Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 509: Instructions? Without enough benefits today, no one will be able to leave through this door_1
"You little things, you think you deserve an explanation from me?"
"If I wanted to kill you all, I wouldn’t need tricks or scheming. Even if you attacked together, you’d still end up beaten to a pulp. If I hadn’t shown mercy, I would have cut off your heads and hung them outside by now."
Wang Linchi surveyed the group of Class A Temple Masters strung up from the rafters. He had only just arrived, and they were already pinning the blame on him. It seemed they intended to use this opportunity to eliminate him and the Dai Temple.
As for whether the Human Association was behind this, that could be determined later; the Association already had plenty of crimes to its name.
However, Wang Linchi didn’t play by their rules. He summoned an Underworld Soldier, thrashed the group of Temple Masters, then tied them up and hung them upside down from the beams.
After that, they became much more compliant.
One by one, they begged for mercy, admitting their own blindness and apologizing profusely.
Although it wasn’t necessarily a case of might makes right, Wang Linchi’s Divine Arts largely represented his status.
The more exquisite one’s Divine Arts, the more favored one was by the spirits.
To a great extent, what Temple Masters competed for wasn’t so-called Divine Arts, but the favor of the spirits.
Once they displayed the favor of their spirits, there was often no need to fight. Just like in the current situation, they didn’t dare retaliate against Wang Linchi.
The Demon Gods backing them didn’t lack for a Temple Master; if one died, it was no great loss. However, it was clear that Wang Linchi’s Dai Temple, despite its decline and having so few people, would be beyond their ability to confront if its resources were concentrated.
After being thoroughly beaten, all their schemes had vanished like bubbles. Their greatest hope for the future was to avoid encountering Wang Linchi ever again.
"Alright, tell me what happened," Wang Linchi said, sitting imposingly in the master’s seat as he looked at the group of inverted Temple Masters.
The head Class A Temple Master from the Mysterious Tiger Temple spoke first, "It was the Human Association that attacked us, and they misled the investigation to point towards you."
"That’s not what I want to know," Wang Linchi retorted.
"For next year’s share, we can give thirty percent to the Dai Temple," another Temple Master offered.
No one objected. Thirty percent was indeed a lot, but it wasn’t unaffordable.
"Not that either." What would he do with this share of incense and faith? Even if they gave it to him now, he’d find it too troublesome to handle, Wang Linchi thought.
"Then... is it about the human sacrifices?" another Temple Master asked tentatively.
"No," Wang Linchi replied again.
At this point, many of the Temple Masters were bewildered. Is he deliberately trying to make things difficult for us? It’s not this, and it’s not that. What on earth does he want? They had come here to discuss only two things: incense and faith, and human sacrifices. There was nothing else!
"It seems you’re still being stubborn. I’ll give you one last chance. You know in your hearts what it is. Hand it over, and we’ll put this matter behind us."
"Otherwise..." Wang Linchi huffed coldly.
Actually, I don’t know what it is either, he thought. I’ll just try to bluff them first. The fact that I ended up here suggests there might be some hidden opportunity. I didn’t want anything initially. I had already reached the city gates, but since I was ’invited’ back, I’m not leaving empty-handed.
Upon hearing Wang Linchi’s words, the Temple Masters couldn’t help but feel a chill in their hearts. This is serious trouble. Otherwise, why would things be like this?
They glanced at each other, momentarily unsure what to say.
"Well, if anyone has it, just hand it over quickly. Let’s not force Wang Temple Master to take action," the Temple Master of the Mysterious Tiger Temple was the first to speak up. Anyway, I don’t have it, so I can speak more freely, he thought.
"Yes, hurry up and hand it over!"
"Don’t drag everyone down with you!"
"..."
The room buzzed with voices, but Wang Linchi remained unhurried, leisurely sipping his tea. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
To be honest, I’m not confident either, he mused. Who knows if such a thing even exists? But anyway, I have plenty of time. I don’t need to worry about Li Sandog either. Before I left, I put him in a nutrition cabin to sleep. There’s no need to worry about his Growth or him going hungry. Even if I were to roam outside for a month, nothing would happen to him. But it’s not like I’d actually be away for a ridiculous whole month.
The clamor continued for over an hour, but still, no one came forward. Wang Linchi figured it was about time to escalate the intimidation.
"Since you’re unwilling, then don’t blame me for getting rough."
