A Flaw Delivered to Their Door

Lu Dayou replied, "The authorities have made Bluestone Gully the boundary. No one is allowed up the mountain, though the foothills are not restricted.

"But what is there at the foot of the mountain? Nothing but wild vegetables and weeds. If you're lucky, you might catch a rabbit or a pheasant. We barely scrape by, hungry one meal and full the next. But just after the mountain was sealed off, the area started being haunted again."

Di Renjie was greatly alarmed. "What? Haunted?"

Lu Dayou replied, "Seventy li from here is Yao Family Shop. It used to be a mass graveyard, but overnight, it somehow turned into a town. There are houses and shops there, but no people. In daylight, it is gloomy and eerie, without a ghost in sight. But once night falls, it becomes lively."

Hu Jinghui grew deeply worried upon hearing this. If this continued, Jin Mulan's base would be discovered. Yet there was nothing he could do for the moment.

Lu Dayou went on to describe how nearby villagers had gone to investigate in groups of three or five, even in groups of over a hundred, only to vanish without a trace. Later, when they reported it to the authorities, the authorities ignored it completely.

Di Renjie was also greatly shocked, then furious at the inaction of the Youzhou authorities. He pondered it for a long time and could not sleep...

The next morning, Xiaolianzi Village.

Di Renjie was writing out a prescription at the table while Lu Dayou watched from the side with admiration.

Di Renjie finally finished, set down his brush, and handed the sheet bearing the prescription to Lu Dayou.

Di Renjie said, "Dayou, here."

Lu Dayou said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, sir. I can't read."

Di Renjie smiled kindly. "Dayou, just give this