Damn it! Let’s smash the darkness together!

Chapter 1455 - 205: Innocent and Weak Baishi Town

She raised her hand and pointed at the massive waterwheel located at the northwestern corner of Baishi Town’s narrow pathways.

Beneath the silk-like snow, the waterwheel moved slowly, picturesque and poetic.

"Is this the Gen position... This layout..."

Ying Xuanyu’s eyes gleamed, and he immediately set off.

With snow covering the ground, the roads are wet and slippery, the mountain paths rugged and hard to traverse.

But ultimately, this was no challenge for an expert like Ying Xuanyu.

In less than half an hour, the three of them were already following the mountain path, bypassing Baishi Town, and heading directly to Fengliu Square.

Every village in Baishi Town depends on the mountains and water for its livelihood.

In winters like these, it should be time to enjoy the warmth of home with wives and children, yet due to years of war, the villagers have little surplus food, hence they remain busy even in the cold months.

The women stayed indoors, weaving and sewing, putting their children out in the snow, the smaller ones playing and the older ones helping with chores.

Meanwhile, many able-bodied men gathered by the riverbank, pulling boats and carrying bows.

Judging by their attire, they seemed about to cross the river and enter the mountains to hunt, aiming to improve their food supply.

Interestingly, from the nearby temple, it’s clear these people just finished a sacrificial prayer to the River God, perhaps hoping to receive divine protection for a fruitful hunt.

Ying Xuanyu, with excellent eyesight, saw from afar that the altar in the temple was filled with chickens, ducks, and incense, prompting a disdainful smile.

Offering scarce food to the so-called gods, hoping for a prosperous hunt?

Ridiculous! Under ’food perception,’ there’s no anomaly in this river, let alone any River God. Maybe they mistakenly idolize some big fish as a god!

Besides, in this snowy weather, even finding a wild rabbit in the mountains is tough, absolute futile effort.

It’s better to stay home to conserve energy and save some food!

Indeed, ignorant villagers remain stubbornly foolish beyond measure...

With this thought, Ying Xuanyu escorted Lu Pu back home.

It was a fairly luxurious small courtyard, situated in an excellent location within the village.

The beautiful woman was quite surprised that after doing all this, the young man showed no intention of staying longer and quickly bid farewell.

She watched the man’s departing silhouette, her gaze slightly tense, standing at the courtyard entrance in silent contemplation.

...

"Brother Yu, do you find this place strange?" After sending off the beautiful woman, the white-haired girl perked up noticeably.

"Ha."

Ying Xuanyu chuckled lightly as if mocking his childhood friend’s belated realization.

His eyes scanned the surroundings, holding a Compass as he attempted to probe the area for something special, seeking the location of supposed treasure—unfortunately, his Dragon Seeking Instrument wasn’t advanced enough; otherwise, he might discover the treasure’s exact spot immediately!

But Ying Xuanyu was capable, lacking means, he could inquire.

Those villagers hunt even in winter, they might know something, perhaps revealing a hint!

They turned and headed towards the village entrance.

However, just then, a hoarse voice came.

"Young man, you’re not from around here, are you?"

Ying Xuanyu turned his head and saw a hunched old man, leaning on a crooked bamboo stick.

As he spoke, the old man’s eyes flickered evasively, deliberately keeping his head down, seemingly avoiding being seen.

Ying Xuanyu’s eyes shifted, nodding slightly, "Good eyesight, sir, I’m just passing by, escorting a friend home."

"Oh, I see..." A shred of wariness flashed in the old man’s cloudy eyes as he scanned the surroundings, lowering his voice, "If you want to rest, best find elsewhere. The town’s been... turbulent lately. Also, you should be wary of that widow from the Wang family; I noticed you don’t seem close, best to avoid contact."

"What? Is there something wrong with her?" Upon hearing this, the white-haired girl showed immediate interest, asking curiously.

Ying Xuanyu raised his brow as well, "Oh? Please elaborate."

"You don’t know? That widow was chosen by the Holy Envoy Team, responsible for the monthly witch rituals! Heh, she lost her child, unclean, becoming a witch, and of course, drew divine punishment, wiping out her husband’s family within months, tragic~" the old man spoke ominously.

"This..."

Ying Xuanyu exchanged glances.

They didn’t quite care about the widow’s unlucky fate.

More interesting was the "Holy Envoy Team" the old man mentioned!

Rumor has it, due to the recent wars, a religious group has been quietly growing, poisoning the population, could it be...

"Sir, could you tell us more about this Holy Envoy Team?" Ying Xuanyu asked.

"You don’t even know this? Ever since the county mayor received the holy——"

Just as the old man was about to continue, a sudden, piercing clang of a bronze gong rang from the town’s direction, interrupting him.

"Not good!" The old man’s expression changed dramatically, waving his hand frantically, "The county’s Holy Envoy Team is patrolling! Young ones, leave quickly!"

Without waiting for their response, he stumbled, hurriedly escaping into the nearby thicket.

Meanwhile, the children playing outside in the snow were swiftly pulled back home by women who rushed out alarmed.

In an instant, the village streets became deserted, doors and windows shut tightly, resembling a dead village.