Chapter Forty-Four: Clear Stream

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(The plot I originally planned doesn’t quite feel right, so I’m a bit conflicted and the writing has become somewhat watered down. My apologies—I’ll reflect on it and revise it carefully later. Thank you for your support.)

Qingxi Village.

Compared to Gaoyun Township, Qingxi Village lacked any large clans like the Cui family; most residents were scattered households.

With fewer rules, it felt more like an ordinary rural settlement.

Cui Xiu and Guan Yuan, who had followed Madam Chen to Qingxi Village, did not rush to the Li family to check on Li Luo’s condition. Instead, they went to the home of the village elder who had advised Madam Chen to go to Anyuan County.

“Sir, we are from the magistrate’s office and have come regarding the matter of the Li family’s young master. You are widely experienced, and we have some questions. We wonder if you would be willing to guide us?”

For convenience, Cui Xiu borrowed the authority of the magistrate’s office.

The village elder was a man in his seventies; in these times, living to such an age was a rarity.

The old man glanced at him and Guan Yuan, hesitating slightly.

After some time, he finally spoke: “Are you gentlemen from the Department of the Sun?”

As expected!

Upon hearing this, Cui Xiu was astonished that the elder knew about the Department of the Sun, and at the same time, his suspicions were confirmed—the elder indeed knew something, or else he wouldn’t have instructed Madam Chen as he did.

“So you are familiar with the Department of the Sun?”

Guan Yuan was even more surprised. Cui Xiu had not explained the elder’s situation in detail, so Guan Yuan was unaware of this matter.

Seeing Guan Yuan’s expression, the old man was certain of his deduction. After all, having lived so long, his wisdom surpassed that of ordinary folk.

“In my younger years, I once had dealings with a master from the Department of the Sun and was fortunate enough to witness their demon-subduing methods.”

The elder’s expression grew thoughtful as he reminisced.

Cui Xiu, though curious about the old man’s past, felt that resolving Li Luo’s situation was more urgent, so he spoke up: “I see. The man beside me is Captain Guan of the Department of the Sun, whom I specially invited to help. If you know anything about Li Luo’s predicament, we would be grateful for your guidance.”

“The old man does know a bit, but the story begins forty years ago…”

So, they had to listen patiently.

The elder’s recollections were slow, given his age; it took him half an hour to recount the story in full.

After hearing the elder’s words, they all gained a better understanding.

“Back then, I saw the master from the Department of the Sun subdue a demon. The people afflicted by that demon suffered conditions much like Li Luo’s. At first, they became wooden and dazed, then began to devour the hearts and livers of livestock. Later, they started attacking people, transforming into monsters themselves—truly terrifying. Since a master from the Department of the Sun is here, I can rest easy. Otherwise, I feared that the Li boy was controlled by a demon and might bring disaster to the village…”

The elder’s logic was clear, and everyone could grasp the gist of his words.

“Such a monster—I’ve never heard of it,” Guan Yuan mused.

At that moment, Madam Chen, who had been silent and hesitant, looked distraught, her eyes reddened, clearly reminded of her son’s plight.

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“Captain, please! You must save my Luo’er!”

Madam Chen nearly knelt in desperation, but Guan Yuan hurried to support her.

“Don’t worry, madam. I’ve come to Qingxi Village precisely to resolve this matter. I will do my utmost to bring your son back safely.”

…

“Luo’er’s room is right over there.”

With swollen, tear-reddened eyes, Madam Chen led Cui Xiu and Guan Yuan to the Li family’s small courtyard.

Upon arrival, Guan Yuan and Cui Xiu exchanged a glance.

Cui Xiu spoke to Madam Chen: “Aunt, this may be dangerous. It’s best if you wait at Elder Liu’s house for now. When Wen Bin’s matter is settled, I’ll come find you. Would that be alright?”

Madam Chen knew she could do nothing to help here. Though her heart yearned for her son’s safety, she resisted the urge to stay and nodded before leaving.

Once Madam Chen had gone, Guan Yuan and Cui Xiu approached Li Luo’s door.

It was quiet inside, no sound at all, as if no one was there.

To clarify the situation, Guan Yuan peered through a crack.

Cui Xiu followed suit and looked inside as well.

The room was dim; an ordinary person would struggle to see, but for Guan Yuan and Cui Xiu, this posed no difficulty.

Soon, the two spotted a shadow crouched by the bed.

The figure’s head was bowed, hair disheveled, clothing in disarray. The features were unclear, but both men knew it must be Li Luo himself.

Though he looked bedraggled, considering Li Luo’s situation, Cui Xiu was not surprised.

But when he saw the mess on the floor, Cui Xiu couldn’t help but gasp.

The ground before Li Luo was stained dark red, with scattered fragments of viscera—a gruesome scene.

Cui Xiu glanced at Guan Yuan, who showed no reaction, his expression unchanged.

Guan Yuan, accustomed to such sights, was evidently unfazed.

Cui Xiu pondered for a moment, then looked back into the room.

This time, he was startled.

Li Luo had raised his head without warning. Though his hair was wild, his face was exposed.

His visage was smeared with dried blood; his eyes, wholly unlike those of a human, had tiny pupils, dull and vacant, and combined with the shadows of the room, the sight sent chills down one’s spine.

Though the eyes did not move, it felt as if they were staring directly at him…

Cui Xiu stared for a while, and as he blinked, those eyes suddenly appeared right before him…

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The sudden turn of events made Cui Xiu instinctively recoil several steps.

Bang!

Just then, Guan Yuan kicked the door open with a crash and charged into the room.

A guttural roar, beast-like, erupted from within.

Cui Xiu snapped back to his senses, drew his sword, and was about to rush inside when he remembered something and stopped.

Moments later, the sound of something breaking echoed from the room.

“Brother Cui, he’s gone! I’m going after him, you wait here!”

Something had changed—Guan Yuan’s voice called from within.

By the time Cui Xiu reacted and rushed inside, the room was a shambles, with no one to be seen.

At the rear, a wooden wall had been smashed open, leaving a gaping hole…

Faced with such a scene, Cui Xiu needed no guessing to understand what had happened. He was speechless.

Given the upheaval, he dared not seek out Madam Chen, and could only wait for Guan Yuan’s return.

…

He waited almost the entire day.

It was nearly nightfall when Guan Yuan finally reappeared.

He looked displeased.

Cui Xiu, patient by nature, though he had waited for hours, was not annoyed and instead focused on Li Luo’s plight.

“Brother Guan, how did it go?”

Not seeing Li Luo, Cui Xiu realized the situation must be complicated.

Guan Yuan shook his head. “It’s not easy to handle—there’s something strange behind all this. I pursued your friend for some distance, but he escaped into the mountain forest and vanished.”

“This isn’t simple. Your friend is evidently mortal, and though odd, shouldn’t possess such speed. Even with my abilities, I couldn’t catch up…”

Hearing this, Cui Xiu was surprised. He didn’t know Guan Yuan’s full strength, but he knew he was formidable. What had happened to Li Luo, that he could change so drastically? Even Guan Yuan couldn’t apprehend him.

This matter…