Chapter 1189: Sacrifice: Suffering of Guilt

"Have you thought of something?" the village head asked, seeing the glint in Wang Hu's eyes. "Yes." After nodding lightly, Krune took in a deep breath before his expression turned solemn. His body posture slightly changed, suddenly making it seem like he had a majestic air about him, concealing an aura of authority.Upon seeing the minor changes, the village head immediately felt that Wang Hu's posture was familiar. As he was wondering in surprise and confusion, he saw his old friend exhaling gently. Raising his head, Krune told him, "During this coma, I recalled my family's lifelong secret. It seems I somehow lost this memory until yesterday."After a dramatic pause, he said solemnly, "My family is actually a line of Imperial Meisters.""W-What? Imperial M-Meisters?" The village head trembled n fear, for a moment trembling as he unconsciously wished to prostrate on the floor. However, Krune prevented him from doing that, sighing as he continued, "Something like that isn't necessary between the two of us. Besides, after I recovered my Imperial Arms, I realized that it had been severely damaged. I can bȧrėly use its ability right now.""Anyway, keep this a secret." He then leaned closer, whispering, "I used its ability to determine a water source that would save our village's plight.""Don't you wish to head towards a town and announce your status so that you can ȧssume a governmental position? Wasn't that what you had sought all along?" After calming down from the surprise, the village head asked. "Did you forget that I'm illiterate?" Krune laughed wryly. "And besides, I don't have the strength to make that trip. Making our grandchildren enter the County Academy takes the utmost priority. Otherwise, once people come to know about my identity, they'll target Hao'er for our bloodline.""You're the only one I can trust with this secret," Krune said with all his seriousness. "I understand," the village head replied. He understood the underlying implications behind Krune's words. As Wang Hu was considered an Imperial Meister, possessing an Imperial Arms, even though it was damaged, that still gave him status above typical wealthy families. Unfortunately, he's an old man who could die any day. After that, the only other person carrying his bloodline was Wang Hao. So, any aristocratic family would definitely try to make Wang Hao marry into their family. This way, they would be able to elevate their status and obtain the power of the Imperial Arms. In the future, the bloodline would continue in their family. Moreover, after using enough funds, they could even begin to repair the fragmented Imperial Arms. After all, repairing one was way easier than creating one from scratch. Now that Krune divulged the secret to the village head, it meant that in the case he died, it was up to the village head to continue his bloodline. At present, Wang Hao and the Village Head's granddaughter were pretty close.The two old men had been focusing on educating the two all along, as they were the smartest of their respective families. So…having understood everything, the village head teared up, holding Krune's hands as he promised, "You don't have to worry. As long as this pile of bones still breathes, I'll do my utmost to give them a better future."After that, the two of them chatted for quite some time, discussing a variety of things before the village head forged a document that indicated the empty patch of rocky land in the village was now the property of Krune—Wang Hu. With that, it had been claimed two years ago, just as how Krune wanted. After carefully tucking it within his clothes, Krune then told him, "Also, you must make an overbearing choice.""An overbearing choice?" The village head was startled upon the abrupt change in Krune's tone. "Yeah." Krune nodded, sighing as he told him the truth. "The reason Old Leaf vanished was because a Yin Beast had taken him away.""Y-Yin B-" As the village head shouted in shock, Krune hurriedly shut him up. Once he calmed down, Krune began to speak. "I still cannot fully understand its nature, but it seems to be seeking those that live alone in their house. So…"The village head shuddered, having understood what Krune implied. "But, with your Imperial Arms…""It's impossible," Krune sighed, lamenting. "With my body, I cannot dodge its attacks. Plus, my attack power isn't enough to kill it in one strike.""No soldier would even come here if we ask the nearby town." The village head frowned in worry. "We haven't even managed to pay our taxes this year after we were raided by the bandits. Our village lacks any prospects, so no one would take the effort to come to our aid."Krune nodded in response, clearly understanding the status of their village. Had it been before the bandit raid, there could have at least been some possibility of receiving help. But now, there wasn't. The produce in their village was of the lowest quality, the talents non-existent, and with their taxes not being paid, they would be ignored. After all, to hunt the Yin Beast, the lord of the nearby town would have to send his personal troops. And, every soldier that died to the Yin Beast meant a major loss in resources. After all, training able-bodied men capable of fighting against Yin Beasts consumed a lot of resources. No one would be willing to waste their resources for no returns. "So, an overbearing measure." The village head sighed before asking Krune, "However, we cannot go like this forever. After the second time, the villagers might realize something is indeed amiss. We need to solve the threat of the Yin Beast somehow.""Do we have any animals left? Alive ones, I mean," Krune asked. "I still have a goat tucked safely," the village head replied, shaking his head. "However, we have stored it for emergencies. Besides, it can still provide milk by eating grass. It's too valuable to part with.""There's still Old Stem and Old Root," Krune said coldly. "That should buy us some valuable time. if we are unable to prepare by then, let's buy time with your goat.""To think I value my goat over two human lives. I have failed as the village head." The village head sighed in exhaustion. Krune patted his shoulders, saying, "We can only focus on protecting our families first. Only the strong can care about protecting everyone.""Us old bones should work harder to survive this crisis."