Chapter Sixty-Seven: Ancient Village of Miao Territory – Lvtang County

My master and I lingered a while longer inside the inn of the dead before he finally led me away. Cheng Quanguang followed us out as well, trailed by several corpses, including the waterlogged body from yesterday. I had long since grown accustomed to such sights. Our odd procession continued until we reached a fork in the road, where we finally stopped. Cheng Quanguang glanced at the left path, then turned to my master and said, “Elder, you have your place to go, and I have mine to return to. I’m truly glad to have met you. Well then, Elder, until fate allows us to meet again.”

With that, Cheng Quanguang clasped his hands and bowed slightly. My master returned the salute and said, “Safe journey, and may you return the dead to their rest in peace.”

Cheng Quanguang smiled, nodded, drew out a brand-new bell, gave it a single ring, and set off ahead. My master looked at me and said, “Let’s go.”

I nodded and followed my master down the right-hand path. What I didn’t know was that after we left, Cheng Quanguang’s already slow footsteps gradually came to a halt. He cast a glance in our direction, as if making up his mind, then herded the corpses and started following us.

On the rain-soaked, muddy road, I picked my way carefully along the edge, wary of stepping into a hidden pit. After about half an hour, we reached the edge of an ancient forest. My master gazed into the trees and said, “We’re almost there. Are you afraid, boy?”

I was caught off guard. “Afraid of what?” I replied.

My master chuckled, leaned in close, and said, “In the ancient villages of Miaojiang, people are second in number, but poisonous creatures are first. Aren’t you most afraid of spiders? Well, those villages are crawling with poisonous spiders.”

He watched me with amusement curling at the corners of his mouth. The moment he mentioned spiders, I remembered the bristly legs—eight of them—and shivered, goosebumps rising all over my skin. My master laughed heartily at my reaction and clapped me on the back. “Ha! What’s so scary about spiders? A grown man afraid of a little spider, really!”

I forced a bitter smile, shuddered again, and said, “You don’t know what arachnophobia feels like. Ugh—let’s not talk about it, just thinking of it makes me uncomfortable.”

“So, what are you planning to do when we get there? Why don’t you wait outside the village while I go in alone?” my master suggested, watching me.

I shook my head. “I’m here now. I can’t not go in and see the rare arts of the Miao people for myself. Besides, I’m not the same clueless kid I once was. I can’t hide behind you forever.”

I’d said “I can’t” twice in a row, which made my master burst out laughing. “All right, all right, you never fail to impress me. Let’s go in. With me here, nothing major will happen.”

I nodded. My master set off ahead, and I followed closely. Not far behind, Cheng Quanguang crouched behind a tree, watching our backs, with the corpses standing in silent attendance. After scanning his surroundings, he quietly led his corpses off to the east.

My master and I pressed forward, and soon I saw a vast, ancient village in the midst of the forest. Without a word, my master fished a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and strode confidently ahead. I hurried after him, and together we passed from the outskirts into the heart of the village. The moment we entered, many villagers in traditional Miao dress fixed us with watchful, unfriendly eyes. Some hung their laundry outside their doors, others busied themselves with farmwork, but all seemed to keep us in their sights.

My master, cigarette dangling from his lips, whispered to me, “Don’t be fooled by how ordinary they look—each one is skilled in their own way. Be careful, boy. Watch out for someone slipping you a curse.”

I nodded, and soon a crowd gathered behind us, muttering in low voices. My master, ever bold, strode into the center of the village, flicked the cigarette butt into his hand, and called out bluntly, “Lu Tangjun! Stop hiding in there, I know you’re here!”

As his shout echoed, the villagers who’d been busy moments before sprang to their feet, surrounding us so tightly there was no way out. After a while, a man stepped forward—a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man, eyeing us warily. “Who are you? What business do you have trespassing in our ancient village?”

My master smiled. “Are you Lu Tangjun? If not, get out of my way.”

With a sudden outburst, my master startled the man, who took a cautious step back, though he tried to appear calm. “You have a lot of nerve. This is a forbidden place for outsiders. If anyone should leave, it’s you. I’ll say it again—go now, or don’t blame us for what happens.”

My master only laughed, wild and unrestrained. The crowd’s murmurs swelled, faces frowning in suspicion. The burly man hesitated. “What’s so funny?” he demanded.

