Arrival at Willow Ditch Village, an Unexpected Person!

At noon!

The scorching sun blazed overhead, warping even the air in rare ripples as a carriage sped along the yellow dirt road.

The two men outside the carriage were drenched in sweat, their breathing somewhat ragged.

"Young Master, we're almost there. Up ahead is Willow Ditch Village."

The people riding in the carriage were Lu Xuan and his group, who had come all the way from the County Town.

A large hand lifted the carriage curtain and hooked it to one side. Lu Xuan's eyes narrowed as he looked into the distance.

Faintly, he could make out traces of people and buildings, with sparse figures moving along the road.

Before long, the carriage gradually slowed.

A massive stone came into view, moss still clinging to its surface. Three large characters had been carved in its center.

Willow Ditch Village!

The houses ahead gradually became clearer, and more people came into sight. Not far from the village entrance, a group had gathered together.

"Hm!"

"Young Master, there are Yamen Runners over there too. What's going on?"

Li San's puzzled voice sounded out. Lu Xuan had also spotted the Yamen Runners amid the crowd.

Lu Xuan was not the only one observing the village. The villagers had also noticed the commotion at the entrance.

A carriage had stopped quietly outside Willow Ditch Village, with three people standing beside it.

With such a strange scene, it would have been difficult for Lu Xuan and the others not to be noticed.

Before long, a group of Willow Ditch Village villagers slowly came to the entrance, eyeing these sudden strangers with confusion.

Then the villagers opened up a path, and an elderly man was helped forward.

The old man had a head of snowy white hair and a beard beneath his chin, white as snow at the temples.

He scrutinized Lu Xuan and the others, finally fixing his gaze on Lu Xuan, who stood in the middle.

Lu Xuan wore black brocade robes and carried himself with extraordinary bearing. The old man was somewhat startled, but he ultimately spoke to Lu Xuan politely.

"Honored guests, who are you? Where have you come from, and what brings you to my Willow Ditch Village?"

"This old man is the Village Chief of Willow Ditch Village."

Seeing the old man's inquiry, Lu Xuan clasped his hands in salute before speaking slowly.

"Village Chief, I came from the County Town. My family happens to run a small apothecary."

"I left the County Town this time to purchase medicinal herbs from outside the city. I happened to pass through your village and wished to ask about them."

"Oh, so you are honored guests from the County Town here to purchase medicinal herbs. Forgive us for failing to welcome you from afar."

Lu Xuan's words surprised the Village Chief of Willow Ditch Village, and delight appeared on his aged face.

After all, one of Willow Ditch Village's greatest sources of income was outsiders coming to purchase medicinal herbs.

A considerable number of the village's strong young men made their living by entering the deep mountains and old forests to gather herbs, then selling them to outsiders like Lu Xuan.

However, these herb buyers were rather strange. Those who came to purchase medicinal herbs usually arrived in groups.

He had never seen a situation like Lu Xuan's before.

Just a few people all alone, with a carriage in tow. Had the world outside become so safe now?

Though he was puzzled by Lu Xuan's origins, the Old Village Chief did not dwell on it for long.

Instead, he seemed to recall something.

The delight on his face vanished, replaced by sorrow. His aged face resembled the dried peel of an orange.

Finally, the Old Village Chief spoke apologetically. "Honored guests, I truly apologize."

"Something has happened in Willow Ditch Village recently, and we happen to have no manpower to enter the mountains and gather medicinal herbs."

"On behalf of Willow Ditch Village, this old man offers his apologies to our honored guests. I hope you can forgive us."

After all, they had come all this way to Willow Ditch Village, only to find no medicinal herbs at all. That would affect Willow Ditch Village's reputation in the future.

Thus, the Old Village Chief kept an extremely humble attitude, his face filled with apology.

"It's no matter, Old Village Chief."

"Since I have come from afar, I happen to want a place to rest for a few days. Old Village Chief, what do you think...?"

"No!"

The Old Village Chief understood Lu Xuan's meaning. Growing anxious, he immediately refused in a loud voice.

"Honored guests, to be honest with you, some things have happened in Willow Ditch Village these past few days. It is rather inconvenient."

"This old man fears you may be inadvertently dragged into it. When that happens, our Willow Ditch Village would not know what to do either."

"Honored guests should hurry on while it is still early. You can still reach the Post Station not far from here before nightfall."

Faced with the Old Village Chief's stern refusal and his mention of something having happened, Lu Xuan was somewhat surprised.

Something happened?

Could it be those filthy things?

Thinking this, Lu Xuan looked at the Old Village Chief's firm expression, and an idea formed in his heart.

Leave?

That was impossible.

Those strange and extraordinary things were exactly what Lu Xuan desired most right now.

"Old Village Chief, look at us—we have traveled a long distance, and the horse pulling the carriage has already reached its limit. Could you allow us to stay here for just one night?"

Lu Xuan put on an exhausted appearance. Seeing this, the Old Village Chief fell into thought, uncertain whether he should refuse.

At that moment, another passage opened through the crowd. Five or six men dressed in Yamen Runner uniforms strode in.

"Hey, what are you all gathered here for? Where's the Old Village Chief? I still have some things to ask him."

The lead Yamen Runner was a rather plump, young-faced youth.

"Ah!"

"You, you, you..."

The moment the plump young Yamen Runner entered, his gaze fell upon Lu Xuan.

He immediately looked as though he had seen a ghost in broad daylight, as if he had witnessed something utterly unbelievable.

"Mother of—!"

"I knew this village was cursed! A ghost!"

When Lu Xuan saw the plump Yamen Runner, his brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the other man in surprise.

"Liang Cheng? Why are you here?"

"Mother of—! The ghost can talk! Save me!"

Hearing Lu Xuan speak—and even say his own name—the plump Yamen Runner did not hesitate for a moment. As though fleeing for his life, he tried to run behind him.

Yet no matter how hard his legs strained, his body did not move a single step.

A large hand had tightly seized the back of the plump Yamen Runner's collar, and that hand belonged to Lu Xuan.

"Liang Cheng, why did you come all the way out here instead of staying in the County Town?"

"Besides, it's broad daylight. It's far too early if you want to see a ghost."

Lu Xuan secretly mobilized the power of Qi and Blood within him. His voice boomed like a great bell, instantly bringing the plump Yamen Runner back to his senses.

"That does seem right."

"No, Cousin, you, you, you—why are you here?"

It turned out Lu Xuan and this plump Yamen Runner were relatives.

Lu Xuan's sudden appearance had nearly scared the plump Yamen Runner to death.

It was not his fault. In the plump Yamen Runner's memory, Lu Xuan had never left the County Town since childhood.

For him to suddenly show up here—anyone would think they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.