C23 Village Chief Is a Cunning Person

The Old Village Chief implied that he was aware of the Master or the Beast Tide that Chai Le had previously mentioned. Today's events had undoubtedly put the village at odds with the Green Mountain Sect, which would surely withdraw its protection. Chai Jin, who had already departed, might well return with reinforcements—perhaps a group of the sect's disciples. How could the ordinary folks of Northern Mountain Village ever hope to prevail against such skilled Martial Cultivators?

Thus, the Old Village Chief was keen on retaining Chen Feng, seeing him as the village's protector. Yet, this likely wasn't the Old Village Chief's genuine motive. The Old man's true intention was to deflect any blame onto Chen Feng when the Green Mountain Sect sought retribution, accusing him of inciting rebellion against them. This would inevitably shift the sect's position, leaving Chen Feng to be ensnared by the Village Chief's scheme.

Chen Feng had long recognized the cunning in the Old Village Chief's eyes. The Old man was shrewd, his mind a whirlwind of devious plots. For instance, when Chai Le launched his attack today, the Old Village Chief collapsed in a feigned faint, only to revive naturally after the fight, seemingly more vigorous despite his shaky demeanor. He certainly didn't appear as frail as he had let on.

The Old man was crafty, and in a past life's game that Chen Feng had played, such a character would undoubtedly survive to the end. Internally, Chen Feng sneered at the Old man, yet outwardly, he maintained a friendly smile. After all, as long as he didn't show his irritation, they could remain on amicable terms.

Moreover, there was a woman in Northern Mountain Village whom Chen Feng was loath to leave behind—Wu Mei. Merely thinking of her sent a shiver through his heart.

With a surge of conviction, Chen Feng declared, "Rest assured, Old Village Chief. I will defend Northern Mountain Village to the very end! As long as I'm here, its safety is my duty." With that, he unleashed his Skill—Leadership. In that moment, awe and fervor washed over the villagers' faces, the kind reserved for a true leader they were eager to follow. Only the Old Village Chief remained composed.

"It seems that although it's a Skill, there are still those who remain unaffected!"

Chen Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. For some reason, he felt a sense of dread toward the frail Old Village Chief!

Perhaps it was his maxed-out Skill—Passive Perception—that was giving Chen Feng these forebodings.

Just then, Wu Mei approached and took Chen Feng's hand, reverting to the bubbly demeanor she had when they first met. Her liveliness brought smiles to all the villagers' faces; it was clear that everyone in the village was fond of Wu Mei.

No one could fathom how Wu Mei came to be so stunningly beautiful; her allure was beyond words!

Yet, such a ravishing individual had emerged from a destitute little village!

"How odd," Chen Feng mused to himself.

"Okay, dear elders and gentlemen, please stop crowding around the Immortal Master. He's exhausted from battling those bandits. Let's give him some time to rest, shall we?"

Without waiting for a response, Wu Mei, still holding Chen Feng's hand, quickly led him away.