Chapter 328: Mushroom Merchant (64K Subscription and Vote Requests)

Calling him True Person Mushroom? That was obviously a joke—Herbert still recognized this race.

Mushroom people, or *xùnrén*, are a special species intermediate between plants and animals.

They live in colonies in dark regions, are naturally peaceful, and excel at cultivating various mushrooms, which they eat.

They resemble giant humanoid mushrooms, prefer living in darkness and avoiding light, move slowly, yet possess strong physiques and strength surpassing many creatures.

Mature *xùnrén* can release various spores; some toxic spores are aggressive and can be considered an extremely difficult-to-defend-against poison mist.

Moreover, though they appear silent and their colonies make no sound, they are not truly mute—they are highly skilled in telepathic communication with other beings.

They are talkative but speak at an extremely slow pace; sometimes a single conversation can last a full month.

By the way, although *xùnrén* are edible, it is generally not recommended to consume their corpses.

Some special varieties contain lethal toxins that not only cause the eater to see tiny figures but also irreversibly damage their spirit, leaving them mute, drooling, and babbling "aba aba" for a long time…

Certain rare types can even cause instant death—so sudden there's no time to save you.

Red umbrella, white stem, eat and lie down on the plank~

Yet as a species with a notably laid-back disposition, as long as you don't destroy their mycelial nests, they rarely initiate aggression and are quite willing to communicate with other beings.

They're quite an interesting underground monster.

Herbert had originally considered collecting (capturing) some special monsters from the Dark Regions to bring back to Elde, including *xùnrén*, but abandoned the idea due to their immobility.

He never expected to encounter one now—and one who owed him a life-debt.

Perhaps he could take advantage of this to acquire some *xùnrén* specialties?

Although humans in this world possess magic to detect toxins, ordinary mortals still don't include mushrooms in their main diet.

Few eat them, and there's still some risk, so mushroom yields remain low—only a few mountain hunters actively consume them.

Herbert had long wanted to try cold-marinated Jian Shu Qing… of course, meaning cooked first, then cooled before marinating.

But what truly interested Herbert wasn't the race itself—it was the strange aura he sensed emanating from this *xùnrén*.

This half-human-tall little *xùnrén* looked at first glance like a high-rank being, yet suddenly triggered a legendary-level threat sensation.

Something's off.

Before Herbert could speak, the *xùnrén* sensed the gaze behind him, turned around, and bowed deeply to Herbert in reverence.

"Valiant Holy Knight!"

"It was you who stepped forward in the hour of crisis, shattered the avatar of Miss Xie Shen, utterly thwarted Her mad schemes, and saved us all!"

"Thank you for saving us! You saved this city! Prevented it from falling into Miss Xie Shen's grasp!"

"Your heroic figure, radiant as the sun, shall be sung throughout the world—everyone must know of your deeds!"

"Rest assured, when we depart, we will never forget your grace—we will spread your story with gratitude, making all revere you, honor you!"

…

Herbert raised an eyebrow in surprise.

It wasn't that he was surprised the *xùnrén* thanked him—it was that the *xùnrén* had spoken at all.

Not only could it speak, but it spoke Common Tongue with remarkable fluency!

Though its speech was slightly slow, the feminine timbre was unmistakable—this petite figure emitted a voice of surprising maturity.

While some *xùnrén* are hermaphroditic and can asexually reproduce (split) to create companions, other branches clearly exhibit gender distinctions.

One rule of Dark Region adventuring—never assume a *xùnrén*'s gender.

Herbert listened as the *xùnrén* poured out over a dozen unique praises, blinked, and gave her a long, thoughtful look.

The way she spoke—so polished, are you preparing for the civil service exam?

Are you really this eager to strike first? Afraid I'll attack you the moment I approach?

Don't hit someone who smiles at you; don't scold someone who brings you a gift.

With such "humble and well-mannered" conduct, Herbert couldn't just glare at her from the start.

He didn't interrupt—just watched her with a faint, knowing smile, curious how much more she'd fabricate.

"Praise you! Our savior! Guardian of Magaras! Our… cough!"

Herbert's gaze made the *xùnrén* uneasy; she clearly stalled, then coughed loudly.

Her natural reaction deepened Herbert's interest.

How fascinating—this *xùnrén* truly mimics mortal daily gestures. How long has she lived among humans?

And as he observed her attire, his astonishment grew.

Her pale translucent skin bore mycelial patterns; atop her head rested a gray-white umbrella-cap hat, with glowing blue hair cascading to her shoulders.

She wore a purplish-gray robe; upon closer inspection, its patterns revealed it was woven from special mycelial fibers.

