58: It's time and fate

Pei Yunchuan's consciousness was hazy, and he didn't know how much time had passed. When he woke up again, his nose was filled with the strong scent of medicinal herbs.

He was saved!

He really wasn't eaten.

He was in a daze.

Has the world become so peaceful?

Opening his eyes, what greeted him was a kind old man, slightly hunched but with bright, energetic eyes.

At this moment, he was concentrating on applying a dark green ointment to Pei Yunchuan's arm. With Pei Yunchuan's eyesight, he could tell at a glance that the old man in front of him was a Mortal, and the ointment was made from ordinary herbs, emitting a bitter herbal scent.

Having been in Prefecture City for so long and seeing countless numb, zombie-like faces, Pei Yunchuan could hardly believe his eyes upon seeing such a normal human being.

"Elder, where is this?"

Pei Yunchuan's last memory was of two rat demons taking him to a human village.

Strange things happen every year, but this year especially so.

In this day and age, there are still such kind demons? He didn't believe it!

The elder's hands didn't stop, and he didn't even lift an eyelid, saying unhurriedly, "Chang Sheng Village. You're a lucky lad to have met the two adults, Rat Spirit and Rat Chestnut. If you had met other demons, you would have lost your life."

"Rat Spirit, Rat Chestnut?"

"Adults?"

Pei Yunchuan murmured softly, his confusion growing.

Was this place also under the jurisdiction of demons?

But looking at the elder's demeanor—peaceful and calm, without any sign of oppression or sorrow—could it be that they had indeed encountered kind demons?

Pei Yunchuan's mind was a tangled mess, a thousand thoughts rushing in at once. In the end, he let out a long sigh.

Forget it, why think so much? He couldn't even protect himself right now.

The mission the Grand Elder gave him, he still had no clue about.

Destroy the Spirit-奪取 Array. How could he possibly do that?

He probably wouldn't even get to see the Formation Plate of the Spirit-奪取 Array before being blasted into oblivion.

Moreover, he dared not mention the existence of the Spirit-奪取 Array to anyone casually.

If he were to encounter someone with ill intentions again, wanting to claim the Spirit-奪取 Array for themselves, it would only cause greater disaster.

Pei Yunchuan subconsciously clenched his fists.

The person opposite seemed to notice his emotional fluctuation, his hand pausing slightly as he looked up at Pei Yunchuan, still speaking in that slow, leisurely tone, "Young man, don't overthink things. In our Chang Sheng Village, as long as you behave, no one will harm you."

Saying that, he applied the ointment evenly and then picked up a strip of cloth from the side, carefully bandaging Pei Yunchuan's arm.

His movements were skilled and steady, clearly indicating he did this often.

Pei Yunchuan nodded slightly in thanks, his gaze sweeping around the room.

The room was small but neatly organized. Several strings of dried herbs hung on the wall, and some old but clean farm tools were piled in the corner. A rustic atmosphere permeated the air, filling one's heart with warmth.

"Elder, what is your esteemed name?"

Pei Yunchuan asked, trying to break the somewhat dull atmosphere.

"My surname is Wu. I've been a Doctor in this village for most of my life. Treating sprains and bruises, I'm quite good at that."

Doctor Wu's words carried a hint of pride, and the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes also lifted slightly.

Pei Yunchuan nodded gently. After Doctor Wu left, he carefully took out a healing Medicinal Pill from his Storage Pouch and put it into his mouth.

The Medicinal Pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and a warm current slowly spread throughout his body. He could clearly feel his injuries recovering at a visible rate.

* * *

A day later, Pei Yunchuan's injuries had mostly healed. He got up to pack his bags, leaving behind some silver, and intended to bid farewell to Doctor Wu.

Seeing Pei Yunchuan about to leave, Doctor Wu stopped him, his tone serious and brooking no refusal.

"Young man, having come to our Chang Sheng Village, no matter what, you must go offer incense to Lord Chuping."

This was decided by that lad Liu Chunsheng, mainly out of concern that some unknown demons might sneak into the village to cause trouble.

Only after going before Lord Chuping could everyone feel at ease.

Hearing the name Lord Chuping, Pei Yunchuan looked puzzled.

It sounded somewhat familiar.

Right, that spider demon had said earlier that this place was under Lord Chuping's jurisdiction.

But why offer incense?

Had Lord Chuping already passed away?

"Doctor Wu, would you mind telling me more about this Lord Chuping, so I don't accidentally violate any taboos?"

"You're from out of town, so it's normal not to know about Lord Chuping. I'll tell you all about him now."

Doctor Wu cleared his throat, recounting from how San Wazi accidentally witnessed Lord Chuping's divine manifestation, to how Lord Chuping suppressed and killed the Naked Ghost, the Black Bear Demon, and the Skeleton Monster. He then spoke of Lord Chuping's increasing number of followers, from the villagers of their own village and neighboring villages, to the renowned Wanbao Merchant Guild, and finally, to the refugees who fled from Prefecture City a month ago.

Lord Chuping's deeds were truly well-known to every household, young and old, in Chang Sheng Village and Nan Shu Village! You could ask anyone, and they could tell you a story about Lord Chuping.

Doctor Wu spoke until his mouth was dry, spitting saliva everywhere.

Pei Yunchuan, however, felt as if he were listening to a mythical tale.

"Doctor Wu, are you sure you're not telling a mythological story?"

"Young man, it's absolutely true. If you don't believe me, go outside and ask; there's no one in our village who doesn't know about Lord Chuping."

Doctor Wu patted his chest, guaranteeing it with conviction.

Pei Yunchuan felt his worldview crumbling.

They had heard about the death of the Naked Ghost in Prefecture City at the time, but they never found out the result, and it eventually became a cold case.

The name of the Wanbao Merchant Guild was even more famous to him. He never expected that even the Young Master of the Wanbao Merchant Guild had been here?

And the refugees from Prefecture City?

"Wait, Doctor Wu, when did Lord Chuping shelter the refugees from Prefecture City?"

"A month ago, why?"

Pei Yunchuan's heart trembled, as if a flash of inspiration struck him.

It all connected, everything connected.

So, a month ago, that group of missing people all came here.

Pei Yunchuan's heart trembled.

And Blood Fiend actually didn't send demons to invade this place.

If what Doctor Wu said was true, then this Lord Chuping was probably no ordinary deity.

He recalled the purpose of his trip—perhaps... "Elder, where is the Lord Chu Ping Temple?"

Doctor Wu immediately beamed with joy.

"See that mountain? Go east, out of the village, and you'll reach it. It's on that mountain."

"There's a small path on the mountain, trodden by everyone who goes to offer incense. Follow that path to the end, and you'll be there."

* * *

Six months later, Lin Chuping once again saw someone with Luck similar to the two traitors from the Qingyun Immortal Sect.

Gold and black intertwined, inseparable.

Why say similar? Because in this person, the black mixed in with his Luck was even more pronounced.

However, Lin Chuping now knew that this was due to the evil created by the Qingyun Immortal Sect using the Spirit-奪取 Array.

Lin Chuping found it difficult to comment on the Qingyun Immortal Sect's actions.

Things in the world are not simply black and white.

Since these people's Luck was intertwined with gold and black, it meant that they truly were protecting the villagers.

Their current predicament was truly a matter of time and fate!