💎 Huge thanks to our today’s VIP supporter Joanna Casells!💎 [Saint of Horror]
When Jian Yue finally returned, it was already afternoon.
He had left the diary in Shen Yushu’s possession, it was safest that way. As long as the diary remained in the young master’s hands, the female ghost would target him instead. Jian Yue would never dare to bring that cursed thing back with him.
Still, once he was back in his room, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had missed something.
He lay down, planning to nap before nightfall, but just as his head touched the pillow, his eyes snapped open again. He sat up abruptly, his mind racing.
The research!
Ji Feng had constantly mentioned his “research results.” If he was conducting experiments, there had to be a laboratory somewhere, an actual research facility with proper equipment. If Ji Feng’s old work badge had survived through the centuries, there was no reason the laboratory itself would have completely vanished.
The moment that thought formed, his system panel flickered to life.
A new mission appeared before his eyes:
Limited-Time Quest: Ji Feng’s Laboratory
Objective: Within one week, locate Ji Feng’s research laboratory by any means necessary.
Reward: Card refresh available twice, no cooldown period.
Jian Yue’s eyes widened in delight.
He knew all too well how valuable those cards were. A chance to refresh twice meant he would have a far better shot at surviving any life-threatening encounter.
In the live broadcast room, the viewers were exploding with excitement.
“He actually triggered that quest!”
“That’s a hidden mission!”
“This guy’s progress is insane!”
“And he’s basically doing it all alone!”
Though the task was daunting, Jian Yue didn’t let it get to his head. Finding Ji Feng’s lab wouldn’t be easy, but a whole week was enough time to investigate the village thoroughly.
His thoughts gradually blurred. Wrapped in Shen Yushu’s coat, he leaned against the bedframe and soon drifted off into a deep sleep. He was so exhausted that he decided to rest for a short while before dinner.
When he next opened his eyes, birds were chirping outside.
Wait, birds?
His eyes flew open completely. Sunlight was pouring through the window. The sky was bright, the golden rays spilling across the floorboards. It was already late morning!
He had slept all the way till the sun was high in the sky?
Ever since arriving in this village, he hadn’t had a peaceful night’s rest. The constant ghostly disturbances kept him on edge, and when he occasionally stayed in Shen Yushu’s study, he could only doze off on a sofa or desk. Never once had he slept so soundly.
But why hadn’t any spirits come for him last night?
His gaze drifted down to the coat still draped over him, Shen Yushu’s coat. Gradually, his eyes brightened with realization.
The livestream chat exploded.
“You’ve found yourself a ghost-repelling relic!”
“The aura of the chosen one really works!”
“Someone actually tried that trick before!”
“Didn’t work for them, though.”
“Because stolen items don’t count, only genuine gifts have power. Our streamer just lucked out big time!”
Jian Yue realized the same thing.
He briefly considered keeping the coat for protection, but the system would never allow a loophole like that to persist. Just because he had been safe one night didn’t mean the same luck would hold forever.
He climbed out of bed, washed up quickly, and changed into fresh clothes before heading out.
To his surprise, Shen Yushu had given him the day off, saying he had worked too hard lately. That was perfect, it meant he could spend the day searching the village for leads.
During the daytime, Wanfu Village looked deceptively normal.
Jian Yue made his way to the village’s small archive house, which was still being looked after by the carpenter’s wife, Liu Meifen. He had found Ji Feng’s old work badge there last time, and he was hoping to uncover something he had missed.
As he reached the entrance, he saw the woman sweeping the yard. Their eyes met, and hers instantly filled with hostility. She didn’t even look at him properly before snapping, “Outsiders aren’t allowed here. If you’ve got nothing better to do, get lost. Don’t waste my time!”
Jian Yue was convinced that this archive held more secrets waiting to be dug up.
He put on his most affable smile. “Auntie, I’m actually new here. I really like this village, it feels so peaceful, the scenery’s beautiful, and the people are so simple and honest. Honestly, this place feels like home to me. Don’t treat me like a stranger. Just call me Xiao Wang!”
The carpenter’s wife twitched at the corner of her mouth, clearly in disbelief at his blatant flattery.
