Chapter 141: The Conditions of a Blood Hunter (4/10, Autumn Subscription)

No, actually there are one or two who have Black Ember; their nervous, lying expressions make it obvious.

But alas… we're not bandits; we can't just seize something because others have it—we need them to offer it willingly or sell it. If they refuse outright and won't give up Black Ember, Fang Yue has no recourse.

Damn it! Where has my authority as Deputy Captain gone? Is it because I'm not fierce enough, making them think I'm easy to bully?

Fang Yue was considering whether to change his image and become a villain, when he saw an elegant old man in animal hide and sable fur walking straight toward him.

"Deputy Captain Ye."

"Mm."

Fang Yue murmured a reply and was about to pass him by, when his right hand was suddenly grabbed. The man didn't turn his head, only said coolly: "Deputy Captain Ye doesn't recognize me?"

Huh?

Fang Yue froze, stepped back two paces, and studied the man's profile closely.

He was ruggedly handsome—clearly in his sixties or seventies, yet his frame was robust, unmistakably someone not to be trifled with.

Three scars, like claw marks from a wild beast, ran down his left cheek; judging by their appearance, they were years old.

Fang Yue racked his memory for people he'd encountered in the game, hesitating: "You're… who?"

The handsome old man bared his teeth in a smile and turned to face Fang Yue directly.

"Who am I? … It seems my disciple Jing Yan exaggerated things. Deputy Captain Ye isn't that eager to meet Blood Hunter after all."

Blood Hunter? Jing Yan?

Fang Yue's expression shifted slightly; he quickly forced a smile: "Hah, haha! So you're the Blood Hunter! My apologies, my apologies—I've only been in the village a few days and don't know everyone yet. But your name? I've long heard of it! Jing Yan often speaks of you."

Only then did he remember: he'd previously messaged Jing Yan, asking him to probe Blood Hunter's stance on selling Black Ember.

Later, Jing Yan replied that Blood Hunter wouldn't sell Black Ember, so Fang Yue had decided not to visit him—never expecting to run into him here.

"May I ask why Blood Hunter is seeking me?"

Blood Hunter replied coolly: "I heard from my disciple that you want my Black Ember?"

Isn't that obvious? But you won't sell it.

Wait—he came here specifically for me. Could it be…?

Fang Yue's mind stirred: "Yes, I do have a need for Black Ember. Might Blood Hunter be willing to part with some?"

"No problem…"

"No problem?"

Fang Yue's face lit up.

"…But I have conditions."

Well, expected.

"What conditions?"

"I want my 【Giant-Headed Blood Hound】 to join the escort team, and for the group to stay longer in Mo Cun."

Joining the team is fine, but the latter condition—

Fang Yue frowned slightly.

He'd come to Mo Cun to buy from the merchant caravan and planned to leave immediately; he had no intention of lingering. So how long is "longer"?

After thinking it over, Fang Yue asked: "How much Black Ember can you provide?"

"Five grams of Black Ember."

Huh? Only five grams?

That's the same price Ma Tiejiang offered.

Ma Tiejiang only asked me to protect Jingang Babi—this…

Fang Yue hesitated, when Blood Hunter suddenly spoke coolly:

"Besides five grams of Black Ember, I'll have my 【Giant-Headed Blood Hound】 warn the team of danger. Deputy Captain Ye has only just arrived in the village—you may not know how formidable my Blood Hunter is."

"Let me put it this way: when encountering low-level anomalies, my 【Giant-Headed Blood Hound】 can handle them alone—no need for your Guard Team to lift a finger! And it has an acute sense for anomaly odors—it can detect their approach from hundreds of meters away. Bringing it along will dramatically improve the team's safety."

"Also, I'm a seasoned Hunter with extensive experience in wilderness expeditions. Put bluntly, my experience handling wilderness dangers may surpass that of your entire Guard Team."

"Having an old Hunter like me can drastically reduce casualties. To anyone else, I wouldn't be giving money—I'd be charging it. But you, Deputy Captain Ye, fought to the death that night to protect the village under the Gathering Fire Order. Though I didn't fight beside you, I'm deeply grateful—so I'm willing to risk traveling with you."

"If you still think this isn't acceptable, I won't join. Think it over carefully."

With that, Blood Hunter released his grip and turned to leave.

Fang Yue, however, was still weighing the conditions.

This actually sounds great! Really great!

He had to admit—he was tempted.

The wilderness is far too dangerous; with an experienced guide and a 【Giant-Headed Blood Hound】 capable of fighting low-level anomalies, safety would rise significantly.

And the cost? Just staying a little longer in Mo Cun.

Besides, Blood Hunter's presence in Mo Cun must have a reason—if he could help him finish his business sooner, maybe he wouldn't need to linger at all.

Thinking of this, Fang Yue quickly called out to the departing Blood Hunter.

"Wait!"

Blood Hunter stopped and turned.

"Well? Has Deputy Captain Ye changed his mind?"

"Yes, I accept your conditions—but I have one question."

Blood Hunter crossed his arms and smiled faintly: "Go ahead."

"I want to know—why do you need to stay longer in Mo Cun?"

Blood Hunter's brow twitched slightly: "…That concerns my privacy. I'm afraid I have no obligation to tell you, Deputy Captain Ye."

"You only say 'stay longer'—which means forcing the entire team to waste time. If you tell me what you're doing, I might help you—even mobilize the Guard Team. With so many people, your task could be completed much faster—and you'd have it easier, wouldn't you?"

「……」

The Blood Hunter fell silent, as if weighing the pros and cons, then looked up: "I can tell you what I intend to do in Mo Cun, but you must not leak it, and I will allow only you to assist me—if all goes well, it will take half a day."

Fang Yue's face lit up: "Fine, speak."

The Blood Hunter beckoned to him, found a secluded corner, then spoke coolly: "Deputy Captain Ye, do you know how I came to possess this 【Giant-Headed Blood Dog】?"

Huh?

Fang Yue shook his head—he had no idea about such things.

The Blood Hunter wore an expression of reminiscence.

"This 【Giant-Headed Blood Dog】 of mine, I captured years ago after enduring countless hardships, using traps in the Maple Leaf Forest of Mo Cun."

"But this 【Giant-Headed Blood Dog】 is old. Despite my utmost efforts to nurture it, its strength, speed, and acuity have all clearly declined. I know it is nearing retirement—but I am not yet ready to retire."

"So I plan to return to the Maple Leaf Forest. According to the intelligence I gathered, there are rumors of 【Giant-Headed Blood Dogs】 appearing there..."

Fang Yue's heart stirred: "You want to capture another 【Giant-Headed Blood Dog】?"

The Blood Hunter shook his head: "Too difficult. Back then, I only caught this Blood Hunter by sheer luck."

"Huh? Then what do you intend to do?"

(End of Chapter)