IV-1 was not thinking about the great beauty he had coveted, because after the visit to the village tonight, he had great plans. He was simply thinking about doing big thingsââespecially when he came back to look for the descendant of the eagle flutist and showed him a few sheep bones and a sheep head that he had brought back with him.
The descendant of the eagle flutist looked at the sheep head for a moment. Then he asked IV-1 the shapes, distance between and the number of the piles of bones.
âThese are the traces of a primitive Bon religionâs sacrificial ceremony. It seems that the legend is true. Sure enough, there are primitive Bon cultists who have been active in this area in recent days.â
The primitive Bon religion referred to was the original Bon religion. The exact time of its appearance was unknown. It worshipped nature like other primitive sects, and its practices were quite bloody and barbaric. In the Ritu Cliff rock paintings, there was a record of the primitive Bon religionâs sacrificial ceremony, and they had used skinned sheepâs heads. There were nine rows of sheep heads stacked on top of each other, and there were nearly 20 in each row. And reality was more exaggerated than what was recorded in the paintings.
The primitive Bon religion would hold rituals every spring and autumn to kill the animals. The Bon wizards would kill hundreds or even thousands of animals, not only sheep, but also cattle, deer, horses, and other livestock and wild animals. During times of war, prisoners were sacrificed as human sacrifices as well.
It was not until later that the ancestor, Tonpa Shenrab, created the Yungdrung Bon religion based on the original Bon religion. He used tsampa and ghee to knead various colorful flower trays to replace the animals that were sacrificed in the original Bon religion. The Bon religion gradually withdrew from that stage of history, and sacrificial ceremonies that required animals to be killed occurred less and less.
âThe original Bon religion had conducted the sacrificial ceremonies in Wenbunan Village to worship the Dragon God in the holy lake. In ancient times, there was a legend in the Xiangxiong dynasty that the greatest Xiangxiong king would return from the belly of the Dragon God in the underworld and send the people who devoutly believe in the primitive Bon religion to achieve immortality. And this year is the year from the old Xiangxioing texts where we must worship the Dragon God and welcome the return of the king.â
The descendant of the eagle flutist said solemnly, âTour Guide IV-1, are you willing to go to Tangra Yumco to worship the Dragon God, obtain the remains of the king of Xiangxiong from it and give them to me?â
âI am willing!â IV-1 answered without hesitation.
IV-1 had tossed the responsibility of leading the tour to the back of his mind, and his whole body was shivering with excitement. At this time, his mind was full of âopening up a new scenic spot!â
That damn III-250 was just a newcomer, how could he parachute to the position of 250th in the III-rank? How could he get so many points?
He must have opened up new scenic spots on his tour! Any newcomer who wanted to be at the forefront of the Rising Star leaderboard just has to open new scenic spots and gain a lot of points. And the benefits obtained when opening scenic spots in different locations were naturally different. For example, the sworn-elder brother of IV-1, III-9, had opened up a tour of the 30th parallel north after opening a new scenic spot in Intoxicating Xiangxi!
III-9 was obviously just a III-ranked tour guide, but it could be said that as long as III-9 wanted to, all the top tour parties and tour guide alliances in the world would open their doors to invite him, and they would definitely provide him with generous resources!
What was considered as success for a tour guide? This is what being a successful tour guide looked like!
IV-1 was envious. He had been known to others as Little III-9 for so long, but he was now suppressed by a new III-250. IV-1, who would definitely take revenge on III-250 for this, felt deeply ashamedââbut he knew that those bigwig tour guides and tour guide alliances would definitely pay more attention to this newcomer rather than him! Even if he completed the task on this tour and joined a big tour guide alliance as he had previously hoped, so what?
Wouldnât that mean that he would still remain a pawn and not have the slightest status?
But what if, if he could also open up a new scenic spot?
In reality, IV-1 was just a down-and-out snake catcher. Now, most countries did not allow the capture of venomous snakes, and the circus industry was stuck in a rut. IV-1âs skills of playing with and performing with snakes were useless as no one appreciated them. Ergo, he had lived his days in poverty, anger, and jealousy.
After entering a tour and becoming a tour guide, he could enjoy the status and power that he had never had before! Even if there were people who were celebrities, presidents, idols, professors, or high-ranking officials, as long as they entered his tour, they would have to act as his dog!
But he had tormented the newcomers and watched them beg for mercy under his feet for a long time, and had grown tired of seeing it.
IV-1 had a dream. He wanted to obtain more resources and have a higher standing. But there were different hierarchies inside the Travel Services, and the social hierarchy within it was even more rigid than that of reality. Those high-level tour guides and captains of big tour parties all stood in front of IV-1, reminding IV-1 of his humble and low-class life in the past.
