Chapter 196: Full Han and Manchu Banquet (Guaranteed Second Update)

Although Lin Duoduo appeared somewhat casual on the surface, a wave of hostility immediately surged forth as she spoke these words, clearly showing her genuine concern for Lin Ling's condition.

This was due to the vast distances between villages and the prevalence of anomalies, which caused severe delays in information flow.

Many other villages didn't even know that Gu Yue Cun had lost one of its Captains.

On the night the Di He shattered, the conditions in other villages could only be learned by sending someone to inquire directly and bring back the news— even Lord Han could only rely on such archaic methods, revealing just how backward information transmission was.

Of course, if there were players from other villages who knew each other, or if someone shouted it on the forum and players from those villages saw it, the news would spread quickly… after all, players could exchange information directly in the real world.

"Don't worry, Sister Duo, Brother Lin is fine. It's just that something unexpected happened in Gu Yue Cun…"

Fang Yue was about to detail the situation in Gu Yue Cun when the Blood Hunter suddenly tugged his sleeve.

Looking at the Blood Hunter, he saw the man shaking his head slightly; the other Deputy Captains also looked as if they wanted to speak but held back.

Fang Yue's heart skipped a beat, and he silently stopped speaking—but Lin Duoduo pressed on.

"Oh? What happened in Gu Yue Cun?"

"Nothing major—just that I was promoted to Captain too quickly, which upset some people in the village. Brother Lin wanted me to gain experience outside, so he assigned me as Captain of this escort team."

"Oh… indeed, I've never seen you before—you appeared out of nowhere, suddenly promoted to Captain. It's quite surprising."

"When the opportunity came, I took it," Fang Yue replied humbly.

"Alright, after routine inspection, everyone is cleared to pass."

Lin Duoduo waved her hand and paid no further attention to Fang Yue and the others, leading her team away.

The rest were assigned to check records and such, but when the Anomaly-Detection Charm tested An Shenyi, the official's expression flickered into a momentary blank—then he overlooked it entirely.

No one noticed this detail—or rather, no one… remembered it!

Following the familiar procedure, the escort team was lodged in an inn and placed under surveillance by Luoye Cun's Guard Team, finally allowing them to settle briefly in Luoye Cun.

"Who exactly is Lin Duoduo? Why didn't you let me elaborate when she asked about Gu Yue Cun?"

In Fang Yue's room, besides himself, were the Blood Hunter, An Shenyi, and three other Deputy Captains.

An Shenyi spread his hands.

"I don't get involved in matters like this. You guys from Gu Yue Cun can sort it out yourselves."

An Shenyi had originally thought Fang Yue called him over for something important, but upon hearing it concerned the village's secret affairs, he naturally didn't want to eavesdrop.

Watching An Shenyi leave the room, no one stopped him.

Fang Yue had assumed An Shenyi, as one of the escort team's pillars, had a right to know in case something happened in Luoye Cun.

But now it seemed he'd overthought it—An Shenyi had no intention of getting involved in this mess.

"Blood Hunter?"

With An Shenyi gone, they could now speak openly.

The Blood Hunter shook his head slightly: "Let the Deputy Captains explain—it's a complicated matter."

Deputy Captain Qian sighed.

"Let me explain. Before I begin, I'd like to ask, Deputy Captain Ye—how much do you know about Gu Yue Cun's long-standing vacancy of the Village Chief position?"

Huh? Why ask this out of nowhere…

Fang Yue thought for a moment and said, "Not much. Captain Lin mentioned it a few times, calling it a historical legacy issue—something complicated, apparently."

Deputy Captain Qian lowered his head.

"It's indeed complicated, and as someone of my rank, my knowledge is incomplete. Since Chief Captain Lin didn't elaborate on it to you, Deputy Captain Ye, I won't bring it up either—it might influence your attitude and judgment on the matter. A Captain's stance on this could shape the village's future direction. Besides, this matter only has a slight connection to Luoye Cun."

"After the historical vacancy of the Village Chief, many people left Gu Yue Cun. Their descendants all harbor a peculiar… negative sentiment toward the village."

"Chief Captain Lin and Lin Duoduo are blood-related and naturally care for each other's safety—but that doesn't conflict with their desire… to destroy Gu Yue Cun. Fortunately, those holding such extreme views are few, but Lin Duoduo holds a high position, and given Gu Yue Cun's current fragile state, it can't afford any more turmoil."

"So Deputy Captain Ye had better not mention the village's situation to Lin Duoduo. Also… in truth, our Lianhe Village's ancestors did establish an ancient pact of mutual aid. But over the years, relations between villages have long since faded from their original closeness—many villages are now outright hostile."

"Take Luoye Cun, for example—it has its own Divine Doctor, Luo Shenyi, whose medical skill is slightly inferior to An Shenyi's but whose fame nearly matches his. Yet Lord Han never considered bringing Luo Shenyi back—this too must have been a deliberate consideration."

Lord Han…

No, no.

Given his realm… he likely simply chose An Shenyi because his medical skill is superior, hence his insistence on bringing him back to Gu Yue Cun to save me.

His realm has long transcended such childish rivalries between villages. To him, these are mere mundane affairs—not worth mentioning.

Yet Fang Yue had never imagined the relationship between Luoye Cun and Gu Yue Cun was so tense.

No wonder it took all three Captains present before the escort team was finally allowed entry.

After discussing further details with the three Deputy Captains, Fang Yue finally understood Luoye Cun's stance.

"Not a place to stay long…"

He told the Blood Hunter and others to remain vigilant at night, arranged for rotating night watches, sighed, dismissed everyone, and stepped out of his room.

Gulu gulu.

As soon as he stepped out, his stomach growled.

Down in the lobby, Fang Yue's first sight was Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu, tears of "happiness" streaming down her face.

"Mmmmm!"

Her mouth stuffed full, she spotted Fang Yue, jolted violently, nearly choked, frantically pounding her chest, while her tail—already having arranged the horses—gently patted her back beside her.

"Enjoy your meal!"

Fang Yue grabbed four buns on his way up, eating as he walked, vanishing from Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu and Tail's sight.

"Ye! Mmmmm!! Brother Ye! I have pocket money now—I want to change my food!!"

Only after Fang Yue reached his room did Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu finally shout out what she wanted to say—but Fang Yue couldn't hear her.

"Send him a message."

Tail reminded her.

"Oh right, oh right!"

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu finally slapped her big thigh. She had been too excited from choking on her food and forgot to send the message.

After sending the message, Fang Yue replied quickly.

"Yes! Ye Ge agreed! No more buns!! Waiter, bring me the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast!!"

(End of Chapter)