章 10: Chapter 8: A Night's Disappearance
The county magistrate of Ning City, named Fang Yong, was a middle-aged man with a lean face and a few strands of beard on his chin. He had held his position in Ning City for twelve years and was deeply loved by the people.
"Lord, this is Gu Chen from the Jing Tian Department in Tiandu," Wu Qian respectfully said to Fang Yong, clasping his hands.
Upon hearing this, Fang Yong looked at the youthful Gu Chen, his eyes brightening instantly. He hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Fang Yong, the magistrate of Ning City, greets Lord Gu Chen."
Ning City's magistrate held a seventh-rank official position, while Gu Chen, as a first-rank patrol officer of the Jing Tian Department, though lacking a specific official title, was technically half a level higher than a seventh-rank officer of Da Xia.
"Lord Fang, there's no need for such formality." Seeing this, Gu Chen helped Fang Yong to his feet.
They then sat down, and Fang Yong personally poured Gu Chen a cup of tea, asking, "Lord Gu, when did you arrive in Ning City?"
Gu Chen took the tea cup, took a light sip, and replied, "I departed directly from Tiandu upon receiving the news yesterday and arrived in Ning City this morning."
"Lord Gu, do you have lodging? If you don't mind, there are many vacant rooms at the Ning City yamen," Fang Yong said with a smile.
"No need, thank you for your kindness, Lord Fang," Gu Chen politely declined and added, "Lord Fang, please feel free to call me by my name or just Patrol Officer Gu. Calling me Lord Gu seems too formal."
"Yes, yes, Patrol Officer Gu is right," Fang Yong nodded with a smile, appearing very enthusiastic. "Patrol Officer Gu just arrived in Ning City, you probably haven't had the chance to eat yet. I will have Wu Qian fetch some food."
As he spoke, he prepared to call the respectful Wu Qian, who stood nearby.
"No need, Lord Fang. I already tasted some Ning City snacks before coming here. We can attend to these small matters later; let's discuss the main issue first," Gu Chen stopped Fang Yong.
"Alright, of course, no problem. It was my oversight." Fang Yong patted his forehead, then turned to Wu Qian and said, "Constable Wu, explain the situation in detail to Patrol Officer Gu."
"Yes!" Wu Qian nodded and proceeded to give Gu Chen a full account of the entire incident.
A few days ago, someone reported to the county yamen that all the villagers of Liu Family Village, fifty miles away, had suddenly disappeared overnight.
The person reporting was a villager from Liu Family Village who had stayed in Ning City overnight to do business. When he returned, there was no one left in the village, not even livestock.
This uncanny situation frightened the villager, so he rushed back to Ning City to report it.
Upon hearing this, Fang Yong immediately sent Wu Qian to investigate the scene thoroughly. Apart from a rather intense sinister presence in the village, they found no useful clues.
Thus, Wu Qian had to return to Ning City with his subordinates, report the situation to Fang Yong, and after some discussion, fearing delays might worsen the situation, they decided to report the matter to the superior authorities, requesting the Jing Tian Department to handle it.
After listening to Wu Qian's description, Fang Yong looked at Gu Chen and asked, "What high opinion does Patrol Officer Gu have on this matter?"
Gu Chen pondered for a moment and said, "High opinion is an overstatement. To understand the situation, we must first visit the site."
Having merged with the original owner's memories, Gu Chen knew that these malicious spirits were difficult to handle due to their unpredictable methods.
In the original owner's memories, there were several instances where he, with superior strength, nearly stumbled before these spirits because of their unpredictable tactics.
Therefore, to deal with these demons and spirits, merely listening to Wu Qian was insufficient; he had to see the site for himself.
"Alright, I will immediately have Wu Qian take you to the scene," Fang Yong said. He then turned to Wu Qian and ordered, "Wu Qian, I order you to gather your men immediately and take Patrol Officer Gu to Liu Family Village as quickly as possible. During the entire process, you will follow Patrol Officer Gu's lead. Any negligence in following his orders will be your responsibility. Do you understand?"
"Understood!"
