Departure

Before going to find Balu, Qin Chuan remembered something and changed course toward the Abandoned Hut where the Teleportation Array was located.

The former village chief was already dead. The villagers he had turned into ghosts should have been freed and ascended as well.

When Qin Chuan arrived outside the Abandoned Hut, he happened to see several players approaching in a party, their expressions wary.

"The monsters here are tough. Watch yourselves, brothers."

"I just wasn't prepared last time. Otherwise, how could it have ended so quickly?"

"Come to think of it, the previous village chief was taken out. Even if we kill this Ghost Mode, who are we supposed to turn the quest in to?"

"The new village chief, obviously. We got rid of the ghost lurking in the village. He ought to thank us properly."

"That makes sense."

"Do you think this ghost might be connected to the new village chief? We could take its head back and, like Night Roaming God, righteously expose his true face."

"Watson, you found the blind spot!"

As they discussed what to do next, a voice came from nearby.

"No need to think about it. The ghost here is already gone."

One player turned around impatiently and snapped, "Who the hell are you? Are you here to steal—"

Before he could finish, his expression became quite spectacular.

His teammates noticed something was wrong and turned around as well, freezing on the spot.

It was Night Roaming God!

The player who had spoken earlier had legs shaking like sieves as he stammered, "N-Night Roaming God, don't misunderstand. I wasn't cursing at you."

His teammates moved two steps to the side, lest blood splatter onto their faces later.

Qin Chuan waved a hand. "It's fine. I didn't mean anything by it. I just came to tell you that the ghost has already disappeared."

A player beside him asked curiously, "That can't be right. No other players came here, so the ghost should still be around."

Qin Chuan offered no further explanation and simply strode forward.

The party leader hurriedly warned, "Night Roaming God, be careful! That ghost has high Attack Power!"

Creak.

The battered wooden door was pushed open, and the players immediately braced themselves for a fight.

Yet nothing happened.

Through the crack in the door, they could see that the interior was rundown.

There was no Ghost Mode inside.

The players looked at one another, somewhat baffled.

Could it really be as Night Roaming God said? Had the ghost disappeared?

But why?

Standing at the doorway, Qin Chuan swept his gaze across the room and spotted a wooden comb in the corner. He walked over and picked it up.

Seeing that Qin Chuan had not been attacked, the players confirmed that the ghost was gone. They immediately lost interest and turned to leave.

The quest monster was gone, so what was the point of staying here?

Besides, they had just offended Night Roaming God. If he decided to settle the score later, wouldn't they have to make another trip to the Respawn Point?

Qin Chuan was not that petty, so he ignored the players and went to find Balu.

When he arrived at the village chief's hut, Balu was already busy enough to be drenched in sweat.

He had never imagined that being village chief would involve handling so many matters.

Especially after the former village chief's identity had been exposed. During his time serving the Blood Clan, he had done a mountain of terrible things, and all the messes he left behind now had to be dealt with by Balu. It was enough to wear him down.

One moment, Auntie Wang from the village entrance came over, saying that five of her chickens were missing. She insisted the former village chief had taken them and demanded an explanation from the village.

No sooner had he calmed her down than Old Liu arrived, claiming the former village chief owed him one hundred gold coins.

Balu was so furious that he wanted to send Old Liu to the Scarlet Tomb.

With that drafty shack of yours, it would be a miracle if your home had a hundred copper coins in it. And you had the nerve to claim you were owed a hundred gold coins?

Even more villagers came running over to ask what was going on.

How had the former village chief suddenly gotten involved with the Blood Clan?

And would the Blood Clan come back for revenge? Did the entire village need to relocate, and so on?

All kinds of questions made Balu feel like being village chief was not worth it after all.

After finally soothing the villagers' emotions, Balu at last had a chance to take a drink. When he looked up, he saw Qin Chuan walking over. He quickly set down his cup and said with delighted surprise, "Hero, you're here."

In Balu's eyes, Qin Chuan, who had exposed the village chief's true nature and rescued him from the Blood Clan, was undeniably a hero. His attitude could not have been better.

Qin Chuan stepped forward and handed him the wooden comb. "Village Chief Balu, I found this."

When Balu saw the comb, the joy on his face faded and turned into sorrow. He sighed. "Qiao Jie gave this to Tiedan."

After saying that, he wore an expression of reminiscing about the past and muttered to himself, "When Qiao Jie disappeared, I suspected the village chief too, but I did nothing."

"When Tiedan disappeared as well, I still did nothing."

"Hero, do you think I deserve to be village chief?"

Balu looked deeply dejected.

Qin Chuan said firmly, "You do."

Others might not know, but Qin Chuan knew very well that Balu was a capable village chief.

He was warmhearted, brave, and courageous.

He had always worked tirelessly to protect the village.

Unfortunately, his final fate was not a kind one.

He would die during the Dark Turmoil Version.

After a moment of silence, Qin Chuan said, "Village Chief Balu, I came this time to ask a favor."

Balu put away the wooden comb and said seriously, "Please speak, Hero. What can I do for you?"

Qin Chuan said, "I want to activate the Teleportation Array and go to Beli City."

There were many Newbie Villages, and just as many main cities.

Yan Country players alone could choose from as many as twelve main cities.

Of course, every main city had roughly the same functional NPCs, and players could advance their classes in any of them.

The reason Qin Chuan wanted to go to Beli City was because of the hunter's letter of introduction.

He was quite interested in that random long-range skill book.

If it was from the universal category, that would be even better.

Even if it were restricted to the Archer class, he could sell it or exchange it for a skill book of the same level. Either way, it would be beneficial.

However, based on Qin Chuan's calculations, it should be a skill book he could use.

Hidden quest rewards were prioritized to suit the player. Unless there was truly no way to match them, Apocalypse would give another reward.

Hearing Qin Chuan's request, Balu said enthusiastically, "Hero, your timing is perfect. The village's Teleportation Array was just repaired a few days ago. You'll be the first to use it."

As he spoke, he led the way.

The Teleportation Array from the Newbie Village to the main cities was located in the center of the village, guarded by more than a dozen militiamen.

When they saw Balu arrive, they all saluted him. "Greetings, Village Chief."

Balu turned to Qin Chuan. "Hero, do you know how to use the Teleportation Array?"

Qin Chuan nodded. "I know a little."

He then stepped forward and stood in the center of the Teleportation Array.

"Ding. Please select the main city you wish to travel to."

"Newland City, Evernear City, Skyreach Harbor... Beli City."

"Beli City."

"Confirm your selection? Please note that your first teleportation is free. Subsequent teleportations will incur a fee based on distance."

"Confirm."

"Teleporting."

The magic formation beneath his feet glowed white, gradually enveloping Qin Chuan.

When the light faded, Qin Chuan had vanished from the spot.

Looking at the empty Teleportation Array, Balu silently prayed, Brave Otherworlder, may Haruka God's blessing protect you.