I Can Recognize Everything, But the Information is Wrong

"What's hanging on the door might not be a door guardian; it could be the Land God."

Aunt Mei said to Tian Lin, "When we left the old Village Chief's courtyard, didn't he tell every household to close their doors and windows and worship the Land God?"

"Regardless of whether it's a Land God or a door guardian, they seem to be protecting these villagers. Thus, as long as the old night watchman's door isn't blown open, the Evil Spirit outside can't harm him."

Zhou Ting frowned, "In that case, Senior Brother Zuo's method is useless. Simply removing the door bolts won't kill the villagers' Evil Spirit unless the door guardian's image is also removed."

At this, everyone felt it was a tricky situation; even the soldier Evil Spirit dared not touch the door guardian's image. Who among us would risk erasing it?

Moreover, if there were only one door guardian image, it would be easier, maybe at the cost of one life. But the entire Taiping Village has over a hundred households; sacrificing everyone's life could only fill eight households' door guardians.

"Looking at it optimistically, if door guardian images are hard to destroy, doesn't that enhance our safety?"

Tian Lin laughed, though everyone thought it wasn't the right time for optimism, yet they couldn't deny the truth in his words.

Now that the external threat had disappeared, the internal conflict was hard to put down.

Tian Lin saw Aunt Mei about to cause trouble for the female True Disciple, so he quickly spoke first:

"Ladies and gentlemen, in today's investigation of the village, did you discover anything noteworthy?"

Over there, Du Qiping shook his head slightly and said:

"Probably because we have 'officials' among us, those villagers avoided us like the plague and were especially guarded against us. Not to mention entering their houses to investigate; even peeking inside from the courtyard was difficult."

Du Qiping paused and continued, "But we didn't leave empty-handed; at least we confirmed that the villagers truly wouldn't dare to kill an official."

On the side, Zhou Ting nodded, "Today, the old night watchman unsurprisingly tried to come in and search the house after you left, but I drove him away. It seems that having an official status in this village is life-saving.

But now, among the eight of us, besides me and Junior Brother Tian, identifying the remaining two officials is the first issue we need to resolve. If we don't solve it, we can't form four teams to do tasks separately and can only make three teams, wasting manpower and time significantly."

"This matter isn't difficult to resolve."

As soon as Tian Lin spoke, the people around brightened their eyes and looked at him.

Seeing Tian Lin speak confidently, he said: "Among those in the room now, besides me, Senior Brother Zhou, and Junior Sister Wang Yuanji, it's unclear who among the rest is non-official and who is official, leading to five people not daring to form two small teams.

Actually, among these five people, as long as two non-officials die, there will surely be two officials among the remaining three. By then, the three can split into two teams, and our group can form four teams, right?"

At his words, the previously hopeful faces instantly turned grim.

"What's this nonsense?"

The female True Disciple said, "The reason we don't dare to split teams is to avoid unnecessary deaths. I thought you had a good way to ensure safety, but your solution is to kill two first—"

Even after being scolded by the female True Disciple, Tian Lin was neither ashamed nor angry. He said, "Apart from this, I can't think of any other way for us to form four teams; actually, doing so doesn't cost us, does it?

Though losing two people, forming another team can improve everyone's survival chances."

This talk was clearly sophistry, but upon careful analysis, it did make some sense.

However, Zhou Ting didn't nod immediately, regardless of whether Tian Lin's suggestion was feasible; even if it was, he didn't want the crime of harming fellow disciples.

Not to mention that Zhou Ting's side disagreed; even Aunt Mei shook her head and said, "If this method requires trial sacrifices, who among us is willing to risk it, and who is willing to sacrifice?"

Tian Lin looked towards the female True Disciple, sincerely saying:

"Senior Sister just suggested sacrificing me and Senior Sister Mei for everyone's safety. It seems Senior Sister wouldn't mind sacrificing personal interests for the greater good. So why not let Senior Sister start and do this noble deed?"

At this point, how could everyone not guess Tian Lin's intent?

Evidently, Tian Lin held grudges, just like Aunt Mei, wanting the female True Disciple to die.

"So that's your goal? Ridiculous, if you want my head, do you have the ability to take it?"

Beside her, Zhou Ting frowned, "Junior Sister Yu shouldn't open the door; although it was indeed inappropriate, we've been refusing to listen to her. Facing external foes now, why cling to this matter?"

Tian Lin shook his head, "Senior Brother Zhou, you're wrong. When did I ever mean to harm Junior Sister Yu? I wanted her to step forward to allow three teams to become four, benefiting everyone.

Besides, what if Junior Sister Yu is an official? This test wouldn't harm her life. Moreover, have you considered that villagers only harm non-officials, not officials? That's only our assumption. Though it sounds reasonable, nobody has tried it—if this information is wrong, we'd be wiped out due to one mistake."

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, for indeed, as Tian Lin said—why wouldn't the Evil Spirit dare kill an official? It might be due to another reason that villagers didn't dare to act.

And indeed, someone should experiment to find out.

"What do you mean, are some of you actually believing his nonsense?"

Seeing no one in the room speak up, the female True Disciple finally got anxious.

Like the female True Disciple, Du Qiping and the other two male True Disciples were also dissatisfied, shaking their heads.

One male True Disciple said, "We're all fellow disciples; how can we let a member sacrifice? It's too unethical."

Tian Lin replied, "If you suspect I have ulterior motives, how about this—on your side, let Junior Sister Yu step forward for testing. On our side, we'll also send someone to do the test. This way, it can be considered fair, right?"

Aunt Mei and Wang Yanyu looked towards Tian Lin, wondering if he was joking.

Clearly, if their side sent someone to test, it would most likely be one of them or Wang Yanyu.

If they were officials, stepping forward might not be risky. But what if they weren't? The final result would test with their lives.

Over there, that previously righteous male True Disciple shut up.

As long as the fire didn't reach him, and the matter benefited him, how could he possibly object?

Not only that, but he also spoke up, "In that case, it seems fair."

The female True Disciple became furious, pointing at this male True Disciple, "Liu, what do you mean?"

The female True Disciple's words were harsh, clearly showing how his words offended her.

That male True Disciple wasn't foolish; knowing not to let the tiger return to the mountain, he confidently said, "I think Junior Brother Tian makes sense; why not let Junior Sister Yu test it first?"