After changing the diaper, Shen Wang asked for directions while running ten more miles before reaching a village called Qingsang.
The name itself suggests what the village does, with barren mulberry trees scattered everywhere and dozens of households making a living by raising silkworms and weaving.
He was looking for the wife of the wealthy Liu family in this village, and it was said that the patriarch was also the village chief, which made him not too confident about this trip.
Judging by the condition of the houses in the village, it was relatively affluent with people guarding the entrance, not old people but young adults.
Seeing Shen Wang approaching, the thick-browed young man guarding the entrance coldly asked, "What do you want?"
"Looking for a wet nurse."
Shen Wang patted the daughter in his arms, "Could you tell me where Village Chief Liu's house is?"
The thick-browed young man glanced at the child and said, "Did your wife die in childbirth?"
"Pretty much."
"I feel for you, but it's hard to get the Liu family's wife to nurse your daughter; they aren't short of money."
"I still have to try."
"To the east of the village, take the road to the right; it's the third large courtyard. Only see the village chief, don't wander around. Things aren't peaceful lately, and everyone's on edge—don't cause trouble."
"Thank you."
The village chief's house was indeed spacious with a three-section courtyard, guarded by wolfdogs. When they saw Shen Wang, they bared their fangs, but after he glanced at them, they tucked their tails and retreated to their kennels.
Three knocks on the door ring, and the large door creaked open, revealing an old man.
"Who are you looking for?"
If Shen Wang's clothes weren't clean and his face wasn't handsome, unlike a vagabond, the attitude might have been completely different.
"Village Chief Liu."
"What's the matter?"
"There's black energy lingering above your house, an evil aura that won't disperse. I'm here to help."
Shen Wang glanced up, his expression mysterious.
"I don't know what you're talking about; the master won't see you."
The doorkeeper was about to retract his head.
Shen Wang could only twitch his face, "I've brought a child not yet a month old seeking milk, offering Xu Baiyin ten taels."
Worried that the Liu family might refuse the money to feed his daughter, Shen Wang had no choice but to say more.
Unexpectedly, the doorkeeper was about to close the gap, snorting, "The young mistress can't help you, go somewhere else."
Shen Wang could only push the door open and walk in himself.
If he couldn't get milk from this family, the next one would be more troublesome, as they were the town's major landlords.
"You... you dare to barge into a residence!"
The doorkeeper couldn't stop Shen Wang's brute force and could only shout angrily, "Someone! Someone's barging in!"
Immediately, a burly man in a short shirt came rushing with a wooden stick, pointing at Shen Wang, "Where did this clueless guy come from? Do you think you can barge in here?"
Seeing Shen Wang still advancing, the burly man swung the stick.
Shen Wang did nothing, but an invisible wave blasted off his body, sending the stick and the man flying; the stick snapped.
This is a cultivator; even though his cultivation was at the third-layer Qi cultivation, combined with his still robust physique, it was equivalent to an innate martial arts grandmaster, not something ordinary people could come close to.
The burly man fell heavily, dizzy and wailing, scaring the others coming out to a halt.
"Stop!"
Opposite the corridor came a hastily walking elderly man with graying hair and wearing ornate clothes, cupping his hands towards Shen Wang, "The hero here doesn't look like a malevolent person, what's your meaning?"
"My daughter needs milk."
Shen Wang wasn't polite; he had considered using force beforehand, as his daughter didn't have time to be hungry.
"You come asking for help, and this is your attitude?"
A young man who looked somewhat like the ornate elder jumped out; he had an aquiline nose, a strong presence, and moved quickly.
He took a few steps forward to face Shen Wang, his face unsatisfied; had he not seen this person repel a two-hundred-pound man without lifting a hand, he would have acted instead of speaking.
"Yes, I can beat all of you, so a tough attitude is reasonable."
Shen Wang spoke matter-of-factly, making everyone present look displeased but softened his tone quickly, sighing, "Everyone, don't be tense, I am left with no choice, it's hard to find a wet nurse here. Please, old village chief, help me."
"This child is also pitiful, seeing the child's situation, I won't hold it against you."
The village chief took the opportunity to step down, waving others back; the atmosphere wasn't so tense anymore.
"Father, Hongping is already unwell, how can she have the strength to nurse another child?"
The village chief's son grumbled.
"I know some Qihuang skills, maybe I can take a look at your wife."
Shen Wang said sincerely; regardless, the wife's condition concerned whether his daughter could eat well and enough.
Since the other's wife was ill, he certainly wouldn't stand by.
"Alas, hero, my daughter-in-law's illness isn't ordinary; I'm afraid you're powerless."
The village chief responded helplessly.
Shen Wang glanced at the increasingly clear evil aura, "It seems she's possessed; I can fix it."
The village chief and his son's complexion changed simultaneously, staring at Shen Wang in surprise. They hadn't mentioned it, nor had they spread that it was an illness externally. How did he know?
"Take me inside, solve it quickly."
Shen Wang urged; he had to confirm the health of Village Chief Liu's wife. If she wasn't suitable for nursing, he would have to move to the next family.
"Hero... oh no... Master, please."
The old village chief had seen many people and could discern from Shen Wang's calm demeanor that he truly had skills.
Shen Wang glanced at Village Chief Liu, quickly changing from hero to master; this person was indeed slick.
He said, "Looks like you've called for help before."
"Called for, physicians, monks, and Daoists were all invited, none worked."
Village Chief Liu responded bitterly.
"Tell me the situation."
Shen Wang had a talisman in his palm; although this was a mundane village, he couldn't let his guard down against powerful demons at work.
"Elder son, you tell him."
The village chief left it to his son.
"My wife had an incident three days ago. She went to the Mountain God Temple for incense, and on the way back, she went mad, trying to eat our son. Fortunately, I was there to stop her timely."
The young man named Liu Shan nearby spoke with some fear, "After going mad, she was strong; even though I practice martial arts, I couldn't hold her down. It took several people to tie her up. The past few days, she wouldn't eat cooked food, only raw meat, definitely possessed."
"Seems like an evil spirit possessed her."
Shen Wang pondered; this world had many demons and ghosts, some weaker ones would choose to possess living beings, making them act like lunatics, doing bizzare things.
For example, eating their own child!
Shen Wang entered the side room with them, immediately sensing an evil aura, mingled with beastly growls and weird laughter.
The two big men beside him showed fear, reluctant to approach, but Shen Wang pushed the door open directly.
A chilling atmosphere greeted him; the afternoon sunlight dispelled some of the foul air, yet the room still felt uncomfortable.
[You traveled far seeking food for your daughter, Body Technique +2, now 36/100]
A string of text appeared above the woman tied to the bed.