Chapter 14: Da Bao

“Village chief, what do you need from me?” Chu Danqing found the chief finishing up the depression and asked.

The chief quickly led Chu Danqing to a secluded spot nearby before speaking: “Young Chu, you’ve been in Xianghua Village for three days now, haven’t you?”

“Yes, three days.” Chu Danqing felt puzzled—why bring this up suddenly?

“You risked your life to rid us of the White Dragon Fish. On behalf of all Xianghua Village, I am deeply grateful.”

“But from now on, you must not get involved in what comes next.”

“Tonight I’ll prepare your things. At dawn tomorrow, leave the village.”

“This is a token of our thanks.” With that, the chief pulled out a necklace and handed it to Chu Danqing.

The necklace was made of wolf teeth—clearly from the two wolves Chu Danqing had killed.

Chu Danqing did not take it; he pushed it back.

“Village chief, I can’t leave.” Chu Danqing knew exactly what the chief meant.

The Cave God of Luohua wanted him as a sacrifice; the chief didn’t want that and told him to run.

Once he left Xianghua Village’s borders, the Cave God could no longer touch him.

But even counting today, he’d only been here four days—three more days until the seven-day survival window ended.

Once he left Xianghua Village, he’d lose every advantage.

He’d gained so much by leveraging the village’s influence—he couldn’t just walk away.

If he left, ten girls in their prime would die.

“This kind of aberrant, evil deity cannot be trusted.”

“Today it forces you once; tomorrow it will demand more.”

“We must make the Cave God retreat in fear—otherwise, there will be no end to it.” Chu Danqing’s tone was grave; he’d once kept his distance from all affairs, but not anymore.

“Th-this…” The chief was furious at Chu Danqing’s rebuke: “You don’t understand how terrifying the Cave God is!”

“When does the Cave God demand its sacrifice?” Chu Danqing cut straight to the point.

“This time, five days,” the chief sighed deeply. “It’s already generous—it was supposed to be three.”

“Five days?” Chu Danqing’s eyes flickered: “I’ll go as the sacrifice three days from now—but I choose the exact time.”

“What?!” The chief was stunned: “No, no! Young Chu, you don’t understand—once you go, you won’t come back.”

“Even those who escaped the White Dragon Fish’s mouth and ascended died when offered to the Cave God.”

Compared to the Cave God, the White Dragon Fish wasn’t even a minor lackey.

“What if I caused the Luohua Cave to collapse?” Chu Danqing said.

He’d just thought of a better solution: gunpowder.

Why hadn’t he made it before? Because he’d forgotten.

And even if he remembered, he might not have been able to gather enough materials.

Reputation matters.

Before the White Dragon Fish died, Chu Danqing was merely the chief’s benefactor—getting enough gunpowder ingredients and convincing the whole village to help him make it was impossible.

Now it’s different—he had enough reputation and fame.

As the one who killed the White Dragon Fish, his merit was undoubtedly among the top three.

Then he volunteered to go to the back mountain as the Cave God’s sacrifice.

With the chief mediating, he held all advantages—timing, terrain, and human support—his momentum was overwhelming.

The chief fell silent. Chu Danqing’s suggestion was far more tempting than killing the White Dragon Fish.

“Xianghua Village owes you, young man,” the chief finally agreed. “What do you need us to do?”

“I need saltpeter, charcoal, sulfur, and iron sand. Saltpeter must be ninety percent; charcoal and sulfur together make up ten percent; iron sand is flexible.”

“And I need every man, woman, and child in the village to assist me.” Chu Danqing laid out his demands plainly.

Chu Danqing didn’t know if gunpowder existed in this world—but he’d try it anyway.

The chief didn’t hesitate: “Fine. I’ll gather everything for you by tomorrow.”

“It’s just a token of our gratitude—take it,” the chief said, shoving the necklace into Chu Danqing’s hands.

This time, Chu Danqing didn’t refuse.

Another piece of equipment—but not of excellent quality, only common.

【Wolf Tooth Necklace】

【Type: Equipment · Necklace】

【Quality: Common】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Wolf Howl (Active): Consume 1 energy point to summon a wolf spirit’s howl, causing enemies within one meter to be stunned for one second. Cooldown: 30 minutes】

【Equipment Requirement: Spirit 5】

(Note: Actual duration varies based on enemy attributes, equipment, and status.)

No stat bonuses—but it came with a skill.

“Alright, I’ll take it.” Since the Dimension Paradise recognized it, Chu Danqing accepted it, then asked: “Village chief, how was this made?”

“My daughter-in-law asked her father-in-law to make it.”

Chu Danqing couldn’t help asking: “Can you teach me?”

“This is my in-laws’ ancestral craft. I’m afraid… I can’t.” The chief truly couldn’t.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing didn’t press.

Clinging to one’s own humble tools was common in ancient times.

Xianghua Village clearly had many skilled people.

Jiang Tu could cook food that permanently increased stats; now the chief’s in-law could craft equipment.

If Chu Danqing had chosen to follow these villagers’ paths instead of the chief’s, he might have acquired corresponding skills.

But he had no regrets—regret served no purpose.

“Village chief, I still have some questions I’d like you to answer.” Chu Danqing changed the subject.

“Young Chu, ask freely—we’re family now. No need to be so formal.” The chief had already regarded Chu Danqing as family since he agreed to become the sacrifice.

“What’s the truth about Da Bao?” Chu Danqing cut straight to the point: “When he gets angry, his strength increases. His wounds from the White Dragon Fish heal overnight.”

All these abnormal traits pointed to something extraordinary.

But the chief didn’t answer right away. He glanced around, then whispered: “He has half the Cave God’s blood.”

Chu Danqing sucked in a sharp breath.

He’d imagined extraordinary talent, or rare treasures.

But he never imagined this.

“The Cave God eats people—why would it take interest in a human?” Chu Danqing spotted the flaw: like a person wouldn’t develop improper thoughts about a chicken cutlet.

“It wouldn’t,” the chief said casually. “That’s why Da Bao’s mother went mad.”

In that moment, Chu Danqing understood one thing: people have two faces.

The people of Xianghua Village were no different.

He didn’t know what had happened during that time—but he knew the outcome.

Xianghua Village now had a village guardian.

No wonder everyone raised Da Bao together—they all benefited.

Before Chu Danqing could speak again, a villager rushed over: “Chief! Bad news—Da Bao has suddenly collapsed!”

(End of Chapter)