Chapter 179: Ehhh (6/10, Autumn Subscription)

The two were at a stalemate when another person popped up beside them.

A closer look revealed it was Lan Yuntian.

"You don't agree?"

Captain Shan immediately raised his voice.

"Deputy Captain Ye and I are a perfect match, traveling together — what business is it of yours, you ugly freak, to judge us?"

Ugly? Ugly freak?!

Lan Yuntian's face darkened.

"Captain Shan, watch your words. Don't forget that I am the Chief Captain of Man Shui Cun!"

"Hmph! You're only Chief Captain because you inherited the position. Disgusting!"

Trading barbs, the two squared off against each other, as if their grudge had long been festering.

Seeing the two going at each other so enthusiastically, Fang Yuejian quietly slipped away.

Arriving at the martial training ground, he began cultivating the Water Heaven Blade Technique.

"Deputy Captain Ye?"

Fang Yue had barely started cultivating his blade technique when he saw Ma Ling'er bouncing over, her entire body covered in bulging muscles.

N-no… don't come over here!

Bouncing along like a cute little girl — please, you muscle-bound woman, stop making those poses, it's blinding!

That was what he thought, but Fang Yue smiled and said, "What is it?"

"Nothing, nothing, I just… just wanted to thank you for risking your life to save me last night."

Risking my life? Save you?

"I… didn't save you, did I?"

"Come on! Last night you fought desperately against the Grotesque and saved the entire escort team — isn't that saving my life?"

As she spoke, Ma Ling'er put on a shy, bashful look, making Fang Yue's eyelid twitch uncontrollably.

"Ahem! R-right, so that's what you meant. Um, I'm practicing my blade technique…"

"I'll keep you company from the side!"

"…"

Fang Yue was silent for a good while before saying, "I'm… not used to having people around me when I train."

"Then I'll stand farther away!"

Tap-tap-tap.

Ma Ling'er's Jingang Babi body immediately retreated over thirty meters.

"Is this distance okay?"

I…

Sigh!

Fang Yue sighed — let her watch if she wants, it won't cost him any flesh.

He continued cultivating his blade technique, and the morning passed quickly.

"System Notice: Congratulations to the player for slight progress in cultivating 'Water Heaven'. Control +0.1."

Looking at his latest gain, Fang Yue's heart surged with excitement.

Just 0.2 Control away!

It was like staring at the finish line, making one final sprint — Fang Yue was full of drive.

But noon had arrived, and the team had to set out and leave Man Shui Cun.

"Let's go, we're heading back."

Fang Yue called out to Ma Ling'er, and she immediately obediently followed.

At first, Fang Yue was quite conscious of Ma Ling'er watching beside him, but later he became completely absorbed in his cultivation and forgot about it.

Honestly, aside from her eye-searing body proportions, Ma Ling'er was fine in every other way.

On the way back, Fang Yue walked in front and Ma Ling'er followed behind.

Her eyes flickered with confusion.

"Why does it feel like… this guy's blade technique is very ordinary? Where's the power from last night?"

"He's clearly this strong, so why cultivate such an ordinary blade technique? Could there be some secret hidden within this unremarkable technique?"

"Forget it, what does it have to do with me? No matter how strong, can he be stronger than the Messenger Group!"

"A Duan… the day I avenge you is almost here!"

Ma Ling'er walked with her head lowered, lost in thought.

She had entered Gu Yue Cun ten years ago under the name of being adopted by Ma Tiejiang.

And once she stayed, it was ten years.

During those boring ten years, the only thing she looked forward to was the ten-year deadline arriving sooner.

And in those long years, the only one who had ever made her briefly forget the ten-year deadline, the only one who brought her joy, was A Duan.

That man… was the only person in these ten years who could make her forget her dream.

But now, A Duan was already dead.

All for the sake of some so-called village, he died at the hands of a Grotesque!

It was all the fabricated sense of honor that Gu Yue Cun cooked up that cost A Duan his life!

Gu Yue Cun shouldn't exist — a village like this deserves to be destroyed!

Unconsciously, Ma Ling'er clenched her fists as she walked with her head lowered…

"Ma Ling'er? Ma Ling'er!"

Ma Ling'er gave a start, looked up, and saw Fang Yue watching her with a puzzled look.

"Are you okay? I've called you several times."

"N-no, I'm fine. What is it?"

"Oh, we've reached the inn. Go get your things packed, we'll gather at the village entrance later."

"O-okay!"

Watching Ma Ling'er's back, Fang Yue felt she was often absent-minded, wondering what she was thinking about.

No, that's not right!

I'm too much of a visual creature!

Even if she's a muscular girl, she's still a person!

She has thoughts too, she has worries and troubles too!

I need to be more even-tempered, I can't treat her so poorly just because she's a muscular girl!

Next time I have a chance, I'll ask her about her troubles.

The people in the inn were already busy with their final preparations.

And the people of Man Shui Cun had also gathered over.

They paid little attention to the escort team, but instead pointed and gestured at Fang Yue.

"It's him! It's him!"

"Ah, so it's this guy!"

"Bastard! He bullied Captain Shan! How could he bear to lay a hand on him!"

"I heard Captain Shan cried the whole night after going back!"

"Heartless man! What exactly did he do to Captain Shan!"

Fang Yue slowly produced a question mark.

What's going on? Why does it feel like the direction of public opinion is going wrong? I didn't do anything!

"Are you Deputy Captain Ye?"

Just then, a white-haired youth walked over.

"And you are?"

"Man Shui Cun Guard Team, second squad Captain, Qing Du."

So that's the only Man Shui Cun captain who didn't show up.

"Is there something you need?"

"Lan Yuntian and Shan Jing are still fighting over there, I came to see you off."

Fang Yue:...

No wonder I didn't see the two who were arguing earlier — turns out they went at it for real.

"Are they alright?"

"This isn't their first time, no need to worry about them."

"Fierce local customs, fierce local customs."

"It's fine, I suppose. How much longer until you're ready?"

Fang Yue glanced back; the escort team was already nearly organized, ready to set out at any moment.

"Let's go now, we won't trouble you any further."

"My suggestion is to rest one more night before setting out. But Chaoyue Village really is close to us — half a day's travel, and barring accidents, you should be able to make it."

Accompanied by Qing Du, Fang Yue led the team to the village entrance.

"You don't need to see us off from here on."

"Alright."

Qing Du took one extra look at a certain someone in the team behind Fang Yue, then withdrew his gaze.

"Safe travels."

"Thank you."

Only after Qing Du returned to the village did Fang Yue suspiciously follow his earlier line of sight toward the team, but couldn't make anything of it.

What did that look mean? It seemed rather meaningful...

Fang Yue scratched his head and didn't think on it further.

With a grand wave of his hand, the team advanced along the village road.

"Wibbly-wobbly!"

The team had only been moving for a few minutes when a voice suddenly rang out.

Fang Yue turned back with a dark face to look at the fellow lying on the cart.

"You're online?"

"Ye Ge, it's time to make money! Where in Man Shui Cun are you right now?"

Niu Niu excitedly sent a message over, and then, he noticed, beneath his feet was the village road.

"Eh? Eheheheh? Where's Man Shui Cun?!"

"Where's Man Shui Cun my ass!"

(End of chapter)