Chapter 886 - 246: Revitalizing Xiqi
In Xiqi City, laughter and cheers filled the air.
No one noticed a person burned to ashes under the gaze of the Sun God.
Except for the people from the Ancestral Temple.
This cast a shadow over their "victory feast."
Han Zhan lost interest in tasting the delicious food; after a quick meal, he returned to his residence and shut the door.
Chang Hao was dead.
Just today, he stood at the entrance, smiling and inviting Han Zhan to attend the banquet. But now, he had completely vanished from this world.
Life and death seem so fragile.
So swift that they are elusive.
Do you believe what he said? Han Zhan looked at the empty room, asking himself.
Logically, it seems fine.
But upon deeper reflection, there’s a sense of abruptness, as if something was cut off, ended suddenly.
Chang Hao incited chaos in the granary for faith and wish power, which indeed aligned with Han Zhan’s speculation. Even the later inducement of him to an empty place to explode the puppet had no problem.
"But, is it just like this?"
"If Chang Hao orchestrated the chaos, then who took the opportunity to destroy the Celestial God Sacrifice?"
"Is Chang Hao confessing to end this matter this way, not wanting anyone to investigate further?"
"Or rather, did he not commit suicide!"
The more Han Zhan thought, the deeper his frown became.
The more he felt that this whole thing couldn’t be just about Chang Hao alone.
"Did Chang Hao want to die?"
"If Chang Hao really wanted to die, why would he go to see Xiao Hua, bring those foods to her, and promise to teach her fortune-telling once she grew older?"
"These behaviors don’t resemble a man’s dying wish."
"If he didn’t want to die, then how do we explain his final act of suicide?"
The trail breaks off here.
Even if Han Zhan is unwilling to admit it, based on the current clues, indeed no other leads can be found.
Han Zhan recalled Chang Hao’s smiling face greeting him,
silently clenched his fists.
"Rest assured."
"Your due responsibilities won’t be missed, while undue guilt won’t be added."
"Chang Hao, I will find out the real murderer, I definitely will."
...
The Ancestral Temple chose to keep Chang Hao’s death a secret.
The external explanation was that Chang Hao, as a puppet master proficient in Puppetry Skill, was dispatched to places where he was more needed.
Regarding this explanation, Xiqi’s populace naturally believed it without a doubt.
This matter seemed to end in such a manner.
No one in the Ancestral Temple brought it up again, not even Master Jiang Ziya, who accepted Chang Hao’s words before his departure.
"The deceased is gone; although Chang Hao made a mistake, he has already paid the price."
"So, outwardly, he remains a disciple of the Temple."
"I’ll find an opportune moment to attribute Chang Hao’s death to an enemy invasion, declaring he died bravely in battle as the best choice."
Upon hearing Jiang Ziya’s words, none of the other disciples disagreed.
Just as everyone was about to turn and leave the Ancestral Temple, Jiang Ziya unexpectedly called out Han Zhan once more.
"Ji Fa, stay a moment."
All the senior brothers and sisters glanced over, but they didn’t linger, continuing their footsteps to leave the Temple’s hall.
In the grand hall, only Han Zhan and Jiang Ziya remained.
"Master?" Han Zhan didn’t understand why Jiang Ziya asked him to stay, and he asked in surprise.
"I’ve been invited by an old friend to travel afar, leaving Xiqi temporarily."
"During my absence from Xiqi, I hope you can manage the Temple on my behalf."
Jiang Ziya’s words stunned Han Zhan.
Travel afar, leave Xiqi? Let him manage the Temple?
"This... doesn’t seem suitable..."
"All the senior brothers and sisters joined earlier than me; if I were to manage the Temple, I’m afraid..."
"It’s no problem." Jiang Ziya waved a hand, interrupting Han Zhan.
"In the Temple, seniority isn’t considered, only ability."
"Moreover, there’s something you might not know, the Temple’s Supreme Treasure is a symbol of authority in the Temple, and now you and Shen Luo each possess two pieces of the Supreme Treasure, which means you both are second only to me."
"But Shen Luo is engrossed in cultivation, and I’m not assured if he manages the Temple."
Seeing Jiang Ziya speaking like this, Han Zhan couldn’t refuse anymore and could only nod in agreement.
"Very good." Jiang Ziya noted Han Zhan’s agreement, paused, and continued, "Since you’ve agreed, let’s discuss the primary task ahead."
"I suppose, with your insight and acumen, you must have some guesses?"
Jiang Ziya spoke indirectly, intending to test Han Zhan.
Though much of Han Zhan’s energy was distracted by Chang Hao’s death, upon being asked by Jiang Ziya, he briefly contemplated and immediately found an answer.
"Revive Xiqi." This was Han Zhan’s answer.
"Oh?" Jiang Ziya raised an eyebrow, withholding judgment, "Go on?"
"The Celestial God Sacrifice is a recurring matter, it can be viewed as a repetitive task."
The Sun God periodically demands the Celestial God Sacrifice.
The original sacrifice, though fulfilling the Sun God’s demands, could not satisfy Him.
Only food and livestock transformed by Han Zhan’s Creation Skill could satisfy Him completely.
The result of complete satisfaction was receiving a Starlight Stone statue gifted by the Celestial God.
This logic is simple and clear.
That indicates one thing.
As long as the sacrificial demands of the Sun God are met nine more times, satisfying Him completely.
Then, can the entire Xiqi thoroughly lift divine punishment and return to normalcy!
This was the true intention behind Han Zhan’s "revival of Xiqi."
"You surely haven’t let me down." Jiang Ziya listened to Han Zhan’s explanation, smiled, and nodded.
"Indeed, the sacrifice cycle is once-a-month."
"This world is special, the growth of fruits, vegetables, and livestock accelerates under divine influence, typically alleviating concerns of supply shortages."
"Are you saying, just nine more months and Xiqi can entirely lift divine punishment?" Han Zhan asked instinctively.
"In theory. In reality, even with recovery over half the territory, Xiqi can progress without current constraints."
For Xiqi, currently, it’s mere survival.
To prosper, there’s still a long road ahead.
The emergence of the silver Starlight Stone statue will significantly streamline this process.
"Perform well." Jiang Ziya looked at Han Zhan standing opposite.
"If everything goes smoothly, upon my return, I’ll present you a well-earned reward."
After finishing the sentence, Jiang Ziya’s figure shattered into golden light within the grand hall, escaping towards the distant sky, disappearing swiftly.
A reward...?
Han Zhan gazed in the direction of Master Jiang Ziya’s departure, deep in thought.