The Hunter's Reward

Wei Ke did indeed sense something unusual about the Blood Coagulation Potion.

But he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was; it was as if his brain couldn't keep up with his sense of smell.

He was about to ask Bai Wei a question when he realized that Bai Wei had already walked quite a distance without him noticing. He hurriedly followed, asking, "Where are you going?"

"Didn't we say we were going to the Sacrificial Ground?"

"But the Sacrificial Ground isn't in this direction," Wei Ke pointed to the deep mountains on his left. "We have to go through that forest to get there."

"Really? How long would it take to get there if we follow your route?"

"It won't take too long, about two weeks should be enough."

"Hmm... I think your concept of time is a bit different from mine," Bai Wei said with a smile. "Sorry, I don't want to spend so much time traveling, so..."

He stopped and pointed in front of him.

"I've decided to use an easier method."

Wei Ke looked in the direction Bai Wei pointed and saw a small, nearly scrapped cart that had been carelessly abandoned by the roadside.

"The biggest difference between humans and beasts is that humans can use tools," Bai Wei said. "I believe that once we have that vehicle and drive on the right roads, the time we need will be greatly reduced... What do you think?"

Wei Ke found Bai Wei's thought process utterly baffling. He looked at Bai Wei speechlessly and said, "Let's not even talk about how much more dangerous the main road is compared to the mountain road... Even putting that aside, do you have anything to help you pull the cart?"

What kind of carts do you usually use here?

"Horses and donkeys," Wei Ke said, "But they are rare and seldom used for pulling carts, because the night is just as deadly for them."

"I see," Bai Wei said with a sigh. "That's truly a pity."

Wei Ke thought Bai Wei was going to give up and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Bai Wei suddenly let out a "hey".

"By the way, how's your stamina?"

Wei Ke felt uneasy.

Twenty minutes later, the townspeople of Yade Town saw the newly arrived Rhine Father leisurely sitting on a half-ruined cart.

The one pulling the cart was his little follower, whose face was obscured.

This immediately made the townspeople of Yad think... so the Orthodox Church doesn't treat people like human beings either.

"Take your time, don't push yourself too hard, I'm not in a hurry either."

Bai Wei sat on the cart with a smile on his face, while Wei Ke's face, wrapped in gauze, was full of black lines.

There was no way for Vic to refuse. Bai Wei kept saying that he was seriously injured, in poor health, and had twisted his ankle when he kicked the door, making it difficult for him to walk. He also said that if Wei Ke didn't help, Wei Ke would definitely be caught up by enemies from both sides.

Fortunately, Bai Wei's body is very light, so even sitting on the cart doesn't weigh him much. In addition, Wei Ke is naturally very strong, so pulling it up isn't too difficult.

More than the effort he was expending, Wei Ke was worried about traveling directly on the main road. It would be too easy for his enemies to spot him, and the dangers he would face at night would be far greater than on the rugged mountain paths.

But Bai Wei didn't care about this at all, and when Wei Ke thought about Bai Wei's terrifying strength, he was speechless.

Everything was for the purpose of finding A De.

As long as we can find A De, we'll pull the cart.

"I must say, the people in this town are really warm and hospitable," Bai Wei said slowly, slumped on the cart.

"What's the meaning?"

"Ever since we entered town, people have been watching us, hiding behind doors, windows, and even in the stables," Bai Wei said with a smile. "Keep a close eye on us. Isn't that hospitality?"

Wei Ke still couldn't quite keep up with Bai Wei's thought process.

How can being constantly stared at be considered hospitable?

This is clearly surveillance.

... Is Rhine Father not quite right in the head?

Wei Ke couldn't help but think that.

Bai Wei was still muttering to himself on the cart, "Hmm... there's scrutiny, fear, and hatred in those eyes, which is quite normal."

... Is this considered normal? What exactly is your definition of normal?

Before Wei Ke could even complain, Bai Wei's tone suddenly changed.

"However... there are also abnormal ones."

Wei Ke suddenly felt the cart behind him lighten.

He immediately turned around and saw Bai Wei suddenly get out of the car, carrying the blood-stained Serrated Knife, and walk into a small alley.

Wei Ke was completely dumbfounded.

What is this for?

He immediately put down the cart and chased after Bai Wei.

But Bai Wei's back was no longer sore and his legs were no longer limping. He could be said to have walked very fast, disappearing from Wei Ke's sight in the blink of an eye.

