novelraw Chapter 80: Six Ears
Chapter 80: Six Ears
More than three hundred people, looking like famine refugees, trudged forward in silence. But soon, those at the front came to a halt, letting out cries of astonishment.
In their line of sight, a bizarre, five-meter-tall giant was striding toward them, followed by a group of muscular men wearing nothing but strange shorts.
Those men were brawny—incredibly so!
Some had swarthy skin, while others had high-bridged noses and blue eyes, looking almost inhuman.
Of course, the most eye-catching of all was the bizarre giant.
"Wha-what is that?"
"Could it be an Immortal?"
"An Immortal? Why doesn’t it look like the statues inside the Buddhist Halls and Daoist Temples?"
"Quiet! The ones in the Buddhist Halls and Daoist Temples are just statues. This one is real!"
"Oh my god, so this is what an Immortal actually looks like!"
"Everyone, quiet down! We mustn’t offend the Immortal Master..."
The villagers cried out, unable to recognize the Mecha. Many immediately fell to their knees and began to kowtow.
Wang Yi was pleasantly surprised to see a group of three to four hundred people. ’Is this the power of advertising?’ he thought. ’For so many Refugees to seek refuge all at once, the effect is almost too good.’
However, while a large group of Refugees seeking refuge was a good thing, settling them would be a problem. Besides, Wang Yi wanted to test the caliber of these people.
He switched Prototype No. 1 to autopilot and brought it to a halt, then silently took out the Talent Assessment Machine inside the cockpit.
"Halt!"
Pang Damao, who had accompanied the Mecha, stepped forward to block the crowd.
Pei Zhi immediately raised a hand, signaling for everyone to stop. He dismounted at once and, supported by a young woman, stepped forward and bowed. "I am Pei Zhi, the village chief of Pei Family Village," he said respectfully. "I have brought my fellow villagers here to seek the Immortal’s protection!"
"Seeking an Immortal’s protection?"
Wang Yi’s voice, amplified by Prototype No. 1, boomed out. "What trouble are you in? Why do you need protection?"
Pei Zhi remained composed. "I dare not hide the truth," he said. "After Black Mountain Stronghold was destroyed, the County Yamen issued a proclamation demanding a head tax. Those who cannot pay will have their men conscripted and their women forced into prostitution! The County Yamen is in league with the Red Tiger Camp, preying on the common folk. They’re soft when it comes to Mountain Bandits, but they are experts at bullying the weak. This old man has come forward in desperation, hoping to find a place where my people can survive."
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Wang Yi mused, ’If that’s true, then the County Yamen is providing quite the assist. Aren’t they just pushing all the county’s poor right to my doorstep?’
He then asked, "And what makes you think I have the power to protect you?"
Pei Zhi paused for a moment before replying, "I dare not deceive you, sir. I once ran an Escort Agency and have a blood feud with Black Mountain Stronghold. I had three sons. The eldest was killed by Lei Liao of the Stronghold, the second was killed by Yuan Hei, and the third was chased by Liao Siniang until he drowned in the Li River. Even my own left leg was broken five years ago under the blade of the Stronghold’s Big Boss, Rolling Python! I am well aware of Black Mountain Stronghold’s power. A Divine Being who can move mountains, fly through the sky, and effortlessly annihilate the Stronghold... even the Government Office would have to bow before you. Protecting us would be a simple matter."
"Then why should I protect you?"
"We came seeking protection, so naturally we made some preparations. To say nothing of our future worship and service, I have also brought three Treasures to offer to the Immortal in hopes of gaining your favor."
"Treasures?"
Hearing this, Wang Yi’s interest was piqued.
The next moment, the young woman who had been supporting Pei Zhi retrieved three boxes from a saddlebag.
Pei Zhi opened the first box. Inside was a Green Blind Box.
"This is an heirloom of my Pei Family, passed down for generations. It is said to be a miraculous stone from Beyond the Heavens. Neither blade, nor axe, nor fire can harm it in the slightest. Holding it cools the body and focuses the mind. I wish to present it to the Immortal!"
Pei Zhi then opened the second box, which contained a blue blind box. "This one, I obtained by chance overseas in my youth. By its appearance, it is nearly identical to our family heirloom. It, too, is indestructible, and holding it can ward off evil and dispel sickness. I present it to the Immortal!"
With that, he opened the third box. Inside was a medium-grade Chaos Crystal Stone.
