You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 513 The Secret of the Divine River
Tang Yin listened to the three high school students' baffling reactions, becoming increasingly confused. He turned to Wang Lina, his face filled with bewilderment. "What should I do now?"

Wang Lina looked at Tang Yin, then at the three serious-looking high school students, and sighed softly. Her voice was a hint of helplessness, but more of a soothing tone: "It's okay, I'll figure it out later. You guys go eat first."

Hearing Wang Lina's words, the three high school students seemed relieved. They looked at each other and left silently.

After they walked away, Tang Yin couldn't help but ask, "Do they also live in this apartment?"

Wang Lina nodded and explained, "Yes, this apartment looks desolate, but it's actually a student dormitory."

When Tang Yin heard this answer, his eyes widened: "I didn't expect that there would be student dormitories in such a rural area. I always thought this was a remote and poor place. It seems that I misunderstood." His tone was full of surprise and a hint of apology, and he felt a little embarrassed for his previous prejudice.

Wang Lina seemed to remember something and suddenly asked, "By the way, Mr. Tang Yin, you didn't have any conflicts with other people, did you?"

Tang Yin nodded seriously: "I'm very careful."

There was a hint of doubt in his tone, and he didn't understand why Wang Lina suddenly asked this question.

Wang Lina smiled relaxedly when she heard this answer. "That's no problem. Let's go to the village cafeteria together later. And say hello to the village elders?"

Tang Yin was surprised again: "What era is this? There are still such conservative rules." There was a hint of disbelief in his tone.

Wang Lina's expression grew serious. "As you can see, this is a relatively isolated village, incomparable to the civilized world outside." She paused, her voice lowered. "And let me be honest with you. The elders of our Hidden Mist Village don't really like outsiders, especially those who come here from the Divine River Valley below the mountain."

Her words made Tang Yin feel uneasy. Wang Lina continued, "Also, you have to keep what happened this morning a secret for me."

Tang Yin nodded, but another question popped up in his mind: "Come back to the topic, where exactly is the Divine River Valley? Is it the shallow beach where the motorcycle fell off the cliff?"

Wang Lina's eyes became a little complicated: "Yes, the stream where you and I first met is called the Divine River. The entire area nearby is the Divine Region. There... is also a place with stories." There was a hint of mystery and hesitation in her tone.

Tang Yin's curiosity was piqued: "Why do the elders in the village reject the divine area?"

Wang Lina was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke in a low and mysterious voice: "Because... it is said that the stream is unclean and is where the dead return to the world of the living."

These words hit Tang Yin's heart like a huge rock. He felt a chill running down his spine. Wang Lina's words reminded him of the reactions of the three high school students. It seemed as if everything was beginning to connect.

Tang Yin tried to keep himself calm: "You mean, there are some supernatural phenomena there?"

Wang Lina shook her head. "I don't know the details. It's just a legend circulating in the village. But the elders are really superstitious about that place, especially at night."

Tang Yin recalled the night he had spent by the stream and couldn't help but feel a wave of fear. He began to wonder if he had simply encountered an accident, or if there was something more complicated going on.

……

Tang Yin seemed to understand something and continued to ask, "Does your Kirigakure have any other rules?"

Wang Lina: "There are still many, but don't worry, I will take care of you."

Tang Yin had already begun to think about retreating, and repeatedly asked the other party for confirmation: "Um...Isn't my life in danger?"

Wang Lina: "No, no, but to avoid leaving any unpleasant memories, it's better to say hello and leave the cafeteria as soon as possible."

Tang Yin's heart was beating fast. Since the Divine River was such a taboo place for the villagers of Wuyin Village, why would Wang Lina appear there so late at night? This woman must have a story...

……

Although Tang Yin felt a vague sense of unease in his heart and thought that he should leave this mysterious village as soon as possible, Wang Lina's beauty was like an invisible shackle that kept him where he was.

Her bright eyes, soft features, and gentle smile made Tang Yin irresistible. In the end, he decided to stay a little longer to see what secrets this village had.

"Then let's go to the cafeteria," Tang Yin said, trying hard to hide his inner conflict.

