Chapter 111

Chapter 111

If it had been any other time, running through the swarm of corpse demons would have been an easy challenge for Xi Yu. But now, every few steps left him gasping for breath. In the end, he only managed to break free from the chaotic shelter because Luo Xi forcefully pulled him through.

The newly bought knife proved to be quite effective. Luo Xi had no need to show mercy to these mindless corpse demons. With a swift stroke, each one was taken down.

Luo Xi had memorized the roads of Taoyuan Village over the past two days. As they ran, he tried his best to head in the direction of safety.

Xi Yu tightly held onto Luo Xi’s neck and said, "We can’t keep wasting energy like this. Let’s find a place to hide."

Actually, Luo Xi had already considered the possibility of a corpse demon outbreak. After a moment of silence, he replied, "Fox Fourth Aunt."

Xi Yu squinted, completely unafraid of the decaying monsters charging toward him. He pondered, "That Fox Fourth Aunt's abilities aren’t like ordinary humans. If we can find a place at the pawn shop, that would indeed be a very good idea."

At the same time, the other broadcasters scattered throughout the shelter weren’t as lucky.

Hong Feng, who still had decent combat skills despite losing an arm, was much stronger than the others and took the lead in clearing a path.

Li Mo and Su Ziyan followed behind, trembling with fear.

The worst situation was for Lu Yan, who had no vision. No matter how brave she was, there was no way she could find a way out in the midst of the corpse demons running rampant in the dark room. As she stumbled about, hearing distant and near shrieks, her face grew even more pale and desperate.

Suddenly, Lu Yan tripped over a chair lying on the ground and fell clumsily. At the same time, she heard a piercing howl right in front of her. She stumbled backward, but realized that the corpse demon behind her was also closing in with ill intent.

… Was she really going to end the game in such a tragic way?

Lu Yan clenched her weak fists.

Just as she was in danger, the sound of footsteps reached her ears.

Rapid, light, and decisive.

Lu Yan widened her lifeless eyes. "Dan Yun?!"

She wasn’t wrong—coming to save her was Dan Yun, who had been sent to prison by Luo Xi. Without time for any response, Dan Yun quickly cut down the corpse demon in front of Lu Yan, then raised her long leg and kicked over several others that were approaching. She urgently said, "Hold onto me and follow me!"

Lu Yan clumsily clung to her back and asked anxiously, "Where have you been?"

"Not the time to talk about that," Dan Yun said seriously. "The government office and the Lin family have both fallen. The number of corpse demons is ten times that of last night. There will be no peace in Taoyuan Village from now on."

Lu Yan endured the jolts as Dan Yun ran. "I heard the rules, but I haven’t received any ultimate missions."

Dan Yun frowned. "That must be something you can only receive after finding your employer. I’ll take you out of here first, and then we’ll find Lin Lan'er. She’s the young lady of the Lin family, and there are many NCs around her. The mission should have a high chance of success."

Hearing the care in her words, Lu Yan felt a pang in her heart, silently pressing her lips together and saying nothing.

Meanwhile, Luo Xi was running swiftly and finally arrived at the pawn shop’s door. However, when he looked up, he saw something that shocked him.

The once luxurious and dignified storefront had disappeared, replaced by decaying furniture and swathes of cobwebs. Under the faint moonlight, a white-furred fox was comfortably sitting beneath a tree with bright red flowers, wagging its tail as though it were laughing.

Luo Xi put Xi Yu down, turned around to slice through the corpse demons following them, and pulled Xi Yu closer. "Fox Fourth Aunt?"

The fox shifted to a more comfortable position, and the voice that came from its throat was familiar. "You’re here?"

Luo Xi frowned. "I didn’t expect you really aren’t human. What’s this? As soon as the world’s in chaos, you stop running your shop?"

The white-furred fox let out a chilling laugh. "Of course not. I’m here to profit from the chaos."Xi Yu had not lost his composure in the chaos and actively asked, "You run a pawnshop, so you're not making money off abilities, but off the price differences, right?"

The white-furred fox proudly replied, "You're right. I really appreciate you."

Luo Xi pointed his knife at it, "What are you really up to? Just say it directly. Are you asking us to use double the amount of silver to redeem our abilities?"

The white-furred fox licked its paw, "I'm not human, what do I need silver for? I want the souls of the corpse demons."

Xi Yu, still on high alert as he watched the dark street, pressed further, "How do we get the souls?"

The white-furred fox replied, "Those monsters don't die unless their hearts are pierced. Once their hearts are pierced, you’ll naturally see their souls."

Luo Xi, impatient, said, "Stop giving me riddles, just tell me everything. You should be able to tell who has the ability to kill the corpse demons, right?"

The white-furred fox sighed, "You’re really impatient. One soul equals one tael of silver. The amount of silver you got from pawning your abilities, you need to exchange that amount of souls to get them back." It grinned wickedly, "If you don’t redeem them, even if you clear the level, you'll lose everything you’ve pawned."

Xi Yu was stunned. "You’re saying this will affect us when we return to Yuntai?"

The white-furred fox nodded.

Xi Yu looked at Luo Xi.

Luo Xi said, "I understand. I’ll kill enough corpse demons to reclaim Xi Yu’s strength and appearance."

"Let's hope so. Stop bragging," the white-furred fox yawned. "As for those who’ve already turned into corpse demons, whatever they've lost is lost."

