The Hero Turned Into A Potato And The World Fell To Ruin

It is said that a woman's mind is truly a mystery.

Yaine had been gloomy throughout their journey, which left Liu Ji completely baffled. But once they exited the desert and climbed the cliff, she was suddenly all smiles, walking with a spring in her step.

It really was bizarre.

What's this supposed to be? Desert anxiety?

Is staying in the desert that uncomfortable?

But that doesn't make sense; she never showed any signs before this. Could it be an acute condition?

Liu Ji couldn't figure it out, and neither could the others. Osar and Girunini had been whispering about Yaine's odd demeanor during the journey. Now, with her sudden 180-degree mood shift and the bright expression they hadn't seen since their escape, the two of them were left dumbfounded.

Mervant, however, remained oblivious, being the most straightforward man among them. He simply held the map and compass, acting as a living GPS.

Calidora, though, seemed to have some understanding of the situation. However, she didn't say anything and just wore a gentle smile.

Under this strange atmosphere, the group followed Yaine through the dense forest toward the small wooden house where they had left their beacon.

As they neared the house, about a hundred meters away, Yaine suddenly halted and motioned everyone to stop.

Without a word, everyone but Liu Ji went into combat mode. Mervant vanished into the shadows, disappearing in an instant.

Although Liu Ji was slow to react, he wasn't stupid. Sensing something was off, he flashed to the front of the group, surprising everyone.

Yes, to the front. This was something Myza had taught him.

For a novice like him, the best way to use his body was to charge forward as a meat shield. Without feeling pain or worrying about injuries, his job was to take the hits, as long as he could absorb the damage.

As everyone was stunned by Liu Ji's strange move, Mervant reappeared from the darkness, saying subtly, "I don't think you guys have to be so tense… I think, uh, those guys aren't a threat."

"Are you sure?" Yaine asked.

"Yeah, 90 percent certain. Their presence is weak, and…" he paused, glancing at Liu Ji, "I think they might be related to this fella."

"Ah? Why?" Yaine asked in puzzlement.

"Um, how should I put it." Mervant just started walking forward. "Let's just go see for ourselves, and you'll understand then."

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The sun shone brightly and birds were chirping.

A bunch of round potatoes were playing on the ground outside the wooden house.

They had green leaves on their heads, round bodies, and big grins on their faces, running about and laughing merrily.

As the group, led by Liu Ji who was trying to act as a shield, emerged from the forest, they froze in place at the sight.

Liu Ji, especially, stared at the potatoes in horror, sensing a bad premonition deep down.

The potatoes, seeing the group of people, also froze in place as if someone had pressed the pause button.

After a few seconds of silent stalemate, the potatoes suddenly raised their arms and started running over, shouting "Grandpa!" in surprisingly perfect Mandarin.

Then, as they reached Liu Ji's side, they crowded around him, jumping and continuously calling out "Grandpa."

Liu Ji stared at these little potatoes in shock, feeling numb all over.

Grandpa? What on earth?

Are these the potato versions of the Calabash Brothers? [TL note: Calabash Brothers is an animated series about seven brothers with superpowers that were originally calabashes.]

However Liu Ji didn't remember having any children, let alone planting potato seeds.

These potatoes must surely be mistaken…

Yet, he felt a strange connection to them, as if they were indeed related by blood.

But why?! Potatoes don't have blood!

Most people would be overwhelmed with the sudden appearance of a son, but Liu Ji now had a bunch of grandsons—potato grandsons, no less. This sudden complexity left him speechless.

As the potatoes bounced around Liu Ji, the others looked at each other in bafflement.

"What are they chanting?" Girunini asked Yaine.

"Uh, the intonations sound like Liu Ji's language…" Yaine said, scratching her head. "Maybe they're his kin?"

"Possibly." Mervant nodded. "After all, he was a potato back then, too."

"But the difference between them seems way too huge." Calidora squatted down, observing the small potatoes closely. "Could it be an age thing? Are these the children of his race?"

Osar was uncharacteristically silent. He recalled the time when he had dug up Liu Ji's roots and picked up a few potatoes. After Liu Ji turned human, the roots retracted, and the land collapsed, burying the potatoes again.

So… There shouldn't be any connection, right?

But they do look similar…

No, I must be mistaken, potatoes all look the same…

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After about 20 minutes of fuss, Liu Ji finally accepted the bizarre reality of having a group of little potato grandchildren.

Honestly, he wanted to take them back to Myza and leave them there as pets.

But…

Damned blood relations.

He could actually feel what these little potatoes were thinking.

These little creatures didn't seem too bright; their thoughts were simple, they were just happy to see him and wanted to follow him.

Managing them was easy too. Liu Ji could understand their thoughts, and they could understand his orders. He instructed them to quietly follow, and they formed a neat line behind him.

They buried their bodies in the ground, leaving only their leaves exposed. Somehow, they moved quickly in the sand, following Liu Ji in an orderly fashion, looking like a green tail.

Along with his own long green hair, Liu Ji's whole aura seemed… to exude life and vitality.

The others saw this and, except for Osar who seemed deep in thought, just assumed Liu Ji had found some little friends of his kind. Girunini even wondered aloud about a possible potato city.

Yaine, however, went inside the house, picked up the beacon she had left there, and muttered, "Unfortunately, it seems like they haven't been nearby."

"Mm, that's expected. Let's head to Swirling Mire City as Mr. Myza suggested," Mervant said as he joined her in the house. "When do we leave?"

"In two days, after gathering supplies," Yaine replied. "We'll rest here tonight, hunt for food tomorrow, and set off the day after."