Not just the audience. Even the monster itself seemed stunned, frozen in place for a split second.
Jian Yue had already pulled out his phone from the backpack at his feet.
*Click Click* Snapping two photos. He smiled apologetically and said,
“Sorry, sorry, I’m really not trying to be difficult. My boss is… honestly, not easy to serve. One day when you meet him, you’ll understand.”
The moment his words fell, the monster let out a deafening roar.
A sound thick with rage and killing intent, reverberating from deep in its throat.
It didn’t sound human at all, but more like the bellow of a beast. With that roar, it felt as though the fog itself had come alive.
Jian Yue could hear rustling noises moving through the mist. He gave a helpless little smile, and his hand drifted casually to his waist—where, when he grabbed his phone earlier, he had also quietly pulled out a dagger.
The bloody stench thickened around them.
Droplets dripped steadily from the monster’s mangled leg, pattering onto the ground until a red pool slowly spread at its feet.
A silent stand off.
The viewers, who had been watching for entertainment, suddenly found themselves holding their breath in tension.
“Don’t move.”
“Seriously, don’t move! The moment he steps outside that zone, he’s done for!”
Everyone went still, unconsciously invested. Somehow, they didn’t want to see the streamer die just yet.
Suddenly….
Something shot through the fog, slicing past Jian Yue’s ear with a whoosh. A blazing fireball struck the monster square in the shoulder.
Boom!
Flames engulfed its whole body in an instant.
As the creature writhed, Jian Yue caught sight of strange runes etched along its arm. Instead of bolting like any sane person would, he quickly raised his still-open phone and snapped another picture.
The viewers: “…”
Bro… are you sightseeing right now?!
Yet somehow, this ridiculous behavior drew people in. The audience count didn’t drop at all, it actually climbed, steadying at 500 viewers.
The monster seemed wounded by the flames and vanished back into the mist.
At that same moment, Jian Yue heard footsteps behind him. He closed his phone and looked up.
A girl’s voice rang out first, “There really is someone here.”
Jian Yue turned. Out of the fog emerged a group of young people. The girl had braided pigtails, while the boys behind her wore T-shirts and glasses, looking every bit like scholarly archaeology students.
One tall man with sunglasses stood out, though the scar across his face was impossible to hide.
Their eyes met.
The girl leaned toward her companions, whispering, “Is he… a player?”
The group’s gazes sharpened, all landing on Jian Yue with cautious scrutiny.
The man with sunglasses murmured, “He doesn’t look too bright. Faced with a monster and didn’t even use his card. Test him.”
They kept their voices low, but Jian Yue’s hearing was sharp. He almost wanted to laugh
Seriously? Plotting against me right in front of my face?
Did they think he didn’t use his skill card because he couldn’t?
What was he supposed to do with it, tell the monster a knock-knock joke?
The girl turned back, smiling sweetly, “That monster looked terrifying just now. Why didn’t you run? Weren’t you scared?”
Jian Yue pushed up his glasses, answering calmly, “Of course I was.”
The viewers fell into silence.
Scared your ass, man. You were literally taking photos!
The girl frowned in confusion, “Then why didn’t you…”
Jian Yue pointed at the luggage nearby.
“My boss told me to guard the bags. If I ran and something went missing, he’d dock my pay.”
Everyone: “…”
The valley fell into dead silence.
At least the audience felt slightly better now. If nothing else, they weren’t the only ones left speechless.
The girl looked at him as though he were a complete fool. But perhaps out of politeness, she forced a little laugh and asked, “Then… is that lady behind you your boss?”
Jian Yue turned.
Earlier, the mist had been so thick he couldn’t see the old woman at all. But now, with the monster gone, he spotted her at the stone wall in the distance, still sleeping against her cushion.
Relieved, he turned back, “Yes, she’s my boss’s mother.”
The girl’s curiosity only grew, “Then who’s your boss? What’s his name?”
Jian Yue opened his mouth to answer……
When suddenly, a strong, commanding voice cut through the fog: “Wang Steward!”
