Ever since coming here, Jian Yue’s worldview felt like it was constantly being shattered and reassembled, then shattered all over again.
Strangely enough, maybe it was psychological, but though he’d been scared half to death earlier, the president’s constant interruptions had actually taken some of the edge off his fear.
The village was close now, but their pace was slow. With the old lady in tow, they had to stop and rest every so often.
They walked on peacefully for a while, and Jian Yue gradually relaxed. Looking back at the mountains behind them, he noticed that the closer they came to the village, the lighter the mist grew.
Standing halfway up the slope, he could even see the towering peaks, the vast stretch of green, the mighty, majestic ridgelines.
Rarely seeing such scenery, he sighed with feeling:
“Beautiful.”
A chilling voice came from behind him:
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Jian Yue nodded absentmindedly.
“Yeah, beau—”
His words stuck in his throat as he slowly turned his head. There stood President Shen Yushu, carrying his mountaineering pack and luggage, smiling darkly.
“Wang the Butler, are you here for a sightseeing trip? Want me to leave you here to enjoy the view at your leisure?”
The system warning hovered on the brink of deducting his HP again.
Jian Yue bolted over in panic, blurting out eagerly, “…Young Master, your old servant is right here!”
Because of the old lady’s frail stamina, they walked and stopped, walked and stopped.
By now, Jian Yue was getting the hang of his butler role.
Ever since stepping into the thick fog, his life points had been ticking down bit by bit. Now they’d already fallen below the safe line.
The only way to survive was to squeeze points out of every interaction with the NPCs.
While drinking water, Shen Yushu glanced at the old lady’s waist, “Mother, where’s the jade clasp you wore?”
The old lady, resting on a stone, immediately looked down. Her hand searched her side in alarm, then she looked up and guessed: “Could it have fallen on the road?”
Shen Yushu’s brows furrowed. He turned to glance at the path behind, still swallowed by dense mist.
Jian Yue’s heart skipped a beat when their eyes met.
Don’t tell me the boss is going to send him back to look for it? The suffocating fog had made him uneasy from the start.
It was the instinctive dread of a small creature sensing a predator, he was certain that there was something fatally dangerous hidden in there. If he went, would he ever come back alive?
His mind raced with ways to protect himself.
But then Shen Yushu said, “Wang the Butler, stay here with my mother and the luggage. I’ll go back.”
“Yes… huh?” Jian Yue blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected the boss not to throw him to his death but for the boss to go off and court death himself instead!
For a moment, Jian Yue didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried. He glanced at the thickening yellowish mist, then at the boss who clearly had no sense of self-preservation, and finally blurted out:
“Young Master, the fog is heavy and the mountain road treacherous. Isn’t it dangerous for you to go without someone at your side?”
The truth was, if an important NPC died, he’d be done for too. Better for the three of them to stick together, at least they could look out for each other.
Shen Yushu stopped walking. His tall frame radiated oppressive authority as he looked back over his shoulder. Jian Yue felt a flicker of hope, maybe he’d listened?
But then, a cold chuckle escaped Shen Yushu’s lips, his deep, dark eyes gleaming with his usual overbearing aura, “What’s this, are you questioning me?”
Jian Yue thought: Isn’t that obvious?
But aloud, he kept his expression solemn and professional: “Young Master, your servant is only concerned for your safety.”
The president stood there, lips curling into a wickedly handsome smirk, “Wang the Butler, you’re the first person bold enough to speak to me that way.”
Jian Yue: “…”
Money was hard to earn.
Fog filled the valley. Shen Yushu disappeared almost instantly down the trail, swallowed by mist.
And maybe it was his imagination, but after the boss left, the fog seemed to grow thicker again.
What had been thinning just moments ago was now rolling back in, dense and oppressive.
Soon, Jian Yue could barely see beyond arm’s length. If not for the old lady beside him, he might have thought he was the only one left in the world.
The silent valley loomed around him, shadows of trees twisting through the fog.
They overlapped and flickered until they seemed like living figures shapes with claws and teeth, shifting and looming in the haze.
“Wang the Butler…” a faint woman’s voice whispered in his ear.
Jian Yue jumped so high he nearly hit the treetops, then spun around, only to see the old lady smiling at him.
He forced a polite response, “Madam?”
The old lady, sitting on her stone seat, looked weary, “I want to rest my eyes a little. Watch the luggage, and call me when Yu’er comes back.”
Jian Yue: “…Yes.”
