The small train slowly began to move, gradually pulling away from the hollowed-out C49 experintal base.
After winding around a small hill, the train ca to a stop at the edge of a cliff.
The carriage door opened, and Wang Yi rode the Jade Jiaolong off the train.
The Jade Jiaolong strode elegantly to the edge of the cliff. Wang Yi gazed down. Below him, a sea of scarlet grass filled the entire valley, stretching as far as the eye could see.
’This field of grass might be even larger than my territory...’
Wang Yi muttered to himself.
By this ti, Waterlon had also ridden a Jade Jiaolong off the train. She wasn’t very accustod to riding, but the novelty of the experience was still fresh and exciting.
"Boss, I need to return to the village to say goodbye to so people and let them know they can move to the Divine Suffering Place."
Waterlon said softly.
Wang Yi said, "I was going to suggest that myself. Tell you what, I’ll go back with you."
In truth, Wang Yi also wanted to check out the surface survivors’ settlent, figuring he might be able to recruit more talent.
"Okay!"
Waterlon nodded in a daze. Her emotions were in turmoil; it was like seeing a sudden ray of hope in the depths of despair, yet she feared it would be all too fleeting.
With the Jade Jiaolongs for transportation, their travel speed was incredible. In just half an hour, Waterlon had led Wang Yi back to her village.
The village was naless, situated in a barren part of the valley. A quick glance from Wang Yi revealed it was nothing more than thirty or forty thatched huts.
So villagers saw Wang Yi and Waterlon riding the Jade Jiaolongs and stood up in a daze. They stared, but didn’t dare to approach.
However, an eight or nine-year-old child ran over excitedly, shouting, "It’s Waterlon! Wow, is a new survivor joining our village?"
He ran up to Wang Yi and curiously sized up the Jade Jiaolong. "Hey, Big Brother, what’s this thing you’re riding called? I’ve never seen one before. Why can it move?"
’Big Brother!’
Wang Yi cracked an amused smile. ’It’s been years since anyone called that.’ He was in a good mood, so he casually pulled out a bag of Crispy Fried Small Fish, tossed it to the boy, and asked, "What’s your na?"
He couldn’t see any mission information on the boy and figured he was just an ordinary Indigenous Person.
"I’m Black Beans!" The boy accepted the Crispy Fried Small Fish without a shred of ceremony, his face beaming with joy. "What is this? Can I eat it? Do I have to open the bag? Oh, thank you, Big Brother! Uncle Buckwheat was taken away by an Earth Deity and he’s never coming back, so his house is empty. I can take you there. You can live in it."
"Black Beans, don’t be rude!"
Waterlon quickly called out, afraid the unruly child would bother Wang Yi. She then said to him, "Please don’t mind him, Boss. He’s just a bit wild!"
"It’s fine. I like him!"
Wang Yi waved his hand dismissively. By now, he had already used the Talent Assessnt Machine on Black Beans. As expected, though the child seed clever, his Talent was diocre. He was just an ordinary person.
Black Beans had already started eating the Crispy Fried Small Fish, completely absorbed by the delicious treat.
Wang Yi dismounted and offered so Crispy Fried Small Fish to Waterlon. "You don’t need to worry about ," he said. "Go do what you need to do."
Waterlon nodded silently, gathered up the Crispy Fried Small Fish, and got busy.
Wang Yi started to wander around casually, with Black Beans tagging along and occasionally telling him a bit about the villagers.
As far as Wang Yi could tell, the living conditions here were extrely difficult, even worse than they had been in Stone Village. The villagers were highly vigilant; aside from Black Beans, every other villager who saw him had a wary look in their eyes and wouldn’t co forward to speak.
A mont later, Waterlon had gathered all the villagers. There were 52 of them in total.
Waterlon announced that the Divine Suffering Place was now accessible and urged them to move imdiately.
Most of the villagers were quite willing to move, but there are always exceptions.
A lean man with a short knife slung across his back walked up to Wang Yi. "Hey, outsider," he said. "Was it you who awakened that field of grass?"
"Yes."
Wang Yi looked at the lean man. He had already used his Identification Machine on everyone present, including this man. Aside from Waterlon, not a single person’s overall score exceeded 70, and none of them had any special Talents.
The lean man continued, "If you want to join us and live together in the Divine Suffering Place, you’ll need to hand over all of your supplies to be distributed by our leader. Food, fresh water, weapons, clothing... and that chanical horse you’re riding. All of it. Understand?"
"So, you want to hand over my supplies?"
"That’s right. Hand it all over!"
"And if I don’t?"
"Hmph. The world out here is harsh. We survivors should abandon selfish desires and support one another. Letting the leader distribute all supplies ensures they are used most effectively. It’s for the good of the majority. If you want our protection, you have to follow our rules."
"A fine speech, but you’re mistaken. My subordinate and I have no need of your protection."
Wang Yi smiled, then turned and nodded to a tall man in the distance.
That tall man was the leader of this Naless Village, a man nad Wild Wolf, and likely the strongest individual fighter here. The lean man had been at his side just before, so for him to suddenly run over and start making trouble, Wang Yi had every reason to suspect it was at the leader’s silent instruction.
"What? You don’t need our protection?"
The lean man frowned, seemingly not expecting Wang Yi to answer that way.
At this point, Wang Yi felt there was little point in staying in the village any longer. Without another word to the lean man, he swung himself onto his Jade Jiaolong and waved to Waterlon. "Waterlon, with !"
Waterlon hesitated for a mont before finally nodding. She shouldered a small bundle and followed after Wang Yi.
"Waterlon, where are you going?"
Black Beans asked, chasing after her.
Waterlon said, "I’m going far away!"
"Can you take Black Beans with you?"
Waterlon shook her head. She couldn’t make that decision for her boss, and even if he were willing to take Black Beans, the boy’s parents probably wouldn’t agree.
"Be a good boy, Black Beans. Go on back now. From now on, you have to listen to Uncle Hei and Auntie Hei, and live a good life with everyone in your new ho."
As she spoke, her expression turned resolute.
Wild Wolf spoke up. "Waterlon, are you really leaving with that outsider?"
Waterlon bowed. "Yes, Leader. Thank you for taking care of all these years."
The corner of Wild Wolf’s mouth twitched, but he smiled and said, "Alright. Go on, then. Good luck!"
Waterlon glanced at the crowd one last ti. Without another word, she spurred her Jade Jiaolong on and quickly caught up with Wang Yi.
Once they were far in the distance, the lean man approached Wild Wolf. "Boss, you’re just going to let her leave? That’s betrayal!"
Wild Wolf’s expression was grim. "No one takes supplies from my village, and they sure as hell don’t take my young won! As for those who betray ... whether they’ve already done it or are just thinking about it, they all have to die!"
"Boss, what are you planning...?"
A sinister smile spread across Wild Wolf’s face. He patted the lean man’s shoulder. "Water Monkey," he said, "you lead everyone to the Divine Suffering Place first. Then... wait for my orders."
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