Everyone turned.
This mountain was supposed to be a barren, deserted place, yet today it seemed like people were pouring out of the mist in waves.
A tall figure strode into view, wrapped in a black cloak, his features sharp and severe, radiating an untouchable authority.
At least… as long as he didn’t open his mouth.
Shen Yushu stopped in front of Jian Yue, frowning.
“Why aren’t you by Madam’s side? What are you doing here?”
Instantly, Jian Yue slipped back into character, switching to his butler persona as easily as flipping a switch.
“Young Master, I just ran into danger here. These people rescued me. They seem to be heading into the mountains as well.”
He half-expected Shen Yushu to call him out.
But instead, Shen Yushu simply cast a glance at the newcomers and said flatly, “Mm. They’re the ones I hired to find medicine for Madam. They’ll be traveling with us.”
Jian Yue: “…”
You couldn’t have mentioned that earlier?!
He grumbled inwardly, but outwardly, his face was all earnest praise, “As expected, Young Master, always so thoughtful.”
The braided girl’s eyes lit up with excitement when she saw Shen Yushu.
After all, her role this time was the female lead, the legitimate heroine of the “One Night of Passion” storyline.
The closer she got to a key plot character, the easier the dungeon would be later.
And Shen Yushu wasn’t just powerful! He was handsome, too. Definitely worth getting close to.
So she stepped forward, voice sweet and soft, “President Shen, hello. My name is Wen Yu, I’m the leader of this archaeology team. I’m very happy to meet you.”
But Shen Yushu was no ordinary man. He gave Wen Yu a glance, frowning, “You’re the team leader?”
Wen Yu nodded, looking a little embarrassed, “Yes.”
“Heh.” Shen Yushu’s lips curled in a cold sneer.
“Two days later than planned, this is your so-called competence? If anything happens to Madam, I’ll see every last one of you buried with her.”
Jian Yue listened without changing expressions. He was already used to this.
The other players, though, looked as if they’d just swallowed something foul. But they didn’t dare retort.
Everyone knew angering an NPC here wasn’t just for show. Lowering your Life Value was no joke.
Wen Yu forced a smile.
“We… got lost on the way. That’s why we were delayed. Thankfully, we made it in time. How’s Madam’s condition? Would you like me to take a look?”
…That wasn’t right.
In the original storyline, wasn’t the CEO supposed to fall in love with her at first sight? Something felt off.
Well, whatever. Maybe once the “One of night passion” arc rolled around, things would align again. A small deviation wasn’t the end of the world.
But Shen Yushu didn’t waste a single word on her. He gave another sharp, mocking laugh, his voice dripping with icy arrogance.
“No need. If you can’t even find your way, what could you possibly examine? Madam has Wang Steward.”
Jian Yue: “…”
Why is this work always landing on me? Don’t us poor workers ever get a chance to slack off?
Just as he was thinking that, Shen Yushu, who had already taken a few steps forward, snapped irritably over his shoulder, “Wang Steward, what are you standing there dawdling for? Didn’t you hear me?!”
【System Alert: Life Value -5%】
Jian Yue jolted back to reality, quickly hurrying after him.
“Yes, Young Master! This old servant is here~!”
The other players: “…”
Yeah, no way. This guy has to be a native NPC!
After Madam was woken and they resumed their journey, she showed no surprise at the newcomers, only nodding faintly.
Perhaps it was her illness, her spirit seemed weak. Shen Yushu carried her on his back the whole way.
Fortunately, the village wasn’t far.
In less than half an hour, a small settlement emerged from the mist. Its clustered houses stood silent, like rows of gravestones. Strangely, not a single villager could be seen.
Madam’s voice broke the stillness.
“Straight ahead. That was once my house.”
The village was unnervingly quiet, no people, no sounds.
The players finally understood the benefit of sticking close to NPCs. If they’d come on their own, there’d be nowhere to stay here. It would have been suicide.
