Chapter 697: All Our Own People
The road was riddled with potholes along the way. In the past, people would have long since stood up to curse the Administrative Courtyard for their inaction, but now, who would bother bringing that up?
As for the Administrative Courtyard, they likewise had no leisure to concern themselves with such matters. They were currently burdened by a mountain of issues; who had the spare time to worry if the road had potholes?
Yang Haoran’s car had good performance and could withstand the bumps, so he didn't care at all about the potholes on the road. When he encountered sections of the road that had collapsed, he would even get out and carry the car across them.
Around noon, Yang Haoran, after a bumpy journey, arrived at his destination. He parked his car in an inconspicuous area outside the small town, then walked into the town.
Not long after entering the town, he heard the sound of firecrackers. Firecrackers usually indicated a family was holding some event; perhaps going there would yield unexpected gains.
With this thought in mind, Yang Haoran walked towards the source of the firecrackers.
A moment later, Yang Haoran arrived at the origin of the firecrackers. With a glance at the scene, he realized his guess was wrong; the firecrackers weren't for a family event, but for something the entire small town was doing.
Under his gaze, there was a temple in the distance. This temple wasn't large, at most a few dozen square meters, a small house built entirely of earth and wood.
The wine certainly wasn't fine wine. In this day and age, without some status, how could one drink good wine? It was already quite good to have some cheap wine.
The dishes were likewise not elaborate feasts of meat and fish, but simple farm-style fare. In the past, even those with a little money in their pockets wouldn't have bothered with such dishes. But now, these dishes were excellent provisions; even with money, they might not be obtainable. After all, in the eyes of some, the current New Beginning Coins were barely considered money anymore.
From the size and architecture of this small town, it couldn't be called prosperous; accurately speaking, it was poor. Under such conditions, hosting a grand banquet here, if funded collectively, clearly meant they had paid a heavy price, because in the current situation, the importance of food was self-evident.
Looking at the villagers’ happy faces, either someone had individually funded their food and drink, or they had voluntarily pooled their resources, with no one forcing them. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so happy.
Although he hadn't yet entered the temple nor seen the idol within, Yang Haoran knew that the temple before him should be the Spiritualist Temple Old Master Wu had mentioned.
The fact that these villagers were gathered here clearly meant they were celebrating something. As for whether they were celebrating the successful construction of the temple or something else, that remained unknown.
Yang Haoran did not immediately move to destroy the temple. Since he wanted to "follow the vine to find the melon," he couldn't rush. Rushing too much would lead to only one outcome: the vine breaking, and the melon being lost.
With a smile on his face, Yang Haoran walked with his hands in his pockets, appearing unconcerned, towards the temple's location.
As Yang Haoran approached step by step, one of the villagers present unintentionally noticed him. The smile on that person’s face stiffened, then his smile faded, and he stood up with a serious expression.
His movement naturally drew the attention of the other villagers. Following his gaze, all the villagers present discovered Yang Haoran.
The lively atmosphere abruptly ceased. The villagers present successively rose from their seats, stopping their chatter and all looking at Yang Haoran with serious expressions, some with wariness in their eyes, others with hostility.
It was clear that they did not welcome Yang Haoran's arrival.
Yang Haoran, however, ignored the villagers' reactions, still smiling broadly, leisurely continuing his steps.
Yang Haoran's nonchalant reaction angered some villagers. Some pulled out gleaming machetes from behind their backs, while others even took out homemade shotguns from under the tables.
It was no wonder their reaction was so strong. In this day and age, with demons dancing wildly, all ordinary people were like birds startled by a bowstring. Even the slightest disturbance would make them extremely wary.
Furthermore, Yang Haoran was not only not from their small town, but they didn't even know if he was human or demon. Therefore, their attitude towards him was not friendly.
“Who are you? ! Take another step, and don't blame us for being impolite! ”
A villager roared at Yang Haoran, then raised his homemade shotgun and aimed it at Yang Haoran.
As he pointed his gun at Yang Haoran, other villagers with firearms quickly aimed their guns at Yang Haoran as well. Those holding machetes tightened their grips on their blades.
The villagers' reaction was already quite clear. If Yang Haoran took another step forward, those with guns would surely fire, and those with knives would surely strike.
Yang Haoran was here to "follow the vine to find the melon," not to fight to the death with these villagers. So, seeing how agitated the villagers were, he smiled, stopped his steps, and did not advance further.
“Everyone, don't shoot, we're all on the same side. ”
Yang Haoran said with a smile, and raised his hands, to show the villagers that he had no weapons and no ill intent.
“Who’s on the same side as you? This is just a small place; we don’t have fancy-dressed people like you around here! ”
The villager who had spoken first shouted at Yang Haoran again. He simply didn't believe Yang Haoran's words; not only he, but the other villagers present likewise did not believe him.
Although these villagers were holding a grand banquet here today, their clothes were very old and worn. Some villagers even wore clothes with patches. From this, it was clear that their living conditions were indeed not very good.
In contrast, Yang Haoran was clad in a suit, leather shoes, and a white shirt, all high-quality goods from Tong Continent of the New Beginning Realm. This created a stark contrast with the villagers present.
Suits and leather shoes were not products of Jingling Continent, but came from Tong Continent. Since Tong Continent was located in the western part of the New Beginning Realm, other continents referred to the clothing produced there as “western suits. ”
Although the villagers present didn't understand what 'western suits' were, it was clear to them that Yang Haoran's attire was certainly worth a lot. Their small town had always had few people who wore suits, and now, even fewer dared to dress so ostentatiously.
“Folks, don’t get agitated. I truly am not an outsider. I am from the Administrative Courtyard. I came to this town today specifically to see if you needed any help,” Yang Haoran said with a smile.
Yang Haoran certainly didn't dare to say he was from the Underworld Office. Since these villagers had voluntarily built a Spiritualist Temple, they had likely become believers in the Spiritualist God. And Spiritualists had always been in an antagonistic relationship with the Underworld Office. If he told these villagers he was from the Underworld Office, he would certainly be driven out of the town by them.
Therefore, in order to better obtain the information he wanted, Yang Haoran simply used the Administrative Courtyard’s name.
Upon hearing that Yang Haoran was from the Administrative Courtyard, some villagers present relaxed their expressions slightly, but it was only a slight easing. Other villagers' expressions didn't change at all, and their gazes towards Yang Haoran remained filled with wariness and hostility.
“No wonder you’re dressed like a dog in human guise! So you’re a dog of the Administrative Courtyard. You people dress so splendidly, but look at us common folk now, what we’ve become. Why aren’t you staying in the city to enjoy your blessings, instead of coming to our impoverished backwater? ! ”
This villager was equally agitated, his opinion of the Administrative Courtyard no less critical than the previous speaker's. Not only did he not lower his gun, he even cocked it. From his appearance, it seemed that if Yang Haoran said one wrong word or made any other small movement, he would not hesitate to shoot.
“Exactly! When our small town was haunted, why didn't we see anyone from your Administrative Courtyard come to help? Now that things are handled, you suddenly appear. Who are you putting on this show for? For us common folk? ! ”
Yang Haoran’s expression did not change, a smile still on his face. He was about to say something when an elder stepped out from the crowd, looking directly at Yang Haoran.
“Are you really from the Administrative Courtyard? ” the elder asked Yang Haoran.
Moonlit Night God
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