Coming was a white-haired old man with a cane and a burly man with a hunting bow hanging from his waist.
The two were very familiar with A'Qi, and it was clear that Chen Qing had indeed focused on building good relationships with the villagers after taking charge of this place. After learning from A'Qi that the person in front of them was Xie An, the master of Bai Yu Hall, the two villagers were very surprised and excitedly stepped forward to greet Xie An.
In fact, Xie An had only come here a few times in a low-key manner to inspect, and did not know these two villagers. However, because of Chen Qing's relationship, the villagers also respected Xie An, the hall master, very much.
After some pleasantries, the white-haired old man said, "It's good that Hall Master Xie is here. I am the village chief here, and this is my son Zhao Shan...咳咳."
As he spoke, the old man coughed violently.
Xie An asked A'Qi to boil water and poured a cup of hot tea for the old man, "Old village chief, don't rush, take your time."
Zhao Shan hurriedly stepped forward to pat his father's back and help him catch his breath.
It took a while for the old village chief Zhao to recover before he said, "Xiao Shan, you tell him."
"Yes." Zhao Shan bowed to Xie An, and then slowly recounted:
It turned out that more than a month ago, Zhao Shan took three hunters into the mountains to hunt. When they entered the mountains, the weather was clear and sunny, a good day for hunting, but soon after they went up the mountain, they encountered a rainstorm, and the four had to rest overnight in the supply wooden house.
The villagers of Gu Po Village have made a living by hunting and collecting herbs for generations. They know the dangers of the Da Yin Mountains and never dare to go deep into the mountains, only daring to hunt and collect herbs on the periphery to make a living. Therefore, several thatched huts were set up on the periphery for supplies. Or when medicine collectors and hunters encounter bad weather or fierce beasts... they can hide in it as a shelter.
At that time, Zhao Shan was so scared that he hid in the cellar shivering, and also heard the monster's "桀桀" sound.
Fortunately, the monster didn't find him.
The next day, after dawn, Zhao Shan ran out to see that all three companions had been sucked into mummies.
At that time, Zhao Shan was so scared that he ran all the way down the mountain, but before he had gone far, he heard the sound of bells. He thought someone was there, so he went over to ask for help, but he encountered a withered old man.
Seeing someone, Zhao Shan breathed a sigh of relief, and then followed the old man all the way down the mountain.
Zhao Shan chatted with the old man and learned that the old man was from another village and intended to enter the village to purchase medicinal materials, but he got lost and stayed in the mountains. So, Zhao Shan enthusiastically took the old man to stay overnight at his home.
Speaking of this, Zhao Shan swallowed and his face turned pale.
Xie An gave A'Qi a look, and A'Qi understood and filled Zhao Shan's tea cup.
Xie An asked, "What happened next?"
Needless to say, Xie An had already guessed it. There was something wrong with this old man.
Sure enough.
Zhao Shan said, "At first, my father and I were very happy, thinking that we could help the villagers sell a large batch of medicinal materials. It's hard for medicine collectors to make a living these days. So, my father gave the old man a separate residence to settle down, and my father also summoned the villagers in the name of the village chief, asking them to go to the old man's yard one by one to discuss the sale of medicinal materials.
At first, everyone was very happy. But after a few days, something was wrong. People in the village kept disappearing for no reason.
We thought that something had happened to the villagers who entered the mountains, so we dispersed people to look for them in the mountains. And we reported it to Chen Xiangzhu. Chen Xiangzhu was very enthusiastic and took the cavalry into the mountains to find people.
But... later and later, more and more villagers disappeared. After we discussed it, we realized... that the missing villagers had all been to the old man's yard. Later, we told Chen Xiangzhu about this. Chen Xiangzhu went to see the old man... After that, the cavalry camp was attacked."
After saying all the details, Zhao Shan was already a little frightened, his face was pale, and he was a little guilty.
Such a big thing as the cavalry camp being attacked could not be concealed. The surrounding villagers already knew about it.
Xie An held the teacup, carefully thinking in his mind.
