<h4>Chapter 197: Fear and Suspicion</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Nyoi-Bo Studio <strong>Editor: </strong>Nyoi-Bo Studio


    Belief and worship, and suspicion and fear were the same things. As such, ordinary people would naturally follow the masses. Basically, people tend to easily believe what others say, but it is difficult for them to stick to their own ideas.


    A few days ago, when Lu Zhiyu stood near the window, he could see arge number of peopleing towards him, including nobles and wealthy businessmen. When they arrived, they knelt down and wanted to get a blessing from him, but were stopped by Anke.


    A few dayster, the pilgrim-like believers dispersed like smoke. Not only that, those people who had respected Lu Zhiyu so much were now suspicious of him. Many people were discussing Lu Zhiyu in secret, most of their conversations being highly unfavorable.


    On the third floor of the castle, Lu Zhiyu flipped through the books that he had been brought. He marked certain pages and highlighted others.


    The structural drawing on the book was Eva’s body structure. Lu Zhiyu made many notes about important data and things in need of attention.


    Lu Zhiyu had been wanting to further improve Eva’s metal alchemic lifeform for some time now. As she was the first super metal alchemic lifeform, her model obviously had its weak points.


    Lu Zhiyu also wanted to know the requirements for the formation of alchemic lifeforms, as well as for the formation of awareness and wisdom in the brain of metal cells. This was because Lu Zhiyu had never seeded again after initially making Eva.


    Eva was sitting quietly beside Lu Zhiyu. If there was nothing to take care of, she would not move.


    Eva suddenly without being asked a question, which was rare for her. “Master, don’t you care about them? They are speaking ill of you in private!”


    Lu Zhiyu simply bowed his head and said, “Don’t bother yourself about them. They are just ordinary people who are following other people and believing gossip.”


    Eva then said, “Cetisius came to me yesterday and told me to be careful. There are rumors circting in the city that do not bode well for you. It is likely that someone will do something bad to you! But, at least he and his master, Anke, still believe in you unconditionally.”


    Lu Zhiyu raised his head and asked, “Why do they believe in me? I didn’t tell them who I was or where I came from...”


    Lu Zhiyu paused, looked out of the window and said, “As for what happened in the city, don’t worry. At least they are about to do something finally!”


    ————–


    Within the following few days, many strange incidents happened in the city. Many people were killed.


    What was even more strange was that every deceased man had his heart dug out! Their deaths were horrifying and terrifying. In this city with tens of thousands of people, this immediately caused a sensation, leaving everyone to murmur among themselves...


    “They are devils who devoured their souls!”


    “This man is no longer able to go to heaven.”


    “His soul is cursed, and he will always be tormented by evil.”


    People couldn’t stop discussing what was going on. The businessmen, who watched as bodies that were covered in white cloths were carried away, looked pale.


    They were thinking how sad it was that the hearts had been dug out, as the heart had a special meaning in Batko. Specifically, the people believed that their souls existed in their hearts.


    Although many people might not be afraid of death, they believed in the world after death, which they called the afterlife. If the heart was swallowed up by the devil, people could not enter this world. This was the most frightening thing for them.


    At this time, neither themon people nor the nobles dared go outside at all. Rumors about monsters and endless dark evils spread rapidly throughout the city.


    “It is the evil being who ate their hearts!”


    “The monster is still in town. It’s staring at everyone, and soon it will devour you, or maybe me!”


    “We have to kill this monster!”


    Some people took this opportunity to spread all kinds of ill-intentioned remarks, which only heightened the panic.


    “Why hasn’t this happened before?” In the streets and alleys, many people ask this same question.


    Immediately, someone seemed to know what had happened. “It’s the man. All of these things only started happening when he came!”


    Then, a series of unfavorable remarks about Lu Zhiyu spread throughout the city...


    “Yes, he has been hiding in the castle and refuses toe out. He must have a secret.”


    “He’s making evil ns. He’s been sent here by evil gods!”


    At this time, the priests of the pce came and preached to the people. One of the priests said, “The great god of the desert has sent down an oracle. He told his spokesman on earth, high priest Hatton, that this man was not a messenger of gods, but a sphemer of gods!”


    The square where they were at was crowded with people. After the priest’s speech, even more rumors started to circte in the city, instantly being epted as truth in all of the people’s minds. People who were already fearful immediately felt as if they had been fooled by Lu Zhiyu, and anger surged into everyone’s hearts.


    “That servant of the evil god was sent by the pagans. He will only bring disaster and death to us. This is only the first step of his abominable n. If we can’t stop him, the city of Pusuote will be ruined. All of our souls will fall into the abyss and suffer eternal torture.” The roar of one of the priests ignited fury in everyone’s hearts.


    The crowd on the square was enraged! Many families of the victims came out and shouted...


    “Burn the evil god’s servant! He must be punished!”


    “Yes, kill him! May the god of the desert bless us. We are not afraid!”


    “Expel the evil viin.”


    Everyone held their fists high. They all had red eyes, as if they were all being controlled by something beyond this world.


    “Herees the high priest, Lord Hatton!” one priest announced.


    At this time, Hatton, apanied by arge number of priests, walked out of the pce. As Hatton came among the crowd, the entire square immediately became quiet.


    “God told me that this viin will bring us disaster!” Hatton spoke with a loud voice that could be heard throughout the square. “We must get rid of him. Only by getting rid of him can we then return to our peaceful and happy lives. Then, the glory of god will shine on us again.”


    Hatton held up his golden scepter, his facial fat shaking. “I am god’s spokesman on earth. In the name of god, let’s go punish him!”


    “Kill him!” All of the people in the square roared with Hatton, “In the name of god!”


    The people then turned and swarmed the streets, heading straight for the castle where Lu Zhiyu lived. As every household had a weapon, each person approached the pce, armed and angry!


    These people were like angry hooligans. Everyone was steaming mad and headed straight for their target, which was Lu Zhiyu!