Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 212 Ling Cage Part 1 (5)

Maiduo led Yang Chen and Hongkou through several paths to a relatively tidy stone house. A simple wooden sign hung at the door, with the words "Registration Office" written on it in charcoal.

"This is it!" Maido pushed open the half-closed wooden door and went in first.

The room was simply furnished with a rough wooden table, a few chairs, and a shelf that looked like a filing cabinet.

Maiduo took two sheets of paper and two pens from the table drawer and handed them to Yang Chen and Hongkou.

“Here, fill this out. Name, age, where you’re from, any special abilities or skills you’re good at… that’s about it.” Maiduo said, her curious big eyes darting back and forth across Yang Chen’s face.

"So, how exactly did you know all of our names? You even knew my dad's nickname? And you called him that."

Yang Chen took the form but didn't fill it out immediately. He just smiled and said, "This... I'll tell you later, Boss Bai. It might be a bit... strange for me to explain it."

Maiduo pouted and muttered softly, "So mysterious..."

Looking at Yang Chen's calm demeanor and the red-haired woman beside him, her curiosity grew even stronger.

She leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "So... are you very familiar with our Boss Bai? I saw that she actually let you into her place. Usually, apart from those who do research, very few people can get in."

Yang Chen picked up a pen and wrote his name in the name column without looking up: "Me? I'm quite familiar with her. But she's not so familiar with me yet."

These words left Maido completely bewildered, making her feel even more that the man in front of her exuded mystery.

She wrinkled her small nose, about to ask something else, but then she noticed that Yang Chen's attention was no longer on the form.

Yang Chen's gaze fell on Chagai, who was tilting its head and looking him over on Maiduo's shoulder.

A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, and then his lips moved slightly, letting out two clear whistles.

The whistle did not seem to be a teasing sound.

Chagai, who had been sitting steadily on Maido's shoulder, suddenly bristled slightly, and his round eyes were filled with surprise.

Its little head tilted even more, staring intently at Yang Chen.

Under Maido's surprised gaze, Chagai fluttered its little wings a few times, then wobbled off her shoulder and landed on Yang Chen's outstretched palm.

"Chagai?!" Maiduo exclaimed in surprise, somewhat incredulous.

Yang Chen gently scratched Cha Gai's little head with his fingertips.

Maido stared wide-eyed in surprise at the little falcon nuzzling affectionately in Yang Chen's palm: "You... how do you know this tune?"

Yang Chen didn't answer directly, but instead casually asked, "What about Narisong and Anari? Chagai is their child, right?"

However, upon hearing those two names, the surprise on Maido's face vanished instantly, replaced by an undisguised sense of loss and sorrow.

Her bright eyes dimmed, she lowered her head, and her voice became much softer: "Na Risong and Ana Ri have already left."

Yang Chen paused slightly as he teased Cha Gai's fingers.

He saw Mai Duo's mood plummet instantly and understood.

He had only asked casually to confirm something, but he didn't expect to touch on the child's painful memories.

"I'm sorry, Maido," Yang Chen said softly.
He didn't ask for any more details, but carefully handed the cup that was still rubbing against his fingers back to Maido.

Chagai seemed to sense the change in its owner's mood. It stopped playing around and obediently jumped back onto Maido's shoulder, gently combing her hair with its beak, as if to comfort her.

Maido silently shook her head, indicating that it was okay.

Hongkou, who was standing to the side, saw all of this and couldn't help but feel a pang of pity in her heart.

She couldn't help but step forward, reach out, and gently pat Maido's head.

Maido felt a gentle pat on her head and looked up at Hongkou with some surprise.

The red-haired woman's gaze held a strange familiarity and concern, warming her heart yet also deepening her confusion.

She shook her head, temporarily putting aside these things she couldn't understand, and her tone became lighter again: "Okay, okay, you won't tell me anything when I ask you questions, you're so secretive."

"Let me check how well you've filled out your registration forms."

As she spoke, she picked up the forms that Yang Chen and Hong Kou had placed on the table and began to look at them.

"Yang Chen..." she said Yang Chen's name first, then her gaze shifted to the age column, "Age eighteen?"

"So you're only a year older than me, yet you're acting so mature."

Upon hearing this number, Hongkou, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch her lips and gave Yang Chen a strange look.

