Chapter 341: Taking Office, Brilliance!

Much as Ji Ming had expected, after posting this notice, the number of nearby players visibly increased, all rushing over having heard that the game's next update actually involved a bunch of NPCs, to join the fun.

Before coming, they had been swearing up a storm, thinking the game officials had cooked up some nonsense, actually binding the next stage's progress to a bunch of NPCs—wasn't that just looking for trouble for players?

Recalling those in-game allies—enemy-finding absurd, positioning heaven-defying, stepping on every trap, rushing into every boss, friendly fire unturnoffable, death permanent, bugs unresetable, possibly even getting stuck from missing characters, these friend NPCs who specialized in curing players' low blood pressure felt their PTSD about to flare.

But upon arriving at the scene and looking at those few NPCs by the carriage, he suddenly felt that although it was still somewhat unexpected, it also made perfect sense—after all…

"Holy shit, these guys beat people up worse than a damn boss—what's the point of protecting them?"

"Exactly, better to worry about ourselves than their life or death—those weird bosses tickle them, but a casual swipe at me knocks off half my health!"

"Right, right, and besides, the officials are pushing us to level up like wolves chasing us— the Spirit Tower dungeon requires level ten, the Hui Guang Kingdom map outright demands level twenty; who knows what thresholds they'll set next, we'd better hurry and grind levels!"

"Grind what?"

"Scram!"

This is also what the vast majority of players think—aside from anything else, even our side's currently strongest NPC (?), the Spirit Lord Envoy, Holy Light's Chosen Saint, JiMiYin, is in this crowd; the officials surely wouldn't just kill him off without a word, that would truly be a masterpiece.

——So they're probably just a bunch of tools responsible for pushing map expansion and controlling the game's production cycle; nothing's happening, folks, let's disperse.

Ji Ming hadn't expected the two old ladies to argue right in front of him; if it weren't somewhat impolite, he'd have wanted to bring a little stool and melon seeds to watch the show.

Nevertheless, even so, out of nearly four hundred thousand players, if just one percent wanted to come over for the fun, that's over three thousand people; adding the Inner City locals who came to gawk, the area around the Sheng Guang Jiao Tang was still packed tight.

"I don't! Don't spout nonsense just because you're old; when there are fewer people, you should do more proper work."

"Trivial? You look like you rushed back overnight, crossing mountains and ridges!"

"Hey, the way you're talking is over the top—dropping golden beans on paper when you need them, then stiffening with a fake arm when you don't, right?"

Thus this group of players came quickly and left quickly—purely a vibe crew.

"No, I'm just about to leave; there are some matters at the Holy See I still need to arrange—don't worry, I've already taken care of everything."

"Um, I've been busy with a little something."

Although she hadn't fully recovered her limbs, with the wooden prosthetic provided by Grelson, at least Old Lady no longer needed to carry a cane wherever she went.

They're arguing?

Using the magically linked, spirit‑controlled wooden hand, she somewhat awkwardly plucked the leaf tucked in Ji Ming's clothing seam and snorted disapprovingly.

Hearing the conversation here, Nitiss, who was in charge of the convoy's safety, also walked over.

However, before she could get within three steps of Ji Ming, Buluowa stopped her, waving her hand like shooing away flies.

And after Ji Ming finally managed to squeeze into the crowd unnoticed using the Suggestion Technique, having just dropped his disguise, he received a spiritual challenge from Buluowa.

"Ji Ming, look what time it is now—why did you only show up just now?"

"Hey, don't say that, but it's true."

"It's fine; after all, the journey is far, so my plan's next stop is only about an eight‑hour drive from here—we'll set out at dawn and arrive by nightfall."

"Past is past, present is present! I'm feeling great now—if you're really bored, go look after your students; if you can't, at least look after yourself!"

But how could that possibly succeed? Nitiss drifted by like a purple shadow, easily slipping past Buluowa's defenses with a low chuckle.

"Get lost, stop pretending to be a good guy here—I'm teaching my students, you butt out!"

"Hah, I don't even know which old coot said I should look after Ji Ming—now that I truly have two old coots on me, you don't acknowledge them?"

