Chapter 187 - 175: The Flaw

Chapter 187: Chapter 175: The Flaw

"Honored Soul Masters! You should leave, quickly! This is a messy affair!"

"After Xiaoshi Village has cared for us for three days, if the two of us don’t repay that kindness, how would we be any different from ingrates?"

Li Heng saw that the status of Zhao San’s name was still a neutral yellow. Taking that and the man’s expression into account, he probed further.

Most importantly, Li Heng suspected that something was about to happen in Xiaoshi Village, and that this event was likely the key to shattering the illusion.

Hearing Li Heng put it so bluntly, Zhao San seemed to want to say something more, but he hesitated for a short while before letting out a helpless sigh and finally speaking.

"This year, Qingshui Village is facing the same situation as us—having Disciple candidates selected by the Cold-blooded Lineage. But their village wants to ’borrow’ a few children from us. But... how can you call that ’borrowing’!?"

’Qingshui Village?’

The name sparked a memory for Li Heng. The first time he’d entered the Ancient Dust Continent Dungeon, he had met that Ma the Sixth at the gates of Li Liang City. The man was a villager from Qingshui Village.

Hearing this, Li Heng further confirmed the deep connection between the Ancient Dust Continent Dungeon and this mysterious domain. Outwardly, however, he didn’t ask any more questions, patiently waiting for Zhao San to continue.

"The people of Qingshui Village cherish their own and can’t bear to part with their children. Are the children of Xiaoshi Village not children, then? Why should our kids be sent to die! We couldn’t hold back and ended up arguing with them."

"Is there anything we can do to help?"

Li Heng guessed that Zhao San’s injuries were likely from the argument with the Qingshui villagers. That would also explain why he had been hesitating for so long.

After all, if the two villages settled it themselves, it would be a feud between them. If outsiders got involved, things would become complicated.

Although he understood the reasoning, Li Heng saw this as an opportunity to shatter the illusion. He didn’t give up and probed further.

"In truth, I really don’t want to trouble you two Honored Soul Masters! But this time, Qingshui Village has truly gone too far. Since they dared to do this, they can’t blame us for what comes next! I wonder if you two would be willing to accompany me to Qingshui Village?"

Hearing this, Li Heng glanced at Bai Shasha. The flat-chested loli’s expression was indifferent, but she still nodded.

Bai Shasha’s nod didn’t signify agreement, but rather that she was letting Li Heng make the decision. As they had been teammates many times, Li Heng understood her meaning. After a moment of thought, he agreed.

"Then thank you, Honored Soul Masters. Please wait a moment while I gather some villagers. Today, we must go to Qingshui Village and set things straight!"

Zhao San cupped his fists toward Li Heng and Bai Shasha. After thanking them repeatedly, he walked back into the village, a hint of anger in his eyes.

As he went, every time Zhao San muttered something to a villager, the person’s face would fill with rage. They would then rush into their house and emerge with farm tools or kitchen knives.

"Li Heng, there’s something wrong with the cooking smoke!"

While the two stood on the road watching the crowd of villagers grow, the flat-chested loli noticed that the cooking smoke rising from the chimneys of every house was getting thicker and thicker.

"This might not be cooking smoke! Remember the thick fog from before? We need to be careful!"

How could Li Heng not have been paying attention to his surroundings? In fact, he had already noticed something was off during his conversation with Zhao San.

The thickness and duration of the cooking smoke were a little abnormal.

’All the villagers are outside, yet the smoke is getting thicker. If the fire in the stove is burning that strongly, shouldn’t someone be inside to watch it?’

’It kept getting thicker over time, especially now. They’re gathering everyone to go to another village—men and women alike have been called. Who could possibly be left inside cooking!’

So, he had become vigilant the moment he noticed it. He had just been too busy talking with Zhao San to share the information with the flat-chested loli right away.

Fortunately, Bai Shasha’s perception was also very sharp.

After about two or three minutes, Zhao San had notified nearly everyone in the village. Men and women, young and old, all brought their own weapons.

The youngest among them was the same mischievous child Li Heng remembered seeing before, the one who had been jogging along while holding a large goose by its neck.

The villagers had finished gathering. Village Chief Shi Dazhuang walked over holding two cloth bags, handing them to Li Heng as he spoke.

"Honored Soul Masters, we apologize for the trouble! This is a small token of our appreciation. We hope you will accept it. After this is over, Xiaoshi Village will be sure to compensate you both further!"

Two patched cloth bags.

Name: Soul Crystal Coin

Category: Soul Energy Items

Value: Common

Effect: Currency circulated among Soul Masters.

[This item is unique and cannot be upgraded.]

Li Heng had received Soul Crystal Coins before. His pay had been quite good back when he worked as a Silver Thread Flying Fish butcher at Qingfeng Tower.

However, the Soul Crystal Coins he received back then were not Soul Energy Items, whereas the ones he saw now were storable.

Without showing any change in his expression, Li Heng passed one bag to Bai Shasha, then stored his own in his medium-sized Space Stone before offering some polite words.

The flat-chested loli watched Li Heng’s actions, put away the cloth bag as well, and offered a quiet word of thanks.

Seeing Li Heng and Bai Shasha accept the Soul Crystal Coins, a smile appeared on Shi Dazhuang’s face. He shouted to the villagers behind him, and the entire village began to march forward, following him.

Everyone from Xiaoshi Village had mobilized, even bringing their cats and dogs with them. But the thatched huts and stone-brick houses continued to spew cooking smoke, which only grew thicker.

Li Heng and Bai Shasha followed the villagers slowly. After exchanging a knowing glance, they both drew their weapons, walking cautiously while remaining wary of the villagers around them!

The villagers of Xiaoshi Village were heading toward the Smoke Illusion Mountain Stone Boundary Stele. Ever since leaving the village entrance, the other villagers had remained silent, with only Zhao San and Shi Dazhuang occasionally exchanging a word or two.

Even the animals they brought with them were completely quiet.

When the first villager reached the Smoke Illusion Mountain Stone Boundary Stele, the thick fog that had previously vanished suddenly rolled in again. The villager, shouldering a farm tool, walked into the fog without a moment’s hesitation.

Seeing this, both Li Heng and Bai Shasha stopped in their tracks. Li Heng immediately activated his Wolf Walk Technique, his sword poised and ready to strike.

Village Chief Shi Dazhuang noticed them stop. The smile still on his face, he asked, "Honored Soul Masters, what’s wrong? Do you need to rest for a bit?"

"Let’s skip the pleasantries. It would be better if Village Chief Shi just said what’s on his mind."

Li Heng’s voice was no longer as mild as before; it had grown much colder. The right hand gripping his Empty Cicada Longsword also rose slightly.

Because the villagers’ status, which had previously been yellow, had now turned a vivid, blood-like red.

And Shi Dazhuang, whose name glowed the most vibrant red of all, wore a smile that looked even more kind and friendly!