Chapter 93: Erdao Village

The stench left behind by the dead Xubeast still lingered, and the anxiety over the unknown hung like a shadow over the hearts of all the demons.

No one wanted a failed mission to stain their Ranger record, but surviving took precedence over everything else.

“How about this,” Jie Shui, still in his werewolf form, rumbled in a rough voice, “I’ll take the goods to Erdao Village by myself. You all withdraw first, go back to Yidao Village and call for reinforcements…”

He glanced at the bag of Spirit Stones on the cargo rack and gritted his teeth. “We took the Spirit Stones, so we have to keep our promise. You all go back first, there’s not much road left. I should be able to deliver it alone… Even if danger comes, at least I can run away.”

It seemed like the most rational solution—if not for the presence of Jiang Ke’er and Qiao Xiaoxian.

“I’ll go with you,” Jiang Ke’er said, then looked at Qiao Xiaoxian. “Bodyguard, you take Sister Tingyue and Guoguo back first.”

“We’re going together,” Qiao Xiaoxian replied coolly, locking eyes with Jiang Ke’er, her gaze obvious—you’re not leaving my sight.

The mission, the safety of the Revival Society members—Qiao Xiaoxian didn’t care about any of that.

The only thing she cared about, from beginning to end, was Jiang Ke’er.

With her goal so clear, she would never break this principle.

Jiang Ke’er was exasperated—Aren’t you supposed to have a strong sense of racial honor? Don’t you want to save the demon race? Why are you so stubborn?

For a greater goal, small sacrifices are inevitable. I can’t risk such a precious Furnace like you—this was the message in Qiao Xiaoxian’s eyes.

Knowing that splitting up and sneaking away was impossible, Jiang Ke’er had no choice but to come up with another plan.

“Xiaoshui is right. We took the Spirit Stones, so we must fulfill our promise,” Changsun Qingyue sighed softly. “Since Xiaoshui insists on going, let’s keep moving together. If anything happens, with Qing Yi and Qianxue here, at least Guoguo can get away with them. Xiaoshui should be able to protect himself… As for me, I have a few secret ways to escape too.”

Since Changsun Qingyue, the Acting President, had spoken, there was no more hesitation.

The group of demons hurried on, making the most of their time, bringing along the corpse of the Xubeast, heading straight for Erdao Village.

Along the way, nothing else happened, though Jie Shui wore a worried expression, always clutching a fragrant little handkerchief, lost in thought.

It seemed he had a reason for risking his life to complete the mission.

When they arrived at the entrance of Erdao Village, thankfully, smoke still curled from chimneys, children played in the streets—everything looked peaceful and calm. Apparently, the Xubeast hadn’t reached here yet.

The stationed cultivators of Erdao Village warmly received the little Rangers from the Revival Society, moving the goods to the village’s Refiner’s Shop and Alchemist’s Shop.

The Refiner’s Shop and Alchemist’s Shop lit up with fire immediately, starting their urgent work without a moment’s delay. Clearly, they’d been waiting far too long for this shipment.

“These goods are lifesavers!” The Shou Cun Captain of Erdao Village let out a long sigh. “Otherwise, I really don’t know if we could withstand this Xuchao.”

“Everyone,” though the goods were delivered, Jiang Ke’er and the other demons didn’t relax. Changsun Qingyue pointed solemnly at the corpses of several third-rank Xubeasts on the cart. “We encountered these on the way here from Yidao Village.”

These cultivators, stationed year-round in the beginner’s realm, were already very familiar with Xubeasts. With one look, they could tell these were third-rank.

At first, they thought Changsun Qingyue had misspoken.

But when they saw the serious faces of the Revival Society, their hearts turned cold, realizing how grave this was.

“You’re sure it was between Yidao Village and Erdao Village?”

“Absolutely certain. We’ve already sent a Messenger Stone to inform Yidao Village’s guard unit. They should have started investigating,” Changsun Qingyue said.

Yidao Village hadn’t replied yet—after all, this matter was truly shocking. They needed a thorough investigation to confirm the truth before making plans.

If it was true, all three villages would have to completely change their defensive layouts. The old systems would become meaningless.

“I really don’t know how to thank you all,” the Shou Cun Captain bowed deeply to the group of demons. “This news is too important. You may have just saved all three villages—tens of thousands of lives!”

“It was just something we could do along the way,” Changsun Qingyue replied.

“But…” The Shou Cun Captain looked troubled, hesitating to speak.

If you’re embarrassed, then don’t say it, Jiang Ke’er thought, wanting to cut him off. She’d already guessed what he wanted to say.

But she didn’t, because she didn’t think the road ahead would be any more dangerous than what they’d faced on Hanye Island.

“You all see, Erdao Village has very few people available. Now with this new situation, we have to stay here to prevent a Xubeast attack.”

The Shou Cun Captain gritted his teeth, and to the shock of Jiang Ke’er and the others, he suddenly knelt down before them!

“Sandao Village’s defenses are even weaker. The village is full of elderly, women, and children. Please, I beg you to go to Sandao Village and check the situation! Take my token, and tell the villagers to evacuate to the cave shelter immediately!” The Shou Cun Captain’s voice was hoarse. “The three villages are at the brink of life and death—tens of thousands of lives are at stake. I don’t dare ask you to risk yourselves for the village… I only ask you to take my token. It’s one of the keys needed to open the cave shelter!”

The Shou Cun Captain held a deep blue gem in his hands, lifting it above his head and presenting it to the Revival Society’s group.

Changsun Qingyue was torn, unable to refuse such a solemn request, yet afraid to accept—it would be gambling with her own people’s lives.

If it were just her, she might have accepted. But as Acting President, she had to act with caution.

Jie Shui clenched his fists, reaching out, clearly deciding to go to Sandao Village alone.

But a pale, slender hand beat him to it.

Jiang Ke’er took the gem in her hand and said, “I’m a Ranger—or you could call me a Mercenary, that’s fine too… Take money, solve problems. As long as there’s a reward, I’ll do anything.”

“Thank you, thank you!” The Shou Cun Captain was overjoyed, quickly rummaging through his things and pulling out a large handful of Spirit Stones. Nervously, he said, “This is everything I have. If it’s not enough, I can ask everyone else to help…”

Jiang Ke’er reached out, but only took five stones, then turned and left.

“According to the Ranger Guild’s mission pricing, for goods under thirty li and less than three taels in weight, the reward is five Spirit Stones… This is just right. Don’t say we’re cheating you.”

The Shou Cun Captain was stunned.

He’d thought Jiang Ke’er would ask for a sky-high price—after all, this was a critical moment, and delivering the goods was risking their lives. Plus, with Sandao Village’s fate on the line, no demand would be too much…

With such a golden opportunity, how could she possibly stick to the pitiful Ranger Guild rates?

He wanted to say more, but Jiang Ke’er had already walked far away, striding briskly onward, not lingering for a moment, heading straight for Sandao Village.

Changsun Qingyue and the others exchanged a smile and hurried after her.

—For some reason, even though this mission was fraught with danger, it made them feel more motivated and unexpectedly at ease than any before. Changsun Qingyue and Mu Guoguo both thought the same thing.

Maybe this was what it felt like to have someone strong to rely on?

Watching their retreating figures, the Shou Cun Captain bowed three times, his forehead hitting the ground with a resounding thud.

“If we make it through this, the Mingzhou Three Villages will surely reward you handsomely.”

Unfortunately, Jiang Ke’er and the others were already too far away to hear.