When You Become an NPC That Might Die Any Moment in the Novice Village

Leader Andras clicked open the live news broadcast, staring intently at Bai Fu, who was being interviewed by journalists.

In front of the camera, Bai Fu looked extremely haggard, her eyes filled with red veins as if she hadn't rested for many consecutive days, giving off an overall "ethereal" impression.

This demeanor, coupled with her already pitiable face, even made Leader Andras feel a pang of heartache for a moment, not to mention the others watching the live broadcast.

"I'm very sorry," Bai Fu said in a muffled voice.

"After the battle at Iron Ore Star, I received a lot of praise, and some even called me the Savior of Tem Civilization; I felt that such statements were exaggerated. I'm nowhere close to deserving the esteemed title of Savior, but at that time, I still inevitably got carried away. I thought that though I failed to save that member of the Honorable Force who switched sides, I had made a good start, so it wouldn't take long to eliminate the Glorious Army... but..."

Bai Fu paused, her face twisted in pain as she tugged at her hair.

Despondency, self-blame, and sorrow were written all over her face.

"I was wrong. Over these three months, I've often thought I was very close to finding the Glorious Army, but when I actually got closer, I realized it was just an illusion, and I'm still very far from them."

"I've read a lot of comments these past few days and talked to many people. Perhaps it's simply because I lack ability, perhaps it's because there is a spy among us continuously leaking information to the Glorious Army, or perhaps we are just really unlucky. Whatever the real reason is, the fact is that I haven't been able to eliminate the Glorious Army quickly."

The journalist hadn't expected Bai Fu to say this and hurriedly said, "Saintess Bai Fu, you don't need to..."

Bai Fu shook her head, cutting off the journalist, "I'm not trying to make excuses for myself. I'm sorry, which is the second time I've apologized. To express my regret, I do not plan to charge even a single dollar for my services from now on. I will fund the members of the Dark Moon Tide Company myself to continue pursuing the Glorious Army until their headquarters are found."

"???"

In that instant, the interviewing journalist, the onlooking crowd, the live audience, and even Leader Andras were all stunned.

If watching the earlier part of the interview made them suspect Bai Fu was acting, this statement dissipated much of their doubt.

No matter how much of an act it was, it surely wouldn't go as far as to offer her services without a commission, funding her subordinates to strike the Glorious Army until their headquarters were discovered, would it?

Who knows how long it would take.

Even if it only takes a few months, the losses would be substantial.

If it takes years, a decade, or even longer, the entire Dark Moon Tide might collapse due to this move.

Many people began to regard Bai Fu with solemn respect, but others felt she had been rattled by the continuous setbacks.

Do you know what you're doing?

Among the investors, Silver Zhu, who had the closest relationship with Bai Fu, contacted her first.

Coming out and saying this kind of thing, do you want the online discussions about you to become even more intense?

Although many people sympathize with you now, if you can't eliminate the Glorious Army soon, that sympathy could actually turn into reproach and ridicule!

Silver Zhu painstakingly explained the drawbacks of Bai Fu's statement.

The biggest impact, of course, would be the severe effect on the development of the Dark Moon Tide. Many who had wanted to join the Dark Moon Tide would likely be scared off by Bai Fu's obstinacy. Those who had joined might be fine for the short term, but as time went on, they too might consider leaving.

"I know, but..." Bai Fu looked innocent, "This is how I've always done things."

"..."

Silver Zhu was at a loss for words.

Indeed, that was just the kind of person Bai Fu was.

If Bai Fu weren't like this, Fei Ye wouldn't have thought highly of her, the Oath Lord wouldn't have been close to her, and the Undying People wouldn't have sworn to follow her to the death...

But, with such a personality came disadvantages. Look, wasn't it apparent now?

Silver Zhu helplessly said, "I will try to find out the location of the Glorious Army's headquarters."

Bai Fu expressed her thanks.