The viewers burst into laughter.
“Peaceful and honest people? In this haunted village?”
“I don’t even recognize those words anymore!”
“He’s improvising like a pro!”
‘Feels like home’, wow, that’s gold!”
But Liu Meifen wasn’t easily swayed. Her face hardened again. “Don’t try to fool me. You outsiders all come here with hidden motives. I might be old, but I’m not blind.”
Most people would’ve backed off by now.
Not Jian Yue.
He looked solemn. “Auntie, I won’t allow you to speak of yourself like that! What do you mean, old? Look at your skin, your posture, you look barely eighteen! Honestly, in my city, women your age are at the peak of their lives, the most ambitious, the most courageous. You’re not old at all!”
The carpenter’s wife froze, uncertain how to react. She coughed awkwardly but still muttered, “Don’t try to sweet-talk me. I know what I look like.”
The audience roared with laughter.
“This woman’s tough!”
“She’s not falling for it!”
“These ghosts are all schemers!”
“Yeah, good luck charming her, streamer!”
But just when they thought he had failed,
“Well, alright then,” Jian Yue sighed regretfully. “I just thought I’d mention, one of my friends is a researcher. She’s developing a new skincare line that slows aging and improves skin elasticity. She actually sent me here to study some of the village’s old legends. I was planning to send you a few samples as thanks if I managed to find the research site… but if that’s how it is, then I suppose there’s no helping it.”
Liu Meifen froze. “Wait, wait a moment!”
Jian Yue turned, blinking innocently. “Yes, Auntie? Something wrong?”
The viewers watched, wide-eyed, as the old woman’s expression changed several times over.
Because she couldn’t have children, she had always been scorned by her husband, treated coldly, mocked by the villagers for being fierce and unfriendly. Outsiders looked at her like she was a monster. Day after day, her life had felt like a walking death.
But this outsider before her had told her she wasn’t old. That in the outside world, she was still in her prime.
Liu Meifen cleared her throat and smoothed her hair, her tone suddenly a touch warmer. “Well… it’s true that outsiders aren’t supposed to enter the archives. But since you seem so sincere and fond of our village, I suppose… there might be a way for you to get in.”
Jian Yue’s smile widened. He bent slightly in a courteous bow. “I’m all ears.”
The live chat went wild.
“They, what, she’s actually helping him?!”
“Is this even the same village anymore?!”
“How did a horror game just turn into a dating sim?”
“And the skincare excuse, my god, it worked!”
“Wait, where’d he even get skincare from?!”
“Probably from the in-game shop, knowing him.”
“Who on earth thinks about skincare in a haunted dungeon?”
“Apparently, the carpenter’s wife does!”
The absurdity of the situation had everyone cracking up.
In the midst of laughter, the system suddenly flashed another message.
System Notification:
Current viewers: 5,000. Congratulations! You’ve entered the Top Ten of the New Streamer Leaderboard!
Popularity points have reached 10,000. You’ve earned 3,000 reward credits and secured a spot on the Weekly Ranking! Keep up the great work, New Streamer Gift Pack incoming!
The carpenter’s wife said slowly, “If you really want to enter and leave the archive room freely, there’s a way. You could go through the village committee. If you can convince them and win the vote, you could become the village secretary. Once you’re elected, you’ll have the right to take part in the village’s affairs, and access to the document room will be a matter of course.”
Her words had barely fallen when the system panel in front of Jian Yue suddenly updated.
Limited-time mission: The Glory of the People’s Cadre
Mission details: Gain the position of village secretary through a committee vote within twenty-four hours.
Mission reward: Archive Room Key
Jian Yue’s eyes widened slightly. He had visited the archive once before, and he remembered that some rooms had been locked at the time. Thinking back, those sealed doors were very likely connected to the old research lab of Ji Feng and his archaeological team. If that was true, this place was no doubt crucial. The key was something he absolutely had to obtain.
Once he made up his mind, his heart burned with determination. He was never one to sit and wait.
