I am becoming the ultimate demon.

Chapter 42 The Calamity of the Blood Lotus Cult

The group took their seats, and the table was filled with local delicacies from Xiong'an County. The first thing that caught their eye was a plate of sweet and sour Huaihe River fish with a strange aroma.

"Your Excellency Inspector, you must be tired from your journey. Let me offer you a toast."

Ji Lin exchanged pleasantries with the group and introduced them to each other.

"Indeed, Young Master Ji has many capable subordinates. No wonder he handles unusual events with such ease."

Ji Lin and the other two exchanged glances, knowing that Zhang Liang's words had a hidden meaning. They noticed that the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, giving him a very irritating look.

Zhang Liang's expression suddenly darkened, and he carefully picked up a piece of minced meat from the sweet and sour Huaihe River fish dish.

I've never seen such a strange fish before. Is it really safe to eat it?

Thinking about it carefully, I doubt they would dare to poison the place.

"The garrison commander highly praises your work on pacifying the Huai River recently. The Demon Suppression Bureau also greatly needs capable and extraordinary individuals like you."

As he ate, he pointed at Ji Lin and the other two with his chopsticks.

Ji Lin's expression changed slightly. What kind of praise was this? Who would bestow a reward with just one sentence?

"It is my duty to share the burdens of Xiong'an County, the county magistrate, and the people. It is what a good citizen like me should do."

"However," Zhang Liang changed the subject, "ultimately, we still need to work together under the leadership of the Demon Suppression Bureau to share the nation's burdens."

"Those with ability should be employed by the court and should abide by the laws and regulations of our Great Qian Dynasty regarding the control of abnormal forces."

"If anyone dares to commit any wrongdoing, Zhang will execute them without mercy in accordance with the law."

He spoke solemnly, his eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at Ji Lin and the other two.

Ji Lin took a deep breath and smiled slightly, "What the Inspector says is true. Everyone should abide by the law and contribute to the country."

Upon hearing Ji Lin's words, Zhang Liang suddenly burst into laughter. "Come, this cup is a toast from the garrison commander to you."

He then took out a black metal token and handed it to Ji Lin.

Ji Lin accepted it with both hands, vaguely sensing a trace of unusual energy within it, with the words "Demon Suppression" printed on it.

"This is the communication token of the Demon Suppression Palace. You can contact us through it," Zhang Liang said.

"Of course, you can cause me trouble anytime," Ji Lin cursed inwardly.

He really wanted to refuse, but faced with a martial artist of unfathomable strength who had entered the realm of sainthood, and backed by the powerful Demon Suppression Bureau, he had no choice but to accept.

This sense of oppression was even stronger than when he faced Jiang Tianchen in the capital.

After all, those who go to the trials can die if they die; at least they are free to come and go.

This time it's different; I'm directly controlled by someone else and living under their surveillance.

A feeling of losing freedom is suffocating.

Just as Ji Lin was about to say something, a shout came from outside: "Something terrible has happened!"

"Many people in the city have suddenly started committing suicide, and their deaths are extremely gruesome. Among them are some grandmasters and martial artists who have also fallen victim to this. The reason is unknown..." a member of the night patrol reported.

Ji Lin's heart trembled. This must be the work of an evil cult. The Blood Lotus Cult has started harming people again, and the situation is escalating further.

We need to find a way to stop them quickly, otherwise, who knows what state Xiong'an County will fall into.

He could sense that this was more dangerous than ever before, but why waste his own strength?

Well, there just happen to be so many experts here, let's test the strength of the Blood Lotus Sect with them.

It doesn't matter if I die, but I absolutely cannot use Big Beard and the others to test them first.

"Your Excellency, the situation is serious. We have already reported this to the prefectural government. It is very likely an act of fraud. After many days of investigation, we have found nothing. This cult has only become more aggressive. I beg Your Excellency to lend a hand."

"If it is not stopped in time, it may spread to the entire Huaiding Prefecture, at which point the situation will become unmanageable."

