Author: 木尺素 / Mu Chisu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 121

Half an hour later, Zhou Qian led a group of players back to the square. Surprisingly, three NPCs hadn’t left yet: Tartar, Brega, and Tara.

Among them, Tartar was the most relaxed, merely yawning out of boredom. She stayed for one reason only—Brega and Tara hadn’t found their dogs yet, and she hadn’t managed to deliver their two portions of bone soup.

“Why not tell the story of the past?”

“If you don’t tell it, they won’t inform you about the whereabouts of your dogs.”

“Yes, I didn’t expect the deserters of the Land of Silence to be so capable. But there’s nothing to be done now. Just tell any story. Let’s get the dogs back first!”

“Even if you can’t find them, can you at least take the soup back? I have things to do back at the inn!”

These were the words Tartar said to the two, overheard by Zhou Qian and his group upon arrival.

As she was speaking, she looked up at the deserters who had returned to the square, finally showing a pleased expression. “You’re back at last! Why did the village chief give me such a tiresome task? Unfortunately, I’m not from here. To stay, I must work tirelessly, serving the villagers. Who else here can cook meat as deliciously as I?”

Zhou Qian smiled and greeted Tartar before turning to look at Brega and Tara. Before heading to the temple, Zhou Qian had asked Tartar about Nameless Village and the two countries.

Unfortunately, as a non-local, Tartar knew little. Then, Zhou Qian planned to use the fact that the dogs hadn’t been found to threaten Brega and Tara. These two were obviously elders of the village, likely knowing many secrets.

However, as Tartar warned, the word “Amei” was taboo here. The moment Zhou Qian hinted at asking about her, the two retreated, running off to search for their dogs again.

The reaction of these two NPCs further confirmed the significance of Amei.

Zhou Qian was about to split up with Hidden Blade and Ke Yuxiao to follow up when he received a message from Qi Liuxing.

Considering the symbolism of the three skulls, the color-changing glass, and the vanishing stone tablet with the third prohibition, and realizing many clues in this instance might be fleeting, Zhou Qian decided to visit the Temple of the Goddess of Prayers first.

Now that they had returned from the temple and the two NPCs were back in the square, from Tartar’s words and their ashen faces, it was clear they hadn’t found their dogs yet.

Their disappointment made Zhou Qian smile, who immediately approached and asked, “You care so much about your dogs, it must be important for tonight. Just like the indispensable fire. I’m curious, how do beings of the other world know every household has a fire?”

To safely spend the night, players must light a fire. Due to the prohibition, players had to play with colors to conceal the fire from being seen outside.

However, if the Red Gods or ghosts from the other world couldn’t see the fire, the players’ color tricks would be useless—the ghost wouldn’t see the fire from outside and might enter the houses to harm people.

The game surely wouldn’t have a no-win scenario, meaning ghosts perceive fire differently. The prohibition likely only prevents villagers from seeing the firelight.

That’s why Zhou Qian raised this question, seeking confirmation before the real Samhain festival.

Tara responded, “The other world beings are so powerful, what don’t they know? They know everything. As long as there’s fire, they won’t enter the houses!”

“Since there’s fire… why the need for dogs?” Zhou Qian asked again. “I heard dogs can communicate with the other world beings, providing warnings against danger. But they’re not essential, right? Since fire can ward off the other world beings, you just need to stay indoors. So why the need for dogs?”

Brega, with a grim face, said, “Because fire only repels ordinary otherworldly beings. They come to this world to consume us. The bone sacrifices in our homes can drive them to this square. You see, besides burning bones, we also burn lots of grains and meat! Thus, being driven to the square and seeing the food we sacrifice, they can be satisfied too! They’ll leave at dawn! Overall, they are easy to deal with! But if the Red God comes… that, that’s dangerous!”

“If the Red God appears, ordinary food won’t suffice. He will demand something extremely precious from us. He wants to trade with us. At such times, we can’t communicate directly with him—only through dogs or some sentient animals.”