Honestly, this mother and son’s nerves were made of steel.
One could walk straight into ghostly fog to look for a trinket, and the other could sleep peacefully in a place like this.
In contrast, his very normal human panic just made him feel completely out of place.
In the live-stream chat, viewers laughed themselves silly watching Jian Yue jump at shadows like a spooked cat.
Live stream…
“This newbie’s guts won’t last long—he’ll be crying any second.”
“If I remember right, the death rate at this rest point is super high.”
“Look at him. No chance. Everyone get ready to bail.”
The only reason viewers had stayed this long was to see the effects of a gold card skill. As for Jian Yue’s actual ability, no one had high hopes.
Especially once they realized he was a complete rookie then the chat had turned entirely pessimistic.
The valley mist thickened. Once the old lady fell asleep, the silence was absolute.
Jian Yue dared not relax. His health bar was still ticking downward. He stared fixedly at the trail, never in his life so desperate for his boss to return quickly.
Finally, footsteps echoed from down the path.
Jian Yue’s eyes lit up. He stood, about to walk forward to welcome him. But after only a few steps, he froze. Something wasn’t right.
The footsteps were clearly human, but as a forensic doctor he was hypersensitive to the human body.
Whoever was walking in the fog had a lame gait, a man with an injured leg. But the pace was far too fast for someone with that kind of injury.
Was it the president? Did Shen Yushu get hurt?
No! Impossible. His height, his weight, those footsteps didn’t match.
The mist carried with it a faint metallic tang of blood.
The footsteps drew closer. A shadow formed in the fog. Jian Yue’s pupils dilated.
It was the blood-soaked figure from the video outside the RV, the lame-legged ghost. Each step left behind a sticky drag of blood.
If he remembered correctly, that recording was from thirty years ago. But the figure in front of him hadn’t changed at all in thirty years!
The realization sent raw terror shooting up from the soles of his feet.
Jian Yue turned, meaning to glance at the old lady but froze again.
He’d only taken two steps forward, yet behind him, dense fog had swallowed everything. The seat, the luggage and the old lady were gone.
Only an empty, endless trail stretched into the unknown, like a gaping maw waiting to swallow him whole.
The footsteps crept closer.
When he finally turned back, the thing was right there. A gaunt, blood-smeared man, face unrecognizable, only two sunken crimson eyes glowing like embers.
His injured leg was indeed twisted, still oozing blood that pooled on the ground.
Their eyes met. The creature’s mouth split open, an imitation of a smile, but grotesque, stretched at an angle no human could manage.
Then its tongue flicked out, long and thin, like a snake’s.
Jian Yue: “…”
His face was blank, but his knees trembled violently.
What the hell is this thing?! Shen Yushu! Get back here fast! How am I supposed to “believe in science” now?
This valley was infamous as one of the first-death zones for rookies. Jian Yue’s horrified expression delighted the audience.
In the live stream
“Hahaha… I know he’s cracked!”
“Honestly, for a newbie, not peeing himself counts as calm.”
“He actually noticed the gait difference, that’s sharp!!”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s still doomed.”
The monster limped closer, grin widening. At a place like this, isolated, mist-choked and any normal person’s instinct would be to run.
And as a weak butler with no combat power, Jian Yue should have done the same.
The viewer count was locked at two hundred. Everyone waited for the inevitable death and the automatic shut-off of the stream.
But
Just as the lame-legged creature was about to kick aside the luggage and grab its prey, Jian Yue suddenly raised a hand.
“Wait! Don’t kick the luggage!”
The monster paused: “?”
Jian Yue spoke quickly:
“That’s my boss’s stuff! My Young Master’s the type who actually believes in science! Seriously, he wasn’t even scared in a place like this. He went back just for a missing jade clasp. If you kick his luggage off the cliff and he comes back and doesn’t see it, he’ll definitely suspect me! You might get away, but I’ll be the one who dies, you understand?”
The monster: “???”
It had slaughtered countless people in its life. Never! never ever had it run into something like this.
Its abyssal eyes fixed on him. Blood dripped from its wounded leg, pooling beneath it, dark red and grotesque.
Jian Yue swallowed hard. He was terrified, but still blurted:
“If…. if you really have to kick it, fine. But could you wait a second? When the Young Master comes back, if I say a ghost did it, he’ll never believe me. So… let me at least take a photo as evidence first, okay?”
Monster: “……”
Stream viewers: “……”
What the hell is wrong with this guy?!
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ you know what to do
☕ 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