Ji Lin bowed deeply, his hands clasped in a gesture of respect, showing great sincerity and earnestness.

Zhang Liang frowned. "I don't believe you! You said that last part on purpose, didn't you?"

It's not as serious as you make it out to be; they clearly just want to use us as thugs.

Please, handle your own affairs, okay? We're all adults here.

He paused, pondering for a moment: "The Blood Lotus Sect? I've heard of it. With my Demon Suppression Palace here, they can't cause any trouble."

Damn it, of all times, it had to be this time. Why now or why now? This damn cult.

Very well, let's see if there's an opportunity to take this chance and get rid of this brat, who actually dared to use me.

"My lord, there's no time to lose, let's set off!" Ji Lin urged, bowing repeatedly.

Zhang Liang nodded helplessly and slowly walked out the door.

"Hey bro, should we call Xiao Hei back?" Huang Yu whispered.

"No need, Big Beard, you and Miss Liu protect my father and the others," Ji Lin said.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liang glared at Ji Lin and the other two, snorted coldly, and left.

Let's first see what the situation is with the Blood Lotus Sect. If it's really gotten out of control, then he will definitely need to take action.

Once this matter is over, we must teach this cunning brat a lesson. He makes people do all the work, but he's unwilling to use his own people.

After Zhang Liang had walked away, Liu Qingmei said angrily:

"My dear Young Master Ji, you still don't want our help at a time like this? Are we that fragile? Or do you think your skill is exceptionally powerful?"

"At that time, if you can die once, you can die a second time."

Ji Lin sighed. Actually, she was right. Under certain conditions, when encountering a powerful enemy, dying once or twice makes no difference.

"Wait for my news. I'll go and find out what's going on first."

......

Ji Lin led the night patrol team, along with county constables and several people from the Demon Suppression Bureau, to conduct a covert investigation in the city.

He instructed the night patrol members to avoid fighting as much as possible, and to report any incidents immediately so that he could handle them personally.

He himself followed Zhang Liang and the others to conduct a thorough investigation of suspicious areas or places where strong anomalies might occur.

As night fell, their field of vision began to shrink, making Ji Lin and the others feel even more uneasy.

Every time a suicide scene is discovered, there is a vague feeling that something is buried all around.

He could also sense that the abnormal energy was distributed in various places, without any concentrated point.

They soon discovered that the Blood Lotus Cult's activities had become extremely secretive and more destructive.

They specifically targeted and manipulated local thugs, disillusioned intellectuals, and even minor officials in the county, creating numerous bizarre suicides or disappearances.

They arrived at the scene of the incident and saw the man clutching his own neck, his eyes wide open, his mouth agape, and his tongue being forcefully forced out.

The blood-red markings on its back faintly glowed red, and blood continued to seep out.

"Could they be killing people using these blood patterns? This is so unpredictable," one of the Demon Suppression Guards said.

"Why create so many suicides? What is the purpose of the Blood Lotus Cult?" Zhang Liang wondered.

Looking at the red blood, Ji Lin immediately thought of words like altar and sacrifice.

It seems there's a subtle connection between the Blood Lotus Sect and the Pseudo-Immortal Sect.

"This Blood Lotus Cult may be accumulating resources in search of specific sacrifices or to perform some kind of death ritual."

Upon hearing this, the members of the Demon Suppression Mansion thought about it carefully and realized that it did make some sense.

But how do we find the source? That's the key.

The group quickly fell into deep thought again.

Suddenly, they saw flames in the distance, and Ji Lin and the others rushed over immediately.

"Ah!!! Ah!!!"

A person engulfed in flames was seen howling in agony as they struggled desperately on the ground.

The fire crackled and popped, and a smell of kerosene and burnt clothes and meat filled the air.

"The bloodstains were the cause just now, but what's with playing with fire and getting burned now?" Ji Lin asked.

"We need to find that damned Blood Lotus Saintess as soon as possible."

As soon as Zhang Liang finished speaking, the burning body reacted immediately, as if stimulated by something, and suddenly lunged at him...