?Chapter 1711 The Next Sacrifice


    Wynter nodded after listening to Carm''s words. "This so-called River God probably won''t fancy an outsider like me. But I noticed you were crying earlier-what''s on your mind?"


    Carm wiped away the lingering tears at the corners of her eyes. "This River God... it''s very powerful. Back then, Martin and I had a daughter. A few years ago, I even found a family willing to take her in, thinking she''d have a better life.


    "But somehow, it was like the River God overheard our ns. The ritual was suddenly moved up, and the n leader came to our home, demanding my daughter for the ritual by the riverbed. That was thest time I saw her.


    "The n leader told us the River God took a liking to her and wanted her to stay by its side forever. Martin believed him, but I''ve always felt something else was going on. But I... I couldn''t do anything about it."


    Wynter nodded thoughtfully. "Mrs. Clove, you''ve had such a tough life. If the River God does pick me tonight, I''ll take a look around. I''ll even check if your daughter is still serving the River God. If you have a photo of her, send it to me."


    Wynter knew that this so-called River God was much like the previously mentioned cultivator. It had been drawing all the girls in the vige to it. What exactly was intended remained a mystery, and she would have to wait until tonight to uncover the truth.


    Carm sped Wynter''s hands tightly. "Thank you so much! If you do see her, please tell her... tell her that I miss her so much!"


    In the meantime, outside the house, Martin had disappeared from the tea table, his whereabouts unknown.


    Not wanting to be left alone with a stranger for long, Dalton quickly hypnotized Martin, sending him off elsewhere.


    The ck serpent was still rambling, "My lord, you really need to teach that wretched serpent a lesson! It''s been running wild under the old cultivator''s protection, breaking every rule you''ve ever set. I can''t stand it anymore! It doesn''t even respect you!"


    Dalton remained calm, his thoughts unreadable as he gently spun the bracelet in his hand. Only after hearing enough of the ck serpent''sints did he cast a nce its way. "You can deal with it, then."


    The ck serpent''s eyes darted nervously. "My lord, if you truly order me to, I will! Even if it costs my life, I''d obey without hesitation! But let''s be honest-I''ll just be fodder if I go.


    "If that happens, that wretched serpent will think all your followers are weaklings! I still need to stay by your side. I''ve got civil service exams to prepare for and other duties to fulfill! But whatever you decide, my lord, I''ll follow!"


    Dalton lightly tapped the wooden table, his expression unchanged. To him, a mere serpent that had managed to transform into a dragon posed no real threat.


    Just then, Wynter stepped out of the house and immediately spotted the ck serpent poking its head out near Dalton. She strolled over and, without hesitation, grabbed it by its head.


    "Didn''t I tell you to stay in the bag? What are you doing sticking your head out? Were you nning to bite my fiancé? It looks like you still haven''t learned your lesson. Once we''re done here, I''ll have Wolf roast you!" Wynter warned.


    The ck serpent hissed indignantly, as if trying to say, "I wasn''t biting anyone! I was just speaking with the lord!


    However, with its head firmly grasped, it couldn''t make a sound, nor could it risk exposing Dalton. Once Wynter finally let go, it quickly slithered back into the bag, its eyes glistening with pitiful tears.


    Dalton added a timelyment, "I always feel safest when you''re around. Otherwise, who knows? That snake might have bitten me just now."


    Wynter was unaware of the real situation. "Be careful. This ck serpent failed to transform into a dragon. It must


    still be nursing some resentment, and since it doesn''t dare to challenge me, it''s probably looking for an easy target to take its frustrations out on."


    Dalton nodded, giving her a faint smile.


    When she wasn''t looking, he shot the ck serpent a cold nce that clearly conveyed that it could give up thinking about being a snake, much less a dragon if it dared say anything.


    The ck serpent immediately fell silent, retreating intoplete stillness.


    Just then, the vigers, who had been searching for the girl who had escaped earlier, began nowhere.


    gather around out of


    Leading them was Hamilton, whom they had encountered on the mountain. His gaze was cold and calcting, resting on Wynter with a hint of malice.


    However, this was a society bound byws, and they were outsiders wealthy ones, by the looks of them. They couldn''t act recklessly.


    Once this realization settled in, Hamilton''s expression shifted into a smile. "So, are you the ones Martin brought up here earlier?"


    Wynter noticed his attempt to y nice and let a smirk form on her lips. It was perfect. Two could y this game. After all, she had always been an excellent actress.


    "Yes, that''s us. And you must be his granduncle," Wynter responded, as if only recognizing him now. Hamilton nced at the vigers holding torches behind him. "Put those away! You''ll scare our tourists."


    Then, turning back to Wynter, he asked, "You guys look really young. Are you still in school?"


