The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

Tiezhu followed Li Ergou from a distance, like a vigilant hound.

The boy was supporting his staggering mother and had no idea that someone was following him.

Watching him turn into a narrow alley, Tiezhu dodged into the shadows and waited until Li Ergou was far away before he crouched down and followed him.

Li Ergou's home is a low thatched house deep in the alley, with the yard full of dry firewood.

Tiezhu hid behind a crooked tree and looked inside through the gap in the fence.

The house was simply furnished with a table with missing legs, a few worn benches, and some farm tools piled in the corner.

But this "simplicity" reveals an indescribable weirdness.

The walls were covered with talismans, and on the table were incense burners and some strangely shaped stones. The air was filled with a pungent smell of incense.

"I'm telling you! Elder Yun is amazing! He just chanted a few spells and the evil ghost ran away howling!"

"Elder Yun raised his sword and slashed it down! Blood splashed on the paper!"

The old woman chattered with Li Ergou all the way, and was still talking about the magic of the so-called "Immortality Religion" when they got home.

She patted Li Ergou's shoulder excitedly, spitting everywhere.

Li Ergou pushed the old woman's hand away impatiently: "Mom, I get it. I'm almost going deaf from your nagging."

"How many times do I have to tell you, that's a lie!"

"You kid! You still don't believe it? Then explain it to me. Can ordinary people do those things?"

Li Ergou fell silent. To be honest, he had heard his friends talk about Elder Yun.

Can make evil spirits appear on paper and then kill them with one blow.

He didn't know how to explain this phenomenon, but similar methods had attracted many staunch believers to the Changsheng Sect.

The taciturn middle-aged man at the side—Li Ergou's father—said in a muffled voice: "Mom, stop talking. The child is tired."

The old woman glared at the man, then turned to Li Ergou and said mysteriously, "There's something even more amazing!"

"Elder Yuan chanted a spell at the statue, and the statue's eyes actually...actually started bleeding!"

Li Ergou rolled his eyes. "Mom, can you come up with something new? I've been hearing this for a month now, and I've already said I don't believe it."

The old woman was a little displeased: "How can you say that! I saw this with my own eyes, how could it be fake? Your father saw it too!"

Li Ergou's father nodded with a dull expression, as if he had been brainwashed.

Li Ergou curled his lips, obviously not believing it.

Seeing this, the old woman said earnestly, "Ergou, this is all for your own good."

"Look at you, you're idle all day long, not doing your job. If you join the Changsheng Sect, maybe you can become an immortal like Elder Yun and Elder Yuan!"

Li Ergou sneered: "Becoming an immortal? I think it's becoming a liar!"

"He plays tricks all day long and tries to cheat those ignorant old men and women out of their money."

"You bastard!"

The old woman angrily scolded, "The Changsheng Sect is a legitimate sect, how can they be called a liar? If it weren't for them, your father's illness would have long been..."

Li Ergou interrupted her: "My father's illness was cured by the doctor, what does it have to do with them?"

The old woman wanted to argue, but was stopped by Li Ergou's father.

"Okay, Mom, stop talking."

Li Ergou's father sighed, "Ergou, you're not a child anymore, it's time to find a serious job."

"Since your mother wants you to join the Changsheng Sect, why don't you go and take a look? What if you can really learn some skills?"

Li Ergou looked suspicious: "Dad, you didn't believe their lies, did you?"

Li Ergou's father didn't say anything, but just nodded silently.

Seeing this, the old woman quickly struck while the iron was hot: "The day after tomorrow evening, the Changsheng Sect will hold a ceremony to offer sacrifices to the heavens at the mass grave outside the city, praying and chanting scriptures for the dead souls."

"We are here to bless all believers. Everyone who goes will gain merit!"

"When the time comes, you can go with your father, maybe you can even get the blessing of the gods!"

Mass grave?

Tiezhu was startled. This place was filled with extremely negative energy and was definitely not a good place.

Why did the Changsheng Sect choose to hold the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven in this place instead of choosing a good place in the city?

Li Ergou hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Okay, I'll go take a look."

"now it's right!"

The old woman patted Li Ergou's hand happily and said, "Follow your father when the time comes. Don't run around. Okay?"

Li Ergou responded impatiently and turned back to his room.

Tiezhu saw all this and thought about it in his mind.

Mass graves, a ceremony to offer sacrifices to heaven...what else is this? It sounds like some kind of cult gathering.

It seems that I have to go back and report to Xiao Liuzi so that he can make preparations early.

Tiezhu sneaked back to the prefect's mansion quietly, like a night cat returning to its nest.

As soon as he stepped into the yard, he heard hearty laughter coming from the main hall.

It seems that Lord Song and Lord Zhang are back and in a good mood.

Tie Zhu walked quickly into the main hall and bowed, "Sir, I'm back."

Song Zelin, the current Left Prime Minister, was holding a teacup with a hint of a smile on his face. He put down the cup and fixed his gaze on Tie Zhu. "Are you back? Have you found out everything?"

"Your Excellency, I have found out everything."

Tiezhu reported the details of Li Ergou's family and the Changsheng Sect.

Including Li Ergou's mother's fanatical belief in the Changsheng Sect, Li Ergou's father's dull obedience, and the grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven that will be held in the mass grave.

After hearing this, Song Zelin frowned slightly. "A mass grave? This Changsheng Cult is so bold that they actually chose such a place to hold the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heavens."

Zhang Yuan, standing by, also revealed a solemn expression: "The mass grave is filled with extremely gloomy energy. What on earth is this Immortal Cult trying to do?"

"Sir, I also think this is strange."

Tie Zhu paused and continued, "This Changsheng Sect operates in a secretive manner and has many followers. I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

Song Zelin asked.

"I'm afraid they're more than just a loose sect."

Tiezhu lowered his voice, "I have a slight suspicion that they might be using the believers to carry out some kind of conspiracy."

Song Zelin and Zhang Yuan looked at each other and saw worry in each other's eyes.

Just then, Xiao Liuzi walked in with a plate of pastries in his hand.

"My lords, please try this freshly baked osmanthus cake."

Xiao Liuzi placed the cakes on the table and turned to Tiezhu. "Tiezhu, you've worked hard, too. Want a piece?"

Tiezhu waved his hand: "No, I'm not hungry."

"No, that won't do. I asked the kitchen to leave this for you."

Little Liuzi stuffed a piece of cake into Tiezhu's hand without saying anything, "Try it quickly, it tastes good."

Tiezhu had no choice but to take a bite. A rich sweet osmanthus fragrance instantly filled the air. It was sweet but not greasy and indeed delicious.

"Is it delicious?"

Xiao Liuzi smiled proudly, "This is my exclusive secret recipe."

"It tastes really good, Brother Liu, you are amazing."

Tiezhu looked at Xiao Liuzi with admiration and asked, "Brother Liu, have you reported the pharmacy matter to the adults?"

Little Liuzi blinked, "Of course, every detail! You still don't trust me!"

Song Zelin coughed lightly and said, "Alright, you two, stop joking. Little Liuzi has already said it."