11: Arrived at Liugou Village, an unexpected person!

It was noon!

The scorching sun was so intense that the air itself seemed to twist, and a carriage galloped quickly down the dirt road.

The two people outside the carriage were drenched in sweat, their breathing somewhat ragged.

"Young Master, we're almost there. Liugou Village is just ahead."

The people in the carriage were Lu Xuan and his companions, who had traveled all the way from the county town.

The curtain covering the inside of the carriage was pulled open by a large hand and hung to the side. Lu Xuan's eyes narrowed as he looked into the distance.

In the distance, some human structures were vaguely visible, and sparse figures moved on the road.

Not long after, the carriage's speed gradually slowed down.

What came into view was a huge stone, with some moss still clinging to its sides, and three large characters carved in the center.

Liugou Village!

The houses ahead gradually became clearer, and more people appeared. Not far from the village gate, a group of people had gathered.

"Oh!"

"Young Master, there are Yamen Runners over there. What's going on?"

At this moment, Li San's questioning voice came, and Lu Xuan also saw the Yamen Runners among the crowd.

Not only was Lu Xuan observing the village, but the villagers also noticed the commotion at the village entrance.

Because a carriage was quietly parked outside the entrance of Liugou Village, and three people stood there.

With such a strange scene, it was difficult for Lu Xuan and his group not to be noticed.

In a short while, a group of Liugou Village villagers slowly came to the village entrance, looking at the suddenly appearing strangers with some confusion.

Then, a path opened up among the villagers, and an old man, looking advanced in years, was helped out.

The old man had a head of pale silver hair and a beard as white as snow on his chin.

He carefully scrutinized Lu Xuan and his group, finally looking at Lu Xuan, who stood in the very center.

Lu Xuan was dressed in a black brocade robe, possessing an extraordinary demeanor, which surprised the old man. Finally, he politely addressed Lu Xuan.

"Honored guests, who are you, where do you come from, and what brings you to my Liugou Village?"

"I am the Village Chief of Liugou Village."

Seeing the old man inquire, Lu Xuan cupped his hands in a salute, then slowly began to speak.

"Village Chief, I am from the county town. My family happens to run a small pharmacy."

"I came out of the county town this time specifically to procure medicinal herbs from outside the county. I happened to arrive at your esteemed village along the way and wanted to inquire."

"Oh, so you are honored guests procuring medicinal herbs from the county town. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

Lu Xuan's words surprised the Village Chief of Liugou Village, and a look of joy appeared on his aged face.

Because, one of their Liugou Village's biggest sources of income was outsiders coming to purchase medicinal herbs.

A large portion of the able-bodied men in the village relied on going deep into the mountains and old forests to gather medicinal herbs to sell to outsiders like Lu Xuan.

However, the people who came to procure medicinal herbs this time were somewhat strange. Usually, people who procure medicinal herbs come in groups.

He had never seen a situation like Lu Xuan and his group, just a few people, all alone, and with a carriage. Is the world outside really that safe now?

Although he was curious about Lu Xuan and his group's origins, the old Village Chief did not dwell on it for too long.

Instead, he seemed to have thought of something.

The joy on his face just now disappeared, replaced by a look of worry, his aged face like a dried orange peel.

Finally, the old Village Chief said apologetically, "Honored guest, I am truly sorry."

"Recently, our Liugou Village has encountered some difficulties, and we don't have enough manpower to go deep into the mountains to gather medicinal herbs."

"I, on behalf of Liugou Village, apologize to you, honored guest, and ask for your understanding."

After all, someone had traveled a long distance to Liugou Village, only to find no medicinal herbs, which would affect Liugou Village's reputation in the future.

Therefore, the old Village Chief's attitude was very humble, his face full of apology.

"No matter, Old Village Chief."

"It just so happens that I have traveled a long way and would like to find a place to rest for a few days, Old Village Chief, what do you think...?"

"No!"

The old Village Chief understood Lu Xuan's meaning and, feeling anxious, quickly and loudly refused.

"Honored guest, to be frank, something has happened in Liugou Village these past few days, making it inconvenient."

"I'm afraid it might inadvertently implicate you, honored guest, and then we, Liugou Village, wouldn't know what to do."

"Honored guest, it's still early, so please hurry on your way. You can still reach the inn not far from here before dark."

Facing the old Village Chief's stern refusal and what he said about something happening, Lu Xuan felt a little surprised in his heart.

Something happened?

Could it be those dirty things?

Thinking of this, Lu Xuan looked at the sternly refusing old Village Chief and had an idea.

Leave?

That was impossible.

Those extraordinary and eerie things were precisely what Lu Xuan most desired to obtain right now.

"Old Village Chief, you see, we have traveled a long distance, and the horse pulling the carriage has reached its limit. Could you allow us to stay here for just one night?"

Lu Xuan feigned a very tired appearance, which made the old Village Chief fall into thought, unsure whether to refuse.

At this moment, another pathway opened up outside the crowd, and five or six men dressed in Yamen Runner robes strode in.

"Hey, what are you all gathered here for? Where's the Old Village Chief? I still have some questions for you."

The leading Yamen Runner looked somewhat stout, and his face appeared to be that of a young man.

"Oh dear!"

"You, you, you........."

When the plump young Yamen Runner who had just entered laid his eyes on Lu Xuan.

He immediately looked as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight, as if he had witnessed something incredible.

"Oh my!"

"I knew this village was evil! A ghost!"

When Lu Xuan saw the stout Yamen Runner, his brows furrowed slightly, and he looked at the other party with some surprise.

"Liang Cheng? What are you doing here?"

"Oh my, the ghost can talk! Help!"

The stout Yamen Runner heard Lu Xuan speak and even say his own name.

Without the slightest hesitation, the stout Yamen Runner tried to run away as if fleeing for his life.

But no matter how much strength the stout Yamen Runner put into his feet, his body did not move an inch.

It turned out that a large hand was tightly gripping the collar behind the stout Yamen Runner's neck, and the owner of this large hand was Lu Xuan.

"Liang Cheng, why aren't you in the county town, running all the way out here?"

"Also, it's broad daylight now; it's too early for you to see a ghost."

Lu Xuan secretly mobilized the power of his qi and blood, and his voice was as loud as a booming bell, instantly making the stout Yamen Runner sober up.

"That seems right."

"No, Cousin, you, you, you, how did you get here?"

It turned out that Lu Xuan and this stout Yamen Runner were relatives.

Lu Xuan's sudden appearance almost scared the stout Yamen Runner to death.

He couldn't be blamed for it; in the stout Yamen Runner's impression, Lu Xuan had never left the county town since childhood.

For him to suddenly appear here, anyone would think they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.