Mutual Redemption with the Villainous Boss [Infinite] - Chapter 36

“Why?” Yan Wenxue asked, puzzled.

Zhu Ci didn’t give her an explanation, simply saying: “Want to know? That costs extra.”

Yan Wenxue gave a small huff of annoyance.

The lie detector hadn’t gone off, proving that Zhu Ci wasn’t lying. She indicated she didn’t need the explanation and put the device away, purchasing a translator from the mall to begin deciphering the text.

The points required for these two items weren’t low, but she bought them with ease, showing no signs of financial pressure.

Chen Jian was right; those at the top of the leaderboards were loaded.

The notebook was filled with illegible script, likely the local language of this dungeon. While the translator searched for matches, the sky gradually turned a dim, dusky yellow.

Night was falling.

“How much longer?” Zhu Ci was anxious. The Red Witch Assembly was about to begin, and Tong Lexi had been left behind in the mountains.

Yan Wenxue checked the translator and said: “Ten minutes.”

Those ten minutes did not pass quickly.

When the translator finally beeped, Yan Wenxue pressed the output button and tossed a printed paper version to Zhu Ci.

“Study it slowly when you get back. I have to return the notebook first.”

With that, she sprinted off toward the Great Priest’s house.

Zhu Ci stuffed the materials into her pocket and ran down the mountain.

Time was running out. If she climbed down at a normal pace, she would never make it.

She purchased a speed-enhancing enchantment card from the mall; it was cheap, but it could only be used three times.

Before long, she returned to the spot where she and Tong Lexi had parted ways.

But Tong Lexi was not there.

Zhu Ci searched the area for a long while, not daring to shout. The bag she had entrusted to Tong Lexi lay discarded on the ground, surrounded by a chaotic mess of footprints.

She picked up the backpack and put it on. In this dungeon, even if someone left the area, they would eventually return to their starting point, so she wasn’t overly worried.

I’ll head back first; she won’t stay lost for long.

The village was filled with bonfires, their flames illuminating the entire settlement. From a distance, it looked like a hidden, coiled dragon.

Tatarlina stood at the edge of the village and bowed deeply to the returning Zhu Ci.

“Welcome back, Guest. The Red Witch Assembly is about to begin. The Village Chief is awaiting everyone’s return.”

The other players were already seated. Seeing her, Jing Miaozhen gestured for her to come over.

A stage had been erected. The foundation wasn’t high constructed from halved bamboo poles and it was draped in layers of red silk, hung with bells, copper coins, and various animal skulls.

The village had prepared ten seats very close to the stage specifically for the players. The mentor and the other players were already eating, their cups filled with a milky-white, cloudy liquor.

Only Qian Kai, Tong Lexi, and Yan Wenxue were missing.

Yan Wenxue was still lagging behind, but where on earth was Tong Lexi?

“Hahaha, friend, please take a seat.” Village Chief Wulan’s voice came from behind, followed by a piercing laugh.

Zhu Ci ignored him. Nuobu stepped forward, offering her a cup of the white liquid.

“Sister, this is a special brew found only in our village. Give it a taste.” Nuobu’s expression was bright as he peeked out from behind the Chief to watch her.

The other players all had cups in their hands; it was clear that Lu Jun was already drunk to the point of incoherence.

Zhu Ci had no appetite. Even if it wasn’t poisoned, she couldn’t bring herself to drink it. Until she saw Tong Lexi, she couldn’t relax.

She set the cup on the table and turned to leave. Since the Priest hadn’t appeared yet, she still had a little time to search.

Nuobu’s expression immediately soured into disappointment. Jing Miaozhen, feeling bad, comforted him: “Big sister probably just doesn’t like alcohol, but I think the taste is quite good!”

No one noticed Nuobu’s expression hidden in the Chief’s shadow; a wide grin had split his face.

Wulan took his cane and struck the ground three times. The villagers immediately stopped what they were doing, leaned forward, and chanted in unison:

“We welcome the Great Priest.”

Zhu Ci had only walked a few steps and hadn’t even left the village when she encountered a woman approaching through the gap the villagers had cleared.

She was clad in a long black dress that covered her entire body. Her features looked aged, but upon closer inspection, she appeared to be only about thirty. In her hand, she held a staff adorned with copper coins, colored silk, and a massive ram’s skull, which made a thud-thud sound against the ground as she walked toward the stage.

Every time she passed a villager, they would raise one hand above their head and place the other across their chest, kneeling piously.

She continued until she reached the stage.

Zhu Ci’s path to find Tong Lexi was blocked, forcing her to retreat back to the seating area for the time being.

The Great Priest raised her staff. Everyone leaned forward, their raised hands touching the ground as they performed a full prostration.

The staff struck the stage floor again. The Great Priest raised her hands and began a prayer dance.

Xue Yaru was excitedly shaking Ye Yang; she had never seen such a spectacle before.

The villagers did not rise; they dared not look up, repeatedly chanting the same phrase:

“May the Red Witch pray for eternal blessings; may the heavens grant us sweet rain.”

Black markings spread across the Great Priest’s face, crawling up to her forehead before vanishing in an instant.

Every player present caught that moment.

Yan Wenxue appeared beside Zhu Ci and patted her shoulder, saying: “I’ve studied that notebook. You should take a good look at it too. It should have similarities to the intelligence you provided me.”

