But the stone bridge was dilapidated, and parts of its surface had already collapsed. The worst-damaged spots had been blackened by flames.
Li Bai could tell at a glance that the bridge had been demolished with explosives, and whoever had done it was a professional. It must have been the soldiers who had died here.
Nearby lay bundles of large wooden planks, some long and some short. The longest were a full four or five meters, and they looked sturdy.
From the stout woman, Li Bai learned the details of their trio's task: they had to use the planks to patch the holes in the bridge.
Calling it a repair was generous. They only needed to lay the planks over the gaps so the Blood Goddess's sacrificial procession could cross.
The task didn't seem difficult, just a little troublesome and physically demanding. But Li Bai knew it couldn't be as simple as it looked. Something was bound to go wrong along the way.
"Hurry up!"
The stout woman seemed anxious, glancing toward the village from time to time, as if the procession was about to arrive.
Several other women with familiar faces came over, lifted a large plank, and offered it to them. Wu Qiang, who was closest, instinctively reached out to take it.
"Wait!"
Li Bai hurried over and stopped Wu Qiang. Then she smiled apologetically at the women, who were staring at her in confusion. "Sorry. He's a man, all thumbs. I'll do it."
Li Bai didn't take the plank right away. She inspected it carefully, keeping the women distracted as she spoke. "Heh, we can't be careless with the planks for this bridge. If one isn't sturdy, Zhusheng Niangniang won't be pleased."
After examining it, Li Bai found nothing wrong. She tapped it with her finger, and