46 Path of Enlightenment 4 (1/2)
”Mister! Can you spare us some money?!”
”...”
Lin Cheng walked through an abandoned village on the outskirt of Yiting town, he saw it was ravaged by the plague. The huts looked rundown with flies swarming everywhere, perching on the bodies both the living and dead. Dirt caked the faces of the people of Yiting village, who wore robes that looked more like rags. Hands with fingernails resembling that of rabid claws stretched out to the man that was dressed like someone from one of the noble families in the town. Their skin was very much darkened by dirt such that it made it difficult to separate one from the other.
The lone cultivator kept looking around the village, walking past them to see if there was anything he could salvage from the dilapidated place. There was no water from the few wells that was in the village, plants and trees had withered from lack of water, the whole place was consumed by filth.
”I have to see if I can bring back some food from Yiting town and get some herbs and a few jars of water.”
As he spoke aloud, Lin Cheng knew in his heart that it may not be enough to go round, but he still resolved to got ahead and buy what he needed to help the villagers of Yiting town.
He turned around to head out of the village, but the cries of the villagers grew louder even though it was weak at first from starvation and neglect.
”Mister, please! Do not leave us to all die!”
”I'm coming back, I just need to get everyone something to eat and medicine for your illnesses.”
Lin Cheng looked back and told them of his plan, he watched as they continued to plead with him not to abandon them, but he knew that if he continued to stand there trying to convince them that he wasn't going to run away, then it will be nightfall and the market would have closed. Therefore, he decided to ignore their pitiful pleas and head out of the village straight for the market at Yiting town.
”Come and buy fresh melons!”
”Dumplings! Fresh dumplings at half the price!”
Several traders called out their wares to the people that passed through the market stalls.
”Bedding for newly weds! With talismans to ward off evil spirits!”
”Get your children the latest toys from Qin town! They just came off the boat!”
”Mister! Get some hair pins for your little girl at home! Or your wife! Or lover!”
”Noodles! Freshly made! They are half the price! Come and buy them before it runs out!”
”Quilted shoes! Just made today! Get yourself a new shoe!”
”Candy sticks! Come buy some dragon candy sticks! They are freshly made!”
”Come and read your fortune from the best fortuneteller in Yiting town! Know what the future holds for you and your family!”
”Herbs! Medicinal Herbs! Buy some for you and your family! They don't cost much! Get some Herbs today!”
”Paper Lanterns! Get yourself one for the coming mid-autumn festival!”
”Earrings! Bracelets! Rings! All in different colors! Came out of Qin town today! Choose your pick!”
Lin Cheng heard several traders call out from different parts of the market, he kept moving through the town in a hurry, not wanting daylight to disappear before he was done with getting what he came in to buy.
He suddenly sensed that he was being watched, but whoever it was did not give an aura that was threatening. Moving from different stall, as coins and merchandise exchanged hands. Not long after Lin Cheng had both hands full of the things he had gotten from the market, his pouch felt a lot lighter after spending money to get the things he needed for the villagers of Yiting town.
He hadn't eaten since he left the restaurant few hours ago, but since he had practiced inertia, he didn't get as hungry as someone that hadn't mastered the act of controlling their hunger.
Lin Cheng kept walking out of the town of Yiting towards its outskirt bypassing several people from the town on his way to the abandoned village. The presence that was with him at the market kept on following him, as he drew closer to the village.
”Who is there? Show yourself!”
All of a sudden, a red smoke appeared and out of it came the girl he had seen when he wasattacked by bandits.
”Princess Yan Xuequi?!”
”You remembered my name!”
The fox princess could not hide the surprise in her voice when she saw that the cultivator from the other time, still knew who she was, they both stared at each other as neither knew what to make of their encounter.
”I hope you still remember mine?”
Lin Cheng smiled faintly while looking to see if the fox princess had not forgotten him.
”Lin Cheng of the BaoXu sect!”
He saw her pout in disappointment, as though she was hurt that he thought her to be forgetful.
”What brings you here? I thought you were meeting with some people from the mortal realm?”
”...”
Yan Xuequi was flustered by the question, not knowing what to give as her reason for appearing in front of him. Instead she said whatever came to her mind right there.
”I was only following to see if you were going to come across those bandits again!”
”Why?!”
”You are asking me why?!”
”Yes, why do you have to be on the lookout for bandits for me? You and I have nothing to do with each other.”
”Look here! Lin Cheng of the BaoXu sect! I am not doing it for you! I'm only looking out for those in the mortal realm!”
”And why is that?!”