    He casually sat across from Wynter, but his sharp eyes darted toward Dalton warily. To him, Wynter was an easy prey. However, something about Dalton, especially the bracelet on his wrist, seemed unusual.


    Dalton coughed lightly, keeping his head down and saying nothing. He didn''t so much as nce up.


    In contrast, Wynter''s demeanor remained friendly. "Mr. Clove, you''ve got good eyes."


    Hamilton chuckled, appearing harmless. "What brings you all the way out to this remote ce? Why didn''t you visit the city instead?"


    "Oh, we kind of wandered here by mistake and stumbled across Mr. Martin. He mentioned some kind of ritual you''re having. It sounded so fascinating!" Wynter sounded like an unguarded college student. "We''ve never seen it before and wanted to witness it with our own eyes."


    Hamiltonughed heartily. "Curious about the Ritual of Devotion, are you? That''s no problem at all. Although our vige is small, we''ve worked hard to promote tourism. We''ve even added things like cultural costume experiences, just like in bigger ces."


    "Cultural costumes?" Wynter''s eyes lit up.


    Hamilton nodded. "Of course. Why don''t youe with me?"


    Wynter was beaming with excitement. "Let''s go!"


    Hearing that, Dalton finally looked up at her. Meanwhile, the ck serpent in the bag remained motionless.


    At that moment, Carm could no longer hold back. She burst out of the house and called out, "Youngdy!"


    Wynter looked back.


    Carm clutched at her pants nervously. She wanted to warn Wynter and stop her from going, but Hamilton''s gaze was already narrowing.


    Fear overtook her, and she stammered, "Maybe... How about a meal before you go?"


    Hamilton''s eyes grew cold, though his face maintained its friendly smile. "The god-worship ritual includes a grand feast with over 100 dishes. Youngdy, you''ll have plenty of chances to eat and experience everything at the


    same time."


    "That sounds incredible!" Wynter said cheerfully before ncing back at Carm. "I won''t eat here, Mrs. Clove. I want to experience the ritual. Also, I will remember the things you told me earlier, so don''t worry."


    Hamilton looked at Carm before his gazended on Wynter. "What did she tell you?"


    "Oh, she just mentioned how the mosquitoes here are a real nuisance and told me to use plenty of repellent. Why? Do you have any better tips for dealing with them?" If Wynter truly wanted to lie, not a single crack would be


    found.


    Additionally, Hamilton seemed noticeably anxious now, given that the time for the Ritual of Devotion was drawing near. He couldn''t afford to waste time. Hence, he didn''t bother trying to gauge Wynter''s honesty.


    If there had been a better option, he wouldn''t have resorted to choosing an outsider in the first ce. "Youngdy, you might not know this, but the closer you get to the river''s center, the fewer the mosquitoes. Our vige has always been protected by the River God."


    Hamiltonughed before continuing, "There''s no need to worry. You won''t even need mosquito repellents." "Does such an amazing ce really exist?" Wynter''s eyes widened in mock enthusiasm. "I have to see it for myself!Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Hamilton suddenly paused. "You can go, but this friend of yours..."


    "Can''t hee with me?" Wynter asked despite already knowing the answer.


    Hamilton weighed his options. "Our ritual is only for girls under 20. However, the two of you can go together if you like. Once you''ve changed into the ceremonial attire, he can wait across the river, but he shouldn''te any


    closer."


    "Understood." Wynter nodded and turned to Dalton, grabbing his wrist. "Do you understand what he''s talking about? You''re to wait across the river for me."


    Dalton replied with a soft hum.


    Wynter was inwardly worried despite her calm expression. Nevertheless, she retained her grip on Dalton''s hand


    and walked with him.


    Hamilton was thest to leave. Before stepping away, he cast a cold nce at Carm. "Some things are better left unsaid. If you''ve already spoken out of turn, you''d best keep quiet from now on. Break the vige rules, and you''ll


    be putting your children''s lives at risk."


    Carm froze in fear and dared not follow them any further.


    Meanwhile, at the front of the group, wynter took advantage of Hamilton''s moment of inattention and swiftly


    stuck a talisman onto the ck bag.


    She whispered to the ck serpent, "You''ll have stick to my fiancéter. His body''s delicate-he can''t handle cold drafts, let alone punches.


    "If anyone so much asys a finger on him, you better bite them like your life depends on it. Don''t worry about killing. I''ll make sure the judiciary counts it as a service to society."


    The ck serpent froze, its scales tightening in disbelief. It wasn''t sure whether to be offended at thement about Dalton''s delicate constitution or to nod in agreement. After all, who in their right mind would dare to try


    punching him?


    If not for Dalton suppressing his presence, that pesky river dragon would already be crawling on its belly,


    groveling. This whole Ritual of Devotion wouldn''t even exist!


