The audience finally noticed: the village chief’s smile had vanished, and his gaze now fixed on Jian Yue as if he were staring at a ghost.
By the law of conservation of energy, if a smile leaves one face, it has to appear on another and Jian Yue felt a small, private sense of triumph.
He rolled up his sleeves and said to the village chief, “Sir, you need money, right? Give me two minutes, I’ll go get it.”
The village chief was dumbstruck as Jian Yue turned to walk away.
He had just been about to bare his teeth and chase the intruders out or worse but then suddenly, a tall, muscular woman wearing an apron appeared from inside the courtyard.
Her eyes were sharp, fierce, and deadly, “What are you all doing?”
Everyone shivered.
The village chief looked back, and his thin, tense face was now plastered with fear.
The livestream audience exploded in laughter:
“HAHAHA the village chief’s wife is here!”
“She’s even harder to deal with than him!”
“Normally when she shows up, lantern prices go through the roof.”
“Poor streamer…”
The twists and turns of this quest had already drawn the viewers back. Jian Yue’s stream, which had dipped to 200 viewers, now shot back up to 600.
Unseen by Jian Yue, the system interface popped up an announcement
[Streamer Popularity 617: Exceeded 500! Newcomer spotlight recommendation unlocked—keep it up!]
Jian Yue, however, remained unfazed by the ferocious woman. He was too busy thinking about digging up the village chief’s secret stash.
After all, if it was hidden, the chief wouldn’t dare claim it, which meant the money was practically his.
Just as he was about to act, the village chief’s face darkened further. His eyes widened in shock, he had never imagined someone could be so shameless… and even outshameless him!
Jian Yue looked the woman in the eyes:
“We’re here to buy a lantern. Give me two minutes, I’ll just…”
He started walking toward the door.
Seeing him make for the tree, the village chief exhaled deeply and finally said, “The lantern is here! take it!”
Jian Yue stopped, confused.
He looked at the same village chief who had moments ago been snarling about “no money, get out,” yet now was handing a lantern from the courtyard directly to him.
The village chief’s wife fixed her gaze on her husband, narrowing her eyes with displeasure, “Did he pay?”
A moment of silence fell.
Other players watched curiously. Surely, the village chief must have some trick up his sleeve. But just as they expected, the system countdown ticked
[30 seconds remaining]
The village chief’s face twisted in a grimace. He glanced at Jian Yue at the door, as if waging some inner battle between anger and reason, and finally muttered in resignation, “Paid for it!”
Everyone watched in disbelief as the village chief, normally stingy and merciless, actually dug into his own pocket and gave money to his wife, paying for the lantern for the player.
The other players’ faces blanked for a moment.
The livestream audience went wild:
“HAHAHAHAHA!”
“What kind of plot twist is this?!”
“Unbelievable! I lost so many times to this old man before. Now he finally pays!”
For the first time, the audience felt that sweet justice.
The system notified:
[50 viewers have recommended this stream, likes reached 500! Congratulations to the streamer for reaching #97 on the Newcomer Live Rankings!]
Inside the courtyard, the other players could only watch in disbelief as the village chief played out a scene straight from a fantasy: paying out of his own pocket to the player.
Jian Yue walked over, accepted the lantern, and politely shook the village chief’s hand, keeping his butler persona perfectly intact
“Thank you for the lantern. I’ll be back to buy from you again next time.”
The village chief: “…Are you trying to kill me?!”
Life doesn’t have thousands of witnesses but a livestream does.
For a first-time dungeon, where countless players had been tripped up by this village chief, the audience erupted in laughter and excitement.
Jian Yue heard the system’s voice:
Task [Village Chief’s Lantern] completed on time.
Reward: 30 points.
Intern successfully unlocked the marketplace. Keep it up!
Jian Yue didn’t have time to check the marketplace. After getting the lantern, he turned to the other players,
“Let’s head back. It’s getting late. If we don’t go soon, the young master will start worrying.”
Everyone nodded.
After all that had happened, although they still doubted Jian Yue’s identity, no one dared act up in front of him, especially in a village that, at night, was eerily silent.
Every house had its lights off, not a sound anywhere, and shadowy forms flickered in the darkness like little graves.
They carried their red lanterns, moving cautiously through the village.
A cold wind swept through the valley, sounding almost like crying, wrapping around them.
Someone in the group accidentally stepped on a dry branch, and a terrified, trembling scream escaped and a near-drop of a lantern followed.
Wen Yu looked back impatiently।“What’s wrong? What did you see?”
The girl wearing glasses had stepped on the branch. Her eyes were red as she said, “I-I didn’t mean to… I was just too scared… I’m sorry…”
In this environment, if a newcomer was too noisy, they could cause trouble.
Seeing the fear in everyone else’s eyes, the scar-faced guy finally spoke. His expression looked like someone who had just killed before, yet he opened his eyes and lied to comfort the newcomer
“Everyone, don’t be afraid. This is just an ordinary village. As you can see, the villagers are kind-hearted. Look at the village chief, he even gave us a lantern for free! What’s there to be scared of?”
The players and viewers in the livestream: “……”
“Kind-hearted wind, Wanfucun Village.”
A new hellish joke had just appeared.
The others chatted quietly as they walked. Jian Yue didn’t join in and didn’t care.
At first, he had thought about cooperating with this group, but after the village chief’s house incident, he realized they couldn’t be his allies.
Since he could only rely on himself in this place, everyone else could take care of themselves.
Back at the main residence, the lights were on. Jian Yue stepped inside and saw the lit interior, and his expression went blank for a moment.
Hesitantly, he said, “Young master, this house… has electricity?”
No, this wasn’t supposed to be a horror dungeon! How could such a normal thing exist here?!
Shen Yushu had just come out of the house. Hearing this, he looked at Jian Yue like he was looking at an idiot
“What else? How could we live here without electricity, Butler Wang? Don’t you have any common sense? And what are you trying to do with that ugly lantern?”
Jian Yue: “……”
He felt like dying, though someone else deserved the blame more.
After adjusting his mindset, he felt a bit better and replied, “This was a gift from the village chief.”
“A gift?” Shen Yushu sneered, “That’s good. Only a fool would buy such an ugly lantern.”
After that statement fell, the archaeologist players who had actually spent money buying lanterns were speechless: “……”
Talk about a living dead… Now, they just wanted to die.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Coffee is technically a form of emotional support.
☕ 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