Chapter 87: Chapter 87: The Geographical Position of Black Rain City Equals Novice Map_1
"To think Black Rain City is situated in such a remote location."
Wang Linchi looked at the map and couldn’t help but sigh. By implanting the Three Corpse Brain Worm Pill in influential figures, leading members of Great Families, and wealthy households within Black Rain City, he had smoothly gained control of the city’s highest authority.
Subsequently, he obtained a map, taken from the hands of the City Lord.
In the grand scheme of the Secret Realm, Black Rain City’s status was comparable to that of Qinghe City in Yingzhou. For a protagonist, it would be the equivalent of a Novice Village map.
Therefore, without any Transcendent abilities, one had to move to a better city to gain more.
Wang Linchi had no intention of changing maps. The current map of Black Rain City was perfect for his leveling needs, and there was even a chance he might not be strong enough for it yet.
If I changed to a higher-level map, I’d probably be killed instantly upon encountering any creature, he thought.
"The farther from the center, the fewer demons and ghosts there are. Interesting," Wang Linchi also realized.
In Black Rain City, one could stumble upon a nest of demons and ghosts every few steps, though their overall strength was not high. This was unlike places closer to the center, where demons and ghosts were fewer but individually much more powerful.
Wang Linchi had actually inquired of the City Lord about such matters, but the latter couldn’t provide clear answers. This was mainly because Black Rain City had essentially been an abandoned city for several decades, with no contact from the outside. The position of City Lord had become hereditary, passing from father to son, and then to grandson.
It had effectively become a small, independent Court.
The loss of contact was likely due to problems within the main Court of the Secret Realm.
Wang Linchi wasn’t particularly concerned about these issues; his focus was on his own mission. After all, even if he wanted to know more, there were no avenues to find out.
After gaining control of Black Rain City, Wang Linchi had also obtained all the records from Rooster Crow Temple, though there were many inconsistencies among them.
However, one thing was almost certain: there was a high probability that the heads of the monks and the Buddhist statues were still in Rooster Crow Temple and had not been taken away.
There had been capable individuals in Black Rain City back then who, after a detailed investigation, had reached this conclusion. However, due to the horrifying nature of the incident and the lack of time for a thorough investigation, the findings were ultimately kept under wraps.
According to their speculation, the heads had been forcibly stuffed inside the statues in the temple, thereby causing the horrific tragedy.
"The heads of monks sealed within headless Buddha statues... what a hellish joke..." Wang Linchi commented sarcastically as he put down the records.
If I had been the City Lord of Black Rain City back then, I wouldn’t have announced this matter either, he mused. Firstly, it would cause unnecessary panic. Secondly, if it couldn’t be resolved, announcing it would be pointless.
Ultimately, the bandits were made to take the blame, the case files were sealed, and the matter was considered closed. Anyway, with so many demons and ghosts lurking in the surroundings, one more nest at Rooster Crow Temple wouldn’t make much of a difference.
However, the best way to verify if this is true is to investigate it myself, Wang Linchi pondered. It’s not out of the question.
The main concern was the danger involved.
The Headless ghosts had developed over the years. Now, they possessed Copper Skin and Iron Bones and Unmatched Power. Dealing with even one would be difficult, let alone so many; they could simply swarm and kill him.
If it came to a real fight, he might not escape Rooster Crow Temple alive.
Therefore, he needed to be cautious. Wang Linchi valued his own life immensely.
As for forcing the people of Black Rain City to go, he had considered it, but it remained just a thought, never put into action.
This wasn’t due to kindness on his part, but because it simply wasn’t feasible.
He controlled the lives of Black Rain City’s upper echelon. However, the problem was that these elites were all privileged and accustomed to comfortable lives. Sending them would be akin to sending them to their deaths.
Those capable of fighting had already been scared witless by the Headless ghosts in the previous encounter.
They were well aware that being sent would be no different from a death sentence. Even if he fed them the Three Corpse Brain Worm Pill, they wouldn’t care; they would be facing death anyway. Out of desperation, they might even turn on Wang Linchi.
He figured they’d think: Since we’re doomed to die anyway, wouldn’t it be better to drag Wang Linchi down with us?
Their methods would be simple: feign submission, then betray him when he entered Rooster Crow Temple to investigate. They could retreat, or even attack him directly and lure the Headless ghosts to ensure mutual destruction. Wang Linchi could easily imagine the outcome.
They’re on the verge of death, and I’m the culprit. How could they possibly let me go?
It was precisely because of these concerns that he ultimately chose not to force them.
The only ones capable of fighting were the disciples of Xiongwei Martial Arts Hall and the dart masters from Zhenyuan Escort Agency, plus a handful of other brave individuals. There weren’t many left.
"It seems I’ll have to go by myself," Wang Linchi sighed. If I forced them, there’s a chance there might not be a backlash, but the likelihood is so small I don’t even know how to assess it.
He had no use for the cowardly, and if he forced the courageous, they would surely show him the true meaning of courage—likely by defying him.
"I wonder if they would notice if I disguise myself as a Headless ghost?"
If he couldn’t fight them head-on, Wang Linchi decided to take an indirect approach.
His Soul Kind·Soul Courtyard, combined with Soul Seed·Hall of Thoughts, could enable him to change his appearance and aura from the inside out, as well as conceal or alter them.
If Wang Linchi could gather sufficient data on the Headless ghosts, he might be able to simulate their characteristics and blend in among them.
After that, it would be much simpler: he could directly investigate the entire Rooster Crow Temple.
The idea was promising, but implementation would be somewhat difficult.
Collecting data on the Headless ghosts would inevitably require interacting with them.
Fortunately, the Headless ghosts wouldn’t leave the confines of Rooster Crow Temple. As long as he remained perched on the wall, using Fanciful and Fickle to probe and gather data incrementally, the process would be slow but relatively safe.
Of course, danger was unavoidable. If he provoked the Headless ghosts to the point of fury, they might disregard their boundaries and charge out to attack him; this was a distinct possibility.
Therefore, he planned to bring a few expendable individuals as decoys. He didn’t expect them to fight the Headless ghosts on equal footing, only to stall them for three to five seconds.
"Then let’s proceed as planned." Wang Linchi currently had no better alternatives.
He then began to refine his plan, addressing potential flaws.
「」
"Boss, we’ve found some leads," Yan Chuan reported, hurrying over and speaking in a low voice.
"Tell me," Wang Linchi said without looking up, continuing to refine his plan.
"Those demons and ghosts seem to have heard that you, Boss, intend to investigate Rooster Crow Temple, and they’ve been showing signs of agitation. I suspect one of them might have been responsible for the Rooster Crow Temple massacre years ago."
"Hmm, I understand. Have the three blacksmiths forge Weapons and armor for me at full capacity. Also, rein in your subordinates. Draft the useless ones into training; they’ll be sent to kill ghosts when the time comes." Wang Linchi, having gained control of Black Rain City, couldn’t limit himself to basic tasks.
With such power now at his disposal, the urge to kill naturally stirred within him.
He also planned to eliminate all the lairs of demons and ghosts around Black Rain City to reap greater rewards.
This, however, would require sufficient manpower. If he had to eliminate them one by one personally, it would be highly inefficient and impede his research and Cultivation.