Chapter 56: A Mysterious Existence

“When you were establishing the village in Yinglong Valley, Lord, did any special circumstances occur? For instance, did you receive any telepathic threats or warnings from any powerful entities?” Gao Jin hesitated for a moment before finally voicing his doubt.

“Special circumstances? Telepathic threats? Warnings? I have been establishing the village in Yinglong Valley for several months now, and I haven't encountered any special circumstances, nor have I received any telepathic messages! Does the old gentleman know something?” Lin Mu grew increasingly puzzled; Yinglong Valley had been peaceful and tranquil all this time!

Wait—suddenly, a realization struck Lin Mu. Yinglong Valley was such a vast territory, yet aside from True Dragon Village, there were truly no other major powers, not even a tiny village. Previously, Lin Mu had assumed it was normal for the area to be remote, desolate, and uninhabited, but thinking about it now, that was actually abnormal. Since Qingfeng Village had existed for many years and was not far from Yinglong Valley, how could they not have attempted to establish a village there to settle down? This was highly irregular!

At this thought, Lin Mu’s heart shook violently.

“Old gentleman, did you try to establish a village in Yinglong Valley and receive warnings from some powerful entities?” Lin Mu asked immediately, his mind racing with thoughts.

“Yes. Our ancestral family met with disaster, and to ensure the family's legacy continued, we began fleeing overseas. Initially, we wanted to sail out to sea to find an island where we could settle, but we encountered violent storms, suffered heavy losses to our ships, and drifted across the sea until we finally arrived at Yinglong Valley. Our ancestors thought they had found a secluded paradise and intended to build a village here. However, before we could even begin, a powerful entity issued a warning. It said that if we established a village here, it would be destroyed and we would invite a certain kind of misfortune; it even said we lacked the qualification, the destiny, and the fortune to establish a territory here!”

“Afterward, that mysterious entity told us to settle in a valley within the Qilian Mountains. Our ancestors crossed the valley and arrived at the place the mysterious entity had indicated. A prophecy was left behind, stating that in the future, an 'Outsider' would descend, the fires of chaos would burn once more, and our choice would determine whether we would enjoy eternal prosperity and glory. Our ancestors established a mountain stronghold there and lived in peace and contentment. Although it was somewhat dangerous, compared to the chaos of the outside world, it was a place where we could recuperate and grow!”

“Over all these years, we have remained isolated from the world. Although danger is everywhere, we have lived very peacefully. As the saying goes, 'to live in prosperity is to invite peril'; our stronghold never developed a formal military force. However, in recent years, for some reason, a large stronghold called Qinglong Village appeared. At first, we thought they were also refugees or remnants of fallen people living in seclusion, so we lowered our guard, befriended them, and even sought their help during crises. But gradually, we discovered that they were actually county soldiers of the current Great Han Empire, and they even possessed a teleportation array leading to the outside world.”

“We also learned about the current situation from them: the imperial court is in decline, eunuchs are in power, the relatives of the empress are dominant, and the Emperor is muddled. It seems the fires of chaos are about to ignite. Furthermore, the 'Outsider' mentioned in the information passed down by our ancestors has recently appeared. Only then did we realize that evasion is not the right path; only by entering the world can our family prosper. In truth, when I met the Lord at Gaohai, although I followed all the proper etiquette, I still felt a sense of confusion in my heart, which is why I only issued a simple mission to you. I hope you did not take offense. Now, the Lord has descended like a divine soldier to save us from our plight and settle us in our time of difficulty. Thank you, Lord! For your great kindness, we hereby submit to you!” Gao Jin spoke eloquently, and Lin Mu listened intently, mesmerized by the twists and turns of the story.

Moreover, it turned out that his ability to easily subdue Qingfeng Village was largely due to the message left by the Gao family ancestors!