She knew perfectly well that her boss was already well into his seventies, yet he filled in "eighteen" without batting an eye. This attempt to appear young was a bit too far-fetched.

Mai Duo's gaze continued downwards, landing on the section about Origin Potential. She read aloud in confusion, "...omitted? Yang Chen, haven't you awakened your Origin Potential? Or is it inconvenient for you to say?"

She looked up, her big eyes full of curiosity: "It's better to write it down. The villagers will try to help you make devices to stabilize or enhance your potential."

Yang Chen simply shook his head calmly: "You'll understand about abilities once you see them after you're in the Moon Clan. I won't fill them out here."

Maido blinked, still feeling strange, but seeing Yang Chen's resolute attitude, she could only mutter, "Okay..."

Since Boss Bai has agreed to let a person of unknown origin stay in the village and even let him into his own territory, I can just go through the motions here.

She put Yang Chen's form aside and picked up Hong Kou's.

“Hongkou…?” Maiduo looked at the name and called out tentatively. Seeing Hongkou nod with a smile, she continued reading, “Age… twenty-five years old. Source potential… guiding others’ emotions with specific pheromones, proficient in various firearms.”

Maido's eyes brightened as she looked at the detailed information filled in on Hongkou's form.

She looked up and exclaimed, "Sister Hongkou, you're amazing! You know so much!"

When Hongkou heard Maiduo call her "Sister Hongkou" and saw the admiring look in her eyes, her heart felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.

The Maido in this world is still as cute and polite as ever, far better than that annoying Qianli from before.

Yang Chen watched the two of them from the side, smiled, and interjected at the right moment: "Mai Duo, you can also call me Brother Yang."

However, Maiduo turned her head away innocently and said, "What big brother? You're only a year older than me, why are you acting like an adult! I'll just call you Yang Chen."

Her blunt rebuttal made Yang Chen chuckle. He shook his head and didn't press the matter.

Hongkou couldn't help but chuckle as she watched her boss "get humiliated" in front of a young girl.

Maiduo carefully put away the forms that Yang Chen and Hongkou had filled out and returned them to the drawer.

She clapped her hands, turned to the two of them, and said, "Alright, registration complete! Since you've just arrived in Dragon Bone Village, you were probably getting familiar with the surroundings, right? How about I show you around and tell you about our village?"

Her face beamed with enthusiasm, clearly eager to take on the role of "guide." Yang Chen looked at the energetic young woman before him and smiled gently.

He politely declined, saying, "No need to trouble you, Mydo. We can just wander around and look around. Weren't you training with Chagai just now? Don't let us keep you from finishing."

He remembered that when he came over just now, Madonna was practicing sharing her vision with Chagall.

Maido waved her hand dismissively, and Chagai on her shoulder chirped in agreement.

"It's alright, it's alright! We can practice later. It won't take long to show you around the village." As she spoke, she had already walked to the door first, then turned back and waved to Yang Chen and Hong Kou, "Come on, come on! I promise you'll get to know this place quickly!"

Seeing her enthusiasm, Yang Chen and Hong Kou couldn't refuse any longer.

Yang Chen smiled and nodded: "Alright, then I'll trouble Class Monitor Zhengyi."

Mai Duo was no longer puzzled that Yang Chen seemed to know everything about this matter, and simply gestured for the two of them to follow.

"Leave it to me, come with me!"

Maiduo led Yang Chen and Hongkou along the streets of Longgu Village.

As she walked, she enthusiastically pointed out and introduced the surroundings.

“Look over there, that’s the ‘All-Science Classroom.’ Principal Qiu Shi teaches the children there. Although I’ve already graduated, I still go there to help out occasionally.”

After walking a few steps, she pointed to a place with some electronic sound effects: "That's an arcade! There are some old-world arcade machines inside. Uncle Belenkov fixed a few of them. Although there aren't many games, everyone likes to play them during their breaks. Boss Bai sometimes goes to play a couple of rounds too!"

"That's the restaurant over there!" Maido pointed to a spacious building in the distance with smoke billowing from its chimney. "Aunt Yuan, who cooks, is an amazing cook! Although she doesn't have a huge variety of ingredients, she always manages to make sure everyone is well-fed and satisfied. If we don't know what to eat today, we can go try it together later!"

Then, she gestured in one direction: "There are shops over there. Some sell trinkets, and some repair clothes."

"And there too. There."