He appeared glamorous now, but there were countless people who could kill him, just like when he had been looking at the Rising Star Leaderboard in the virtual hall. He had been furious, but there had been a seemingly ordinary person who had used a paper figure to shame him in public! And the difference in strength between him and the seemingly ordinary man had caused him to not dare to fight back. He could only flee in despair, losing face.
These ambitions had been hidden in the bottom of IV-1âs heart for a long time. Under the stimulation he received from III-9, III-250, and the Taoist priest, thoughts that he had never dared to have in the past swarmed into his mind.
He wanted to turn those strong people who looked down on him into his dogs, so that he could wantonly play with their lives!
In the past, IV-1 had cherished his life and never done any dangerous tasks like opening up new scenic spots, but this time it was different. Countless people had previously predicted that a tour of the 30th parallel north would take place in Tibet.
If IV-1 could truly open a new scenic spot here, or e-even a scenic spot of the 30th parallel north⌠He didnât need to open it fully. As long as he could obtain some clues, all the major tour guide alliances would definitely rush over to recruit him!
And when he had gone to explore South Village, the insanely high points he had received meant that countless audience members had poured into his livestream room, which made IV-1 think about itââDid they also think that his, IV-1âs, actions were likely to open up a new scenic spot?
He would make everyone who looked down on him regret it!
âRespected descendant of the eagle flutist, how should we worship the Dragon God, and how should we obtain bones from it?â IV-1 asked respectfully.
The descendant of the eagle flutist gave him an unfathomable look. âThe Dragon God likes sacrifices such as cattle, horses, and sheep, but what he likes most are sacrifices that are completely clean and have a divine soul within their stomachs.
âAs long as you give it enough sacrifices, you will obtain the favor of the Dragon God. Therefore, it will naturally bestow upon you the remains of the king of Xiangxiong.â
âHow much is enough?â IV-1 continued to ask.
However, the descendant of the eagle flutist became impatient and asked, âIV-1, arenât you the strongest and wisest person in this tour group? If you canât do it, then I might as well just do it myself.â
âYes, yes, I am the strongest and wisest person. Donât worry, I will definitely be able to complete this task.â
IV-1 frantically called the descendant of the eagle flutist a fool in his heart. Then he nodded and bowed his head, swearing that he would complete the task. Finally, he managed to persuade the descendant of the eagle flutist, and the descendant of the eagle flutistâs eyebrows smoothed out. The descendant of the eagle flutist reminded, âThe Dragon God will only appear when Tangra Yumco turns black. Remember, the Dragon God must not be angered. The Dragon God is the source of 400 kinds of diseases in the world. If the Dragon God is angry, he will sow the seeds of plague. Then, you will definitely get infected and die in pain.
âI hope you can give me the remains of the king of Xiangxiong before tomorrow afternoon. The great god blesses you.â
Bullshit, what great god blesses you? Tomorrow afternoon? Why is he in such a hurry? Does he have to give birth?!
After IV-1 left the tent of the descendant of the eagle flutist, he cursed in his heart. The black Tangra YumcoâHe naturally understood that he had to go to the lake at night, but where could he go to find sacrifices in the evening?! Even if he wanted to buy cattle and sheep from the villagers of Wenbunan Village, he would have to wait until they woke up.
Moreover, he had to lead the team to the ruins of Xiangxiong Kingdom early tomorrow morning. If the travel arrangements were delayed, the consequences would be extremely terrifying, and the mere thought of it caused IV-1 to shudder.
No, this task must be completed before going to Xiangxiong Kingdom! OrâŚâŚ
IV-1 hesitated and pondered, unable to make a decision. At this time, he had already returned to his tent, but he suddenly noticed a person squatting in front of the tent. All of a sudden, IV-1âs sense of crisis soared, and the ten poisonous snakes he had arranged in the tent instantly crawled towards the man.
âGuide IV, Guide IV, donât release the snakes! Itâs me! Itâs Yue Chenghua!â
Hearing the sound of hissing snakes all around, Yue Chenghua hurriedly revealed his identity. IV-1 glanced at the camping lantern hanging outside the tent and judged that it was indeed Yue Chenghua. IV-1âs heart suddenly jumped when he heard what had happened to Yue Chenghua, and he hurriedly lowered his voice and scolded, âShut up, why do you want to cause a commotion at night!â
He didnât want the other tourists to find out that he was opening up a new scenic spot. These tourists seemed docile, but in fact, they were not obedient on the inside. IV-1 didnât want his plans to be affected in the slightest!
âYue Chenghua, itâs already so late, yet youâre not sleeping in the tent. What are you doing here?â IV-1 said hypocritically with a mild tone.
However, IV-1 already had murderous intentions towards Yue Chenghua. Who knew that in the next moment, Yue Chenghua would suddenly kneel down and kowtow to IV-1. Tears streamed down his face, and his voice trembled with panic and fear as he pleaded, âGuide IV, save me, you must save me.
