78 Major Change in the Village (2/2)

Another possibility was the passing of an important figure in the village. However, based on the situation in the Wang Family Village, even if the one who passed away was the Village Head or the richest man, Master Wang, it would not so drastically influence the change in the spiritual energy on the mountain. In Wang Family Village, besides Wang Lu and Wang Zhong, these two people, the rest were all ordinary people, and since the village structure was simple and strong, if it were just one people missing, it would cause no disturbance.

The last possibility—demonic people spreading evil influence.

Thinking to this, Wang Lu discarded any practical question and quickly hasten his pace, rushing straight up the mountain.

——

After crossing the tallest peak of the Dog Ear Mountain, Wang Lu finally saw the Wang Family Village again. The village seemed like it didn’t change much in these two and a half years. With his now amazing eyesight, Wang Lu could clearly see those who were busy working on the field, the happy smile of the hardworking farmers, someone scolding a naughty kid, an annoyed spoiled woman… However, the area was filled with withered yellow aura, which made it look like a solemn place that was hard to forget.

With his observation to no avail even after looking over from the top of the hill, Wang Lu thought, “I might as well go talk to dad. It’s not as if this is a dangerous place. I am a grand Immortal Cultivator, so why should I be afraid of the slightest thing?”

Thereupon, without putting on any air, and with a face filled with the windblown dust of non-stop journey, Wang Lu walked into the Wang Family Village, straight towards the eastern part of the village on that spacious house that was his home.

However, the strange thing was, all the villagers that he encountered along the way looked at him with a strange vision as if watching an endangered strange beast, curious with a hint of pity. Even the greetings were awkward. Several times, Wang Lu had tried to warmly greet them, but all were met with awkward or even lukewarm feedback.

“Sh*t! What the hell is happening here?” Wang Lu thought as his brows wrinkled even tighter. His intuition about the change in the village seemed thornier than what he imagined. “All these years, I never once missed sending letters here. Although I don’t know why I never received any reply, at least the villagers should know of my Immortal Cultivator identity… In the past, that idiot Wang Xiaohu made the villagers envy just because he had been cheated into paying a hundred thousand spirit stones to enter Seven Stars Sect, yet now all of them when looking at me, a Successor Disciple of one of the top five sects, have pity in their eyes, instead of looking looking at me as if I am the Heavenly General who descended on earth. It’s as if there was something about me that needs to be pitied about? Their subtle hostility is even more bewildering.”

“Why are they hostile to a cultivator that could flatten their mountain village in just half a day? Were their brains eaten by maggots?”

While he was still thinking, he suddenly heard a nearby person greeting him.

“Aren’t you Wang Fugui’s son?”

Wang Fugui was the name of Wang Lu’s father. It was just that since he became the village’s richest man and have dealings with the head of the county, people politely called him Master Wang. Even the second richest man, Wang Dafu, had to politely called him brother Wang… But there was one person who still called him directly by name.

The old Village Head of the Wang Family Village, Wang Qinian.

Wang Lu turned around and saw, sure enough, the graying beard and kindly face of an old man. In his impression, while he was still in the village, this old Village Head was a really nice guy. He had a generous personality and no shortage of wisdom; he was indeed worthy to be a respected Village Head. Wang Lu had even brought him a special souvenir when he descended the mountain...

“Ai, come with me.”

The old man sighed and beckoned at him. Although he was filled with doubts, Wang Lu still followed him. Before long, they came to the village head house.

“Please come in and take a seat.”

After sitting in the room, before Wang Lu even had the chance to speak, the village head lovingly patted his head.

“It’s been two years since you’ve gone, you’ve grown up now.”

Hearing this emotional well wishes, Wang Lu laughed. “I’m in my puberty.”

“Wandering outside for more than two years… it must be hard on you?”

“Yes, but it’s not too hard.”

“That’s good, that’s good…” Wang Qinian nodded approvingly. And then he heaved a sigh. “These past few years, a lot has happened in our village.”

Aware that the conversation would focus on the meat of the problem, Wang Lu leaned forward a bit and asked with a serious look. “I can already see it. There must be evil doers running rampant here.”

In Wang Lu’s view, that was a probing remark. Though it was slightly aggressive, considering his past relationship with the Village Head, it was nothing. The reason why the Village Head invited him to his house was definitely to discuss this very topic. If he, as an Immortal Cultivator from a famous sect, just beat around the bush, it would instead drop his status. So, he might as well went straight to the point.

However, upon hearing this, Wang Qinian’s countenance greatly changed. “H-how could you dare say such a thing!? If those Daoist Immortals hear you, it would not end well!”

Wang Lu was immediately startled. “Where would there be such Daoist Immortals? Since the end of the Age of Chaos six thousand years ago, no one has ever soared to immortality… Even in the Age of Fantasy, the existence of Immortals is only a legend.”

Wang Qinian shook his head. “I don’t know what you mean by the end of the Age of Chaos and so on, but.. .alas, it was indeed just like that child Xiaohu said, you’ve been deceived by other people too deep in these past two years!”

“F*ck me! What the hell is this? Do you even know who Wang Xiaohu is? Where did this word ‘been deceived’ even come from? Was it because I’ve been cheated out by that no-moral-integrity Wang Wu quite a few times? If so, how could this old Village Head know the internal affair of the Spirit Sword Sect? I’ve never talked about my Master in all of my letters; I never talked behind her back because I always spray it directly on her face!”