Pei Zhi continued, "This precious gem was found in a hidden, ancient grotto. It is impervious to both water and fire, and is perfectly translucent. Holding it can even extend one’s life! I wish to offer these three Treasures in exchange for the Divine Being’s favor."
Wang Yi chuckled.
This Pei Zhi had such a righteous expression, and he spoke with such conviction and generosity. If Wang Yi couldn’t see the Attribute Information of the Chaos Blind Boxes and the Chaos Crystal Stone, he might have actually fallen for his tall tales.
’What ’family heirloom,’ what ’found overseas in his youth,’ what ’hidden, ancient grotto’—it’s all obviously fake,’ Wang Yi thought. ’This man lies through his teeth, but he’s certainly interesting.’
Wang Yi had already used the Talent Assessment Machine on Pei Zhi. The man’s overall rating was 77. He was a Potential Level talent, with some aptitude for martial arts and strong mental fortitude. He was adept at reading people and trimming his sails to the wind, possessed some leadership ability, and was well-suited to being a merchant, a Lawyer, or even a eunuch.
Furthermore, just like Li Hua’er, his eyes had mutated, giving him a reconnaissance-type Talent!
Wang Yi thought for a moment, then said, "I will accept the Treasures. The rest of you, wait here. Someone will come to guide you!"
"Yes!"
Pei Zhi had the young woman by his side deliver the three "Treasures" to Pang Damao, then retreated with her support, his posture deeply respectful.
Pang Damao brought the three items up to Prototype No. 1. Wang Yi opened the cockpit and took them in hand.
’These Treasures aren’t half bad... and accepting these people might not be a bad idea,’ Wang Yi considered. ’Eggshell Village needs people right now. The able-bodied ones with a talent for martial arts can join the Civilian Militia, and those without can join the Production Team. The hundred acres of farmland also need tending. I could even have Pei Zhi set up a trade caravan.’
As Wang Yi’s thoughts raced, he paused the talent assessment. Inside the cockpit of Prototype No. 1, he silently clasped his hands and bowed slightly toward the two blind boxes, as if making a wish, then opened the Green Blind Box.
====
Ding! The One Box, Many Openings Talent has been activated. The current Chaos Blind Box opening will now calculate 5 potential results.
Ding! The Box Opening Enhancement Talent has been activated, applying an enhancement to the items.
1. Large Money Pouch (Green, Enhance +1)
2. Black Sunglasses (White, Enhance +2)
3. Chaos Egg (Green, Enhance +3)
4. Empty Wine Bottle (White, Enhance +4)
5. Chaos Egg (Green, Enhance +5)
====
’The items from a Green Blind Box are as mediocre as ever,’ he thought. ’I’ll just pick the Enhance +5 Chaos Egg.’
After Wang Yi made his selection, a basketball-sized Chaos Egg materialized before him.
[Chaos Egg +5: Green Quality. Consumes 100 Chaos Energy to hatch a Battle Pet for you. The Battle Pet is a Native Dog, follows its biological instincts, and will possess an additional ability. Having been Enhanced by +3, it can now hatch 6 of them, and the Battle Pet’s skill strength is +2!]
’Battle Pets? And six of them! So, out of the five enhancement points, three went to the number hatched and two went to the Battle Pet’s skill. Interesting! Tsk, tsk, six Native Dogs. This is perfect. The territory now has a Combat Chicken Squad and a Native Dog squad. With both chickens and dogs, things are feeling rather... rustic.’
Smiling, Wang Yi activated the Chaos Egg before him.
The next moment, a golden light flashed in front of Prototype No. 1, and six square-faced Big Yellow Dogs appeared, wagging their tails. They were the size of small calves. Unlike ordinary big yellow dogs, they actually had six ears each, pricked up on their heads, which looked surprisingly good.
Wang Yi casually inspected the information of one of the Big Yellow Dogs.
====
Name: Tu Gou Damao
Class: Battle Pet
Description: In Tu Gou Damao’s memory, you are its only master. You raised it from a pup, wandered together for many years, and bestowed power upon it, allowing it to become a Six-Eared Native Dog. A Six-Eared Native Dog possesses strength far surpassing that of an ordinary native dog. It can battle lions and tigers, excels at listening, and can discern good from evil.
Skill: [Listen] +2, enhanced to [Diting]. The Six-Eared Native Dog possesses Six Ears, allowing it to eavesdrop on everything within a ten-li radius.
Note: The Six-Eared Native Dog is intelligent, sensible, and naturally alert. Any target it relentlessly pursues should be taken with the utmost seriousness.
====