Chapter 124: Chapter 124: To Pass This Way, You Must Leave Pancakes

"Five years ago, your miracle was about to fail, so you used the last of your life to bring it forth once more."

This also meant that in the villagers’ memories, five years ago was just another disaster they experienced. The survivors would only marvel at their luck, never suspecting a thing.

"You have very little of your lifespan left."

"And when you do die, your soul will shatter completely, with no chance of reincarnation."

"Was it worth it?"

Sacrificing his body and soul, all just to maintain this ten-year-long miracle.

This kind of stubbornness made it hard for Zhang Yue to believe that he could be so accepting now that his life was about to end.

"It was worth it."

"Of course, it was worth it."

Faced with Zhang Yue’s doubts, Uncle Xia simply smiled.

"I watched many of them grow up. They were my neighbors, my old friends, and my descendants."

"I was very happy to be able to see them for ten more years."

Uncle Xia’s cloudy eyes shifted, and those gray-filmed orbs seemed to gaze back into the past ten years.

"I refused to give up before because I didn’t want them to depart with hatred and pain."

"But now, things are different..."

Uncle Xia took a half-eaten pancake from his robes.

The pancake had been sitting for two days but hadn’t spoiled in the freezing weather. If you leaned in close, you could still smell its lingering fragrance.

He laid the pancake out before him, the smile on his face growing wider.

"With this, they can move on to their next lives in peace."

Ten years ago, that disaster at sea took the entire village. Only he, only he survived.

In his extreme grief, his body underwent a change.

He could see the souls of everyone in Little Sea Village.

Their deaths had been too tragic.

Those who couldn’t swim suffocated in the seawater, while those who could were pinned beneath collapsed beams, wailing endlessly.

Husbands gave the high ground to their wives, only to be swept away by the waves themselves.

Mothers held their children up with all their might, but their mortal bodies had limits, and they eventually lost their strength and sank into the bottomless sea.

The terrible screams of children echoed throughout the village.

How could children who had lost the protection of their parents survive in those monstrous waves?

They died.

They all died.

In the end, he never even saw the villagers’ bodies.

The children who played with him every day, the old friends who would play a game or two of chess in their leisure.

And his wife, his son and daughter-in-law, his granddaughter.

A single tsunami had so easily taken everything away.

It left only their souls, gathered together, resentment breeding uncontrollably.

If this continued, this place would sooner or later turn into a haunted land. Once the villagers completely lost their minds and went out to cause harm, he would have no reason to stop others from exorcising them.

So he used his own power to turn Little Sea Village into a dream-like miracle.

They had come back to life.

Over these ten years, he had asked himself many times, ’Do I regret it?’

Every time, the answer was the same.

Even if he became something neither human nor ghost, he had no regrets.

He gave his miracle to Little Sea Village, and now, he had received a miracle of his own.

The small pancake in his hand carried all of his hopes. It could awaken the villagers’ memories of their lives and disperse the resentment in their hearts.

To come into this world clean, and to leave it clean.

How wonderful.

"I am the village chief. I have not failed my people."

These were Uncle Xia’s heartfelt words.

"I will see them off properly. I promise."

Zhang Yue dropped all of her probing and bowed to Uncle Xia as a sign of respect.

She had dealt with too many people and ghosts, but a being like Uncle Xia was a rare treasure.

She would do her utmost to ensure these souls could depart in peace.

「...」

"I have a little donkey, that I never ever ride..."

Lu Wu was now approaching Little Sea Village, humming an off-key children’s song as she ambled toward her stall location.

After yesterday’s competition, the remaining prodigies were formidable.

That was why Qin Zhan and the others had stayed behind to discuss their next steps with the Sect disciples.

Lou Xiaotian had wanted to come with her, but he got dragged away by Qin Zhan.

Qin Zhan, who was all talk about "brothers sharing weal and woe," was terrified Lou Xiaotian would get to eat a delicious pancake, so he used some shady means to keep him there.

Who knew a Unity Lock could be used to chain two men together?

As the saying goes, if I can’t have your heart, I’ll have your body.

Lu Wu, whose thoughts had drifted off to some domineering-CEO-forces-his-love soap opera channel, was snapped back to reality by Dahuang’s barking.

"What is it?"

Lu Wu patted Dahuang’s head.

She saw both of her little beasts staring into a pitch-black patch of grass.

This was a small, steep slope. Below one side, wild grass grew thick. The wind blew through it with a RUSTLING sound, giving it a bit of a horror movie vibe.

"Who’s there?"

Lu Wu wasn’t too worried, because she figured it was just her group of customers who were always pulling some weird stunt.

Sure enough, the moment she spoke, a voice called out.

"Since you’ve found us, don’t blame us for what happens next! Let’s get ’em, everyone!"

"Listen up! This tree was planted by me, this road was paved by me. If you wish to pass..."

A crowd of people burst out from the grass. Some even had a few blades of wild grass stuck in their hair, looking very disheveled.

They glared at Lu Wu, putting on their most ferocious expressions, trying to stage a robbery.

Yes, this was the plan they had come up with.

"I know this one! The next line is: ’leave the little pancakes,’ right?"

The all-too-familiar slogan made Lu Wu feel compelled to cut in.

"Alright, alright, I know you’re here to buy pancakes. I get it, I get it."

"Don’t worry, there’s more than enough for today."

"We’re all old acquaintances here, you don’t have to prepare these surprises for me, ha."

"Huohuo, get everyone to line up."

"Dahuang, go collect the money."

"Open for business!"

With a wave of her hand, Lu Wu gestured for everyone to follow. She walked a few quick steps to the designated spot and set up her stall.

A Luminous Pearl dispelled the quiet darkness, its bright light illuminating everyone’s faces.

’Their faces are a little unfamiliar, but that’s fine.’

Her stall welcomed foodies from all corners of the world.

Under Lu Wu’s direction, the villagers couldn’t help but follow her. It wasn’t until they were standing in front of the stall that their leader, Hua Li, remembered what they were there to do.

’Oh no, this boss is bewitching!’

At this thought, he raised an eyebrow and spoke with feigned viciousness.

"We’re not here to eat pancakes! We’re here to—"

"Oh, come on, don’t be strangers! I know you’re not here to eat pancakes, you’re here to make friends, right?"

Lu Wu used her interruption Skill again.

’My customers are such drama queens. As the owner, I have to play along.’

"No, really! I’m here to rob you! Hurry up and give me—"

Seeing that they were talking completely past each other and that the young boss in front of him wasn’t scared at all, Hua Li got exasperated and stubbornly retorted.

"Rob me of my pancakes, right? I’m already making them! The spatula’s practically smoking. Just a sec, ha."

The award for best crowd control on the field definitely went to Lu Wu.

The spatula sliced down the middle, and a pancake was ready. Lu Wu handed it to Hua Li, who was at the front of the line.

"Here. Your pancake is ready. Ten Spirit Stones, price is firm."

She could play along with the role-playing, but they could forget about dining and dashing.

...

Hua Li, who had never placed an order in the first place, looked at the pancake stuffed into his hand. It felt heavy.

No one had told him this boss’s train of thought was so bizarre. Communication was completely impossible.

’Then again, this pancake smells amazing.’

’Should I eat it, or not?’

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