Chapter 83: The Lonely Path through the Deserted Village

Chapter 83: The Path in the Desolate Village

The middle-aged man laughed heartily. "I've stopped you because there’s a good fortune waiting for you. But first, may I ask your name? Do you know our new son-in-law, Master Zheng? If you do, great benefits await you; if not, seeing you’re a Daoist, you’ll still find some advantage here."

Zhang Sanlu had avoided entering any city or administrative town along the way, wary of being identified after killing an official, which would only bring unnecessary trouble. Yet now he heard there were people stationed here specifically to wait for a Daoist, and the arranger’s surname was Zheng. He wondered how Zheng Ji could have such influence. When the man said their new son-in-law was Master Zheng, Zhang Sanlu probed, "Is the Master Zheng you mentioned Zheng Ji?"

The middle-aged man clapped his hands in delight. "So you are Master Zhang! At last, this troublesome task we have been saddled with for days can finally be handed over."

He pulled a bundle from beneath the table and handed it to Zhang Sanlu. "Master Zhang, I serve the Li family of Yangxi Town. Our new son-in-law, Master Zheng, said he was acquainted with a Daoist surnamed Zhang and insisted we wait here. With the wedding approaching, Old Master Gao arranged for us to keep watch. We meant to invite you to join the celebration, but the master guessed you must be busy and didn’t wish to detain you long. This bundle contains travel money and some dry provisions as a token of respect. If there is anything else you need, please tell me and it will be arranged properly."

Zhang Sanlu received the parcel, feeling a pang of emotion. It seemed Zheng Ji had found some fortunate connection, and he was glad that Zheng Ji, once so lonely, now had a good home. Yet he couldn’t help but feel a nagging unease, perhaps the lingering regret of seeking Zheng Ji for so long, only to miss seeing him in the end. According to Zheng Ji’s nature, if he had arranged for someone to meet them here, he would have appeared himself, at least to say a few words.

"Brother, did Zheng Ji say he wanted to meet us and bid farewell?" Hui Niang couldn’t help asking.

The middle-aged man pursed his lips. "Master Zhang, to tell the truth, with the wedding so close, Master Zheng is overwhelmed by worldly matters and has no time for anything else."

Zhang Sanlu understood the meaning behind the man’s words. His heart was a mixture of joy and regret. "If that’s the case, please convey my congratulations. We gratefully accept these provisions, but no need for the travel money. We’ll offer it as a wedding gift, as one might present flowers to Buddha."

The man smiled, not refusing, and cheerfully took the two silver ingots from the bundle, tucking them securely into his robe.

"Heh, then I wish Master Zhang a smooth journey~"

With Zheng Ji settled, Zhang Sanlu felt his task here was complete.

Dusk was nearing, so Zhang Sanlu drove the donkey cart, carrying Hui Niang, along a winding path toward a nearby village to seek lodging.

They had traveled several miles, but Hui Niang’s heart was still uneasy. "Brother Zhang, the more I think about it, the more something feels wrong," she said, her voice tinged with worry.

Zhang Sanlu, who had been silent, stopped the donkey cart and turned to her. "You feel it too?"

Hui Niang nodded, her eyes flickering as if recalling something. "It’s just... just a feeling I can’t put into words."

Zhang Sanlu was silent for a while. He knew Hui Niang’s concern was not unfounded.

After some thought, he nodded. "Yes, I've been thinking as well. We met him by chance, and he saved us. We should at least check on Zheng Ji’s well-being. He drew the pursuers away for us, and now, leaving without seeing him, I can’t rest easy."

"I heard this area is rife with ghost marriages. I hope Brother Zheng Ji hasn’t been married off to a ghost bride," Hui Niang said.

Zhang Sanlu nodded. "Perhaps we should go back and see for ourselves."

He turned the donkey cart around, the clip-clop of hooves echoing as they headed toward Yangxi Town.

Following the directions they had been given, they retraced their route for about an hour. By then, darkness had deepened, yet they still hadn’t found the town they’d expected. After a while, they spotted a solitary hut by the roadside, likely a temporary shelter for field workers.

"Let’s ask for directions," Zhang Sanlu said, knocking on the hut’s door.

After a moment, a man of indeterminate age opened the door. The room was unlit; under the moonlight, it was a dark expanse, with only a shrine table faintly visible inside.

"Brother, could you tell us which way to Yangxi Town?" Zhang Sanlu asked.

"Why do you want to go there?" The man’s tone was dull, without any discernible expression.

"We have a friend there and wish to visit," Zhang Sanlu replied.

"Do outsiders still go there?" The man didn’t answer, but asked in return.

"Would you count those who aren’t alive?" Zhang Sanlu blurted out inexplicably.

The man’s lips twitched. "Master Daoist, what kind of talk is that? I’ve only heard that every household there is superstitious, hanging ropes from their windows and putting cleavers behind their doors. It’s quite unnerving."

"Just point the way. We want to go there now." Zhang Sanlu’s voice was calm, his gaze somewhat intimidating. "Or, if you have time, would you escort us?"

The man gave a dry laugh. "Master Daoist, you must be joking. Head through the woods this way, and when you reach a dirt mound, go around it. Walk for another two hours and you’ll arrive. Remember, go around the mound."

"Why avoid the mound? Is the path across it bad?" Zhang Sanlu sensed there was a reason behind the man’s advice.

"Yes, though it takes longer," the man replied, his expression grave. "But the mound is haunted."

"So it’s ghosts, nothing more. I thought you were warning about wolves or tigers," Zhang Sanlu patted his chest, feigning to be startled.

"Oh? You mean these wild beasts are more frightening than ghosts?" The man seemed intrigued, as if Zhang Sanlu’s reaction was unexpected, and he wanted to see if he was bluffing.

"I didn’t hide anything, just didn’t want to scare you. Believe it or not, it’s up to you," the man said, a touch resentfully.

Following the man’s directions, Zhang Sanlu led the cart through the woods, traveling for about half an hour before finding the fork in the road the man had mentioned.

Without hesitation, Zhang Sanlu and Hui Niang took the path over the mound.

The wind whispered past their ears, sounding like low sobbing. Fearing pits ahead might injure the donkey, Zhang Sanlu got down and led the cart through.

The wild grass grew knee-high, and from time to time something seemed to dart through it, brushing against their legs, unsettling them. The trees on either side grew denser and stranger.

"Hui Niang, are you frightened?" Zhang Sanlu looked back at her in the cart.

"With you here, Brother Zhang, of course I’m not."

"Good, stay careful behind me."

After some time on the mound, the narrow earth path became overgrown with wild grass and branches, and on both sides they could see many coffins, half-buried in the soil.