âI almost died tonight, I wa almost eaten by a big fish!â
âOh?â
IV-1âs heart was tense, but thoughts swirled in his mind. He forcefully helped Yue Chenghua up. âCome, come in and talk.â
Lin Qiming was unworthy of sleeping in IV-1âs tent, as he was just a plaything for IV-1 to torture and vent his sexual desires upon. Currently, in the middle of the night, the only people in the tent were IV-1 and Yue Chenghua.
âYue Chenghua, you know, in this tour, whoever I let live will live, and whoever I let die will die,â IV-1 threatened in a stern tone.
It wasnât until Yue Chenghua was so frightened that he had lost all his wits and softened into a pool of mud that IV-1 said, âWhat happened tonight? Tell me everything.â
Yue Chenghua choked in panic, telling him about what had happened in a desperate tone. He hadnât been able to rush out in time when the descendant of the eagle flutist was playing the flute just now, and he hadnât spit out the fish. When he had fallen asleep, he couldnât control his body, and he had gone to Tangra Yumco at night.
IV-1 was calm on the surface, even a little impatient, but there was a storm in his heart. He understood the descendant of the eagle flutistâs words nowâwhen the descendant of the eagle flutist referred to someone whose body was clean, and there was a divine soul in their stomach.
He was referring to the people who ate the fish, referring to the human sacrifice! Yue Chenghua had been controlled by a mysterious force tonight and had gone to the lake, which was the best proof that he was a human sacrifice!
âMaybe itâs because I ate the whole piece of fish, so Iâm the only one who went to the lake tonight,â Yue Chenghua said in despair.
He also added that he couldnât control himself when he kowtowed his head so deeply that mud stuck onto his head. In addition, he talked about how he had vomited repeatedly after drinking the lake water. IV-1 had his own way of verifying Yue Chenghuaâs story and now, he had confirmed that everything Yue Chenghua said was the truth.
When he heard Yue Chenghua say that a monster had appeared in the lake and had been about to eat him, IV-1 violently kicked Yue Chenghua without holding back. He was shocked and angry. There had been a sacrificial ceremony this night. The Dragon God had appeared, but he had not been present!
Damn it, how could he complete the task if he missed this opportunity!
At this moment, IV-1 vented all his anger and murderous intent. Yue Chenghuaâs internal organs were injured, and while he bled from the corners of his mouth, he crawled back to IV-1 like a dog and cried out quietly, âGuide IV, save me, only you can save me. Save me, I, I fainted at the time, and when I woke up, I only knew that someone had arrived by the lake, and the monster had disappeared when a strong beam of light shone on it. That person carried me back after saying that there were not enough sacrifices, and they would continue to worship the dragon god tomorrow. At that time, I didnât dare to make a soundâGuide IV, Guide IV, I donât want to die!â
Hearing what he said, IV-1 was relieved. Right, this lakeside sacrifice must have been instigated by a mastermind lying in the shadowsââIV-1 even suspected that the main instigator behind this was the descendant of the eagle flutist! Otherwise, why didnât the descendant of the eagle flutist let everyone spit out the fish in their stomachs? It was just a matter of playing the flute, so why did the descendant of the eagle flutist reject Yue Chenghua and the others when they had requested him to play the flute?
In particular, the descendant of the eagle flutist had also specifically said tonight that âThe Dragon God likes sacrifices such as cattle, horses, and sheep, but what he likes most are sacrifices that are completely clean and contain a divine soul within their stomachs.â Had he been trying to give IV-1 a hint?
If Yue Chenghuaâs words were true, then he was the only one who had gone to the lake at night because he had eaten sufficient fish, while the others did not eat enough fish. This meant that he still had some time during tomorrowâs breakfast to make arrangements. After breakfast tomorrow, before noon, the Dragon God would still appear at Tangra Yumco.
Since IV-1 wanted to open up a new scenic spot, in a rare moment of diligence, IV-1 had done his âhomeworkâ before embarking on the tour. He knew that at night, when the weather was gloomy, the surface of Tangra Yumco would be black. He reckoned that the descendant of the eagle flutist should have some special skill in predicting the weather. Tomorrow was likely to be a cloudy day.
Even so, the suspicious IV-1 still made Yue Chenghua repeat what happened tonight many times, almost forcing him into a nervous breakdown. After controlling him with the resentment of the ghost skin tame head behind his back, IV-1 went to the tents of the other three tourists who ate the fish. These three people all wanted IV-1âs favor since they sided with IV-1, but they didnât expect that they would be the first to be plotted against by IV-1.
IV-1 took the four of them to the lake and forced them to roll in the mud and drink water from the lake as Yue Chenghua had said.
âHmph, they should count themselves as lucky.â