Ou Tao blinked, then realized this wasn’t a game. He quickly put on a look of deep suffering. “I have a daughter. Taxes here are crushing us—we can’t even afford food. When I heard about the four silver coins for guiding, I rushed over!”
The two exchanged a glance, asked around, and confirmed the middle-aged man was truly local. Only then did they agree.
By the well, Ke Er’s eyes widened with wonder. “Wow~! A big bird! The wooden mechanical bird is so cute!” she cried, gazing up at the colorful creation.
The artificer sighed helplessly. He’d stood there nearly half an hour—why hadn’t a single village child approached? What had the landlord done to them? He’d spent all morning crafting these birds. The squad leader just messaged: a guide was found, and the four silver coins were owed. But not one bird sold. How would he pay?
Then he remembered: the Mutated Bamboo Boar King’s rich EXP, loot drops, maybe even a chest. With four in the party, he’d surely hit level 8. Gritting his teeth, he announced, “Kids! Magic-powered parrots—huge discount! Only forty copper coins each! Limited to ten!”
The children just stood blankly. Even the silver-haired little girl in a crisp new cotton dress—the one he’d watched closely—didn’t run home begging. Merely seeing it seemed enough. Buying? A dream too distant to dare.
Melman’s jaw tightened. These villagers were bled dry. *Scum landlord,* he cursed inwardly.
“Only forty copper coins? Perfect! I’ll take all ten!” A haughty, childish voice cut through the air.
All eyes turned. The boy, wrapped in a fluffy leather jacket, strode through the crowd, pulled four silver coins from his pocket, and tossed them at Melman’s feet.
Melman’s brows furrowed. “Haven’t your parents taught you respect?”
The boy swiped his hand down. A status panel glowed:
Name: Boen
Class: Noble
“Oh! Young Master Boen, the landlord’s son! Honored!” Melman forced a smile, hiding his irritation. He raised a hand. Ten mechanical birds fluttered onto Boen’s arms.
Ke Er watched longingly. *I want one… No. Father just recovered. What am I thinking, Ke Er?* She tapped her temple and walked away.
Children swarmed Boen. The coins sank into the snow under tiny feet. Melman’s lips twitched. Anger flashed in his eyes—but he bent down and picked them up.
Boen spun proudly amid the crowd, arms spread like a victor. The birds hopped along his sleeves, clucking cheerfully.
Nearby farmers shivered, faces etched with hardship. They slaved for the landlord one or two months to earn four silver coins—barely enough to feed their families. Yet this eight-year-old tossed them away carelessly. Adults and children alike stared, envy burning in their eyes.
As Boen preened, a white figure caught his eye—walking away. Coarse cotton clothes, flowing silver hair. He didn’t recognize her at first. Ke Er? Usually ragged, dirty-faced, coughing timidly like a rat in trash… But today? Her back was straight. Her face clean and lovely. Her silver hair danced in the wind. She walked with quiet confidence—breathtaking.
Boen froze. A fairy-tale moment: a prince (as he saw himself) beholding a noble princess. He forgot the birds on his arms entirely.
Half an hour later, Ou Tao led the three knights and Melman uphill. To lure the Mutated Bamboo Boar King, they needed an upwind spot for the alchemical scent to drift into the valley. Though new to the village like the rest, Ou Tao’s sharp observation and calculation pinpointed the perfect location in moments.
“Here you go, Uncle!” Melman smiled, handing Ou Tao four silver coins. “Thank you! Truly, someone raised in this village knows these mountains best.”
Ou Tao smiled slightly, pocketed the coins. “My thanks. Farewell.”
As Ou Tao vanished downhill, Melman inserted the potion vial beneath a mechanical bird’s tail. Fragrance bloomed.
“Melman! What are you doing? We haven’t dug the trap yet!”
“Heh. Haven’t you noticed? Bobo Village is dirt poor. Yet the landlord’s son tosses four silvers like pebbles.” Melman’s stomach churned remembering Boen’s arrogance. *You little punk… just wait.*
“My new plan: send the bird to lure the Mutated Bamboo Boar King straight to Landlord Roland’s manor. When they tear each other apart—we move in. Claim the EXP, the loot… and raid his vault while we’re at it.”