“Previously, Gaohai did not place much importance on the information regarding the 'Outsider' passed down by our ancestors, but the one who saved us from this crisis is indeed that Outsider. This is the arrangement of Heaven and our family's destiny! That is why I later instructed him that if Lord Lin were to return, there might be an unexpected surprise. I never imagined it would actually happen! In fact, while our villagers were frequently transporting supplies to Qinglong Village, we began to realize that this Qinglong Village was no ordinary group of county soldiers. Although the Great Han Dynasty is currently in decline, large-scale warfare has not yet broken out; the common people should still have something to rely on, such as land to farm. Although exploitation is severe, the Great Han Empire is overall quite peaceful. Yet, these county soldiers are training day and night and constantly entering the forests to hunt beasts to train their troops. I fear their intentions are not simple. Therefore, we are very wary of them. We fear that if the great cause they are plotting is ever exposed, we ordinary producers will become souls under the blade!”

“This old man thanks Lord Lin Mu once again for saving our more than 100,000 villagers!” Gao Jin expressed his gratitude once more.

“There is no need for thanks. As a person of passion and righteousness, I would help you regardless. One should draw their sword to help when seeing injustice; moreover, in this desolate wilderness, it would be a wonderful tale if our two villages could work together in harmony!” Lin Mu smiled.

However, Lin Mu’s tone shifted: “Old gentleman, did your ancestors leave any other information? For example, what was that legendary entity? Will it attack the already established True Dragon Village?” Regarding the issue of Qinglong Village, Lin Mu, being a man with foreknowledge, already knew everything clearly. His greatest concern was that legendary powerful entity. Knowing that countless powerful beings were coveting his territory felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat—extremely uncomfortable!

“Our ancestors left no word at all regarding that entity. Since you did not receive a warning when you established your territory, and you have even succeeded and remained safe for several months, it must mean that you are the legendary person of profound fortune, qualified to establish a territory in Yinglong Valley!” Gao Jin said.

“I wonder if that entity has already returned to the void. If not, I don't know when it might jump out, which would be quite troublesome!” Lin Mu said with a look of gloom.

“*Aung~~~~~*... Kid, you needn't worry. Since you have learned of my existence through these ants, I have no need to hide. Once you have handled the affairs of your territory, come up and find me when you have time!” Suddenly, a mysterious voice rang directly within Lin Mu's soul, much like a system notification.

Hearing this, Lin Mu's hair stood on end, countless goosebumps erupted, and he was struck by extreme shock. His heart thudded uncontrollably in his chest.

*Was that just now the voice of the mysterious entity? It actually already knows of my existence and even invited me to visit? Brother, how am I supposed to know where you are? You didn't even say where you live, how am I supposed to find you?* After the initial shock, Lin Mu thought it over. Since it hadn't issued any threats or warnings to him, it likely had no ill intent. Even if it did, he wasn't sure if a weak player like himself could withstand it. Helplessly, Lin Mu forced himself to relax so he could think clearly.

As if sensing Lin Mu's thoughts, the voice rang out in his soul again: “What? You stole my things and still don't know where I live! Haha, you little thief!”

Lin Mu was struck by another wave of terror. It turned out that he, the thief, had long been discovered by the owner; he just didn't know why the owner hadn't come to deal with him yet.

*Yinglong... the Yinglong that resides upon Yinglong Peak!* Lin Mu understood; this was the mysterious entity.

*Senior, I have been disrespectful. It was my fault to steal your God-tier Village Building Order. I do not know how you intend to deal with this lowly one. You won't destroy my territory to take back the [Yellow Dragon Order], will you?* Lin Mu thought gloomily to himself.

“Haha, you were actually able to steal the treasure I guard, and successfully at that—that is your fortune. You are already the contemporary master of the [Yellow Dragon Order], and since you established a village upon the Nine Dragon Primordial Veins of Shenzhou, your luck is profound. I cannot, nor do I have the right, to deal with you! However, since you wish to compensate me, I am very willing to accept. We shall speak once you reach the summit, hahaha...” Yinglong's soul surged, feeling as though it could knock Lin Mu unconscious. In his mind, Lin Mu could almost see the shadow of a dragon soaring through the nine heavens, vast and majestic.