Chapter 53 - 53 50 The Monster in the Barn Extra for Alliance Hierarch Reverser

53: Chapter 50: The Monster in the Barn (Extra for Alliance Hierarch Reverser) 53: Chapter 50: The Monster in the Barn (Extra for Alliance Hierarch Reverser) Considering the price of this hunting dog, they couldn’t afford to be reckless with it. Like yesterday, the two of them had to execute their combat skills when the straw man was about half HP and then follow up with a chop, while the two dogs just sat by the side. Rou Qiu could at least bark a few times to act as part of the atmosphere group, but Broken Teeth could only watch. Luckily, the two of them were already quite skilled at this routine, taking turns using combat skills and recovering energy, ensuring they weren’t burnt by the straw man’s big move without even having to use the Power Pill. After chopping down more than twenty straw men, there still wasn’t a sign of the Demon appearing. Xiao Jie wondered if the Demon really spawned by killing straw men. Maybe it would take another hour or two for it to appear? Bang! Another straw man was chopped down, dropping a necklace. Xiao Jie picked it up to see, turned out it was just a plain white board. [Gold Necklace (Accessory) Attribute: None. Item introduction: A necklace made from gold. Although it has no practical use, the value of the gold itself is significant. It can be sold at a good price in stores, or used to boost favorability with NPCs.] Considering it could be used to increase favorability, it wasn’t entirely useless. He was just wondering who to give it to when a familiar voice rang out in the distance. “This is my Tian family’s land, you misfits from who knows where, dare to take our things, don’t you want to live!” As they turned around, they saw a middle-aged woman engulfed in ominous black aura charging out of the wheat field with a kitchen knife, rushing towards them—it was Tian Lishi. Eh! A flash of spiritual light crossed Xiao Jie’s mind; he remembered that yesterday, right after a bronze ring dropped, this Tian Lishi spawned. Today, just after the necklace dropped, Tian Lishi appeared again; could there be a connection? Indeed, Tian Bao once mentioned a few of his ancestors, and Tian Lishi was the housekeeper of the Tian family, who wouldn’t let a single leaf or blade be taken from the premise. Perhaps it was the jewelry dropped by the straw man that drew her out. Could it be that the other two members of the Tian family could be drawn out in a similar way? While thinking these thoughts, it didn’t interfere with Xiao Jie’s ability to fight. Raising his shield to block and slashing with his sword, the two hunting dogs finally found their moment to shine, rushing forward—one biting the leg and the other choking the neck. The result of a four-on-one skirmish was a swift victory. This time, however, neither a key nor a kitchen knife dropped, but instead a skill book—well, let’s just call it a skill book for now. [Garden Roasted Cake (Recipe) Learning requires: Pre-requisite skill—Cooking (Entry-level). Item introduction: A cookbook for making Garden Roasted Cakes, a delicious local specialty made from flour and vegetables, full of rural charm.] “This…” Xiao Jie was momentarily speechless; it seemed like anything could drop. This item wasn’t entirely useless; at least he could make some roasted cakes if he learned it, no need to always eat instant noodles. “Gold necklace or cookbook, which one do you want?” “I’ll take the gold necklace.” Xiao Jie nodded and distributed the items. After dividing the loot, he wasn’t in a hurry to continue leveling but started pondering the notes beside him. “What’s the matter, Feng? Let’s continue leveling.” “I’m trying to figure out how to open the grand door of the ancestral mansion. According to the information I collected this morning, the key should lie with the three Tian family members—Tian Lishi, Da Niu, and Mr. Tian. I think I’ve found the pattern for the Demon’s spawning. Remember yesterday we also obtained a bronze ring before this lady appeared; it’s definitely not a coincidence. The three of them, Tian Lishi the housekeeper, Da Niu the martial enthusiast, and Mr. Tian who is especially frugal… What’s the best food in your bag?” “Smoked wild boar meat.” “Throw a piece on the ground.” “I Want to Be Immortal” did as told without another word. The two men watched the piece of wild boar meat on the ground, while Rou Qiu and Broken Teeth also stared intently at it. The two men and two dogs just stared at each other around the wild boar meat, minutes ticking by—one minute, two minutes, five minutes, ten minutes. There was no sound except for Rou Qiu drooling. Rou Qiu: Master, what’s the deal with this wild boar meat? Is it for me to eat? I won’t be polite then. “Don’t eat!” Xiao Jie stopped him, thinking could I have miscalculated? The smoked meat then finally began to slowly disappear, being refreshed by the system. Rou Qiu howled in pain, truly heartbroken. The next second, a lean old man wearing a bamboo hat and long robe appeared out of nowhere, his face covered in black qi, swinging a walking stick in his hand. Mr. Tian (Demon), Level 8, Life Value 160. Mr. Tian (Demon): “Ah, such good stuff being wasted, let me teach you two wasteful fools a lesson.” With that, he charged at them, wielding his walking stick. Xiao Jie was not shocked but delighted, his theory had been correct! Thus, Tian Lishi’s butler would not allow others to take what fell in the wheat field. And this Mr. Tian, being inherently frugal, appeared as soon as he saw the food being refreshed. The same method could probably be used to lure out Tian Daniu. At this point, the battle had already erupted. Mr. Tian’s combat skills were not as good as Tian Lishi’s. Held by two dogs by the legs, I Want to Be Immortal delivered a Splitting Stone Slash and smacked him to the ground without Xiao Jie even making a move, ending the fight. The old man was not strong in combat, being overpowered in just a few hits. He dropped a key and a bamboo hat. [Barn Key (Key) Usage: Opens the gate of the barn. Item Introduction: An old rusty key that can be used to unlock the corresponding door lock.] [Old Man’s Bamboo Hat (Helmet) Head Defense +3. Equipment Effect: Old but Wiser. Comprehension +1. Item Introduction: A tattered bamboo hat that can give one a sense of profoundness when worn. Perhaps this worn-out bamboo hat contains some overlooked wisdom.] Xiao Jie picked up the bamboo hat, I Want to Be Immortal had a leather helmet, so he didn’t need such basic equipment. But Xiao Jie knew the value of comprehension, even though it was only a slight increase, it was better than nothing. With the bamboo hat on his head and holding the Yanling Saber, he really looked like a Jianghu Blade Man. This barn key could be of immediate use. As they approached the barn, Xiao Jie looked at the barn door and thought, could the entrance to the cellar be inside the barn? It doesn’t seem likely. Logically, it should be inside the Tian Family Mansion; so, what could be inside the barn? Looking at the barn door in front of him, Xiao Jie couldn’t help but be cautious. “Get ready, there might be a fight—Rou Qiu, come to my side,” he said uncertainly. I Want to Be Immortal responded, standing by the door with the broken-toothed dog, battle-axe ready, prepared for combat. Xiao Jie also restored his energy to full, flexing his fingers to ensure he was in the perfect state, and then he pressed on the lock of the barn door. Click! As the lock opened, the barn door slowly swung open. The moment the door opened, countless small red eyes emerged from the darkness, giving Xiao Jie a start. Among those red eyes, there was even a pair of big red eyes; in the darkness, it was unclear just how large the monster was, but he instinctively retreated. When the monster’s form became clear from the darkness, even though Xiao Jie was psychologically prepared, he was still taken aback. It was a giant rat, over three meters long, as big as a bull, with grey-black fur that was somewhat decayed, making it appear even more grotesque, and its blood-red eyes flickered ferociously, ready to devour someone. Bone Chomper (Obese Giant Rat), Level 9, Life Value 500. Damn! A boss had actually appeared. PS: Still owe two more updates.