Wang Lina nodded and led Tang Yin along the village path towards the canteen. On the way, Tang Yin's eyes were attracted by some strange sculptures.

These sculptures, crude and primitive, mostly depict wolves. Carved from gray granite, they range in height from one to two meters. The wolves' expressions are fierce, their fangs bared, and their eyes deep and hollow, as if gazing down upon every passerby. Some are remarkably well-preserved, while others, worn by time, are covered in cracks and moss. These sculptures stand by the roadside or nestle in the grass, giving off a sense of omnipresence.

Tang Yin asked curiously, "Why do you have so many sculptures in your Kirigakure? What are they used for?"

Wang Lina tilted her head and thought for a while, then said, "It's like a guardian angel. It has existed for a long time." There was a hint of uncertainty in her tone.

Tang Yin said thoughtfully, "I haven't seen this kind of cultural totem in the areas near this city."

Wang Lina smiled and repeated, "That's why I told you that our Kirigakure is an uncivilized place."

They continued walking, and soon came upon a figure busy in the fields. It was a burly young farmer, shirtless, his tanned skin gleaming in the sun. His muscles were defined, and every movement exuded strength and energy. He was bent over working in the rice paddies, his hands deftly manipulating farm tools. Wang Lina greeted him, "Good morning, Brother Gang."

The farmer, known as "Gang Ge," stood up and turned toward them. When he saw Tang Yin beside Wang Lina, a look of surprise and shock crossed his face. His gaze lingered on Tang Yin for a few seconds before returning to Wang Lina, as if silently questioning the identity of this stranger.

However, Wang Lina didn't mean to explain. She just smiled at Gang Ge and continued walking forward with Tang Yin. Tang Yin felt a little embarrassed, but as an outsider, he could only follow Wang Lina's arrangements.

As they journeyed deeper into the village, Tang Yin began to notice the true state of the small village. Contrary to his initial impression, Kirigakure was actually quite desolate. Most of the houses were abandoned, their wooden walls and roofs rotting, some even collapsing. Overgrown with weeds, they threatened to engulf the entire village.

Some houses had broken windows, as if they had been abandoned for years. Vines covered the walls, giving the impression that nature was reclaiming the land. The village paths were covered with weeds, leaving only a narrow sidewalk.

The air was filled with an air of decay and desolation, a stark contrast to the student dormitories he had seen earlier. Tang Yin couldn't help but feel that this village was like a corner forgotten by time, completely isolated from the prosperity of the outside world.

"Has it always been like this here?" Tang Yin couldn't help but ask.

Wang Lina's expression became complicated. "Yes, it's been many years." She paused, as if weighing her words. "Most of the young people in the village have left. Those who remain are mostly the elderly and those with special circumstances."

Tang Yin nodded, but more questions welled up in his mind. Why were there student dormitories? Where did all those high school students come from? What secrets did this village hide?
……

Although most of the Kirigakure Village looked deserted and desolate, Tang Yin soon noticed two special places that stood out in this dilapidated village.

The first building that caught my eye was the Assembly Hall, nestled on the hillside. This quaint building, despite its small size, exudes a solemn and majestic aura. Its roof is a typical traditional Chinese hip roof, its black tiles gleaming in the sunlight. The eaves rise slightly, resembling a bird spreading its wings, ready to take flight. The main structure is made of wood, and while the red paint has faded somewhat, its former glory still evokes a sense of its former glory.

Above the main entrance to the assembly hall hangs a plaque inscribed with the characters "Wuyin Assembly Hall." The bold, powerful calligraphy exudes an undeniable majesty. A pair of stone lions flank the door, their gazes gleaming as if guarding the building's secrets. The entire structure is surrounded by a low red wall covered in vines, lending this ancient structure an air of mystery.

While most of the surrounding houses are dilapidated, the meeting hall is well-maintained and appears to be regularly cared for. This contrast further highlights the uniqueness of the meeting hall, as if it holds the core secrets of the entire village.

The second place that caught Tang Yin and Wang Lina's attention was the canteen they were about to visit. Compared to the other abandoned buildings in the village, the canteen, though somewhat dated, was clearly the busiest place in the village. While the walls were a bit stained, the windows were spotlessly clean, and several pots of blooming flowers and plants were placed at the entrance, giving it a vibrant feel.

