Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Huai Valley Village
Wu Chang immediately said, "Taoist Master, please speak freely. As long as it’s within Wu’s ability, I dare not refuse."
Chi Yuan slowly began, "It’s quite coincidental, but my journey this time is also for Huai Valley Village."
"Taoist Master, are you also going to participate in the festival?"
"Not at all. A few days ago, when I passed by Huai Valley Village, I noticed that the demon qi was sky-high, as if some formidable monster was about to be born. At that time, my usual magical artifacts were not with me, so I left first, planning to return to subdue the demon after making full preparations."
"Who would have thought that on the way to subdue the demon, I encountered these two Mountain-Stopping Ghosts. Now that one of them has escaped, I fear it may unleash its fierceness and harm the innocent, so I must eliminate it quickly. The matter of subduing the demon in Huai Valley Village, I must ask the Young Hero for help."
"After the Young Hero enters the Huai Valley Village, could you help me investigate a bit and find the source of the demon qi?"
"Hidden Side Quest: Find the source of demon qi in Huai Valley Village. No penalty for failing the quest. Do you accept the quest?"
Was there even a need to think? Accept!
Wu Chang said, "Taoist Master, rest assured, we who roam the martial world take subduing demons and exterminating devils as our duty, naturally, we cannot refuse."
Chi Yuan cupped his hands and took out a white command flag from his sleeve, saying:
"If Young Hero Wu can find the source of the demon qi, place this command flag into it, it may suppress the demon qi and prevent the revival of demons."
"Item Name: Soul Cleansing Banner."
"Item Type: Dungeon Items (Dungeon Items cannot be taken out of the dungeon plane)."
"Item Level: C."
"Item Description: An object passed down from ancient times, inscribed with the Daoist Orthodox Technique."
"Item Skills: Soul Cleansing."
"Skill Description: Activate the Soul Cleansing Banner to enter the Divine Travel Perspective, see nearby spirit bodies, soothe and purify spirit-type monsters, suppress evil qi, and eliminate obsessions and resentments, bringing peace to soul bodies."
Is it actually legitimate?
Confirming there were no hidden traps in the Soul Cleansing Banner, Wu Chang became puzzled.
Although Chi Yuan did not have resentment on him, his magic sword, copper bell, and iron mirror each had seven or eight traces of resentment, some from players.
These resentments recorded scenes of death unrelated to Chi Yuan, mostly battles with demons, but bearing so much resentment still made him wary.
But since what Chi Yuan gave had no issues, could the resentment on his magical artifacts be a misunderstanding?
He asked Chi Yuan, "Taoist Master, there’s a matter I would like to ask, how to distinguish between demon qi and resentment? For example, the resentment on your magical artifacts, is it demon qi?"
"Demons are born from the grievances of heaven and earth, sharing the same origin as resentment. Young Hero Wu indeed hails from a prestigious sect, with innate spiritual sense beyond ordinary people, able to see the resentment on my magical artifacts."
Chi Yuan’s expression was as usual, answering without hesitation.
"It’s quite embarrassing to say, my sect is a loose cultivator’s lineage in the wilderness, with incomplete Artifact Refining True Techniques, missing the most crucial step of enlightenment for refining artifacts, so I used slain demons as the medium for artifact enlightenment."
"This method is crafty and not of the orthodox path. The karma and resentment of the slain demons will be inherited by the artifact, turning it into a cursed item over time."
Wu Chang realized, "So that’s how it is."
With the misunderstanding resolved, the two became more amicable.
After the attack by the Mountain-Stopping Ghost, neither was sleepy, so Wu Chang took the opportunity to learn about the dungeon plane from Chi Yuan.
Chi Yuan, being from the Daoist Sect, had solid theoretical knowledge, and with his experience as a pioneer in demon extermination over the past few years, he had considerable practical knowledge.
The integration of theory and practice formed a comprehensive understanding of demons, benefiting Wu Chang significantly.
With the light of dawn, Chi Yuan packed his belongings, mounted a black donkey from the stable, and chased in the direction where Ma Mian escaped.
Wu Chang also led his horse and headed towards Huai Valley Village in the direction Chi Yuan indicated.
Huai Mountain’s grandeur did not disappoint, even Chi Yuan was wary of it, and the journey was far from peaceful.
After traveling half a day, he witnessed at least forty instances of player resentment.
The corrosive miasma that could dissolve flesh, the snow pits that swallow travelers alive, the venomous snakes and insects that easily pierce through leather and fur clothing...
And bizarre demons like the Mountain-Stopping Ghost, the deadly threats in the forest were countless.
No wonder the main quest of the dungeon was to go to Huai Valley Village, with the dungeon being fed by players to the brink of losing control, this mountain road took up the major part.
The dead players included the careless but also those who courted death intentionally.
Like the place Wu Chang was currently observing, the resentment was located in front of a red forest, just three or four miles left to Huai Valley Village.
"The Taoist said never to enter the red forest; let me see what’s up with that."
The player in the resentment, believing in his strength, said these last words, then died in the red forest, not even seeing what kind of demon attacked him.
Thanks to these skeptical pathfinders, Wu Chang’s journey was much cleared of dangers.
The player’s resentment is undoubtedly the best guide.
