Shock!

Allen looked at the chief who is currently ruffling his son's hair with care and love flashing within his pair of eyes. He just waited for them to finish whatever they're currently doing, out of respect. He even felt a bit jealous as he thought of the fact that he's currently alone within this world without anyone to lean on.

He secretly sighed as he continued to wait for the chief to finish his stuff before asking the thing he wanted to ask. After all, he's the one who's asking for a favor, not the chief. So of course, Allen had to wait.

After a while of waiting, Allen finally saw the chief withdraw his dominant hand from his son's hair as he slowly turned his gaze at Allen who's sitting across them and quietly waiting them to finish their stuff. The chief can't help but appreciate Allen's manners as he smiled a bit.

"So.. What's your business with me, Allen? I hope that it's not about the food stands.."

The chief asked him with a stoic appearance which received a chuckle from Allen. The chief recalled his embarassing moment, getting dragged by his wife without putting up any resistance. He coughed as his face turned a bit red from embarassment.

Seeing this, Allen laughed a bit as he observed the appearance of the chief. He felt closer to the chief as they're both gluttons, whereas they will surely be able to get along pretty well when it comes to eating and stuff about foods. After a few seconds, he finally suppressed his laugh as he looked at the chief before him with a serious expression.

"Actually, chief.. I need some favor from you.. I hope that you'll be able to help me about this.."

"Oh?"

The chief felt a bit surprised when he heard Allen speak in a serious manner whilst asking for a favor. He contemplated for a bit as he finally gave his consent that he would help if he can.

"Thank you, chief!"

Allen expressed his gratitude as he slowly explained his favor to the chief which is about learning of the whereabouts of the bandits located within the south. He, even go as far as to, declared that he would forever owe the chief a favor if he helped him.

At first, the chief looked stunned because of the 'out of nowhere, unexpected favor' that Allen asked him. It was about the bandits living within the south! Although, they're nothing compared to the village who has an unknown background, they're still strong enough to threaten any kind of empire in some places. It just so happens that this forest is 'kind of' special.

"Let me think about it.."

Mu Tan, did not hesitated as he seriously thought of considering Allen's favor and helping him. After all, if he helped Allen learn of the whereabouts of the bandits, he would be able to assess the young man's abilities. Not only that, if maybe Allen did indeed possess the ability to make the bandits suffer heavy losses, it would be very beneficial for the village. It was hitting two birds with one stone! Since the opportunity presented itself, why would he turn it down?

He looked at Allen with a still stoic expression as he nodded a bit which made Allen heaved a sigh of relief. Allen looked at the village chief with a gratified expression as he downright shamelessly asked the chief about the whereabouts of the bandits.

"I just hope that you won't spread this information as it's vital for the well-being of the citizens within our village.."

"You can trust me with that, chief!"

"The bandits are located at ####,####"

Allen expressed his thanks to the chief as he inwardly remembered that he, now, owe the chief a favor. He slowly stood up from his sit as he waved his hands and said his goodbye to the father and son within the room.

The chief looked at the back of Allen silently as he waited him to vanish. He did not know that Allen's favor would be a great help for his future and the village's future. After all, Allen might be weak right now but.. that might not be the case in the future!

"What do you think about him?"

Suddenly, the chief blurted out a question which is directed at someone, but looking closely, there's no one within the room aside from the pair of father and son.

The moment he asked that question, an old man appeared behind him. He looked ordinary, someone you would mistaken for an ordinary mortal that do not possess any kind of thing worthy in the eyes of cultivators. However, that old man emitted a hint of divinity!

"I can't read him.."

"What?"

The chief looked at the old man in shock as he felt the whole case unbelievable. After all, the one behind him is someone that belongs to the group that hides within the village, secretly protecting it from any harm!

He can't help but sigh in helplessness as he looked back at the direction in which Allen used to leave the place. He then turned his gaze back to the old man behind him.

"Furthermore, something does not feel right to me.."

"What do you mean?"

The chief asked the old man with a inquiring look as he felt really interested about Allen and his 'not sure' connection to the prophecy that was passed from generation to generation within the village. It was the prophecy that will decide the fate of the whole village, filled with hundreds of thousands of people.

'That young man.. made me feel threatened.."

"Impossible!"

Now, the chief can't help but stand up from his chair as he looked at the old man behind him in shock. He seemed to be unable to comprehend the situation as his jawk drooped low while staring at the old man.

Seeing this, the old man can't help but touch his beard and chuckle a bit.

"Mu Tan.. You're already the chief of the village. If someone saw your current face, wouldn't our village lose face?"

The chief got startled as he quickly reverted to his stoic appearance whilst still staring at the old man in shock. The old man looked at the direction where Allen left as his eyes brightened a bit.

"That young man.. is definitely not ordinary.."