Chapter 560: Bone Aunt

Cheng Shuili nodded, didn't say anything else, and walked toward Zhou Zhuxing and Huo Po's residence.

That area had only a few buildings, much quieter.

She also needed to relax a bit.

Wan Yi stood where she was, watching her back, suddenly sniffed, raised her hand to touch her eyes, then turned and walked toward the cafeteria.

I only hope that tonight, Boss can have a proper meal.

Cheng Shuili walked through the vibrant fields, walked past the strawberry patch that bore fruit every day, meandering, arriving at the interface between the faction territory and the safe zone.

She stood there for a moment, thinking, then still went inside.

It's been a long time since I've seen Bao Chi; I don't know how it's doing now.

Now it's late, the safe zone isn't very lively either, only in front of Bao Chi's bakery do many people gather, pushing and shoving, shouting what they want.

Cheng Shuili stood at the back watching for a while, then turned and left.

Now the safe zone is much livelier, with Xinxue and Guang Hui...

Right, Guang Hui isn't here either.

With Xinxue keeping watch, the shops are gradually increasing.

But now that it's late, most shops have closed.

Cheng Shuili walked down a street to its end, when suddenly she heard someone calling her name.

"Wuya Lao Da! Lao Da!"

Cheng Shuili turned her head and saw a skeleton frame, the monster merchant.

Her expression was bland, only asking: "Anything?"

The monster merchant nodded, "Boss, I heard that the servant I trafficked died?"

It was referring to Su Rui; although she didn't like those words, Cheng Shuili still nodded.

The monster merchant fell silent for a moment, as if pondering something; that skeleton frame stood there, its dark eye sockets staring at Cheng Shuili, as if sizing her up.

After a while, it said: "Humans are truly strange creatures; even the strongest crow will feel sorrow over a person's departure."

It sounded like a sigh, yet also like mockery.

Cheng Shuili twitched the corner of her mouth, intending to leave.

The monster merchant grabbed her, pondered for a while, then said: "Boss, you previously asked me what use game coins have, didn't you?"

Cheng Shuili's steps halted.

She turned her head, looking at the skeleton frame.

In the monster merchant's eye sockets something seemed to flicker, but upon closer look there was nothing.

"Are you willing to tell me now?"

The monster merchant scratched its bald head, emitting a harsh scraping sound.

"Originally I wasn't willing," it said, "but seeing you like this, I feel a bit reluctant."

Cheng Shuili said nothing.

The monster merchant glanced around, lowered its voice, although its bone voice after lowering became even more piercing: "Game coins are the ticket for our race to return to this world. If you truly miss your friend, perhaps you can handle this at the system."

It spread its hands, "Of course it certainly won't turn back into a human, but becoming such a beautiful member of our race isn't a loss for her, right?"

Cheng Shuili's pupils contracted slightly.

"What did you say?"

The monster merchant was stared at by her and stepped back a step; the bone frame creaked twice.

"It's... that..." its voice carried a hint of guilt, "Our race is inherently inclusive; as long as one is willing and has enough game coins, one can return this way. I've been hoarding game coins all these years, also to redeem my family.

Boss, you also know they're all in the Rat King's armory; getting out safely is impossible, so only this roundabout method can secure freedom."

Cheng Shuili stared at it, motionless.

The monster merchant felt uneasy under her gaze.

"Boss, don't look at me like that..." it rubbed its bone hands, "I just think your servant was quite good; it's a pity she died. If you want her back, you can try."

"How many game coins are needed?"

The monster merchant thought: "It's not fixed. Prices differ by race, and I've never bought a human soul, so I'm not really sure."

Cheng Shuili fell silent for a few seconds: "Where do I go to handle this?"

"Inside the door you opened last time at the gas station; just say you're here to handle gray-market affairs, and those few systems won't make things difficult for you." The monster merchant rubbed its fingers: "Boss, as long as you have this, there's nothing those systems can't do."

The monster merchant initially didn't know what that light gate was, but recently, through familiarity with the systems, it was introduced to several of their bases, one of which is the gas station.

Only then did the monster merchant finally understand what that door humans originally opened actually was.

It said nothing, and Cheng Shuili also fell into thought.

Is there nothing they can't do? But Beichen doesn't say... "Death cannot be reset"?

Cheng Shuili fell silent for a moment, then recalled Zhinu's overdrawn credit.

Perhaps she shouldn't have trusted Beichen's words so much.

Either way, this trip is worth making.

If it's true, not only Su Rui, but Guang Hui could also return, even...

Could those deceased members of Black Feather also come back?

Cheng Shuili steadied herself and nodded at the monster merchant.

"Thanks."

The monster merchant waved its bone hand: "Boss, don't be so polite, I'm feeling awkward."

Cheng Shuili ignored it, turned and left.

After walking a few steps, she stopped again, turned back to look at the skeleton frame.

The monster merchant still stood in place, its hollow eye sockets fixed on her, as if waiting for something.

"I remember you're called Gu Er, right?" Cheng Shuili asked.

The monster merchant staggered for a moment, its skeletal frame clacked twice: "Yes, yes, but no one's ever called me that; everyone calls me the monster merchant."

Cheng Shuili was silent for two seconds: "From now on I'll call you Gu Yi."

The monster merchant—no, now it should be called Gu Yi.

That skeletal frame visibly stiffened for a moment: "Gu…… Gu Yi?"

"Hmm." Cheng Shuili turned and walked away.

Uncle Gu Yi stood in place, watching her silhouette disappear into the night, not moving for a long while.

Then it lowered its head, looked at its bony hand, and felt its skull.

"Gu Yi……" it murmured, its voice tinged with an indescribable emotion, "It's actually quite nice."

The next morning, the members of Black Feather were surprised to discover that their Lao Da had suddenly regained their fighting spirit.

It wasn't an ostentatious fighting spirit, but rather a state that inexplicably put people at ease.

She routinely patrolled the territory, routinely checked the fields, and routinely handled the piled‑up affairs.

Occasionally stopping, she would return to her vehicle and drive forward.

Wan Yi was the first to notice this change.

When Wan Yi brought breakfast to find Cheng Shuili, she had expected to see a silent, exhausted Lao Da.

As it turned out, Cheng Shuili took the bowl and glanced at her.

"Thank you."

Then she lowered her head and ate.

One bite, two bites, three bites. Although she didn't eat quickly, each mouthful was swallowed solidly.