Wei Ke panicked, thinking that Bai Wei was going to abandon him, so he called out Bai Wei's name and quickened his pace.

Fortunately, after turning a corner, he still saw Bai Wei.

Bai Wei was standing in front of the thin little girl, holding a knife. The little girl was squatting in the corner, her face full of fear, clearly terrified by Bai Wei.

"Father Ulu! What are you doing?!"

Wei Ke panicked even more and rushed over to stand in front of the little girl.

"This is just a child!"

"I know," Bai Wei said calmly. "Why are you in such a hurry? I am Father of the Rhine. You should have faith in me."

Wei Ke asked instinctively, "What confidence?"

"We Father of the Rhine do not like little girls."

Wei Ke was a little confused.

Bai Wei had already put away the Serrated Knife, and at the same time, his gaze went past Wei Ke and looked at the little girl behind him.

"You were the one watching us the whole time, weren't you?" Bai Wei asked.

The little girl trembled and dared not speak.

Wei Ke was furious. "You came all this way just because of this? Didn't you say everyone was watching us? Why are you only looking for her?"

"You should let me finish what I have to say." Bai Wei rolled his eyes, then looked at the little girl again. "I know you're different from those people, that's why I came here. Now no one is paying attention to you, so you can say what you have to say."

After listening to Bai Wei's words, Wei Ke seemed to understand something.

He also turned to look at the little girl and noticed a hint of hesitation flashing across her tense expression.

"As you can see, we're about to leave," Bai Wei added. "If you don't speak now, you won't have another chance. We won't wait for you."

The little girl pursed her lips tightly.

After a long pause, he finally spoke softly.

Are you Hunter?

Wei Ke instinctively wanted to speak, but Bai Wei gave him a "shut up" look before asking, "No, we are not Hunter, but we are clergy. What Hunter can do, we can do too."

Bai Wei focused on the second half of the sentence.

Hearing Bai Wei say this, the little girl dared not hesitate any longer. She mustered up her courage, looked at Bai Wei, and said, "I heard my mother say that if you ask Hunter for help, the Hunter will help you."

"So something happened to your mother?"

The little girl was stunned, clearly not expecting Bai Wei to be so direct, but she still bit her lip and nodded gently.

"Mom and Dad went to another town to do some shopping," the little girl said. "They should have been back the night before last, but..."

The little girl immediately shook her head, clearly not daring to think about it in that direction, and then pleaded.

"Mr. Hunter, could you please help me find my mom and dad?"

Upon hearing what the little girl said, Wei Ke guessed what was going on, and his eyes immediately darkened.

After all, in this land, losing contact usually only has one possibility.

"Which town did your parents go to?" Bai Wei asked.

The little girl told Bai Wei.

Bai Wei touched his beardless chin. "It seems like we're not going that way."

Wei Ke glanced at Bai Wei.

He could guess that Bai Wei would refuse the little girl. After all, there was no reason for Bai Wei to take a detour for something whose outcome was already known.

The thought had barely crossed Wei Ke's mind when he saw Bai Wei smile.

"But taking a slightly longer route isn't out of the question."

The little girl's previously dull eyes immediately lit up.

"However," Bai Wei said, looking at the little girl with a smile, "Shouldn't you give us something?"

After about ten minutes, Wei Ke pulled the cart away from the Yade Town.

Bai Wei, as before, nestled comfortably on the cart, playing with a small Music Box in her hand.

Whenever he winds up the Music Box, it makes a simple yet crisp sound.

For as long as Wei Ke drove, Bai Wei played with the Music Box for just as long, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Finally, Wei Ke couldn't take it anymore. "Father Ulu, aren't you going a bit too far?"

"Oh?" Bai Wei finally stopped spinning and asked with a smile, "How did I go too far?"

"That child is already in such a state, how can you still bear to ask her for things?"

"Oh, you mean this?" Bai Wei said lazily. "It's payment, of course I'll take it."

"But you're not Hunter."

"But you are," Bai Wei said. "Didn't I get it for you?"

"... Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"That child is looking for Hunter, not me," Bai Wei said. "Since you can't reveal your identity, I'll accept it for you."

"What kind of sophistry is this?"

"I'm not just making excuses... Wei Ke, you've always said you're Hunter, but have you ever received a commission?"

