At the start of the game, you have one equipment slot; the effects of unequipping the equipment rema

It's unclear whether he was frightened by the wind blade in Mu Yang's hand or by the Demon Slayer's uniform he was wearing.

The constables quickly explained why they had come to the courtyard to snatch the girl, one after another.

River God Festival!!

This is a major event that takes place once a year in Sancha County.

Each time, sixty-six children aged three to six, half boys and half girls, are selected from the county and sent to the Sancha River to bless the river goddess of Sancha County.

Their purpose in coming here is to abduct the girl from this family and offer her as a sacrifice to the River Goddess.

After the kneeling constables finished speaking, Mu Yang remained silent for a moment, then lowered his eyes slightly and looked at them.

"Is this a tradition in your Sancha County?"

His voice was flat, revealing no emotion.

"Yes, sir, this has been a tradition for decades, held every year. Thanks to the protection of the River Goddess, our Sancha County river basin has never suffered any demonic calamities!"

The constable quickly replied.

Mu Yang remained silent, only glancing back at the old woman and the little girl embracing each other.

Seeing Mu Yang turn his head, the old woman was so frightened that she immediately knelt down on the ground, hugging her granddaughter.

"My lord, I beg you, have mercy! This old woman is willing to be a sacrifice in place of my granddaughter. Please, Your Majesty..."

The old woman's half-white hair was disheveled as she prayed and was about to kowtow.

Before her forehead could touch the cold, hard ground, a large, strong hand suddenly pressed against her bent shoulder and straightened her back.

"grown ups?"

The old woman was taken aback. She looked at Mu Yang's overly young face, seemingly somewhat bewildered.

Does this mean the master has agreed?

"No one will make sacrifices anymore!"

Mu Yang's voice was calm, but the old woman could hear the unquestionable authority in his words.

No one will make offerings anymore?

The old woman was somewhat bewildered; how could this be...?

Mu Yang didn't explain or say anything more. He simply raised his hand and gently rubbed the girl's head, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Then, Mu Yang turned around and raised his hand.

"Shuashuashua——!!"

Several wind blades flew out, and several constables kneeling on the ground were instantly decapitated.

To avoid frightening the little girl, Mu Yang also casually put all the corpses into his sleeve pocket.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!!"

The old woman didn't understand the meaning behind Mu Yang's words, but she could tell that Mu Yang wasn't in cahoots with those officials.

It seems her granddaughter will live another year!

Mu Yang nodded in response.

He strode out of the courtyard.

Little Blackie, who had been waiting at the door, immediately looked up and trotted over.

Seemingly sensing that Mu Yang was in a bad mood, it immediately came over, bent down, and affectionately rubbed against Mu Yang's chest.

Mu Yang stroked Xiao Hei's mane, then leaped onto the horse's back.

Just then, a boy of about half a year old suddenly ran out from the shadows around the corner of the neighboring courtyard wall.

He looked only twelve or thirteen years old, with big eyes, but his eyes were bloodshot.

Before Mu Yang could speak, he bent his knees and fell to his knees with a thud, his small head hitting the ground hard with a dull thud.

"My lord, I'm willing to pay any price to save my sister!"

His voice was hoarse, as if he had been crying for a long time.

Mu Yang glanced down at him and guessed what was going on.

"Do you know where they are?"

The boy raised his head and looked at the tall figure riding a horse in the sunlight. His dim eyes lit up with a light brighter than the horizon.

"Yes, sir!"

"lead the way."

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

The county government office of Sancha County is located in the very center of Sancha County.

At this time, the county government office was also decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

Bright red lanterns hang high, and fine wine and delicacies are laid out on the table.

Compared to the somber and gloomy atmosphere on the streets, this place truly felt like a festival.

Constables in uniform entered the gate in twos and threes, each group carrying one or two children.

Every constable who abducted a child received a small, heavy bag of silver from the clerk.

Upon opening it, there were a full sixty taels of silver!

It's equivalent to five years' worth of monthly salary for an ordinary constable. Even the head of a constable squad would have to save up that amount for a year without eating or drinking.

Now, all you need to do is bring in a child of the appropriate age from the county to exchange for it.

It's like getting it for free!

"Thank you, Lord Zheng! Thank you, Lord Zheng!"

The constables, beaming with joy, bowed and scraped, expressing their gratitude repeatedly.

"Why thank me? If you want to thank someone, thank the River Goddess for her great power, which has ensured good weather and abundant harvests in our Sancha County, and that there are no more demonic calamities. Thank Magistrate Sun for his foresight and wisdom in finding a deity to protect the people of the county!" Clerk Zheng said with a smile.

"Lord Zheng is right. I'm clumsy with words and almost forgot to thank our greatest benefactor in Sancha County!" the constable echoed.

"Alright, stop flattering us. Just remember the kindness shown to you by the adults." Clerk Zheng waved his hand.

Just then, a middle-aged man with a large belly, dressed in a brocade robe, walked in.

The visitor was none other than Sun Shixin, the magistrate of Sancha County and the head of the Sun family, the most powerful clan in the county!

"Lord Sun!"

Zheng, the clerk, immediately stood up, and the surrounding constables also bowed repeatedly.

"Sit down, don't worry about me, go about your business." Sun Shixin had a gentle smile on his face, and seemed to have no airs of a county magistrate.

But Zheng, the clerk, dared not relax and remained respectful, not daring to sit down.

As one of Sun Shixin's trusted confidants, he was well aware of the ruthlessness of the man before him.

Every year, 66 boys and girls were sacrificed to the river god for a full 20 years.

What's even more terrifying is that not a single word of it reached the city of Qinghe County.

It is clear that this man is not only ruthless and meticulous, but also has very strong connections.

Faced with such a ruthless person, even Zheng Shuli, one of his own, couldn't help but feel some fear.

"How's it going? Have you found enough attendants for the River Goddess this year?" Sun Shixin asked with a smile.

"Sixty families have already expressed their gratitude for your hard work and the protection of the River Goddess, and are willing to send their children to the River Goddess's seat to listen to scriptures and receive teachings!" said Zheng the clerk respectfully.

"Not bad, I've always trusted you to get things done." Sun Shixin patted Zheng Shuli on the shoulder.

Then he added, "By the way, the River Goddess appeared to me in a dream yesterday and urgently needs ten young boys and girls to come to her seat to hear her message. You should immediately send someone to gather them and deliver them to my study."

"Remember, these ten people are not included in the River God Festival three days later."

"Understood, sir!"

Zheng, the clerk, nodded.

Well, I guess I'll have to send someone out to look for them again.

Fortunately, the money comes from the government; it just takes a little more time.

After giving a few more instructions, Sun Shixin walked away leisurely with his hands behind his back.

He quickly returned to his study.

Inside the study, a figure was already sitting at the mahogany tea table, leisurely sipping tea.

The figure seemed very tall, even when sitting, it was over two meters tall.

Its head was completely bald, without a single hair, but there were scale-like things covering its scalp.

"Everything is taken care of."

After Sun Shixin entered the room, he spoke.

"Thank you for your help, Brother Sun!"

"These are small things, but as long as they protect the peace and tranquility of the people of Sancha County, this sacrifice is worthwhile!"