Seeing that more and more people were coming to the big stone bridge, Lu Yang suggested leaving there first and finding a deserted place.
The four of them came to a secluded forest. Lu Yang took out the map of Yanjiang County, on which were marked the nodes of the Anti-Life Array deduced last time: "The node positions of the Anti-Life Array should be the same as before. Before that, I want to confirm one thing first. Lan Ting, when you say blood sacrifice, do you mean killing people at the nodes, or using the blood of cultivators as sacrifices to activate the formation?"
Lan Ting was confused about what Lu Yang meant: "Both methods are fine, but usually the former is used. To kill someone, you only need to kill a mortal. If a cultivator uses too much blood and essence, it will affect his cultivation and will not be good for his future practice."
Lu Yang thought thoughtfully: "Then the person who set up the formation should use the second method."
The three were puzzled. The person who set up the formation must be a demon monk. For a demon monk, killing people was much more convenient than using their essence and blood.
"Who do you think is so generous as to hide the anti-life formation in a small flag and set it up overnight, hiding it at night so that no one would suspect it even if you are sleepy?"
Meng Jingzhou reacted instantly: "He is a government official, and he holds a high position of power!"
Lu Yang nodded: "Yes, to be precise, it's the county magistrate!"
"What!"
When these words were spoken, Man Gu and Lan Ting were horrified, but Meng Jingzhou was the only one who had anticipated this and did not react much.
When he first entered Yanjiang County, he said that it was not uncommon for the government and the evil forces to collude with each other.
"I heard from the government last night that when the small flags were being placed, Magistrate Li personally came out to supervise and demanded that the positions of the small flags be correct."
"It's not necessary for the county governor to take action for this kind of thing. Even if he uses the excuse of being focused on his work and serving the people wholeheartedly, it's too far-fetched!"
"This can only mean that County Magistrate Li used the small flags to set up this anti-longevity formation that covers the entire county!"
Man Gu suddenly realized and felt that the world was really dark: "In other words, the undercover agent planted by the branch in Yanjiang County is County Magistrate Li. Considering County Magistrate Li's cultivation and status, it would be more appropriate to use the term "cooperative relationship"?"
Lu Yang shook his head: "He is neither an undercover nor a partner. I suspect that Captain Chu and County Magistrate Li are the same person!"
"There is no direct evidence, only two doubts."
"First, Captain Chu always summons us at night. I have asked other deacons about this matter, and they said that other branches are not like this."
"Second, Captain Chu and County Magistrate Li will both be promoted at almost the same time."
Man Gu sucked in a breath of cold air. This world is even darker than he had imagined. Captain Chu and Magistrate Li are the same person. Doesn't that mean both the righteous and the evil can get what they want
"Of course, there might be two of them. These are just speculations. But no matter which case, the method to activate the Anti-Life Array will definitely not be to kill mortals!"
Man Gu still didn't understand, so Meng Jingzhou explained, "Li Junshou wanted to be promoted. A vicious murder occurred during the Spring Festival. He still wanted to be promoted. Even if he had connections with the higher-ups, they couldn't openly promote him."
"Besides, with the status of a county magistrate, it is not difficult to obtain the blood essence of the monks. Just find a few monks in the prison."
Lan Ting still had some questions: "Both County Magistrate Li and Yi Zhang Hong set up the Anti-Life Array. Was it a coincidence or were they related?"
"I think there is a great connection." After figuring out the relationship between Captain Chu and Magistrate Li, Lu Yang had a new perspective on many things.
"Not to mention the impact that arresting three Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators will have on County Magistrate Li's political achievements, if there are no branch offices, there are only so many Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators in a small county. This is equivalent to clearing out the demon cultivator leaders of a county."
"After the Anti-Life Formation is activated, you may not see anything on the surface, but after a while, people will definitely find out."
"If there is no Yi Zhang Hong in front, the government will vigorously track down the murderer, and then Yan Jiang Du and Li Jun Shou will be at risk of being exposed."
"Chief Li was very smart in arranging the Yizhanghong."
"Yi Zhang Hong set up the Anti-Life Array first. Even if County Magistrate Li activated the Anti-Life Array to reduce the life span of ordinary people, the government would only focus on Yi Zhang Hong."
Man Gu was surprised: "But the Yi Zhang Hong was not successfully arranged."
Lu Yang sneered: "It is Yi Zhang Hong's one-sided statement that the formation was not successfully set up. Maybe the formation was really activated, but Yi Zhang Hong did not operate it properly, and only reduced his life span, but did not increase his cultivation. This kind of thing is also very likely to happen. After all, it is an unfamiliar formation, and any accidents can happen."
Man Gu still couldn't understand: "The two companions of Yi Zhang Hong can also prove that the arrangement was not successful."
Lu Yang said: "Companions? Where can a demon cultivator get companions? They are all using each other. It is reasonable for Yi Zhang Hong not to tell the truth to those two."
"With such a ready-made suspect, who else should we suspect if not Yizhanghong?"
"Moreover, Yi Zhang Hong has committed numerous crimes, and he must be sentenced to death. By the time the government finds out that the Anti-Life Formation has been activated, Yi Zhang Hong may have already been executed."
"With a target of one zhang red, who would suspect Li Junshou?"
After listening to Lu Yang's point of view, Meng Jingzhou and Lan Ting nodded repeatedly.
Lu Yang asked again: "Also, are there seven nodes that require blood sacrifice?"
Lan Ting looked at Lu Yang in surprise and nodded. He didn’t understand how Lu Yang knew about it. Didn’t he say that he didn’t understand the formation
"When I left yesterday, I met seven deacons. They were temporarily summoned by Captain Chu. They must have some mission. I guess they were arranged to take their blood essence to the formation node and wait for the opportunity."
"Well, tell me more about the knowledge of the Anti-Life Array."
Lan Ting did not refuse and circled seven points on the map of Yanjiang County: "These seven places are the key nodes for activation. They are near the scenic spots in Yanjiang County, and the center of the formation is... on the hillside of Songshan Mountain!"
To break through using the Anti-Life Formation, of course you have to choose a secluded place.
"Let's remove some of the anti-life talismans first to prevent the formation from being activated. However, this will most likely attract the attention of Captain Chu. Rather than being found by him, it is better for us to ambush him and catch him off guard." Lu Yang said.
Lu Yang was worried about having a fight with Captain Chu, so he did not record the fighting methods of the four people in the image ball.
The three of them felt embarrassed. It would be a life-and-death battle. Captain Chu was in the late Jindan stage and was extremely difficult to deal with.
"Can we report this to the police and tell Fang Qingyun about this?" Man Gu asked.
Lu Yang shook his head: "Once Fang Qingyun learns about the formation on the small flag, he will definitely suspect Li Junshou. If Li Junshou is caught, our identity as members of the Demon Cult will also be exposed."
Lan Ting hesitated and said, "It would be difficult for the four of us to defeat a late Jindan cultivator."
Lu Yang was confident: "Don't worry, we are fully prepared. If there is really no other way, I still have a backup plan."
"What is it?"
"Master Sister Pictographic Fist!"
Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu's faces changed drastically after hearing this. Lan Ting noticed their changes and was confused: "Master Sister, what is Xiangxing Quan?"
"It's the ultimate move of Lu's Pictographic Fist!" Lu Yang said confidently.
Lanting nodded, not quite understanding.
(End of this chapter)