Maiduo introduced Dragon Bone Village, showing Yang Chen and Hongkou the different areas of the village one by one.

As Yang Chen listened, he pondered what the village was still lacking.

Although Dragonbone Village in this world has stubbornly developed its own system and order, it still lacks facilities and other amenities.

Mai Duo was talking enthusiastically when she noticed that Yang Chen's eyes were wandering, as if he was lost in thought about something else.

She immediately waved her hand in front of Yang Chen's eyes, pouting, and asked, "Hey, Yang Chen! Were you even listening to my introduction?"

Yang Chen was interrupted by her and immediately came back to his senses. Looking at the girl's slightly dissatisfied and charming appearance, he couldn't help but smile.

He reassured them, "I'm listening, I understand the general idea. The village is very well planned."

Seeing his sincere attitude, Maido was slightly satisfied, but still muttered under her breath, "Okay..."

Looking at her slightly pouting, adorable cheeks, Yang Chen's heart stirred.

Just like when he was younger than Maido in his own world, he naturally reached out and wanted to gently pinch her wonderfully soft cheeks, just like before.

However, his fingertips had barely touched Madonna's cheek when...

"Hey you! Put your hand down! Don't touch my daughter!!"

A thunderous roar suddenly came from behind.

Yang Chen's hand froze in mid-air.

Wulan Aodeng rushed forward in a few steps, glaring angrily at Yang Chen.

Maiduo was startled by her father's sudden roar and quickly explained, "Dad! What are you doing! Yang Chen didn't mean any harm!"

Ulan Aodeng ignored him completely, still staring intently at Yang Chen, his eyes seeming to want to devour him alive: "I don't care if he has any ill intentions! Kid, I'm warning you, stay away from my daughter! If I see you lay a hand on her again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Looking at his overly anxious father and then at Mai Duo's helpless and apologetic expression, Yang Chen could only silently withdraw his hand.

You little rascal.

Seeing that Yang Chen had withdrawn his hand, Wulan Aodeng's expression softened slightly, but he still turned to Maiduo with concern, his tone immediately becoming gentle: "Sweetie, is the registration complete? Did he do anything inappropriate just now?"

His wary gaze still occasionally swept towards Yang Chen.

Maiduo stomped her foot: "Hey Dad! Stop being so suspicious! Boss Bai agreed to let them stay in the village, how could they be bad people!"

Ulan Aodeng snorted, clearly still bothered by Yang Chen's actions: "I naturally respect Boss Bai's decision, but this kid..." He looked at Yang Chen, "In short, you better watch yourself!"

He paused, then said to Maiduo, "Now that the registration is complete, let them explore on their own. You should go to training too."

“That won’t do!” Maido immediately objected. “I already promised to show them around the village, and I have to keep my word! It’s okay if the training is a little later.”

Looking at his daughter's stubbornness, Ulan Aodeng knew her temperament well and could only sigh helplessly in the end.

He conceded, "Okay, but..."

He glared at Yang Chen again before turning around, but instead of going far, he sat down on a stone bench not far away, crossed his arms, and looked like he was watching them.

Seeing her father like this, Maiduo smiled apologetically at Yang Chen and Hongkou and whispered, "That's just how my dad is, don't mind him."

Yang Chen naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against a father who loves his daughter, and he smiled to show his understanding.

Then, remembering something, she changed the subject and asked, "By the way, Maiduo, those kids called you 'the righteous class monitor' just now. Why is there such a title?"

When Maiduo heard this question, she chuckled playfully, "Hehe, so there are things you don't know?"

But soon, the smile on her face faded, replaced by a maturity and a touch of sadness that seemed out of place for her age.

She glanced at the children chasing and playing in the open space in the distance, and her voice softened: "Those children... most of their parents have perished. Because of the invaders, because of the ecosystem."

“I don’t have any other special skills, I just play with them, and over time they started calling me the Justice Squad Leader.” She paused. “They all yearn to one day become Awakened Ones, to protect the village, and to never lose anyone important to them again…”

Upon hearing this, Yang Chen murmured, "Sacrificed."

"What about the life essence? Has it been collected and properly stored away?"

Maido nodded: "Of course, as long as it can be recycled, the village will absolutely not allow the life essence to escape."

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Mai Duo's confusion, Yang Chen didn't explain in detail, but simply said...

"As long as the essence of life is still there, that's good."

(End of this chapter)