Chapter 650: Bound to the Birth System and Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 651 Background Rabbit Demon (23)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

'A rat demon?'

Shen Yao tilted her head, unable to stop herself from beginning to doubt herself.

She seemed not to have detected demonic energy on any of the officials' family members she had received these past days; they were undoubtedly human!

Even if those officials were demons, as relatives and family members who frequently came into contact with demons, they would inevitably carry some demonic energy on them.

Could her sensing be wrong? Shen Yao rejected that possibility the next second; even if she didn't trust herself, the system was not a decoration, and the other party could not possibly watch these people carrying demonic energy come and go right under their noses.

'Host, how wonderful, they actually wore human skin to prevent demonic energy from leaking!

Not afraid of heavenly thunder striking them to pieces,' committing such an evil deed against the heavenly way, what future did the demons of Shangfu City have left?

The demonic energy problem troubling Shen Yao was solved; it turned out they used such a vicious method, no wonder she couldn't detect the problem with the officials' family members.

Because the human energy on the human skin was still there!

Compared to a living person, once a piece of human skin was peeled off the body it became a dead thing; being a dead thing yet having little death energy, this was the bug the rat demons caught onto, wearing it as clothes on themselves.

'System, you mean, all the officials and their family members in Shangfu City have problems?'

The permanent population of Shangfu City was around one hundred thousand; according to the Li Kingdom Court's division of official functions, the number of officials and their family members here was not small.

'Mm, not all,' the system said that what it saw included those who came to the mansion to visit and request instructions all wearing human skin; some wore human skin, some didn't, but the people were all locked up, appearing to have become a source of human skin supply.

After all, human skin was only a thin layer; no matter how careful, damage would occur, and then they could only discard the old and choose a new one.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao's expression was serious, thinking in her heart about how troublesome this matter was.

Tsk tsk tsk

When returning to the capital this time, would Lin Xingzhi have to make a trip to Huang Jue Si to burn some incense and dispel bad luck? How could they run into bad luck no matter where they went.

From Floating Cloud City, to Luogui City, then Shangfu City, the degree of trouble rose in a straight line.

Shen Yao truly worried that one day Lin Xingzhi would dig his own grave, the kind even she couldn't save.

Seeing the host had not spoken for so long, the system smelled a hint of something wrong from it, 'Is this matter very troublesome?'

Shen Yao glared at the system that always liked to ask stupid questions, 'Do you think we really came here to play?'

Don't joke; she outwardly bore the reputation of being spoiled, and Lin Xingzhi had to fight wit and courage with those scheming officials every day; if it were really playing, they would rather all accompany the children than waste half a moment on this.

System:...

The system's mechanical sound became unstable; it anxiously asked the host what to do? Those rat demons were so disgusting, always wanting to bring their descendants around to enjoy wealth and honor.

Huh

The system wanted to retch just thinking that the common people of Shangfu City would eventually all become rat demons wearing human skin.

'This matter can only be resolved by seeking help from the capital now; my ability is limited,' dealing with rat demons was not difficult; what was difficult was solving the chaos caused after dealing with the rat demons; the dead involved so many court officials and their family members; if not handled well, it could shake the foundation of the entire country.

'Host, what are you waiting for? Say it quickly!'

The system urged the host again and again to seize the time; they could not delay.

'Rest assured, I have my own way here; rather, I need your help to figure out the situation in Shangfu City; since time is of the essence, let's split up and act.'

'Okay!'

The system this time could be said to have used all its strength, wishing to turn Shangfu City upside down from top to bottom, especially those rat demons, who became the key targets the system kept an eye on; every move of theirs was under the system's surveillance.

For several consecutive days, the system and Shen Yao went out early and returned late.

The system came and went without a trace; besides Shen Yao, no one could see it, which saved the opportunity to explain to others.

On the contrary, Shen Yao, when going out, had to use the excuse of browsing shops and buying things; spending money like flowing water was not enough, and she herself did not enjoy it at all.

Lin Xingzhi, seeing this, couldn't help but make assumptions, and privately asked Shen Yao if she needed him to find time to accompany her; if it weren't for being bored staying in the mansion, Yao Niang wouldn't go out under the scorching sun.

Shen Yao:...

What could Shen Yao say? However, going out under the scorching sun indeed yielded a rich harvest.

The moment she obtained definite information, Shen Yao pulled Lin Xingzhi into the study to talk; her demon identity had never been hidden from Lin Xingzhi, so when speaking of the rat demons in Shangfu City, besides the initial surprise, Lin Xingzhi's expression was calmer than Shen Yao had imagined.

'Yao Niang, are there currently signs of unrest among the rat demons in Shangfu City?'

What Lin Xingzhi cared about first was the safety of their family.