As the dance came to a halt, a single drop of rain fell on Zhu Ci’s face.

Suddenly, the sky opened up in a torrential downpour.

“The sweet rain has arrived! It is a gift from the heavens to Lanling Village! The Priest protects Lanling!” Wulan stood up excitedly, leaning on his cane. The rest of the villagers also rose, basking in the touch of the rain.

Seeing the intoxicated look on the villagers’ faces, Xue Yaru wiped the rain from her face with annoyance and shook her hands: “This is so annoying. It’s pouring, and my clothes are completely soaked.”

“Tsk, how much longer is this going to take?” Lu Jun, shaken awake from his stupor by the cold rain, grumbled, “I’m going back. This damn rain… I’m going back to sleep.”

Ruan Liangyan called out “President Lu,” trying to persuade him not to leave, fearing they might miss a crucial plot point.

Ye Yang was also irritated. He asked Xue Yaru if she wanted to head back first.

Zhu Ci, as if sensing something, looked back.

Tong Lexi stood there, drenched. Her wet hair was plastered to her face. While everyone else was partially bowing or moving, she stood perfectly still, making her incredibly conspicuous.

The rain was heavy, making it impossible to see her expression.

Zhu Ci called out to her: “Where were you? Come here, quickly.”

Tong Lexi shook her head.

At that moment, Xue Yaru did something no one expected.

She screamed, causing everyone who was about to leave to turn back toward her.

“You guys look at her arm!”

Zhu Ci’s heart skipped a beat.

Tong Lexi’s arms were covered by her jacket. Although it felt like autumn and the weather was cool, her jacket wasn’t particularly out of place.

Because she was so well-covered, no one had noticed anything. Jing Miaozhen asked, “What’s wrong? What’s wrong with her arm?”

The villagers stood up. In total silence, they surrounded Tong Lexi.

Someone took advantage of her distraction and ripped off her jacket!

Beneath her short-sleeved T-shirt, deep black marks were flashing, spreading toward the rest of her body under her clothes, appearing as if they were breathing.

Xue Yaru continued: “That’s the Red Ghoul! There must be countless talismans hidden under her clothes! She’s an inhabitant of this dungeon an RM hidden among us!”

As soon as she said this, the players gasped.

The rain continued to pour, soaking through Tong Lexi’s thin inner shirt, making her look cold and damp.

She trembled, whispering: “Zhu Ci…”

Zhu Ci tried to step forward but was blocked by Lu Jun.

He tilted his chin toward Ruan Liangyan and said, “Go strip her clothes off.”

Jing Miaozhen rushed to stop him: “What are you doing? This might be a misunderstanding. We can talk about this calmly.”

“Talk calmly? Hmph! If that’s an RM, how do you talk to it calmly? RMs are data, not human! Everything they do is for the sake of the dungeon, to deceive us. There’s no need to treat her like a human.” Lu Jun sneered at her words and ordered Ruan Liangyan to take action.

Just as Ruan Liangyan was about to move, a blade was pressed against his throat.

Zhu Ci’s face was dark. No one had seen her move from beside Lu Jun, but now she held a long, sharp blade.

“I dare you.”

Ruan Liangyan swallowed hard, his hands frozen at his sides, not daring to move.

Yan Wenxue didn’t like bickering, but she was equally fed up with the behavior of the two men. She pulled out her halberd, brandishing it as a naked threat.

Lu Jun reached for his sleeve.

The scene was suddenly on the verge of a violent explosion.

Xue Yaru and Ye Yang watched the drama with amusement. Jing Miaozhen quickly stepped in to play peacemaker: “If we’re fighting like this now, how are we going to work together to escape later? Everyone, please calm down.”

“What is wrong with your arm?”

A voice they hadn’t heard before rang out. It wasn’t particularly gentle, but it commanded authority.

The Great Priest stepped down from the stage, and the crowd parted automatically to make a path for her.

“I… I…” Tong Lexi trembled uncontrollably, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Lu Jun gave another cold snort. He said, “The thing on her hand is the Red Ghoul! She’s an RM! Why won’t any of you believe it?”

The Great Priest continued: “The Red Ghoul? Then shall I verify it for everyone?”

“How will you verify it?” Zhu Ci asked.

“A simple look is enough to distinguish it. Do not worry,” the Great Priest replied, her tone easing the tension in the air.

The Great Priest turned her head toward Lu Jun: “If it is not the Red Ghoul, are you willing to bear the consequences?”

Lu Jun hesitated and said nothing.

Seeing this, Ruan Liangyan thought it was a good opportunity and volunteered: “I am! I’ll bear the consequences.”

The Great Priest nodded: “Very well. Rest assured, it won’t be anything unbearable.”

Then, the crowd scattered to the sides, forming two long lines and clearing a path for the Great Priest to lead the way.

She said to Tong Lexi: “Come.”

Hearing this, Tong Lexi followed her as if acting on an involuntary command.

The players waited where they were. Zhu Ci retracted her blade, but Yan Wenxue did not put away her halberd.

After ten minutes, the Great Priest returned with Tong Lexi.

She gave Tong Lexi a gentle nudge, signaling her to go back, and said: “It is nothing. This is not the Red Ghoul, merely common symbols.”

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