Zhou Qian, having received a message from Bai Zhou, naturally understood what the Red God was. It was a simple and crude understanding—it was akin to a powerful ghost or demon from hell.

With this understanding, as Brega explained, it became clear—if the Red God appeared and there was no dog to mediate, the villagers wouldn’t know what the Red God demanded, and failing to satisfy him could lead to their direct demise. However, if there was a dog to relay messages, they could promptly fulfill the Red God’s demands.

Curiously, Zhou Qian asked Brega, “So, people here can talk to animals?”

This was indeed a very magical instance.

“Yes! Every one of us can!” Brega said angrily. “So can you return our dogs to us?”

“No.” Zhou Qian’s expression appeared very innocent. “You haven’t told me the story of Amei yet.”

Brega couldn’t suppress his anger any longer. “You need to understand, you’re deserters! We are the ones sheltering you! Don’t go too far. We can drive you out at any time!”

Zhou Qian looked at the pattern on his clothes. “You’re from the Moon Family. Without our help, you might have been sent to guard the night. And you—” Turning to Tara, he continued, “You’re from the Cloud Family. We are on the same side as you. There’s no need to burn bridges so quickly. At worst, we get driven out, but what about you? Without your dog, you might not survive the night.”

“So, why the hassle? I just want to hear a story. Let’s start with…” Zhou Qian smiled, stared into Brega’s eyes again, and said emphatically, “The ‘Golden Feather’ story.”

Zhou Qian’s mention of the “Golden Feather” seemed to hit a nerve.

In that instant, Brega and Tara, who were from opposing families, made a coordinated movement—they looked at each other and then unconsciously moved a bit closer.

This was like two villagers in internal strife, feeling a common threat against them, instinctively uniting against an external enemy.

“Ah, the Golden Feather is important. Amei’s story is indeed related to it. She stole it, causing the conflict between the two countries, right?” Zhou Qian said with a smile. “So you see, I already know the gist of the story. It’s just the details…”

Hearing this, Tara and Brega exchanged glances again, then both glanced at Tartar.

Zhou Qian, noticing the hint, turned to Tartar and said with a smile, “If you don’t mind, I’ll talk to them first. Thanks for your hospitality. We’ll help you bring these pots back tonight. You don’t have to wait here.”

Hearing this, Tartar readily turned to leave. “Fine. I’m happy to have the help. But you need to come back before 10:30. I have some things to tell you. Otherwise, you’ll face danger tonight!”

Zhou Qian nodded and then turned to Tara and Brega. “Now, can we talk? What exactly is the story? What’s the significance of the Golden Feather? And what did Amei really do?”

“You must swear that you will never tell this story to outsiders! Otherwise, you will turn into a bird and never be able to become human again,” Tara said sternly. “This is our scandal, not to be known by those outside the village!”

“Alright. I swear. I won’t tell outsiders,” Zhou Qian said solemnly. He didn’t show any peculiar expression, but this didn’t mean he hadn’t noticed the peculiar coincidence—why did the oath also involve “birds”?

Without dwelling on the matter of the birds, Zhou Qian quietly waited for the two people in front of him to react. Clearly, this instance was filled with magical elements, and the inhabitants took oaths, prohibitions, and curses very seriously, believing these elements could truly limit one’s actions.

Thus, after Zhou Qian solemnly swore, the expressions on both their faces relaxed considerably, seeming ready to tell the story. Of course, they were only willing to share with Zhou Qian, who had taken the oath. After sending the other players to wait outside the square, Zhou Qian stood alone in the center of the square, finally hearing a complete story.

About sixty or seventy years ago, the Day, Moon, Star, and Cloud Families didn’t reside here; they were all part of the guards of the king from the Kingdom of Words, albeit in different branches. From the beginning, the four branches, each marked by a different symbol, swore to loyally serve the Kingdom of Words’ royal family until death. They were intimately connected with the royal family and even intermarried.

