Chapter 123: One Slash, One Ox Head (9/10, Autumn Subscription)

Fang Yue looked at Niu Niu and fell silent.

Niu Niu drooled: "Aba aba!"

While speaking, he also sent Fang Yue a message.

"Ye Ge! Wuuuu! Ye Ge! I don't want this! I don't want to lose my voice! I don't want to become a fool! Help me think of a solution!"

"... My condolences."

"No! Ye Ge, hold on! An Shenyi must have a way! Save me, save me!"

"Niu Niu, honestly... I think you're fine now—handsome, cool! Your voice is very magnetic!"

"... Ye Ge, you're not acting right."

"Niu Niu, some things can't be forced..."

"But this is just a game! Don't I at least have the right to demand normal speech in a game?"

"... Why are you yelling so loud? An Shenyi can't help—what can I do?"

"... Ye Ge, Ye Ge, am I going to be mute in this game forever?"

"Well, there is a way... For instance, I could slash you to death. One day later, you'd return to normal."

"... Mute is awesome!!"

"..."

Fang Yue fell silent, glancing at Niu Niu beside him, who was sweating on his forehead, grinning foolishly and making "aba aba" sounds to pretend he was dumb.

Fine, as long as I can accept it.

"An Shenyi, can Niu Niu come work at the Guard Station when he's free? He's still technically a member of the Guard Team."

Though he's only a Reserve Member, the designation is technically correct.

An Shenyi seemed hesitant, but out of respect for Fang Yue, he let him go.

Perfect—let Niu Niu join my squad.

That way, my six-person squad now has two members, forming a rough outline.

Fang Yue told Niu Niu, who had no objections.

Of course, Fang Yue also offered benefits, such as promoting him directly from Reserve Member to Official Member.

Moreover, Niu Niu seemed eager to cooperate with An Shenyi's experiments.

Because according to Niu Niu, as long as he cooperated with An Shenyi, An Shenyi would reward him with increased lifespan.

All he had to do was lie there like a salted fish while An Shenyi messed with him, and his lifespan would increase—Niu Niu was more than happy.

Fang Yue looked at Niu Niu's state and could only think... Degradation! Total degradation!

Leaving Han Fu, Fang Yue headed straight for the Guard Station.

To his surprise, Fang Yue saw a graceful figure waiting for him at the Guard Station.

"Hua Wuye?"

Fang Yue walked over, puzzled.

He still remembered the parchment had said Hua Wuye would turn into a malevolent spirit and kill him tonight.

But that was only because the traitor Mu Zi had used some method to cause it.

Now that the traitor was dead, Hua Wuye shouldn't turn into a malevolent spirit.

"... Deputy Captain Ye, I'm sorry for what I did before."

Hua Wuye's face was pale, her whole body exhausted, yet she bowed deeply to Fang Yue in sincere apology.

"No problem, no problem—I'm just thick-skinned. You misunderstood, that's fine. Now the misunderstanding is cleared, it's all good."

"... No, I've already heard it from Lin Ling. If not for your help today, I might never have found out who the real killer was! My parents' and little sister's vengeance—I wouldn't know when I could ever repay it!"

Hua Wuye took a brocade box from her chest and handed it over.

"This is a Wu Mu Fruit. Legend says eating it raw increases ten years of cultivation power—it's greatly beneficial for martial dao beginners like you."

Pausing, a faint blush appeared on Hua Wuye's pale face.

"This item—I had planned to give it to Lin Ling as a birthday gift. But Xiao Ye helped me complete my revenge, and this matters more to me. Please accept this token of my gratitude!"

If Hua Wuye's previous impression of Fang Yue had been distant, resistant, even hostile,

now her impression of him had become nothing but a surge of goodwill.

"System Prompt: Guyue Village Guard Captain 【Hua Wuye】's goodwill toward you +1."

"System Prompt: Guyue Village Guard Captain 【Hua Wuye】's goodwill toward you +1."

"System Prompt: Guyue Village Guard Captain 【Hua Wuye】's goodwill toward you +1."

Watching the system flash over a dozen times before finally stopping, Fang Yue suddenly found Hua Wuye much more pleasant to look at.

He wasn't lying when he said he hadn't cared about being slandered and insulted by Hua Wuye before—that was false.

Now that she had apologized voluntarily, Fang Yue naturally let it go. After all, you don't hit someone who's smiling, especially when they've given you a precious gift.

Taking the brocade box, Fang Yue opened it.

"Name: Wu Mu Fruit."

"Rank: Mortal Grade Low."

"Effect: Increases internal energy cultivation."

"Description: Fruit of the Wu Mu Grove. Ingesting it increases ten years of cultivation."

"Note: Good stuff—eat it quickly!"

A good item!

Fang Yue's heart stirred; he carefully tucked it away.

"Uh, do you mind if I eat it later?"

Hua Wuye smiled faintly: "It's fine, but if you're going to eat it, let Lin Ling know so he can guard you."

As he spoke, Hua Wuye waved his hand toward the back.

Only then did Fang Yue notice Lin Ling standing silently in the shadow of the room behind him, now stepping forward.

As he drew closer, his expression seemed sour—he didn't seem to be in a good mood.

"Lin Ling, just as we said before, when Xiao Ye eats the Wu Mu Fruit, you must stay with him and help him absorb its power."

"Mm, I will."

"Then I'll head back to rest now..."

"Let me see you off."

"No need—I'll have a team member escort me."

Lin Ling sent two members of the Guard Team to accompany Hua Wuye back, then turned cold eyes toward Fang Yue.

"I'll trade ten days of my lifespan for this Wu Mu Fruit!"

"No deal!"

"What about 10g of Black Ember?"

"No deal!"

"... My Chengchuan Qiangfa, in exchange for your Wu Mu Fruit!"

"What do I want with your spear technique! No deal, no deal—I already said no!"

Fang Yue shook his head repeatedly, but Lin Ling didn't seem ready to give up.

Whether it was because he truly wanted the Wu Mu Fruit, or because it had originally been meant for him as a birthday gift from Hua Wuye, he wanted it back.

Regardless, Fang Yue wouldn't let him succeed.

Before Lin Ling could make another offer, Fang Yue sidestepped him and walked inside.

It feels like I'm cheating on him right to his face—but for something this good, being a cuckold's fine, who cares!

Maybe eating this fruit tonight will push my Starfire Heart Method up a minor realm!

Fang Yue looked forward to nightfall.

"Aba aba!"

Niu Niu drooled, clearly coveting the Wu Mu Fruit—but he dared not message Fang Yue, so he could only silently envy it with "aba aba" sounds.

Seeing Fang Yue truly refused to trade, Lin Ling muttered gloomily: "What would it take for you to give me the Wu Mu Fruit?"

"Nothing would work! I'm eating it myself!"

"... Thirty days of lifespan!"

Fang Yue:!

He had to admit—Fang Yue was tempted.

But lifespan versus Internal Skill cultivation...

For some reason, Fang Yue always felt the latter mattered more.

After thinking it over, he still gritted his teeth and shook his head.

"No deal!"

(End of Chapter)