"Seeking revenge? It seems the one controlling the Blood Killing Gu has indeed killed quite a few people!"
Ling Feng's expression turned somewhat somber.
Liu Shi nodded, "Indeed, many have been killed. It's estimated that in the past three years, the number of deaths due to the Blood Killing Gu is no less than eight thousand, if not ten thousand!"
Ling Feng nodded, a cold smile playing on his lips as he shook his head, "And that's only the counted ones. What about the uncounted?"
Liu Shi gave a wry smile and nodded, "Yes, Mr. Ling is a man who understands. With just the counted deaths, so many have perished. The uncounted must be even more numerous! Therefore, over the years, I've made it a point to understand the background of anyone purchasing the Blood Killing Gu!"
Lin Shuainan also nodded, saying, "No wonder that fellow earlier changed his attitude so quickly when he heard we wanted to buy the Blood Killing Gu. I thought he just had a very large appetite!"
Liu Shi felt a bit awkward upon hearing this. At this moment, the shop assistant from inside reappeared. He had naturally overheard Lin Shuainan's words but didn't pay much attention. Instead, he bowed respectfully towards Ling Feng and apologized, "Mr. Ling, I apologize. I didn't know your identity. A man who achieves the championship at the Witchcraft Assembly is certainly worthy of respect. Thank you for your magnanimity towards me!"
"It's nothing."
Ling Feng waved his hand dismissively in response to the man's apology.
Liu Shi waved his hand at his assistant, saying, "Be more careful next time. If it were the champion from any other previous Witchcraft Assembly, they wouldn't be as understanding as Mr. Ling. They might just decide to..."
As he spoke, Liu Shi made a throat-slitting gesture below his own neck.
The assistant immediately flinched and quickly retreated inside.
Lin Shuainan was amused by the assistant's reaction.
However, Ling Feng couldn't find it in himself to laugh. The matter of the Blood Killing Gu causing deaths was already extremely serious. This proved one thing: Zu Shen's activities in Nanyun over the years had never ceased. It was his own oversight, not focusing on Nanyun, that led to his limited understanding of the situation here. If he had received this information earlier, perhaps so many tragedies could have been avoided!
"Does this matter have any connection to the source of the goods?"
Ling Feng pressed Liu Shi for further information.
Liu Shi immediately shook his head repeatedly, his expression quite resolute, "I don't believe it's related to the source of the goods. After all, it's located at the foot of the Witch God Temple, and the Temple pays considerable attention to such matters, so..."
Towards the end, Liu Shi's tone lost some of its firmness, and he couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile, "Unless this matter is somehow connected to the Witch God Temple. But I don't think the Witch God Temple would do such a thing, nor would anyone turn a blind eye to it!"
"Has the Temple Master of the Witch God Temple made any moves over the years? I mean, he hasn't been in continuous seclusion, has he?"
Ling Feng continued to inquire.
While his questions seemed casual, they were in fact meticulously considered. If these matters were truly linked to the Witch God Temple, Ling Feng knew that the severity of the situation would be beyond ordinary comprehension! Moreover, from the current perspective, it was highly likely to be related to the Witch God Temple!
Liu Shi couldn't help but frown slightly upon hearing this, "Although I hold the position of an elder in the Witch God Temple, this position, three years ago, was considered quite good. But now,呵呵, it's truly not that impressive. With the Temple Master's esteemed status, I have no opportunity to interact with him, nor do I have the chance to..."
At this point, Liu Shi looked at Ling Feng curiously, "呵呵, Mr. Ling, since you've joined with the Saintess, don't you know the Temple Master's situation?"
Ling Feng felt a bit awkward but didn't show it on his face. He simply shook his head and said, "I've been very busy over the years and haven't paid much attention. Shopkeeper Liu, thank you for today. I'll take my leave!"
With that, Ling Feng prepared to leave with Lin Shuainan and the others.
Shopkeeper Liu quickly went out to see them off. Just then, a person walked in from outside and quickly approached Liu Shi, whispering something into his ear.
Liu Shi's expression immediately changed drastically, and he quickly caught up to Ling Feng, saying in a deep voice, "Mr. Ling, I heard that one of your companions has been captured!?"
Ling Feng was taken aback. He then remembered the matter of Jin Tong deliberately being taken away earlier. He nodded to Liu Shi.
At the same time, he was somewhat surprised by Liu Shi's extraordinary capabilities, observing that his network of informants in the vicinity seemed quite extensive!
Indeed, Liu Shi's brows furrowed tightly, "Those people are not good. After capturing someone, not only do they extort money, but they also use some living people as feed for their Gu worms. Mr. Ling, I'll send people to check and bring your companion out!"
Ling Feng, however, smiled and shook his head, "呵呵, no need. I was targeted by those people as soon as I arrived. I sensed something was amiss with them at the time, so I deliberately sent someone to investigate. My people are not easily fooled by that kind of witchcraft and illusion. If there were any developments over there, my people would have already thoroughly understood them!"
Liu Shi's eyes widened in disbelief, clearly not expecting Ling Feng to have such methods.
But upon considering Ling Feng's strength, Liu Shi couldn't help but laugh at himself and shake his head, "呵呵, indeed. With Mr. Ling's immense power, those around him would not be weak. This is for the best, it's considered eliminating harm for the people!"
"Aren't these people being dealt with by anyone?"
Ling Feng stood at the doorway, frowning slightly, and asked.
Liu Shi shook his head with a wry smile, "It's not that no one is dealing with them, but rather that they are unmanageable, and it's practically impossible to gather evidence. Their expertise lies in witchcraft and illusions. Even if someone goes in to investigate, they either never come out, or they are sent out in a dazed state, knowing nothing. Therefore, there has never been any evidence."
"I see. However, those people seem to be quite wary of your establishment, Shopkeeper Liu. When I brought people in earlier, they didn't continue their pursuit from behind!"
Ling Feng smiled faintly, his gaze towards Liu Shi deepening with a hint of contemplation!
"呵呵, I conduct an ancestral business here, and my family has some reputation. Coupled with my own position as an elder of the Witch God Temple, those people, as long as they aren't foolish, wouldn't dare to touch my customers. Of course, if they decide to target someone who has left my shop, I can't do anything about it. However, as long as they are near my shop, they should be safe!"
Liu Shi explained with a smile, but he also appeared quite helpless about the situation.
Ling Feng nodded in understanding. Just then, Jin Tong quickly returned.
The assistant beside Liu Shi immediately muttered something in a low voice again.
Liu Shi chuckled lightly and nodded, "呵呵, it seems Mr. Ling's companion has returned. Those people couldn't do anything to him! They probably suffered a loss!"