Chương 23: Ganshou Village (Part IV)

Given the surrounding forest, most of the village's houses were built primarily of wood, each topped with triangular roofs covered in clay tiles, with oil lanterns hanging beside their doors. Lucian observed that most of the lanterns near the center of the village were either broken or extinguished. With his enhanced vision, he could clearly discern shattered limbs half-buried beneath the wreckage, along with trails of blood leading outward, as if the bodies had been dragged away.

Wang Chen, who could also see most of it, deliberately avoided looking and walked silently beside Bai Xiaomeng. Meanwhile, Xu Hua remained lost in his own thoughts until they arrived at a larger building, adorned with ceramic decorations and constructed of clay bricks and stone rather than wood alone.

"This is the Main House, where we hold our meetings and festivals," Xu Hua said, the lantern before the building illuminating the entrance.

"Miss Bai, Grand Cultivators, have you visited the Feathered Dragon Kingdom before?" Lucian recalled the map, remembering that one of the regions above the Azure Magpie Forest was labeled as the Feathered Dragon Kingdom. Instead of answering, he glanced at Bai Xiaomeng and Wang Chen, who nodded in understanding.

"Yes, yes," Bai Xiaomeng replied smoothly.

"We passed through two or three cities within the kingdom along our journey. It is a very beautiful place. We didn't visit the monoliths and mountains covered in fog, but we saw the giant trees!" They entered the house while talking, and Xu Hua lit four lanterns, casting a warm glow across the main room. On the wooden floor, simple mattresses surrounded a low wooden table. Observing how the others sat on their knees around the table, Lucian quickly grasped the custom and did the same.

"Did you have the chance to taste our ganshou tea? It is unique to our kingdom, and I must say, the one made in our Ganshou Village is the finest," Xu Hua said, a faint smile forming on his lips. Lucian remained silent, studying him carefully. This mortal is not simple. Wang Chen, sensing the atmosphere lighten after the grim walk through the village, gave a small chuckle and said, "Then we must taste this ganshou tea, or it would be disrespectful to our host." Laughing, Xu Hua slapped the table in delight.

"Well said, well said! It would also be disrespectful of me not to serve tea to such esteemed guests. Allow me—""Village Head," Lucian interrupted, his tone soft yet commanding.

"Bring the remaining people first. We can all drink together afterward." Bai Xiaomeng and Wang Chen exchanged glances, while Xu Hua nodded with a smile.

"Right, right. This one is forgetful. I thank the Grand Cultivator for the reminder," he said, standing and bowing slightly toward Lucian.

"I will return shortly." As Xu Hua walked away, Wang Chen muttered under his breath, "Serving guests before attending to business is proper courtesy." Bai Xiaomeng shot him a sharp look, but before she could scold him, Lucian gestured lightly in Xu Hua's direction.

"Follow him. If he attempts to flee, stop him and shout for me," Lucian said, retrieving the map he had been carrying and spreading it across the table, carefully searching for the Ancient Tree Kingdom. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Wang Chen gave a wry smile and nodded as he stood. Bai Xiaomeng soon rose as well and bowed to Lucian. The two of them then followed Xu Hua, with Wang Chen leading the way due to his improved vision.

Lucian did not know how much time had passed, yet he used every moment to commit the map to memory. Although most regions and drawings lacked clear identification, and even those that were marked proved difficult for him to read, he continued studying with focused intensity, mentally tracing a path toward the north, where a war was said to be unfolding. Amidst his planning, he heard approaching footsteps and stored the map away. Without rising, he turned his gaze toward the door.

Xu Hua entered first, followed by five elderly individuals, each appearing to be at least seventy years old, along with three middle-aged villagers. Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng were the last to step inside. Nodding to Lucian, Xu Hua opened his mouth, intending to introduce the mysterious cultivator. However, he soon remembered he did not know Lucian's name, so he chose instead to introduce the others first.

"Esteemed guests, these are the remaining people of our Ganshou Village. Most of us are herders and farmers, so we hold no grand titles," he paused, sighing with visible distress.

"We once had a shaman, but she perished along with the others."

"Murdered, Village Head," one of the elderly women corrected him, leaning on her cane.

"My sister was murdered. Not just perished, like a cow dying of hunger." Xu Hua placed a hand gently on her shoulder, meeting her gaze briefly before turning back to Lucian.

"This one who spoke is—""Good, the oldest among you does not appear senile," Lucian interrupted, his eyes passing by each elder.

"Your names are irrelevant. I want your knowledge." All of the villagers maintained neutral expressions at his words. Only Bai Xiaomeng and Wang Chen seemed unsettled by the lack of courtesy.

"Sit," Lucian continued, gesturing toward the wooden table.

"Answer my questions and do not lie. Everything else can wait." Xu Hua exchanged glances with the villagers, who looked to him for guidance. Then he stepped forward and sat across from Lucian.

"As you command, Grand Cultivator," Xu Hua said.

"Ask." Everyone began to sit as well, but Lucian raised his hand, stopping them.

"Those three," he said, pointing at the middle-aged villagers.

"I do not believe they possess knowledge that the elders and the Village Head don't." The trio stiffened, exchanging nervous glances before looking toward Xu Hua. Before Xu Hua could respond, Lucian continued, "I will not kill you for lacking knowledge. Nonetheless, I believe you are more useful elsewhere than sitting here like decorations."

"The Grand Cultivator needs only to command, and we lowly ones shall obey," Xu Hua replied. Lucian tapped the wooden table twice and said, "Wang Chen, accompany them and gather all the corpses. Anything with a torso shall suffice." Wang Chen trembled slightly, understanding the implication, while the villagers looked confused. Xu Hua, recalling Lucian's earlier questions about the bodies, seemed to grasp part of the intention. He nodded to the three villagers, signaling them to comply without questions.

While they were leaving, Bai Xiaomeng began to follow, and Lucian spoke again.

"Bai Xiaomeng, you stay." Wang Chen noticed her hesitation and gave a reassuring nod.

"Wait for me here, Little Meng. It is alright." He set down the bag he had been carrying when he passed by the door and left with the others. Bai Xiaomeng sighed, looking at his back. Then, she stepped toward Lucian, her head lowered and ready to follow his instructions.

"You should have writing materials in here," Lucian said, his tone giving away the hidden inquiry.

"We left them behind," she replied. Letting out a sigh, Lucian turned his gaze to Xu Hua, knowing he had spoken loudly enough for all to hear. Next, Xu Hua, who had just sat down, immediately stood up again without a word. He moved into another room, rummaged briefly, and returned carrying a stack of paper, a brush, an inkstone, a grinder, and a bowl of water. He placed everything neatly on the table, his movements calm and precise, without spilling a single drop of water or tainting the paper with ink.

After he concluded the task, he helped the elders sit, murmuring apologies for not serving tea. Though he spoke softly, Lucian heard every word. Once everyone else had settled, Xu Hua sat again. Simultaneously, Lucian pushed the writing materials toward Bai Xiaomeng.

"Record every topic of our conversation," he instructed. Bai Xiaomeng nodded and began grinding the ink and preparing herself. While she busied herself, Lucian turned to the villagers. The five elders met his gaze without fear. In their eyes, there was grief, resignation, and a faint glimmer of hope. Hope for those who fled, Lucian guessed inwardly.

"Mortals," he said calmly, "Begin by telling me what you know about cultivators."