A Web of Traps

Foreword:

Ahead lurks a venomous snake, behind a fierce tiger; the stream stretches endlessly, with no village in sight.

--Du Fu

[Part 1: Blood Jade Guanyin]

"Doctor! How come you brought a woman with you on this 120-mile journey?" Wu Xiuwen asked in surprise.

It was a muddled and unjust affair to begin with, but when Magistrate Wu's godson saw the Xiangxiang, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and broke out in a cold sweat—he couldn't help but be suspicious and overthink things.

The foreign bodhisattva is kind-hearted and can't bear to see the Zhao Brothers suffer, so can't he also bear to see this prostitute suffer?

Who is Xiangxiang? She's the most popular courtesan in the brothel, a woman who's adept at navigating social situations and shrewd in her own right. The farmers aren't afraid of the treacherous and long journey, but things change when a woman causes trouble. They say beauty is a curse, and if Lord Zhang can't control the Zhao Brothers, the group will fall apart before they even reach Black Wind Ridge.

And

The Xiangxiang was like a brand of shame, constantly reminding Jianying Jianxiong that this pair of adulterers had almost taken their lives. Words could not compare to the "poison of lust" in their hearts. Just one glance at her, anything related to romantic love, any fantasies, or even a coquettish remark from this woman could remind the two brothers of this hatred.

Jiang Xueming: "Don't ask, I have my own plans."

Jianying and Jianxiong were also confused. The prostitute followed behind Lord Zhang silently, seemingly having found a powerful backer, just like Wu Xiuwen.

Zhao the eldest remained unmoved, picked up his load, and followed. Zhao the Second, however, was both anxious and angry. He seemed to be possessed; when he bumped into the woman, he was filled with hatred, but his eyes couldn't leave her figure, staring intently at the shoes and socks under her skirt.

Then they heard Zhao the Second muttering to himself.

'What a shameless slut!'

"When the night is quiet and no one is around, if you fall into my hands, I'll rip your heart out and feed it to you! I'll tear your clothes off! I'll take your body! Then I'll throw you into the mountains to feed the wolves."

Wu Xiuwen didn't understand what Zhang Congfeng was thinking, and as the guide, he couldn't bring himself to ask. With Xiangxiang in the group, it meant Zhang Congfeng was missing a hand; the strength he was supposed to use to protect Wu Xiuwen would have to be divided among this prostitute—it was illogical. Did protecting Xiuwen mean he couldn't protect Xiangxiang?

He was not good with words, so he followed Zhang Congfeng his side, trying his best to push the woman away, and took the initiative to give directions and be attentive—even though there was only one way out of the city, he still bowed his head and lowered his body respectfully.

"Hey! This way! Doctor! This way! The soil here has been compacted, it's very easy to walk on, very easy to walk on!"

It feels like your phone's navigation system has turned on a nonsensical text mode, constantly shouting "Go straight, go straight, go straight!"

After a while, when they arrived at the shady area, they left the main road and began to take the mountain path.

Jiang Xueming told his brothers to put down their luggage and rest for a while to conserve their energy for the trek across the mountains.

At this moment, Wu Xiuwen finally realized what was going on and felt that the Doctor Zhang in front of him was somewhat complicated.

He didn't say anything, give any instructions, or issue any orders along the way.

I obediently listened without a trace of disobedience, only fearing that he would abandon me, no longer care about me, and put me at the bottom of the line. I talked until my throat was dry and my mouth started to hurt.

It was because he brought Xiangxiang that I was so afraid and uneasy. I was afraid that this woman would whisper eerie winds and stir up ghostly flames in Lord Zhang's ear. For more than an hour this morning, I was thinking about this matter. Unconsciously, I became a puppet in his hands. This net was like a seamless garment.

If I tried to get closer to him, Xiangxiang would block my way, making it difficult to discuss things or talk to him alone. If I wanted to distance myself from him, I would see the fierce-looking Zhao Brothers behind me. I couldn't tease them about any demands they made, and I could only obediently follow their orders without being able to negotiate any terms.

What a terrifying person, what a horrifying mind!

Cold sweat broke out on Wu Xiuwen's forehead. He felt that his level was completely different from that of this Foreign Doctor. He thought about it again.

Then they saw Zhao Jianying and Zhao Jianxiong sleeping against a tree stump. Even while sleeping, the elder brother Zhao was still holding onto his younger brother's arm, not letting him move around. It was Wu Xiuwen and Xiangxiang, that despicable couple, who held Jianxiong's heart, making it impossible for the two brothers to leave or stay. Hatred and gratitude were intertwined and bound the two brothers together.

