Raven recounted how he destroyed the bandits' headquarters last night, and what he did there. His voice was calm, but every word he uttered sounded heavy and full of meaning that was difficult to decipher.
After finishing his explanation, he paused for a moment, then began to ask questions.
The village chief replied slowly, as if afraid of choosing the wrong words. "As I said... it was their only headquarters. They started living there about two years ago."
"Two years..." Raven repeated softly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He looked up. "If it's been that long, why didn't you report it to the Murim Alliance? Aren't they the ones who usually deal with bandits?"
The village chief sighed deeply. "I reported it last year. But the report was ignored. They said they were involved in a major dispute with the Demonic Sect. They said they didn't have enough people to send to a remote village like ours."
"A dispute?" Raven's voice remained calm, but his gaze became sharper.
"I don't know for sure," the village chief replied quickly. "From what I've heard, it has something to do with the cult leader and the alliance leader. But that's just a rumor."
"What kind of relationship?" Raven asked again, his tone flat but clearly insistent.
The village chief looked down, his fingers clasped together nervously. "I really don't know more than that, sir."
Raven frowned, then exhaled slowly as he rubbed his temples. "In that case, just say you don't know. Don't make it sound like you're hiding something."
"I-I'm sorry, sir." The village chief bowed hastily. "Really, that's all I heard."
Raven didn't answer immediately. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if piecing together long-buried memories.
So that's how it is... The Murim Alliance and the Demonic Sect are still the same as before. He thought vaguely, but I didn't expect the Demonic Sect to survive for centuries. I wonder... who their leader is now.
He opened his eyes slowly.
"Sir..." the village chief ventured, his voice cautious, "if the bandits' headquarters is destroyed, what will happen to our village?"
"Huh," Raven chuckled softly.
"That's your decision, why are you asking me?"
"Because you took action, sir," replied the village chief quickly. "At least I want to hear your opinion... as the person who saved us."
"I didn't do it for this village."
"Even so," continued the village chief sincerely, "you are still our benefactor. As the village leader, I am grateful."
Raven stared at him blankly. There was no sense of being touched, only an indescribable silence.
This was the first time someone had thanked him for a massacre.
He had indeed killed all the inhabitants of the headquarters without leaving any witnesses. No one was left alive. Before leaving, he even took the time to leave sword marks on the walls and on the bodies of the corpses, patterns resembling the techniques of the orthodox Murim sects he had seen in the past. Neat enough to be believable, chaotic enough to arouse suspicion in the wrong direction.
His goal was simple to mislead the investigation. The Ash Serpent Union must not know that this village was involved, or that he had ever been here. If they thought this was the work of another sect, this small village might get a little time before the next storm came.
Not bad, he thought briefly.
Suddenly, the village chief knelt before him.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you so much! You have saved us!" His voice trembled, not from fear but from relief.
"It's okay, stand up," Raven said lightly, almost like a sigh.
"You're just making the scene unpleasant to look at."
The village chief quickly got up, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. He still looked awkward, but now he was calmer.
"Then... allow me to give you something as a token of my gratitude," he said cautiously.
"Whatever you ask for, I will try to get it."
Raven stared at him for a few seconds, as if considering something simple but important.
"Near this village... is there a quiet place?" he finally asked.
"An empty warehouse, an unused house, or anything. I want to stay two more days before leaving."
The village chief looked a little surprised. "You can stay in the best house in our village. I'll prepare it—"
"No need," Raven interrupted softly but firmly.
"I want to be outside the village. Far from the crowds."
There was a brief silence before the village chief nodded respectfully. "Very well. I'll find something right away."
Raven looked at him, this time with a more serious gaze. "All right, I'll wait. And one more thing."
The village chief reflexively straightened his body.
"Don't let anyone know about this conversation. Not my friends. Not even your villagers."
The tone was not harsh, but it was enough to make the air feel heavier.
"I understand," replied the village chief without hesitation.
Raven just nodded slightly. Without saying anything else, he turned and walked away. A thin layer of dust rose with each step he took, and the morning breeze blew gently through the village courtyard.