In the cave existed a large apparatus full of glass containers. Immersed in one at the end was an agglomeration of organs in an animated state.

Krune noticed that there were the claws, wings, tongue, skin, and other parts of various Yin Beasts meshed into a structure there. At first, Krune was unable to understand just what was up with the place.

However, as he continued to look around the hidden cave, he soon found a parchment in which the records of the bandit boss had been kept. In it were his thoughts, his research results, his hypotheses, and other academic findings.

Krune casually glanced through it, understanding the gist of things. "No wonder I felt he was giving me a strange vibe. He wasn't a bandit in the first place."

The bandit boss was originally from the village. But in his childhood, he had obtained an opportunity to enroll in the County Academy, eventually becoming an elite of society. He then pursued research, with the intention of creating a weapon that would allow humans to hunt Nightmares and Yin Beasts more effectively.

Unfortunately, over time, his ideas warped as his greed took over. Not too long into it, his experiments soon began to involve other humans. At that time, the higher-ups of the research institute ordered his execution. However, being the smart man that he was, he noticed their decision in advance.

With that, he escaped from the place, also taking with him all the necessary equipment and research materials.

After that, he arrived at his home village, finding some vagrants to establish a bandit group. Using them, he hunted for the necessary materials, some of which consisted of humans. Moreover, thanks to his commands, the bandits were even able to kill a couple of Yin Beasts.

With those killed Yin Beasts, he used those to further his research.

"It seems there are more Yin Beasts deep within the Barren Range. He had planned to establish a fortress in my village and unite all the villagers under his command. With that, he'll take on the position of a Lord and send in an expedition into the Barren Range to lure in Yin Beasts," Krune muttered.

It was a sound plan, but when he was injured by the Yin Beast, Krune had taken the chance to kill him. So, all his plans were brought to a halt then and there.

"Thankfully, he has already accumulated all the necessary materials." Krune nodded as he muttered to himself, "Guess I'll continue his project and use it to help myself."

He then gently closed the door, walking around the cave as he looked into the countless attached caves. "There's enough food and water here to last many years. It seems to prepare for any drought. The bandits have stocked up on dry rations."

"Let me use them to my needs." Krune grinned, closing the entrance to the bandit stronghold as he returned to his home, waking up Wang Hao.

"What happened, grandpa?" Wang Hao woke up and rubbed his eyes, using the moonlight to see the hazy figure of his grandpa.

"Come with me," Krune said, gently propping him up. "We'll be leaving this village tonight."

Wang Hao didn't complain, silently following him, knowing very well that he had reasons to do so. He had matured a lot for his age, so he always thought before speaking.

There wasn't anything else to take from their home. So, Krune accompanied Wang Hao, arriving at the village head's house, knocking on the door.

The sound startled the people within the house as everyone woke up. Currently, four people were in the house: The village head, his eldest son, his daughter-in-law, and his grandchild.

The village head had two other children that had left him to pursue their future. At this point, there was no contact between them.

"Old Wang, why did you wake us up in the middle of the night?" The village head asked, motioning for the others to remain quiet upon seeing his expression.

"Let's talk inside," Krune said, watching the village head invite him in.

With that, the village head lit up a candle that he had been saving up for special occasions. But now that his childhood friend, Wang Hu, had a solemn expression, he decided to use it, thinking that the situation must have been urgent enough for him to disturb them in the middle of the night.

Once Krune took a seat, he sat opposite to him. The rest were unable to understand why he was expressing such a humble posture towards Krune.

Sure, as a village head, he held a small amount of authority. However, Wang Hu didn't even have that. So, it didn't make sense as to why he was looking at Wang Hu like that, almost like a servant looking at their lord.

As the husband and wife were confused about the village head's expression, Krune uttered calmly, "I'll be going on a journey. Will Chen'er be willing to accompany us?"

"What?" As the parents of Chen Xue reacted, the village head quickly raised his hand, motioning for them to shut up. Chen Xue was his granddaughter, almost the same age as Wang Hao.

The village head immediately understood the implications behind Krune's words, asking, "Will she ever return home?"

"Once they turn ten, they'll obtain the qualifications to be admitted into the County Academy. I'll be educating them until then. As for the money, I have enough for them," Krune said, having taken a gander at the treasure of the bandits. "So, before they leave for the County Academy, they'll return here to see you once."

"Thatmakes no sense, Old Wang," Chen Xue's father could not help but say. "You make it seem as if you have the ability to make that a reality."

"Shut up!" The Village Head raised his voice in response.

"It's fine," Krune laughed, saying as he brought out his Cloud Whale. "Showing it to them is the best proof."

"T-T-T-That is" Chen Xue's mother stammered in fright while Chen Xue's father instinctively prostrated themselves.

As for Chen Xue and Wang Hao, they looked at the scene in confusion, unable to understand just what was happening, gazing at the Cloud Whale in surprise, wondering where it came from.

"I have sinned to have offended an Imperial Meister!" Chen Xue's father slammed his head on the ground, producing a loud thud.

Krune stared at the scene, breaking out into cold sweat.