The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call

Chapter 1711 The Next Sacrifice

Wynter nodded after listening to Carmila'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?"

Carmila 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 plans. The ritual was suddenly moved up, and the clan leader came to our home, demanding my daughter for the ritual by the riverbed. That was the last time I saw her.

"The clan 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 village to it. What exactly was intended remained a mystery, and she would have to wait until tonight to uncover the truth.

Carmila clasped 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 black 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 black serpent's complaints did he cast a glance its way. "You can deal with it, then."

The black 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 black 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 planning 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 black 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 timely comment, "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 black 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 black serpent a cold glance that clearly conveyed that it could give up thinking about being a snake, much less a dragon if it dared say anything.

The black serpent immediately fell silent, retreating into complete stillness.

Just then, the villagers, 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 calculating, resting on Wynter with a hint of malice.

However, this was a society bound by laws, 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 play nice and let a smirk form on her lips. It was perfect. Two could play 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 glanced at the villagers 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?"

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

down and saying nothing.

Wynter's demeanor remained friendly. "Mr.

"What brings you all the way out to this remote place?

you're having. It sounded so fascinating!" Wynter

laughed heartily. "Curious about the Ritual of Devotion, are you? That's no problem at all. Although our village is

costumes?" Wynter's eyes lit

"Of course. Why don't you come with

with excitement.

her. Meanwhile, the black serpent in the

longer hold back. She burst out of the house and

Wynter looked back.

clutched at her pants nervously. She wanted to warn Wynter and stop her from

her, and she stammered, "Maybe... How about a meal before

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

same time."

Carmila. "I won't eat here, Mrs. Clove. I want to experience the ritual. Also, I will remember the things you told me earlier,

his gaze landed

Do you have any better tips for dealing with them?" If Wynter truly wanted to lie, not a

found.

drawing

better option, he wouldn't have resorted to choosing an outsider in the first place. "Young lady, you might not know this, but the closer you get to the river's center, the fewer the mosquitoes. Our village has always been

such an amazing place really exist?" Wynter's eyes widened in mock enthusiasm. "I have to see it for

paused. "You can go, but this friend

Wynter asked

under 20. However, the two of you can go together if you like.

closer."

turned to Dalton, grabbing his wrist. "Do you understand what he's talking

with

expression. Nevertheless, she

and walked with him.

to leave. Before stepping away, he cast a cold glance at Carmila. "Some things are better left unsaid. If you've already spoken

children's lives at

dared not follow

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

talisman onto the black

stick to my fiancé later.

lays a finger on him, you better bite them like your life depends on

offended at the comment about Dalton's delicate constitution or to nod in agreement. After all, who

punching him?

that pesky river dragon would already

Ritual of

the black serpent had no idea why Dalton was

"Do you want to end up as a snake

in assent. "I'll protect the lord

on me!"

"Keep this close. I've placed a talisman on it. If something supernatural pops

given that he was part

concern, though, remained fixed on the elegant but fragile Dalton. With a sigh, she

is he so frail?"

still coughing when his eyes sparkled with faint

worried about me?"

the moment I leave," Wynter

people.

didn't seem too bothered. "But you're

Devotion, the River God had always favored pure maidens. Hamilton knew it was best to distance Dalton from Wynter. Moreover, there was still

three people entering the village. Yet now, only two stood before him, and no