He keenly felt that the attack on the cavalry camp might be related to Chen Qing's meeting with the old man. Maybe Chen Qing discovered something he shouldn't have discovered when he met the old man, and then... the old man killed him to silence him?
All the problems are with this old man.
After a while, Xie An asked, "How many villagers have disappeared before and after?"
Hey.
Old village chief Zhao said, "About thirty. Almost one disappears every day..."
Zhao Shan met the old man a month ago, the time matches.
Xie An asked again, "When did Chen Qing go to see the old man?"
Zhao Shan said, "About three days ago."
The time also matches.
A'Qi had said in the hall before that, starting three days ago, horses in the cavalry camp began to be eaten inexplicably, turning into mummies, and some disciples were also eaten.
This old man!
Xie An had already felt the crux of the problem, "Old village chief Zhao, can you describe the old man's appearance?"
Old village chief Zhao said, "That old man is hunched over, probably in his seventies or eighties, with a withered face, full of wrinkles, and a very pale complexion. He has a somewhat morbid silvery white. His voice is a bit hoarse and gloomy. However, the old man explained that there was a problem with his throat, and I didn't think much about it. Now it seems... this old man is probably problematic."
No tree bark-like face?
Not a copper corpse?
Xie An couldn't judge for a while, and said, "Where is the old man now?"
"He lives in the yard, and still meets with the medicine collectors from each household every day, discussing the price of purchasing medicinal materials. The price is quite high, and many villagers are rushing to go to his door, and I can't stop them."
Xie An weighed it slightly, "Old village chief Zhao, please stay here, A'Qi, take good care of the old village chief.
Brother Zhao Shan, please show me the way."
Zhao Shan hesitated a little and looked at his father.
Old village chief Zhao said, "Chen Xiangzhu has been protecting the village for many years. Now that the cavalry camp is in trouble, we villagers must be conscientious and help if we can. What's more, if the bandits from the Da Yin Mountains come down, we villagers will have no way to survive. We can only rely on Hall Master Xie. Go."
Zhao Shan nodded in agreement, and then led the way for Xie An.
When he went out, old village chief Zhao also hit his crutches and limped a few steps, constantly urging, "Hall Master Xie, be careful."
"Old village chief, don't worry, I know what to do."
Xie An thanked the old village chief, and then hurried out.
Whoosh!
Outside, there was lightning and thunder, dark clouds covered the top, and heavy rain poured down.
A thick layer of puddles had accumulated on the ground, and a large patch of fine water splashed up when one stepped on it.
Xie An was not in a hurry to see the old man, but asked Zhao Shan to lead the way and watch the house from a distance.
Even on a rainy day, there were several villagers waiting in line at the entrance of the house.
The house in the heavy rain looked particularly grim.
After staring for a long time, Xie An said, "Brother Zhao Shan, can you take me to your house first and let me change into a villager's outfit?"
Zhao Shan readily agreed.
Entering Zhao Shan's house, Zhao Shan ordered, "A'Wei, quickly go and get me a set of clothes."
A'Wei?
Xie An couldn't help but look at the young woman sitting under the eaves sorting medicinal materials. Her appearance was delicate and pretty, but her hands were a little calloused because she had been doing rough work for many years.
Overall, she was a very polite and simple woman. When she saw Xie An, she knew to salute, and then took out clothes and asked Xie An to go to the room to change.
After changing his clothes, Xie An refused Zhao Shan's request to stay for tea, but instead said, "Brother Zhao Shan, I have a few words I want to ask A'Wei alone, I wonder if it is convenient?"
Zhao Shan said, "Of course it's convenient, it's just that my sister is more shy. Please forgive Hall Master Xie.
A'Wei, this is Chen Xiangzhu's superior, Hall Master Xie An of Bai Yu Hall. Hall Master Xie is kind and gentle. You answer whatever he asks, and don't be rude."
After instructing, Zhao Shan went out to wait.
"This humble woman has met Hall Master Xie." A'Wei was polite.
Xie An looked up and down at the delicate girl in front of him.
When Zhao Shan and old village chief Zhao came to the camp to find him, they didn't explicitly mention the matter between A'Wei and Chen Qing. This seems unreasonable. Xie An felt that... there might be a private affair between A'Wei and Chen Qing that had not been made public.