But with so many markers guiding him, he traveled not only stepping on every safe point, but also taking numerous shortcuts.
Even the oldest hunter in the mountains wouldn’t dare to travel like he did.
Normally, it would take two days and nights to reach Huai Valley Village, but he managed to do it in just one day, successfully avoiding the high-fatality event of "camping outdoors" and arriving at Huai Valley Village before nightfall.
Nearing the mouth of the valley, Wu Chang dismounted, leading his horse, as he observed Huai Valley Village.
Huai Valley Village, as the name suggests, is built within a valley.
Inside the valley, the terrain is flat, surrounded by mountains, with a spring at the mountain top flowing down and forming a small river that crosses the valley.
On both sides of the river, farmland is cultivated, and clusters of small houses are scattered around the fields, making good use of the valley’s space and creating an atmosphere where paths cross and the sounds of chickens and dogs are heard.
Its superior terrain makes Huai Valley Village the only one among the five villages on Huai Mountain that does not need to hunt or trade, as it can sustain itself solely by farming.
Unfortunately, the idyllic pastoral scene that should have been easy and leisurely now exudes a sense of oppression and gloom, as if it had a BBC-exclusive underworld filter over it.
Even before entering the valley, one could sense a damp chill, like wearing clothes that hadn’t fully dried.
Dense Yin energy reverberated in the valley, making all living beings feel uncomfortable.
The villagers on night watch at the valley entrance quickly noticed him and went back to report to the village chief.
It didn’t take long before several young men surrounded an old man who walked out of the village.
The old man was lean and thin, slightly hunched from overwork. Though appearing nearly seventy, he spoke with a robust voice, showing no signs of decrepitude.
"I, Liu Shan, am the chief of Huai Valley Village. Young Hero, you arrive here so late at night, may I know your purpose?"
Wu Chang cupped his hands and said to Liu Shan, "I am Wu Chang, a disciple of the Tang Sect, traveling down the mountain on my master’s orders. I heard that the year-end festival in Huai Valley Village is quite lively, and I wish to enter the village for a look."
Liu Shan shook his head after hearing this, "In past years, it would be fine for a hero to observe, but the village is currently beset with troubles, unable to care for ourselves, much less entertain a young hero. Please forgive us, and perhaps try again next year."
Wu Chang removed a cloth bundle from the back of his horse, undid the tied knots, and shook the bundle open to reveal what was inside.
Amid the villagers’ gasps, the corpse of the Bull Demon Blocking the Mountain appeared before everyone.
"Young Hero, what is this?"
Wu Chang proclaimed loudly, "This demon is named the Bull Demon Blocking the Mountain, formed by the converged vengeful spirits of those who fell off cliffs. I dealt with it yesterday while passing by. Perhaps I could be of some help with the troubles in the village."
A villager cautiously approached the Bull Demon Blocking the Mountain, took a yellow talisman from his sleeve, and as the talisman got within a meter of the demon, it burst into flames.
"Chief, it is indeed a demon!"
With the demon’s identity verified, the atmosphere in the scene changed instantly.
Previously distant, Liu Shan now moved with quick steps, covering the distance to Wu Chang in a few strides, clutching his sleeve like a long-missed elder.
The old man’s grip was strong, almost causing Wu Chang to stagger.
"Why didn’t Young Hero mention such skills earlier, nearly causing me to slight a great hero. Tiezhu, what are you doing? Quickly prepare a feast and tidy up the guest rooms!"
"Hero, please this way. Though Huai Valley Village lies in a remote location, it gathers the essence of Huai Mountain for miles around, especially of the various mountain goods, each absolutely delectable, not easily found even with money outside."
Due to the Bull Demon, Wu Chang was a bit wary when he heard about the mountain goods, but figuring that Huai Valley Village’s goods were legitimate, he let it go and followed Liu Shan into the village.
Successfully entering Huai Valley Village was largely thanks to Chi Yuan’s help.
Chi Yuan had told him at the inn that while mountain folk might seem simple, they are actually very pragmatic.
If blocked from entering the village, one could pave the way with either silver or by presenting the Bull Demon’s corpse boldly on the ground.
Material wealth and force are more persuasive than any words.
Thanks to Chi Yuan’s method, Liu Shan was exceptionally warm to him, not only letting him enter the village easily but also designating him as a special guest for the observation ceremony, which was previously unfeasible.
Main quest one thus achieves completion.
Liu Shan treated Wu Chang to the village’s highest hospitality, serving mountain goods on the table more enticing than what the Bull Demon had conjured with spells, making Wu Chang eat with relish and satisfaction.
During this time, Liu Shan half-formed connections and half-probed Wu Chang’s intentions.
Wu Chang, leveraging his readings of numerous fantasy novels and intelligence obtained from Chi Yuan, eloquently depicted the Tang Sect as an ancient secluded sect, astonishing the villagers with awe.
Wu Chang’s words quickly spread throughout the village, and after being retold several times, they became so exaggerated that by the end, he had transformed from a disciple of a secluded sect to a deity in disguise.
After a few rounds of drinks and five flavors of dishes.
Just as Liu Shan was about to lead Wu Chang to rest, a young man rushed in anxiously, his face full of panic:
"Chief, something’s wrong, Xiao Ning has been possessed by an evil spirit!"