"If anyone from the village goes out in the future, I'll have him take you away from here."
Then the Village Chief shook his head and said this.
"Thank you, Village Chief!"
Hearing this, Wang Ping breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed the Village Chief believed his story. The issue of his identity and origins was, more or less, settled.
Actually, Wang Ping had wanted to say that he wished to stay here for a long time.
After all, he knew absolutely nothing about this world.
If he left this village, he would have to wander the streets.
Honestly, that would be extremely dangerous.
But the village had already been quite kind to let him stay for a while. He had no right to ask for more.
"Big Brother, what's in your bag? It smells so good."
Just then, a ten-year-old girl in hemp clothes with braided pigtails gathered her courage and trotted over. She tugged at Wang Ping's sleeve, staring at him with pure, wide eyes, her voice crisp and pleasant.
After the girl ran over, the other children lingering behind seemed to have found their backbone as well. They all gathered around, gazing at Wang Ping eagerly.
Some of the children even gulped, swallowing their saliva.
"..."
Facing the children's gazes, Wang Ping's expression stiffened.
The contents of the Life Simulator were still vivid in his mind.
If he gave them any food, the outcome would definitely be miserable.
After all, the Village Chief had killed him outright after eating it, let alone if he gave it to the children.
"This is food from my hometown. It's convenient to eat, and it smells and tastes very good, but it's poisonous and harmful to the body. Children can't eat it."
Wang Ping's mind raced, and in the end, he chose to tell the truth.
"It's poisonous? That's terrifying."
"Are people outside all that foolish? They actually eat poisonous things."
"Grandpa said that if something is poisonous, no matter how delicious it is, you shouldn't touch it."
"Eating poisonous things affects martial arts training. I'm not eating it."
After Wang Ping told the truth, all the children showed disappointed expressions before scattering like birds and beasts.
Wang Ping sighed in relief at that.
"Are people from your hometown all this crazy?"
The Village Chief looked at Wang Ping as well, his gaze somewhat strange.
"..." Wang Ping opened his mouth, not knowing how to answer.
"No wonder your body is so weak. It seems it isn't only because you indulged in lust, but also because of this food."
Seeing Wang Ping's embarrassment, the Village Chief shook his head and spoke.
"Young man, do not indulge in lust, nor in so-called delicacies. You must know how to cherish your body."
"The Village Chief's lesson is correct. I won't do it again."
Wang Ping felt somewhat awkward and put on a humble, teachable expression.
Being directly told that lust had drained his body was truly unbearably awkward.
Still, modern people really did have enough bad habits to make one's scalp tingle, so he had no way to refute it.
"Village Chief, do you think I can still practice martial arts?"
Then Wang Ping asked hopefully.
"The kidneys are the root of one's innate foundation. Your innate foundation has been severely depleted, which will greatly affect martial arts training. Moreover, you are already too old, and you have started training far too late. Even if you forcibly train through soaking in medicine, you will find it difficult to achieve anything great in the future. At most, you can strengthen your body."
The Village Chief glanced at Wang Ping and directly pronounced his death sentence.
"..."
Wang Ping had nothing to say.
However, he did not fall into complete despair.
After all, he had the Chat Group, and even more so, the Life Simulator.
There was still hope for him in the martial path.
After all, the seniors in the Chat Group might not have been in any better condition than him before transmigrating, yet now they had all embarked on the path of cultivation.
Especially the big shot Cai Yonglong, who was flourishing in all directions.
"Of course, you need not be discouraged. Martial arts has its benefits, but being an ordinary person has its benefits too. Different lives cannot be judged as superior or inferior."
"Sometimes, peacefully living out one's life may be better than entering the cultivation world and fighting and killing every day."
Seeing Wang Ping remain silent, the Village Chief comforted him.
"The Village Chief is right. However, this experience has made me understand the importance of martial arts, so I will still work hard at it. I have also heard of people who entered the martial path in middle age, then through good fortune obtained precious spirit medicines and ultimately achieved remarkable things."
Wang Ping first nodded modestly, then spoke seriously.
"Your escape from death this time was indeed a lesson. Having strength by your side does make traveling the martial world safer. As for the spirit medicines you mentioned, that depends entirely on your fortune. If your fortune is good and you obtain spirit medicines that replenish your innate foundation and improve your aptitude, you may perhaps achieve something in the future."
The Village Chief nodded, acknowledging Wang Ping's words.
Of course, he did not believe Wang Ping could obtain such spirit medicines.
After all, such spiritual treasures of heaven and earth were things one could encounter but never seek.
"Alright, you can live here. While you're at it, help this old man look after a child."
As they spoke, the Village Chief stopped before a very crude courtyard.
Wang Ping looked over and saw four chickens and three ducks in the courtyard.
Besides them, a little yellow dog rolled around on the ground, frolicking with a goose.
"A child?"
Wang Ping looked at the Village Chief somewhat doubtfully.
"Yes. His name is Chi Feng. His parents died during a hunt. Their sudden deaths left him overwhelmed with grief, and he became withdrawn and taciturn, staying cooped up in the house all day."
The Village Chief nodded and explained.
"You are someone from outside and should be a literate, cultured person. I hope you can help me counsel this child."
Wang Ping was somewhat surprised by how the Village Chief had seen that he was educated.
However, Wang Ping had no intention of asking. He merely nodded and said, "Since the Village Chief has entrusted me with this, I will naturally do my utmost."
"Mm."
The Village Chief nodded, pushed open the fence, and led Wang Ping inside.
When Wang Ping and the Village Chief entered the crude wooden house, they saw a skinny child who looked only about eight years old sitting in a chair in a daze, seemingly lost in thought.
Even when Wang Ping and the Village Chief came in, Chi Feng merely glanced at them. He showed no intention of greeting them and lowered his head again, continuing to stare blankly.
"Chi Feng, Grandpa has brought a guest back for you. He will be staying here for a while, and he can tell you about the outside world."
Seeing Chi Feng like this, the Village Chief sighed inwardly. Then he showed a kind smile, walked over, and rubbed Chi Feng's head.
Only then did Chi Feng react somewhat.
However, Chi Feng quickly lowered his head again and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "I don't want to know about the outside world. I only want Father and Mother to come back."
Hearing this, the Village Chief smiled bitterly.
This child was too stubborn. No matter how they tried to persuade him, nothing worked.
Still, the sudden death of both parents was indeed too devastating a blow for a child. It was understandable that he could not emerge from it.
Before you continue