In fact, she had known the location of the Glorious Army's headquarters for quite some time now, but she deliberately put on this act to confuse Leader Andras and to stir up her own Reputation.

Not charging a commission fee?

Anyway, in half a month she would be able to stack her Basic Inspiration Attribute to 5000, and by then it would be time to face Leader Andras, so much for commission.

However, she couldn't explain this to Silver Zhu.

If she explained, everyone would know that she was "Black Fu," but Black Fu was actually "Bai Fu."

This definitely wouldn't do.

She still planned to use the deliberately whitened image of "Bai Fu" to deceive more people.

...

At the same time, Andras, Yuan Yi, Whitney, and others were also discussing Bai Fu.

Andras was anxious, but the words Bai Fu had spoken before heading to the Tem Civilization calmed him down significantly.

Having had many interactions with Bai Fu, he knew well that she was no fool; her actions might have deeper considerations.

Yuan Yi quietly tapped his finger on the table, not uttering a word.

The power Bai Fu demonstrated while attacking the defense belt of the Iron Ore Star deepened his belief that Bai Fu was a Seeker.

However, the difference between her, a Seeker, and the other notoriously cunning Seekers seemed to be quite significant.

Did she damage her brain during reincarnation, or was she really just that special?

Yuan Yi pondered privately that perhaps he could start with the Honorable Force to sway Bai Fu to his side.

Whitney was stunned upon receiving the news, but then she shook her head.

"I thought, given the Talent she had shown in the past, she could advance to Dominator in a few more years. By then, I could smoothly recommend her to join the Void Realm Research Association, and use this connection to get a share of the upcoming major events. But now it seems... the road to her advancement is probably not going to be so smooth. External affairs have taken too much of her focus, and even if she can still advance to Dominator, it might be too late in terms of timing."

Whitney was somewhat regretful, but not especially so.

She had come into contact with and invested in too many geniuses, most of whom failed to realize their Talent for one reason or another. If she felt very regretful every time, her work would be hard to carry on.

...

"Leader, do you think there's a problem with Bai Fu?" the commander-in-chief of the Glorious Army asked directly.

After a long silence, the Leader replied, "I originally had an 80% suspicion of her, but now it's less than 50%. I am more inclined to think that there's a spy around me, and someone at your side who truly harbors a change of heart."

The commander-in-chief asked, "So what should we do now, launch a major purge?"

The Leader smiled slightly, "No need for such hassle. Since luring Bai Fu into the trap is unlikely to succeed, let's take the initiative to strike."

"Ah?"

The commander-in-chief was puzzled.

The Leader explained that he thought Bai Fu's statement had come at the right time. Now Bai Fu's Reputation in the Tem Civilization had almost reached the peak. Therefore, it was time to harvest the fruits and let Bai Fu die at the hands of the Glorious Army. If they continued to delay, Bai Fu's Reputation could fall instead of rising.

The commander-in-chief deeply agreed.

The Leader continued, "My plan is to have your men kidnap the top brass of the Tem Disaster Relief Federation. Then demand Bai Fu to come for a fight to the death. If Bai Fu doesn't come, kill all those people. Bai Fu has just spoken to the media like that; she is bound to respond. Let's seize this opportunity to kill her."

The commander-in-chief asked, "What if Bai Fu refuses to come, not caring about the Reputation she has built?"

The Leader sneered, "Then I will disguise myself as one of the Glorious Army, and personally go to assassinate her!"

This carried a significant risk, but he was no longer willing to wait.

The commander-in-chief agreed with the plan and took immediate action.

A few days later.

The news that the top brass of the Tem Disaster Relief Federation had been captured by the Glorious Army, who had demanded Bai Fu to come and face death, spread quickly throughout the Edge World.

"Finally, they've made a move?"

Bai Fu checked her own attributes.

Basic Inspiration Attribute at 4985, only a few days away from reaching 5000.

It was almost time.

"Then, it's time for me to tear off your disguise!"

Bai Fu opened the Map, locking onto the Glorious Army's headquarters.