Chapter 12
The next morning, the Governor’s Mansion was in a state of chaos. Soldiers rushed in and out, their faces etched with worry. Minister Chen had received a disturbing report: Numerous people had gone missing from a small village fifty miles outside the city. Initially, the local authorities treated it as a routine case, but a week ago, a farmer stumbled upon the missing villagers, all severely injured and unconscious, with distinct bite marks on their necks.
The farmer alerted the local authorities, who rescued the victims and provided medical treatment. However, just yesterday, the victims suddenly went berserk, attacking and biting anyone in sight. Their appearances had become terrifying.
Baffled and unable to contain the situation, the local authorities sent a messenger to the Governor’s Mansion, pleading for Minister Chen’s assistance.
With the death toll mounting, Minister Chen was deeply troubled by the news. He immediately dispatched a contingent of soldiers to the village and summoned Song Ling and Li Xinjun to the mansion.
A frantic pounding on their door awakened Song Ling and Li Xinjun. They jumped out of bed and rushed out to see what was happening. Brother Wu, his face grim, briefly explained the situation and then escorted them to the Governor’s Mansion.
Upon arrival, they were led directly to Minister Chen’s study. Seeing them, Minister Chen rose to greet them, gesturing for them to sit at a nearby table. He then proceeded to explain the situation in detail.
“Miss Song, Miss Li, the situation in Chen Family Village is dire. I have temporarily dispatched troops to assist, but I believe this is related to jiangshi. I implore you to accompany me to the village.”
“We will do our best to assist you, Minister Chen. However, if it is indeed jiangshi, we will need to prepare a large quantity of materials. We haven’t yet found an effective method to deal with them. I can only do my best.”
“Thank you both. Please tell me what you need, and I will have it prepared immediately.”
“We need a large amount of glutinous rice and garlic.”
“Certainly! I will have it arranged. When can you depart?”
“We can leave immediately. Just have your men deliver the supplies as soon as possible.”
“On behalf of the villagers, I thank you for your selfless assistance. I will have a detachment of soldiers escort you to the village. Once I have settled matters here, I will join you tomorrow.”
“There’s no need for such formality, Minister Chen. This is our duty as cultivators. We will return home to prepare and then depart. Farewell.”
“Miss Song, Miss Li, please be careful.”
Song Ling and Li Xinjun hurried home and instructed their servants to pack all the garlic and glutinous rice they had onto a carriage. Song Ling gathered her talismans, ancient books, peachwood sword, and other tools, placing them carefully in a bag.
Song Ling informed Ah Sang that she and Li Xinjun would be away for a while and instructed her to feed Uncle Wang daily. She stood before the cage and addressed Uncle Wang.
“Uncle Wang, we’re going out. We’ll be gone for a few days. Be good while we’re away. We’ll play when we get back.”
“Roar~”
“Don’t bully Sister Sang while we’re gone, or I’ll tell her not to give you any chicken blood. You’ll go hungry.”
“Roar! Roar! Roar!”
“Alright, I’m leaving now.”
“Roar!”
Li Xinjun packed a few sets of clothes and joined Song Ling in the main hall. They boarded the carriage and set off.
Minister Chen had sent Brother Wu with a detachment of soldiers to wait for their carriage at the city gates. When Brother Wu saw their carriage approaching, he joined their escort, and they headed towards Chen Family Village.
The carriage journey was long and bumpy. Li Xinjun, lulled by the rhythmic swaying, rested her head on Song Ling’s lap and fell asleep. Song Ling adjusted Li Xinjun’s position, one arm around her protectively, while the other rested on the window sill, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Worry gnawed at her. She glanced at the sleeping Li Xinjun, brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, and sighed softly. A sense of foreboding filled her, a premonition of something ominous.
Around midday, Brother Wu called for a break. They found a shady spot to rest. Song Ling and Li Xinjun settled under a large tree. Brother Wu brought them some dried rations and water.
“Doctor Song, Little Jun, here’s something to eat. We’ll continue our journey after a short rest.”
“Thank you, Brother Wu. Join us.”
Li Xinjun patted the space beside her, inviting Brother Wu to sit. He accepted, settling down beside her. They shared the rations and chatted.
“Little Jun, I’ve been wanting to ask you something for a while now. You’re such a pretty and adorable girl, why are you so mischievous? Why can’t you be more like Doctor Song, refined and gentle?”
“Brother Wu, what do you mean, mischievous? I can be gentle too, you know!”
“To whom have you been gentle? I’ve never seen you be gentle with me.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, why should I be gentle with you? You’re not nice to me. Look how gentle I am with Sister Ling!” Li Xinjun gave Brother Wu a disdainful look.
“Look at you, you can’t even speak properly, and you claim to be gentle. I think you’re only gentle with Doctor Song. You’re rough with everyone else.”
“It’s enough for me to be gentle with Sister Ling. Why should I be gentle with everyone?”
“Well, I’m just saying this for your own good. You’re a young lady, and you’re so rough with men. No man will dare to marry you! You’ll end up alone and miserable. Don’t come crying to me then!”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, as if I’d ever cry to you! I have Sister Ling to spend my life with. I won’t be lonely.”
“Doctor Song won’t spend her life with you. She’ll get married and have her own family. Who will have time for you then?”
Brother Wu, relishing the opportunity to tease Li Xinjun, continued to provoke her. Li Xinjun, feeling indignant, turned to Song Ling with pleading eyes.
“Sister Ling, will you really abandon me like Brother Wu said?”
Song Ling looked at Li Xinjun with tenderness and shook her head firmly. “No, I will never abandon you. Never.”
Li Xinjun beamed and looked triumphantly at Brother Wu.
“See, Sister Ling said she won’t! You’re just making things up! You’re the one who will end up alone, hmph! Don’t come crying to me when you’re old!”
“I won’t cry to you! I’ll have a wife and concubines, and my children and grandchildren will surround me. I’ll be happy and content!”
“Hahaha, you wish! I bet no one will want you, and you’ll die alone. But don’t worry, you have me. I’ll let Uncle Wang keep you company. Hahaha!”
Brother Wu’s face darkened. The thought of Uncle Wang growling at him for the rest of his life sent shivers down his spine. He stood up abruptly and went to sit with his fellow soldiers.
Li Xinjun, seeing Brother Wu retreat, felt victorious. She looked at Song Ling with sparkling eyes, raised an eyebrow, and continued to munch on her rations.
Song Ling’s earlier gloom had dissipated, replaced by a lighthearted mood. After resting, they resumed their journey to Chen Family Village. They arrived before nightfall. Brother Wu led them to the village magistrate’s office, where Magistrate Wang Zhigang greeted them.
“You must be tired from your journey. Thank you for coming all this way to help us. Please come in.”
“Thank you, Magistrate Wang.”
