93 The Renowned Scholar of Tianshui

Outside the village, dozens of players had gathered. When Zhan Xiaobai arrived with the little beggar, he saw them talking to the NPC guards at the village gate. Dismounting, he stepped forward to listen. It turned out these players wanted to join the village or at least rest inside, but the NPC militia wouldn’t allow anyone in. The players were quite upset and demanded the village be opened to outsiders.

The NPC militia captain, clad in leather armor with an iron sword at his waist, stood firm at the gate with his men, ignoring the players’ protests. He declared, “No outsiders may enter without the village chief’s permission. Our village only issues quests externally. Anyone who completes these quests will be rewarded accordingly.”

Zhan Xiaobai glanced to the side and noticed a tall wooden board posted by the gate. It displayed various quests—gathering, hunting, recruiting, patrolling outside the village, exploring, and more. Several tasks were quite challenging, offering rewards such as level 10 melee weapons, level 10 beastskin armor, level 10 clothing, as well as health potions, bandages, and fruits that restored +5 stamina.

Food’s role for players was clear: vigorous activities like fighting monsters, running, brawling, long treks, or climbing rapidly drained stamina. Once stamina dropped to a critical 10%, players could only walk or converse normally, unable to engage in any strenuous actions. Resting and meditation restored stamina slowly, while consuming food could rapidly replenish it within ten minutes. Since Zhan Xiaobai rarely fought, food had little immediate impact on him.

For NPCs, food was vital: insufficient supplies would lower morale, reduce loyalty, provoke rebellion, cause desertion, or even result in death.

Zhan Xiaobai was impressed. The Jiang clan village’s crafting skills were advanced enough to produce such items. Had this village existed since the public launch of "Rise of Cities in the Three Kingdoms," it would have been an exceptional logistical hub.

The little beggar, noticing Zhan Xiaobai’s attention fixed on the quest board, kept crying out, “I’m starving! I’m starving!”

Suddenly realizing their true purpose, Zhan Xiaobai hurriedly squeezed to the gate with the beggar and asked the NPC militia captain, “Excuse me, do you sell any food here? I’d like to buy some to stave off hunger.”

The captain shook his head firmly. “Our village does not sell or buy any items. Take a look at the quest board beside you. Complete the listed tasks to earn the corresponding rewards.”

Zhan Xiaobai had already seen that exchanging a single +5 stamina fruit required five small herbs, but he was pressed for time and couldn’t roam the countryside hunting for herbs.

“Is there any way to make an exception? I still have five copper coins. Maybe I could exchange them for some steamed buns or something simple,” he pleaded.

“No, that is the village chief’s order,” the militia captain replied resolutely.

Zhan Xiaobai was frustrated; the NPC showed no understanding, and reason was useless.

Just then, the cheerful little beggar interrupted, “Brother Jiang Hu, remember me, A Le?”

Jiang Hu, the militia captain, paused and recognized the boy. “The little beggar? What are you doing here? Didn’t you go to Wuwei?”

The beggar giggled, “I came back to beg again. Oh, by the way, let me introduce you—this is Lord Xiaobai, also a village chief. From now on, I’m sticking with him. We’re heading to Xiaobai Village right now!”

Nearby players who had heard of Xiaobai’s name gasped in surprise. “Is that Xiaobai?” “Isn’t Xiaobai Village hundreds of miles from here? How did he get here?” “Maybe he heard there’s a medium-sized village here and came on purpose!”

Upon hearing Zhan Xiaobai was a village chief, Jiang Hu immediately showed more respect. “Lord Xiaobai, it’s not that I’m unfeeling, but I must obey my village chief’s orders. Please understand.”

The little beggar was growing desperate. “If I can’t buy food, at least let me beg for something to eat here! Go tell Grandpa Jiang. He’s a good man and will surely agree.”

Jiang Hu finally relented. “Alright, I’ll report this to the village chief and see what he says.”

After a brief wait, Jiang Hu returned. “The village chief requests Lord Xiaobai and little beggar A Le to enter. Please, follow me.”

Players outside were astonished. “Wow, players can enter the village? I thought it was off-limits!”

Surprised himself, Zhan Xiaobai followed with the little beggar through the militia-guarded gates. Jiang Hu led them along the village’s neat pathways toward the administrative manor at the center. Along the way, Zhan Xiaobai carefully observed his surroundings.

Clearly, this village’s layout and style closely resembled his own, both developed gradually into their current form. The key difference was scale: this was a medium-sized village, while his was still small. The houses here were mostly sturdy wooden structures, fresh and solid, whereas his village still had primitive thatched huts awaiting upgrades.

The village’s defenses were extensive. Outside the golden rice fields, wooden fences, chevaux-de-frise, and arrow towers were everywhere. Even if NPC bandits breached the outer defenses, they would have a hard time surviving inside.

Curious, Zhan Xiaobai asked, “Brother Jiang Hu, why does your village have so many defensive fortifications?”

“Because the Xiliang horse bandits are fierce and we must be cautious,” Jiang Hu answered.

“How many people live here? How many militia?”

“That’s confidential. Please don’t ask further,” Jiang Hu replied firmly.

Zhan Xiaobai pressed on, “If someone wanted to join your village, could they?”

Jiang Hu shook his head. “Our population is full, no new members accepted. Besides, we are all from the Jiang clan and don’t admit outsiders.”

Pleased, Zhan Xiaobai nodded. So the population cap was 500! He had extracted the information he wanted with a single question. All the NPC villagers he’d seen were dressed as militia, meaning the entire village was likely armed. Five hundred armed militia was a formidable force, enough to trouble any roaming horse bandits.

At the administrative manor, an elderly NPC in elegant robes awaited them, stroking his beard with a smile. “Lord Xiaobai, your arrival honors us. Please forgive our lack of proper welcome.”

Zhan Xiaobai felt honored and quickly deferred. “Not at all, sir. You must be the village chief of the Jiang clan village. May I ask your name?”

“I am Jiang Huai, from Tianshui, a local scholar. No need for formalities, just call me Chief Jiang. Please, have a seat in the main hall.”

Another scholar—how delightful.

Zhan Xiaobai’s joy was beyond words as he followed the old man into the main hall. Jiang Hu took the little beggar off to find some food.