Penglai Immortal Village (Ghost King Gong) (16)

Those were Yu Chengyi and Wu Bin, because only their statures were close to those of the bridal sedan carriers. Furthermore, the back of the sedan also happened to have two people, making it perfectly convenient for them to swap.

"When does the High Priest come out?" Shen Yu wasn't present last time, so he didn't know many details.

While Yu Chengyi was still carefully recalling, Wang Jiaxin spoke: "Around past two in the afternoon."

But the current time was still relatively early, giving them enough time to plan their afternoon actions.

"Go ask the villagers about the characteristics of the people the High Priest chose before. Perhaps we can create a suitable candidate," Li Yao suggested. Indeed, it was better to take the initiative than to sit and wait for death.

There was no problem with Li Yao's suggestion, and everyone maintained a supportive attitude. Therefore, the small teams set out with the purpose of walking around the village.

——

"Oh, choosing someone with immortal fate is not something the High Priest can decide. He is only a messenger. How could we guess the preferences of the deity?" This was what an old man told them after they helped him move his things.

Wang Jiaxin was somewhat unwilling to give up, pressing further: "Then do you remember what kind of people they were?"

The old man stood in place and thought for a moment, "There were many—men, women, old, young, beautiful, ugly, smart, and foolish."

"Trying to guess the preferences of the deity, isn't that being ignorant of the heavens' height?" After saying this, the old man laughed very heartily, ignored them, and drove his ox cart away.

Watching his departing figure, they fell into a dilemma again. Up to now, the results they had gathered were almost all like this: the people chosen by the High Priest had no common characteristics.

In other words, trying to choose one of them out of several hundred people had too low a probability to gamble on. Therefore, the backup plan began to be put into use.

The map in Zhao Yunlou's hand had been drawn in extreme detail. Except for the forbidden area in the east of the village and the temple, other places were fully completed.

Based on the description of the route the bridal sedan would take, they could take a shortcut to the entrance of the temple. At that time, the defense at the temple entrance would be very loose.

Since they weren't sure what the retreat route would be, they certainly couldn't go deep inside, only able to wait for an opportunity near the entrance.

In such a tense atmosphere, time flew by, and it was already afternoon.

That road was already packed with villagers. This was the first time Shen Yu had seen such a scene, and he was arranged in a particularly good position with them.

The so-called High Priest had not yet arrived, but the cheers of the villagers had already drowned out everything.

Even though it was snowing.

Even though it was so cold outside.

It still couldn't dampen their desire to meet the deity.

Shen Yu observed coldly.

Until a loud shout came from the end of the street, "The Priest is coming, kneel down—"

"We still have to kneel?" Shen Yu curled his lips, looking at Yu Chengyi beside him with confusion.

Yu Chengyi shrugged helplessly, "Yes, just like an emperor parading the streets."

Since it was the village custom, Shen Yu had no reason to be a rebel. He pulled up his trouser legs, intending to kneel with the others, but unexpectedly, the messenger shouted loudly: "The Priest has sent word: no need to kneel today."

The villagers stood up straight, and not a single person asked why. Just as they said, the deity's temper was constantly changing, and so was the Priest.

"Oh my god, why did they make us kneel yesterday then?" Yu Chengyi muttered curses.

Shen Yu only smiled, his gaze shifting toward the Priest who was about to appear. He had never seen this Priest, and his imagination of his appearance was only based on Yu Chengyi's exaggerated descriptions.

Seeing Shen Yu so curious, Yu Chengyi leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Shen Yu, I advise you not to be too curious. That High Priest is as arrogant as an idiot, with a face that says 'I look down on everyone.' He only looks at people, and I haven't heard him say a single word for so long."

"That exaggerated?" Shen Yu asked.

Yu Chengyi nodded heavily: "Why would I lie to you? Who do you think he wants to choose? If it's the most beautiful one, I will definitely recommend you with all my heart."

After saying this, he nudged Shen Yu gently with his elbow.

Shen Yu was already used to Yu Chengyi's jokes. He wasn't angry, only curving his lips into a smile.

It was rare for the village to have such a lively scene, with people crowding against each other. Shen Yu was squeezed in the crowd, but the sense of distance on him separated people, so that anyone could see him at first glance.

The High Priest's sedan finally appeared. Shen Yu looked over. From a distance, Shen Yu couldn't see the person's face clearly, but could tell his approximate age, probably a young man like them.

The sedan arrived steadily, and Shen Yu could finally see the face clearly.

Actually, he couldn't. Just as Yu Chengyi said, a thin silk veil covered his face, leaving only his eyes visible. Shen Yu raised his head to look at him, and coincidentally, the Priest also turned his head, and Shen Yu met the gaze of the man sitting up there.

Those eyes felt somewhat familiar to Shen Yu, but the gaze was not what he had seen before; these eyes exuded a cold, evaluating look. Shen Yu did not look away, evaluating him in return.

The Priest was dressed differently from them, and didn't seem to fear the cold, the wind fluttering his robes.

