Chapter 79 Village Chief

An hour later, Tong Tong was finally tired from playing. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her little face as she slumped over the stone table, panting heavily.

Gu Ye watched her exhaustion with secret confusion. She was, after all, of the succubus race; how could she feel tired like a normal human little girl?

Tong Tong rubbed her sore arms and crisply summoned a maid, instructing, "Big Sister, go bring some snacks. I want to eat with Big Brother and Big Sister."

Taking advantage of the maid's absence, Gu Ye seized the opportunity, leaning down toward Tong Tong with a gentle tone: "Tong Tong, Big Brother wants to ask you something. Do you know who set the village rules at the village entrance?"

Tong Tong lifted her chubby little face, looking at him with innocent, ignorant eyes, and tilted her head: "Big Brother, what are village rules? Can they be eaten?"

Luo Yuerou heard Tong Tong's childish remark and couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and the softness on her chest swayed gently, like mountains brushed by a breeze—lively and moving.

Gu Ye's mouth twitched, and he rephrased the question.

"Tong Tong, be a good girl. I'm talking about the wooden sign standing at the village entrance. Do you know who put that sign there?"

Tong Tong wrinkled her little brows, tilted her head to think earnestly for a moment, and then answered crisply: "It was Grandpa Village Head who put it there. But I don't know who wrote the words on the sign."

"Village Head!!"

Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou were both shocked, subconsciously exchanging a glance with a flash of realization in their eyes.

It seemed this Village Head was the key person they had been searching for.

Luo Yuerou restrained her smile, her expression becoming solemn as she whispered her analysis: "Since the village rules were placed by the Village Head, we should focus our investigation on him next. Perhaps we can find a way to break the restrictions and leave the village."

Gu Ye nodded and turned back to Tong Tong, continuing to ask softly: "Tong Tong, were the words on the sign not written by Grandpa Village Head?"

"Nope," Tong Tong shook her little head and said seriously, "I saw it once. After the sign was placed, the words appeared on their own. It's so strange."

"Appeared on their own?" Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou exchanged glances again, a flash of doubt in their eyes.

Luo Yuerou curled her lips, her tone carrying a hint of confusion and teasing: "Could it be that this sign became a Guai Monster itself? It can even write on its own?"

Gu Ye didn't think this explanation was realistic either, and gently shook his head: "That shouldn't be it. Most likely, there is a powerful Guai Monster who carved them secretly after the sign was placed, and Tong Tong just didn't notice."

Afterward, Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou played with Tong Tong for a few more hours, taking the opportunity to ask her many questions about the village. However, Tong Tong was too young and knew nothing about most things, only able to mention some insignificant trivialities.

Until Wealthy King hurried back, the two took the chance to say goodbye. Wealthy King did not make things difficult for them and even personally escorted them to the gate of the courtyard.

Watching Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou's figures disappear onto the path at the village entrance, the originally gentle smile on Wealthy King's face instantly faded. His fat face became calm and waveless, with a flash of unfathomable light in his eyes.

But when he looked down at Tong Tong beside him, his face immediately resumed a gentle and doting smile, and he reached out to rub her little head: "Tong Tong, did you have fun playing with Big Brother and Big Sister today?"

"Happy!" Tong Tong nodded vigorously, her face full of a brilliant smile, "Big Brother and Big Sister played so many games with me, and they even pushed me on the swing!"

"As long as you're happy," Wealthy King smiled gently, though a trace of imperceptible gloom hid in his eyes, "You're tired, right? Let's go back inside to rest."

Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou returned to the market, only to find that the chaos of yesterday was gone. Figures of Card Masters appeared in many shops.

They were mostly using the pretext of helping Guai Monsters to secretly scout for secrets about the village and ways to leave, each of them wearing a look of vigilance and urgency.

"The identity of the Village Head is too suspicious, but we don't know how strong he is yet."

Luo Yuerou frowned slightly, a flash of anxiety in her eyes, "If he is too strong, we won't be his match at all, let alone investigate intelligence or find a way out."

Gu Ye comforted her with a calm tone: "It shouldn't be too high. After all, Wealthy King, as the only Landlord in the village, is only at Silver Tier 3. Even if the Village Head is stronger than him, I doubt he's that much stronger."

Luo Yuerou's eyes flashed with surprise, and she quickly asked: "You can see Wealthy King's realm?"

Gu Ye explained calmly: "Yeah!" He didn't say any other details.

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Luo Yuerou's tone became firm, "Let's go, I'll take you somewhere. We should be able to find some useful information there, and perhaps it can help us understand the Village Head further."

Gu Ye nodded, and Luo Yuerou walked in front to lead the way.

The two traveled through the alleys of the village and finally arrived at the outskirts, where a dilapidated temple appeared before their eyes.

The temple's roof was leaking light, the walls were covered in cracks, and the stone lions at the entrance were incomplete. It looked like it had been abandoned for a long time, yet one could faintly hear noisy human voices coming from inside.