But with her half-human-tall stature and that enormous umbrella-cap hat hanging low, she looked like a walking triangular roadblock…

Yet setting aside these details, her appearance was entirely that of a typical merchant—revealing little of her *xùnrén* nature.

This was truly novel.

The *xùnrén* merchant, seeing Herbert fall silent, also fell quiet, guessing his thoughts.

She wasn't sure if she'd said something wrong.

As she hesitated whether to explain, the Holy Knight glanced at her and smirked: "Why stop? Go on."

Go on.

I want to see just how much you can say.

"This…" the merchant hesitated, utterly unable to read Herbert's intentions.

After speaking with the *xùnrén* merchant, Herbert turned toward the other side, where the Vampire Young Lady had fallen silent.

Eliza snapped out of her fantasy, cheeks flushed, hiding her blood-whip behind her back as she grinned awkwardly at Herbert:

"Uh, hehehe… hey, you're back?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Really, oh dear…"

She subtly shifted her feet, trying to put more distance between herself and the giant Agaricus—yet the mushroom giant, receiving no command, still kept its head tucked, guarding against her ever-possible whip lash.

"Don't stop—you keep whipping."

Herbert glanced sideways at Elizabeth, amused, teasing: "I sense you've got a lot of resentment built up. Perfect chance to let it all out."

"Say everything you've been holding back—I'll listen carefully, and I'll try to improve. Can't have Young Lady Elizabeth feeling uncomfortable!"

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, awkwardly chuckled and shook her head, mentally calling him a stingy miser, muttering under her breath.

"Ahahaha~ No temper, I have no temper at all. How could I possibly have any?"

Herbert sneered, not intending to let her off so easily, huffing: "You do. Don't hold it in—don't go and get sick from bottling it up."

"No, really, I truly don't!"

The Vampire Young Lady pouted, muttered a few more words, then leaned close to Herbert, wrapping her arms around his, rising on her toes to whisper through gritted teeth in his ear:

"Herbert, there are so many people watching! Give me some dignity…"

Bad person!

You bad person!

Such a naughty, naughty Holy Knight!

I have an image to maintain!

How can you treat me so disrespectfully? Where's my dignity as a Vampire Prince?

How can I command respect in their eyes again?

"Heh." Herbert listened to her angry yet almost coquettish complaints, his expression barely holding, unable to suppress a grin.

Am I bad?

Herbert thought that after Elizabeth had let out that strange "Ha↑ Ha↑ Ha↑" triple laugh in public, she'd already lost all dignity.

And what delighted him more was Elizabeth's attitude.

The Vampire Young Lady had completely shed her initial prickly edges—now, faced with this situation, she had nothing left but to pout and play cute.

The reformation (training) of the Vampire Young Lady was going smoothly, achieving staged results.

I should find a chance to give her a test, to properly assess her progress.

But Herbert had no intention of letting Elizabeth off so easily this time.

She's the type who takes abuse passively—a born submissive little brat, the kind who lights up at the slightest warmth.

She still needs a good tapping, or who knows what mischief she'll stir up next.

Leaning close to her, he subtly turned his palm, hiding the motion from others' view.

He pinched lightly between two fingers.

"Mm!?"

Elizabeth: Hn!!?

The Vampire Young Lady shuddered, then abruptly released Herbert, leaping backward three huge steps—flying over ten meters in reverse.

She stared at Herbert in disbelief, her lips moving nonstop, words piling up inside but not escaping.

"Y-y-you!"

I told you there are people here!

How dare you get even more reckless!

I mean, even if you're going to do something, pick a time when no one's watching!!?

Bad person!

Herbert glanced at her, struggling to suppress his nearly uncontrollable grin, deliberately huffed, waved his hand, and said sternly:

"You refused the chance to vent, then complain about me making you run so far? Fine. Go gather the other survivors."

Elizabeth pointed at Herbert, face twisted in outrage, barely holding back a curse.

I'm the one complaining?

You're lying!

You're making things up!

Don't you dare look at what you just did?!

"You… Hmph!"

Too furious to speak, Elizabeth could only snarl: "Fine! I'll bring them all!"

The Vampire Young Lady puffed out her cheeks, stomped her foot, and stormed off in a huff.

Herbert

She'd vent this rage on other poor souls!

"Heh, she's getting more interesting by the day."

Herbert chuckled, then turned his gaze away after dismissing the Vampire Young Lady.

Compared to this daydreaming trash vampire, Herbert was now far more interested in the peculiar mushroom person before him.

He'd noticed something quite intriguing.

Though the Mushroom Person's demeanor was fawning, she didn't seem particularly afraid of him.

Not afraid of me?

Oh? Now this is interesting.

