, when the state was in turmoil, you enlisted me again. I stabilized your realm for two years, but then, with a remark about talent without Virtue, you demoted me again.

"At that time, I just couldn’t understand. I was devotedly loyal to you, my conscience clear, so why, in your eyes, was I so lacking in Virtue? It wasn’t until later, when I entered Virtue Cultivation, that I finally understood the reason. Virtue is not in your heart; it’s on your face."