That same morning, he found the village chief and passionately expressed his desire to serve the community. The chief’s expression twisted as if he had swallowed a fly, but Jian Yue kept smiling and politely insisted on holding an immediate committee meeting.
At the election meeting, Jian Yue stood at the front of the long wooden table, full of enthusiasm. “If I can become the village secretary,” he declared, “I will devote myself to the prosperity and stability of our beloved Wanfucun. My campaign promise is simple: to build, to grow, and to lead every villager toward collective wealth and a comfortable life within three years. Thank you all. Please, give me your vote!”
When his voice fell, the entire room fell into a strange silence.
At the table sat the village chief, his wife, the carpenter, the carpenter’s wife, Widow Li, old Granny Li, and several other villagers Jian Yue didn’t recognize. All of them stared at him blankly, their faces stiff and pale as boiled cabbage.
The live stream chat exploded in laughter.
“The village chief’s face looks like he just witnessed a ghost!”
“Who the hell tries to modernize a haunted village!”
“This is literally the first man to talk about building prosperity in a horror scenario!”
“I swear I’ve never seen all the ghosts in a room go silent at once before!”
After finishing his speech, Jian Yue took a sip of water and smiled expectantly. “So, what do you all think? Would anyone like to vote for me?”
The village chief let out a dry laugh, his thin face twisting with malice. He still held a grudge against Jian Yue. Not only had this outsider taken his lantern without paying, but he’d humiliated him several times in front of others.
To make things worse, the old man had recently found out that his wife might have been unfaithful, yet he hadn’t dared to confront her. Now fate was giving him the chance to trip Jian Yue up, and he would rather die than let this man win a single vote.
When the chief refused to speak, Jian Yue turned toward his wife.
The village chief’s wife, a broad and strong woman, gave him a fierce smile that could curdle milk. After what had happened in the woods last time, when she caught her husband in a compromising situation, she loathed Jian Yue to the bone. Vote for him? Over her dead body.
Jian Yue blinked innocently. “Why is everyone so quiet? Were you all so moved by my campaign speech that you’re at a loss for words?”
The crowd: “…”
Jian Yue turned to the carpenter. The man gave him a cold smile. He was still sore from being chased and beaten through the woods by his terrifying wife. Vote for Jian Yue? He’d rather take another beating.
When the carpenter stayed silent, Jian Yue looked toward Widow Li.
The widow was twirling her hair idly, but when she caught his gaze, she sneered. The last time he had told her there was “pocket money under the water tank,” she had nearly been caught in the act by the chief’s wife. Vote for him? Not unless someone offered her two million.
Apart from these few who already knew him, the other villagers hadn’t interacted much with Jian Yue and were watching to see which way the wind would blow.
The village chief’s dry face curved into a look of satisfaction. He finally spoke, his voice full of false concern. “Mr. Wang, while we all admire your enthusiasm, handing the position of village secretary to an outsider makes us a bit uneasy, don’t you think?”
His words were like a signal. Immediately, others began to nod in agreement.
The chief’s wife said loudly, “That’s right! In all of Wanfucun’s history, no outsider has ever become a village official. Even my own son hasn’t been given that chance!”
Widow Li leaned forward and added, “Exactly! Our own children haven’t been promoted, so how can we let an outsider take the position?” As she spoke, she cast the village chief a coquettish look, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Jian Yue looked from one to another, his brow furrowing. He turned toward the carpenter, who smirked and said coldly, “I agree with the chief. Outsiders can’t be trusted.”
The atmosphere froze.
With every villager leaning against him, Jian Yue’s chances sank to nearly nothing. Granny Li, the oldest and most respected among them, sighed and said, “Well then, it seems the decision is clear. Mr. Wang cannot become….. ”
The live stream erupted again.
“That’s it. He’s doomed.”
“He’s managed to offend every ghost in the village.”
“Guess this secretary dream ends here.”
“The golden card skill isn’t saving him this time!”
“Ha! He’s about to lose miserably!”
Jian Yue’s heart grew heavy. He knew it would never be that easy, but still, seeing the villagers smirk as they prepared to reject him stung deeply. Was this where his mission would end?
