Chapter 106: Gossip and a Week

Shi Ying Town, City Hall.

Rod approached the inquiry counter.

Since returning to the forest, he had noticed that Kali's attitude seemed to have worsened a bit.

Therefore, the two did not talk much.

The young lady working at the inquiry counter recognized him, her face filled with excitement.

Upon learning that Rod intended to purchase the land outside the forest, she requested his signature and then invited him to the consultation room in the back office.

A middle-aged man with a neat little mustache received him.

This man was one of the committee members of Shi Ying Town City Hall, responsible for managing various affairs in the town.

All were trusted by the Argyle family.

This gentleman was named Humbert; Rod had seen his gossip in a small town newspaper:

It said that this fellow particularly liked widows, and whenever he encountered a married woman he fancied, he would use his official power to ruin her husband.

But given that this time the news rumor involved murder, it was too far-fetched.

At that time, it caused a huge uproar in Shi Ying Town.

Humbert could not bear it and sued the newspaper company in court.

After an investigation for some time, it was confirmed that the murder was a complete fabrication.

The newspaper company lost the lawsuit and issued an apology statement, but still cheekily attached the real investigation information about Humbert:

It turned out that he had fallen in love with a young girl who had just come of age.

To get close to the girl, he married her widowed mother.

Although there were moral issues, there was no clear ruling on this matter in the current Athlon laws.

It was heard that later, the girl's mother, who was Humbert's new wife, was hit by a carriage and died on her way to run away from home after learning this news.

And that girl was obviously just playing around with an old man like Humbert; after lingering for about a year, she grew tired of it.

Half a year ago, she was seduced away by a coachman and her whereabouts are unknown.

"Henry Farm? Hmm, Mr. Rod is a benefactor of the Argyle family. I must remind you that in these few months, there have been quite a few rumors about this farm."

Humbert had the style of an old-fashioned knight.

An ornate cane for decoration, a refreshing but not cloying scent of perfume, and half-white hair and a mustache neatly groomed with hair wax.

Rod could not see a single trace of him being affected by emotions.

"I have heard rumors of ghouls and ghosts, but after an on-site investigation, I found these to be baseless."

"Of course I believe in Mr. Rod's abilities; after all, you once saved Shi Ying Town. But not only that, a mage skilled in astrology told me that before Shi Ying Town was established, the location of the farm was a huge graveyard."

Rod waved his hand, indicating that he did not care in the slightest.

What is there to fear about a graveyard from hundreds of years ago? In my past life, I studied for over ten years; every school said it was built on a mass grave. I'm used to lying there; if it weren't for that, I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Seeing that his mind was made up, Humbert did not try to persuade him further.

Soon, the contract signing began.

Given that Shi Ying Town had attempted to auction the farm after the entire Henry family died, and it had failed to sell, plus being neglected and plagued by ghost rumors, the price of Henry Farm was not high; it only required 220 Jin Along.

"By the way, Mr. Rod, I heard you just returned from an outing. Did you happen to pass through Coral Bay at that time?"

While waiting for the counter-signed procedures, Humbert made small talk.

"I did not pass through, but I did hear that the situation over at Coral Bay is not good; golems and sirens often cause disturbances. What's wrong?"

As a harbor, Coral Bay was much wealthier than Shi Ying Town. Although both belonged to the Argyle family's territory, the infighting between the person in charge was no less intense.

"No, nothing. I just remembered an old acquaintance."

As he spoke, Humbert's expression was somewhat desolate; the lonely old man could not help but pour his heart out to a stranger.

He added, "Two days ago, I received a letter. She said she was pregnant and would stay in Coral Bay for the time being; her husband joined a porter gang at the dock."

"I advised her; that man has no ability. We had a big fight, and I was convinced we would never see each other again until death. But now that it has come to this, when she asked me for financial support, I couldn't make up my mind."

Rod was not good at advising people.

He naturally understood exactly who the woman mentioned was.

"Have you considered remarrying, Mr. Humbert?"

"No. It is very difficult to meet a girl like her again."

Humbert quickly sobered up:

"Sorry, Mr. Rod. Please forgive an old man's ramblings. I am fine; I was just feeling a bit nostalgic."

As he spoke.

The contract was completed.

Humbert resumed his previous gentlemanly demeanor and extended his hand kindly.

"Congratulations, Mr. Rod. Henry Farm can be renamed now."

"No need. I like its current name."

Rod shook his hand and added:

"If you need help, you can find me anytime."

As a diligent manager of Shi Ying Town, although Humbert had some flaws in emotional matters, his work performance was impeccable.

Shi Ying Town could be as prosperous as it is now; he contributed greatly to it.

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.

Rod regained the rhythm of a forest ranger.

Cultivation and patrolling the forest, understanding the condition of the trees.

Perhaps because they had not seen each other for over a month, he could feel that the forest had become slightly unfamiliar to him.

Taking advantage of this period, he carefully tended to it and finally managed to recapture the feeling he once had.

【Growth Spirit】 also experienced a massive surge.

Perhaps it was because of the Xin Hu Xi Fa — in just this one week, he had newly accumulated 23 points of Growth Spirit.

Besides that, there was one more thing: observation of the Death Desert.

As the improved sand-willows gradually spread, the desert was actually pushed back by a stretch.

Not only that, Rod also repeatedly rolled out the 【Mana Barrier】 trait, successfully establishing an effective barrier zone in the sand-willow area.

Squeak—

Rod gently pinched her upturned bottom while checking the trait's information.

【Vivian has acquired skill: Leaf Storm】

【Details: Growth Spirit has activated a native spirit art Vivian had yet to master. This skill summons a storm composed of leaves, dealing multiple instances of damage to all enemies ahead and applying a slowing effect.】

【Remaining Growth Spirit: 52】

And in the corner of the house, the banshee Chris had somehow found a blanket somewhere, wrapped it around her head, and curled up into a ball.

That fellow had taken everything Tally said about sand tornadoes at face value, and now she'd rather listen to the all-night noise than sleep in the stable again.

"Seems all right. I remember there was a question mark in Vivian's traits before."

Many races may possess Ancestral Bloodlines, and once such a thing awakens, it can greatly strengthen them.

Rod's current goal is to forge Tally and Vivian into experts who awaken their Ancestral Bloodlines.

"Also, skills won't do if you don't practice them — find some time and let's go to the Flawless Crystal Grounds to train."

Deleted a tiny bit, but it's at least driving content — the full version will be in the group later.

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(End of chapter)