Chapter 44: Strange Tales from the Peach Blossom Hamlet

“Oh, Immortal, please don’t misunderstand. Master Bai cares nothing for fame or fortune…” Bai the constable hurried to explain.

“Back when Master Bai descended the mountain, one of his closest friends happened to pass the imperial exam and came to Linxi County as magistrate. Upon hearing of Master Bai’s return from seeking immortality, he invited him to serve as protector, to safeguard the peace of the region.”

“At times when the common folk faced urgent troubles and the county magistrate was overwhelmed, Master Bai would lend a helping hand.”

When speaking of Master Bai, this young constable was visibly proud.

“Your master?”

“Indeed. To tell the truth, I am of the same bloodline as Master Bai, though I am born of a concubine.”

“When Master Bai sought immortality in the mountains, I was sent by the Bai family to attend him as a servant boy. Later, I descended the mountain alongside him, which gave me a taste of the grandeur of the sect.”

“I see.”

As they spoke, Bai the constable led them to a modest residence. The plaque above the door bore the characters ‘Bai Residence’ in gentle, slender script.

The house was unremarkable—smaller than those of typical local gentry, with weathered walls and tiles, showing signs of age and neglect.

“This is Master Bai’s residence. He dislikes luxurious houses and fine carriages. His home is not spacious—please, Immortals, don’t mind.”

Song Yan found himself increasingly fond of this unseen Master Bai. Uninterested in wealth and power, tirelessly devoted to his duties—truly a benevolent protector who sought only to maintain the peace.

“Please wait here for a moment, Immortals. I’ve already sent word to the magistrate’s office to inform Master Bai of your arrival.”

Throughout their walk, the residence had very few servants.

Bai the constable led them into the guest hall, instructing a servant to brew a pot of tea.

He was not versed in the art of tea, nor did he know how to savor it—he simply gulped down a couple of mouthfuls.

Qin Ying did not drink, nor did she speak; she merely held a talisman in her hand, examining it over and over.

Song Yan saw that it appeared to be a life talisman.

“Constable Bai, what do you know about Peach Blossom Hollow?”

After a moment’s contemplation, he decided to ask the constable.

“Well… Master Bai has spoken to me of it. Peach Blossom Hollow has, for reasons unknown, become a dead village. People go in, but none are seen coming out.”

Bai Lei recounted all he knew about Peach Blossom Hollow, but his knowledge was limited and consisted mostly of things Song Yan already knew. His gaze wandered around the guest hall.

To the left upon entering stood a plain yet exquisitely arranged wooden cabinet filled with various collectibles.

Song Yan thought to himself that this unseen Senior Brother Bai Zimo had refined tastes.

Guests sitting here would have a clear view of Bai Zimo and the entire row of his collections.

Celadon, clay figurines, wood carvings, paper dolls…

Paper dolls?

Song Yan fixed his gaze on the neatly placed paper doll atop the cabinet, struck by a sense of familiarity.

This little paper doll…

Why did it so closely resemble the ones that appeared after he slew three demonic cultivators outside Shiliang Town?

He brushed aside his doubts.

These paper dolls were not uncommon, originating as a cultural tradition in Changping Prefecture of Chenzhou.

Placed so openly, they could hardly be objects of demonic cultivation.

Besides…

What a joke! Sitting beside him was a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage!

Even if that so-called Wanderer Xinshan himself showed up, so what?

Song Yan knew well that if not for himself and Li Qingfeng—both outer sect disciples—dragging things out, Qin Ying, a Foundation Establishment inner disciple, might have already finished the task and be on her way back to the sect.

Among the Foundation Establishment inner disciples of the six great sects, unless they faced a peerless prodigy of equal rank, they could easily prevail against other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Since Senior Sister Qin hadn’t spoken, there must be no problem.

Song Yan remained silent. Bai the constable, thinking he wished to hear more, continued.

“Oh, actually, it’s not true that no one ever made it out alive. There was one person, but he…”

“Oh? Where is this person now?”

“Well… I don’t know. Perhaps it’s best to wait for Master Bai’s return so he can explain in detail.”

“Very well.”

“No need,” Qin Ying suddenly spoke. “Junior Brother Li has arrived. There’s no time to waste—let’s set out immediately.”

“Uh… As you wish.” Bai Lei was momentarily stunned, but did not object. These were Immortals, after all; it wasn’t his place to speak. When Master Bai returned, he would simply explain.

The two stepped out of Bai Residence, just as a bailiff led the plump Junior Brother Li Qingfeng over.

“Let’s go.”

“Heh heh.” Li Qingfeng wiped away some imaginary sweat, grinning sheepishly at Song Yan. “I’m exhausted.”

Cultivators rarely sweat so easily.

Qin Ying spoke, “A month ago, when we first received news of the anomaly at Peach Blossom Hollow, the sect judged it a minor matter, so I sent Junior Sister Gu Qingqing from the peak to investigate alone.”

“After half a month, she hadn’t returned, but her life talisman remained intact. I assumed Junior Sister was still playful, or perhaps took the opportunity to visit her family.”

“But now, more than a month has passed, and she’s still missing.”

Song Yan and Li Qingfeng exchanged glances.

That was no trivial matter.

For a life talisman to remain unbroken yet its bearer not return to the sect without cause meant either being trapped somewhere or betraying the sect.

Even disciples who had given up cultivation and lost hope for the Dao were required to complete numerous formalities before leaving the sect.

“No wonder…”

No wonder Qin Ying had acted so urgently before. Song Yan had thought it was impatience at being tasked with escorting two outer sect disciples, but it turned out she was anxious for her fellow junior sister.

Li Qingfeng asked, “But Senior Sister, can’t the life talisman be used to trace her whereabouts?”

Qin Ying shook her head. “Junior Sister Qingqing carries a sealing treasure. Should her life be endangered, activating it would seal her spiritual aura and even her vital essence completely.”

“Though her life talisman remains unbroken, it can no longer be used to locate her.”

“I suspect she must have already encountered mortal peril, and the sealing treasure has been activated.”

As they spoke, the three had already left Linxi County.

Qin Ying summoned her flying sword and mounted it alone.

“You two head to Peach Blossom Hollow first. I’ll check nearby places for traces of Junior Sister, then meet you outside Peach Blossom Hollow shortly.”

“Yes, Senior Sister.”

In truth, not only Song Yan and Li Qingfeng were puzzled by this mission—Qin Ying herself was troubled by several uncertainties.

Still, she believed the root of it all lay in this dead village, Peach Blossom Hollow. To avoid any oversight, she resolved to investigate the surrounding area alone.

Peach Blossom Hollow was a village under Linxi County’s jurisdiction, named for the abundance of peach trees along its riverbanks.

Song Yan and Li Qingfeng stood at the entrance to the official road, beside a stone tablet engraved in crimson with the words “Peach Blossom Hollow.”

“Hey? Senior Brother Song, look over there…”

On the back of the stone tablet, it seemed there was a figure lying there.

The two exchanged glances and walked over together.

As they drew closer, they saw the person’s clothes were tattered, hair disheveled, and body covered in dried, cracked mud.

A beggar…