Shen Yao smiled and shook her head, 'Haven't found the person behind the rat demons; I think these rat demons' current actions are more like they are addicted to human prosperity,' not only diligently maintaining the order of Shangfu City, but also conscientiously managing the people under their jurisdiction, letting more people eat their fill and wear warm clothes, living in abundance.

If it weren't for the rat demons' ultimate goal of wanting their descendants to replace the common people of Shangfu City, Shen Yao might not mind seeing it succeed; after all, they were more serious and responsible in management than ordinary officials, simply a template of good officials.

Speaking of which, it was quite ironic; human officials did not seek progress, were corrupt and decadent, harmed the common people as parasitic rats; instead, the real rat demons were serious and responsible, hardworking and diligent, wanting to make the place they managed bigger and stronger.

Lin Xingzhi, hearing this, was also silent for a moment; however, he accepted things quickly, smiling and exchanging a few jokes with Shen Yao, saying that on this matter he would report to his royal brother; maybe he could see his royal brother's helplessness.

'Pity they are after all demons; all their thoughts and considerations go against the concepts of the human race.'

Just those pieces of peeled human skin alone, the Emperor would not let this group of rat demons go; let alone they still wanted to replace the common people of Shangfu City; this was a major matter that could shake the foundation of the country.

Considering Shen Yao's special nature, Lin Xingzhi did not want nor was willing to push her into the open; therefore some words could not be said too much; Lin Xingzhi only said that the officials in Shangfu City performed well, it was just that the three children always cried and fussed without rest, and he respectfully requested the Emperor to arrange for the masters of Huang Jue Si to make a trip, so he could be at ease.

Shen Yao:...

Speaking like this, how did it feel like luring someone in to kill them?

Lin Xingzhi spoke with righteous indignation, 'I am also for the stability and peace of Li Guo; who knows how many forces will see this letter on the way; using Yan'er and them as an excuse is just perfect.'

Their role in Shangfu City was originally to be mascots to confuse certain forces.

Lin Chengyan, Lin Chengjue, Lin Chengjing, because they were young, rarely appeared.

Everyone knew Prince Jing doted on Princess Jing day and night; whether out of love for the house and its crow or because a mother gains status through her son, it was only natural that now that the three Eldest Misses of the Jing Wang Fu had run into trouble, Prince Jing would urgently send a letter back to the capital to call for reinforcements.

The letter was sent off just like that, and by the time it reached the Emperor's desk, three days had already passed.

The Emperor opened the sealed secret letter with a serious expression, then looked puzzled as he analyzed its contents.

It was nothing more than children crying and throwing tantrums without rest—did they really need to invite the masters of Huang Jue Si over?

The Emperor furrowed his brow, growing increasingly convinced something was wrong. If it were some other fool, he might still consider it, but Prince Jing, who always knew his limits on major matters—could it be that the officials of Shangfu City were in serious trouble?

The letters Li Dehai sent back all said everything was going smoothly. The Emperor did not worry that his trusted inner attendant would betray him, but this letter Prince Jing sent... He curled his finger and tapped the tabletop. The Emperor ordered in a low voice that the presiding master of Huang Jue Si and Daoren Changsheng be summoned into the palace at once.

What exactly the three discussed in the Dian Dian, outsiders did not know, but from the momentum of Huang Jue Si and other temples and a host of Dao Guan constantly gathering manpower to send out, Lin Xingzhi's letter had taken effect.

The Emperor still valued Lin Xingzhi, and after privately consulting with the presiding master of Huang Jue Si and Daoren Changsheng, he decided to send additional manpower to Shangfu City.

The good or ill of Shangfu City affected the safety of the entire Jingcheng; the Emperor could not gamble on it.

As it turned out, the Emperor's arrangement was very timely. After Shen Yao received news that the masters of Huang Jue Si were mobilizing again, she immediately took action, using the true form of the rabbit demon to break the human skin on the rat demon, causing the demonic qi the rat demon had hidden to leak out, so that the monks and daoshi who had just rushed over ran straight into it.

Wedding Guests:...

Everything was too coincidental, making people unable to help but suspect a conspiracy within, but the rat demon nearby could not escape; after a few moves it was pressed down in place.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak squeak squeak, spare me, spare me!"

The rat demon was timid, fearful, and cowardly to death. Don't think they had the gall to peel human skin and wear it on themselves—that was aimed at unarmed commoners. Against masters and daoren with cultivation and magic arts, they behaved more opportunistically than anyone.

Shen Yao had encountered a rat demon before; it squeaked and sold out a whole group of demons cleanly. That was because she did what she said; otherwise... the slaughter among demons was far more bloody and cruel than among humans.

"Speak, how many rat demons like you are here?"

Catch one, and there must be countless others around. Everyone present felt a numbness in their hearts.

Human skin!

