16: It turned out to be an immortal

"Alright, but from this old man's perspective, you shouldn't hold out too much hope. For these two to survive... it's difficult..."

Li Fu nodded, "Alright, Doctor Wu, I know. I'll bring some grain later to cover the medical fees."

Doctor Wu shook his head, "That won't be necessary. This old man just felt around, and the man has silver in his inner lining."

This was good news.

Life was tough for the poor. They ate only two meals a day, one of which was wild vegetable paste.

If it weren't for the belief that human life is paramount, they wouldn't have brought them to Doctor Wu to try.

After all, Doctor Wu's medical fees weren't expensive. If it were in a Prefecture City, where it would cost dozens of taels of silver at the drop of a hat, they definitely wouldn't have saved them.

Several men worked together to carry the two to a vacant house in the village.

They only sent someone to deliver meals and check on them regularly, then each returned to their own home.

*

Dusk.

Lu Ming finally opened his eyes groggily, finding himself in a simple thatched hut, the air filled with the scent of medicinal herbs.

Before long, Lin Yao also woke up.

A simple and honest-looking young man was approaching with a bowl of medicine, followed by a sturdy-looking child.

"You're awake? That's great. The two of you collapsed at the foot of our village mountain, and the village chief had someone bring you back."

Li Deshou looked at the two in front of him, a hint of joy in his eyes. Doctor Wu's medicine was too potent; the two who were barely clinging to life at noon were awake before evening.

Oh my goodness, could it be a final burst of energy before death?

Lu Ming struggled to sit up and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Many thanks to the benefactors for saving our lives. I am Lu Ming of the Qingyun Immortal Sect, and this is my Junior Sister Lin Yao."

Upon hearing this, Li Deshou understood. So they were Immortals. No wonder they suffered such severe injuries and didn't die.

This was his first time seeing an Immortal. It turned out Immortals could also get injured.

Just as he was thinking this, he saw San Wazi's eyes widen, curiously circling the two as he examined them: "Wow, you're Immortals! Do Immortals also get injured?"

Li Deshou quickly stepped forward and covered San Wazi's mouth.

This child, he dared to say anything.

"Mere Mortals, how dare you speak ill of Immortals!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yao was furious.

"If it weren't for you Mortals, would we have traveled thousands of miles down the mountain and ended up so injured!"

The heavy turbid Qi down the mountain was already frustrating enough, and they had even lost a Junior Brother. Now they were being ridiculed by this ignorant child.

Li Deshou glared fiercely at San Wazi: "Immortal, please don't be angry, don't be angry. The child is ignorant. Please rest well, rest well."

Lu Ming smiled slightly: "It's fine. It's normal for children to be curious. We came here this time because there has been a surge of Demonic Qi in this area recently, and the Sect detected something amiss, so they sent us."

"Big Brother, do you know where Da Li Village is?"

The mission location Lu Ming and his group received before descending the mountain was Da Li Village. Now, with the snake demon's interference, he wondered if they had deviated from their original route.

Hearing Lu Ming ask this, Lin Yao also turned to look, making San Wazi shiver under her gaze.

This Immortal is so fierce! Like the tigress his dad usually talks about.

Although Lu Ming, who was speaking, seemed calm and completely without the airs of an Immortal, Li Deshou still decided to leave quickly.

This female Immortal clearly had a bad temper and was quite intimidating.

Li Deshou replied somewhat awkwardly:

"Da Li Village is ten li north of our village. Immortal, you should rest well. We will withdraw first."

After speaking, he covered San Wazi's mouth and forcefully led him out of the room.

*

After Li Deshou and San Wazi left, a trace of doubt flashed in Lu Ming's eyes.

Lin Yao didn't notice Lu Ming's expression, and simply took out two Medicinal Pills for healing from her satchel, putting one into Lu Ming's mouth and eating one herself.

"Senior Brother Lu Ming, since we are already so close to Da Li Village, let's go there tomorrow."

"Let's finish the mission quickly. I want to return to the Sect."

Lu Ming swallowed the Medicinal Pill, feeling a warm current flow through his body, and his injuries somewhat alleviated.

He nodded slightly, temporarily putting aside the doubt in his heart.

"Okay, we'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."

*

On the other side.

Li Deshou hurriedly pulled San Wazi out, gently closing the door.

After walking a good distance, Li Deshou finally released his hand from San Wazi's mouth.

"Mmm mmm mmm..."

"Uncle Deshou, are those two inside Immortals?"

"Shh, keep your voice down!"

Li Deshou lowered his voice, looked around, and only after confirming no one was nearby, continued, "Those two are indeed Immortals, but our village's situation is special... Don't speak carelessly. I'll go ask the village chief."

San Wazi blinked, asking in confusion, "Uncle Deshou, isn't our village doing well? What can't be said?"

Li Deshou sighed and patted San Wazi's shoulder: "You're still young. Human hearts are sinister, you can't handle it."

"Our village is already blessed by Lord Chuping. Now, we don't know what Lord Chuping's attitude towards Immortals is."

They couldn't act rashly; angering Lord Chuping would be more trouble than it was worth. It was better to go discuss it with Brother Chunsheng and the village chief.

Although San Wazi was full of questions, seeing Li Deshou's serious expression, he didn't dare to ask more, nodded, and turned to run towards home.

Li Deshou looked up at the sky and hurried towards the village chief's house.

*

Inside the house, Lin Yao was packing her satchel, while Lu Ming sat by the bed, eyes closed, adjusting his Qi.

The Medicinal Pill's effect was good; his injuries were mostly healed, but the doubt in his heart grew stronger.

"Lin Yao, do you feel... this village is a bit strange?"

Lu Ming suddenly spoke, his voice low.

Lin Yao stopped her movements and looked up at Lu Ming: "Strange? What's strange about it?"

Aren't all Mortal villages like this?

Lu Ming opened his eyes, his gaze deep: "The Sect mission stated that there was a soaring Demonic Qi near Da Li Village, but this small village, only ten li from Da Li Village, has no Demonic Qi at all. And, those two villagers just now... seemed to be wary of us."

Lin Yao tilted her head and said dismissively: "Maybe they haven't seen Immortals before and are a bit scared. Besides, Demonic Qi isn't something every village can sense. We'll know if we go to Da Li Village tomorrow, won't we?"

Lin Yao didn't have much affection for Mortals, especially Mortal men.

Lu Ming nodded. He knew Lin Yao's experiences before entering the Sect and could understand her difficulties.

But the unease in Lu Ming's heart did not dissipate.

He always felt that this village... seemed to be hiding some secret.

Late at night, the village was silent, not even the sound of insects could be heard.

Lu Ming lay on the bed, but couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned, always feeling uneasy, thinking he should go out and take a look.

*

Lu Ming, who had just left the house, didn't know that he and Lin Yao were already under the villagers' surveillance.

All because of a single sentence from Village Chief Li Fu.

"Even if they are Immortals, they must not offend Lord Chuping!"

"Don't let them do anything detrimental to Chang Sheng Village."