The Villain Saint is my secondary account

Four players rode their horses along the empty street, looking around as if searching for something.

From the crow's perspective, Ella saw that above the players' heads, several curtains on the second floor were quietly pulled open, as if someone was observing them through the gaps.

However, when someone in the player group looks up, they often only see the curtains being quickly drawn shut.

"The atmosphere just felt a bit uncomfortable."

Beside Chen Yao, a female player with a low ponytail carrying a bow spoke softly.

"Okay, let's leave once we get the grey gold," Chen Yao nodded.

"Um, but it's getting late, and we won't make it back to the city in time." The player who spoke this time was also a female player, but she had a silver staff on her back and her brown hair just reached her shoulders.

“We can go to… Liangqiu Village.” The last one was also a knight with accessories. He was dressed the same as Chen Yao, the leader, but he was more robust. His broad face gave off an honest and simple air. “The villagers there are quite hospitable, and there’s an inn.”

"Ugh, no way, that little village is too dirty and messy." The mage girl pouted. "Especially the area north of the village, didn't you see it? That big patch of dark red wasteland and that empty, collapsed house, and the strange noises that keep coming from the woods."

“I did hear in the city that an unknown plague seemed to have broken out in Liangqiu Village a month ago,” the archer girl continued. “Although the villagers there say that a highly skilled swordsman has exorcised the source of the plague, it’s still a bit unsettling.”

“Yes, it’s not nearly as desolate as it is there. I’d rather stay here,” the mage girl grumbled. “Besides, who knows if that old man was telling the truth? I’ve never heard of a swordsman who can heal. He’s probably just making things up to make more money off travelers… Maybe the plague is still going on there.”

Since his companion had said so, Chen Yao had no choice but to comply.

More importantly, what these two players said did make sense.

Despite his intuitive unease about the town, he realized that he would likely have to spend the night there.

The simple-minded knight could only scratch his head and choose not to offer any further opinion.

The four of them rode their horses slowly along the street, following the road signs, until they reached the market area.

However, all the shops in this huge market were closed.

Waterproof tarpaulins were used to cover the clutter on the stalls, some shop roofs had even collapsed, and the cracked bricks on the walls were left unrepaired.

"Are you kidding me? Why are you closing so early?" the mage girl frowned.

"It's not that it's closed... it's more like it hasn't been open for a while." Chen Yao jumped off his horse, walked to a shop covered with a green cloth in the corner, rubbed the dust off his finger, and said, "Look at all the dust here, it's been abandoned for at least a week without anyone taking care of it."

"How could this be? Has the market been moved?" the archer asked.

"They're just changing the market's location, but not the street signs?" Chen Yao shook his head. "Something doesn't seem right."

"Oh, you lot, are you also traveling in town?"

Suddenly, a loud voice came from behind the four players. The four players were startled and turned around at the same time, only to see a young man with a buzz cut who had appeared behind them at some point.

The man looked to be young, probably eighteen or nineteen years old. He had a faint scar on his nose and a thin build. Underneath a linen cloak was a dark gray travel shirt.

"Who are you?!" Chen Yao asked, his hand already on the hilt of his sword.

The man appeared so silently that none of the four people present noticed his presence in the empty market.

"Hey brother, don't be nervous, don't be nervous," the man said with a smile as he raised his hands and waved them as Chen Yao approached with his sword. "I think you guys are all players, right? I'm a player too. We're all from the same hometown, so don't be so serious."

"Heh." Chen Yao wasn't buying it. "If you don't give us your name soon, we're going to make our move."

As soon as he finished speaking, the three players behind him drew their weapons and took up positions.

After all, they are players who were selected as royal guards of Aslan, so their wartime professionalism is quite high.

"Don't get excited, everyone. My name is Zhu Jun, Zhu as in vermilion and Jun as in handsome." Zhu Jun smiled sheepishly. "I'm just an ordinary player in the merchant industry. I just happened to see some fellow villagers I've never met before, so I wanted to chat with them."

"In short, I just want to curry favor with them, you know what I mean, I am a businessman after all, hahaha."

As soon as Zhu Jun finished speaking, the mage girl behind Chen Yao's eyes lit up. "You're a merchant?"

"Ah, yes, yes, gentlemen, is there something you wish to buy?"

