Chapter 302: Where

Tail quickly comforted her beside, saying that once they entered the Extreme Ice Sect, she'd save cultivation resources for Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu, and so on—truly sisterly affection.

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu was deeply moved, and became even less willing to work hard.

After all, whenever Fang Yue wasn't watching, she'd always slack off; now that Fang Yue had left the village, no one could possibly control her anymore.

Although Tail no longer needed to accompany Ni Dongmei to the Extreme Ice Sect and could simply wait in the village,

Ni Dongmei guarded her like a hawk protecting chicks, forbidding Tail from going out, forcing her to stay locked inside her dark, gloomy inn.

For Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu to see Tail, she could only go to the inn to find her.

Fortunately, Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu's days were idle enough—besides eating to boost her stats, she simply wandered around everywhere.

Roughly two days after Ni Dongmei returned to the village, Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu, following her usual routine, met Tail at the inn and stepped outside.

On her way back, she spotted two people acting suspiciously.

She looked closer—and realized she knew them both.

One was Chen Xiaomiao; the other was the Martial Captain of Mo Cun.

One walked ahead, the other behind, moving in a strange rhythm, their steps crablike and utterly unrecognizable.

"People actually walk like this?!"

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu was stunned. She silently followed them for a stretch, when suddenly the two ahead stopped.

"Who's there?!"

The Martial Captain spun around and, with that same crablike gait, shot forward at incredible speed right in front of Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu.

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu didn't even have time to scream for help—she could only cover her face and instinctively let out a shrill "Ah!"

Fortunately, the Martial Captain had a good memory and recognized Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu, halting his attack just in time.

"You… aren't you the woman who always trails behind Ye Ge? Why are you suddenly stalking me?"

"I—I didn't come looking for you!"

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu peeled her fingers away slightly from her face, revealing her eyes, and spoke cautiously.

"Then what are you…"

"Master, he's probably here to find me." Chen Xiaomiao arrived at that moment, whispering. She seemed unwell lately—dark circles under her eyes, exhausted, even too tired to use her beloved Yin-Yang speech.

"Master? You two…?" Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu pointed at them in shock.

How did Chen Xiaomiao get an opportunity without me knowing?!

Damn it! Why couldn't a Gluttony God just take me in, let me eat void food and skyrocket my stats?!

While Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu was sulking, Chen Xiaomiao exchanged a few hurried words with her, then continued following the Martial Captain, mimicking the crablike steps, gradually walking away.

Faintly, she could still hear their conversation.

"Master, this Lightness Skill posture is so ugly. At first I didn't think it was a problem, but now that people I know have seen it, I'm so embarrassed…"

"Shut up and feel it deeply! When you reach the higher levels, you'll naturally be able to perform it in ordinary postures, just like me."

"Alright… then who's our next target?"

"No more killing from today. Those guys banded together and reported it to the Chief Captain. Even I have to lie low for a while."

"Then… what about what you promised—helping me redeem myself from An Shenyi?"

"An Shenyi gave me face, but you haven't mastered my martial arts yet. Returning to Gu Yue Cun is pointless. Stay here and take my instruction—I'll arrange for you to join the Guard Team later. It's far better than staying in Gu Yue Cun."

"Great! As long as I'm not a slave!!"

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu didn't catch most of what they said, but she instantly latched onto the key word.

"Slave…"

"The Martial Captain's hobbies are so weird!!"

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu shivered, a chill running down her spine.

Who'd have thought the Martial Captain, so young and good-looking, enjoyed such unusual games…

Thank goodness, all the Captains in Gu Yue Cun are normal people.

Compared to her relationship with Tail, her bond with Chen Xiaomiao had clearly grown distant—mere acquaintances now.

Without further thought, she headed toward her own inn, forgetting Chen Xiaomiao's matter entirely.

When Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu returned to the inn, she saw from afar a stranger standing at the entrance, looking around as if waiting for someone.

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu had planned to ignore her and walk straight in, but the Gu Yue Cun escort guard at the door shouted happily:

"Wu Wu, you're back! Perfect! This is Hua Qiuqiu, the village chief of Mo Cun. She's been waiting here for you a long time."

Mo Cun's village chief?!

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu's heart jolted.

Fang Yue was gone, An Shenyi was busy saving lives, and the Blood Hunter was still recovering—so the escort team was now leaderless.

To push forward one or two replacements, it naturally fell to the remaining Deputy Captain and Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu, who was close to Fang Yue.

The Deputy Captains were busy with stone mining and other real duties, so all the trivial matters were dumped on Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu, the idle one.

In a sense, Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu had become a minor leader, a person in charge.

She carefully studied Hua Qiuqiu.

In appearance, Hua Qiuqiu resembled Hua Wuye closely—same face shape, same features, especially those eyes, both bright and clear.

One could say it was no surprise they were blood-related—their resemblance was obvious at a glance.

While Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu observed Hua Qiuqiu, Hua Qiuqiu was observing her in return.

Only when Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu drew near did Hua Qiuqiu faintly smile.

"Girl, I heard if you can't find Ye Ge, handing the matter to you is just as good?"

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu:???

How do I not know about this? I'm not Ye Ge's spokesperson.

I am merely an emotionless eating machine, short for "food barrel," and should not be burdened with such a heavy task.

"Uh... if you have something, wait until Ye Ge returns and tell him yourself—I can't make decisions on this."

"Is that so..."

Hua Qiuqiu's eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment, but she still pulled out an object and handed it to Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu.

"But I no longer have time to stay in Mo Cun—I have urgent matters and must leave the village again. This item is what I need to deliver to Hua Wuye. Please pass it on to Ye Captain and ask him to deliver it to Hua Wuye for me, is that alright?"

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu examined it closely—the object Hua Qiuqiu gave her was a delicate, sealed small box, with a keyhole on its surface.

"If it's just about passing it along, that's no problem. When Ye Ge returns, I'll give it to him."

"That's good enough."

Saying this, Hua Qiuqiu turned and prepared to leave.

Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu blinked in surprise and quickly asked: "Wait! Where's the key? You haven't given me the key yet!"

Hua Qiuqiu also froze: "What key?"

"The key to open the box!"

(End of Chapter)