Inside the main hall, Liang Qu sat at the right, his upper body exposed, revealing wounds that made one's heart skip a beat.
Behind him, a doctor held a mortar, pounding herbs into juice to prevent the wounds from festering.
Chen Zhao'an sat to the left, hands clasped over his cane.
The gathered village elders, whether seated or standing, couldn't hide their unease, occasionally glancing at the horrific wound as though feeling the pain themselves.
Aside from the groans of the injured villagers outside, an oppressive silence filled the hall.
Chen Zhao'an surveyed the room, his gaze settling on a village elder to his left.
Understanding the unspoken command, the village elder stood up and addressed Liang Qu with the repeated question.
"This mountain spirit doesn’t seem to be the Greater Mountain Spirit from Peaceful Sun Town, nor the newly spawned Lesser Mountain Spirit."
Liang Qu condemned it with finality.
The doctor grinding herbs shuddered slightly.
The calm yet firm conversation had an undertone reminiscent of enduring a wound being scraped clean.
"Does that mean there are other mountain spirits?"
"One is terrifying enough, and now there are two. Fortunately, Ah Shui was around today. If not, it could’ve been disastrous!"
"How did they end up in Righteous Prosperity City? We are a whole sixteen li from Peaceful Sun Town. It would take someone an hour to walk it."
The village elders exchanged worried looks, fear gripping their hearts.
They had indeed faced mountain spirits—those vile yellow vertical eyes, more terrifying than a tiger, had caused many to drop their canes, inadvertently curing their long-standing cold legs.
They assumed the troubles were confined to Peaceful Sun Town, believing Righteous Prosperity City was safe; the reality was quite the opposite.
Yet, Liang Qu trusted his judgment.
A newborn Lesser Mountain Spirit was about the size of a human infant.
For it to grow to be nearly human height, it would take over three months.
Lu Shaohui had barely been dead a fortnight, making it impossible for it to be a newly hatched Lesser Mountain Spirit from Peaceful Sun Town.
Nor could it be the Greater Mountain Spirit that killed Lu Shaohui.
The Greater Mountain Spirit's strength was vastly superior; no significant battle traces remained after its skirmish, it could overwhelm a two-bar Martial Artist effortlessly.
With such prowess, even if Liang Qu was grouped with many, they'd still stand no chance.
The stone ball from the Stone Lion's mouth was what struck it away.
Everyone turned to Chen Zhao'an, the highest-ranking elder, who clearly understood their thoughts.
He spoke up, "Ah Shui, the other two mountain spirits aren’t in Righteous Prosperity City too, are they? And why did this happen exactly during the sacrificial ceremony? Could it be the River God..."
The doctor applied the herbal paste to Liang Qu's shoulder, discreetly listening without realizing his hand was trembling.
"Impossible!" Liang Qu denied firmly.
"Mountain spirits are land-based creatures, under the Mountain God's jurisdiction. If it were the River God, the threat would have been water-based creatures, or at worst, a flood to drown our city, not some mountain spirit!"
"Moreover, didn’t we offer the mountain spirit’s head as a tribute? If this was the River God’s will, why would there be no reaction?"
The other village elders nodded in agreement with Liang Qu’s reasoning.
It was a relief that it wasn’t the River God’s wrath because relying on the river meant prosperity or ruin by it.
If the River God were angered, it would be far more terrifying than a mountain spirit; thousands would have to flee their homes.
Liang Qu lifted his shoulder slightly.
The herbal juice stung his wound, and he took a deep breath before continuing, "As for how the mountain spirit got here, I suspect it was attracted by today’s slaughter and the gathering of people, with the blood and human scents drawing it in."
Mountain spirit youths feed on livestock and delight in human organs.
The mountain spirit defeated held strength between a Lesser and Greater Mountain Spirit, neither newborn nor fully grown.
A combination of animal blood and human presence provides the perfect bait.
"As for whether there are other mountain spirits in Righteous Prosperity City, I can’t say for sure. Maybe yes, maybe no. But in my memory, records of spirits claiming human lives are scarce. To have three appear at once now makes me suspect something sinister."