The Priest raised his hand, and the villagers below grew excited, "Stop, stop, the Priest wants to choose the one with immortal fate!"

"Stop quickly, stop quickly!"

"Who did the Priest choose?!"

...

Shen Yu was squeezed to the back, and Yu Chengyi protected him from being knocked down, "Why are you crowding, seriously."

Yu Chengyi continued to mutter curses.

Shen Yu lowered his eyes, avoiding the countless feet on the ground. Outsiders like them were all squeezed to the outside.

"Don't speak! Let the Priest decide!" Secretary Cao rushed up to maintain order.

His words carried weight, and the noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked at the High Priest with anticipation, their eyes filled with 'choose me'.

Unexpectedly, they could witness the High Priest choosing someone today. Shen Yu planned to watch the show with folded arms, having little hope that anyone among them would be chosen.

However, this Priest indeed looked a bit familiar, but that cold gaze was not in his memory.

The Priest looked toward Shen Yu's side, and Yu Chengyi gasped: "Holy crap, looking this way?!"

Shen Yu also saw it, and for some reason, had a particularly bad premonition.

Just like his sixth sense, the Priest reached out toward them—or rather, toward him.

The Priest curled his other fingers, extending only his index finger, pointing accurately and firmly at where Shen Yu was standing.

Furthermore, those cold and clear eyes also looked toward Shen Yu.

And the villagers crowding in front of Shen Yu automatically parted to form a path, with the end of this path leading straight to Shen Yu.

Shen Yu curled his lips, raising his head to look at the Priest, meeting his gaze once again.

"An outsider?"

"It's actually an outsider? Oh my god, his luck is too good."

The villagers whispered and murmured.

"What is your name?" The cold man in front of the sedan walked through the crowd to stand in front of Shen Yu and ask.

Yu Chengyi blocked Shen Yu: "Are you choosing him?"

"The Priest's choice is true and reliable; this is a blessing," the man was of large build, equal to Yu Chengyi. His face was calm, his voice emotionless, very dissatisfied with Yu Chengyi's actions.

Yu Chengyi clenched his fist, but Shen Yu pulled him behind him, then said, "Shen Yu."

"Birth date and time (Bazi)." His face remained unfriendly, his voice freezing cold.

"Paying respects to the deity also requires a birth date?" Shen Yu didn't answer him, instead asking about his doubt.

The man replied, "That is natural. If your birth date clashes with the deity, then naturally you cannot go."

Shen Yu was speechless: "Didn't he choose me himself? Can't the deity calculate whether there is a clash?"

The man was left speechless by Shen Yu's words. He opened his mouth to say something, but in the end said nothing, turning his head to look at the Priest for his opinion.

Seeing the Priest nod, he turned back to Shen Yu: "Then so be it. The Priest said he has calculated your birth date. Pack your things. We will send someone to pick you up later, and bring you to the temple tomorrow morning."

"Bring me where?" Shen Yu asked.

"You ask too much," the man thought that if he were asked further, he probably wouldn't be able to hide anything.

After saying this, he turned around. When he looked up at the High Priest, the Priest had already retracted his hand and gaze, sitting upright on the sedan again, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.

Regarding an outsider being chosen, most villagers expressed envy, following the Priest's sedan as it departed.

Yu Chengyi couldn't sit still, "Letting Shen Yu go alone? Going to the temple alone to find clues? This guy can't even run when meeting a ghost. If the temple is extremely dangerous, is he to face it alone?"

"No, no, I suggest using plan B. We take the shortcut there now, we can still arrive before them," Yu Chengyi wanted to go.

"Yu Chengyi," Shen Yu called him back, "You know plan B carries great danger."

Yu Chengyi: "I joked about choosing a beautiful one, and he really chose a beautiful one? Do you think you can face the danger alone?"

Shen Yu sighed, "You underestimate me too much."

"I've never underestimated you. I just think of your health, and I..." Yu Chengyi stopped. Wasn't this underestimating Shen Yu?

"I can do it. Say no more, it's decided," Shen Yu's tone was firm, showing an attitude that brooked no refusal.

Yu Chengyi ruffled his hair in frustration.

Everyone could see that Shen Yu's health was poor. If they wanted to execute plan B, they wouldn't refuse, but the level of danger plan B brought was not small, so unless absolutely necessary, they didn't want to use it.

"Brother Yu, calm down. Believe in Brother Shen, okay?" Wang Jiaxin gently patted Yu Chengyi's hand, offering reassurance.

Yu Chengyi: "I've always believed in him. I'm just worried about him!"

...

"Why did he choose you?" Li Yao crossed her arms and muttered, "That day you didn't come because of illness, and he didn't choose anyone. Today he chose you without hesitation..."

Pausing, she looked up at Shen Yu: "Maybe they have been watching you for a long time."

Li Yao's analysis was correct; Shen Yu had also thought of this.

"Who knows?" Shen Yu looked into the distance, where the High Priest's figure was about to disappear.