Just as everyone was about to cast their votes, a golden card suddenly shimmered into existence before him. It floated briefly, spinning once in the air, before glowing with new words:
Gossip Skill Activated
Fresh Rumor: Breaking news! The village chief is actually impotent, he has no ability to father children!
Skill cooldown: Twelve hours.
The room went dead silent.
Jian Yue stared at the glowing text, dumbfounded. His eyes flicked to the long table of villagers before him. Inside, his thoughts were in chaos.
Wait, what? The chief is impotent? But both his wife and his mistress have children!
While he was still reeling, the others sat frozen like statues. The chief’s face turned an alarming shade of green.
Poor man, Jian Yue thought. If the rest of the village found out he’d been wearing not one, but two green hats for years, they’d laugh themselves to death.
The thought had barely formed when the chief suddenly jolted upright, his whole body trembling. He gritted his teeth so hard it looked like he might shatter them, then blurted, “Wait, Granny Li! Hold on!”
Granny Li blinked. “Hm?”
The chief coughed loudly. “On second thought, although we’ve never allowed outsiders to become officials, every rule has its exceptions. These are new times, new ideas. We should be more open-minded and give outsiders a chance.”
The other villagers looked at him in confusion. Why had he suddenly changed his mind?
Even Jian Yue was taken aback. He turned toward the chief’s wife, curious. So the old man was really that concerned about his reputation, huh? But then… whose child was it, really?
Before he could finish that thought, the chief’s wife cleared her throat too and forced a smile. “Yes, I agree. Mr. Wang is quite capable and well-spoken. I’ll cast my vote for him!”
Jian Yue blinked in astonishment. What in the world? She could hear the gossip skill too? Wait, could the child be the carpenter’s? He glanced at the carpenter. Not only was that man sneaking around with other people, but he’d even fathered a child? If his wife ever found out, she’d beat him to death.
The thought no sooner crossed his mind than the carpenter jolted in panic. “I think the chief’s right!” he said hurriedly. “All these years, our leadership hasn’t exactly brought us prosperity. It’s time for someone who can really lead us to a better life!”
The chief’s face twisted again, veins bulging in his neck.
Jian Yue almost burst out laughing, then turned his gaze toward Widow Li. He hadn’t even said a word when her eyes darted nervously to his, guilt written all over her face. She didn’t even bother fixing her hair this time and blurted, “I, I think Mr. Wang and I just click! From the moment I saw him, I knew he was a natural born village secretary!”
The rest of the villagers were completely dumbfounded.
What on earth was happening?
These were the same people who used to hate outsiders so much they’d practically eat them alive, and now they were suddenly singing his praises?
The live stream exploded once again.
“This melon is too juicy!”
“I’m laughing so hard I can’t breathe!”
“This is the most chaotic election in horror game history!”
“He actually won the vote! No one’s ever managed to become the village secretary before!”
“I can’t wait to see the boss’s face when he finds out his butler became a village official!”
“Hahaha! Same here!”
