Chapter 140: Demanding Black Ember (3/10, Autumn Subscription)

Fang Yue also found it a bit too much to look at.

But he couldn't just vomit like those players—too rude; he was Deputy Captain, and he couldn't do anything so disrespectful.

He let out two dry laughs, raised his thumb, and stretched his voice: "Good~~~"

"No wonder she's the village's acknowledged beauty—she's got the figure, and she's got the looks."

"With such a beauty accompanying me on this escort mission, it's truly the greatest fortune of my life!"

Ma Ling'er'er's cheeks flushed faintly as she smiled softly.

"Thank you, Deputy Captain Ye, but I'm not worthy of such praise."

Her smile was fine, the blush was fine, but paired with that exaggerated body proportion…

Fang Yue felt a twinge of physical discomfort, slightly turned his gaze away, and from the room behind, he heard several people vomiting again in succession.

Stop vomiting, stop vomiting—I'm gonna throw up too!

At least her face is still beautiful! Where's the promise that beauty equals justice? These shameless bastards!

"Cough! Uh, Ma Tiejiang, I've met your daughter—I'll do my best to keep her safe on the road. Also, I have another question: do you happen to have any Black Ember?"

Ma Tiejiang didn't hide it—he answered calmly: "Yes."

He really has it!

Fang Yue's face lit up with joy, then hesitated: "Could you… sell me some? You know the journey outside is long and perilous…"

"No need for such trouble. These 5g of Black Ember were left behind by a traveler who commissioned a weapon from me. Today, I give them to Deputy Captain Ye. I only hope that when you return to the village in a few days, my daughter will still be safe in your team."

5g of Black Ember!

Fang Yue stared fixedly at the object in Ma Tiejiang's hand and quickly promised: "No problem! I swear to you—if I return to the village, Ma Ling'er'er will return too!"

"Good!"

Hearing this, Ma Tiejiang directly placed the 5g of Black Ember into Fang Yue's hand.

"I believe you, Deputy Captain Ye. I hope you keep your word."

"A gentleman's word is binding—even four horses can't pull it back!"

"Excellent."

So they just handed over 5g of Black Ember so easily?

Fang Yue felt disbelief, suddenly realizing this escort mission seemed full of profit!

Next—head straight to the next house and scoop up more!

After thanking Ma Tiejiang, Fang Yue hurried away.

Once Fang Yue left, Ma Ling'er'er's soft smile faded, her eyes grew cold, and a sharp chill radiated from her entire body.

Ma Tiejiang stood up, glanced at his daughter, and said calmly: "Come with me."

"…"

Ma Ling'er'er said nothing, silently following.

The two entered the adjacent room one after the other and closed the door.

Ma Tiejiang frowned at his daughter: "A Duan's death has nothing to do with Deputy Captain Ye."

Ma Ling'er'er remained silent.

"I know you're resentful—you think the Guard Team failed to handle the anomaly and didn't protect A Duan."

"I'm angry too. I'm furious. But this was A Duan's own choice—I tried to stop him, told him not to go out."

"But A Duan was an orphan since childhood—he was born in Gu Yue Cun, raised in Gu Yue Cun, treated the village as his home, and saw every villager as family. When family was in danger, he couldn't sit still! If he could ignore the Gathering Fire Order, he wouldn't be the A Duan we knew."

Ma Ling'er'er still said nothing, only turned her head away, refusing to meet Ma Tiejiang's gaze.

"In any case, don't bring your emotions onto the escort team. Outside Gu Yue Cun, only the escort team can protect you. I have only one daughter—if you get hurt again, I can't bear it."

Ma Ling'er'er whirled around, her voice rising sharply: "So A Duan died for nothing? The Guard Team doesn't have to pay a price?"

"Lower your voice!"

Ma Tiejiang clamped his hand over her mouth, glanced at the door, listened carefully for a moment, then exhaled in relief.

"Don't you know your own identity? You've hidden in Gu Yue Cun for years—now are you going to stand up for a dead man?"

"A Duan isn't just a dead man! He's our family!"

"... I know. But he's truly dead. And you're still alive. We're still alive. The agreed-upon date is near—once we contact the Messenger Group, everything will end beautifully. Then we'll leave together—you can do whatever you want with Gu Yue Cun. Even Lord Han can't stop us!"

"I want everyone in Gu Yue Cun to die with A Duan! Including Lord Han!"

A flash of murderous intent passed through Ma Ling'er'er's eyes, her voice icy.

"Do as you wish—the Messenger Group will listen to you. But now, Miss, Hidden Endurance! Don't ruin the ten-year pact over a moment of rage!"

"... I understand."

As she spoke, Ma Ling'er'er's Jingang Babi body slowly shrank and transformed, finally becoming the figure of an ordinary sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl, her cute face making one want to exclaim, "Oh wow!"

Ma Tiejiang let out a bitter laugh.

"No need. Keep your previous bizarre physique. I've already told the villagers you changed shape after eating excessively following A Duan's death—they all know what happened five years ago, so they won't be surprised by your form."

"Understood."

Ma Ling'er'er's body shifted again, reverting to her Jingang Babi appearance.

"Remember—once you reach Mo Cun, immediately contact the Messenger Group to verify your identity! Also… out in the wild, protect yourself—stick close to that Ye man. He's strong; he can keep you safe."

"Once I contact the Messenger Group, the first one I'll kill is him!"

"... Do as you like. But until then, you must rely on his protection. With your current strength—less than Black Grade Initial—you can't survive alone in the wild."

"I know."

"Good. Let's go out. Remember—hide your emotions. Don't slip up. A thousand-mile dike can collapse from an ant's hole. We can't afford a mistake at the final step!"

Finally, Ma Tiejiang said with deep meaning: "Our hard days are finally coming to an end."

"... Mm."

The two of them left the room, and everything proceeded as on any other day; no one grew suspicious of this father-and-daughter pair.

Gu Yue Cun.

"What? You don't have any? But you're He Caifeng, the peerless master of craft!"

"Huh? Jian Dage, you've been selling jewelry for all these years and you've never seen what Black Ember looks like? That's just too pathetic… ah, no, I mean—don't hit me! Don't hit me! Ow, ow! I'm going, I'm going, alright…"

"Mo Shentou, finding you was no easy task! Don't be nervous, I'm not here to catch you—I'm here to ask you for something… What?! You don't have it either? You—you—you-you, you're the Divine Thief! Lord Han won't let you steal? Lord Han says no, so you just don't steal? Have some professional pride… Fine, Lord Han really is terrifying, but do you truly not have any Black Ember?"

As the sun set, Fang Yue was at a loss.

He had thought that with so many capable and unusual folk in the village, getting his hands on some Black Ember would be a breeze.

But in the end, aside from Ma Tiejiang, not a single person could supply any more Black Ember.

(End of Chapter)