Wu Qian bowed and then said to Gu Chen, "Patrol Officer Gu, please follow me."
"Lord Gu, I entrust this matter to you. On behalf of all the people of Ning City, I thank you in advance. I will await your safe return in Ning City!" Fang Yong stood up, with a solemn expression, and respectfully bowed to Gu Chen.
"Lord Fang, rest assured, it is my duty," Gu Chen replied with a serious expression and returned the gesture.
Then he left the inner hall with Wu Qian. On the way, Gu Chen asked Wu Qian, "Constable Wu, is Lord Fang also a martial artist?"
Wu Qian was initially puzzled by the question but replied, "Lord Fang apparently had a period of martial arts training before taking office, but it wasn't long. For many years, he hasn't given the impression of being a martial artist. Even if he is, he wouldn't exceed the Body Refining Realm."
Gu Chen nodded and asked no further questions. When they reached the outer hall, Wu Qian began calling names. Those summoned stepped forward and stood behind him.
"Let's move out!"
At Wu Qian's command, Gu Chen followed them out of the city and headed to Liu Family Village, fifty miles away from Ning City.
Approaching Liu Family Village, Gu Chen suddenly felt discomfort.
A faint chill emerged, seeping through his skin, trying to infiltrate his body through his pores.
This feeling was akin to holding a soul crystal, a sensation unique to demons and spirits. They were innately sinister and evil, entirely opposite to living beings. Every demon and spirit had this quality.
Based on the original owner's experience, Gu Chen judged that a demon had stayed in Liu Family Village for a considerable time to leave such a strong residual aura.
He frowned, circulated his internal energy, and expelled the chill from his body.
"Patrol Officer Gu, we have arrived," Wu Qian said.
Gu Chen nodded, noticing that once they stepped into the boundaries of Liu Family Village, the faint chill became significantly stronger.
Fortunately, everyone in their group was a martial artist, the weakest being at the peak of the Body Refining Realm, ensuring their short-term safety.
For ordinary people, staying here for just half an hour could result in severe illness, or worse, instant death for those with weaker constitutions.
This was the peril demons and spirits posed to commoners.
Moreover, the intensity of the residual sinister aura was beyond what ordinary spirits could produce, justifying Wu Qian's decision to report the matter to the Jing Tian Department.
Clad in black, with a sword at his waist, Gu Chen led the way into the village. The entire Liu Family Village was eerily quiet, almost unsettlingly so, devoid of any sound or living creatures.
Strangely, everything in the village was perfectly placed, with no signs of disturbance, impeccably clean.
It seemed as if all the villagers had vanished simultaneously into thin air.
"How can it be so quiet, not even a single bird?" Gu Chen frowned at the unusual silence.
Beside him, some constables appeared uneasy with the atmosphere. They rubbed their hands, some even scratching the back of their necks, feeling as if a cold breeze was blowing.
"Patrol Officer Gu, have you discovered anything?" Wu Qian asked. The last time he came here, he was just as puzzled and found no clues.
Staying too long while thoroughly searching the village had caused some of his weaker men to fall seriously ill, with few yet to recover.
This time, he only brought the strongest constables.
Gu Chen did not speak and inspected each house.
Seeing this, Wu Qian sighed and quietly followed.
After all, Fang Yong had instructed that everything should be led by Gu Chen. Also, as merely the constable of Ning City, Wu Qian had no authority to speak in front of a Jing Tian Department patrol officer.
As time passed, more constables felt the encroaching chill. Though they wanted to leave, without orders from Gu Chen or an instruction from Wu Qian, they had no choice but to endure.
Observing his subordinates' plight, Wu Qian intended to persuade Gu Chen again.
At that moment, he saw Gu Chen's expression change suddenly. Gu Chen stamped his foot forcefully, causing a surge of energy to nearly knock Wu Qian off his feet.
Before Wu Qian could react, an astonishing scene unfolded. The world before them cracked like a shattered mirror, with dark fissures spreading rapidly.
The terrifying sight stunned everyone.
Next, with a thunderous crash, the entire scene before them exploded.
Finally, the true landscape appeared before their eyes.
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