"Village Chief..."
"Eh." Hearing this address, the village chief waved his hand. "I'm old now—haven't been village chief for many years. It's that youngster Erhu who's village chief now. You just call me Grandpa."
"Alright, Grandpa."
"Hahaha—good, good!"
This address made the old village chief laugh heartily. For years, everyone in the village had called him either "Village Chief" or "Old Village Chief." Now, finally, one of the children from back then was calling him Grandpa.
Not wanting to dampen the old man's joy, Chen Junting didn't inquire further. Instead, while the old chief was in such good spirits, he recounted various events from his life after leaving the village.
He laid out prepared delicacies and fine wine on the table, occasionally sharing a cup or two with the old chief, enjoying this family warmth.
Especially when he learned Ning Tian was Chen Junting's girlfriend, the old chief's joy intensified. Ning Tian frankly acknowledged it, displaying the grace of a well-bred young lady.
"Grandpa, the gifts I prepared for everyone are all here."
Chen Junting took out a dragon-headed cane. Under the old chief's puzzled gaze, his finger lightly tapped the dragon pearl held in the dragon's mouth. Without using soul power, a gift dropped from the pearl.
"Many years have passed—I don't even know where everyone lives now. So I have to trouble you, Grandpa, to distribute these."
This dragon-headed cane was a dual-function array pattern soul guide device. The cane body was auxiliary-type, engraved with Element Gathering Array patterns; the dragon pearl was storage-type, engraved with Soul Absorption Array patterns.
Since Shanyang Village was under the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's protection, Chen Junting had no worries about giving the chief a soul guide device.
"You child..."
The old chief glanced at it, knowing this child wouldn't let him refuse. But after accepting it naturally, he couldn't help but sigh. "Child, you're about to leave again, aren't you?"
Clearly, the old chief understood. But he didn't try to keep him. A good man should have ambitions far and wide—delaying his journey for an old man like him would be a true sin.
"Oh, Grandpa—I have something to ask you."
Chen Junting's expression turned serious.
"Have there been any strange people in the village recently?"
"Strange people..."
The old chief thought for a moment, then shook his head with a definite answer. "Haven't heard of any. And if there really were strange people, those soul master elders would have caught them long ago."
This made half sense.
After all, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had stationed two Soul King-level soul masters here—not just to awaken villagers' martial souls, but also to protect Shanyang Village's safety.
They might not be able to handle that evil soul master, but if someone of his caliber appeared, they'd surely detect it.
"Seems we won't find anything here."
Dai Yueheng shook his head with slight disappointment, downing a cup of wine in one gulp, letting the fiery sensation churn in his stomach.
"Where do we go next?"
While clearing the table with Ning Tian, Bei Bei looked at Chen Junting, leaving the decision to the team leader. After all, searching the southeast border of Heaven's Spirit Empire was like finding a needle in a haystack.
"Split up to investigate—no unnecessary actions. Xiao Tian, use the sect's intelligence network to screen the area, while I go to Guyun City."
After briefly considering the surrounding towns and villages, Chen Junting—who already had a plan in mind—gave the corresponding orders.
Evil soul masters are still human—they need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves.
So first, they'd investigate all villages along the southeast border that could serve as supply points, checking for any suspicious individuals. As for himself, he'd investigate the nobles of Guyun City, heading straight for this evil soul master's supposed targets.
"Grandpa, we'll take our leave now."
"Eh, this old man will see you off."
Chen Junting wanted to help him walk, but the old chief waved him away with his cane. Chen Junting didn't get angry—in fact, he smiled and followed behind, not refusing the old man's kindness.
Walking down the street, Chen Junting noticed a house that looked completely out of place among the surrounding buildings, yet felt strangely familiar. After all, this was the house where he'd lived for six years.
"Didn't expect this house to still be standing."
"Of course it is." The old chief tapped his cane lightly on the ground. "This house was built by everyone together for you—we had to keep it for you. That rascal Erhu talks about renovating or demolishing my house, but he never mentioned touching yours."
Hearing this, Chen Junting smiled without speaking.
He could naturally feel his fellow villagers' care for him.
Suddenly, he stopped walking.
His ears twitched slightly as he looked at the house with mild surprise, curiously asking: "Grandpa, is my house being rented out?"
"Not exactly rented—we didn't charge anything."
Stroking his beard lightly, the old chief revealed the truth.
Several months ago, a man arrived in Shanyang Village with several children. Seeing a young man raising children alone was tough, the villagers discussed it and decided to let them stay temporarily in this empty house.
At first, the man left early and returned late every day. Everyone thought he was out earning a living, but the children he brought kept disappearing—fewer every few days. The villagers suspected he was a human trafficker and reported him to the village's soul master elders. Only later did they realize it was a misunderstanding.
"Turns out those children weren't trafficked before meeting him—he was the one returning them to their families."
This sounds so familiar!
"Xiao Tian."
"Whoosh—" A firework shot into the sky!
Not long after, two figures rushed to stand before them.
"Greetings, Young Sect Master, Young Master Chen."
"No need for formalities."
Ning Tian raised her hand lightly. "I have questions for you."
"..."
After the questioning ended, Ning Tian waved for the two to leave.
Then, "Brother Junting."
Ning Tian looked at Chen Junting, calling softly.
Dai Yueheng and Bei Bei's gazes also turned to him together.
"It seems this 'evil soul master' isn't what the rumors said."
Eyes narrowing, Chen Junting reached a conclusion.
He trusted the old chief's judgment and the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect disciples' information more than the nobles' reports.
"Let's go see inside the house."
"Knock knock knock—"
"Who is it?"
A timid voice came from inside the door.
To avoid frightening the children, Chen Junting and the others deliberately stayed silent, letting the old chief speak.
The old chief gently knocked on the door. "Children, it's Grandpa. I've brought some older brothers and sisters to ask you a few things—okay?"
"It's Village Chief Grandpa! Open the door, open the door..."
A voice of welcome came from inside.
Soon, little heads like round radishes poked out from the doorway. Chen Junting and the others looked inside...
Ten?
Probably more!
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