Soon they reached an old courtyard estate. The grounds were large, with several houses inside, all doors shut tight.
At that moment, nearly every player received a system prompt:
【Timed Quest: The Village Chief’s Red Lantern】
【Quest Details: Night falls without light. Go to the village entrance and retrieve the Village Chief’s red lantern before sunset to provide illumination.】
【Countdown: 30 minutes】
Everyone instinctively looked skyward. The sky was dimming, a faint glow still clinging to the horizon, but the darkening hue left no doubt: once the time ran out, something would happen.
And without the lantern… no one dared gamble on what the consequences would be.
Tension spiked.
Madam spoke again, slowly.
“The courtyard keys, I left them at the Village Chief’s house. You’ll need to fetch them.”
Shen Yushu’s gaze flicked toward Jian Yue, “Wang Steward.”
Perfect! Jian Yue had been looking for an excuse, “At once, Young Master. I’ll fetch the keys.”
The other players, of course, weren’t about to let him go alone. They eagerly insisted on tagging along rather than to familiarize themselves with the village and its layout.
Shen Yushu didn’t object, waving a hand to dismiss them.
Together, the group reached the Village Chief’s house at the edge of the village. They barely had to look for it.
Of all the doorways, only one bore a large red lantern. It glowed faintly in the mist, a glaring mark against the gloom.
Wen Yu stepped up first and knocked.
The vermilion-painted door was weathered by the wind, but beneath her knuckles it felt unpleasantly sticky, damp like a clammy sweat sinking through the skin into her bones. Fear prickled deep in everyone’s marrow.
*Knock, knock*
The sound echoed thinly in the cold wind.
On-screen, the system timer ticked down:
【Countdown: 10 minutes 09 seconds】
【Countdown: 10 minutes 08 seconds】
As the numbers fell, the sky dimmed further, and an invisible weight pressed harder on their chests.
The livestream audience, however, was thrilled:
“It’s happening, it’s happening!”
“That nasty old man’s about to show up!”
“Ugh, he scammed me so many times back in my run!”
“These newbies are in for it now!”
Footsteps shuffled closer. Then…
*Creaaak*
A withered, corpse-pale hand reached slowly through the gap in the door. With a low, grating groan, the door swung open, and a short, frail man appeared before them.
His face was gaunt, deeply lined, but his sharp, calculating eyes gleamed under heavy lids, their darkness unsettling.
Jian Yue spoke first, “Are you the Village Chief?”
The old man nodded,“Mm. What do you want?”
His voice was harsh and rasping, grating like sandpaper.
“I came to collect the keys to Madam’s estate,” Jian Yue replied.
The Village Chief looked unsurprised. He pointed toward the wall, where an ancient bronze key hung।,“Take it yourself.”
Jian Yue retrieved it, noting as he did the red lanterns hanging in the courtyard.
The system timer ticked:
【Countdown: 9 minutes 01 second】
So he asked casually, “We’ve just returned to the village, and Madam’s estate is empty. Could we borrow one of your lanterns for the night?”
The Village Chief’s eyes lifted sharply.
In the dim twilight, they flared with sudden, startling brightness.
He looked over the group as though they were a feast laid before him. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, hunger flickering in his gaze.
“…Fine.”
At last, he smiled. A shadowed, unsettling smile, “But you’ll have to pay.”
Everyone froze!
The identities they’d drawn at random, might have given them weapons, tools, or even heirlooms but not a single coin to their name.
The system’s quest description never said anything about paying for the lantern!
Dusk pressed down like a suffocating blanket, the mountain fog growing heavier, swallowing visibility by the second.
The system interface blared in ominous red text:
[Quest Countdown: 7 minutes, 20 seconds]
The cold seeped bone-deep, gnawing into lungs and marrow.
Some rookie players fumbled nervously with their cards. Most of them were new here, they had no idea what the punishment was for attacking an NPC.
Fear of the encroaching night pressed tighter and tighter until the thought: what if we just take it by force? began crawling into their minds.