Amei was born into the most prestigious family of the Cloud branch. Her father was the king’s most valued subordinate, and shortly after her birth, she was taken in by the king as an adopted daughter, becoming a princess.

However, it was said she was so ugly that the prince of the Kingdom of Words felt disgusted just by looking at her. Otherwise, based on the relationship between the king and her father, she would be betrothed to the prince instead of just accepting her as an adopted daughter.

Due to her appearance, Amei lived in contempt from a young age. She was indeed pitiable, but what she did later was inexcusable—

She either made a wish to some god or sought the help of an evil magician, and suddenly became beautiful, becoming the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom of Words, but at the cost of her parents’ health.

The moment she became beautiful, her parents’ health declined rapidly, and they died within three months.

Afterward, conflict erupted between the Kingdom of Words and the Land of Silence, and war was imminent.

During the peace talks, the king of the Land of Silence mentioned that he had seen a portrait of Amei, fell in love at first sight, and was willing to marry her to unite the two countries and avoid war.

The king of the Kingdom of Words asked Amei’s wishes, and she gladly agreed. Her decision was not out of consideration for the Kingdom of Words or its people, but because she could no longer stay with her family.

Everyone spoke of her as selfish, heartless, and the direct cause of her parents’ deaths.

When Amei, this disaster, was sent away, the four major guard divisions that knew her true nature were all too happy.

But no one expected the story to end there.

In the wedding procession was a young man named Beilan, born in the Star branch of the guard.

On the way to the wedding, he and Amei fell in love.

For many years afterward, Amei appeared to be a respectful wife to the king of the Land of Silence, but in reality, she was secretly meeting with Beilan.

Beilan quit his job in the guard, left the king his family had served for generations, and became a merchant, traveling between the two countries to meet with Amei.

If not for an accident, perhaps they could have continued like this.

But an accident did occur.

During one of Beilan’s returns to the Kingdom of Words, it happened to be the Samhain festival.

The passage between the worlds was opened, and the Red God came to the human realm. He wanted to experience human life again, so he possessed Beilan’s body, banishing his soul to another realm and turning Beilan into a wandering ghost in that world.

Thanks to a spirit-communicating white dog and villagers who could communicate with the dog, everyone learned of Beilan’s fate. Somehow, Amei heard about it and naturally wanted to bring Beilan back, or at least see him again.

But with the divide between the living and the other world, conversing with a lover in another realm wasn’t easy.

It’s said that Amei was so worried that her hair turned white.

The people of the Kingdom of Words communicate with spirits through white dogs.

As for the people of the Land of Silence, they rely on birds.

Animals are considered spirits by the people of this world, serving as their channel to communicate with other worlds.

It’s said that the king of the Land of Silence had a particularly precious golden feather, which fell from the most powerful bird spirit.

With the help of this feather, one doesn’t need to wait for Samhain to open the passage between worlds to talk to beings from other realms.

Thus, Amei stole the feather from the king to communicate with the other world and find Beilan.

After stealing the feather, Amei dared not stay in the Land of Silence, so she fled back to the Kingdom of Words.

With his most precious golden feather stolen, the king of the Land of Silence waged war in rage.

As the army approached, the Kingdom of Words found Amei, investigated everything, understood the situation, and returned her and the golden feather to the Land of Silence.

The crisis of war between the two countries was averted once again, and Amei returned to the Land of Silence.

Amei, having harmed her parents, was unfilial; rashly stealing the treasure of the Land of Silence, she disregarded provoking the Land of Silence and endangering her people, showing disloyalty. Moreover, as a wife, she was unfaithful by having an affair…

These terrible reputations followed her back to the Land of Silence.

As a result, Amei received the hatred and curses of thousands of people from the Land of Silence.

So, what was the outcome?

What was the fate of this unfaithful, unfilial woman who nearly caused a war between two countries?

Zhou Qian thought this and asked.

