The teenage boy's mother dropped to her knees at once, clutching her child closer, her forehead hitting the ground. The village head's legs gave out and he followed suit, pressing his palms to the dirt.
"Honored disciple!" he cried. "We greet you!"
The others did not need any prompting. They knelt or bowed, some so panicked they nearly fell over themselves, foreheads touching the cold earth, backs trembling.
"All beings prostrate before the Slaughtered Moon," a few voices chanted in unison, almost on reflex. "May its Divine Blood grant us eternal mercy…"
Despite the severe situation in front of them, they still acted like this. Their fear was like a choking mist.
Han Yu ignored the murmurs and worship. His eyes were on the intruder.
He walked up to him without hurry knowing the effects of Soul Needle would last long enough. The thief's gaze rolled frantically toward him, pupils shrinking. His jaw worked, trying to speak, but the Soul Needles locked the muscles in his face.