“Jinghan.” Chen Yao frowned slightly.

"Hey Brother Chen, since we've run into you, why don't you ask?" The mage girl waved and laughed, "Do you have any gray gold? We came here to buy a batch of gray gold."

"Ah, of course! This is Gray Gold Town, where gray gold is the last thing we need. How much do you gentlemen want?"

"Brother Chen, how much are we going to buy again? Oh dear, you think a mere merchant player can do anything to the four of us?!"

"...Ten kilograms." Chen Yao finally put away his sword.

Indeed, it's not unreasonable to be wary of unknown monsters or even suspicious natives.

But this is just a player after all. What level can players reach these days? The arena is there for all to see. How much of a threat can they pose?

With his tattered gear and only the short sword at his waist as a weapon, he'd probably have a hard time even fighting a bandit.

Perhaps I'm just overthinking things.

Chapter Forty-Six Teeth

"Ten kilograms is no big deal, everyone just follow me, hahaha."

Zhu Jun readily agreed.

"What... what the hell is this!?"

Just as Chen Yao was about to lead his team to follow Zhu Jun, a crow suddenly swooped down on his face.

"Caw! Caw!" The piercing cries were irritating.

He waved and fiddled with the crow for a while before finally shooing it away, leaving a few black feathers that fell to the ground.

"Hahaha, what's going on, Brother Chen? You've actually been targeted by crows!" the mage girl behind him laughed.

"Hiss, what bad luck." Chen Yao's lips twitched. He saw the crow fly back to the roof not far away, staring at him with its dark eyes.

"Should we shoot it down?" the archer girl asked.

"No need, no need to waste arrows," Chen Yao said, gesturing with his hand. Seeing that Zhu Jun had already reached the market entrance and was waiting for them, he quickly mounted his horse, lightly kicking it with his heel to follow. "Whoa!"

Zhu Jun led the four players toward another street.

Despite the approaching darkness, the number of pedestrians on the road was increasing.

Dim oil lamps were hung in the streets and alleys, and some merchants could be seen shouting in front of their newly opened shops.

It seems that, just as Zhu Jun said, the crowds in Grey Gold Town have all gathered on the other side.

Why is that market area abandoned?

“Oh dear, there was a necromancer causing trouble there before, spreading some poisonous magic.” Zhu Jun said as he walked. “Although the town had the Holy Temple come and cleaned it up, most of the businesses still find it disgusting, and the townspeople don’t want to go there. Naturally, no one wants to do business there anymore.”

“I see, no wonder it was so eerie there,” the mage girl chimed in. “What kind of necromancer is so arrogant, harming people in broad daylight on the street?”

“I actually found out about this guy, Bersolini,” Zhu Jun laughed. “His nickname is ‘The Death Whisperer,’ a notorious wanted criminal. I don’t know how he ended up here.”

"Wow, I've heard of this guy before. It's actually here." Chen Yao nodded. "What happened to him after that?"

"Who knows? He's probably dead." Zhu Jun shrugged. "After all, the Holy Maiden happened to be in town at the time, and this guy ran into a brick wall while causing trouble."

"Saintess... Ella Heviel?" the archer girl asked.

"Wow, you Aslan players actually know our Saintess too?"

"Of course, who doesn't know this big star?"

The group continued until they reached a bustling tavern, where the waiters warmly greeted them and led away their horses.

Inside, the sounds of clinking glasses and lively conversation filled the air. Zhu Jun seemed to be a regular customer of the tavern. After chatting with a familiar waiter, he and his group were seated at a large table by the fireplace.

"Please have a seat, everyone, and eat whatever you like, hahaha. I'll go find someone to get the things you want right away," Zhu Jun said, waving his hand.

“No, Mr. Zhu, we just want to buy some grey gold…” Chen Yao stood by the table, somewhat hesitant.

"I know, but look, it's already dinnertime. How can I let all you big shots wait for me on the street on an empty stomach?" Zhu Jun seemed quite familiar with the situation.

As he spoke, he leaned down and whispered, "As you all know, this stuff is still a strategic resource for Loren. Ten kilograms of gray gold is no small amount. I have samples on me, but the bulk of the goods are in a warehouse in the suburbs. It would take a lot of time to go back and forth, which is why I asked you all to wait for me here."