"...No," Wei Ke said. "After I separated from A De, I was constantly being hunted down and had no chance to take on any jobs."

"That's right, so you still don't understand the meaning of Hunter," Bai Wei said. "Didn't that Old Hunter tell you before that Hunter always have to accept payment?"

Wei Ke hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No."

"Then let me tell you why Hunter must accept payment," Bai Wei said. "Simply put, only when payment is received are the commission and contract truly established. You can understand it as taking money to do something, which is perfectly reasonable, but if you're just doing something out of good intentions, who knows if you'll actually do it?"

Wei Ke opened his mouth.

He felt that what Bai Wei said made some sense, but also seemed not to.

"But she's just a child," Wei Ke said. "She doesn't have much money left, and this Music Box is probably the most valuable thing she has."

"Yes, so what we helped her find was the most valuable thing." Bai Wei said calmly. "So in her eyes, she gave us the most precious thing, and we helped her find something even more precious. It's that simple."

Wei Ke still felt something was off. "But that child's parents could very well already be..."

"They're already dead, so there's no need to search for them so diligently?"

Wei Ke hesitated, then shook his head repeatedly. "That's not what I meant. What I meant was, even if she doesn't give me any compensation, I'm willing..."

"But what will the child think then?" Bai Wei said, "The doctor who wouldn't even accept money, sighing and patting her on the shoulder saying 'I'll do my best'?"

Wei Ke was speechless.

"Do you think that child doesn't know that her parents are very likely gone?" Bai Wei said with a smile. "All she wants is a last glimmer of hope, but many people are unwilling to give her even that."

Wei Ke remained silent for a long time before nodding slightly.

"I think I understand," he said. "If I find her parents, can you give me that Music Box?"

"Of course you can," Bai Wei said with a smile. "This is your reward, your first Hunter's reward."

Wei Ke nodded seriously.

I don't know what happened.

The feeling Bai Wei gave him just now was somewhat similar to that of the dead Old Hunter.

As well as...

A vague memory surfaced in his mind; in that fragment, someone reached out their hand to him.

But Wei Ke couldn't remember who that person was.

For the rest of the journey, Bai Wei continued to play with the Music Box.

He tirelessly wound up the spring, keeping the Music Box playing continuously.

Meanwhile, Wei Ke was focused on pulling the cart.

Whether it was Bai Wei's earlier words that had an effect or not, he now only wanted to find the girl's parents as soon as possible and get the Music Box.

And it happened without us even realizing it.

As darkness gradually fell, he asked Bai Wei if they should stop and hide for a while.

But Bai Wei kept urging him to continue, to walk a little further, a little further.

The road ahead was becoming increasingly difficult to see.

Only the Music Box behind him continued to play.

Wei Ke felt exhausted.

My legs hurt and ache.

His hand was also twitching slightly.

"It's time to stop, Father Ulu," he asked again.

But this time, Bai Wei did not respond.

I don't even know when it started, but the music disappeared.

Wei Ke stopped immediately and looked back.

The cart was empty, with only endless darkness behind it.

"Father Ulu?" he shouted into the darkness, but still received no response.

But the darkness grew ever more solid.

"Damn it." Wei Ke realized something, immediately reached behind him, and then his expression froze.

His axe was destroyed last night.

The Blood Coagulation Potion that combats darkness is also on Bai Wei.

So now, he has nothing.

He immediately tried to find a safe place to hide, but it was too late.

One by one, rotting phantoms emerged from the darkness and slowly approached him.

Damn it!

Wei Ke panicked and turned to run.

But soon his legs went weak and he fell to the ground.

After pulling the cart all day, his body had long been at its limit, but he only realized it now.

Why is this happening?!

No one could answer Wei Ke.

The phantoms rushed down and quickly pinned Wei Ke to the ground.

"Aaaaaaaahhhhh!"

Wei Ke let out a desperate scream.

All of this was observed by Bai Wei, who was not far away.

Bai Wei watched calmly, remaining unmoved by Wei Ke's constant wails and pleas.

Not long after, Wei Ke's voice disappeared.

The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of the phantom chewing could be heard.

He's going to die.

No one could survive under such circumstances.

But...

"Pfft."

A sharp claw suddenly pierced through the phantom's body.

Then there was a loud crash.

The phantom was torn in two.

Wei Ke's head emerged from the black blood, letting out a deafening roar!