Chương 21: Ganshou Village (Part II)

"I believe a young woman entering the village alone would spook them far more than three people arriving together," Wang Chen said, pointing toward the trail ahead, which ended at dozens of houses surrounded by a wooden fence.

"I mean, they could take you for a hungry ghost, right?"

"Young Master Wang," Bai Xiaomeng said in exasperation.

"With all due respect, you should not call anyone that!"

"Just because I'm a jiangshi?" Wang Chen laughed.

"No, because you—""Let's go together," Lucian interrupted, walking past them along the trail. Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng exchanged a glance before following him. After a few steps, Bai Xiaomeng hummed softly and asked, "Is everything alright, Grand Cultivator?"

"Yes," Lucian replied. Then he frowned and turned his head slightly to look at her.

"I–I'm sorry to have asked," she said with a nervous laugh, lowering her head. Inside, she immediately began scolding herself. She shouldn't ask questions about a Demonic Cultivator's well-being! Wang Chen glanced at her, then forced a chuckle.

"Anyway, I don't know about you two, but I would love to sleep on a proper bed and eat fresh vegetables. Maybe some dumplings and noodles too." Bai Xiaomeng smiled faintly, knowing he was trying to cheer her up. They continued down the trail until Lucian stopped and let out a tired sigh.

"There is a problem ahead," he said.

"Wang Chen, take the front."

"What is the issue?" Bai Xiaomeng asked, grabbing Wang Chen by the wrist so he would not step forward yet.

"Too much noise," Lucian answered.

"Weeping and dragging sounds." Bai Xiaomeng paled.

"Weep—weeping? Dragging? Like ghosts dragging chains? Is—Is it a haunted village?" she asked, stuttering. Lucian gave her a strange look and shook his head.

"No. The undead are not that loud. Those are just people." Sighing in relief, Bai Xiaomeng released Wang Chen and stepped behind him. Her scared brain didn't process how Lucian seemed used to talking about the undead. Lucian moved a few steps, scanning the surroundings and sharpening his hearing. While he was familiar with the sound of weeping and could distinguish it among other sounds, what he heard could only mean that dozens of people were crying. Otherwise, he would not have heard it from so far away.

As they drew closer, both Wang Chen and Lucian frowned.

"Keep walking," Lucian said when Wang Chen slowed down.

"It's safe." If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"But the village—""Whoever caused this destruction has already left," Lucian interrupted, pointing toward the settlement with his chin.

"Keep walking."

"What is happening?" Bai Xiaomeng asked, confused by their exchange. With only the torchlight to guide her, she could barely see the surroundings, and a few houses ahead were illuminated by the village lanterns.

"Nothing. Be quiet and don't stop," Lucian ordered, glancing at her.

"Do not speak to her like that," Wang Chen said suddenly. Bai Xiaomeng's eyes widened, and she quickly stepped in front of Wang Chen. Her small frame could not truly shield him, but she still placed herself between him and Lucian.

"Grand Cultivator," she said in a trembling voice, joining her fists and bowing as low as she could.

"I beg you, please show mercy. Young Master Wang is foolish and misspoke. He will walk on his knees for a day as punishment, and this one can serve you—""Little Meng, what the hell are you talking about?" Wang Chen shouted, his eyes turning red.

"He was being rude to you—" A slap. Bai Xiaomeng, tears streaming down her face, had turned and struck Wang Chen across his cheek, silencing him. She said no words to him, her glare speaking volumes, and turned to Lucian.

"Please, please, we can be good and loyal servants—""You are not my servants," Lucian interrupted.

"And his reactions are normal, given his condition."

"My reactions? What, are you saying I did something wrong?" Wang Chen snapped. He tried to step around Bai Xiaomeng to approach Lucian, but she blocked his path with her body. Wang Chen lacked the courage to push her aside, so he ended up giving Lucian a glare.

"Please enlighten us, Grand Cultivator," Bai Xiaomeng said, wiping her tears with the hem of her dress.

"Young Master Wang was never such a boorish and easily irritated person." Lucian realized they would not move unless he explained, so he spoke.

"I have been speaking your language for a while now. I suppose you're both aware of it." Bai Xiaomeng nodded. Wang Chen furrowed his brows, restraining his anger yet unable to hide his curiosity. Lucian continued.

"My previous method of communication made my intentions clear, as well as how much stronger I am. For someone like you, Bai Xiaomeng, it only created mild discomfort." Bai Xiaomeng swallowed the words she wanted to say and nodded again.

"For him," Lucian said, pointing at Wang Chen, "it felt as if I was whipping his brain. Now he's compelled to bite the hand that struck him, unless I can remind him I'm stronger." Bai Xiaomeng's lips trembled, and she looked at Wang Chen with a worried glance.

"Young Master Wang, did you hear that? Please control your urges."

"Little Meng, this—""He thinks he can kill me," Lucian said calmly. His cold black eyes fixed on Wang Chen as though he could see straight into his soul.

"It is instinct. Something beyond his control. Even if he understands that I could kill him at any moment, deep down, he does not truly feel that danger. On the contrary, he grows braver with time." Inside his mind, Lucian added silently, This is the hidden price of The Crown, not even the Curse of Pride itself. To be a ruler, one must prove their worth.

"Can you do something about that, Grand Cultivator?" Bai Xiaomeng asked anxiously, her eyes shifting between the two men.

"I am perfectly fine, Little Meng," Wang Chen said with a stubborn frown.

"And who knows? Maybe I could kill him. I could fight him right here—" Bai Xiaomeng's face turned pale with horror. Before she could silence him, both she and Wang Chen felt a sharp spike of pain in their minds. Lucian's voice echoed inside their heads, merging the common language with the cold clarity of his devilish voice.

"Stop wasting my time." The two froze as Lucian walked past them, deactivating the Rune of Lust he had kept active since gazing at the starry sky. How far I have fallen, he thought bitterly. Reduced to arguing with a rabid dog and a sack of blood. After a few steps, he heard Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng following behind him in silence.