The once-hostile meeting hall now buzzed with the sound of reluctant approval. Jian Yue, somehow, unbelievably, had done it, he had turned the entire ghost village on its head.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Congratulations. You survived the chapter. Now survive the coffee request. 😈
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Master, Calm DownChapter 2 · This Damn ValleyChapter 3 · The Old slave Is here!Chapter 4 · Shocked my Friend?Chapter 5 · Life Doesn’t have that many viewers but Live doesChapter 6 · Science is Primary productive ForceChapter 7 · A one million in a card!Chapter 8 · You’re First Person to reject Young MasterChapter 9 · He saved meChapter 10 · Your Life is mineChapter 11 · This village is such a Mess!Chapter 12 · Little GoblinChapter 13 · Who should be afraid of whom?Chapter 14 · I, an honest person, don’t understand these thingsChapter 15 · The world is finally upside downChapter 16 · Made a decision that went against our ancestorsChapter 17 · Young Master hasn’t laughed so happily in a long timeChapter 18 · Brother, you smell so good!Chapter 19 · Licking everything to the endChapter 20 · This mental state is too advancedChapter 21 · Enough, let’s stop this farce!Chapter 22 · Young master, please let me explain!Chapter 23 Part 2 · You’re playing with fire!Chapter 23 Part 2 · You’re playing with fire!Chapter 24 Part 1 · The light of righteousness shines upon the earthChapter 24 Part 2 · The light of righteousness shines upon the earthChapter 25 Part 1 · You two-faced man!Chapter 25 Part 2 · You two-faced man!Chapter 26 Part 1 · Butler Wang, I see you still retain your charmChapter 26 Part 2 · Butler Wang, I see you still retain your charmChapter 27 Part 1 · I’m straight, bro!Chapter 27 Part 2 · I’m straight, bro!Chapter 28 Part 1 · This is a blatant violation of citizens’ portrait rights!Chapter 28 Part 2 · This is a blatant violation of citizens’ portrait rights!Chapter 29 Part 1 · The domineering CEO falls in love with me!Chapter 29 Part 2 · The domineering CEO falls in love with me!Chapter 30 Part 1 · Take this Five million and leave my son!Chapter 30 Part 2 · Take this Five million and leave my SonChapter 31 Part 1 · Biting me means you’re arrogantChapter 31 Part 2 · Biting me means you’re arrogantChapter 32 Part 1 · Has butler realise his mistake?Chapter 32 Part 2 · Has butler realise his mistake?Chapter 33 Part 1 · The simple master-servant relationship has soured!Chapter 33 Part 2 · The simple master-servant relationship has soured!Chapter 34 Part 1 · A one-night stand by the domineering CEO leads him to fall in love with meChapter 34 Part 2 · A one-night stand by the domineering CEO leads him to fall in love with meChapter 35 Part 1 · This tastes damn sweet!Chapter 35 Part 2 · This tastes damn sweet!Chapter 36 Part 1 · I will take responsibility for youChapter 36 Part 2 · I will take responsibility for youChapter 37 Part 1 · He will never drink again!Chapter 37 Part 2 · He will never drink again!Chapter 38 Part 1 · He said he didn’t want itChapter 38 Part 2 · He said he didn’t want itChapter 39 · Now is not the time to ask for a title!Chapter 40 Part 1 · Brother Dao, how can I live without you!Chapter 40 Part 2 · Brother Dao, how can I live without you!Chapter 41 · What a human-like beastChapter 42 Part 1 · This damned ancestral hall has successfully caught my attention!Chapter 42 Part 2 · This damned ancestral hall has successfully caught my attention!Chapter 43 · After the overall situation is fully opened upChapter 44 · Village chief, are you really that vigorous for your age?Chapter 45 · Butler Wang, I love you!Chapter 46 · What exactly do you see in me?Chapter 47 · I swear to GodChapter 48 · All I want to do is die with himChapter 49 · I’m going to kill themChapter 50 · Who would like Shen YushuChapter 51 · Young master, I want to cling to you tightly!Chapter 52 · They’ve run away together! They’ve run away together!Chapter 53 · Sworn BrothersChapter 54 · My boss is the best in the world to meChapter 55 · I want you all to be buried with him.Chapter 56 · It’s a beautiful day outside Wanfu VillageChapter 57 · You don’t have anyone you want to seeChapter 58 · I’m married! Married!Chapter 59 · The Cold Prince’s SweetheartChapter 60 · Young master, this old servant has arrived! ~Chapter 61 · Who else could do something so outrageous?Chapter 62 · Boy, I got my eyes on youChapter 63 · Does Butler Wang really want to see him that much?Chapter 