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"What are you two talking about?"

Chen Qing’s voice was still soft and gentle, but this time, in the darkness of the night, it sent a chill through both of their hearts.

Shen Qi was a clever man, a very clever man. It took him only a moment to understand what Wei Gongcheng was afraid of, and in that same moment, he shared Wei Gongcheng’s fear.

Everyone could see what Chen Qing had done for the people of Jiangnan, and the sacrifices he had made that involved life and death.

But what if... all of this was just a disguise?

In fact, he suddenly realized something.

They... perhaps had never truly tried to understand Chen Qing.

Many things they hadn’t dared consider from the beginning: Why did Chen Qing possess such miraculous authorized powers? Why did he know so much intelligence?

Why did it always feel... like he wasn’t from the same world as them...

"Why is no one talking?"

Chen Qing walked over and sat between the two. They glanced silently at the teacups in their hands as the atmosphere turned frighteningly cold. Shen Qi knew he had to say something, they couldn’t continue in this eerie silence.

Just as he was about to speak, Wei Gongcheng beat him to it, "We were discussing, my lord, what kind of relation you have with that group of new spirits?"

Shen Qi: "....."

He had been in Lyuzhou for two years and had developed quite a good relationship with Wei Gongcheng. Through their interactions, he knew Wei Gongcheng to be someone who seemed rigid but was actually keen at heart.

Why was he so straightforward today?

"Oh, so that’s why the atmosphere is so strange," Chen Qing commented casually as he poured himself a cup of tea, then looked at them, "Have you discussed any results about what relation I might have with those new spirits?"

Shen Qi swallowed hard, while Wei Gongcheng looked straight at Chen Qing, "We believe... those people, and you, my lord, might be the same kind of people, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Shen Qi glared at Wei Gongcheng.

"Yes!"

Shen Qi: "...."

It seemed he was going to die a second time today.

Wei Gongcheng was also startled; he hadn’t expected Chen Qing to respond so bluntly to him!

The reason he had asked so directly was because he hadn’t considered the possibility of Chen Qing silencing them.

Chen Qing owed him a great debt of revival.

If it really came down to action, he would willingly give his life, but he had to know the truth.

Yet, for his opponent to be so forthcoming, he hadn’t anticipated it. ..

"My lord, you..." Wei Gongcheng didn’t even know how to continue...

"You’re right to be suspicious..." Chen Qing nodded in confirmation, "I and those newcomers are, strictly speaking, the same kind of people."

"You all... what exactly are you..." Shen Qi also couldn’t help but speak up.

"We come from a very special place," Chen Qing said directly, "That place is not very suitable for living, so we began to look for places that are suitable."

Chen Qing tried to explain the issue using words that would be understandable to the people of this place.

"This place is the new place we found, so we began to make arrangements for more of our kin to come here!"

Wei Gongcheng and Shen Qi exchanged glances, and the same answer surfaced in their minds: An invasion of otherworldly beings!!

Their master... was actually one of these otherworldly beings??

The two who got the answer were chilled to the bone!

Chen Qing silently watched their expressions, patiently waiting for their emotions to calm down.....

He knew that such a day would come eventually, some things had to be laid out on the table sooner or later!

The Divine Path relies on power, and with power functioning well, the Lord of the Divine Path can possess a constant supply of faith’s strength.

To ensure it runs smoothly, one needs capable subordinates.

Wei Gongcheng was the first capable person he had recruited, and as his first Hell Ruler, he had never disappointed him—even when dealing with Zi Yue’s rebellion, he managed it exceptionally well.

Even though he hadn’t captured Zi Yue afterward, he still defended Lyuzhou and essentially controlled Ali.

As the current actual head of the Shen Family, Seventh Master’s role was also significant, especially his techniques, which held high strategic value. Moving forward into transcendence, he would be able to perform even better.

He didn’t want to lose either of them, so Chen Qing was willing to try patiently once, but if it didn’t work.....

Chen Qing slightly closed his eyes, sometimes, some things just had to be done!

The three remained silent for a long while until Wei Gongcheng was the first to break the silence, "What are your plans for your subjects from Jiangnan in the future, my lord?"

"As it is now, so it shall be in the future," Chen Qing replied seriously.

"Is that possible?" Wei Gongcheng looked at him, "Your kin will keep coming here, won’t you favor them? As their numbers grow, won’t they gradually replace the locals here? Through the cycle of reincarnation!!"

This question was pointedly disturbing. Chen Qing looked into his eyes with some comfort, knowing that his years of kindness towards Wei Gongcheng had not been in vain. Even though the other had such doubts about him, he did not hide them but voiced them out openly, clearly prepared for the worst!

"It’s possible....." Chen Qing nodded, "This world is bigger than we imagine, our people are not as many as you think, they can integrate here completely, and become one of the groups completely."

"Become one group entirely?" Wei Gongcheng scoffed, "Can you, my lord, make that happen? Can you control them? Will they live in harmony with us as you think? And what if they cause trouble?"

"Kill!" Chen Qing’s voice grew cold, "Whether it’s them causing trouble or you, my attitude is the same. If someone disrupts the system, they must die!"

Shen Qi’s heart trembled, but Wei Gongcheng was stunned. After a long look at Chen Qing, he slowly stood up, "Would you strike against your own kin for our sake?"

"Not for your sake....." Chen Qing looked up earnestly, "It’s for the ideal world in my heart. My goal is to create a world without fear’s shadow and without wars. Anyone who stands in my way, I will act against them, no matter who it is!"

As he spoke, Chen Qing also slowly stood up and looked seriously at Wei Gongcheng, "So, are you still willing to serve me?"

"If I’m unwilling, will you kill me?"

"Yes," Chen Qing nodded, "You carry the power of the Hell Ruler, and you possess the causal forces of the entire Lyuzhou Hell Ruler. If you leave rashly, the impact would be significant and quite dangerous. So if you are unwilling, I must kill you!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Gongcheng laughed, placing his right hand over his left chest, performing a customary military salute, "If my lord’s ambition remains unchanged, I, Wei Gongcheng, will serve you for a lifetime!"

"Good!" Chen Qing immediately laughed and then turned to look at Shen Qi.

Wei Gongcheng also looked at Shen Qi, leaving him speechless because he could feel that Wei Gongcheng’s eyes carried a hint of murderous intent—if he answered incorrectly, Wei Gongcheng would act against him right away.

This ungrateful wretch, I bring him fine wine every day.....

And moreover.....it was you, you scoundrel, who led me into this pit!

He didn’t immediately pledge his loyalty.

He knew that Chen Qing was serious, and he had to be serious, too.

He looked at Chen Qing, "It sounds simple when you say it, my lord, but even if you want those reincarnated people to integrate here, are they willing to?

They are probably very powerful, right? Will they treat the local people as equals, as you do? "

"If they can’t integrate, let them die....." Chen Qing stated bluntly, "In the world I create, if they come to cause trouble, they deserve to die."

"Fine, let’s say you can be fair and equal to all!

" Shen Qi took a deep breath, "But what about the conflicts among the people? They come with memories, don’t they? Reborn into families, they’re bound to act out of the ordinary, right?

One or two might be concealed, but what about thousands, even millions? How can it be concealed then?"

"When everyone finds out that you, my lord, have allowed a swarm of demons to become their children, how can there not be chaos, how can they bear it? Everyone will think that you took their real children away, and then.....that will be real chaos!"

"What will you do then, my lord? Continue to suppress firmly? Will you kill anyone who opposes?"

"Can you.....kill them all?"