Forbidden Zone of Deception

Chapter 33 Picking up a jade bracelet

For a moment, Jiang Jin wondered if he had misheard.

"You...what did you say?"

“Well, Master, please hear me out.” Deputy Village Chief Huang poured Jiang Jin a glass of wine, then poured one for himself, drinking it all in one gulp to indicate it was safe. “Master, I’ll drink this, you can drink as you please. I’ll continue… Villagers, we’ve been living like this for almost a hundred years. I think everyone has adapted quite well. There’s really no need to change it back now. Some things, their existence has its advantages.”

Jiang Jin's expression turned cold as he said, "During the night patrol performance, the ghosts don't distinguish between people from the village committee and ordinary villagers; they might choose either, right?"

The village rules clearly state that everyone must watch the night patrol performance.

"Yes, that's how it is. Master Jiang, let me ask you a question. When the enemy fires artillery at a battle position, they don't distinguish between ordinary soldiers and officers. Anyone who gets hit by a shell is a bloody mess, heading straight for the Yellow Springs. There's no difference. If that's the case, why fight? If officers and rank-and-file soldiers didn't fight and just lived peacefully, they wouldn't die, and there wouldn't be any war in the world, would there?"

Jiang Jin was stunned for a moment.

“Master,” the deputy village chief continued, “you should also be able to see that our village doesn’t actually have much fertile land. So tell me, how did our village’s economy develop to the point where everyone has a gun? And how did we manage to have so many guesthouses even though there aren’t many tourists? This money didn’t fall from the sky.”

“You…” Jiang Jin suddenly realized.

“Master, you are still too young. So there are some things you haven’t figured out. In this world, besides death, what’s more terrifying is poverty. Death is just a matter of a moment. Your head is chopped off, you leave a scar the size of a bowl, you find a place to be buried, and you don’t have to think about anything anymore. But there are so many things to consider when you’re alive. If you don’t have money, how will you get food? How will you get clothes? How will you get medical treatment when you’re sick? How will you find a wife when you get married? How will your children go to school? These are all problems.”

"So... the curse on this village can bring you economic benefits?"

"It's almost the 21st century, so many years have passed, how could no one outside know the secrets of our village? Our village has to maintain good relations with gangs, not only to prevent them from charging us protection money, but also to do business with them. That's all thanks to our village's...unique features. We run guesthouses, not mainly to cater to tourists. We don't actually have many tourists. We mainly cater to people who have committed crimes and need to lay low for a while, like the Liangshan Marsh in the Water Margin. For these people, we naturally charge a higher price for accommodation."

Then, the deputy village chief took another sip of wine: "Furthermore, the most troublesome thing about gang feuds or the enforcement of family rules is the aftermath. After all, human life is at stake, and killing someone always requires meticulous planning. So, if they send people to us, we have countless legally impeccable ways of reporting them as missing or dead. Usually, when gangs send people to our village, we provide a one-stop service, charging a service fee. Finally, we can improve these people's village registration, and during our nighttime performances, they can... act as scapegoats for us. Master, you don't need to think we're doing anything wrong. These people were originally gang members; they all deserved to die. They're going to die anyway, so why not let us make some money?"

Jiang Jin thought of the countless people submerged in water vats in the ancestral hall.

So... this can actually be turned into an entire industry chain?

He couldn't help but recall the saying, "With a 300 percent profit, a capitalist can produce a rope that can strangle himself."

These people can even make money off ghosts!

"Our village's economy largely depends on this. So, now that you've truly eliminated this curse through the soul-suppressing ritual, how will we make money in the future? Especially after last year's Asian financial crisis, money was really hard to earn... Master, don't worry, this trip won't be in vain. I've prepared a box of 'local specialties' for you; please accept them. Also, that Zhang Asi who died was an orphan, and his close brothers will no longer appear in the village after today."

Jiang Jin now understood why the person in front of him was able to become the deputy village chief.

Jiang Jin rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment, and then said, "So you mean if I insist on completing this soul-suppressing ritual, you will stop me, right? Is this your intention, or the village chief's?" "Sigh, why should the village chief give orders for such a small matter? We can just help him share the burden." Seeing that Jiang Jin wasn't touching his chopsticks, Deputy Village Chief Huang sighed and said, "Master Jiang, let me put it this way. Actually, I really have no choice. As I just said, this is an industry chain, and the suppliers and customers on the chain are all gangs and organizations. If there's even a slight mishap, my head will be on the line tomorrow."

Jiang Jin's expression grew increasingly grim.

As expected of the deputy village chief, he speaks with finesse. While he appears to be referring to himself, isn't that actually a dig at Jiang Jin's current predicament?

If this matter has truly created a large vested interest group in the village, then even if he points a knife at the deputy village chief, it won't solve anything.

After thinking it over, Jiang Jin nodded and said, "I've realized that I haven't been out of the mountains long enough, and my skills are still too shallow to solve your village's problems."

Upon hearing Jiang Jin's words, Deputy Village Chief Huang was overjoyed and said, "Oh, Master, what are you saying? As long as you go back and cultivate diligently, you will surely be able to help those in distress and save the world in the future! Come, come, let's eat!"

"However, if I say it directly, people might not believe it easily, right? I think it's better if I just put on an act."

"Well... that's fine too. Anyway, the 'Picking Up the Jade Bracelet' performance is tomorrow night. Master, you're welcome to... give it a try."

“Then I’d like to ask about the details…” Jiang Jin had already begun to rethink his new plan.

In the afternoon, after Jiang Jin walked out of the village committee, his mind was in complete turmoil.

I never imagined that the poison in people's hearts could be worse than that of evil spirits!
He didn't believe that everyone in the water tank was a gang member!

Those beasts deserve to die!
In Jiang Jin's mind, a brand new plan had already begun to be reviewed.

"Everything depends on tomorrow! Tomorrow night, let's see if I can complete the soul-suppressing ritual and end the curse on this village!"

At this moment, Deputy Village Chief Huang arrived outside the Village Chief's office.

He knocked on the door and said, "Village Chief, after the talks, Master Jiang said that his skills are still too limited and he can't help. I also feel very sorry to have disappointed you, Village Chief... Oh, Village Chief, is there any new instruction?"

Then, a piece of paper came out from the crack in the door below.

It was stained with blood!
Deputy Village Chief Huang picked up a piece of paper with the performance schedule of "Picking Up the Jade Bracelet" written on it.

"Yes, village chief. Don't worry, I will organize the 'Picking Up the Jade Bracelet' performance well tomorrow night and I will definitely not let you down!"

(End of this chapter)