Dashing Student

The old priest also cupped his fists and said, "I am the priest of the Moon Tower Dong Village, and our village is planning to migrate near Xiu Yun Village this time."

"Xiu Yun Village?"

Upon hearing this name, the young man was quite surprised, "Could it be that you have obtained the protection of Xiu Yun Village?"

"Hehe, you could say that."

The old priest stroked his beard and said with some mystery.

Only by being elusive can one instill fear in others. The old priest was experienced and thus showed no flaws.

Sure enough, a hint of dread appeared on the young man’s face, but it was quickly masked by a smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Yue Xia, the Young Village Chief of Moon Shadow Village. There are still two to three hundred miles to Xiu Yun Village. Why not rest at our village?"

The old priest smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "No need for the trouble. We need to hurry to Xiu Yun Village, or they might get angry with us."

The elder behind Yue Xia stepped forward at this time, cupped his hands towards the old priest, and spoke with a voice so hoarse that it was unpleasant to hear.

"Old brother, there’s no rush to travel. Seeing your dusty journey, surely you haven’t rested well for days. Our village will surely treat you well."

"Just when the time comes, please say a few nice words for our Moon Shadow Village in front of Xiu Yun Village."

Although they are both medium-sized villages, Moon Shadow Village’s scale is far inferior to Xiu Yun Village. This apparently intends to use Chen Nan and the others to connect with Xiu Yun Village.

Chang Qing coldly laughed, "Hehe, it’s simply dreaming. Not just anyone can enter our Xiu Yun Village."

"Why not? Compared to Moon Tower Dong Village, Moon Shadow Village might be better, right?" Chen Nan asked suspiciously.

"You don’t understand." Chang Qing waved her hand, "Even if other villages want to depend on us, we generally don’t accept them, even if they want to hand over twenty percent of all their goods."

"We don’t care about that amount."

Then she began to explain to Chen Nan the rules on the Heavenly Border.

If two villages merge, one village must be eradicated, otherwise no one wants to join another village and become a slave.

Attachment is different. A small village can attach itself to a strong village but needs to hand over twenty to fifty percent of all their goods from the clan, effectively becoming vassals.

Although it’s better than the village disappearing, it’s not much better than being a slave.

Most importantly, strong villages don’t care about the trifles from small villages, so it rarely happens, and it’s regarded as spineless.

Seeing Moon Shadow Village want to seek refuge with Xiu Yun Village, Chang Qing was certainly disdainful.

Chen Nan raised his brows, squinting at the Young Village Chief Yue Xia, feeling that he wasn’t the type of person who would willingly stay subordinate.

So he thought it would be best to continue the journey, but at this moment some tribesmen started complaining.

"Priest, please agree, we are really tired from the journey."

"Yes, just rest for a day, it won’t delay much."

Seeing the tribesmen talking like this, the old priest had to nod and smile amicably towards the Young Priest and the elder.

"Then we’ll trouble you."

"Hehe, no trouble." Yue Xia smiled, stepped forward, and waved behind him, "Come, lead our friends."

Several cultivators immediately emerged from the forest, warmly leading the way to their village.

Chen Nan did not step forward, just watching Yue Xia and the others, feeling that the Young Village Chief’s smile was very fake.

Chang Qing beside him was also somewhat displeased, as she wanted to quickly return with Chen Nan.

But seeking help from others, she couldn’t say anything.

...

Moon Shadow Village, as a medium-sized village, was almost ten times larger than Moon Tower Dong Village, with around a thousand tribesmen and over three hundred households.

Seeing Chen Nan and the others arrive, they all stepped out of their doors, curiously observing them.

The tribesmen of Moon Tower Dong Village thought Moon Shadow Village’s people were warm and hospitable, all stepping forward to greet, making the two villages seem harmonious for the moment.

"Friends, rest assured. We just went hunting today and caught a lot of game, so we will hold a banquet tonight."

Yue Xia said to everyone, and the tribesmen of Moon Tower Dong Village cheered immediately.

The old priest was busy responding, while Ah Yin came to Chen Nan’s side.

"Senior, I feel something’s not right."

Chen Nan looked at Ah Yin in surprise, as it was impressive for the little girl to say such words.

"What’s different?"

"Just feels... too warm." Ah Yin struggled to organize her words, "At least, from what I know, other villages aren’t this warm."

"Just like our neighbors in Huotang Village, there are many conflicts between us, and they definitely wouldn’t be like this."

Chang Qing beside her was quite disdainful, waving her hand and saying, "What’s wrong with that? They just said they wanted your help to say nice things for them in front of Xiu Yun Village, right?"

"They’re flattering you."

"Is that so?" Ah Yin scratched her head, "Hehe, I haven’t really been out much."

Chang Qing stepped forward, took her hand, and patted her chest, saying, "Don’t worry, in the future, Xiu Yun Village will protect you, and you will definitely thrive."

"Then thank you, sister."

Ah Yin was easily satisfied, as long as the village was safe and sound.

Soon, bonfires rose in Moon Shadow Village, large chunks of demon beast meat were placed on the fire, and the fragrance gradually spread.

Both Moon Shadow Village and Moon Tower Dong Village’s people were very happy, chatting noisily, even dancing in high spirits.

It looked harmonious indeed, but Chen Nan still felt something was off, though he couldn’t figure out what.

"Distant guests, it is our village’s honor for you to come to Moon Shadow Village. I will offer our village’s fine wine to share with you."

The Young Village Chief, coming to the crowd, beckoned, and more than a dozen tribesmen brought jar after jar of fine wine, opening them in front of everyone.

A rich aroma of wine mixed with fruit spread, so charming that even children found it hard to resist, swallowing saliva non-stop.

Yue Xia first served a bowl, drank it all in front of everyone, and wiped his mouth heartily.

"This wine is our Moon Shadow Village’s special fruit wine, unavailable elsewhere, and even children can drink a couple of sips."

After saying that, he distributed the wine, with a bowl for everyone, even including children.

Because of the happiness, Moon Shadow Village’s tribespeople did not refuse.

"Come, priest, I toast you!"

Yue Xia smiled at the old priest and toasted a glass of wine.

The old priest drank it all, then smiled at Yue Xia and said, "Thank you, Young Village Chief!"

Others also drank up, exclaiming it tasted good.

Chen Nan also received a bowl but did not drink it, instead pouring it on the ground.

Watching the wine-bearing cultivators leave, his body vanished like a phantom, leaving only an empty bowl.