The livestream chat exploded with jeers:
“Ah, too green! Way too green!”
“What do they think they’re doing? Trying to rob an NPC? LMAO that’s suicide.”
“Rookie mistake, this whole team is doomed.”
But fate wasn’t done playing with them yet.
Just as someone was about to draw their card, Wen Wan, the calm-eyed rookie, spoke up, “Can we trade items instead?”
The village chief paused. Clearly, no one had tried this angle in a long time. Then he sneered, his raspy voice scraping against their nerves, “Fine. You can.”
Relief washed through the group like a tide. They didn’t have money, but they had things.
Wen Wan quickly slipped off her necklace. Others scrambled to offer up watches, sunglasses, jewelry.
Whatever valuable bits they had on hand. Piece by piece, they managed to barter their way through.
By the end, only Jian Yue still hadn’t claimed a lantern.
Everyone turned to stare at him.
Jian Yue: “…”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to. He literally had nothing to trade. Why was this NPC butler role so dirt-poor?! He glanced at the system countdown:
[Quest Countdown: 3 minutes, 20 seconds]
The sky had almost been devoured by nightfall. Even if he sprinted back to his “young master” to beg for money, he’d never make it in time.
A cold mountain gust swept over them, sharp as knives. The village chief’s lips curled back into a sinister smile, his unnaturally white, pointed teeth glinting in the gloom.
His rasp grated through the silence, “And you? What do you have to trade?”
Every other player turned to look at him too. The red numbers on the countdown ticked mercilessly lower. Outside the door, the encroaching dark hung like an invisible net, ready to swallow them whole.
One of the rookies, soft-hearted, tried to step forward but a scar-faced veteran grabbed his arm and shook his head. Together with Wen Wan, they whispered, “Watch his card skill first.”
The livestream audience caught that too.
“Ah, so there’s a vet leading this run.”
“Too bad. This intern’s just unlucky.”
“Yeah, draw trash-tier skill. Nothing to be done.”
“He’s dead weight. No way he survives this one.”
“Shame though, he’s been so calm. Wasted gold card.”
“Eh, whatever. Once night falls he’s a goner. Nothing to see here.”
Viewership numbers began dropping. From 500 down to 400. Most weren’t interested in watching yet another rookie flail around before being eliminated.
Jian Yue stood at the doorway, staring at the glowing countdown, brow furrowing. Then he spoke calmly, “Can I… run a tab?”
The village chief’s expression curdled into impatience, “No. No money, no deal. Get out.”
Outside, a crow shrieked into the night. The sound sharp, miserable, echoing through the valley like a cruel funeral dirge.
And then…
Just as Jian Yue’s mind spun in circles searching for a way out, the world in front of him flared with golden light.
A shimmering card appeared midair, trailing brilliance as words etched themselves across his vision.
【 Gossip Skill Activated 】
【 Rumor Alert: Need some quick cash? The village chief is completely henpecked. He secretly hides pocket money from his wife under the water jar by the door. Go check it out—you might be surprised! 】
[Skill Cooldown: 12 hours]
The sudden text made Jian Yue’s eyes widen.
What he didn’t notice was that the moment the words appeared, the village chief’s body went rigid.
His cloudy eyes snapped wide, staring at Jian Yue like he’d just heard a secret that should never, ever have been spoken aloud.
The livestream chat went into meltdown:
“…WHAT?!”
“No way. NO. WAY.”
“I’ve played this dungeon a dozen times. Not once was this ever in the guides!”
“Hold on, you’re telling me the village chief isn’t some untouchable big bad… he’s just a henpecked husband hiding cash under a flowerpot??”
“Holy crap. This rookie just broke the game.”
Okay… This card ain’t bad…. If it pop up cash all time then it’s worth it 🤣🤣🤣 or I can sell tea to make profit 🤔🤔
Imagine gossiping with bunch of ghosts and them praising back
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
This chapter was powered by questionable decisions. The next one may require coffee.
☕ 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