Chapter 63: The Village

Xue Family Village was far from peaceful today.

Leaning on his cane, the village chief had put on the finest clothes hidden away at the bottom of his family’s chest. With eyes already half-blind from age, he strained to look into the distance.

His excessively aged body could no longer endure standing for long periods. The recent malnutrition had only worsened the situation. Yet the village chief continued trembling in place, maintaining the most polite and respectful posture he could manage.

Because he knew very well that he could not afford to offend the group that would soon be passing through the village.

Therefore, he had to act this way.

And therefore, everyone in the village had to act this way as well.

Behind him, the seven or eight remaining households of the village had likewise put on their best clothes, though these were merely coarse linen garments covered in patches. Then, as if welcoming honored guests, they lined up on both sides of the dirt road.

Yet despite all his painstaking effort, there were still those who did not understand.

The whispered discussions buzzed continuously like flies.

“...I really don’t know what’s gotten into the chief. It’s only a merchant caravan. Is there really any need to lower ourselves this much? He’s acting as if they’re some Great Lord.”

“...I heard they’re more than just merchants. Do you remember Wanggang Village, the one that, like us, refused to accept the blessings of Lord Grand Duke Jupiter? They say those merchants merely passed through once, and then the entire village population mysteriously vanished.”

“Not only that. I heard the pack beasts in their caravan get replaced very frequently. And every time they replace them, people from nearby villages seem to disappear.”

“Sigh, honestly, why are we making things so difficult for ourselves? If things get bad, we could just accept Lord Grand Duke Jupiter’s gift. They say that meat tastes unbelievably good. One meal can keep you from feeling hungry for several days. Besides, once you’ve accepted Lord Grand Duke Jupiter’s flesh, those merchant demon ghosts won’t be able to...”

“Shut up!”

A sharp rebuke rang out.

The village chief turned around and looked at the villager whose words had become increasingly outrageous. He wanted to scold him, but when he saw those emaciated bodies, his lips trembled.

In the end, he swallowed all his words.

He knew perfectly well that there was something strange about that caravan.

In fact, he knew exactly how the people of Wanggang Village had disappeared, and why the caravan’s livestock were replaced so frequently.

That was precisely why he had adopted such a humble attitude, hoping the other side would spare both him and the rest of the village.

Time continued to pass.

The sun had climbed high into the sky. The scorching heat made sweat pour from everyone’s bodies. Fortunately, the village still had a deep well, preventing anyone from collapsing from dehydration.

But by now some people could no longer endure it, and another wave of unrest began behind him.

The dizzy village chief no longer had the strength to reprimand anyone. He could only remain planted there with the last of his energy, praying that the caravan would arrive sooner.

Then, at that moment, a shout suddenly came from behind.

“Someone’s coming!”

They’re finally here!

The village chief abruptly raised his head.

But what entered his vision was not a merchant caravan.

It was one man and one donkey.

The man wore a blue robe and looked quite young. A cloth pouch hung at his waist, and a travel pack was strapped to his back. His appearance was not particularly remarkable, except for the faint smile that always seemed to linger at the corners of his mouth.

The donkey, by contrast, looked utterly dispirited. Its fur was dry and yellowed, and it limped as it walked, as though it were already on the verge of death.

Yet the young man did not urge it onward. Instead, he patiently matched the donkey’s pace, walking step by step toward the village entrance.

However, when he saw the villagers’ formation, he seemed startled.

He first glanced around in all directions. After confirming that there was no one else nearby besides himself, he politely asked,

“Excuse me, is this Xue Family Village?”

Only then did the village chief recover from his astonishment.

Leaning on his cane, he stepped forward in confusion.

“This is indeed the place. I am the village chief here. As for you, young friend...”

But at that moment, he suddenly caught sight of the donkey.

The next instant, his entire body trembled.

Then he hurriedly bowed.

“You must be Master Li, the one scheduled to arrive today... no, Lord Li. We’ve been waiting for you for quite some time. Our failure to welcome you from farther away is truly inexcusable...”

Yet when he raised his head again, all he saw was a face filled with bewilderment.

“...What?”

The young man was naturally Zhou You.

Among the belongings left behind by the caravan, he had unexpectedly found a map.

Although it was rather crudely drawn, it at least meant he no longer had to rely on the old Daoist’s “guidance by vague recollection.” He could now roughly determine where he was supposed to go.

That alone saved him a great deal of time.

This Xue Family Village lay along the only route leading to Youtai Mountain and Yunjing Temple.

Not only that, but the caravan leader had specifically marked Xue Family Village on the map as heretics who refused to eat Grand Duke Jupiter’s flesh.

Zhou You’s intentions were simple.

First, to see whether he could buy some grain from them.

Second, to gather information from the villagers.

After all, these people refuse to eat that meat no matter what. Maybe they really do know something.

Using seven parts nonsense and two parts lies, he spent quite a while explaining things to the village chief.

Eventually, the chief finally understood why the caravan had disappeared.

After dismissing the villagers who had lined up to welcome the guests, the village chief was just about to say something when suddenly a mournful cry sounded beside Zhou You.

Everyone instinctively turned to look.

Only then did they realize...

It had come from the donkey.

Upon entering the village, the donkey seemed to have finally exhausted the last of its strength.

With a heavy collapse, it fell to the ground. Its entire body began convulsing violently.

But very quickly, all signs of life vanished.

The village chief stumbled back a step in fright.

He seemed to know what the donkey had originally been.

Yet Zhou You merely shook his head. He crouched down and gently closed the donkey’s eyes.

Throughout the journey of the past few days, he had continuously fed it Grand Duke Jupiter’s flesh.

Unfortunately, just as the old Daoist had said, humans transformed into livestock simply did not live long.

Over the past several days, the donkey’s condition had steadily worsened.

By the time it reached the village entrance, it could no longer hold on.

Zhou You sighed softly, then raised his head and said to the village chief,

“Elder, I’m very sorry for frightening you. This was the only survivor from that caravan. When I escaped from White Dew Spitting Silk, I brought it along as well. But it seems its fate has come to an end. May I find a place nearby to bury him, so he can rest in peace?”

Hearing this, the village chief’s expression finally softened.

“How could such a small matter require your personal effort, young man?”

Without giving Zhou You a chance to refuse, he immediately called over several nephews who were still watching nearby and instructed them to dig a pit and bury the donkey first.

After giving a few more instructions, he turned back to Zhou You.

“Well then, friend, it’s rare to see a traveler these days. Since those caravan people aren’t coming anymore, the meal I specially prepared has nowhere to go. Would you be interested in coming to my home and sharing a few bites?”

Naturally, Zhou You had no reason to refuse.