Chapter Thirty: The Village Headman

The servants brought the horses and carriage, but Guan Yuan found the carriage too slow and insisted everyone ride on horseback. Wu Yu and Cui Xiu had no objections to this. Wu Yu came from a family where horsemanship was expected, and Cui Xiu, having just returned from the provincial city, had some experience riding as well. Now, with his body’s enhanced coordination and strength, even riding at a gallop was manageable. Guan Yuan disliked wasting time, so he issued no further instructions—just a brief call, then spurred his horse forward.

Cui Xiu and Wu Yu naturally followed suit.

Before long, the three had left the city behind. Just as Cui Xiu and Wu Yu expected to pick up their pace, two riders suddenly appeared on the official road outside the city, coming straight toward them.

“Chief!”

The two riders approached, glanced at Cui Xiu and Wu Yu, then addressed Guan Yuan.

“I’ve troubled you both for this,” Guan Yuan greeted them. “Once this matter is settled, I’ll treat you to a drink.”

Through this brief exchange, Cui Xiu learned their identities—they were both men under Guan Yuan’s command, officials from the Bureau of the Sun. If Guan Yuan hadn’t pointed it out, he would never have guessed; the two were dressed more like wandering swordsmen than government men, displaying none of the official air.

“Let’s go,” said Guan Yuan. “Let’s try to reach our destination before nightfall.”

With a command, the group fell silent, spurred their mounts, and in the blink of an eye had vanished down the road.

...

Afternoon, the hour of Shen.

Though daylight still shone bright, Liu Family Village was shrouded in silence, absent the usual crow of roosters or bark of dogs. In such an eerie stillness, even the air seemed tinged with a heavy, nameless dread.

“Chief, something feels off. Could that wild god have sensed we’d come today?”

From a hill not far from the village, the five dismounted to observe. One of Guan Yuan’s subordinates, unsettled by the scene, voiced his suspicion.

Guan Yuan frowned, then shook his head. “Impossible. Such a minor god of the wild has no such skill—if he did, he wouldn’t be hiding in this backwater.”

With a raised hand, Guan Yuan silenced further speculation and turned to Wu Yu. “Master Wu, if we want fewer complications, we’ll need to rely on you.”

“What are your orders, Captain Guan?” Wu Yu was momentarily surprised, but he had already steeled himself for such a request.

“To lure the wild god out, I mustn’t show myself. I need you to enter the village, to draw him into the open.”

Wu Yu recalled what Guan Yuan had said earlier. Though he still felt some apprehension, he nodded his assent.

“Rest assured, Master Wu,” Guan Yuan said. “I won’t let any harm come to you. I’ll send someone with you into the village to ensure your safety.”

At this, Guan Yuan paused, then glanced at Cui Xiu. “Master Cui, you should go as well. You might be of some help.”

Guan Yuan wasn’t particularly concerned about Cui Xiu’s martial skills; rather, he remembered the matter of the short staff and suspected that Cui Xiu might have some connection to the wild god.

Cui Xiu was surprised to be chosen, but quickly composed himself and agreed.

“Brother Zhao, I’ll trouble you to accompany them.”

“Yes, sir.”

Guan Yuan selected one of his subordinates to follow. Both of his men were tall, sturdy fellows, each carrying a large bundle whose contents were unknown.

The three received their orders, mounted up, and prepared to descend toward Liu Family Village.

Just as they were about to set off, Guan Yuan tossed something to Wu Yu.

Wu Yu examined it, but didn’t recognize the object. Cui Xiu’s eyes narrowed—he knew at once that it was the strange short staff.

“This item is what the wild god seeks. Keep it with you—if he senses its presence, however cautious he might be, he’ll show himself.”

Wu Yu understood and tucked the staff away.

With all settled, the three lost no more time and began their descent toward the village.

...

The three rode side by side, with Cui Xiu and Brother Zhao flanking Wu Yu, keeping him well protected in the middle.

Soon they reached the village entrance.

Compared to Cui Xiu’s last visit, the gateway was much emptier, the surroundings showing signs of recent turmoil—disorder and damage yet to be repaired.

“Be careful, Master Wu,” Brother Zhao cautioned before they entered, clearly uneasy.

Wu Yu’s expression grew grave. He nodded.

The three rode into the village.

“What happened here? Did the wild god do something terrible?” Cui Xiu couldn’t help but ask, troubled by the silence.

Unexpectedly, Wu Yu replied, “Perhaps. Though it might also be connected to the soldiers who came to rescue me...”

Wu Yu didn’t know the whole truth. After Wu Xiu returned to deliver his message, the county office had sent reinforcements. Wu Yu suspected that the current state of the village was somehow related to that incident.

Could they have been captured?

At the time, his mind had been preoccupied by the divine presence; he hadn’t noticed the changes in the village, nor concerned himself with what the soldiers did. Now, he could only guess.

After a while, the three dismounted and continued on foot, moving slowly and with heightened vigilance.

Clearly, something was wrong in the village, and no one could say what might happen.

“Gentlemen, my master invites you to his house!”

Just as they noticed the complete absence of villagers, a voice echoed out, drawing their attention at once.

“The headman?”

They turned and both Cui Xiu and Wu Yu recognized the speaker—a frail, elderly man who was none other than the headman of Liu Family Village. Yet something about him was different, though neither could say exactly what.

It was still the same man, but...

“Gentlemen, I fear this old man is no longer among the living,” Brother Zhao suddenly remarked.

At those words, both Cui Xiu and Wu Yu felt a chill grip their hearts.

“Master Wu, do you still recognize me?” the headman asked. “My lord had business with you before. Now that you’ve returned, he assumes you have news and has sent me to invite you in.”

The headman smiled—a pallid, stiff expression, his lips twitching to reveal yellowed teeth.

The three exchanged glances and let go of their reins.

Cui Xiu and Brother Zhao edged closer to Wu Yu.

“We’ll trouble you to lead the way, headman,” Wu Yu said. With two men at his side and Guan Yuan waiting behind, he regained his composure and nodded at the headman.

The headman bowed and, leaning on his cane, turned to guide them.

The three followed, keeping a cautious distance.

Before long, they arrived at an ancestral hall. The hall sat nestled against the mountains, with a deep, shadowy valley behind and thick forest on all sides. Even at noon, sunlight would struggle to reach this place.

A chill settled over the trio.

“Please, come inside,” the headman said, turning to invite them in.

Wu Yu hesitated, glancing at Cui Xiu and Brother Zhao by his side.