    Hence, the ck serpent had no idea why Dalton was even entertaining this charade.


    "Why aren''t you responding?" Wynter arched her brow. "Do you want to end up as a snake stew?"


    The ck serpent jolted, hurriedly flicking its tongue in assent. "I''ll protect the lord with my life! You can count


    on me!"


    Satisfied, Wynter handed the ck bag to Dalton. "Keep this close. I''ve ced a talisman on it. If something supernatural pops up, the talisman will handle it. If it''s human trouble, the snake will."


    She noted that Balmond wasn''t around, either. However, given that he was part of the Special Unit, he should be blending into the crowd well.


    Her concern, though, remained fixed on the elegant but fragile Dalton. With a sigh, she muttered to herself, "Why


    is he so frail?"


    Dalton indeed had a bit f a cold. He was still coughing when his eyes sparkled with faint amusement. "Are you


    worried about me?"


    "Of course! Those vigers would probably knock you out the moment I leave," Wynter had a knack for reading


    people.


    Dalton didn''t seem too bothered. "But you''re still here now, aren''t you?"


    In the Ritual of Devotion, the River God had always favored pure maidens. Hamilton knew it was best to distance Dalton from Wynter. Moreover, there was still a lingering concern for him.


    The guards had reported three people entering the vige. Yet now, only two stood before him, and no one had


    found the third yet. Nevertheless, time was running out, and the Ritual of Devotion couldn''t afford further dys.


    "Well then, youngdy, head on in! There''s someone inside who will help you dress and do your hair," Hamilton


    said with a forced smile.


    Hearing this, Wynter''s lips curved slightly. "I didn''t expect aplimentary makeover service."


    At that point, Dalton could no longer follow her further in, halted by Hamilton''s extended arm. "Young man, you can''t go any further. Follow them, and wait across the river." He gestured to the vigers with torches, their physiques betraying a life of rugged physicality, likely honed from years of hiking.


    Wynter frowned, but Dalton spoke before her. "Alright."


    Wynter arched her brow. It seemed that Dalton had a n to deal with them. If that was the case, she could investigate this so-called traditional costume experience without being worried. Night fell swiftly. Above them was a dark velvet sky scattered with shimmering stars.


    The tranquil atmosphere carried a solemn weight as vigers, dressed in coarse linen garments, gathered around a winding river at the edge of the vige. Their expressions were solemn as they encircled a hastily constructed altar. Offerings were meticulously arranged at the heart of the altar. There were fresh fruits, bountiful grains, and fragrant flowers-all prepared with care for the impending ritual.


    Dalton had been led across the river. As night fully descended, the vigers apanying him grew restless. Unable to suppress their intent any longer, they tossed aside their torches and prepared to knock him unconscious.


    But before the vigers could act on it, they froze mid-motion when Dalton lifted his gaze.


    His voice was calm. "Aiding and abetting evil will condemn you to the ninth level of hell."


    This was no idle threat. When Dalton spoke these words, the underworld''s depths trembled. The river where red spider lilies bloomed the brightest churned, and even hell''s signposts trembled faintly.


    The Underworld Guards exchanged uneasy nces.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Someone must be provoking him again."


    Even beings as high-ranking as them dared not utter his name aloud.


    Having delivered his decree, Dalton wasted no time. Large clusters of ck feathers rained from the sky as the


    crow swooped in.


    As the crow flew past, Dalton''s clothing had already transformed-its colors and design shifting seamlessly.


    The crow greeted Dalton obediently, yet he was genuinely confused. Why had he summoned him?


    The ck serpent was unwilling to even peek out now.


    Dalton''s lips curved slightly as he nced at the crescent moon reflected on the river''s surface. "I''ve waited for


    too long. The weather tonight is perfect. It''s ideal for a wedding."


    The ck serpent didn''t understand what he was saying at all.


    The crow, however, understood all too well. He stiffened in shock. Deep down, he desperately hoped he hadn''t


    understood at all!


    On the other side, as Wynter entered the designated area, a medium approached her. With skilled hands, she began


    to meticulouslyb Wynter''s hair, ensuring that each strand was smooth and wless.


    Her movements were deliberate, apanied by a soft chant, "Firstb to the end of life,


    secondb to gray hair and harmony, thirdb to children filling the house."


    As thebing ceremony concluded, the medium carefully adorned Wynter''s newly styled hair with an array of


    intricate hairpieces. Gold, silver, and emerald ornaments were ced with precision.


    That was when Wynter realized that this was preparation for a wedding.


    The bride would don a stunning wedding gown, typically in vibrant red, adorned with intricate embroidery and


    gemstones. Every stitch and detail carried blessings and symbolic meanings,


    Her attire would be carefully adjusted, and she would be essorized with exquisite jewelry such as gold


    nes, earrings, and bracelets.