Noon!
The scorching sun twisted the air in unusual patterns as a carriage sped along the dusty dirt road.
The two people outside the carriage were drenched in sweat, their breathing somewhat erratic.
"Young master, we're almost there. Just ahead is where Liugou Village is located."
The people in the carriage were none other than Lu Xuan and his companions, who had rushed all the way from the county town.
The curtains of the carriage were lifted by a large hand and hung on the side. Lu Xuan's eyes focused as he looked into the distance.
In the distance, faint traces of human habitation and buildings could be seen, along with sparse figures moving along the road.
Soon, the speed of the carriage gradually slowed down.
What appeared in front was a huge stone, with traces of moss still lingering around it, and in the center, three large characters were engraved.
Liugou Village!
Buildings ahead gradually became clearer, the figures increased, and not far from the village gate, a crowd was gathered there.
"Huh!"
"Young master, there are officials over there, what's going on?"
At this moment, Li San's voice of confusion came through, and Lu Xuan also saw the officials in the crowd.
Not only was Lu Xuan observing the village, but the people inside the village also noticed the commotion at the village entrance.
For a carriage quietly parked outside Liugou Village with three individuals standing there, it was difficult for Lu Xuan and his group not to be noticed.
Before long, villagers from Liugou Village slowly approached the village entrance, looking curiously at these suddenly appearing strangers.
Then, a path was cleared among the villagers, and an elderly man was helped forward.
The elder raised his wrinkled hand, gently stroked his long beard, and as his sleeve fell, revealed his hand's bulging veins and several old scars.
His cloudy yet sharp gaze slowly swept across the crowd, finally landing on Lu Xuan, who stood at the forefront.
The young man, dressed in luxurious brocade and a jade belt cinching his waist, albeit weary from travel, exuded an unmistakable air of nobility.
Surprise flashed in the elder's eyes, and he immediately tidied his sleeves before bowing respectfully towards Lu Xuan.
"I am humble enough to introduce myself as the village head of this village. May I know where our esteemed guests have come from?"
"What is your noble purpose for visiting our Liugou Village?"
Lu Xuan, noticing this, smiled slightly, and with a gentle flick of his sleeve, revealed the medicine pouch hanging from his waist, speaking warmly, "No need for such formality, old village head."
"I am Lu Xuan, merely seeking fresh herbs for my family's pharmacy."
"Passing through your esteemed village, noticing its scenic beauty, I presume the herbs must be particularly abundant."
Upon hearing this, the village head's eyes sparkled, and his wrinkled face broke into a smile.
Hurriedly, he took two steps forward, his voice raised with excitement, "Oh my, turns out you're the pharmacy owner from the county!"
"Forgive my poor eyesight for underestimating esteemed guests."
Turning to the onlooking villagers, the village head waved his hand, "Why are you standing idly? Go prepare some tea!"
His beard trembled with excitement, secretly delighted.
Liugou Village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, never short of wild mountains herbs, albeit seldom visited by merchants due to its remote location.
Now that a young master from the county pharmacy has come, isn't it like a god of wealth has descended?
The village head squinted his dim eyes, secretly assessing the entourage before him.
In Liugou Village, most young men make a living by collecting herbs, and every spring and autumn, some herbal merchants lead large teams up the mountains to procure goods.
But this Mr. Lu in front of him…
He stroked his graying beard, his gaze hovered around Lu Xuan and his companions.
Just two attendants, a simple carriage, and not even a decent guard.
This situation resembles more an ordinary family's excursion than a herb procurement.
"Mr. Lu…." the village head couldn't help but lower his voice, "In these times... you travel with so few people?"
"I remember previous herbal merchants would bring at least a hundred personnel...."
While speaking, the village head suddenly fell silent.
His smile gradually froze on his face, each wrinkle on his rutted face exuding deep worry.
The village head unconsciously rubbed the knot on his cane, his adam's apple rolling several times before he finally spoke with difficulty.
"Mr. Lu... I am truly... truly embarrassed." He tremblingly made a gesture of respect.
"In the past half month, the village has faced some troublesome events... we're short-handed."
As he raised his head, his cloudy eyes flickered with a trace of fear, but it was quickly masked by a look of apology, "I'm sorry for the trouble, esteemed guests have come in vain..."
After all, they traveled all the way to Liugou Village and ended up with no herbs, this would surely affect the village's reputation in the future.
Therefore, the village head maintained a humble attitude, his face full of apology.
"No problem, old village head."
"I happened to come from afar, looking for a place to rest for a few days, old village head, what do you think...?"
"No!"
The village head perceived Lu Xuan's implication, and feeling somewhat anxious, he voiced his firm refusal.
"Esteemed guests, to be frank, Liugou Village has been experiencing some issues these days, and it's inconvenient."
"I'm afraid you might inadvertently get involved, leaving our village unsure how to handle it."
"It's better for you to continue your journey while it's still early, you can reach the nearby inn before nightfall."
Faced with the village head's serious refusal and his mention of trouble, Lu Xuan felt some surprise.
Trouble?
Could it be those paranormal things?
Thinking of this, Lu Xuan, looking at the village head's firm refusal, had an idea in his mind.
Leave?
That's impossible.
The extraordinary and mysterious things are exactly what Lu Xuan desires the most now.
"Old village head, you see we have traveled far, the horse pulling the carriage is already at its limit, could we just stay here for one night?"
Lu Xuan appeared quite fatigued, which put the village head who noticed this into contemplation, uncertain whether to refuse.
At that moment, another path cleared through the crowd, as five to six men dressed in official uniforms strode forward.
"Hey, what's with the commotion over there, where's the village head? I have some questions for you."
Leading the officials appeared a somewhat plump and young-looking youth.
"Ah!"
"You, you, you....."
When the plump youth official first laid eyes on Lu Xuan.
He immediately displayed a look as if he'd seen a ghost, as if he witnessed something unbelievable.
"Oh my god!"
"I told you this village is shady, they have ghosts!"
Lu Xuan, upon seeing the chubby official, furrowed his brows with a bit of surprise.
"Liang Cheng? Why are you here."
"Oh my, ghosts can actually speak, help!"
The chubby official, hearing Lu Xuan speak, and utter his name.
Without a moment's hesitation, the chubby official attempted to flee toward the back as if escaping for his life.
But despite the chubby official's leg strength, his body remained still.
For a large hand firmly grasped the back collar of the chubby official, and its owner was Lu Xuan.
"Liang Cheng, why are you not in the county, but came all the way here?"
"And besides, it's broad daylight; it's far too early for you to expect ghosts."
Lu Xuan secretly channeled his qi and blood force, his voice as loud as a bell, which instantly brought the chubby official to his senses.
"Seems you're right."
"No wait, cousin, why... why are you here too."
It turned out that Lu Xuan and the chubby official were related.
Lu Xuan's sudden appearance nearly scared the chubby official to death.
It's not his fault that in the impression of the chubby official, Lu Xuan had never left the county since childhood.
This sudden arrival seemed like seeing a ghost in the daytime to anyone.