Chosen One, how did I end up as the villain?

Upon hearing this, Qin Huaiyu hurriedly ran over.

On the wall that Shen Wan'er was pointing to, there was a deep scratch, about the length of a finger, and there was still powder scraped off the wall below it.

This is a marker!

Could it be that someone...

He immediately walked to the east side.

Seeing this, Shen Wan'er followed.

A clear line of sight swept across the grass and trees.

Soon, around the corner, he saw the same mark again, on a large tree, the same deep carving.

"There's an inside man in the caravan." Shen Wan'er frowned.

Qin Huaiyu nodded, finally understanding why the Nightmare Devourer knew the route; it turned out that someone in the caravan had been providing them with road signs.

"Nearly twenty people, all from our two families, who do you think they could be?"

"It's still uncertain, after all, there are only pieces of meat in the mortuary, and it's unclear how many people died."

After Qin Huaiyu finished speaking, he turned back.

"Those Nightmare Devourers headed north, let's go check it out."

"Don't we need to follow the road signs back?" Shen Wan'er asked, puzzled.

"It's no use. Neither the inside man nor the Nightmare Devourer will be foolish enough to reveal their location."

As Qin Huaiyu explained, he went to the door and untied the horse's reins.

Upon hearing this, Shen Wan'er was taken aback. She hadn't considered this relationship at all; she was only focused on catching those people as soon as possible, but her eagerness had clearly affected her normal logical thinking.

Perhaps sensing the other party's thoughts, Qin Huaiyu smiled and said:

"Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, it's nothing."

With that, he mounted his horse.

Seeing this, Shen Wan'er nodded shyly and followed closely behind.

The two men tightened the reins, spurred their horses, and galloped northward.

............

Beian Village

Pingxing Town is a small mountain village located in the north, situated beside the official road and backed by Tai'an Mountain. It is a mountain village with an excellent location, attracting not only passing merchants but also beautiful scenery with both mountains and water.

Around noon, Qin Huaiyu and his companion arrived at this place.

"Why are we here?" Shen Wan'er asked, somewhat puzzled.

"This is the only place to stay for miles around. The Nightmare Devourer needs a place to rest with the money box. There might be clues here."

As Qin Huaiyu spoke, he rode his horse into the street and looked around.

The wide street was bustling with vendors hawking their wares, and the pedestrians were dressed smartly and impeccably.

For some reason, a Buddhist shrine was placed on the lintel of the houses hidden behind them on both sides, with a lifelike golden Buddha statue inside.

Every household worships Buddha in front of their door; are they really that devout?

Even those who ran temples in their past lives had never seen anything like this. He kept chanting Amitabha Buddha, yet at night he still wore a monk's hat and went into the Water Curtain Cave with a big bald head.

And aren't the people here a village?

Why don't I see anyone carrying farm tools? And they all seem quite wealthy by their clothes...

"Huaiyu, something's not right. Look at the people on the street, there are only adults, and no children at all," Shen Wan'er asked in confusion.

Upon hearing this, Qin Huaiyu glanced around and saw that there were indeed no children playing among the passersby. Logically speaking, they should be at an age where they are mischievous, so it was impossible for there not to be any children playing on the street!

"There's an inn up ahead, let's go ask around."

As they spoke, the two walked quickly to the entrance of the inn.

This is a two-story building with a four-step raised stone platform at the entrance. The wooden door is wide open, and the plaque above it reads "Youlai Inn".

The shop assistants rushed out to greet the newcomers.

"Please come in, sir. You may take the horse from me."

Qin Huaiyu and his companion dismounted, handed the reins to the waiter, and then went inside.

Perhaps because it was midday, the inn was crowded with people. The noise of diners, shouts, and clinking glasses filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.

The two found a slightly secluded corner to sit down.

"What would you like, sir?"

A waiter rushed to the table with a big smile on his face.

"Just bring me a few of your restaurant's signature dishes," Qin Huaiyu said.