Tara replied, “The king of the Land of Silence asked us if he could dispose of Amei as he wished. By then, everyone in both countries knew what Amei had done. There wasn’t anyone who didn’t hate Amei. Our king, her foster father, even said that she could certainly be disposed of by the Land of Silence as they saw fit!”

Brega added, “So later, the king of the Land of Silence had a magician turn her into a horse.”

“A horse?” Zhou Qian was somewhat surprised.

“Yes,” Brega said. “She was assigned to guard the city gates. Whenever distinguished guests visited the king, they could ride her to the palace. The king said, after all, his woman liked being ridden.”

Initially reluctant to talk about Amei, considering her a disgrace, both men became excited when discussing her punishment. Tara couldn’t help but speak up without waiting for Zhou Qian to ask, “Besides being turned into a horse, I heard… the nobles could order her around to carry goods. Sometimes, when they overloaded her and she ran slowly, the nobles would whip her!”

“What a pity. I would have been happy to see that scene. Without this woman, we would still be in the guards, enjoying wealth and honor! But now? We were implicated and considered criminals! We were sent to this remote place… only to farm and mine, never to enjoy wealth and honor again!”

“When we left the royal city, I was 7 years old. I remember there were specially delicious candies there. But since leaving the royal city, I’ve never tasted them again. It’s all because of that woman! She really deserved to die!”

Tara said, “Yes. But compared to being executed, living in disgrace probably suited her better. I heard that many nobles who visited the king rode her, shouting ‘Run, horse, run… run…’ while riding her. Hahaha, that was really too funny.”

“It seems like she died after about ten years.” Brega sighed. “It’s probably from exhaustion. What a pity. She should have suffered a few more years!”

……

After gathering the information he wanted, Zhou Qian left the square.

The ones who came to the square afterward were the 32 people who were to be sacrificed tonight under the guise of a vigil.

The people hadn’t all arrived yet, and the village chief was personally counting the numbers while pacing back and forth, seemingly waiting anxiously for something.

A moment later, a subordinate ran over.

The moonlight revealed his pale, anxious face.

Seeing this, Village Chief Ab sensed something was amiss and asked him, “What’s the situation?”

The subordinate looked around, noticed the people were still far away, and whispered to the chief, “The medium from the neighboring village really helped a lot. She used a secret technique to send her soul to the other world and found the Red God who oversees our land. That Red God leaked his demand for this year!”

“What demand? Speak up!” the chief urged anxiously.

“He said one sentence—” the man swallowed. “1, or 31.”

The chief’s face turned completely dark. “What does that mean? He’ll either take one person or 31?”

“Perhaps that’s what it means. Anyway, that Red God only said one sentence to the medium.”

“Can’t the medium be clearer! How much did we pay her? Just for one sentence? She really is…” The chief couldn’t help saying, “Why can’t we have mediums or magicians who can communicate between the two worlds here!”

“She’s only human, after all; she can’t stay in the other world too long. According to her, finding that Red God was already not easy. Although the Red God is ferocious, the deals he makes with people always come through. He never reneges. So I think…”

He pointed towards a corner of the square.

Following his gaze, Village Chief Ab looked over and naturally saw that person.

It was Bai Zhou.

At that moment, he was quietly leaning against a pile of unlit bones.

The moonlight became a bit brighter, casting his shadow long. The silver moonlight and the ghostly blue of the bone pyre interwove, making his stern face appear even more expressionless.

“You’re thinking of using him?” Village Chief Ab frowned.

“He loves playing the hero, standing vigil for Alayne. Let him do it.” A hint of ruthlessness flashed in the speaker’s eyes.

“But we promised Tartar. She bought him as labor.” The chief frowned. “Tartar knows many people. If our affairs get out…”

“She wants money. We’ll just pay her off. Otherwise—” the man narrowed his eyes. “The medium from the next village… has ways to get rid of her! After all, she’s an outsider!”

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The author has something to say:

Qian Ge! Someone wants to kill your husband!

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