Hunter 125: Attacking The Heart

Lin Jiu, accompanied by Lu Liang and Qiu Rang, boarded a vehicle heading to Biyou Village. It was evident that Ma Xianhong had specifically instructed Qiu Rang not to be too ostentatious in receiving Lin Jiu.

"This feels somewhat strange... it's as if..."

Biyou Village was situated in a remote mountainous area, and the houses there were still under construction. Even before entering the village, Lin Jiu could see several flower-like puppets carrying lumber.

The scene had a utopian feel to it, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world. As Lin Jiu arrived at the village entrance, Ma Xianhong was already waiting there with a few others.

"Sect Leader Red of Reincarnation Sect, I've heard so much about you. Ever since I learned of the existence of the Reincarnation Sect, I've been eager to meet you."

Ma Xianhong greeted Lin Jiu as if he were meeting a kindred spirit.

"Village Chief Ma, this village is extraordinary."

Lin Jiu realized why Express Delivery Company had never noticed the presence of the newly established Biyou Village.

Some of the magical artifacts mentioned in the original story came from special abilities of different people, such as a horn that could release a powerful breath. Around Biyou Village, these artifacts had been arranged in specific patterns, forming a barrier-like structure.

The ability of this particular artifact came from Ding Zihuan. His cultivated technique, Shadow Movement, could reduce his presence. The existence of Biyou Village was so faint that others would subconsciously overlook it.

"Just a humble creation."

Ma Xianhong responded modestly, though there was a noticeable pride in his expression.

"And these people are...?"

Lin Jiu gestured for Ma Xianhong to introduce the individuals behind him.

"I forgot to introduce them. This is Fu Rong, a master of sword energy. Guo Liang, my old friend. And this girl is Liu Wukui. They are all my newly recruited."

Behind Ma Xianhong stood three people: Fu Rong, who later became close with Zhuge Qing; Guo Liang, the first person to transition from an ordinary person to an Outcast; and Liu Wukui, who possessed the fate of a child destined to die young.

"So this is the Reincarnation Sect leader that the Village Chief keeps talking about. Surprisingly handsome!"

Liu Wukui remarked to Fu Rong beside her.

Hearing this, Qiu Rang couldn't help but retort, "What's the use of being good-looking? He might just be a pretty face with no substance!"

"Shut up!"

Ma Xianhong scolded, as they had forgotten that everyone present was Outcast and could hear their conversation.

"It's fine."

Lin Jiu wasn't the type to get offended over such trivial matters, otherwise, he wouldn't have survived this long.

"By the way, you haven't introduced this person next to you yet..."

Ma Xianhong looked at Lü Liang, seeking an introduction.

"Lu Liang, the rebellious son of the Lu family."

Lu Liang clasped his hands in greeting. Since Lin Jiu hadn't shown any intention of killing him and had brought him along, his Quan Xing identity probably wasn't an issue. But who could say for sure? It could also become a problem simply because he revealed his identity.

Ma Xianhong then showed Lin Jiu and Lu Liang around the mostly completed Biyou Village. Afterward, he dismissed everyone else and led them to a temporary guest room.

"The Dao produces fifty, and Heaven gives rise to forty-nine. Everything in the world has a sliver of life. Our teachings are open to all, and anyone with a mind toward the Dao can join, to seize that sliver of life for all things.

I founded the New Sect to pursue a doctrine that is open to all, striving for unity under Heaven! Everyone has the right to pursue their way of life! When I learned of the Reincarnation Sect's existence, I realized I wasn't alone!

Sect Leader Red, our two sects should cooperate more closely. I am willing to help the ordinary people of the Reincarnation Sect become Outcast. And if you could take up the title of Deputy Chief, that would be even better."

Ma Xianhong didn't care about Lin Jiu's strength; what mattered to him were their shared ideals.

These words didn't stir any emotions in Lin Jiu, but Lu Liang, standing to the side, was shocked. What had he just heard? Turning the ordinary members of the Reincarnation Sect into Outcast! How could that be possible?

"Intercepting life for all beings... Village Chief Ma, I'm afraid you're about to sever the lifeline of Biyou Village," Lin Jiu said, not to alarm but to state what he saw as the truth.