My master abruptly stopped laughing and said, “I’m laughing at your foolishness.”

A shocked uproar broke out all around us. More and more people pointed and cursed at us; some hot-blooded youths even rolled up their sleeves, ready to charge, but were held back by their elders. My master cleaned out his ear with a finger and said, “Don’t be heroes. Go fetch Lu Tangjun. Tell him someone from Beiming Pass is here for him.”

The man was about to respond when a shadowy voice spoke from inside a wooden house behind him. “Beiming Pass? How interesting.”

No sooner had the words faded than a figure leapt from behind, landing before us—a man well along in years, yet robust, standing ramrod straight, his expression flickering as he regarded my master. My master stared back, just as intently.

The noisy crowd fell instantly silent at this man’s appearance. After a moment, the elder spoke. “Tan Boqing, what wind blows a figure as important as you to this place?”

“Important, am I?” my master replied with a half-smile.

“Why not laugh? Isn’t it true? Wasn’t your group behind the whole Ghost King of Qingchen affair?” the elder said with a grin.

My master’s brow furrowed. “And how did you know that?”

The elder laughed again. “If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it yourself. You know better than I how quickly news spreads in our world. Word has it all over now—everyone says Tan Boqing is formidable, a man of supernatural skill.”

My master frowned deeper. “Lu Tangjun, don’t try to pin any grand titles on me. Let’s stick to the point. I’m here for a single reason: I want someone from you. Speak plainly—will you give them up or not?”

I knew my master was giving him face; otherwise, with his temper, he’d have started a brawl by now. Lu Tangjun dropped his smile and said, “You’ve come to take someone? Who in these days would dare provoke Tan Boqing? Are you sure you’re in the right place?”

My master’s face grew solemn. “This is exactly where I meant to come. The person’s name is Ge Fang—does that sound familiar?”

Lu Tangjun’s brow creased. “That name does ring a bell. May I ask—how has this person offended you?”

Lu Tangjun knew the gulf between their abilities. Hearing my master name names, and fearing a fight, he became serious. My master scanned the crowd and said coldly, “Offended? Ha! It’s far more than that. I may never have seen her face, but I’m sure everyone here knows where she is. Or perhaps she’s even among you now.”

With his hands in his pockets, my master stared around coldly. Lu Tangjun looked at his people, then turned back to my master. “Tan Boqing, I know your abilities surpass mine, and I cannot afford to offend you. But unless you explain yourself, I can’t just comply with your wishes.”

“If you want to know the reason, summon Ge Fang and ask her yourself. Why ask me? That way you can’t accuse me of lying. Otherwise, I’ll neither leave nor stay, will I?”

My master cleverly shifted the burden back to Lu Tangjun. The latter’s face changed, and he signaled to his people. Soon, two men brought out a woman. I looked closely—it was the same woman I’d seen in the vision yesterday. She still wore a gray robe, her back hunched, but now I could see her features: a sharp nose, sinister eyes, and an overall air that made her seem anything but trustworthy.

My master watched coldly as Ge Fang was brought forward. Lu Tangjun asked, “Ge Fang, tell us what you’ve been up to lately.”

Ge Fang straightened slightly, lifted her head to glance at us, then turned to Lu Tangjun. “Chief, the weather’s been so erratic lately, I’ve been convalescing at home. I haven’t done anything. Why do you ask?”

My master frowned at this. Lu Tangjun pressed, “Then why have people from Beiming Pass come looking for you? If you speak the truth, perhaps I can protect you. But if you try to deceive me, I won’t be able to help.”

“Chief, I truly haven’t left home recently. Why would I invent lies to fool you? If you don’t believe me, ask my neighbors,” Ge Fang replied hoarsely, pointing to several people behind her.

Lu Tangjun glanced at them. They all nodded. My master’s frown deepened. Lu Tangjun’s face finally relaxed a little, and he heaved a sigh, turning to my master. “Tan Boqing, how do you explain this? Our ancient village has never sought enmity with others, unless provoked first. We’ve done nothing to you, yet you come to demand one of our people. Surely you owe us an explanation? Otherwise, in our circles, we’d be seen as easy prey for anyone.”