161: Taohua Village, Part II
“Wait a minute!”
Halfway there, Bai Sanren suddenly reached out and stopped Han Yi and the other person, halting their steps.
“Look here…”
He pointed to a mark in the snow and said.
Han Yi looked over at his words and saw a striking circle of marks on the pristine white snow, drawing attention. These were wheel tracks made by heavy cargo. Near the tracks, there were also footprints from seven or eight people walking.
Although not the legendary Realm of 'stepping on snow leaving no trace,' these footprints did not sink deep into the snow, indicating that these individuals clearly possessed a certain level of strength, capable of freely controlling their leg muscles. It was likely that these people were all Martial Artists!
Upon realizing this, Han Yi immediately became more vigilant.
It was the New Year, and it was normal for the three of them to accompany Qian Xue home for a family visit. But for others, at this time, instead of spending time with family or relaxing at home, who would be out and about without a reason?
“Don’t be nervous, perhaps they are on some urgent mission… Afraid it would be difficult to travel at night, so they are just seeking lodging in the village…”
Bai Sanren seemed to notice Han Yi’s vigilance and said calmly. He didn’t seem too concerned about the matter; when he was young, he never had such thoughts about holidays. Performing missions year-round was commonplace for him, so he understood somewhat.
As the three of them walked, at the village entrance, several middle-aged women who were chatting casually were the first to notice Han Yi and the other two. Seeing their weapons and Martial Artist-like attire, they immediately stopped talking.
Bai Sanren walked forward, a smile on his face, and was about to speak when he noticed that the women’s gazes were all fixed on Han Yi.
A mischievous smile then appeared on his face. He turned around, patted Han Yi’s shoulder, and whispered, “As the saying goes, when you’re out and about, you must use every means necessary. Han Boy, now is the perfect time to show your charm and practice your eloquence. I’m giving this good opportunity to you!”
“Ah?! You old pervert…” Han Yi shook his head, feeling helpless inside. Then, he stepped forward and bowed.
“Greetings, ladies. We are on our way home for a family visit. It’s getting late, and we passed by your esteemed village, hoping to stay for a night. May we impose?”
Seeing Han Yi’s tall and straight posture, handsome face, and polite demeanor, the young women, who had just shown fear, immediately giggled.
“This Young Master is so handsome and speaks so well. Our children are already chasing dogs; how could we still be considered young ladies?”
“Yes, yes, he’s truly a handsome young man! Much more polite than that young man who looked down on people with his nostrils just now!”
“Shush. Don’t talk nonsense, they are all Martial Artists!”
Hearing this, Han Yi’s ears twitched. He stepped forward again, his tone sincere: “Ladies, from what you’re saying, another group of people came before us?”
“Yes, yes, another group of people just came by. They said they were a merchant caravan heading to An Yan City. They had an accident on their journey a while ago, which delayed their trip, so they couldn’t make it back before the New Year…”
A gentle-looking young woman was the first to answer.
Han Yi and Bai Sanren exchanged an imperceptible glance. Bai Sanren secretly raised his index finger.
When Han Yi saw the pre-arranged gesture from Bai Sanren, he felt relieved and continued, “It’s not easy to be out and about. Merchants are eager to go home, and we are also eager to go home to see…”
This was the identity they had agreed upon earlier, along with various hand gestures. If there were no issues, Bai Sanren would directly make the gesture. Since he made the safe gesture now, it meant there should be no problem with this matter.
“Oh, by the way, this is my uncle, and that’s my younger sister…”
Han Yi continued to introduce them.
Bai Sanren nodded slightly to the women, and Qian Xue curtsied.
“Oh my, this young lady is also pretty and adorable. I truly envy your parents for having such a lovable pair of children…” The gentle-looking young woman took Qian Xue’s hand and said with an envious tone.
Qian Xue also stuck out her tongue shyly.
“If you all want to stay, you’ll have to ask Tao Gu. Her father is the village chief of our Peach Blossom Village.”
Then, the gentle-looking young woman continued.
“Where might Tao Gu be…”
“Coming, coming! Handsome young man, you can ask her!”
As soon as Han Yi spoke, a beautiful woman emerged from the village.
She had a pair of captivating peach blossom eyes, lightly applied pink rouge, and lips that seemed to be on the verge of speaking, yet held back. Indeed, her face and the peach blossoms complemented each other, and the peach blossoms still smiled in the spring breeze.
The beautiful woman swayed gracefully as she walked forward, stepped up, and curtsied: “My name is Tao, and everyone in the village calls me Tao Gu. May I ask what brings you esteemed guests to this rural place?”
Although Tao Gu’s appearance was not absolutely stunning, not comparable to Qian Xue, her elegant attire and dignified demeanor, coupled with her unique gentle young womanly aura, made her stand out like a crane among chickens in this rustic setting, possessing a distinct charm.
“Hello, Tao Gu! We are guests returning home for a family visit and would like to stay the night in your esteemed village. Would it be convenient?”
Han Yi cupped his hands in a bow and spoke in a gentle tone. In his view, although Tao Gu’s words and actions did not resemble those of a rustic countrywoman, she was merely an ordinary person, so he didn't pay much attention.
“Young Master, you are too polite. We occasionally have traveling merchants and wandering heroes stay here, but a group of people just arrived, and with you all, this is the first time so many people have come. We need my father’s permission…”
Tao Gu showed a hint of difficulty, but her words were polite and well-mannered, as if she had attended a private school, which made it impossible to feel angry.
Han Yi smiled and said, “Of course, we apologize for the trouble!”
“Young Master, please follow me.”
Tao Gu dispersed the crowd gathered at the village entrance and gestured for Han Yi and the other two to enter the village and go home.
Han Yi asked her to wait, walked over to Bai Sanren, and whispered.
“Sanren Bai, is there anything unusual?”
“Hmm, this Tao Gu is really fair-skinned…”
“Old man Bai, can you be serious!”
“What could be unusual? I just scouted the surroundings, and there’s no problem. What those women said is also fine. Go, go, let’s go in together!”
Bai Sanren stared intently at Tao Gu’s back, responding indifferently to Han Yi.
“……”
Han Yi felt helpless inside. Of course, he knew this was just Bai Sanren’s feigned impropriety; if there were any problems, Bai Sanren would have told them to retreat long ago.
However…
Han Yi always felt that something wasn't quite right, like a small knot in his heart, making him scratch his head in frustration, but he just couldn't pinpoint it.
He had no choice but to use the System again to observe the surroundings. However, in the System's vision, the man chipping ice, the chatting women, the playing children, and Tao Gu stamping her feet and blowing on her hands to warm up in front, all showed no abnormalities whatsoever.
Perhaps, it’s just my imagination…
Subsequently, Han Yi and the other two followed Tao Gu into Peach Blossom Village.