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

Chapter 37 Check-in
"It had a very unpleasant incident?"

Hong Kou and Po Xiao couldn't quite understand what Bai Yue Kui meant by "unpleasantness."

Bai Yuekui's casual remark that "it was very unpleasant" was clearly not just a verbal argument; however, their intuition told them that this "unpleasantness" was definitely not a verbal dispute.

Lord Morgan is so reluctant to acknowledge the existence of survivors on the ground...

Hong Kou opened her mouth, wanting to ask more clearly, but swallowed the words back.

Yang Chen broke the brief silence at just the right moment. He put down his teacup and stood up.

"Come on, let me show you where you'll stay, and we'll talk after you've settled in." His tone was gentle, dispelling the tension from just a moment ago.

Bai Yuekui nodded slightly and stood up swiftly. Hong Kou and Po Xiao quickly followed suit, though they had various questions in their minds, they could only suppress them at this moment.

The four walked out of "Fan Shi Gang" (a restaurant chain), with Yang Chen and Bai Yuekui walking side by side in front, their pace neither too fast nor too slow.

Bai Yuekui would occasionally give a brief introduction to the surrounding shops.

Hong Kou and Po Xiao silently made notes, and everything they saw seemed new and exciting.

Soon, they arrived at a relatively quiet residential area.

The houses were simpler than those in the central area, but they were all clean and tidy, and some even had green plants in front of them. The house number that Xiao Chen gave me corresponded to a house on the side.

Yang Chen pushed open the door, and a faint fragrance of wood and green plants wafted out.

The house is small, with a one-bedroom, one-living room, and one-bathroom layout. The furnishings are extremely simple, but it has everything you need.

A bed covered with clean bedding, a table, two chairs, and a simple storage cabinet.

In the corner, there were some old-world equipment piled up, and the window was open, offering a glimpse of greenery outside.

"The conditions are basic, but it has everything you need." Yang Chen walked in and looked around. "The bedding is new, the kitchen utensils are all usable, and the water is purified and drinkable."

“This… is already very good!” Dawn said quickly, her tone revealing sincere gratitude.

In the lighthouse, even the upper class live in extremely cramped and oppressive spaces.

This place can already be called 'home'.

Hong Kou nodded vigorously, her fingers unconsciously tracing the surface of the delicate yet sturdy wooden table.

Bai Yuekui stood at the door, not going in, his gaze sweeping over the lingering unease on the two faces, and spoke.

"Since you are hunters in the lighthouse, you can also be considered combat personnel. Once you are familiar with this place and master the Return to Origin, you can go out on field missions to earn crystal coins."

They probably understand crystal coins; they're likely similar to the donation points on the lighthouse.

But what exactly is Guiyuan?
"What do you mean by 'Return to Origin'?" Hong Kou asked Bai Yue Kui curiously.

"Just think of it as an ability that prevents the Devouring Beasts from seeing you, and you'll understand later."

After Bai Yuekui finished speaking, he looked at Yang Chen.

Yang Chen chimed in, "Yes, take it slow."

“I’ll come and get you tomorrow morning.” He pointed in the direction of the village’s central school: “I’ll take you to the classroom tomorrow morning and you can attend classes with the children.”

"With...the children?" Hong Kou was stunned, thinking she had misheard.

Dawn was also taken aback. How could they, the two former hunter commanders and adjutants, be made to sit and have a class with a group of children?
"Mm." Yang Chen nodded, a matter-of-fact smile on his face.

What do you know about the Mana ecosystem and the Devouring Beasts?

“Um…” Hong Kou hesitated for a moment: “The Devouring Beasts are divided into types. If we’re talking about the pan-evolving type, there are the Snake Dog and the Earth Roar.”

Before Hong Kou could finish speaking, Yang Chen interrupted her, saying, "Alright, I'll be here promptly at 9 a.m. tomorrow."

"Even a three-year-old knows more than you do."

"Don't underestimate classes. What you learn in class is 'common sense': common sense about survival on the ground, common sense about the ecology of Mana, common sense about the Devouring Beasts, and... common sense about Dragonbone Village."

He emphasized the word "common sense": "These things are more important to you who have just come down here than knowing how to fire a gun. First, learn this lesson, understand what this land you are standing on is really like, understand what you are going to face, and understand where you will live in the future." Hong Kou and Po Xiao exchanged a glance, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes.

But upon closer reflection, Yang Chen's words did make sense.

What they learned at the lighthouse was combat skills, resource gathering, and adherence to the Three Laws.

They knew nothing about the mana ecosystem on the ground or the operating logic of this place.

Two adults attending classes with children may sound embarrassing, but it might be the fastest way to integrate into the environment.

"Understood, Boss Yang." Hong Kou took a deep breath, her unease disappearing, and nodded earnestly.

"We'll go first thing tomorrow morning."

Bai Yuekui took one last look at the room.

"You've settled into your accommodations; you can familiarize yourselves with the rest."

"If you need anything, you can ask your neighbors or other people in the village." After she finished speaking, she turned around and prepared to leave.

Yang Chen smiled at the two of them: "Get some rest. If you have nothing to do, you can wander around the village and get familiar with the surroundings."

He patted Dawn on the shoulder, then took two bags out of his pocket and handed them to Dawn.

"There are crystal coins inside. Go buy whatever you need."

After giving his instructions, Yang Chen followed Bai Yuekui outside.

The door was gently closed, and the room instantly fell silent, leaving only Hong Kou and Po Xiao.

And the faint, vivid yet unfamiliar sounds that belonged to Longgu Village could be heard from outside the window.

The two stood in the room, both silent for a moment.

The overwhelming influx of information and the changing environment have kept them constantly on edge.

When they were left alone, an indescribable weariness and bewilderment belatedly welled up inside them.

Hong Kou walked to the window, looking at the people walking and chatting outside, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Dawn walked up to her and gently put her arm around her shoulder: "Life here is completely different from that in the Lighthouse."

Hong Kou leaned against Po Xiao's shoulder.

"Yes, the people here are the ones who can truly be called alive."

"Want to go out and take a look?" Dawn asked.

Dawn tightened her grip, feeling the weight of Redhead leaning on her shoulder. She had never felt this relaxed in the Lighthouse.

"Okay, let's go out and take a look."

As soon as the two reached the door, they heard a man cursing and swearing coming from outside.

"Hey, you idiot, you got all oily while fixing a machine."

Po Xiao opened the door and went out, with Hong Kou following closely behind.

Outside the door, a man who looked to be around twenty years old, wearing work clothes stained with oil, was patting the stains off his pants while muttering to himself.

Hearing the door open, he instinctively looked up.

"Oh? A new face?" The man's eyes lit up instantly when he saw Hong Kou and Po Xiao standing at the door.

"Did you just move in today?" Before Hong Kou and Po Xiao could answer, he raised his oil-stained hand and casually pointed his thumb to the adjacent room behind him.

"My name is Qianli, and I live next door."

(End of this chapter)