The most obedient of them all was Xiangxiang, the pampered courtesan. Once in the wilderness, she realized how weak she was. She followed several strong men for more than ten miles. Originally, she was wearing a theatrical costume and flower crown, but now she didn't even wear the crown anymore. She had taken off her outer garment and was so tired that her face was pale. Wu Xiuwen didn't need to guess to know that Xiangxiang had obediently followed orders. Now her life was in Zhang Congfeng's hands. As long as Zhang Congfeng nodded, the Zhao brothers would definitely not spare her.

In this way, Wu Xiuwen had to keep begging for mercy to save his life, Zhao Jianying had to keep suppressing his second brother, Zhao Jianxiong had to keep seeking revenge, Xiangxiang had to keep vying for favor and affection—everyone was on Zhang Congfeng. No one could escape this net, and no one could slack off.

Seemingly because of Zhang Congfeng's reprimand, Xiangxiang didn't dare to ask anything. This fierce foreign monk had also said that he would kill and dismember her after taking her out of the city. When she thought of this, she didn't even have the courage to mourn. She forced a smile, afraid of spoiling the adults' mood.

Jiang Xueming was most concerned about Wu Xiuwen, but he couldn't show it.

This traitor might turn against us at any time and lead Jiang Xueming into a ravine or an enemy ambush. The first problem to solve is the unity of the team. It's not necessarily good to agree on everything; in fact, there will be disputes over everything. It is in the process of disputes that we can surely find the truth.

"I think this mountain forest should lead to the vicinity of Black Wind Ridge?" Jiang Xueming didn't bother with pedantry. He was still polite to the county magistrate, but when he got to Wu Xiuwen, he kept it as simple as possible. "Wu Xiuwen, you know the way, tell me how to get there next."

"We have to cross two more mountains before we reach Black Wind Ridge territory." Wu Xiuwen bowed his head and replied, "Sir, are you really going to venture into that dragon's den and tiger's lair?"

Jiang Xueming spoke frankly, "Why don't you leave? Draw me a map, and I'll figure it out myself?"

"No, no, no!" Wu Xiuwen dared not leave. He was naturally suspicious, and if he had really drawn a map, Hundred Eyes Great King saw it, wouldn't he become a traitor who led the way? If the Hundred Eyes Great King defeated Zhang Congfeng, the next person to kill would be him, Wu Xiuwen. "That mountain path twists and turns, the mountains are shrouded in dark clouds, surrounded by bears and wolves, with poisonous insects in front and fierce tigers behind. Without me leading the way, I'm afraid you, sir, won't be able to get out."

At this moment, Jianxiong also woke up, uncovered the Bear Skin Cloak that Wu Xiuwen had sewn by hand, and casually cursed.

"My benefactor! Listen to this crooked-mouthed thief's obsequious words! He wants to exchange your head for credit with the Hundred Eyes Great King!"

How could Jiang Xueming not know about this? How could he not be wary? But finding the Hundred Eyes Great King's cave would be really difficult without Wu Xiuwen. After all, Yu Zhen was brought by this kid, and he was the only one in Zhuzhou City with the influence to seek immortal opportunities.

However, Jiang Xueming couldn't say these words, so Jianxiong came to warn him. Since Wu Xiuwen couldn't gain trust, he had no choice but to obediently provide more information to prove himself.

"My lord! There's something else I need to remind you of!" Wu Xiuwen hurriedly said, "There's a Black Wind Town outside Black Wind Ridge! And in Black Wind Town, there's a Blood Jade Guanyin. If you want to ascend the mountain safely, you must first visit the Buddha Sculptor and the Priest Elder in Black Wind Town, and ask the Blood Jade Guanyin Bodhisattva for Immortal Honey to cure the poison. Otherwise, if you enter Black Wind Ridge and inhale the miasma, you'll rot and stink to death!"

Jiang Xueming: "Okay."

Having said that, Wu Xiuwen turned around and glared fiercely at Zhao Jianxiong.

He initially intended to remain neutral, siding with whoever won, but he also harbored a bias towards Hundred Eyes Great King. If he could invite Hundred Eyes Great King to Zhuzhou, he would become the High Priest, the head of a sect, or at the very least, the head of the Zhuzhou City branch. With divine assistance, that old Wu Cheng Zhang Chengzhang wouldn't live for more than a few years, perhaps a few months. Or perhaps Hundred Eyes Great King would be pleased, and he, Wu Xiuwen, would become the new prefect Wu Xiuwen, transforming himself into a powerful and prosperous figure.