Therefore, old village chief Zhao didn't know...
However, giving birth requires ten months of pregnancy, and I don't know how Chen Qing concealed it.
In general, Xie An needs to confirm this.
Coming back to his senses, Xie An asked, "A'Wei, are you and Chen Qing together?"
Swish!
A'Wei was greatly alarmed upon hearing this, thinking that Xie An, her superior, had come to question her. She was so frightened that she hurriedly knelt on the ground, "Hall Master Xie, please forgive me. It's all my fault. I have overreached myself."
As expected…
For some reason, seeing this woman protect Chen Qing so much, Xie An felt particularly sorry for her. He quickly helped A'Wei up, "Girl A'Wei, please don't do this. I'm not here to interrogate you. Chen Qing sees me as an elder brother, so I treat him like a younger brother. Get up and talk."
Hearing this, A'Wei breathed a sigh of relief. After getting up, she still panicked and apologized, "Hall Master Xie, don't worry, I know I've overreached myself. I will definitely not disturb Chen Xiangzhu in the future, and I will not let Chen Xiangzhu be ashamed because of this, ruining Chen Xiangzhu's future."
She knew that Chen Qing was the son of the Tiger Wolf Gate's master. In this world, it would be very shameful for Chen Qing to be with a village medicine-collecting girl.
Xie An felt desolate and couldn't bear to say it for a moment.
However, Chen Qing's injuries were too serious, and he probably didn't have much time left.
He had to say it… he couldn't delay any longer.
"Girl A'Wei, how does Chen Qing treat you?"
A'Wei was timid and didn't dare to look at Xie An's face, "Chen Xiangzhu treats me very well. He also said… he also said that when he made achievements and gained his father's approval, he would marry me home in a grand and glorious manner. I know I have a humble background and am not worthy of Chen Xiangzhu, and I have never thought about these things. I just feel sorry for Chen Xiangzhu.
In the past two years, Chen Xiangzhu has had a very hard time. He has been working very hard.
He works hard to practice his skills, patrols diligently, and gets along with the surrounding villagers. During festivals, he brings some food and gifts to the villagers and invites them to dinner. He is completely different from the previous Xiangzhu.
I know him, everything he does is to gain his father's approval…"
Xie An felt sad and interrupted, fearing he was wasting time, "You know about the cavalry camp being attacked?"
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A'Wei gritted her teeth and finally looked up at Xie An for the first time, "I know, Chen Xiangzhu… he, how is he?"
Facing A'Wei's expectant eyes, Xie An felt very uncomfortable, but he still forced himself to say, "He is injured. I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left. He is at the hall now. I'll have Zhao Shan take you to the hall to see him one last time."
Thud.
A'Wei suddenly collapsed on the ground, tears streaming down her face, wailing loudly.
This scared Zhao Shan outside the door. He hurried in to hold A'Wei and ask what was going on.
Xie An didn't hide anything and explained the situation. Then, he took out his Hall Master token and handed it to Zhao Shan, "Brother Zhao Shan, that old man has a problem, and I can't get away. Take my token and take A'Wei to the hall immediately. Let A'Wei see Chen Qing one last time. If anyone dares to stop you, show them this token and say it's what I said.
Go quickly!"
Without waiting for Zhao Shan to think, A'Wei didn't even put on a coat to keep warm. She wiped away her tears and rushed out of the room, running through the puddles of water.
When she ran to the door, A'Wei seemed to remember something. She suddenly turned around and knelt directly in the puddle, kowtowing to Xie An, "Thank you, Hall Master Xie! !" Zhao Shan also knelt down to thank him.
Xie An said, "That's right, A'Wei, your child is still alive. Chen Qing has accumulated merit. More than fifty brothers are willing to protect Chen Xiaogongzi with their lives. They have already arrived at the hall. Go quickly and reunite with your family."
Bang!
A'Wei suddenly kowtowed on the ground, three times in a row. Her forehead was broken.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Hall Master!"
Then, A'Wei ran out the door like crazy. Zhao Shan followed closely behind.