However, both of them kept their expressions fairly composed; the old lady, with her wrinkles, naturally had a perpetual sour face, while Nitiss, as a succubus, also had smiling eyes that hid any anger, and her voice was kept low— from a distance one might think they were just chatting normally.

But seeing their exchange grow more exaggerated, and with their millennia‑long lifespans and vast knowledge making their vocabulary ever richer, Ji Ming still felt that as a junior he could no longer stand by idly.

However, the moment he opened his mouth to say, "Hey, can we all ease up on the aggression?" he was simultaneously shouted down by both with a "Scram!"

"Damn, Grandma, I'm neutral here—don't aim the keyboard at me!"

At that moment, Elinor also noticed the oddity here, dutifully walked over to try to break it up, and ultimately, relying on her stubbornness and persistence… harvested a basketful of "get losts."

Now the female middle‑school student broke into a sweat, hurriedly seeking out Ji Ming, who had been standing aside observing and learning for a while, for help.

"Chosen One, say something—what should we do?"

"It's fine; they're old friends of many years, a little quarrel isn't a real fight—it's just seasoning for their feelings."

"Huh? Really nothing will happen?"

"No, rest easy—at worst they'll throw a punch, nothing big."

"???"

Indeed, after they exchanged pleasantries about their families, the two quickly wrapped up this friendly and heated talk.

"You old clam, you'd better not let me catch you doing anything you shouldn't!"

After delivering that harsh line, Buluowa took Ji Ming to the other side of the carriage.

"Since you're heading out on a long trip, I'll give you a few words of advice."

She took several deep breaths, letting her emotions gradually calm, then spoke softly.

"The Hui Guang Kingdom isn't like Sunshine City; conditions there are far more complex, you need to steel yourself mentally for challenges—although, considering your cheek and emotional intelligence, they'd probably be the ones wary of you… but this world is ultimately real; back then I also thought they'd reason with me, and what happened?"

"So, forging requires strength in oneself; I originally wanted to tell you, before you left, to switch to an alchemist class, but so many things came up in between and it got delayed—sigh, even if I urged you now it'd be too late; on this journey, remember to read more alchemical texts and become an alchemist as soon as possible—this matters more than playing, got it?"

Those words left Ji Ming speechless; after holding it in for a long time he managed to squeeze out two words.

"All right…"

"Tsk, you're silver‑tongued with others, but after all I've said to you you only have two words?"

Raising her fist, Buluowa struck Ji Ming's head without holding back.

"I'm telling you, don't think that leaving here means no one will watch over you—I'll also be heading to Qixia City later; I've paved the road smooth for you, so if you still can't switch to an alchemist, see how I'll deal with you."

After threatening him, Buluowa added one more sentence.

"By the way, is that vial of alchemical concoction I gave you still with you? It's quite precious—don't lose it."

"Um, that… I already took it to fuse and summon a certain super‑powered avatar capable of single‑handedly clearing all those… adult videos."

However, just as Ji Ming subconsciously answered in his mind while preparing to brush it off verbally, Buluowa, sensing his expression was off, furrowed her brow.

"Why are you suddenly staring at my face?"

Ah?

Others avert their gaze when lying, but you stare at people's faces more the more you lie!

She grabbed Ji Ming's shoulder.

Say, what did you do with the bottle of elixir I gave you?

In the blink of an eye, Ji Ming's brain raced, quickly finding the most suitable reason.

The Soul Holy Seat needs a bottle of alchemical elixir, and they offered a price I couldn't refuse, so I took it to make the trade. I originally planned to make up for this shortfall later, but I didn't expect you to notice so quickly.

That price you can't refuse—do you know how important it is to you? What could possibly make you give all of this up...

Buluowa, who had been frowning and scolding, suddenly fell silent when she got to this point.

Ji Ming was confused for a second, then suddenly realized his wording had brought about a terrifying misunderstanding.

No, there isn't...

Unfortunately, just as he began to speak, Ji Ming was shaken like a bag of potato chips by Buluowa's strong jolt, forcibly interrupting the spell.

