Chapter 35: Sunset Village

After a slight wave of dizziness, Ye Luo found herself standing on a narrow path. It was broad daylight, the sun blazed high in the sky. For the first time in more than ten days, she saw sunlight again, and she couldn't help but narrow her eyes in pleasure.

She quickly examined herself. First, everything she had tied to her body before was gone. Clearly, only items obtained within the instance could be carried over—making props all the more important. The more powerful the item, the greater its effect.

Second, she noticed that she seemed to have grown younger. Her body was much slimmer and smaller than in reality. Ye Luo thought for a moment and pulled out an item called “A Man Is Iron, Rice Is Steel”—a shiny iron pot. Gazing into the polished metal, she could just make out her reflection. Her appearance was indeed different from reality—thinner, shorter, and visibly younger. But after confirming her physical stats remained at a solid fifteen points, she dismissed the rest. So long as her strength was intact, she cared little for appearances.

From her pocket, she drew out a character card: “Ye Yingying, freshman in college, fond of photography. Invited by an online friend to Loxia Village for a photo trip.” Around her neck hung a camera, clearly to match her role.

Loxia Village. Online friend.

Ye Luo committed these keywords to memory. When she finished reading, the task card vanished. She then took stock of her surroundings.

She stood on a muddy path lined by mountains. At the end of the road, smoke curled lazily into the air—a faint outline of a village could be seen. That was likely the Loxia Village mentioned on the card.

Ye Luo considered, and decided to try walking back the way she came. But she hadn’t gone far before an invisible barrier blocked her path. Every other direction was the same: a few paces, and she could go no further.

So, she had only one choice—to follow the path toward the village.

Ye Luo narrowed her eyes. It was clear she was being forced to head to Loxia Village. With no other options, she didn’t hesitate further, and started down the trail.

After about a hundred steps, she reached a wooden signboard.

“Loxia Village,” she read aloud. Below the village name, several rules were listed:

1. Loxia Village rises at sunrise and sleeps at sunset. No one is allowed outside after seven o'clock in the evening.
2. The village chief is elected by all villagers and holds the highest authority. Everyone in the village must obey the chief.
3. There is no meat in Loxia Village. If you see any, do not eat it.

Three rules. When Ye Luo finished reading, the writing vanished from the signboard, as if it had never existed.

Hardly scientific. But in a world like this, what use was science?

For now, she saw nothing overtly strange about Loxia Village. Raising her brows, she stepped into the bounds of the village.

It was a small place, perhaps only a few dozen households. Soon, a villager working at the edge of a field caught sight of her. The man froze for an instant, then a flash of wild delight crossed his face.

A young woman!

Other villagers in the fields noticed her as well. Ye Luo frowned. Their gazes made her uneasy—as if she were meat laid out on a butcher’s block, and they were eager to devour her.

Soon, an elderly man approached her, forcing a kindly smile. “Miss, what brings you out here on your own?”

Ye Luo adopted a timid air. “Uncle, I’m a student and love photography. I met a friend online—he said his hometown was beautiful and perfect for shooting, so I brought my camera to take some pictures. Oh, and my friend’s name is Zhang Hua.”

“Zhang Hua? Ah, from the Zhang family.” The old man chuckled. “I’m Zhang Zhenxing, the village chief. Come, I’ll take you to the Zhangs’ house.”

So, this was the chief?

Ye Luo covertly studied him, then nodded obediently. The rules made it clear: everyone in the village must obey the chief. Now that she had entered, she was considered a villager too, and likely bound by the same rule.

When the chief saw how agreeable Ye Luo seemed, his smile grew even warmer. “Just follow me.”

He hobbled ahead, leading the way with his cane. Ye Luo followed, occasionally lifting her camera to snap pictures of the village scenery—playing her role as a photography-loving college student to perfection.

The chief, watching her, looked all the more at ease.

Soon, they arrived at the Zhang family home.

A shrill voice rang out, “You lazy girl! Hurry up! It’s just a few clothes, and you’ve been washing them since morning—are you dragging this out on purpose? I feel sick just looking at you!”

This was followed by a girl's pained cries.

“Scream, will you? Let’s see if I don’t beat you to death! What did I do to deserve such a useless, money-draining daughter…!”

Just then, the chief led Ye Luo inside.

Ye Luo narrowed her eyes. A woman in her fifties or sixties held a bamboo stick, lashing at a girl on the ground.

The girl looked thirteen or fourteen at most, frail as if a gust of wind could topple her. Her body was covered in bruises and welts.

“That’s enough! Chen Cuihua, stop that!” The chief cleared his throat, voice stern.

At the sight of the chief, the woman—Chen Cuihua—immediately stopped. She spotted Ye Luo and a flicker of wild joy flashed in her eyes. “Chief, who’s this girl?”

The chief smiled. “Your son Zhang Hua has done well. She’s a friend of his, here to take photographs in our village. Where’s Zhang Hua? Have him greet our guest.”

“Hua-zi went drinking with his father, but they’ll be back any moment.” Chen Cuihua kept sizing up Ye Luo, her face bunched into an eager smile.

“And what should we call you, miss?” the chief asked.

Ye Luo replied calmly, “Ye Yingying.”

“Yingying,” said the chief kindly. “This old crone may look fierce, but she’s good at heart. You can rest easy here—Hua-zi will be back soon.”

Ye Luo glanced at the girl on the ground.

Chen Cuihua quickly explained, “This is my daughter, Zhang Hongyan. She’s been disobedient since she was little—if I don’t beat her, she never learns. Hongyan, stop playing dead and go boil some water—we have a guest!”

Zhang Hongyan silently climbed to her feet, shot Ye Luo a quick look, and hurried inside.

“Come, Yingying. Let’s wait inside,” said Chen Cuihua with forced enthusiasm.

The chief showed a satisfied smile. “We rarely have guests in our village. Make sure you treat her well.”

Those last four words were spoken with emphasis, carrying a special meaning.

But now, Ye Luo was simply an innocent, naïve, and easily deceived freshman. Her large, bright eyes betrayed not a hint of suspicion.

“Don’t worry, Chief,” Chen Cuihua replied at once.