Even after they had run far away, Xie An could still hear A'Wei's wailing and desperate cries.
Alas!
Xie An sighed deeply, suddenly feeling an indescribable emotion.
He never thought that such a thing would happen before his eyes and involve him.
The stable development environment has been broken.
This made Xie An very uncomfortable.
But Xie An also knew that this was something he could not avoid.
He had thought about not wading into this muddy water. At worst, he could leave Qingwu County and find another place to develop in peace.
But he had lived in this place for thirty-four years.
This land, the surrounding friends, disciples, subordinates… are all living people.
How could Xie An easily give them up?
He himself is a person of flesh and blood.
Isn't martial arts for self-defense?
Isn't martial arts meant to be used?
"I'll go see how deep this old man is first. If he can be killed, then kill him. If he can't be killed, then call for reinforcements."
Now Xie An has reached the Great Accomplishment of the Blood Rushing Realm. With the blessing of the Life-Nourishing Skill and the Heavy Mountain Saber, even if he faces a master who has just entered the Martial Master realm, it is not impossible to try his hand.
This is already a very perverted strength. Looking at the entire Qingwu County, he can be considered a first-class master.
Strength gave Xie An great confidence.
In addition, if he really can't kill him.
Then call for reinforcements.
Chen Qinglang, Meng Hu… Old Master Tang.
Can't they deal with a mere old man?
After making up his mind, Xie An walked out of the gate, came to the house not far away in the rain, and lined up with the crowd, moving forward step by step. Taking advantage of this gap, Xie An heard the villagers in the queue talking about the old man's goodness.
Nothing else, he offered a high price and bought a large amount of medicinal materials.
Some villagers who came out of the house with silver coins on their faces were all smiles.
These smiling faces were out of place with the tragic scene in the cavalry camp.
One side was blood and fire, and the other side was full of smiles.
It was very ironic.
Finally, it was Xie An's turn.
The villagers behind him were urging, "Hurry up. I'm still waiting to take the money home."
Xie An came back to his senses, stepped over the threshold, and entered the yard.
The yard was not big, with two osmanthus trees planted in it, and several chickens and ducks standing in the corner, drenched like drowned chickens, their eyes blank and confused.
Entering the yard, Xie An opened his five senses and looked around vigilantly.
He saw an old man busy sorting medicinal materials in the hall.
He did buy a large number of medicinal materials and was sorting them out. There were also many white silver ingots on the table next to him, used to buy medicinal materials.
Looking closely at the old man, he was no different from what Village Chief Zhao described.
He did not have bark-like skin.
But…
Xie An, who had developed his Qi sense early on, found that this old man… had no vitality at all.
In other words, this was a dead man.
At the same time, the white Dao Talisman in Xie An's mind was shaking slightly.
"Detected five wisps of Undying Qi!"
Five wisps…
So many!
Could it be that this old man is a corpse person more powerful than a bronze corpse?
In any case, comparing the number of Undying Qi.
The bronze corpse had one wisp.
This old man had five wisps.
His strength was almost five times that of the bronze corpse.
Xie An estimated that he could kill him.
He just didn't know if this old man had any extraordinary methods, or if he had any accomplices.
Xie An considered all of these.
Just then, the old man glanced at Xie An, "Where are your medicinal materials?"
Xie An came back to his senses, "I have a lot of medicinal materials, and I can't bring them all by myself. If the old man isn't busy, you might as well go to my house. The medicinal materials at home are piled up like a mountain."
When the old man heard that the medicinal materials were piled up like a mountain, his eyes lit up, "You must not deceive me. If you make me take a trip for nothing, it won't be so easy to get away with."
Xie An said with a smile, "Of course."
The old man smiled and didn't notice anything unusual. He immediately called out to the outside, "We're not buying medicinal materials today, come back tomorrow."
The villagers outside the door heard the voice and left dejectedly.
The old man tidied up the medicinal materials again, then picked up the silver ingots on the table and said to Xie An, "Lead the way."
Xie An stretched out his hand to guide him, very humbly, "Please, old man, lead the way."