Walking into the temple, the noisy discussions hit them instantly, rising one after another.

Gu Ye raised his eyes to scan the area, and understanding dawned on him.

This dilapidated temple had actually become a temporary information exchange place for Card Masters. Groups of Card Masters sat together, whispering and exchanging the intelligence they had gathered, each with a look of caution on their faces.

The temple was not large. The two found a corner to stand in, and before long, they heard quite a bit of sporadic information about the Village Head, mostly insignificant rumors with little practical value.

Just then, they noticed a Man in Black sitting in the corner. The man was tall and straight, with a cold expression, and a pitch-black crow stood on his shoulder. The crow's eyes were crimson, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Gu Ye examined the man carefully. Judging by his attire and temperament, he should be a Card Master from the Meiying Federation, but it was unclear whether he was a member of the Evil God Cult or an Examinee like them.

Gu Ye saw that the sign in front of him had information about the Village Head for sale.

Gu Ye pulled Luo Yuerou forward and asked directly: "You have information about the Village Head here? How do you sell it?"

The man kept his head down, saying nothing, as if he hadn't heard him.

Just as Gu Ye was about to ask again, the crow on his shoulder suddenly spoke. Its voice was hoarse and dry, as if ground by sandpaper: "Not for sale, only barter."

Gu Ye's fingertips paused. After thinking for a moment, he nodded slightly: "Okay." He calculated in his heart.

Now that many Card Masters were helping the Guai Monsters, it wouldn't be long before they likely found out that the wooden sign at the village entrance was placed by the Village Head. It was better to take advantage of the time difference now and trade this information for something useful, which could be considered a profit.

"Tell me the information first. I want to see if your information is worth my exchange."

The crow spoke again, its crimson eyes staring fixedly at Gu Ye, its tone carrying a hint of vigilance.

Gu Ye met its gaze, his tone calm yet with a hint of certainty: "I know who placed the wooden sign at the village entrance."

As soon as he finished speaking, the originally noisy temple instantly quieted down. All the Card Masters turned their heads abruptly to look at Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou, their eyes filled with longing and urgency.

The wooden sign at the village entrance was related to the village rules and the hope of leaving the village; everyone wanted to know the truth behind it.

Seeing this, the Man in Black's expression changed slightly. He immediately raised his hand to release a card. The card flashed, and a transparent barrier instantly enveloped the four of them, completely isolating the gazes and sounds of the outside world.

After doing all this, he looked up at Gu Ye and said in a solemn tone: "We can trade. Speak, what do you want to know?"

Subsequently, the two began to exchange information.

Gu Ye revealed the news that the wooden sign at the village entrance was placed by the Village Head, while the Man in Black revealed key intelligence about the Village Head's strength, habits, etc.

As for the truth of the information from both sides, it could only depend on their own judgment. After all, in this dangerous Card Domain, no one would easily hand over absolutely true intelligence.

After the transaction, Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou calmly walked out of the temple under the wolf-like gazes of the crowd.

Although those Card Masters were unwilling and longed for more information, they were hindered by the village's "no fighting" rule and could only watch the two leave, not even daring to utter a single scolding.

"Damn! This bullshit rule is so fucking annoying! I haven't killed anyone for a long time. The addiction is coming up, yet I don't even dare to make a move!"

In the temple, a Man in Black robes couldn't help but roar, his tone full of irritability and unwillingness.

"Exactly! I'm about to be suffocated. I can't even suck a mouthful of human blood. If this continues, I'll lose control sooner or later!" Another black-robed man echoed, a flash of bloodlust in his eyes.

The people speaking were clearly members of the Evil God Cult, exuding a cold and bloodthirsty aura. The Examinees nearby heard their words and retreated one after another, fearing to avoid them.

They didn't want to be targeted by these lunatics, so they could only silently stay away, not daring to provoke them in the slightest.

Walking out of the temple, Luo Yuerou couldn't help but say:

"I didn't expect the Village Head to be a Silver Tier 5 monster, even stronger than Wealthy King. With our current strength, a direct fight is definitely not an option. We can only take the path of wisdom."

Gu Ye nodded, thinking solemnly about the intelligence exchanged from the Man in Black:

"Fortunately, we are not without opportunity. The Village Head's family is marrying off their daughter tomorrow. At that time, all the Guai Monsters in the village will go to congratulate them. The scene will definitely be chaotic. For us, this is a good opportunity to scout for information and find a way out."

The two talked in low voices while walking towards the earthen house where they had stayed before.

Along the way, the two sorted out the known information again and finalized the general plan for tomorrow.

Returning to the earthen house, the two rested simply. The day passed quietly in busyness and contemplation, and night fell again, shrouding this eerie village.

The next morning, Gu Ye and Luo Yuerou got up and walked out of the earthen house, only to find that the market was no longer as lively as it used to be. It was cold and clear, without even a single Guai Monster merchant or Card Master figure in sight.

Clearly, all the Guai villagers in the village had already headed to the Village Head's house to attend the wedding of the Village Head's daughter.