This time, however, the Great Serpent's resentment did not coalesce into a corrupting curse.
The weather here remained bright and sunny, and the village was as peaceful as ever.
Perhaps it was because Xiu Yuan had fulfilled the Great Serpent's final wish...
If that was the case...
Perhaps Yashiori Island would never become a plague-ridden land that everyone shunned.
The villagers who lived here would no longer have to suffer, either.
This was peace bought at the cost of a hand.
Xiu Yuan was satisfied. He did not feel there was anything wrong with that.
Although losing a hand had considerably weakened his combat strength, there was still a very long time before the war in Khaenri'ah.
But Xiu Yuan was not sure whether his interference would cause a butterfly effect, bringing the war in Khaenri'ah forward.
Still, no matter how much earlier it began, it could not possibly come hundreds of years ahead of time. After all, the Archon War had only just ended.
"It's Lord Sasayuri!"
Just then, a man from Higi Village suddenly spotted Xiu Yuan.
Delighted, he hurried over to greet him.
"Hello." Xiu Yuan greeted him with a faint smile.
"Lord Sasayuri, how are you recovering?" the man asked with great concern.
"I'm fine now."
"Have you come to visit Yashiori Island, my lord? Or do you have something to attend to? If there's anything I can help with, please just say the word."
It was clear that the man held Xiu Yuan in extremely high regard.
"I'm heading to Watatsumi Island. I was only passing through, so I came to have a look."
"I see... Then could you wait here for me, my lord? Just a moment!"
The man had originally wanted to invite Xiu Yuan to his home and treat him to a