Facing a Holy Knight capable of destroying Miss Xie Shen's avatar, she—a wicked merchant—has no fear?

What's her confidence based on?

Does she think she can escape from my grasp?

Or perhaps... even if I can't escape, it doesn't matter?

Guessing at the opponent's hand, Herbert asked the mushroom man, who was laughing nervously: "What's your name?"

"Me? I'm Mise Yingxun, a Yingxun person."

Seeing Herbert finally show interest in conversation, Mise secretly exhaled in relief and offered a commercial smile, bowing again: "Holy Knight my lord, I come from the Yingxun Merchants' Guild."

Yingxun person?

Herbert didn't know the ecology of mushroom folk, guessing they were merely one branch among many—he didn't care much either way.

"Yingxun Merchants' Guild? So, you're a merchant?" he feigned surprise, asking another question he was curious about.

"That's right!"

Mise rubbed her hands, her expression fitting the stereotype of a greedy merchant, chuckling: "Holy Knight my lord, do you have anything you wish to purchase? The Yingxun Merchants' Guild is more than happy to serve you in any way!"

"I can personally offer you a twenty percent discount on all goods!"

Oh?

Herbert raised an eyebrow at the spore dust rising from her rubbing fingers, letting out a playful "Oh?"

Hearing Herbert's tone, the mushroom merchant didn't flinch, immediately correcting herself: "No, in gratitude for your help, a thirty percent discount isn't out of the question."

"Hmm… if I push a little harder, I might stretch to a forty percent discount! My lord, forty percent is the absolute limit—I truly can't go lower."

"Thirty percent! No, forty-nine percent! Forty-eight…"

Herbert watched silently as the mushroom merchant performed, waiting until she had haggled herself down to forty-two percent before finally speaking: "Enough. Stop your act. Drop this act of panic."

The mushroom merchant froze, scratching her head awkwardly, and ventured: "My lord, I don't understand your meaning—are you saying I'm performing? But forty-one percent would truly kill me! Please reconsider—"

"Shut up."

Herbert's gray eyes flickered with faint impatience as he spoke coldly: "I don't like people performing in front of me."

I'm the one who performs before others—when did it become your turn to show off before me?

Is this amusing?

Mise immediately fell silent, wiping away all traces of reluctance, and nodded lightly: "... Yes, I understand."

The mushroom merchant knew Herbert wasn't joking—she had witnessed it firsthand.

The last person who performed before this Holy Knight had been stabbed dead—right in front of his own companion!

Plop—he was pinned to the wall.

So ruthless. Not a moment's hesitation.

Mise wasn't curious about where the girl possessed by Miss Xie Shen had been taken; she assumed the girl had been properly buried.

But what good does proper treatment after death do?

Mise didn't want to die—this body had cost her immense effort; she couldn't discard it lightly.

When the God of Lust descended, Mise had already given up, believing this body would surely be abandoned.

Yet fate turned—miraculously, a Holy Knight had appeared and shattered Miss Xie Shen's mad ritual.

Though this Holy Knight also seemed difficult to deal with, he was at least easier to communicate with than Miss Xie Shen.

Herbert studied her up and down, then asked: "A clone?"

He didn't explain his reasoning—his tone was that of a superior addressing an inferior, blunt and commanding.

Herbert's manner was rude; no one likes revealing their secrets.

But he had the right to do so now.

No one would question his attitude—not even in the slightest.

Others wouldn't believe Herbert was merely a high-ranking Holy Knight; they assumed he was just pretending.

To these survivors, Herbert was the terrifying warrior who had defeated Miss Xie Shen's avatar with overwhelming force!

This behavior was perfectly normal.

To ask politely and humbly would be strange—Holy Knights don't show humility to those of the evil faction.

"... Yes, I never expected you'd see through it. Your perception is truly astonishing."

Mise offered no excuse, nodding to admit it.

Since her secret was exposed, there was no point hiding further—she revealed it openly.

She shed her false pretense, lifted her skirt, and bowed deeply to Herbert, speaking softly: "Holy Knight my lord, allow me to properly introduce myself once more."

"Mise Yingxun, owner of the Yingxun Merchants' Guild."

She raised her head, sincerely thanking him: "I thank you for saving this precious clone of mine."

Herbert nodded indifferently to the mushroom merchant's thanks.

Just as he had suspected—the creature before him was not her true body, but a special clone.

After learning that Sifan could split into hundreds of flesh clones, Herbert now saw clones everywhere—he was developing a monocle aftereffect.

Mise looked at Herbert earnestly: "Though some of what I said earlier was feigned, I truly wish to express my gratitude. What would you have me do?"