"Okay, would you like some drinks?"

Qin Huaiyu shook his head.

Seeing this, the child ran away.

"Have you heard? Old Zheng, the local tycoon in the east of the village, has been blessed again. His youngest son has been chosen, and the Buddha bestowed a hundred taels of silver upon him last night."

"Ah, I know, that old guy is really lucky. All three of his children were chosen by the true Buddha to escape the sea of ​​suffering and enter the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We are so envious."

"That's not all; the rewards bestowed upon him are enough to ensure Old Zheng's comfort for the rest of his life."

"Comparison is the thief of joy. My wife is prettier, but she has a small frame and only gave birth to one child. Although she was chosen, the reward was too meager. Poor thing, so pitiful!"

"Then you'd better try harder. If all else fails, find someone else who's good at having children."

..............

Two middle-aged men at the next table were drinking and talking quietly.

The true Buddha, chosen, will bestow a reward?

Qin Huaiyu frowned; something didn't sound right.

Just then, the waiter returned with a tray of food.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, sir/madam."

As he spoke, he placed the food on the table.

"Waiter, I have something to ask you," Qin Huaiyu said.

"Please speak, sir."

"You overheard some of what was said at the next table. What's the story behind this 'True Buddha's Selection'?"

"You two aren't locals, are you?"

Qin Huaiyu and Shen Wan'er exchanged a glance, then nodded and said:

"Having just entered your esteemed place, I would be grateful if you could enlighten me."

As he spoke, he stuffed a few taels of silver into his younger brother's hand.

"You're too kind!"

The waiter unceremoniously stuffed the silver into his pocket and said with a grin:

"Actually, this is not a secret. Our place is blessed by the true Buddha, and most of the children born here are destined to be with the Buddha."

As long as children are placed in the village's Buddhist shrine, those chosen by the true Buddha will be able to escape the sea of ​​suffering, enter the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and remain forever with the Buddha.

Furthermore, in gratitude to their parents, the true Buddha will bestow silver as blessings.

This is.......?

Qin Huaiyu raised an eyebrow. "Does the real Buddha live in the village temple?"

The waiter shook his head. "I don't know. No one has ever seen the real Buddha, but his miracles often occur."

Beian Village was originally a poor mountain village where people couldn't even get enough to eat. It was only because of the help of the true Buddha that they were able to live a prosperous life.

The true Buddha blesses us; He helps the poor and those tormented by illness; He has freed us from the sea of ​​suffering…

How did you get manipulated like this?

Looking at the shopkeeper's devout and longing expression, Qin Huaiyu inwardly scoffed.

He doesn't believe in any real Buddha at all. Buddhas save people by giving them money, isn't that putting the cart before the horse? Besides, what would he want a child for?

How do you escape from suffering? Just say "Amitabha"? That's just plain stupid!

"Alright, we understand. You can go ahead and get back to work."

Hearing this, the waiter, who was still chattering away, became somewhat displeased. "Who does he think he is? He just answers whatever he asks, and then he doesn't even listen to the end. He really doesn't take me, his waiter, seriously!"

He glanced at the two of them and left dejectedly.

"There's something wrong with Huaiyu," Shen Wan'er whispered.

"That's right, the people here have been blinded by faith. I feel that our two caravans are also inextricably linked to this true Buddha. The blessings he bestowed must have cost a lot of money."

As Qin Huaiyu spoke, he felt a slight anger in his heart, which reminded him of the novel "Plants and Trees in the Human World" from his previous life.

Those pyramid scheme scammers give people a little benefit, then brainwash them, even their own parents are swindled out of their underwear, and they also drag in all their relatives.

What's worse now is that they're using faith as a pretext to prey on young children.

If parents are greedy, what would a true Buddha do with those children? The so-called Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is probably just rhetoric to deceive believers.

"So what's our next step?" Shen Wan'er asked.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared beside the two of them.

"Sister, have you found Father?"

...............