C130 Jin Ate Sh * T

He was acutely aware that with his modest strength as a Three Stars fighter, he couldn't hope to traverse the Shanhai Realm—forget venturing far, he wouldn't last a hundred miles without falling prey to a Demonic Beast. Still, this was preferable to enduring the scorn that awaited him back in Grey Wolf Village.

With this in mind, he bowed respectfully to Ning Qi and expressed his gratitude, "Regardless, I owe you a great debt for saving my child. I may be a minor figure like Faang Guhang, but I will never forget this act of kindness. Should the opportunity arise, I vow to repay you a hundredfold!"

"Thank you, our savior!"

The villagers, cradling their children, echoed their thanks to Ning Qi. Their eyes then turned to Faang Guhang, who they had evidently chosen as their interim leader.

"We'll head this way!" Faang Guhang declared, pointing in a direction opposite to Grey Wolf Village.

After they had taken a dozen steps or so, Ning Qi called out abruptly, "Come back, all of you."

"What?" The group halted, puzzled, and turned to stare at Ning Qi, unsure of his intentions.

"Ahead lies a Fourth Rank Demonic Beast. You wouldn't make it more than a few dozen miles before becoming its meal. I plan to stay in this area a bit longer, so I'll escort you until you find a village that will offer you shelter. Then, I'll take my leave," Ning Qi explained.

"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you!" Faang Guhang and the others knelt in gratitude once more.

Ning Qi gestured for them to rise. "Stand up. For the time being, you can address me as 'village chief.' But remember, it's a temporary title. Don't get the idea that I have any intention of actually becoming your chief."

"Yes!" Faang Guhang replied, elated.

His wife's eyes brimmed with tears of happiness.

"Now, I have a question for you. Do you know who rules this land?" Ning Qi inquired.

"Chief, it's the Devil Dragon King," Faang Guhang responded.

"You're aware of the Devil Dragon King? Then do you know how one might gain an audience with it?"

Ning Qi inquired.

A peculiar look crossed Faang Guhang's face. Ning Qi had just slain a Scarlet Flame Dragon and was now inquiring about meeting the Devil Dragon King. Clearly, he wasn't planning to present gifts to the monarch. A certain possibility dawned on him, draining the color from his face.

"Just tell me how I might have a chance to meet the Devil Dragon King. Don't worry yourself with anything else."

Seeing Faang Guhang's reaction, Ning Qi knew he had approached the right person. He must have information on meeting the Devil Dragon King; otherwise, his expression wouldn't be so telling.

Anxious not to upset Ning Qi, Faang Guhang hastily explained, "In the Shanhai Realm, each village chief offers sacrifices to the Devil Dragon King annually. Those whose offerings rank in the top ten are granted an audience and rewarded by the King."

"Really? Is that how it works?"

"Yes," Faang Guhang confirmed with a nod.

He reassured himself, thinking Ning Qi wouldn't have enough for such a sacrifice to meet the Devil Dragon King, and felt somewhat relieved.

"Well then, it seems I've become the village chief at just the right time. Let's head back to Grey Wolf Village," Ning Qi declared, chuckling.

"Back to Grey Wolf Village?" Faang Guhang was taken aback.

"What's the matter? Are you scared?" Ning Qi teased, a playful smirk on his face.

"Of course not! Back to Grey Wolf Village we go! Chief, if you can take down the Scarlet Flame Dragon, the old chief is no match for you!" Faang Guhang steeled himself and nodded resolutely.

"Exactly! We'll drive out the old chief!" The other villagers' faces lit up with understanding, and they excitedly pumped their fists in agreement.

"Stay here," Ning Qi instructed as he summoned Purple and flew to the entrance of the Scarlet Flame Dragon's lair. Shortly after, Purple returned to where Faang Guhang and the others were waiting.

"This is the chief's demonic pet, here to protect us. There's no need to fear," Faang Guhang announced, addressing the crowd's anxious faces.

"Daddy, that bird is huge, almost as big as Lord Chi Yan!"

Faang Guhang's son eyed Purple with a mix of curiosity and fear.

With a haughty glance at the onlookers, Purple turned away to preen its feathers.

"Don't refer to it as Lord Chi Yan; it's merely a vicious member of the Dragon Clan," Faang Guhang stated with gravity.

His son promptly nodded in agreement. "Understood, Father."

"Faang, how do you reckon the village chief will handle the Scarlet Flame Dragon's remains? Do you think he might share some of the dragon blood with us?" someone asked eagerly, eyeing the dragon's carcass.

Faang Guhang shot the person a frosty look and replied, "Don't entertain any greedy notions. It's the chief's decision on how to deal with the carcass, and it's none of our concern. I'm warning you, if anyone harbors ill intentions, leave now and spare the rest of us any trouble."

"You're absolutely right, Brother Faang!"

"Mr. Kong, you really shouldn't entertain such thoughts."

Realizing he had become the focus of everyone's disapproval, Mr. Kong offered a sheepish grin and said, "I was merely speaking hypothetically. How could I entertain any other thoughts? The chief saved my daughter, and for that, I'm deeply grateful." He then embraced his daughter tightly.

Deep within the Scarlet Flame Dragon's cave, Ning Qi, who shared a psychic bond with Jin, quickly located his companion. What he witnessed next was utterly astonishing. Jin was completely ignoring the dragon's hoard, instead gleefully burrowing through a mound of dung, occasionally gulping down a mouthful.

Upon spotting Ning Qi, Jin excitedly bounded towards him.

Ning Qi deftly used his Dragon Slaying Blade to send Jin flying back, then said sternly, "You're covered in filth; keep your distance." The Dragon Seeking Mouse had the unique ability to gain strength from a dragon's droppings, a boon to its development. Although Ning Qi understood that feasting on Dragon Shit was instinctual for the creature, he still couldn't stomach the idea of it, smeared in excrement, coming anywhere near him.

Jin landed with a thud, casting a pitiful look at Ning Qi before reluctantly turning back to the pile of dung, taking three steps and looking back with each one.

Ning Qi paid no attention to the creature and proceeded to claim all the hidden treasures of the Scarlet Flame Dragon. Among the loot were Battle Weapons and various jewels, none of which caught Ning Qi's interest. However, they were perfect for offering as sacrifices to the Devil Dragon King.

Once he had gathered the treasures, Ning Qi turned to Jin and asked, "Are you full yet? If you've had your fill, we should head out."

Jin cast a longing glance at the Dragon Shit before trotting after Ning Qi.

"We'll come across a river soon; make sure you take a quick bath. From now on, even if you indulge in eating sh*t, you can't be covered in it," Ning Qi said, eyeing Jin with a look of distaste.

Reaching the cave's entrance, he summoned Purple, who soared into the air. Purple recoiled at the scent when Jin attempted to climb aboard. Upon closer inspection, Purple nearly lost its composure. It flatly refused to let Jin climb on, forcing Jin to descend the mountain wall alone. Luckily, as a Dragon Seeking Mouse, Jin was nimble enough to manage.

"Let's get moving," Ning Qi announced.

Faang Guhang noticed Ning Qi's indifference to the Scarlet Flame Dragon's remains. Though curious, he remained silent and continued to guide Ning Qi in the direction of Grey Wolf Village.

"System, open the Gambling Gift Bag," Ning Qi commanded.

Three options emerged from the Scarlet Flame Dragon's Gambling Gift Bag.