Apocalypse: Everyone Levels Up, I Return to the Time Before the Server Opened-Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Being Village Chief Means Spending Tax Money?!

[Novice Village Deputy Village Chief (Title): Grants citizenship within Trial City. Allows issuing quests, distributing rewards, and teaching skills to players as an NPC. (Gains more permissions as personal strength increases.)]

Ye Qiu read over his newly acquired reward.

His expression turned… odd.

“I really became an NPC?!”

He had just been speaking casually before. He never expected it to actually trigger a Legendary Hidden Quest!

“Looks like increasing Luck really pays off!”

Unfortunately, free attribute points were extremely rare.

And gear that boosted Luck was even harder to find. They were rarer than even Legendary equipment!

Before long, the crowd dispersed.

Elder Xu led Ye Qiu to his own courtyard.

The old man gazed at Ye Qiu with his weathered, wise eyes for a long time, then slowly nodded.

“I was right about you. You… have brought hope to this village and prevented a catastrophe.”

Ye Qiu listened seriously. But deep down, he didn’t quite agree.

Even with his rebirth, even though he had preemptively slain the Outer Demon in the Novice Village’s Inner Secret Realm, some fates were still nearly impossible to change!

For instance, the Version 2.0 update, when the demons would invade Trial City, they would swarm in from every direction!

And the Novice Village?

It was just one of many invasion routes.

That said, Ye Qiu had indeed saved the village.

At the very least, for the next few years, they wouldn’t have to immediately face a demon invasion.

There was no longer a need to open the Heavenly Gate, summon ancient gods, and trigger the Version 3.0 update!

And for Ye Qiu himself, this meant more time to grow stronger!

His mind was filled with strategies and hidden secrets.

If he could follow through on all of them, maybe…

No— he would definitely surpass the Ancient Gods!

At Level 100, there was even a quest involving the Chaos God, Pangu!

Ye Qiu’s thoughts wandered off…

Meanwhile, Elder Xu sighed.

“I’ve only ever taken three disciples in my life,” he said. “Xie Zhongyuan was my last. Originally… I had considered taking you as well.”

Ye Qiu’s eyes lit up.

He immediately blurted out, “You still can! I don’t mind having more than one master!”

Elder Xu continued, “But all three of my disciples… have died.”

Ye Qiu’s expression stiffened.

He let out an awkward laugh and quickly said, “Uh… well… actually, I already consider the herbalist my master’s wife… so my master should be her husband, right? Sigh, I guess we’re just not fated to be master and disciple.”

Elder Xu chuckled and shook his head. “Alright then. From now on, you are the Deputy Chief of the Novice Village. You may manage village affairs and will receive daily tax revenue. This revenue can be invested. The more you invest, the more you can earn.”

Ye Qiu blinked. “What if I fail the investment? Do I just get nothing?”

Elder Xu shook his head. “In reality, this tax revenue doesn’t belong to you. If you don’t use it in time, the rules of this world will reclaim it.

“So, as soon as you receive it, spend it immediately. Calling it an ‘investment’ just sounds nicer.”

After speaking, Elder Xu shot Ye Qiu a knowing look.

Damn.

This old man, so serious and dignified on the outside, but secretly a corrupt official?!

Sigh.

Money really does corrupt people, huh?

“Elder Xu, how much tax revenue do I get per day?” Ye Qiu asked eagerly, rubbing his hands together.

“That… I don’t know.” Elder Xu shook his head.

“Huh? You’re the village chief and even you don’t know?!” Ye Qiu was confused.

“The village chief’s position is tiny, barely worth mentioning.” Elder Xu explained,

“Before the Undying Clan arrived in Trial City, the tax revenue I received was just a small portion of the villagers’ income. But ever since you Undying arrived, my tax revenue now includes yours as well. And that number? Completely unpredictable. Since you Undying earn gold from killing monsters and completing quests, some days it’s a lot. Other days, I don’t even see half a coin.”