"You all know I didn’t want to come here in the first place. You insisted I come. Now, if you expect me to just leave like this, that doesn’t seem right, does it?"
"I can understand if you’re unwilling to give it up, but I must take something with me. Otherwise, if you pay no price and come looking for trouble with me next time, and the time after that, what does that make me?"
As he spoke, Wang Linchi pulled a dagger from his robes.
"Eyes, tongue, face, internal organs, or an arm or a leg. Pick one." Wang Linchi toyed with the dagger, his meaning clear: he would cut one off.
At their current level, neither Divine Arts nor the blessings of Demon Gods could achieve limb regeneration.
"Oh, and I’ll use Divine Power. For any part I cut off, don’t even think of restoring it using Divine Arts or asking your gods for healing. It will remain that way for the rest of your life," Wang Linchi added as a warning.
"Wait, you can’t do this!" shouted the Temple Master of the Mysterious Tiger Temple.
"Oh, but I can. None of you can resist me now. Go on, summon the gods backing you to possess you if you have the guts," Wang Linchi said, grinning.
This made the Temple Masters who had been about to speak hesitate. It was a blatant threat from Wang Linchi.
Dare they summon them? No, they wouldn’t dare. Times were different now. Summoning a god for possession would shorten one’s lifespan—at least ten years each time, with no upper limit. A single misstep and they could lose their lives. If Wang Linchi cut something off, as long as it wasn’t an internal organ, the chances of survival were actually quite high.
"No one wants to speak? Then let’s start with you," Wang Linchi said, choosing the Class A Temple Master of the Mysterious Tiger Temple, the one who was shouting the loudest just now, to make an example of him.
He squatted down, caressed the man’s face, and asked, "What will you choose? If you don’t choose, I think your face would be a good option. Since you’ve been leading this whole ordeal, you should have the shameless Spirit for it."
As he spoke, the dagger touched the edge of the man’s face. "Don’t worry, my skinning skills are top-notch. Aside from the unbearable pain, it won’t harm your flesh or bones."
With a grin, Wang Linchi pricked the tip of the dagger into his skin. An explosion of pain made the Temple Master of the Mysterious Tiger Temple cry out, "Wait, I’ll give it, I’ll give it!!!"
"Oh, a pleasant surprise. I was originally planning to make an example of you." I had no idea which one was the ’chicken’ I intended to make an example of, or if there even was a ’monkey’ to scare, Wang Linchi thought. But if someone’s willing to give something up, that’s for the best.
"It’s in the second pocket of my robes." The Temple Master of the Mysterious Tiger Temple knew. I’ve become collateral damage. But to save my own skin, I have no choice but to hand it over, even if it brings tears to my eyes.
Wang Linchi reached in and quickly retrieved it.
"An Amulet from the Dai Temple! You little rascal, you hid it quite deep to actually have something like this." Wang Linchi took it out and looked at it, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation. What kind of treasure is this? I could produce a pile of them myself. However, on closer inspection, it was rather interesting. The Divine Power stored inside wasn’t from me, the Holy Emperor, but from the Mysterious Tiger God Sovereign. It seemed prolonged contact had caused the Divine Power within to change.
"I’ll accept this. You may go." Wang Linchi flicked his dagger, cutting the ropes binding the man. He fell to the ground and quickly scrambled to his feet.
"Thank you." The man cupped his fists, uttered no harsh words, but instead expressed his thanks before turning and leaving directly.
What did the other Temple Masters have to do with him? he thought. He had paid to save his own life. Why would he plead for them now and risk getting entangled again?
"Alright, one dealt with. Let’s continue with the rest." Wang Linchi thought, Of course, I’m not going to let them off the hook.
These Class A Temple Masters are all loaded. I don’t plan to squeeze them completely dry; just getting the best things they have on them will do.
"I hope you’re not harboring any wishful thinking. I do like pleasant surprises, but I’ve had my eye on what you’re holding for a long time," Wang Linchi bluffed again, his main strategy being deception.
The group of Temple Masters watched the Temple Master of the Mysterious Tiger Temple leave, their eyes filled with despair.
He definitely wouldn’t go out of his way to save us. So now, we either hand something over or get tortured by Wang Linchi, and then... we might not even be let go. Looking at Wang Linchi’s demeanor, it was clear that not only would he get what he originally wanted, but we would also have to bleed a great deal. Otherwise, we’ll never get out of this room. There’s no point hoping for the Court’s help either; this is a matter between Temple Masters, and they won’t interfere.