The bundled cloth fell to the ground.
The doctor hastily picked it up, too flustered to continue bandaging, and asked urgently, "Something sinister?"
An elder began pacing in agitation, "Yes, there must be something sinister. Otherwise, how could there be so many spirits all of a sudden? In the past, we only ever heard about disappearances in the mountains or rivers, never something so audacious as today.”
After walking in a circle, he grabbed Liang Qu's arm.
"Ah Shui, you grew up in Righteous Prosperity City. You can’t abandon your kin like a turncoat now that you have skills."
"Ahem!" Chen Zhao'an coughed, fixing his gaze on the speaking elder.
The elder realized his error but didn’t know where he went wrong, so he sheepishly stayed quiet.
Even among elders, distinctions existed.
The other elders hurried to make amends. “Yes, without you today, who knows how many would have perished.”
“Ah Shui has become a True Martial Artist after breaking through, right?”
“Yes, just a few days ago.”
“Impressive! Quite unlike my own hopeless sons. Righteous Prosperity City truly produces talents.”
No wonder.
Li Libo and Chen Jiechang, watching from the side, marveled increasingly at Liang Qu’s remarkable talent.
Though useful today, what about in the future? Gradually, they feared they’d drift apart, leaving them solemn inside.
Chen Zhao’an raised a hand to calm everyone, speaking earnestly, “We won’t let your efforts be in vain. Today, you saved our lives. Each of us elders will pitch in ten taels of silver as a token of our gratitude.”
“Indeed, indeed, we must offer our thanks.”
“Yes, I’ll be the first to contribute!”
Everyone had witnessed the mountain spirit battle.
Its claws were sharper than steel, shattering stones with a swipe, its hide thick and invincible—something ordinary folks couldn’t contend against.
Losing lives was nearly inevitable.
Liang Qu fighting such a creature was astonishing.
Although Li Libo and Chen Jiechang had helped, people weren’t oblivious; knowing full well who was crucial.
Righteous Prosperity City wasn’t short on aspiring martial artists.
Yet those with true talent often left, unless tied by roots.
Much like the elders who owned this courtyard, whose offspring—despite studies and martial training—found success in leisure rather than hard work.
The only current reliance was Liang Qu.
Under the expectant eyes of many, Liang Qu felt uncomfortable.
With seven or eight elders present, ten taels each amounted to nearly a hundred taels of silver.
Tempting though it was, it wasn’t about the money but whether he could manage the task.
Today had been risky enough.
Without Ah Wei’s venom and help from Ah Chang and Ah Bo, another encounter might have been anyone’s guess.
But just because he couldn’t didn’t mean others couldn’t. “Honored elders, this victory owed much to luck, and the mountain spirit was mediocre. If it were the one from Peaceful Sun Town, I’d have no chance.”
The elders’ hopes dimmed.
Liang Qu, however, quickly turned the situation around.
“But my fellow senior brothers are true Martial Masters, exceptionally skilled. They’ll surely manage. Moreover, this matter is suspicious. I should first seek out my master in Peaceful Sun Town. He’s wise and knowledgeable, and might have insight into this.”
His words renewed the elders' spirits, garnering continuous approval.
“When do you intend to leave?”
“No time to waste; I’ll set out immediately.”
Wrapping his garments, Liang Qu stood to dress.
“Agreed, swiftly make preparations.”
“No need for horses. The land route is dangerous; I’ll take the waterway. Just Chen Jiechang and I will do. Where’s the clothing I changed out of?”
Chen Zhao’an had someone bring the washed cloak and robes. “Here are your cleaned clothes, yet still damp. Remarkably, your clothes washed clean of so much blood with just a soak.”
“Thank you, Elder Chen.”
Taking his clothes, Liang Qu hesitated no longer.
He left, jumping down from the wharf.
Chen Jiechang closely followed, boarding the boat to take up the oar, shouldering the task of navigation.
The Black Canopy Boat set out through the Marshlands towards Peaceful Sun Town.
(End of Chapter)