I Become a Landlady in the Game World

As the two exchanged glances, Baron Barton quickly averted his eyes.

The Hope Village Chief seemed quite perceptive as well.

During this brief conversation, Marquis Boyer's team had already left Hope Village.

At last, they had left!

Zhou Bai couldn't deny that he breathed a sigh of relief when Marquis Boyer left.

Then, Zhou Bai promptly took his leave, "Ladies and gentlemen, feel free to do as you please, I have pressing matters to attend to."

"What are you busy with? Are you leaving the territory?" Viscount Keynes inquired, a note of curiosity in his voice.

"Yes, I'm off to hunt some Demon Beasts and gather some Experience Points," Zhou Bai responded frankly. "My Level is too low, I hope to become an Intermediate Professional soon."

Actually, he could tell that the nobles present were all Intermediate Professionals, even if he did not know their specific Levels.

As for Marquis Boyer and the Knight of Carrel, although they didn't show it, they were both at advanced Levels or higher.

"Alone?" Viscount Conrad asked incredulously.

Although Zhou Bai was not a noble, he was still a village chief. It would be fitting for him to have a bit of an entourage, and bringing a squad of soldiers would not be too much.

Going alone was too risky! He should know that there were Middle-level Demon Beasts around Hope Village.

"I'm more accustomed to being on my own, and I have some life-saving items," Zhou Bai replied.

"In fact, becoming an Intermediate Professional is quite a simple task. You just need someone to help you farm Experience Points. After all, we rarely face danger directly," Viscount Conrad bluntly said.

That was a common strategy among many Lords.

It just required some time afterward to assimilate the excess power or Magic Power, but that was hardly a difficulty.

"I prefer the feeling of progressing on my own," Zhou Bai said, shaking his head.

"My dear village chief, you truly are unique. Perhaps this is why your Lord trusts you so much with his territory," Keynes added, his tone carrying a hint of admiration.

A Professional who genuinely worked their way up tended to be incredibly strong, especially those with multiple Skills, even capable of challenging those of a higher Level.

Though those in high positions rarely took such risks,

But whenever one did, they grew into a formidable power in their own right.

"After all, my territory is rich in talented individuals, and I need to show some competence to maintain my position here. I'm not like you lords, without any worries," Zhou Bai said, his expression showing a trace of envy towards Viscount Conrad's party.

It had to be said, this attitude fit quite well with Viscount Conrad and the others.

However, clever as he was, Viscount Keynes spotted some "loopholes."

Zhou Bai was obviously under pressure within Hope Village, Might he exploit this situation to win over the village chief and gain some advantages from it?

It wouldn't take much, just a slight oversight on his part could earn him quite a bit.

A shadow of a dark thought briefly crossed his eyes.

"You, Lord Village Chief, are quite impressive. Your reputation in the territory is very good," Viscount Keynes remarked.

They had gathered some details about key figures in Hope Village during their research.

And Zhou Bai was among the most notable.

Leaving aside everything else, Zhou Bai's reputation was the best.

While there were those among the lower ranks who despised her, those who wielded real power respected her, and that was enough!

Hearing this, Zhou Bai couldn't help but glance at Keynes.

Unwarranted kindness is either fishy or thievery.

What was this noble plotting now?

Speaking of which, one by one, they were all quite cunning.

Oh, except for Viscount Conrad, whose intentions were quite genuine.

Thinking this, he paused helplessly and said, "It's all hard-fought, and also thanks to my Lord's trust in me."

Keynes watched this scene, pausing for a moment, his confidence growing. He no longer said much more.

As for the others, some of them were forming plans of their own.

Then, after some idle chitchat, Zhou Bai excused himself.

Watching Zhou Bai leave, Baron Barton was the first to speak, "The Marquis has left, shall we now go about our own activities?"

"That sounds good," Viscount Keynes was the first to agree.

They all belonged to different territories, and their gathering resembled a form of congregating for warmth. Now that the figure who loomed over them had gone, they felt more relaxed in Hope Village. There was no longer a need to stick together, and it was easier to conduct business and negotiate at the Market.

Thinking this, Barton and Chaplin left quickly.

After they went, only Viscount Conrad and Viscount Keynes remained.

Watching Viscount Keynes, Viscount Conrad also started to walk out, his expression tinged with a bit of contemplation, "Being the village chief of Hope Village seems quite tough! But the person is really striving hard, it's my first time seeing such a diligent village chief."

Hearing this, Viscount Keynes gave him a glance, a faint look of helplessness in his eyes.

Viscount Conrad, catching his gaze, couldn't help but ask, "Why look at me like that? Did I speak incorrectly?"

"No, you're absolutely right," Viscount Keynes gave a short cough of affirmation.

Viscount Conrad: "..."

—He felt there was something odd about that response.

Watching Conrad fall silent, Keynes quietly averted his gaze, not concerned with debating those less intellectually inclined.

He then started planning when would be a better time to approach Zhou Bai without others around.

Visitor Conrad, noticing Viscount Keynes's demeanor, began to catch on a bit.

He might not be sensitive about some matters, but that didn't mean he was foolish!

Viscount Keynes surely was plotting something.

He just needed to keep an eye on him.

Meanwhile, the subject of their discussion, Zhou Bai, was already deeply engaged in combat outside.

She was aware that she was being watched.

But for now, this scrutiny was beneficial for the territory.

She would just wait for them to make their move.

She wondered, who would be the first to approach her?

While Zhou Bai guessed that it might be Viscount Keynes, that evening as she returned to the territory, she encountered Baron Barton at the city gates.

Seeing him, she took the initiative and asked, "Are you here to discuss something about Marquis Boyer?"