Chapter 5: The Village

This dilapidated village was enveloped in an air both mysterious and sorrowful. The charred remnants of walls tottered in the wind, as if silently recounting the horrors of the disaster that once befell this place.

Xu Xuan was wholly absorbed in searching the ruins for clues related to his origins when he suddenly heard a faint sound. Alert, he lifted his gaze and saw two familiar figures behind a broken wall nearby—it was Xiaobai and Xiaoqing.

Xiaobai still wore her white robe, resembling a blooming white lotus amid the ruins, though surprise flickered across her face. Xiaoqing donned a green tunic, her hands firmly on her hips, her eyes wide open.

“Xu Xuan? What are you doing here?” Xiaoqing spoke first, her voice tinged with confusion.

Seeing them, Xu Xuan was equally astonished, but more than that, he felt the joy of encountering old friends in a foreign land. He stepped forward and said, “I’m searching for the truth about my origins. The clue on this pouch led me here.” He produced the worn pouch.

Xiaobai approached and examined it carefully, then shook her head. “This pouch doesn’t seem special. Yet Qinyan Village looks abandoned for a long time. Why do you think it’s connected to your past?”

Xu Xuan sighed and recounted what Xu Jiaorong had told him about his background and the great fire that had occurred.

Upon hearing this, a trace of sympathy glimmered in Xiaobai’s eyes. “I see. Fate in this world is truly wondrous—I never thought I would meet you here.”

Xiaoqing muttered beside them, “Qinyan Village is eerie, filled with a sinister aura. Xu Xuan, you must be careful.”

Xu Xuan nodded. “I understand. But I have to uncover the truth.”

The three of them began exploring the village together. Xu Xuan concentrated on finding any threads related to his identity, while Xiaobai and Xiaoqing, with their keen senses, vigilantly observed their surroundings.

Suddenly, Xiaoqing called out, “Sister, Xu Xuan, something’s strange here!”

They hurried over, and Xiaoqing pointed to an apparently ordinary patch of ground. But upon closer inspection, strange symbols were etched into it.

Xu Xuan crouched down, trying to decipher the markings. “I’ve never seen these symbols before; they don’t look like ordinary signs.”

Xiaobai also knelt, gently touching the symbols. Suddenly, her hand felt a sharp sting, and she quickly withdrew it.

“These symbols are peculiar,” Xiaobai frowned.

At that moment, a cold wind swept through, dropping the temperature sharply. Xu Xuan shivered, and Xiaoqing grasped Xiaobai’s hand tightly.

“Xu Xuan, we must be cautious. There may be some malevolent force here,” Xiaobai warned.

Just as Xu Xuan was about to speak, a low, guttural roar echoed from deep within the village. The three exchanged glances, each reading wariness in the others’ eyes.

“Should we go see what it is?” Xu Xuan asked.

Xiaoqing hesitated, but Xiaobai’s voice was resolute. “Since we’re here, let’s find out. It might be connected to your past.”

Carefully, they moved toward the source of the roar. The deeper they ventured, the heavier the oppressive atmosphere became.

Rounding a decrepit house, they caught sight of a massive black silhouette. The shape resembled a monstrous beast, emanating a nauseating stench.

“What kind of creature is that?” Xiaoqing exclaimed.

Xu Xuan’s tension mounted, yet he forced himself to remain calm. “Whatever it is, we must figure out how to deal with it.”

Xiaobai stepped forward, hands weaving intricate signs as she murmured incantations. Xiaoqing drew a gleaming sword from her waist, determined not to be outdone. Xu Xuan scanned the creature for weaknesses.

The beast charged at them with a furious roar. Xiaobai’s spell struck its body, but only stirred a burst of black smoke. Xiaoqing’s sword slashed, producing mere sparks.

Xu Xuan noticed the creature’s eyes seemed vulnerable. He shouted, “Xiaobai, Xiaoqing, aim for its eyes!”

Heeding his command, the two concentrated their attacks on the monster’s eyes. After a fierce struggle, the beast was finally repelled, dissolving into a wisp of black smoke.

Relieved, the three exhaled deeply. Xu Xuan expressed his gratitude, “Thanks to both of you. I couldn’t have handled that alone.”

Xiaobai smiled softly. “Since fate has brought us together, we must help one another. But it seems Qinyan Village holds many more secrets. We still have much to uncover.”

And so, they continued their exploration of Qinyan Village. Xu Xuan’s curiosity about his origins grew ever stronger, and through this shared adventure, the bond between him, Xiaobai, and Xiaoqing deepened profoundly.