Capítulo 41: Human Settlement, Yet I Feel Weird
In the distance, the first village-like settlement came into view, adorned with a broken stone tower positioned outside its perimeters. Fang Hao halted, his gaze focused on the scene before him.
A wooden fence encircled the settlement, accompanied by watchtowers and the presence of patrolling individuals. The sturdy log houses within didn't appear aged, and the curling tendrils of smoke from various fireplaces indicated the village's bustling activity.
Observing the darkening sky, Fang Hao acknowledged that he didn't particularly require sleep, yet a curiosity about the world around him prompted him to approach the settlement. He maintained a cautious distance, taking in the sights and sounds.
The sight of an old, broken tower caught his attention nearby, diverting his gaze momentarily. In a soft mutter, he pondered aloud, intrigued by the structure's history.
"There's something strange about it," Fang Hao murmured to himself, his eyes narrowing as he inspected the broken tower.
He scratched his head, a gesture of confusion as if trying to make sense of the odd feeling that hung in the air around the structure.
The tower seemed to stand out in an unusual way, and Fang Hao's instincts told him that there was more to it than met the eye.
"Maybe I should investigate this further," Fang Hao mused quietly, his gaze fixed on the peculiar broken tower. He began to turn in that direction, his curiosity getting the better of him.
However, his intention was abruptly halted by the creaking of the wooden gate of the village. His ears perked up at the sound, his attention drawn to the unfolding scene.
A middle-aged, rugged-looking guard stepped out through the opened gate, his spear pointed at Fang Hao in a defensive stance. "Who are you?" he asked.
Observing the guard's rugged appearance, Fang Hao couldn't help but feel a sense of weirdness. However, he quickly brushed off his initial impression, considering the possibility that the guard might be a hunter or something similar.
After a moment's assessment, Fang Hao noted that the guard's aura was weaker than his own, placing him in the late Shell realm.
Hesitating for a moment, Fang Hao almost revealed his real name but stopped himself just in time. "I'm Yang Jun," he responded instead, using the name of his 'elder brother.'
The guard's suspicion lingered as he questioned Fang Hao's presence, his spear still held in a defensive stance.
"Yang Jun, what do you want by sneaking around?" he inquired, his tone still cautious and watchful, leaving Fang Hao feeling a bit embarrassed.
"In truth, I saw your village from afar and thought of staying the night. Of course, I'll pay for my stay," Hao quickly explained, his tone courteous and respectful.
The guard regarded him with a skeptical gaze, studying him before eventually lowering his spear. "Pay, hmm?" he mused, seemingly evaluating Hao's sincerity. Eventually, he seemed to reach a decision.
''You can indeed stay, we have a tavern in the village, follow me,'' the guard gestured and turned around, nodding to a nearby guard before allowing Fang Hao to enter.
"Thank you," Hao nodded in gratitude, following the guard. As they moved, he couldn't help but pause and glance at the broken tower nearby, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Something... I feel something is off," he muttered softly, sensing an inexplicable oddity about the tower.
"My name is Hu Guang Len. You can call me Brother Len, if you don't mind me calling you Brother Jun," the guard said as he noticed Fang Hao lost in thought.
''Brother Jun, the inn has some warm soup. I just finished my shift, you can follow me to eat it,'' he said lightly, walking ahead.
Fang Hao glanced at the stone tower one last time, his suspicions still lingering. Before he followed Brother Len, he was going to check it out tomorrow.
Wanting to engage in friendly conversation, he asked, ''Brother Len, how long have you been here?'' He nodded at another guard who was sharpening a knife before the gate closed.
Allowing Hao to catch up, Len spoke slowly after a moment of silence, ''A monster attacked our old village, and we had to relocate here a few weeks ago.'' His voice carried a somber tone as he lowered his head slightly.
''A monster? What kind of monster?'' Hao asked as he walked alongside Len, his gaze focused on the guard.
''It was a 'Red Feluran Tiger,''' Len replied, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow. He paused for a moment before continuing.
''It was too powerful for us to handle. We had no choice but to flee, and it took the lives of many in our village, destroying the homes of our... loved ones,'' he finished with a heavy sigh, the weight of the memories evident in his expression.
''I see, what realm was it?'' Fang Hao asked, his tone curious.
''Vein,'' Len replied succinctly.
''I'm sorry for your losses,'' Fang Hao said softly, his words sincere. He looked around at the bustling streets, filled with men carrying various items, some of them casting curious glances at Fang Hao.
However, when Len informed them that he was taking Fang Hao to the inn as a guest, they seemed to accept it and returned to their tasks without much fuss.
''Where are the children?'' Fang Hao inquired, his gaze scanning the surroundings for any signs of youngsters. The absence of children in the village struck him as unusual.
Len's footsteps momentarily faltered, lowering his face, and he seemed to carry a lingering sadness. However, his melancholy was interrupted by a female voice that emerged from nearby.
''They are gathering in the houses,'' the woman responded, approaching Fang Hao with a gentle smile. ''We're teaching them how to read and write.''
"I'm Mei Wenxiu," the woman introduced herself, casting a glance at Len. She then turned her attention back to Fang Hao, her demeanor warm and inviting. "Len, you can go back home. I will bring him to the inn," she instructed the guard.
Len nodded in response to Mei's command and left without a word, leaving Fang Hao to be guided by the woman.
Fang Hao couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "So much for brother," his voice carrying a tinge of wry amusement. He observed the interaction before shifting his attention to the new arrival.
A young woman in her mid-20s, with a slender figure, blue eyes and blonde hair, exuding undeniable charm, appeared before Fang Hao. Her beauty and figure were undoubtedly her strongest assets, she seemed well aware of it as the way she positioned herself revealed as much as possible.
What caught his attention, however, was her choice of clothes, which leaned towards the revealing side as if inviting people. He struggled to maintain his focus on her face due to the distraction.
"Ahem, Wenxiu, I heard you have a room and soup?" Fang Hao asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings while he tried to compose himself.
"We do, I will lead you there," she responded with a playful smile, then reached out to touch his shoulder. However, Fang Hao instinctively flinched away from her touch, his guard up as he observed her cautiously.
"Oh, sorry about that. The inn is right in front," she said playfully, pointing towards a building in the distance. She began to walk ahead of him, her movements drawing his attention as she swayed her bottom lightly.
Fang Hao took a moment to gather his thoughts before following her, a question forming in his mind—was she attempting to seduce me?
[Author Note: Closest Picture of Mei Wenxiu I found]
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