Xi Yu found it hard to put into words how perverse the plot was. He had no energy to deal with others’ issues. He could only pull Luo Xi aside and say, "First, let’s get my strength back, then I’ll fight alongside you."

Luo Xi nodded and immediately prepared to leave with Xi Yu.

"Hey, wait." The white-furred fox sounded unhappy. "I wasn’t trying to collect everything before, but Luo Xi, I’ll return your appearance and luck to you. From now on, take care of yourself."

Luo Xi: "……"

The white-furred fox stood up.

Luo Xi quickly stepped back. "No need. Goodbye."

The fox didn’t stop him, but emitted a faint glow. In his haste to leave, Luo Xi’s mask fell to the ground.

Under the mask, his face was still scarred as before.

Xi Yu was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry, but he comforted Luo Xi, who had regained his misfortune: "This is better, this is really you. Let’s go."

For the time being, the other broadcasters didn’t have time to explore the matter of redeeming abilities. Dan Yun, leading Lu Yan, arrived at the brightly lit Lin residence and grabbed a servant who had just fled in panic, asking, "Where is Miss Lin?"

The servant, already bitten and shaking violently, replied, "I... I don’t know. A lot of corpse demons suddenly rushed in through several doors in the middle of the night and caught us off guard. I didn’t see Miss’s figure. She might have been harmed... This Lin residence is truly an unlucky place, the corpse demon poison first spread from here! You should leave quickly!"

As he said this, he broke free from Dan Yun’s grasp and stumbled toward the exit.

Lu Yan thought for a moment and then decisively said, "Lin Lan’er is very calculating. She must have anticipated this danger, and she wouldn’t leave her brother behind. She definitely hasn’t left—she’s probably in the cellar, most likely in the cellar!"

Dan Yun nodded, "Alright, I’ll take you there."Lu Yan couldn't just enjoy her kindness: "But what about your ultimate mission? From what you said, it sounds like Luo Xi reported you, and that swordsman Chi Miao is most likely..."

Dan Yun sneered, "Yes, he was also caught by Captain Situ. But at this point, with the situation in Taoyuan Village, Situ doesn't have the time to deal with Chi Miao. Besides, Chi Miao is highly skilled and can protect himself."

"I'm sorry..." Lu Yan frowned, "I'm always making you accommodate me."

Dan Yun firmly supported her shoulder, "You're calm when dealing with others and other matters, so why are you being so polite with me? I've told you countless times, if there's no you in Yuntai, then there's no need for me to keep going."

Although Lu Yan couldn't see anything, she suddenly became spirited. Perhaps, more important than matters like orientation, was the connection and mutual dependence that one could share with someone.

Dan Yun didn’t say more and immediately took Lu Yan’s hand, accompanying her into the bloodbath-like Lin residence.

Lu Yan's guess was correct—Lin Lan'er was indeed hiding in the cellar with her personal guards.

Since the corpse demons lacked any intelligence, they naturally wouldn't know how to activate the mechanism to capture her.

When Dan Yun finally crawled through the tunnel, panting, and stood in front of Lin Lan'er with Lu Yan, Lin Lan'er was leisurely drinking tea. She blew the steam away and took a sip before saying, "I didn’t expect you to be so loyal, still coming to find me even when you can't protect yourself."

Lu Yan remained calm, "After all, you were the one who gave me shelter before. I still need to confirm your safety."

Lin Lan'er glanced at the corner, where a corpse demon was bound by an iron cage, screaming wildly. She whispered, "I'm fine, but Feng'er..."

Lu Yan immediately responded, "If there's anything I can do, just command me."

"Actually, as long as there’s enough time, he can produce the cure," Lin Lan'er said thoughtfully. "And during this time, the Lin residence has provided him with plenty of clean water and herbs, so there’s no reason he should have failed."

Lu Yan understood: "You want me to ask him for the cure?"

Lin Lan'er smiled, "Not just the cure, but also to save him. Once Feng'er is saved, the three of us can leave Taoyuan Village, and of course, we will take you with us."

Although Lu Yan couldn’t see, Dan Yun saw it clearly: "What, do you like Doctor Yan?"

Lin Lan'er raised an eyebrow, "What’s it to you? Who are you?"

Dan Yun shook his head and retreated behind Lu Yan.

Lu Yan thought for a moment: No wonder, it seems Lin Lan'er has feelings for Yan Jin, which is why she didn't want to accept the arranged marriage. She and Yan Jin conspired to kill her father. Facing the current disaster, it seems the two of them want to wash their hands of it.

After thinking for a while, Lu Yan nodded: "Alright, I understand. I’ll go now."

With Lin Lan'er's satisfied gaze, the private broadcast sounded.

[Lin Lan'er’s ultimate mission accepted: Retrieve the cure to heal Lin Feng’er and escort the Lin family out of Taoyuan Village.]

Lu Yan hesitated slightly and asked, "That Su Ziyan, I don’t know where he went... If I complete the mission, does it count for him too?"

"You completing it is you completing it, him completing it is him completing it, and completing it together is completing it together," Lin Lan'er impatiently replied, "Can't I even tell the difference?"

Having more companions not only provides more help, but also offers an extra cushion during crucial moments.

With this in mind, Lu Yan said to Dan Yun: "Then it’s settled. I’ll go with you to find Chi Miao for the mission and also look for Su Ziyan along the way."

With two days remaining, completing these tasks didn’t seem too difficult.

Dan Yun nodded confidently, completely unaware of the hardships and decisions ahead that would make her heart ache.