"What do you mean by that?"

Ma Xianhong frowned. If anyone else had said this, he would have already been angry, but since it was his kindred spirit speaking, he held back.

"You won't compromise. You don't acknowledge the social environment. You ignore the state's attitude towards the Outcast. You live only in your ideas."

Lin Jiu casually pointed out the reasons for Ma Xianhong's eventual failure, without even needing to mention the minor details.

Ma Xianhong's expression darkened. He didn't see any of this as a problem: "Shouldn't the affairs of the Outcast world be handled by the Outcast? Are you worried about Express Delivery Company?"

"The population threshold."

Lu Liang, having recovered from the shock of hearing about ordinary people being turned into Outcast, chimed in after hearing Lin Jiu's words.

"Our national population is around 1.4 billion, but the number of registered Outcast is less than 15,000. The acceptable ratio of Outcast in our country is one in 50,000. Exceed this ratio, and the previously loose community of the Outcast will develop racial cohesion. Once the general populace becomes widely aware of the Outcast's existence, it will trigger a series of problems."

Lü Liang, being from the Lu family, was well aware of these matters, as they were common knowledge among the major sects and clans. Only wild Outcast individuals like Zhang Chulan or brainwashed people like Ma Xianhong would be unaware of the consequences.

"When I first heard that Village Chief Ma could turn ordinary people into Outcast, I was utterly shocked. I couldn't believe such a method existed in the world. But after being reminded by the Sect Leader Red, I realized that such a method should not exist."

Lu Liang spoke with sincerity.

"I admit this is due to societal constraints, but what about me?"

Ma Xianhong's expression grew heavy, realizing that things weren't as simple as he had imagined.

"If the people from Express Delivery Company come to take away the people of Biyou Village, would you agree?"

Lin Jiu asked.

"Of course not! Would you abandon your companions?"

Ma Xianhong immediately denied it and posed a counter-question.

"..."

Lin Jiu remained noncommittal.

"If that's what you mean by not understanding compromise, then yes, I won't! It seems we are not on the same path!"

Ma Xianhong seemed to see through the person in front of him, losing the initial excitement.

"Don't be hasty."

Lin Jiu sensed that Ma Xianhong was about to ask them to leave and smiled calmly.

"There's one more thing—living in your ideas! You have Outcast under you named Zhao Guizhen, right? Do you know his background?"

"Is there a problem? We don't ask about backgrounds, regardless of identity. Our teachings are open to all as long as they have a heart that pursues ideals. That is our New Sect!"

Ma Xianhong replied coldly.

"Heh heh..."

Lin Jiu calmly began to explain, knowing that only by shattering Ma Xianhong's inner beliefs could he make him useful.

"Zhao Guizhen, formerly a disciple of the Shangqing Maoshan Sect. He betrayed his sect because he felt his progress in talismanic arts was too slow and became a rogue Maoshan practitioner, cultivating the evil technique known as the Seven Malicious Convergences.

Ma Xianhong. Let me ask you, did you know that Zhao Guizhen cruelly murdered seven young boys in red to practice this evil technique? Did you know that the souls of these seven children are still imprisoned within him, being used for his purposes? Is your New Sect a haven for filth and corruption?"

Crack!

The table between them suddenly shattered, with wooden shards smashing through the windows, attracting the attention of those outside. Qiu Rang was the first to rush in, and seeing the furious expression on Ma Xianhong's face, he immediately glared at Lin Jiu and Lu Liang, ready to attack.

"Stop! Get out!"

Ma Xianhong suppressed his emotions, ordering Qiu Rang to leave.

"Attacking the heart, huh!"

Lu Liang thought to himself, silently praising the Sect Leader Red for his brilliant move.

"Chief Ma, it's time to take a hard look at the New Sect you've created. Is this the ideal you envisioned?"

Lin Jiu's tone gradually softened.

"I will verify this! If it's true... heh, what a joke!"

Ma Xianhong knew that since Lin Jiu had brought this up, it was likely true. Even without confirming it, he understood that it was a highly probable scenario.