But what benefit would Zhang Congfeng gain from helping him?

Are you really going to the Taiye County Governor to claim credit for subduing the demon?

Zhao Jianxiong's loose tongue had startled Wu Xiuwen so much that he was scared out of his wits. He had no choice but to tell the truth. Arguing with Jianxiong was pointless and would only lower Zhang Congfeng. That's why he later tried to salvage the situation.

Once Wu Xiuwen said those words, there was no turning back.

[Part ②: Poison and Medicine]

Jiang Xueming is no longer a young man in his twenties. During the expedition, he has seen too many people and too many things. Just the experience of coordinating the personnel of various departments of the war group, leading a team with diverse races, and getting a group of people from all over the country to fight together is enough to make him an excellent leader.

At this moment, things are indeed as Wu Xiuwen thought.

Jiang Xueming believed that these people were all useful in different ways, and very useful at that. If even one of them were missing, they would not be willing to stay by his side.

Although Brother Zhao is a man of honor, I doubt he has the courage to go with him to fight monsters.

The second brother of the Zhao family is a scoundrel. This kid still wants to go back to Zhuzhou to do business with the old eunuch. Without hatred and lust as his driving force, he would never have come.

As for Wu Xiuwen and Xiangxiang, both of them are extremely useful helpers, and the team's cohesion is brought together by these two. In the era of expeditions, the gunsmith could tell heroic stories and use greater courage to discipline soldiers and educate students—but in Xiabang, the teaching tools in his hands have become whips and honey.

Courage is a luxury for these people, something elusive and unattainable.

Genuine hatred and a sense of security, real fear and self-interest—these are often the most effective.

These rules still apply in the mundane world; they still exist around us.

As for courage or dedication, hope and happiness, love and friendship, these simple and pure spiritual energies, with their divine power to reverse fate, are rarely seen anymore.

Following Wu Xiuwen's directions, the group arrived at the outskirts of Black Wind Ridge and saw a fortified village enclosed by a fence; this was Black Wind Town.

To call it a town would be an insult to the title of "village and town".

After passing through a dense thicket of vines every few steps, the group emerged from the stream and saw the settlement behind the fence. There were about a dozen wooden huts covered with green leaves, and the carcasses of wild animals were drying in front of the doors, ready to be cured.

Looking further in, there is a fire pit serving as a sacrificial plaza in the distance, and in the center of the depression in the plaza, there is a bright red Guanyin statue.

Buddhism is also present here, but the Bodhisattva here is a localized version, seemingly a branch that evolved from different places. The Guanyin has three heads and six arms, with her left half holding a treasure staff, sword, and fan, and her right half holding a treasure vase, tree, and gemstone.

"This is it!" Wu Xiuwen said. "I'm going to find the Buddha Sculptor! Sir, please wait here. This village is very eerie. Don't talk to the townspeople about anything, or you'll catch a disease and be in trouble!"

Jiang Xueming asked, "What illness? Is it the Mad Butterfly Disease?"

Wu Xiuwen explained, "It's worse than the Mad Butterfly Disease! It's called [Danding Pain]. Only the Immortal Honey medicine of Guanyin Goddess is effective. If it's delayed, within three days the flesh and blood will turn to mush, and a hole will grow in the spine, forming thirty-three caves, each containing a Lesser Rejuvenating Pill. This pill is initially crimson, gradually turning white, and then the person is gone. They will be sucked dry by the pill, dying in excruciating pain. The afflicted person will bang their head against the ground, causing their brains to spill out and their eyes to bulge."

Hearing Wu Xiuwen's words, the Zhao Brothers turned pale and immediately had second thoughts. Even though their whole family had died of the plague before they even reached Black Wind Ridge, the Black Wind Town at the foot of the mountain was already so dangerous. The townspeople must also be suffering from terminal illnesses and could only be saved by kneeling before the Blood Jade Guanyin. Otherwise, if they contracted the plague, they would turn into pills in just three days!

"Go ahead and do it," Jiang Xueming urged, ignoring Wu Xiuwen's opinion.

Once Wu Xiuwen had walked away, Xue Ming turned around and gave instructions to Zhao Jianying.

"Keep an eye on your brother and Xiangxiang. I'm going to scout ahead. If this kid is lying, I'll tie him up and bring him here. You two get your knives ready, castrate him, and send him to Wu Cheng Zhang. Then we'll get this old eunuch to give you both jobs."

