roccoschili Chapter 196 The Lotus Sect, a "Cult"
Chapter 196 The Lotus Sect, a "Cult"
Du Hao was startled.
Birds of a feather flock together. These two are actually quite ruthless!
Du Hao immediately redefined the two of them.
I thought he was just a knowledgeable villager, but I never imagined he was a ruthless and taciturn killer.
They actually came up with such a vicious method of forced confession.
However, he likes it!! People in the martial arts world like this kind of straightforwardness.
Du Hao immediately pulled out a dagger from his pocket, and the Left Protector was alarmed.
These people are actually serious? They're really not afraid of retaliation from the Lotus Sect?!
A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle, so he immediately shouted, "I said... ah—"
It was a bit late in shouting; Du Hao had already flicked off the nail of the thumb.
The Left Protector was in so much pain that his face turned deathly pale, large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, his body trembled uncontrollably, and he kept cursing, "Are you fucking deaf? I already told you, I told you."
Du Hao curled his lip, looking disgusted.
He quickly wiped the dagger on the ground and sheathed it. "Why are you blaming me for being late?! If you wanted to say something, you should have said it sooner! How was I supposed to know you wanted to say something if you didn't?!"
After saying that, he looked at the Left Protector with an innocent expression.
The Left Protector was furious, knowing that being stubborn would not win him any favors with this group.
With their martial arts skills crippled, the chances of escape were extremely slim, especially since there were people guarding them here.
Escape is as difficult as climbing to heaven, so the only option is to submit and look for a possible escape.
After having his fingernails picked, the Left Protector's eyes became much clearer.
He immediately confessed honestly, "We were just passing through to preach and collect salaries. We inquired around and heard that this was the richest village in Pingyao County, so we came to persuade the villagers to believe in my Lotus God Sect."
Gao Mengli frowned and looked directly into the Left Protector's eyes. "Oh? That's all?"
The Left Protector's eyes darted away, avoiding Gao Mengli's all-seeing gaze, afraid that she would see through his intention to escape.
He stammered, "That's really all... I've been tortured like this by you guys, how could I dare to lie?"
Gao Mengli nodded. Indeed, if it were Jiang Yue, they could just confess everything without hiding.
As long as they're not after Jiang Yue, then everything is negotiable.
Gao Mengli squatted on the ground, looking directly into the eyes of the Left Protector, "How many people are in your headquarters, and what kind of people are they? Quickly explain."
This time, the Left Protector didn't deny it and confessed everything.
“Our Lotus God Sect has more than 600 members in Ping’an County. Every month, I and the Right Protector Dharma Association lead people to preach in the surrounding areas and collect offerings.”
As for our leader, he is the most precious treasure of the sect, and he can appear at will.
Hmph, let me tell you, those who believe in our religion will have eternal life and be free from disease. It's not too late for you to convert now.
"Don't worry, as long as you believe in our religion and let us go, I will forgive and forget this time."
This is getting more and more outrageous.
Gao Mengli was somewhat worried that this person's IQ had been eaten by a dog.
Even after becoming prisoners, they are still "diligently" preaching.
It seems this sect's brainwashing is very successful.
After all, even this dignified Left Protector firmly believes in this, which is more terrifying than "pyramid schemes".
But given this situation, he has no bargaining power.
Upon hearing the Left Protector's words, Du Hao's temples throbbed, and with a "clang," he pulled the dagger out again.
"If you keep spouting nonsense, do you believe I'll kill you right now?"
As he spoke, he pressed the dagger against the left protector's neck, its cold light flashing.
The Left Protector turned pale with fright, his voice trembling: "Don't...don't be impulsive, I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore."
Hmph, anyway, I don't believe they're the ones who will suffer, it has nothing to do with him.
Gao Mengli waved her hand, signaling Du Hao to calm down, and continued to stare at the Left Protector: "Who exactly is your leader? What abilities does he have that make you so devoted?"
The Left Protector swallowed hard, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Our leader is elusive, and no one has ever seen his true face."
All that is known is that he possesses extraordinary powers, can know the past and future, and can perform miraculous spells to protect his followers.
Gao Mengli sneered inwardly. This so-called cult leader was nothing more than a charlatan, using superstitious methods to control his followers.
She continued, "Then where do all the offerings you collect go? You don't actually use them to worship your illusory god, do you?"
The Left Protector's eyes flickered, and he stammered, "Offerings...offerings are naturally handed over to the leader, who decides how they are used. I've heard...they're used to strengthen the sect and help the poor followers."
Lin Xi couldn't help but sneer: "Helping impoverished believers? I think it's just lining their own pockets."
You people, under the guise of a religious sect, swindle and cheat people everywhere; aren't you afraid of retribution?
No, meeting Wu Gao Mengli was his retribution in this life.
Lin Xi looked at him in confusion. Why did they explain everything except the Holy Maiden?
Lin Xi frowned as she looked at the Left Protector. "By the way, where is your cult's holy maiden?"
"Saint...Saintess..."
The Left Protector was greatly alarmed. How did they know about the Holy Maiden?
Seeing him stammering, Du Hao tightened his grip on the dagger, pressing it against his neck and drawing a bloody line. "Speak quickly, or I won't hold back with this dagger."
The Left Protector shrank back in fear, his face contorted with rage as he confessed their sordid deeds: "Spare me, I'll talk, I'll talk."
The Left Protector swallowed hard. "Our sect is all men, we can't marry, so the Holy Maiden is of course...of course she is..."
He didn't continue, but the answer was obviously predictable.
Gao Mengli's eyes narrowed, and her face became serious.
It seems Jiang Yue's maidservant took her place as the Holy Maiden. Discovering it wasn't a life of luxury, she might reveal the impersonation.
Gao Mengli frowned. "Do any of you saintesses really have any heart willing to go?"
The Left Protector smiled smugly, "Of course, we will give each member of the Holy Maiden's family twenty taels."
That's more than the dowry you get when you marry off your daughter, so why would anyone be unwilling?
Even the richest young ladies are eager to make offerings to the gods!
As for those who deceive and cheat others out of money, our divine religion will naturally bring down divine punishment.
Gao Mengli felt both angry and helpless as she listened to the Left Protector's words; it was the way of the times.
This is the drawback of being backward.
She sneered, "Your so-called divine punishment is probably some underhanded method. You are truly depraved."
The Left Protector, however, was unconcerned. "Hmph, blasphemy against the gods, death is already too good for them."
Upon hearing this, Gao Mengli stopped talking, asked what she wanted to ask, and then pulled Lin Xi away.
He instructed Du Hao from a distance, "They eat too much and waste food. From today onwards, they will eat only one meal a day, and they shouldn't eat too much."
They've eaten too much and are acting like idiots. They might have plenty of energy, but they're always thinking about escaping, so it's hard to catch them.
Du Hao nodded in agreement, "I also felt that we were full and just wanted to give them some free time."
Left Protector: ...