"Is the road blocked?" Tong Qingshan frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
He Ling had a mysterious expression. "I heard that on the way to Dashuo City, a Great Demon has appeared, preying on travelers."
"That's nothing to worry about," Tong Qingshan said nonchalantly.
In truth, they weren't heading to Dashuo City; it was just an excuse.
However, He Ling seemed genuinely concerned. "You two are skilled warriors, I know. You even killed a tiger lizard with ease."
"But that Great Demon is different. It can transform into a human and even kill outsiders. You can't go, or you'll really die."
Zhang Chu chuckled. "So, does that mean no one can go to Dashuo City anymore?"
He Ling whispered, "In my opinion, that Great Demon won't leave for at least another six months. Why don't you stay in our village for half a year?"
Zhang Chu found it amusing. As if the Great Demon would listen to her and leave in six months.
In fact, Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan understood He Ling's intention; she wanted them to stay.
In the villages of Yaoxu, men and skilled fighters were extremely scarce resources.
Any village would want a warrior like Tong Qingshan, who could kill a tiger lizard with a single spear thrust.
This thought was only natural, so Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan casually declined.
Zhang Chu said, "Staying is out of the question; we have urgent matters to attend to."
Seeing this, He Ling smiled slightly and said, "Brave warriors, what do you think of the girls in our village?"
"So many beautiful girls without a man. If you stay, I can arrange for each of you to marry three beautiful girls."
After He Ling spoke, some of the men around chimed in, "Stay with us. Our He Bo Village is different from other places. Our Guardian Deity is incredibly powerful, and the girls are beautiful."
At that moment, seven or eight girls dressed in peculiar outfits approached with smiles, offering water to Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan.
These girls might have been quite pretty, but their current attire was unsettling.
Out of courtesy, Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan resisted the urge to drive them away, treating them as if they were invisible.
He Ling and the girls naturally sensed Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan's resistance.
Then He Ling turned her attention to Little Grapes and asked, "This child is quite pretty. Why doesn't she wear makeup? If a girl doesn't wear makeup, Grandpa He Bo won't like it."
Little Grapes, hearing this, instinctively moved closer to Zhang Chu in fear.
She had spent more time with Zhang Chu than with Tong Qingshan, so she instinctively relied on him more.
Zhang Chu wanted to say, "What does it matter to us if your He Bo likes it or not?"
But he held back, realizing that the village's Guardian Deity might have some peculiar aesthetic preferences. Find the original chapter at g.com.
"No wonder they all dress like ghosts..." Zhang Chu muttered to himself.
He Ling continued to show interest in Little Grapes. "I guess this child is about three years and seven months old?"
Zhang Chu's heart skipped a beat, and his expression darkened. "How can you tell?"
He Ling's eyes remained fixed on Little Grapes, a strange smile on her face. "Hehe, I can see it..."
He Ling's expression was eerie, her gaze locked on Little Grapes.
Around them, the expressions of several other hunters also turned strange. They stared at Little Grapes with stiff faces, as if they had been dead for a long time.
The atmosphere suddenly became eerie.
Zhang Chu pulled Little Grapes closer, shielding her from their gaze with his body, while giving Tong Qingshan a signal.
Tong Qingshan immediately reached for his long spear, ready to act.
Just then, a girl dressed oddly brought a basin of meat, cheerfully announcing, "Dinner's ready!"
The strange atmosphere vanished instantly, and He Ling snapped back to normal with a start.
"Time to eat, time to eat!" He Ling warmly invited.
Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan were cautious, waiting to see them eat before they did, to avoid being drugged.
After dinner, He Ling arranged a small courtyard for the three of them to stay in.
Before going to sleep, Zhang Chu was still uneasy. He discreetly scattered some dry branches at the entrance of the courtyard.
Then, Zhang Chu returned to the room, took out three leaves of Qiongque Grass from his bag, and gave one to Tong Qingshan and Little Grapes each.
"Keep it in your mouth while you sleep," Zhang Chu instructed.
"Okay!" Tong Qingshan and Little Grapes agreed, placing the leaves in their mouths and gently closing their eyes.
The leaves of Qiongque Grass were recorded in The Great Wilderness Scripture: On the sunny side of Hushan, there are many Qiongque plants. Holding its leaves in the mouth prevents confusion.
It meant that in a place called Hushan, on its southern side, there were many Qiongque plants. Holding the leaves in the mouth could keep one alert and resist drugs.
When traveling, one should not harbor ill intentions, but must always be cautious.
Sure enough, deep into the night, He Ling led a group of hunters stealthily to the courtyard.
He Ling held a special incense, leading the group to the upwind side of the courtyard, carefully fanning the incense with her hand. This story is hosted at g.com.
Waves of fragrant smoke drifted into the courtyard with the wind.
Before long, a peculiar fragrance filled the courtyard.
The scent wafted into the small house, reaching the noses of Zhang Chu and the others.
However, the Qiongque Grass leaves in their mouths glowed faintly, protecting them.
After a long while, the incense in He Ling's hand burned out.
At this moment, He Ling and her group listened intently.
There was no unusual sound.
He Ling whispered, "They should be unconscious by now. Let's go in, tie up the child, dress her up, and present her to the He God."
"Then, we'll drug these two men so they can never leave our village."
"Alright!" The hunters agreed, stealthily approaching the courtyard.
Crack, the sound of a dry branch snapping echoed in the quiet night, somewhat abrupt.
"Be careful!" He Ling scolded one of the hunters in a low voice.
Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan opened their eyes simultaneously; neither had slept deeply.
Tong Qingshan quietly sat up, peering out the window, signaling to Zhang Chu.
Zhang Chu picked up Little Grapes, leaping lightly onto the beam.
Finally, He Ling led seven or eight people into the courtyard, pushing open the bedroom door.
But the bed was empty!
Because Tong Qingshan had already circled around them, entering the courtyard.
He Ling and her group were taken aback.
"Where are they?" a hunter whispered in surprise.
He Ling's face darkened as she realized, "Not good, they weren't drugged. Let's go!"
Bang!
Outside, the courtyard gate suddenly closed, with Tong Qingshan blocking the entrance.
He Ling and her group retreated from the courtyard, exchanging glances.
At this moment, without any words exchanged, He Ling snorted, "Even if he wasn't drugged, he must be poisoned. He won't have much strength now. Attack!"