My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

After kowtowing several times, Chen Maocai did not get up. Instead, he remained kneeling, raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and continued to speak loudly to "Dragon Shadow".

"Your Majesty, the Dragon King, behold! That madman, Taoist Huang, is a heretic from out of town. He used his clever words and flattering manner to bewitch the foolish villager, Li Laoshuan, which led to his heinous crimes!"

The Li family, including Laoshuan, were also deceived! The Chen, Li, and Wang families of Xiahe Village have worshipped the Dragon King for generations; how could we dare to harbor the slightest disrespect? Today's calamity is truly caused by the invasion of external evil!

After saying this, Chen Maocai prostrated himself on the ground again, muttering in an even more sorrowful tone, as if he were struggling to communicate with the supreme being.

The voice rose and fell, muffled and unclear, as if reciting some ancient and obscure prayer, or as if communicating with the "Dragon King" in a way that mortals could not understand.

He would occasionally make some complex gestures, drawing something with his fingers on the mud, making him seem incredibly mysterious.

Everyone held their breath, staring wide-eyed at this incredible scene.

The village chief... is he really communicating with the Dragon King? He actually knows how to communicate with deities?

Time passed slowly, each second feeling incredibly long.

Chen Maocai's "communication" did not seem to be going smoothly, and more and more beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

His face grew paler and paler, and his body even began to sway slightly, as if he were under immense mental pressure.

Finally, just when everyone was almost suffocating, Chen Maocai's body jolted violently, as if struck by an invisible force, and he leaned back slightly, but he managed to hold on.

He took a few deep breaths, his face showing a mixture of extreme exhaustion, lingering fear, and a hint of relief.

He struggled and kowtowed three more times to the "dragon shadow" in the air.

Then, with trembling hands and immense difficulty, he turned around to face the sea of ​​kneeling villagers.

At this moment, Chen Maocai is different in the eyes of the villagers.

The blood on his forehead was still wet, his face was pale, but his eyes carried a weariness and majesty that came from communicating with "divine will".

He scanned the silent crowd, his gaze lingering for a moment on the ashen-faced Huang Youde and Li Laoshuan's family.

Finally, in a hoarse and heavy voice, he announced, word by word:

"The Dragon King... His will is clear."

Everyone's heart tightened.

Chen Maocai took a deep breath and continued, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

"The Dragon King said that this disturbance of His Majesty's presence and disrespect for divine power deserves his wrath, turning Little River Village into a vast swamp!"

Everyone gasped, fear gripping their hearts once more.

"However—" Chen Maocai changed the subject, raising his voice.

"Considering the generations of devout faith of my Chen family, and considering that most villagers have been misled by evil spirits, may the Dragon King have mercy and grant us another chance!"

A tiny spark of hope ignited in countless desperate eyes.

Chen Maocai's expression became even more serious, even carrying a heavy sense of pity.

"However, while the death penalty may be waived, punishment is inevitable. The Dragon King is displeased, and we must appease his anger with utmost sincerity to renew the contract."

He paused, his gaze slowly shifting to Xiaolian, who had been dragged to the riverbank and lay unconscious, and her parents, slumped and despairing behind her. His voice was resolute, echoing in every corner:

"The sacrificial ceremony will proceed as scheduled!"

"Li Laoshuan's daughter, Xiaolian, is the bride personally chosen by the Dragon King. This is a preordained fate that cannot be changed!"

Only by successfully completing the sacrificial ceremony and sending the bride to the Dragon Palace can the Dragon King's anger be completely appeased, ensuring that our Xiahe Village will enjoy favorable weather and peace in the future!

He surveyed the crowd with a sharp gaze.

"If anyone obstructs the ceremony again, or if the ritual goes wrong again... the Dragon King's wrath will descend a hundredfold or a thousandfold!"

At that time, not only Li Laoshuan's family, but everyone present, and even the entire village, young and old, will be doomed! This is the Dragon King's personal decree!

He practically roared out his last few words, filled with endless intimidation and resolve.

The riverbank was deathly silent.

The vast majority of villagers had their heads down and were trembling.

The faint hope that had just risen in my heart because of the village chief's "successful communication" was instantly replaced by a deeper fear and a sense of "natural" resignation.

The Dragon King has given us a chance, but it has to be done according to the old rules... It seems like this is already the best outcome?

Resist? Even the village chief, who can communicate with the gods, said that any further resistance would mean the entire village's demise! Who would dare?

Someone secretly glanced up at the still majestic and indifferent "dragon shadow" in the sky.

Looking into its golden vertical pupils, which seemed to tacitly agree with the village chief's words, the last bit of doubt and hope vanished.

"Listen...listen to the village chief!"

"The sacrificial ceremony will proceed as scheduled!"

"Quickly, carry the bride back and get everything ready!"

Low, trembling voices of agreement began to rise and quickly blended together.

Several clan elders and strong men who already deeply believed in the sacrificial rites immediately sprang into action.

They more respectfully "took" the unconscious Xiaolian from the helpless struggle of Li Laoshuan and his wife.

They carried it towards the village as if they were carrying not a living being, but an important offering that had to be delivered on time.

Li Laoshuan let out a beast-like howl and tried to pounce, but was held down firmly by Chen Erbao and his men.

Zhou fainted immediately.

Seeing this scene, Huang Youde felt somewhat relieved.

It seems that the "real dragon" and the village chief are mainly investigating Li Laoshuan and the "bride".

Perhaps he, an outsider, still had a sliver of hope? But he dared not utter a sound.

Chen Maocai stood there, watching the villagers quickly regain order and become "obedient" again under his words.

Watching Xiaolian being carried away and the despairing Li Laoshuan, and looking at the still majestic "Dragon Shadow" in the sky.

A hint of smug satisfaction of complete control flashed deep in his eyes.

The groundwork has been laid, fear has reached its peak, and submission is inevitable.

The moment of the sacrificial ceremony will be when Chen Maocai, by virtue of the "dragon's might," will completely eliminate his rivals and consolidate his power.

He glanced at Huang Youde, Ye Qingfeng, and the others standing beside him, a cold smile appearing on his face.

He straightened his clothes, regained his dignified demeanor as village chief, and gave his orders in a deep voice.

"Take Mr. and Mrs. Li back and 'take good care' of them, lest anything else goes wrong!"

"As for those outsiders, although the Dragon King has not taken any action, our Xiahe Village should still show some attitude."

Although Chen Maocai did not explain the subsequent handling method, some clever villagers immediately understood.

With a sinister grin, he walked towards the group. Huang Youde, who was slumped on the ground, had initially thought he had escaped a disaster.

Now...the wind is blowing hard, let's get out of here!

The little monkey couldn't understand why Master Huang, who was almost forty years old, could run faster than it, a young man.

When Huang Youde passed by Ye Qingfeng, he noticed that Ye Qingfeng didn't make any move at all, but he had no interest in paying attention to him.

The best course of action right now is to run!

Ye Qingfeng stood still, taking in Chen Maocai's entire performance.

His gaze was calm as still water, but a cold understanding in his deep eyes became increasingly clear.

What a farce... humans borrowing the power of demons, demons feigning divine might, all to fool the masses.