"That's satisfying!" Zhao Jianxiong's eyes reddened with excitement. He didn't care about going back home anymore. He just hoped that Wu Xiuwen would return soon, or be captured by his benefactor.

After Jiang Xueming left, Xiangxiang finally spoke.

"Two heroes."

She knew this was her only chance to leave.

"This foreigner has ill intentions; he's trying to lead us into a wolf's den. If we don't leave now, there may be no turning back."

Zhao Jianying: "What nonsense are you talking about, you woman! That's my benefactor! I'd go through fire and water for him if he asked me to!"

"I only hate that Magistrate Wu! He forced my daughter to falsely accuse innocent people. I had no choice but to take you to court, hero!" At this point, Xiangxiang began wiping away tears again, constantly stealing glances at Jianxiong. "If you two heroes don't mind, please take me away from here! I'm willing to be your servant, a maid who does your laundry and cooks, a bedchamber maid, or even be sold to the Cai Family Village for some money."

At this point, Zhao Jianying was somewhat tempted.

But Zhao Jianxiong remained unmoved. Although he was lecherous, he never had any intention of living with Xiangxiang.

He just wanted to find a plausible reason and the perfect opportunity to kill that shameless woman.

"Shut up! I'm going to castrate Wu Xiuwen! You dare stop me?! You're ruining my plans?! I heard you clearly, you're going to accuse my benefactor of having bad intentions again! You've lied before, and now you're trying to deceive me again?!"

At this moment, Zhao Jianying was enlightened by his younger brother.

This lying prostitute has already fooled them once; how could they fall for her again?

At this moment, Jiang Xueming followed Wu Xiuwen to the outside of the fence. He had Universal Elixir hidden in his pocket for emergencies. He saw two or three townspeople lying on the benches in the courtyard, sunbathing.

These people were emaciated and frail, just as Wu Xiuwen had said. They seemed to have been seriously ill and tormented by a strange plague, leaving them unrecognizable. They were shirtless, their bodies just skin and bones. Seeing an old man lying on his side, Xue Ming went around to his back to take a closer look.

The man had thirty-three prominent vertebrae along his spine, which was indeed the evil curse Wu Xiuwen had described, the one that used Wu Xiuwen. It seemed that a layer of golden beeswax was sealing the poisonous sores, temporarily delaying the onset of death. However, these "elixirs" had not been completely removed and were still clinging to the townspeople, sucking their blood and marrow.

Relying on his exceptional eyesight and agility, Xue Ming scaled the fence and crouched low as he swiftly followed Wu Xiuwen into the depths of the village. He saw springs, wells, vegetable fields, and pigsties everywhere, indicating that there was no shortage of food and drink. Upon reaching the town's miscellaneous market, the number of people increased, including some strong and robust farmers. However, many of these people had fleshy mounds protruding from their spines, likely due to the blessing of the Blood Jade Guanyin, which protected them from disease.

In another Buddha statue shop, Wu Xiuwen was sitting in the front hall, talking to a Buddha Sculptor with a ruddy complexion.

"Didn't Yu Zhen come with you?" The Buddha Sculptor, holding a piece of chalcedony, a small hammer on the table, and a carving knife in his hand, asked the chief disciple of the Hundred Eyes Great King.

Wu Xiuwen immediately replied, "I'll rest at my godfather's residence. My Zhuzhou City has Tender Paradise; Yu Zhen Jade True is having a wonderful time there. Please stay a few more days!"

Hearing this from outside the door, Jiang Xueming thought Wu Xiuwen was very clever. This lie was made up on the spot. Although it had flaws, if you lick a little sweat and tears and analyze it from the pheromone level, Yu Zhen really did feel extremely comfortable and did stay for a few more days.

The Buddha Sculptor retorted, "Nonsense! Yu Zhen is a person wholeheartedly seeking the Tao; how could he be tempted by beautiful women and skulls?"

Wu Xiuwen quickly explained, "Didn't they ask me to bring a Xiangxiang from Yingchun House? It's to offer as a tribute to Hundred Eyes Great King! Buddha Sculptor, please keep a close eye on things—I'll go and fetch that Jiali."

"Hey!" The Buddha Sculptor, still somewhat skeptical, raised his hand to stop him. "No trouble at all. Since you're so willing, go to the lotus throne of Guanyin Bodhisattva and fetch the Immortal Honey —how many people have come to pay homage to the King?"

Wu Xiuwen: "Five people in total."

The Buddha Sculptor became alert. "What are the others doing?"

