Chapter 128: Village Exit Fee Required

At the entrance of Earth Village, Yun Qimu sat on a branch of a cinnabar tree, picking fruit as she waited for others to arrive.

Originally, Wu Xingyu’s caravan was supposed to depart two days ago, but since Yun Qimu decided to join them, and the affairs of Earth Village hadn’t been settled yet, their departure was delayed until today. Coincidentally, after watering the greenhouse vegetables and fruits with plant nutrient solution this morning, the second harvest was ready to be picked.

Yun Qimu left this task to Yun Xiaoyu. Today was already the sixth day; they had originally hired the Tengu clan for five days, so their time was up. Yun Qimu simply gave Xiaoyu some spirit coins and told her to hire temporary workers herself.

Little Xiaoyu was a clever kid. Knowing that the mission hall’s tax revenue still went to her sister, she took the spirit coins and posted a job notice in the mission hall.

It became the second task on the mission board—the first, of course, being Aunt Song’s long-term ingredient procurement mission.

As for the textile factory, Yun Qimu had spoken with Hua Lan and a few other outstanding core workers over the past five days. Those willing to stay would get a raise; those who wanted to leave were free to go.

In the end, all ten chose to stay. After all, the textile factory was full of women, with only Cook as the sole man. Compared to men, they were more afraid of danger and lacked the spirit of adventure. Staying here and working was the safest option.

Besides them, other women in the village also inquired about joining the factory.

However, Yun Qimu didn’t take on any extras. Ten people were enough for now.

After some thought and observation, Yun Qimu decided to promote Hua Lan to factory manager, freeing up Xiao Zhuzhu from her minor management duties.

She had asked—the kids still preferred training and monster hunting with Yun Xiaoyu, eager to become stronger, and had no interest in staying at the factory.

Yun Qimu didn’t hold them back. After paying their wages, she let them go.

After all, with Haru the nanny around, Yun Baba by Xiaoyu’s side, and the Tang father and son looking after the kids, as long as they didn’t leave the village, there was little danger.

So why was Yun Qimu idly picking fruit in a tree right now? Naturally, it was for those eight tourists.

Their five-day tour had ended yesterday, but since it was late, Yun Qimu allowed them to stay one more night in Earth Village and leave this morning.

So, bright and early, Yun Qimu kindly came to see them off.

When Lai San, Jason, and the others emerged, Yun Qimu jumped down from the tree, stood at the village gate, and greeted them with a friendly smile.

But her smile nearly made Lai San and the others’ legs give out—they almost knelt on the spot.

Was this demoness planning to keep them here as slaves?

After touring Earth Village these past days and learning about the tragic lives of slaves, Lai San was terrified.

Jason and the others, who had done hard labor with the slaves, were even more scared. Being a slave was no fun, and they didn’t want a repeat experience.

Jason eyed Yun Qimu warily. His earlier excitement from seeing Monkey Qi’s twisted face had now turned into pure fear of Yun Qimu.

As long as they were in Earth Village, on her turf, they would never be masters of their own fate.

Yun Qimu, of course, knew what they were thinking. Her beautiful face still wore a smile as she called out warmly, “Aren’t you leaving the village yet? Want to stay longer? I don’t mind, but you’re still a bit short of meeting the requirements to become official villagers.”

The eight of them shuddered, shaking their heads like rattles. “No, no, we’re leaving—we’re leaving right now!”

They hurried over, bracing themselves to rush out.

But Yun Qimu sidestepped and blocked the gate.

“Wait—”

Lai San’s pupils shrank as he screeched to a halt.

Jason hesitated, then stopped too, wanting to hear what she had to say.

Yun Qimu stood there in her white cotton jacket, her pretty face buried in a warm scarf, bright black eyes shining, her smile as radiant as a flower. “No need to rush off. Hear me out first. Earth Village has a rule: if you want to take anything produced here out of the village, you have to pay a fee.”

Jason looked stunned. “What about the potions we bought with spirit coins from the pharmacy and workshop?”

Yun Qimu replied calmly, “You still have to pay the exit fee.”

Jason’s face twisted, his voice rising. “But we already paid spirit coins!”

Yun Qimu looked at him strangely. “Any goods leaving a planet in the interstellar world are taxed. Isn’t it reasonable for us to charge an exit fee?”

Jason, a star pirate who had never paid taxes in his life, was speechless. But the situation was against him, so he could only grit his teeth and nod. “Fine, how much is the tax?”

Yun Qimu smiled with satisfaction. “Not much. Just double the original price. For example, the big red potion from the pharmacy costs 40 spirit coins. If you want to take it out of Earth Village, you pay 80 spirit coins.”

“What?!” Jason’s eyes bulged as he roared, “You might as well just rob us! This is worse than us star pirates!”

Yun Qimu’s smile faded as she pouted in displeasure. “This is a legitimate fee. Take it or leave it—I’m not forcing you. Everything produced in Earth Village is top quality and priceless outside. If you don’t want to pay, just leave behind anything you got here and you’re free to go.”

She cracked open some sunflower seeds as she spoke. “I’ll give you one minute to decide. I’m busy, so make it quick.”

Lai San looked conflicted. He’d had good luck these five days. On the day he arrived, he’d run into a snowfish right outside the mission hall.

He’d managed to kill the snowfish and got a bronze treasure chest containing a piece of snowfish meat, three spirit coins, and a dagger.

Those items had solved his immediate problems—the coins paid for lodging, the snowfish meat filled his belly.

The next day, he woke up refreshed and went looking for more small monsters.

He didn’t dare venture into the mountains, just wandered the village like the Tengu people, and his luck held—he got quite a haul.

His best find was a defensive jade pendant from a bronze chest—a real lifesaver. He’d decided to keep it for himself, not even giving it to the clan chief if asked.

But now...

How many spirit coins would it cost to take it out?

And did spirit coins count as Earth Village products?

Nervously, he asked.

Yun Qimu widened her eyes in mock shock. “Of course they count! Where else would you get spirit coins outside Earth Village?”

Good night, good night~"