As He Jiang hurried along the path, his mind replayed what had just happened.
He had lived a long time and seen many people, yet this was the first time he had been truly terrified by a young girl's gaze.
No, terrified wasn't the right word.
The ranks of scavengers were filled with talented individuals, many of whom had stained their hands with countless lives. Their eyes carried a murderous intent that could cause nightmares with a single glance.
But that woman was different. Her gaze was detached, as if she were looking at a mere stone.
There was no provocation, no anger, and no threat. It was devoid of meaning, yet he hadn't failed to respond out of fear.
He had been, quite literally, unable to move.
He Jiang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He could still recall that look—those pitch-black eyes that felt like an infinite hell.
It was as if he were standing before an eldritch horror, a colossal entity that defied observation. In that moment, he felt as though he were being watched by such a thing.
He had been completely paralyzed, his breathing even coming to a halt. If Li Maocai hadn't called out to him from the side, He Jiang might have suffocated.
He looked up at the figure ahead of them. Just what... was she?
"Is there something wrong with him?"
Nan Yue glanced at Zhu Xi Ning, who was following her silently. She didn't mind teaming up with her; Zhu Xi Ning's awakened ability was useful, and they were already acquainted.
Zhu Xi Ning wasn't surprised that Nan Yue knew about her awakened ability, likely thanks to Gu Xiang Kai. She scratched her cheek. "It just does not feel right."
Nan Yue understood. If there weren't a significant problem with the man, Zhu Xi Ning wouldn't have shut him down so decisively.
A scavenger who relied on intuition like her generally wouldn't leave zero room for negotiation.
"Last time you said we lacked fate."
Zhu Xi Ning sighed, then smiled again. "I hope we have a pleasant collaboration this time."
Her eyes then drifted toward Gu Xiang Kai, who rolled his eyes. "Mad Woman."
"Wild Dog!"
"What is wrong with being a Wild Dog? A Wild Dog's survival instincts are better than yours."
"Wild dogs eat shit!"
"..."
The group arrived at the town before dusk. The path out of the forest led to a wide stone bridge, broad enough for two carriages to pass side-by-side.
A stone tablet stood before the bridge, engraved with the words: Multi-fortune Town.
On the other side of the bridge stood a middle-aged man. His hair was starting to gray, but his posture was straight. He waved when he saw them.
As they crossed over, the man offered a smile. "You must be the scholars here for the field research, yes? I was worried you would not make it before dark. It is easy to lose one's way in those woods."
"I am Xu Defu, the mayor of Multi-fortune Town. If you need anything during your stay, just let me know."
"You must be tired from your journey. A meal has been prepared. You can eat before I take you to your lodgings."
He Jiang had recovered during the walk and now stepped forward to converse with Xu Defu. Using his age as leverage, he even insisted the man call him big brother.
"These are all my disciples. I hope you can look after them, Brother Xu."
Xu Defu had a refined appearance and a constant smile as he discussed the local customs with He Jiang.
He Jiang's experience showed; he was far more knowledgeable than Nan Yue. For instance, her understanding of field research and folklore was limited to what she had read in textbooks, making her interactions feel somewhat stiff.
They hadn't been provided with phones for this mission. Their ID watch had become mere decorations, unable even to tell the time.
However, judging by the sky, it seemed to be around six or seven in the evening. Some villagers were still turning over drying grain, while others were bringing in laundry.
Every villager they encountered greeted them politely.
The houses were all wooden structures with an ancient charm. The wooden windows were covered with two layers of paper, allowing the warm glow of candlelight to seep through.
Walking through the town felt like moving through a harmonious and cozy evening scene in a rural village.
The streets were paved with blue stone tiles, which were somewhat uncomfortable to walk on but carried a sense of primitive elegance.
"The roads in town are narrow and can be slippery when it rains. Please mind your footing."
Nan Yue, walking near the front, took the opportunity to ask, "Mayor, I was wondering, does the town get many outsiders?"
Xu Defu turned to look at Nan Yue and gave her a gentle smile. "Not many. The town does not interact much with the outside world, but we do get scholars like you coming for field research from time to time."
"Our town has a very old history, dating back hundreds of years to the Qing Dynasty, so it is quite valuable for research."
Nan Yue asked politely, "Is there anything we should be mindful of regarding the ritual?"
The refined mayor's eyes suddenly flashed with a fanatical light. "The ritual is the most important event in our town. It is an annual ceremony to pray for the heavens to continue protecting this centuries-old town."
"Since you are outsiders, you do not need to worry about the specifics. Just follow our arrangements when the time comes."
Xu Defu adjusted his clothes, returning to his initial gentle demeanor. "Rest assured, we have prepared everything for the ritual. It will not interfere with your daily lives."
"We will take good care of you."
Xu Defu arranged for them to stay at the highest point of the town in a two-courtyard residence. He explained that it had once belonged to a great scholar from the town during the Qing Dynasty.
"The guest rooms have been cleaned. We do not have maidservants or attendants anymore. There are five rooms in total, so you will have to squeeze in a bit."
"The courtyard has a kitchen and we will deliver firewood, but you will have to handle your own meals."
"If you do not want to cook, there is a restaurant in town that tastes quite good."
"To welcome you today, we shall go to the restaurant. Everything should be ready by now."
The mayor led them through a series of winding paths until they reached a restaurant adorned with red lanterns.
The storefront was grand, with two vermillion pillars flanking the entrance, each bearing a line of a couplet.
The first line read: Fruits and melons sate the belly while time slips away.
The second line read: Wine and meat pass through the gut while Buddha remains in the world.
The horizontal plaque above bore the name of the establishment: Evermercy Restaurant.
A plump man stood at the entrance wearing a dark robe. He smiled at them like a Maitreya Buddha.
"Oh, you are finally here! Just in time! The food is ready!"
"This is Xu Youci, the proprietor of Evermercy Restaurant."
Xu Youci smiled so broadly his eyes vanished. A string of beads was draped around his neck, and his wrist bore a high-quality sandalwood bracelet of one hundred and eight beads.
"It seems you are a man of faith, brother."
He Jiang stepped forward familiarly and patted Xu Youci's shoulder. The two of them stood together exchanging pleasantries, both exuding their own unique brands of oiliness.
Two large square tables sat in the center of the restaurant, laden with dishes that emitted a rich, savory aroma.
Someone swallowed hard. Upon entering a mission, their bodies adjusted to the circumstances of the task. Currently, they truly felt like weary travelers who had been on the road all day, and the sight of the food made them ravenous.
However, no one moved first. The more missions a scavenger completed, the better their physical constitution became; this level of hunger was easily resisted.
"Brother, you are a master! It is fate that brings us together today. Everyone, do not just stand there. Please, sit."
Nan Yue watched closely. The Buddhist teachings He Jiang discussed were quite shallow, likely just things he had picked up from books, yet Xu Youci reacted as if he were being enlightened.
He became exceptionally hospitable.
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