CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 384, VILLAGE_1

Jiang Chen flew through the air, holding Angelina in his arms.

Ba Jie looked up. A Flying Skill? What kind of equipment is this?

Ten minutes later, the trio finally descended the mountain.

Looking back, Jiang Chen realized the crack was on the mountain. No wonder the snow was so thick. After descending, snow still covered the surroundings. However, it was only about ten centimeters deep when they stepped on it, not enough to hinder their journey.

Ba Jie said, "We’ve arrived at a small village belonging to the Loyal Justice Association. The entire small world is vast and consists of villages, each a small faction.

"In this small world, the Loyal Justice Association has eighteen villages with a total of over eight thousand people. These villages are scattered around, with captains from each village leading hunting parties.

"Upon returning from the hunt, they distribute the game equally, repeating the cycle."

Ba Jie began to describe the village’s situation.

Angelina asked, "What if the hunt comes back empty-handed?"

Ba Jie explained, "If no game is caught, then we starve. However, many people store some food. This place isn’t like the Continent of All-Gods, where there’s an endless supply of food.

"However, we produce a type of wine here. Specific individuals are tasked with exchanging it for goods on the Continent of All-Gods, but that’s not a long-term solution. The only viable option now is for them to have their Curse Seals removed and live on the Continent of All-Gods."

Jiang Chen nodded; it was indeed a good idea.

Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Ba Jie, have you ever considered that once they get to the Continent of All-Gods and experience life there, people change? Perhaps they’ll become just like the inhabitants of the Continent of All-Gods."

"I know," Ba Jie replied, "but it’s still far better than staying here, and their identities won’t be discovered."

Ba Jie’s vision was for them to lead better lives, free from starvation.

But the Continent of All-Gods was a different beast altogether—a chaotic melting pot where all sorts of elements mingled. Once they entered it, many would change, perhaps eventually becoming just like the people there.

Times change, and people change with them.

Otherwise, why would so many Wanderers join the Alliance of All-Gods?

Soon, they arrived at a small village.

The Wanderer on guard at the village entrance saw Ba Jie approaching, opened the gate, and let the trio in.

Jiang Chen glanced around. The village was built with stone; a circular wall of blue-green stones protected the entire community.

The village wasn’t large, consisting of roughly a hundred cottages and housing about four to five hundred people.

Some children, dressed in animal hide coats, played nearby, completely unfazed by the cold wind. Some older children held wooden swords, swinging and practicing their swordsmanship.

"Head Captain, what brings you here?" a villager asked Ba Jie.

"I’m planning to hold a meeting here," Ba Jie said. "I’ve contacted the captains of the eighteen villages, and they will be coming.

"These two are friends from the Continent of All-Gods. His name is..."

Jiang Chen quickly interjected, "My name is Chen Jinnan, and she’s Little Na."

Ba Jie nodded. "This is Brother Chen, my friend."

"Hello, my name is Chen Haige. I’m the deputy captain here," the man introduced himself.

"Where’s your brother, Chen Haiming?" Ba Jie asked.

"He’s out hunting. He should be back soon."

Ba Jie nodded. "Good. Find a room for them. The others should arrive by tonight."

"Understood."

Chen Haige said, "This way, please."

The three followed Chen Haige down the main street. The locals recognized Ba Jie, but not Jiang Chen and Angelina. Jiang Chen, with his black hair, was less conspicuous, but Angelina’s golden hair drew considerable attention.

Angelina whispered, "Why are they all looking at me so strangely?"

"Because you’re the ’Golden-haired Lion King’," Jiang Chen teased.

Angelina touched her hair. She realized her blonde hair and blue eyes were completely different from their black hair and black eyes. No wonder!

"Have they never seen hair like this before?" she asked.

Ba Jie chuckled. "They’ve never been outside this small world, so naturally, they haven’t seen anyone like you. Please don’t mind them; they’re just curious."

Chen Haige stopped at the door of a small cottage.

"Head Captain, what do you think of this place?"

Jiang Chen smiled. "It’s fine."

Chen Haige pushed open the door, and Jiang Chen walked in. It was a very simple house, furnished only with a stone table, a stone bed, and several stone stools.

He and Angelina entered and opened the windows. Many children peered in at them.

Angelina smiled, took out some food from her pouch, and stretched out her right hand. "For you."

The shyer children held back.

The bolder ones stepped forward, took the food from Angelina, and scampered off, with several other children chasing them, clamoring for a share.

Angelina laughed. "Jiang Chen, this place is quite nice."

"Enough with ’Jiang Chen.’ From now on, call me Chen Jinnan."

"When did you change your name?"

"In any case, don’t reveal our true identities. Remember, we are Heroes from the Continent of All-Gods. It’s wise to be cautious when we’re out and about, especially in unfamiliar territory."

"Oh, I understand."

「Conference Room」

From noon until evening, people trickled in. They were all clad in Thin Sword robes; for a Wanderer, the sword was their glory and their only weapon.

Ba Jie began, "I believe you all know by now that the Heavenly Earth Association has a way to remove the Curse Seals. Currently, their people are migrating, taking them to the Xileruo World and even other worlds, allowing Wanderers to live on the Continent of All-Gods.

"I have also brought a Potion that can remove the Curse Seals. We have a total of eighteen villages, amounting to roughly eight thousand people. I have already explained the situation upon my return.

"Those who wish to go to the Human World can have their Seals removed and follow me. I will lead you there to live. I’d like to hear your thoughts."

Ba Jie spoke directly, stating his purpose.

The eighteen captains looked at each other.

They all knew about the Heavenly Earth Association’s affairs, which had caused a sensation across worlds. Only Seventh-stage Experts could remove the Curse Seal; ordinary people simply couldn’t.

If they appeared on the Continent of All-Gods, they would undoubtedly be identified as Wanderers.

But now, things were different.

Ordinary people could also have their Curse Seals removed.

And live on the Continent of All-Gods.

The eighteen of them had visited the Xileruo World before. They had witnessed its prosperity and understood that if they went there, they would at least not suffer from hunger or cold. This place, in contrast, was freezing and utterly inhospitable.

"I agree with Head Captain Ba. Living here, people freeze to death every year."

"If not from the cold, then from starvation. I also agree to go."

"But in other places, we’ll be strangers in a strange land. How will we live?"

"Yes, many of our people are elderly, and there are children too!"

"What if we’re discovered?"

The eighteen captains discussed among themselves, their worries growing. If they left, how would they survive? This was the fundamental problem they faced.

Ba Jie said, "You don’t need to worry about that. The place we are going isn’t the Xileruo World, but another small world. It’s vast, and I also have quite a few properties there.

"At the very least, warmth and food won’t be issues, and I can find them work too. That place is way better than here.

"Moreover, I have reported this matter to the higher-ups already, and I believe it won’t be long before the Loyal Justice Association sends someone down to discuss it. There isn’t much of this Potion."

The captains suddenly understood Ba Jie’s tactic: he had acted first and would report later. If the higher-ups had taken the Potion, it might not have reached them.

The Loyal Justice Association, after all, was a large organization. Besides their villages, there were other strongholds with many people, and not everyone would get the chance to have their Seals removed.