The mushroom merchant's tone was sincere, but Herbert's response was cold.

He lowered his gaze and spoke slowly: "Do you think I'd accept your thanks? Aren't you a slave trader?"

As he spoke, the emotion in his eyes froze, and his right hand quietly settled on his sword hilt.

The carriage behind Mise matched exactly the one the mysterious mage who brought them here had ridden.

She was the merchant who kidnapped them!

And Holy Knights tolerate no slave traders—it was too self-evident; no one would find it surprising.

Mise wasn't surprised by Herbert's attitude; she shook her head gently and explained:

"My lord, you misunderstand. Though I did bring a group of slaves, I am not a slave trader."

"In truth, those slaves and their guards were merely picked up along the way—they attacked me first, and only then did I implant spores to control them."

"Taking them along was merely a disguise—I never personally killed or sold any slaves, allowing them to go about their usual business."

According to Miss Mise's account, she had just endured a brutal battle outside and was returning to her core to replenish energy, so she had to keep a low profile and adopted the disguise of a slave trader.

"Moreover, during the most dangerous moments, I actively protected them."

Although her original intent was to prevent new undead from being born, in outcome, she indeed saved a group of slaves.

"I also saved the lady who had cursed herself with weakness—otherwise, she wouldn't have lasted until… someone came to rescue her."

When mentioning Teresa, Miss Mise paused, skipping her name, and did not probe Herbert's reaction.

Herbert's expression was calm, his eyes devoid of confusion or any trace of regret—what reaction should he have? She's alive and well now! There's nothing to mourn.

But Miss Mise knew nothing of the truth; she only felt Herbert's heart was as cold and hard as the sword in his hand.

Her attitude toward Herbert grew even more deferential; after careful consideration, she ventured: "I think… you were aware of this, which is why you didn't strike me at first, weren't you?"

Click.

Herbert pushed the half-drawn blade back into its sheath; his expression no longer cold, he smiled and nodded: "Good. You're clever."

This is a clever fellow.

Miss Mise keenly noticed that Herbert's demeanor wasn't as cold and hard as he appeared; after testing him under the guise of a shrewd merchant, she confirmed it fully.

Clever people are good.

Herbert enjoyed conversing with clever people—they didn't require excessive words to get things done.

But clever people had their downsides.

They always had too many hidden agendas, requiring careful vigilance.

Seeing Herbert smile, Miss Mise exhaled in relief, finally at ease, and released her control over the Mushroom Colossus—she had secretly prepared for a fight to the death.

Reaching this point was already an unexpected blessing for her.

"Holy Knight my lord, if you have any needs, please speak freely."

"The Shadow Fungus Guild's exclusive goods are materials unique to the Shadow Realm and alchemical potions made from them."

She made no attempt to hide anything, demonstrating her sincerity.

If possible, she was willing to offer at least six legendary-grade alchemical potions.

This was both gratitude and an effort to forge a good connection with Herbert.

She was a neutral-aligned merchant, someone who could potentially cooperate with Holy Knights.

Miss Mise worried Herbert wouldn't accept, and prepared to detail the effects of the six potions.

But who knew—just as she was about to speak, the Holy Knight, who had seemed so calm until now, suddenly asked in an odd tone: "Alchemical potions? Will there be any issues?"

Worried about issues?

Miss Mise's heart leapt—she wasn't afraid he'd suspect her; she feared he'd have no interest.

"My lord, rest assured! I distilled all of them myself—absolute quality guaranteed! If any problem arises, I'll compensate you tenfold!"

Herbert raised an eyebrow, curious: "So confident?"

"Of course!"

The petite mushroom merchant puffed out her chest, confidently assured: "My lord, don't doubt the confidence of a legendary alchemist!"

Herbert's expression grew more intrigued; he stroked his chin, murmuring softly: "An alchemist… and a legendary one at that…"

At that moment, Miss Mise suddenly felt a primal unease, and asked nervously: "Uh… is there a problem with that?"

Did I say something wrong?

"Problem? No, not at all. It's good. Excellent." Herbert paused, then immediately denied it.

Herbert nodded deeply in agreement, his gaze toward Miss Mise growing increasingly intense.

That intense gaze—so utterly unlike his earlier coldness—sent a chill down the spine of her spore puppet body.

What happened?

What on earth happened!!?

Where exactly went wrong?

The mushroom merchant was bewildered, trying to find the flaw, while Herbert was thoroughly delighted.

He stared at Miss Mise and nodded firmly, growing even more satisfied.

Who said mushroom people were bad?

This mushroom person? She's perfect!

Family, I found an alchemist in the Shadow Realm.

She says she wants to come home with me!

(End of Chapter)