"But……"

"Don't worry, this is the best tavern in town. Everyone can eat as much as they want; it's all on me." Zhu Jun stood up again and laughed heartily. "You are all big customers, so I can afford to treat you to a meal. Please be patient; I'll be right back."

After saying that, he turned and left without waiting for Chen Yao's reply, as if he was really in a hurry to pick up the goods.

Chen Yao hesitated for a moment whether to call out to Zhu Jun, but the other person had already disappeared at the front door of the tavern.

Indeed, it was precisely because Grey Gold was a resource controlled by the Loren Empire that they made a special trip from the capital to this small town to purchase it.

They had inquired and found that this small town was the only place nearby where they could buy large quantities of grey gold.

However, Loren's control does not mean that buying and selling are strictly prohibited; it only limits the amount that can circulate in each region, since ordinary adventurers or visitors from other countries sometimes need to make purchases.

Although Aslan regularly purchases from Loren through official channels, this is the Grey Gold that their team of players belongs to that their guild wants to buy privately, so it's not appropriate to trouble Princess Aslan to obtain this resource for them.

This is why the four men didn't change out of Aslan's guard uniforms to avoid suspicion; on the contrary, their expensive attire made the businessmen believe they were big clients.

The servant handed Chen Yao the parchment menu. Chen Yao touched the texture of the paper; it was smooth and soft, and for a moment he felt as if he were touching smooth skin.

He paused, looking at the paper in his hand; the yellowed pages seemed to remind him that it had all been an illusion.

"What would you like to order, sir?"

The attendant was a blonde girl wearing a white apron; she looked young and cute, and her voice was gentle and pleasant.

His smile is incredibly endearing, so natural and genuine, as if it were frozen on his face.

From her long, slender eyelashes to the upturned corners of her mouth, everything was perfectly still and perfectly in place.

Not moving at all?

"What would you like to order, sir?"

The servant's voice came again, giving Chen Yao a feeling of waking up from a dream.

What was I thinking just now?

"Ah, I...I need to...Hey, where did Xiaolian go?" Chen Yao suddenly realized that one of his companions was missing from the table at some point.

The spot where the archer player was sitting was now just an empty chair.

"Ah, she went to the bathroom." The mage girl propped her face up with her hands. "Isn't she done ordering yet, Brother Chen? I'm starving."

"Ah, very quick." Chen Yao looked back at the menu, his finger moving across it. "I'd like one... uh, what's this, 'Tokitara'?"

"Isn't this a common local meat dish? Hurry up, Brother Chen, stop dawdling!"

"well."

Do you have this dish? I don't recall it.

Chen Yao was a little confused. He glanced at the menu and found that he didn't seem to recognize any of the names.

Are these all local specialties?

He read out a few strange names, but neither Jinghan, who was sitting next to him, nor the tall knight raised any questions.

Did they already know about these dishes?

"Alright, sir, is that the decision?"

"Uh, right." Chen Yao handed the parchment back to the servant, then looked at the empty seat. "Why hasn't Xiao Lian returned yet?"

"I don't know, maybe it's at Shanghai University." The mage girl was so hungry that she was slumped on the table, groaning.

"Alright." Chen Yao nodded, then turned around and saw the waiter approaching with a wooden tray covered by an arched lid. "So fast?? It's not pre-made, is it?"

"Medieval pre-made dishes, huh? Hahaha, you're something else, Brother Chen." The mage girl was amused.

The servant bent down and placed the plate on the table. Just as he was about to lift the lid, Chen Yao suddenly heard a muffled sound in his ear.

"boom"

What was that? Chen Yao turned his head sharply and saw a crow crashing into the glass of a window not far away.

unlucky.

Chen Yao's lips twitched, and he turned back. At this moment, the lid on the plate had been opened, revealing a plate of steaming hot, bright red steak.

"Wow, what a feast!" the mage girl exclaimed excitedly.

Chen Yao smiled, but for some reason, he had a vague feeling that the eyelid on the steak looked like a moving eyeball staring at him.

He blinked, and the feeling disappeared again.

What are you doing?

Chen Yao rubbed his eyes, deciding to stop thinking about it, cut off a corner of his steak with a knife, forked it, and put it in his mouth.