You must know they had never seen such a demon before—it looked incredibly weak, bullied by anyone, as if a light pinch could take its life. Yet such a demon had committed evils that even many Great Demons could not match.

The Wedding Guests then fell into busyness. Catching a rat demon was hardly a matter of chastity and fierce virtue; a bit of torture would make it reveal the other human-skin kin it knew.

They swept through house after house, killing and cleaning up. These monks and daoshi who claimed to have long undergone trials and never worried about anything were all deeply shaken. Those with sensitive and fragile minds had to temporarily withdraw from the team, hurrying back to temples in the capital to calm their minds and compose themselves.

Hiss—

So many!

Exactly how many officials and their family members had these rat demons killed? Their skins were peeled, their bodies and bones left nothing, and once the surging resentment qi that had been suppressed erupted again, it lingered for a long time, unwilling to disperse.

"Reciting scriptures to deliver the dead, sending them to the cycle of reincarnation." Even with the presiding master of Huang Jue Si personally present, he was still powerless against the massive resentment qi in Shangfu City.

He could only guarantee to try his best; the final result would depend on the fortune of this place.

Daoren Changsheng held the same view, but he was more direct than the presiding master: "If the resentment qi accumulates and does not dissipate or decrease, lightly it will affect the commoners living here, heavily it will involve the fortune of the entire Li Guo."

After all, Shangfu City was very close to Jingcheng, and the Emperor's backup plan was right here. As a result, Shangfu City dealt him a huge blow directly.

Fortunately, they discovered it early. Those rat demons had become powerful but had not acted in time; otherwise, after another three or five years, Shangfu City would turn from the human Capital City into a paradise for the rat demons.

The image of the whole city full of rat demons wearing human skins was too shocking; no one present could accept it.

The presiding master of Huang Jue Si and Daoren Changsheng had to set aside their long-standing conflict over orthodoxy and join forces to deal with the problems left behind in Shangfu City.

And as a great meritorious official in discovering this incident, Lin Xingzhi had already taken his family and left Shangfu, returning to Jingcheng.

At this time the weather gradually turned cool, but the flowers and plants in the Wangfu Garden still vied in beauty and splendor.

Shen Yao wore a Xiangfei Long Skirt, the gold hairpin on her head bright and dazzling. She walked back to the Small Courtyard with a swaying gait, casually summoned a Servant, and asked about recent affairs at the Mansion.

"Replying to Princess Jing, everything at the Mansion is well. While you were away, the Gongzhong sent people to deliver many rewards," the Servant said respectfully with a respectful face, then turned around and delivered the tray holding the items to Shen Yao.

Inside were all ornaments and trinkets commonly used by women, engraved all over with the Palace Restriction Mark—clearly from the Fengyi Palace where the Empress resided.

The Empress?

Casually asking about the dates these rewards were delivered, Shen Yao drew the conclusion that the Empress was trying to curry favor with her.

What did she have that was worth the Empress lowering herself to win her over? The root lay with Lin Xingzhi.

Mm

Did this count as a wife gaining status through her husband?

No, her husband was already very noble!

"If Yao Niang doesn't want to deal with the Empress, then there's no need to give the Empress any face anymore.

The Emperor has already agreed to Yan'er's title; Yao Niang just needs to be happy from now on."

Lin Xingzhi spoke with not a bit of courtesy; listening to the meaning, it was as if the Empress would not win.

Shen Yao rolled her eyes, leaning against Lin Xingzhi with a smile. By now several days had passed since they returned to Jingcheng. The Court was in an uproar over the Shangfu City matter, and the Emperor was busy handling the aftermath, with no time to receive them.

Instead, the Empress of Fengyi Palace asked Shen Yao to enter the palace continuously for three days, directly forcing Shen Yao to develop a rebellious mindset.

Today she had just returned from the Imperial Palace by carriage, then ran to the Study where Lin Xingzhi was staying to complain.

The above dialogue could appear in the two's conversation because the Empress had gone too far; unable to endure any longer, there was no need to give any face anymore.

Shen Yao laughed with a puff and fell directly into Lin Xingzhi's arms.

"You, you, the Crown Prince is still there." The Empress's foundation was the thickest.

"If she keeps tossing about like this, my Cheap Nephew is only a matter of time." The Crown Prince's body could not withstand the Empress's meddling, especially after the Emperor gave up on him. The Crown Prince wanted to break out of the encirclement. Lin Xingzhi sighed, "That child suffered in childhood," not to mention it was even worse after he grew up.

Sigh

Perhaps this was the helplessness of Royal Family children; everyone had their own helplessness.

To live freely and unrestrained in the palace, what was sacrificed was far more than what was seen.

The Empress, a stupid fool muddled through life. The Jin Family raised such a daughter who drags others down; it must be the karmic retribution for doing too many unconscionable things.