I said, why would a mighty deity risk offending peers to save me, Ji Ming? You actually traded your future for my life!

No, no, it's not that exaggerated; you don't understand... our church's internal affairs aren't as strict as you imagine... oh dear!

Before his brain was shaken into mush, Ji Ming quickly used Suggestion Technique to stop Buluowa's movements.

This isn't nearly as complicated as you imagine!

An elixir like this can be drunk today, tomorrow, the day after—since the materials are right there, once gathered you can make it. But if a person dies today, that's a real death; they might not be revived later. So people must always come before objects!

Besides, I'm an envoy of the Sovereign of Living Beings; while some overly precious help requires payment in kind, ordinary matters don't need it. Moreover, my going to Guanghui Capital aligns with the Sovereign's upcoming plans, so He has plenty of assistance to give me—at least this route will be smooth, so you needn't worry.

I...

Now it was Lao Nv Shi's turn to be speechless, but how would she admit she'd been put down? She stubbornly kept a stiff mouth.

I don't care about you! Remember this: spending money recklessly without my permission means next time I won't let you take such a big advantage!

Then she walked away with a fallen face, showing she refused to communicate, as if today's interaction was over.

Seeing the two finish talking, AdaiEr, who had been idling nearby for a while, hurried over before a few players could approach Ji Ming to strike up a conversation.

Doctor, you're about to leave— is there anything at the clinic that needs to be handed over to me?

Oh no, it seems there really isn't...

But since they went through the trouble to come, Ji Ming couldn't just dismiss them with a sentence; he cleared his throat and decided to say at least a couple of lines.

The people of Yangguang City need a doctor, but I have more important matters to attend to, so starting today this clinic will be officially turned over to you; if you wish, you can even change its name.

You're still young—remember, don't regret anything, and don't do anything that will make you regret it.

Having said that, he handed her a copy of the Barefoot Doctor's Manual he had helped compile when he was a novice doctor, specially printed as a keepsake.

After hesitating a moment, he then took out a small, ice-cold vial from his ring.

This is...

Do you remember the potion I used to break your curse back then? This is a very precious medicinal ingredient, also the key raw material for brewing it.

Although it's costly, the Yangyue World does have its own magical preservation tech, so Ji Ming had earlier drawn and stored some of his own blood.

AdaiEr will run the clinic alone someday and will inevitably face difficult cases; as her master, I should at least leave her some tricks of the trade.

He handed over the sealed super-elixir ancestral recipe from the safe, together with AdaiEr, whose hands trembled slightly, and Ji Ming let out a long sigh.

Lao Nv Shi won't be leaving Yangguang City for the time being; she's right across from you—if you need anything, you can go find her.

……

If it really doesn't work, just contact the people of the Holy Seat directly; I can come back whenever needed, no worries.

Afterward, Ji Ming chatted briefly with a few familiar faces in the city, including Boris, until dawn broke; then Ni Si ordered someone to ring the church bell, announcing the convoy was ready to depart.

The tall, sturdy Holy Guard knights set out at once, beginning to drive away civilians blocking the road; however, since word had spread throughout the city that a group of Holy Light Church dignitaries were returning to the Royal Capital, they merely cleared the way symbolically.

Divine Chosen One, please be careful!

Don't worry, I know my limits.

After bidding farewell to the last batch of players, Ji Ming boarded the carriage bearing the Divine Chosen emblem, lifted the curtain, and gazed at the crowd by the road.

Having struggled in Yangguang City for over three months, he had utterly overturned the dark clouds here and exchanged them for a new sky; at last, it was time to leave this otherworldly tale of the little brother.

What will the cities of the Hui Guang Kingdom be like, and what about the noble lords?

Will they be somewhat humane, or just as corrupt?

Lost in thought, he heard the archbishop's shout, and the carriage beneath him immediately began moving as the two fine horses pulled it.

Goodbye! Goodbye!

As they waved, the townspeople along the road didn't even know what they were excitedly saying goodbye to, watching carriage after carriage head off into the distance.