Wu Xiuwen: "One Imperial Physician to ensure the safety of Goddess Zhuzhu's pregnancy, and two porters to carry the luggage."

"No carriages or horses?" the Buddha Sculptor asked again. "The county magistrate's gifts are rather meager."

Wu Xiuwen smiled wryly and said, "Black Wind Ridge is full of jagged rocks and strange mountains, making it difficult to travel by carriage or horse."

Buddha Sculptor: "Do those two porters also want Immortal Honey?"

"Do you expect me to carry the load? The Imperial Physician and Xiangxiang to carry the load?" Wu Xiuwen retorted.

The Buddha Sculptor waved his hand. "Enough! I won't argue with you anymore! Take this little stone figure with you."

After saying that, he handed over a Bodhisattva statue with an exquisite face, carved from blood-red carnelian, from the master craftsman.

"Tell the priests you need five bottles of Immortal Honey. Take them as soon as the sun sets, and it will ensure your safe journey."

Wu Xiuwen took the beautiful woman away and respectfully left the room.

Upon seeing Jiang Xueming outside the door, the young man was startled.

"Sir, what are you doing here?"

Jiang Xueming retorted, "Can't I be here?"

Wu Xiuwen: "I've told you before, the people in this village and town..."

Jiang Xueming interrupted, "I saw it. They have plague on their bodies and are being used as small furnaces to refine elixirs."

"Sigh," Wu Xiuwen sighed, "You still don't believe me, sir? How could I possibly harm you? I wouldn't dare even if you gave me a hundred times the courage of a bear and a leopard!"

Jiang Xueming: "Things were handled quite efficiently. What's the background of this Buddha Sculptor?"

Wu Xiuwen pulled Jiang Xueming toward the edge of the village, preparing to welcome the Zhao Brothers and Xiangxiang in.

"This Buddha Sculptor is a scholar from Black Wind Town Black Wind Ridge."

"Legend has it that more than three hundred years ago, before the Hundred Eyes Great King and the Goddess Zhuzhu existed, the Buddha Sculptor was a local from Black Wind Town. Black Wind Town wasn't called Black Wind Town; it was called Hefeng Town. He had an unparalleled skill in sculpting Buddhas and was destined to be associated with Buddhism."

"A wicked monk has come to Lingguang Temple. He's a strange man with red eyes and brown skin. He wants me to carve a Guanyin statue so he can bring the Bodhisattva to Hefeng Town and spread his teachings. You should know more about this than I do, sir. It's a disaster for the local people."

"The Buddha Sculptor was young then. He had failed the county exam and happened to meet this unlucky monk. He agreed verbally, but in his heart he was thinking about how to avoid disaster. He only made the monk a simple meal and sent him away before the sun had even set."

That night, he had a strange dream.

"In his dream, he went to Hefeng Ridge, found a piece of blood jade, smashed the jade open, and a beautiful woman emerged from inside."

"After he had an intimate moment with this pretty girl, when he woke up, there was a hole in his spine. When he touched it, it felt numb and itchy, and there was a small elixir inside."

"He painfully removed the human flesh elixir, and the next day another one grew on his neck. He dug it out again, thinking he would be cured, but this was just the beginning."

"The Buddha Sculptor finally understood that the illness was incurable and the elixir was growing more and more, a calamity brought by that evil monk. So he followed the guidance in his dream to the mountains and found a piece of crimson jade. The stone was too big and too heavy, so he asked a farmer to give a man and a woman two elixirs. The two became incredibly strong and together carried the stone to the town and put it into the hearth."

"The Buddha Sculptor carved a Guanyin statue, from which golden honey seeped. The Buddha Sculptor drank the honey water and then used honey to plug the hole on his back, thus achieving immortality."

"This man and woman are none other than the current Hundred Eyes Great King and Goddess Zhuzhu. Hefeng Ridge has also been transformed into Black Wind Ridge."

After Wu Xiuwen finished speaking, he said in a low voice.

"As for that wicked monk from Lingguang Temple? The Buddha Sculptor later visited him, and the abbot also said that there was no such person."

"From then on, Black Wind Ridge was shrouded in miasma and plagued by disease, and the townspeople could no longer live without this Blood Jade Guanyin."

In the town, many elderly and frail "elixir cauldrons" still had their "elixir apertures" open, seemingly with no intention of sealing their wounds. Jiang Xueming suddenly realized that these strong and healthy farmers had all consumed elixirs given to them by their elders—every household drew water from wells, so where did they get such strength? It turned out they had all borrowed the divine power of the elixirs!