Chapter 29: Returning to Stone Village

As Liu An ate, he asked Lin Yiyi, "Miss, do you know the way to Stone Village?"

"Stone Village?" Lin Yiyi repeated, pausing in thought before replying, "Are you heading there too? What a coincidence. I know the way, and I am quite familiar with it; one of my closest relatives is buried there."

As Lin Jiaxin spoke, her voice dropped, and she lowered her head to eat her bread with a sorrowful expression. Sensing the girl's melancholy, Liu An was at a loss for how to comfort her. The scene suddenly fell silent.

"What are you going to Stone Village for?" Lin Yiyi suddenly asked.

Liu An wanted to explain that it was because Jian Yi had no sense of direction, leading to a series of mishaps that landed them in this situation, but he obviously couldn't say that. Furthermore, he dared not point out Jian Yi's poor sense of direction in front of the man himself.

So, Liu An laughed and said, "It’s like this: we wanted to go to Stone Village first to ask for the route to Black Cloud City. We have important business to attend to, and it would be even better if we could get our hands on a map."

Jian Yi did not join the conversation. Since he never admitted to being directionally challenged, he wouldn't invite ridicule by chiming in; he was more than happy to have someone lead the way.

Following this, Liu An and Lin Yiyi chatted back and forth, soon turning to the subject of the strange illness plaguing the villagers.

"Miss Lin, since you are a physician, have you been able to tell if those villagers are suffering from an illness or a curse?"

"I go to Stone Village every year to provide free consultations, but most of the villagers there don't believe in medicine; they believe in ghosts and gods. For instance, monks who come from surrounding villages every few months to chant and preach Buddhism distribute water mixed with incense ash and herbs that cause hallucinations and excitement. It eases their pain, but those herbs are highly addictive. Once taken, it’s very hard to quit. It’s truly drinking poison to quench thirst."

"However, the village elder is a kind man. Every time I visit, he prepares a room and meals for me, treating me like his own granddaughter. He watches the number of sick villagers grow, but he is already very old; every time he thinks of it, he can only sigh in sorrow."

Liu An interjected, "Is the villagers' illness truly incurable?"

"Not necessarily. If there were immortal pills refined by immortals, they might be saved. I’ve heard that immortal pills can bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh and bone, though I don't know if that’s true. I really wish I could see one." As she spoke, Lin Jiaxin couldn't help but fantasize about an immortal descending to bestow such a medicine.

"Hey, what are you daydreaming about? You’re almost drooling," Liu An interrupted her fantasy.

"So, according to you, they are just waiting to die?"

"You're right. The villagers of Stone Village are not allowed to leave. The inhabitants of neighboring villages moved away years ago."

"In other words, they are left to perish on their own until everyone in the village is gone, and then someone will come to burn the entire village down?"

"Why not seek out cultivators?" Liu An asked, deeply puzzled.

Lin Yiyi looked at Liu An as if he were an idiot. "Cultivators are high and mighty, viewing mortals as ants. How could they lower themselves to save the common people? Besides, seeking immortality requires profound fortune, excellent innate talent, and keen insight. And from what I know, cultivation requires rare treasures and resources."

"Hearing you say that, I realize how shallow my perspective has been." Liu An thought to himself, *That can't be right. Since I came down from the mountain, I've met plenty of cultivators, all of them powerful figures with heaven-shaking abilities. Are they really that hard to find?*

After chatting for a long time, Liu An realized that this young girl also knew very little about the true nature of the villagers' strange illness.

"Let's stop talking and get some sleep. We have to start early tomorrow," Liu An said, bringing the conversation to an end.

The three of them and the beast spent the night in peace. By the time the sun was high the next day, Lin Yiyi was the first to wake.

"Young Master Liu An, Young Master Jian Yi, it's time to get up."

As they opened their eyes, the blinding sunlight forced both men to shield their faces. "We should be on our way."

Guided by Lin Yiyi, the group traveled smoothly and quickly. By midday, they finally saw a village with smoke rising from the chimneys. The three of them and the beast quickened their pace and arrived at one of the outermost houses.

"Grandpa Elder! Open the door! It’s Jiaxin!"

*Bang, bang, bang!* The urgent knocking did not elicit the familiar sound of footsteps or coughing from within. Lin Yiyi felt a sudden sense of panic. Just then, Erwa, the child of the village elder's neighbor, ran out, calling to her with a milky voice, "Big sister! Grandpa Elder is lying in my house. Come quickly!"

With that, the child named Erwa took Lin Yiyi's hand and pulled her toward his home.

When Lin Yiyi entered the room and saw the old man lying on a sickbed, with a couple nearby wiping his forehead, the couple—recognizing her—stepped aside to let her approach the elder.

"You two, leave for a moment. I have something to say to Jiaxin," the elder said, his voice weak as he stared at the ceiling.

The couple didn't say a word; they took their son and walked out, closing the door behind them. Liu An and Jian Yi stood blankly in the courtyard.

"Child, it is time to let go. Your master was not killed by the villagers. They are not as evil as you think. Your master died from exhaustion and collapsed; I don't know who started the rumors, and I blame myself for not stopping it in time."

"Child, do not let hatred blind you. You have lived in hatred for all these years. You should live for yourself. I am a dying man, so there is no need for me to lie to you. Kowtow at your master's grave at the east end of the village, then leave and never come back."

"Grandpa Elder, you knew everything—why didn't you tell me sooner?" Lin Yiyi wept bitterly.

"Child, I am old, and I no longer have the strength to protect this village. I wanted to resolve the resentment in your heart before I die. The villagers have suffered enough. They are plagued by illness and have no cure, so they can only rely on ghosts and gods. The reason I never exposed those fake monks is that I didn't want to destroy the villagers' last hope of holding on."

"This village is where my ancestors lived for generations. We farmed here—why must Heaven mock us so?" With that final word, the village elder drew his last breath, yet his eyes remained open.

The elder had passed, and he had gone with such lingering regret.

The news of the elder's death spread quickly, and the entire village gathered at Erwa's door. In the days that followed, the villagers spontaneously organized the funeral. Some pooled together a burial shroud, while others worked together to build a coffin. On the day of the burial, the few remaining able-bodied men in the village lifted the coffin and began the funeral chant.

"The sun sets behind the western hills—hey! It is the old man's final day—hey! Has everyone lent a hand—hey! Has the filial child kept the vigil—hey! I call the chant alone, will everyone join in—hey!"