Chương 22: Ganshou Village (Part III)

As they approached the village entrance, Lucian allowed Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng to take the lead. Both were silent, their heads lowered. Bai Xiaomeng trembled slightly, concerned about Lucian's temper, while Wang Chen walked with clenched fists. Soon, they passed through the wooden fence, entering the village. Under the dim lantern light hanging from two houses' beams, they saw two people hurrying forward. Both men carried curved swords at their waists.

The tense expression and frantic movements of the younger one made his anxiety unmistakable, while the older villager appeared more composed, his eyes cold and studying the trio from afar.

"Who goes there?" the older villager called out, keeping his distance. He looked to be around forty years old. Bai Xiaomeng glanced back at Lucian. Receiving no response, she turned forward again.

"We are," she paused briefly, unsure how to phrase it.

"We are members of the Bai Clan. Our caravan was attacked by rogue cultivators, and we fled." The older villager showed no sympathy. Instead, he shouted harshly,"Leave. Our village was also attacked by a rogue cultivator. We can do nothing to help you!" Then, as if correcting himself, he gnashed his teeth.

"No, it was a Demonic Cultivator. We have already sent people to Constable Mu to seek justice." Listening, Lucian thought, Smart. He is making sure we know help is on its way. Wanting to enter the village and assess the situation himself, Lucian spoke, "Give them gold." When he spoke, all eyes turned to him. The two villagers were visibly startled by the black-robed figure standing behind the pair, while Bai Xiaomeng nudged Wang Chen's arm so that he followed the order.

Wang Chen lowered the large bag from his shoulder and rummaged through it, hiding his displeasure. He did not notice how both villagers exchanged a glance when the bag hit the ground with a heavy thud, but Lucian watched it all with his cold eyes. Taking out three gold coins, Wang Chen forced a smile and extended his hand.

"Please accept this to aid in the village's reconstruction and the funeral rites." The older villager hesitated for a moment. Licking his lips, he gave a reluctant nod and took the coins before passing them to the younger one.

"We thank you, travelers," he said stiffly.

"I hope you understand that our village is poor and has suffered greatly. We have little to offer." He then turned to the younger man, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Go inform the village head that we have guests." The young man stiffened, biting his lip. He glanced at Lucian and the others, hesitation clear in his eyes, but the older man's grip on his shoulder tightened enough for him to recover. Sharing a glance with the older villager, the young man, swallowing his doubts, nodded and hurried off. Next, as if suddenly remembering his manners, the older villager slapped his forehead and bowed with deliberate movements, cupping his fists.

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"I lost two friends and a cousin," he said.

"Please forgive my rudeness. This one is Xu Hua. The young man was my son, Xu Duan. May I know the names of our guests?" Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng cupped their fists and bowed in return.

"This one is Bai Xiaomeng. It is a pleasure to meet you, Senior Xu Hua."

"I am Wang Chen." Xu Hua then looked at Lucian. When Lucian remained silent, he forced a polite smile and turned back to Bai Xiaomeng.

"Young Miss Bai, I am sorry for your loss. Those sects should have dealt with such rogue and Demonic Cultivators long ago. Their negligence only shows how unfair the heavens are to grant them such power. Would you not agree?" Neither Bai Xiaomeng nor Wang Chen responded. The memory of the pain Lucian had inflicted with mere words still lingered too vividly, so they didn't dare to misspeak about cultivators or sects. They knew how ruthless Lucian could be.

As the silence stretched and Bai Xiaomeng reflected on how to change the subject, Lucian finally spoke.

"You are a brave and perceptive mortal," he said, turning to Xu Hua.

"Let me deal with the wounded. There must be a lot needing treatment." Xu Hua's muscles tensed. He took a deep breath and answered, "No need, sir. Those who were injured." He paused.

"Those are all dead." Lucian pointed toward the center of the village, where the lack of lanterns made the darkness swallow everything else.

"You must have lost a few villagers, then." Xu Hua glanced in that direction, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.

"Twelve friends, in fact. Good people who died at the hands of a merciless cultivator." Lucian gave a small nod and turned to Wang Chen.

"Tell him what you saw when we approached." Wang Chen was startled, but after glancing at Bai Xiaomeng, he answered,"Collapsed buildings. Four or five." He then looked toward the darkness where Lucian had pointed.

"Or six," Wang Chen concluded, smacking his lips.

"…To see in such darkness and from that distance, this great one must be a Grand Cultivator," Xu Hua said, his grip tightening.

"I apologize for my earlier words."

"It is quiet here," Lucian said suddenly.

"No more crying. Or dragging sounds." Hearing this, Bai Xiaomeng blanched and stepped closer to Wang Chen, nearly touching his arm.

"Tell me what happened here and answer a few questions honestly," Lucian continued, stepping toward Xu Hua.

"All I want is the truth, and you will be safe." Xu Hua glanced at each of them and said, " As I told you, we were attacked and twelve people—""The scent of blood spreads throughout this village like the darkness, reaching every hidden corner," Lucian interrupted coldly.

"At least fifty died here. No less." Bai Xiaomeng gasped, covering her mouth. Wang Chen lowered his head slightly, the number stirring painful memories of his own losses. Meanwhile, Xu Hua's eyes shook. For a moment, his hand twitched as if he might draw his sword any second. Then Lucian spoke again.

"I do not care about the young ones who fled," he said, staring directly into Xu Hua's eyes.

"Bring me the dead, the elderly, and the knowledgeable. I don't truly care about hunting down your descendants." A thousand thoughts raced through Xu Hua's mind. In the end, he lowered his head and cupped his hands.

"I ask for forgiveness. Please, accompany me to the main house." With those resigned words, he turned and walked ahead, heading in the opposite direction from where Xu Duan had gone. The trio followed along, each one deep in their thoughts. Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng remained confused overall, while Lucian nodded to himself and walked forward until he was beside Xu Hua. Noticing Lucian's presence and gripping his sword, Xu Hua spoke cautiously, "I do not know the Grand Cultivator's name.

Forgive me for not addressing you properly."

"This Lord does not care," Lucian replied with a faint smile.

"Although it seems we have also failed to address you properly, Village Head." Xu Hua stumbled slightly, then shook his head.

"I once more ask for forgiveness." Lucian waved his hand dismissively.

"Speak the truth and answer my questions later. Everything else will be forgotten." And so, the four of them made their way toward the largest house on the far side of the village. Meanwhile, beyond the settlement, twenty teenagers and four children fled in four wagons, each pulled by a horse. Guiding them was Xu Duan, who had looked back toward the village and muttered under his breath, "Uncle Huoxing, please stay safe!"