There are too many ruthless, domineering women who are considered "losers"!

Lu Chang'an felt that Gu Wushuang's words made sense. This mother and daughter, who were powerless to even kill a chicken, would certainly not be able to protect that piece of silver and would only be snatched away by others.

In this way, one's own charity becomes a burden and a scourge.

This is the rule of a cannibalistic world.

That was still too ill-considered.

I just turned around.

Gu Wushuang blocked his way and said calmly, "My Rakshasa Sect members have arrived. Let them handle it."

"Arrived? When?"

Lu Chang'an had only heard her mention this the night before, and now it's already here?

......

As the sun rose, the city gates opened wide, and many displaced people staggered through the biting cold wind.

They walked in groups, some limping, some missing arms or legs, their faces red from the cold and stiff, yet they still marched towards the capital like zombies.

It was as if this place was a sacred place in their hearts, the only place where they could seek refuge.

Even if it takes away all my strength, I will still reach this place.

A massive, black tide of people surged into the capital.

Even the Imperial Guards couldn't suppress it.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees poured into the capital city at once.

The situation is out of control.

As dawn broke, the sounds of gongs and drums echoed from the streets.

"Believe in me, Rakshasa Heavenly Venerable, and may I ensure peaceful weather and protection from disease!"

"Those who join my Rakshasa sect will receive a peck of rice, and the Heavenly Venerable will bless you, granting you ultimate bliss after death and a life of wealth and honor in your next life!"

Devout believers walked through the streets and alleys, constantly chanting prayers.

"Is there really rice?"

A emaciated beggar crawled out, asking with a hopeful expression.

"It's true, of course. Join the Rakshasa Cult and you'll have plenty of rice."

The leader of the believers smiled slightly and said confidently.

"Please follow me, everyone."

The lead believer turned to the crowd and smiled gently.

He led the group through the streets to a spacious courtyard located at the junction of the inner and outer city, in a very open area.

The compound is just the tip of the iceberg. This is actually a mountain villa, which includes the compound, warehouses, ancestral halls and other places. This villa was originally the site of a Taoist temple from a previous dynasty. During the chaos of war, the temple was overgrown with weeds, and people either died or fled. After the Rakshasa sect moved in, it was temporarily repaired and became a stronghold.

The lead believer walked ahead, crossed the courtyard, and arrived at an ancestral hall.

At the center of the ancestral hall is a lacquered bronze statue with fangs, a demon-like face, and a human body. It stands on clouds, has three heads and six arms, and is over ten meters tall. Its raven-headed head has sharp eyes that look into the distance, and its human body is robust. The six arms on its back hold various weapons.

"This is the Rakshasa Deity we worship."

The leader of the believers stopped in front of the bronze statue, bowed respectfully, and explained with a smile.

"Thump!"

The melodious chimes rang out, and prayers echoed from the depths of the mountain villa.

Seeing the doubt in everyone's eyes, the leader of the believers said in a reassuring tone, "It's time for the ceremony. The Holy Maiden is leading the members of the church in a prayer."

"What ceremony? And who is the saint?"

One of the men in the group asked curiously.

The leader of the followers explained with a smile, "Once you complete the ritual, you can become a true member of the Rakshasa Cult."

"As for the Holy Maiden, you'll find out soon enough."

Everyone stepped into the deepest part of the mountain villa and arrived at a palace.

The hall was very spacious, and a woman was surrounded by a group of Rakshasa followers.

The woman wore a loose black robe with silver demon patterns on it. There was a circle of copper bells on her left bare foot. She wore a white veil, and her black hair was faintly visible through the robe.

Even with a veil on, her exquisitely beautiful eyes were breathtaking.

"This is our Holy Maiden, who has traveled all the way from afar to preside over the ceremony."

The leader of the believers explained with a smile.

The woman, referred to as the saint, glanced at the astonished and bewildered crowd who had arrived, and spoke:

"Welcome to the Rakshasa Cult. From now on, we are one family."

Her voice was slightly hoarse, but not cold; rather, it was very gentle and polite, like a spring breeze, as if it possessed a captivating power.

This person was none other than Gu Wushuang's fellow disciple.

The second senior sister of Rakshasa Demon Ancestor Mountain, also known as the Garan Demoness.

Upon hearing this voice, everyone calmed down. Some men in the group were even captivated, their eyes fixed on her, unwilling to look away.

After saying that, Jialan turned around again and looked in the other direction.

Over there was a long table, a full ten meters long, covered with all sorts of dishes, including fragrant rice, whole roasted pig, steamed fish, braised duck, char siu venison, and countless fruits and desserts.

Some people were already enjoying their meal at the table, pulling out a goose leg and gnawing on it with gusto, their mouths greasy from the food.

These people were clearly recruited from outside, just like the group that came here.

The hungry refugees in the line watched, swallowing hard, their eyes filled with envy, yet also with great fear of the dense crowd of believers surrounding them.

Seeing their expressions, Jialan smiled knowingly and said gently:

"Go ahead, finish eating, and the ceremony will officially begin."

This statement came out.

The starving people in the line couldn't wait any longer. They rushed over like madmen, running extremely fast, and began to enjoy their meal.

At this moment, the leader of the believers approached the saintess and respectfully said:

"Your Holiness, the number of people should be sufficient this time."

"not enough.

The woman said expressionlessly.

"The more people the better, Master needs even more offerings."

"Forgive my ignorance, but what use are so many people now? These refugees are unlikely to gain any real power."

After listening, Jialan said calmly, "You haven't been in the sect for long and have only recently become a hall master, so it's normal that you don't know some things. These refugees are of great use to us."

"Whether it's the power of the Daoist lineage and the incense that overturned the fate of the Great Yuan Dynasty, these refugees are indispensable. In other words, they are the source of our strength."

After listening, the leader of the believers understood a little. He looked at the demon totem above his head with great piety and said in awe, "The Heavenly Venerable helped me break through my realm. Without him, I would not be who I am today."

"How's it going with the sect leader?"

Jialan asked this question.

The leader of the believers replied respectfully, "He is still by the young emperor's side. He should be in the capital by now. The sect leader is on the orders of the patriarch to monitor the royal family. The news that has come back is that the young emperor has already seized military power. We just need to wait for the right opportunity to overthrow Empress Dowager Murong."

"This empress is surrounded by a complex web of power in the court; she's not so easy to deal with."

Jialan licked her lips and beckoned with a seductive gesture: "If the sect leader could sacrifice herself and completely bewitch this young emperor, then perhaps it would be possible, but can she do it?"

......