“I see,” Ye Qiu nodded.

Afterward, he pulled out the Outer Demon Blood.

“Elder Xu, here’s the demon blood you asked for!”

With a pained expression, he reluctantly handed over all 9 drops.

The moment Ye Qiu took out the blood, Elder Xu’s face turned serious.

His eyes fixated on the 9 drops of blood.

After a long silence, he finally sighed. “So many lives… were lost for this blood.”

Ye Qiu was surprised.

Was the demon blood even more valuable than killing the demon itself?

What kind of reward would I get?

Ye Qiu was full of anticipation, but then…

Elder Xu took the blood and said, “Go inform Blacksmith Zhang Tie, Herbalist Lady, Chef Zhang Aguai, and the village monk…”

[Ding! Elder Xu has issued the quest: ‘Daily Duties of the Deputy Chief.’ Please personally summon the named NPCs to Elder Xu’s house. Accept the quest?]

“Accept.”

Ye Qiu took the quest, then stared at Elder Xu.

Seeing that Ye Qiu hadn’t left yet, Elder Xu raised an eyebrow. “Deputy Chief, is there something else?”

Ye Qiu blinked. “…Haven’t I finished the mission?”

Elder Xu nodded approvingly. “You’ve done very well, both in slaying the demon and in collecting the blood.”

Ye Qiu stretched out his hand. “Then where’s my reward?”

Elder Xu slapped his forehead and chuckled. “Ah! I almost forgot!”

“Hah? You almost forgot?!” Ye Qiu wanted to grab him by the collar and yell,  “How the hell do you forget something like this?!”

[Ding! You have completed the ‘Slay the Outer Demon’ quest. Reward: +100 Free Attribute Points, Martial Art ‘Primordial Scripturer’ +1 Level.]

[Ding! You have completed the ‘Collect Outer Demon Blood’ quest. Reward: Mysterious Elixir 1.]

“100 free attribute points?!” Ye Qiu was ecstatic.

He had been worrying about how to increase his Luck stat, and here it was!

On top of that, his martial art technique leveled up!

Each level granted +10 to all four base stats!

But…

“Elder Xu, what’s this Mysterious Elixir?” Ye Qiu checked his inventory but didn’t see any new potions.

Elder Xu replied, “It’s related to the Outer Demon Blood.”

Ye Qiu finally understood.

No wonder Elder Xu wanted those NPCs gathered.

They were preparing for something big!

“Got it!” Ye Qiu immediately set off to inform the others.

His first stop: Blacksmith Zhang Tie.

Next, he went to his ‘Master’s Wife’, the Herbalist.

Since he was closest to these two, he visited them first.

“You’re here, my dear disciple?” The herbalist lady swayed her enchanting figure, pulling Ye Qiu inside the moment he reached the doorway.

She was extremely warm and welcoming!

Ye Qiu felt embarrassed.

“Uh, Master’s Wife, Elder Xu wants you to come to his place.”

The herbalist paused.

“Is this about the Outer Demon Blood?”

Ye Qiu nodded. “Yes, I collected 9 drops in total.”

He made sure to mention his achievements to everyone.

[Ding! You have received a reward from Blacksmith Zhang Tie: +10 Skill Attribute Points.]

Not a lot, but a pleasant surprise!

And sure enough…

[Ding! You have received a reward from the Herbalist Shopkeeper: +50 Skill Attribute Points.]

“Haha! My Master’s Wife is the best!”

Just as Ye Qiu was about to leave, she walked out and said, “I’ll notify the others. You stay here and watch the shop and make sure my daughter focuses on her alchemy practice!”

[Ding! New quest: ‘Watch the Herbalist Shop & Supervise Alchemy Practice.’ Accept?]

“…Guess I have no choice.”

With the quest accepted, Ye Qiu finally had some free time to check the forums and review his Level 20 stats!