64 · Come on, call me Dad!Chapter 65 · Other men might have it too!!Chapter 66 · Being obsessed with love is indeed a major problemChapter 67 · He’s playing the devoted second male lead!Chapter 68 · The number one person to wash underwear with a cold face!Chapter 69 · Young master, will you be back for dinner tonight?Chapter 70 · Others ask for money to save peopleChapter 71 · Wang, please don’t die!Chapter 72 · My current identity is that of a father!Chapter 73 · Here’s your chance to confess!Chapter 74 · That’s definitely someone with connections!Chapter 75 · This is my personChapter 76 · How come you’re already married?Chapter 77 · I’m going to pester you, young master!Chapter 78 · How do you turn a straight man gay?!Chapter 79 · Am I Butler Wang’s mistress?!Chapter 80 · He really does have a fiancé!Chapter 81 · Don’t stay with himChapter 82 · Man, you asked for this!Chapter 83 · Was he just acting like this?Chapter 84 · The second male lead is about to turn the tables and become the master!!Chapter 85 · This trick is cheapChapter 86 · How dare you cheat on me!Chapter 87 · Are you an undercover agent sent by Butler Wang?Chapter 88 · I think of my master day and nightChapter 89 · These wealthy families really know how to have funChapter 90 · You possess such advanced talent that you can enter Hope IslandChapter 91 · Be my Consort!Chapter 92 · Young Master, are you really angry?!Chapter 93 · I swear I will only love you!Chapter 94 · Who bullied you?Chapter 95 · Just a quick favor!Chapter 96 · This is no challenge for him at all!!Chapter 97 · He’s no match for them!Chapter 98 · Xiaoyu, I only love youChapter 99 · This is Butler Wang’s territory!Chapter 100 · Is this how you treat your savior?Chapter 101 · You two are definitely a family!Chapter 102 · Who is your mother-in-law?Chapter 103 · Are we really going to send him to his death?Chapter 104 · He married him againChapter 105 · How can someone be so carefree?Chapter 106 · Butler Wang has done immeasurable good deeds!Chapter 107 · Only those who survive can be considered heroes!Chapter 108 · Since we’re going toChapter 109 · I love youChapter 110 · I will never leave you again.Chapter 111 · The Overbearing King’s Gentle PamperingChapter 112 · Mainly, I kind of want to be your auntChapter 113 · Don’t easily test my limitsChapter 114 · He’s seducing me!Chapter 115 · Uncle opened the doorChapter 116 · The world of the wealthy is such a mess!Chapter 117 · Your old servant is here!Chapter 118 · Xiaoyu, you’ve gone astray!!!Chapter 119 · Uncle, you have to keep this a secret!Chapter 120 · Who’s child is this?Chapter 121 · Butler Wang really has a crush on me!Chapter 122 · One person has surrounded everyone!Chapter 123 · Are you guys playing this fancy?!Chapter 124 · Even gamers are working for him!Chapter 125 · If you fall into the river, I’ll save you first!Chapter 126 · What a troublesome little devilChapter 127 · Does the Puppet Master app have anti-fraud features?Chapter 128 · You’re a scorpion demon incarnate!Chapter 129 · How about we give it a try?Chapter 130 · The dog shit will arrive faster than your knife!Chapter 131 · Is he hungry too?Chapter 132 · We even stayed a few days less than them!Chapter 133 · How about I marry you so you can take my place?Chapter 134 · This is truly a team full of villains!Chapter 135 · It’s clearly an auspicious omen!Chapter 136 · Is it normal to think my brother smells good?Chapter 137 · You’re the biggest capitalist here!Chapter 138 · What happened to true love?Chapter 139 · Romantic types are strictly prohibited from participating in horror dungeons!!!Chapter 140 · What should I do with Butler Wang!?Chapter 141 · Butler Wang! The most courageous man ever!Chapter 142 · What are you doing?!Chapter 143 · Man, you’re playing with fire!Chapter 144 · I heard a heartbeatChapter 145 · Can puppets also have superb kissing skills?Chapter 146 · What else is real then?!Chapter 147 · Seduction? That won’t work on me!Chapter 148 · What is my uncle doing?!Chapter 149 · Uncle, you don’t treat others like this!Chapter 150 · I’ll give you five million!!Chapter 151 · We’re true love!Chapter 152 · Sister-in-law, I genuinely want to help you!Chapter 153 · They can even find an excuse to sleep together!Chapter 154 · Butler Wang iis popular among young people.Chapter 155 · Who says Butler Wang’s strategy guide is bad?Chapter 156 · I’ll remarry the moment you’re in your coffin!Chapter 157 · Now it’s your turn to beg me or not