Just as they were about to enter the cafeteria, Tang Yin saw three high school students coming out. He recognized Qin Ming, Tong Xiaoliang, and Gao Mei as the students he had seen in the apartment last night.

Qin Ming saw Wang Lina and said with a smile, "Sister Lina, you're going to be late. The elders in the village will be angry."

Wang Lina smiled faintly but didn't answer. The three high school students quickly disappeared down the village path. Tang Yin watched them disappear and asked curiously, "Are they studying in a city school?"

Wang Lina shook her head, a complex emotion in her tone that was hard to explain. "There's a branch of the municipal high school near the top of the mountain. I also attended high school there three years ago. The village allowed us to live in that apartment, which was already a very good treatment."

Tang Yin noticed that Wang Lina didn't smile when she said this, and her tone was meaningful. He felt that Wang Lina had something else in mind, but he didn't dare to ask directly.

They walked into the cafeteria, and Tang Yin discovered that while it wasn't large, it was well-equipped. The interior was clean and tidy, with simple ornaments hanging on the walls, giving it a warm and inviting feel.

A middle-aged woman in an apron and with her hair in a bun was busy. When she saw them come in, she greeted them warmly: "Nana, you're here? Hey, who's next to you? Are there guests from the village?"

The woman had a gentle voice and looked like the owner of a cafeteria. Although her face showed some signs of aging, it was still clear that she must have been a beauty in her youth. Her eyes were large and bright, and when she smiled, fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes, giving her a sense of intimacy.

There were two other diners in the cafeteria, both staring at Tang Yin with curiosity. One was a woman in her seventies, whom Tang Yin recognized immediately; she was the same old lady who had startled him that morning with a white cloth covering her face. She was wearing an old-fashioned dark blue cotton-padded jacket, her hair completely white, but she looked in good spirits.

The other was a man in his sixties who, even as he sat silently in his seat, exuded an undeniable sense of authority. Dressed in a gray Mao suit, his back straight and his gaze piercing, he exuded an air of authority without even being angry.

Wang Lina seemed very nervous in front of the village elders. She took a deep breath and said, "Well, let me introduce him to you. His name is Tang Yin. He was a traveler who got lost on the beach of Shenge River last night, so I brought him back."

After hearing Wang Lina's words, the female shopkeeper exclaimed softly, her face showing surprise and worry. The two elderly people's reaction was even stronger. Their faces changed and they immediately stood up. The old woman's eyes were full of vigilance, while the old man frowned, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the cafeteria suddenly became tense, as if the air had frozen.

Wang Lina seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation. She sighed and tried to ease the tense atmosphere. "Don't be nervous, elders. I know you are concerned about why he came from the direction of the Divine River, but this is just a coincidence."

She paused and continued, "Unlike 'that child' who came to the village before, Mr. Tang Yin's background is very clear. He had a car accident on the old mountain road. It was very pitiful. So I think we should take him in."

As soon as Wang Lina finished speaking, the entire cafeteria fell into a long silence. The old woman and the old man exchanged a meaningful glance, as if silently communicating something. The female owner lowered her head and pretended to wipe the already clean table, obviously not wanting to be drawn into this sensitive topic.

Tang Yin stood there, feeling like an intruder. He didn't understand why his presence had caused such a big reaction, nor did he know who "that child" Wang Lina mentioned was. But he could sense that this village clearly had a secret unknown to outsiders.

After an unknown amount of time, the cafeteria owner finally broke the silence. Her tone was gentle, trying to ease the tense atmosphere: "Oh, that does sound very pitiful."

But she paused mid-sentence, clearly concerned about the opinions of the two elderly villagers. In the end, she simply sighed indifferently without expressing her opinion.

Tang Yin could sense that behind this simple decision lay complex considerations and trade-offs. He couldn't help but wonder: what secrets did this seemingly ordinary village hold? Why had his arrival elicited such a significant reaction? And what was so special about the Divine River?
At this moment, the old man sitting in the corner finally spoke, his voice low and powerful: "Lina, you should know the rules of our village. Outsiders are not allowed to enter at will, let alone stay for a long time."

(End of this chapter)