章節 3: The dark alleyways
Mayo Chan left the village at dawn waving goodbyes to his family and friends he saw on the way. Everybody who was leaving to work in their fields gave him an envious gaze. Most people were only able to cultivate their land in the spring. Only a blessed few could cultivate and harvest crops regardless of the weather, like Old Mayo.
Even though they were envious, they still acknowledged that Old Mayo was the hardest-working farmer in the village. Others would normally spend winter months chatting with their neighbours or playing cards with friends. But old Mayo would not spend a second of his day wasting time. He would either work, rest or spend some time with his family. Everybodrespected him asmonths, the trail leading out of the mountains was even more perilous in winter monthserilous.
The wet rain often makes the road muddy and slippery. The starved wild beasts and magical beasts are often more ferocious. Most people didn't leave the village.
On his way out, Mayo Chan met the Old Village Chief. He was the oldest member of the village and had been alive for over 100 years. He said to the Chief, " Please take care of my wife and daughter. I should be back in two to three days. Almost time for her birthday!"
The old village chief looked at him seriously and nodded, "Be careful on the way out of the forest. Most thieves loiter around there."
Hearing the solemn warning, Mayo Chan let out a silly grin, "It's fine old Chief. People usually don't leave the village this late in winter. So they might not be there. hehe"
Listening to his overly optimistic and jolly smile, the village chief could only let out a sigh.
Soon he was off to the mountain trail leading to the outside world. Luckily for Mayo Chan, it didn't rain last night. Hence, the roads were still manageable, but the weight of the cart itself was a big challenge for Mayo Chan. Usually, in the harvest season, most men in the village went out together helping each other out. This prevented the carts from falling over the curvy mountain path.
Meemaw got down from the top of the cart and started leading the way as soon as the uphill trail started. Meemaw would walk a few steps forward and wait for Mayo Chan to catch up. When Meemaw saw a dangerous spot in the trail, he would meow loudly as if saying be careful!
Slowly but steadily Mayo Chan crossed the mountain and finally got to the forest. It was almost afternoon by this time and Mayo Chan felt exhausted.
He decided to take a small break. He parked the cart by the side and called Meemaw over. He opened the rucksack his wife packed and took out a riceball. He split it into two and gave the other half to the cat.
"We are almost halfway done Meemaw! Just a day's worth of Journey left. If we're lucky, well finish it faster." Old Mayo said to the cat and laughed.
Soon they were done with the lunch. He washed down the rice with some wine in his canteen and gave some water to Meemaw. The duo soon left for their journey. Occasionally Meemaw would growl at certain times to indicate danger ahead. He would then skillfully go around and continue.
By evening, they were near the first village right outside the forest. The Blood Melon village. The villagers were nice and kind like every other village, but they had a weird custom of dancing around the fire and singing in an unknown language at night. As long as one joined them they treated them very nicely.
Mayo Chan steadily walked towards the village. On his way, he met his acquaintance. The village doctor Violet. She was a woman in her 50s and had a vast knowledge about medicinal herbs in the mountain. Once old mayo had fallen on the mountain trail and was brought back by this kind doctor to be treated.
"Good evening Madam Violet!" Old mayo said in a jolly mood, with evident exhaustion in his voice. "
"Good evening Old Mayo. You're selling grains this late in winter again?"
She said with a slight smile in her voice but not on her face. Old Mayo didn't mind that, as he knew she always had the same expression.
"My daughter is turning 16 this year! A man's gotta do what he's gotta do to feed his family" Mayo Chan said proudly.
"Well! you wouldn't be so strapped on cash if you weren't sending her to those nobles' schools." Violet turned around and started walking towards the Blood Melon village with Mayo Chan in tow. "In my opinion, she could have been sent to me and become a W...Village doctor."
"She's not used to hardships.... and she likes poetry and literature." He then sighed and said, "It is my fault for being such a useless father. If only she was born into a noble household....."
Thinking about that tears started welling up in his eyes.
They soon reached the village entrance and were greeted by the villagers he was familiar with. Soon he was at the chief's place. The old village chief of this village looked scary and ferocious with a scar across his face from fighting with a magical beast in his youth. Even though old, he was fit and well-built like a bear.
The village chief saw old Mayo and greeted him again, arranging for him to sleep at his house. He got into the village chief's house and caught sight of various beast heads hanging from the wall. These were the beasts that attacked the village in the past three months since he had been here. The main income of the village was from selling beast hides and headpieces to the nobles.
Soon he settled in and decided to take a short nap before getting ready for the dance and dinner. He saw Meemaw napping on top of the cart so didn't bother to disturb him and took a nap.
In a few hours, it was dark outside and the village started to come alive. The villagers wore black robes and started gathering. Mayo Chan also got up but didn't change into a black robe. He went to the village square and participated in the dance. Not long after they were feasting on magical beast meat. So Mayo Chan quietly excused himself and went back to the village chief's abode.
He took out his packed food from his rucksack and called Meemaw. But Meemaw was still sleeping deeply. He must be exhausted from the long day. Old Mayo thought to himself and began eating half a riceball. He left the other half near Meemaw in case it woke up in the middle of the night. It was not that he didn't want to participate in the dinner with the villagers. Only those with superhuman abilities could eat the magical beast meat. Ordinary people would die if they tried. Mayo Chan had once almost died because of this, it was all thanks to the village doctor for saving him and warning him.
At dawn, Mayo Chan got up early and got ready for the day. It was still quite dark outside. He left a few copper coins behind for his stay and left on the way. When the daylight was out, Meemaw finally got up from its sleep and stretched on the back of the cart.
By the afternoon they could see the town. They did pass a few villages on the way, but he didn't want to waste time resting midway. He went near the town's gate and got in the queue of people trying to go inside. One by one the guards checked the identification plates and collected an entrance fee.
Soon it was his turn. Old Mayo took out his identification plate and a few copper coins. The guards checked the goods and soon let him inside. The entry for local farmers was very lax. It was mostly targeted at those merchants and illegal migrants.
As soon as he was inside the town, he went straight to the imperial granaries. They gave the fairest and best prices for their goods. After selling the gains, he got 6 gold coins and a few loose copper changes.
He headed towards the artefact shop to get a spirit lamp for his precious daughter. But to his dismay, a single spirit lamp cost 8 gold coins. He left depressed when he heard a whispering hooded figure in the alley.
"Would you like to buy some artefacts? I have the cheapest rates in all of Penne Pasta County." The hooded figure came close to him and whispered.
Mayo's eyes lit up but then he thought back to the warning from the elders in the village, "Never buy anything from shady people!"
He looked at the hooded man again and looked at his wrinkly exposed arms, the honest smile on the old man's face.
Hmm... Definitely not shady. just an elder making a living doing honest business. Must be hard with all the big stores around here.
Then he nodded, "I am looking for a spirit lamp."
"Right this way!" The old man said with a delighted expression and led Mayo Chan into the stall in the dark alley. He had many of his magical artifat and wares on display. The old man brought out an old-looking spirit lamp and turned it on for him to see.
Mayo Chan was delighted to find what he was looking for. Then he asked with excitement filled in his voice," How much for it?"
"6 Gold coins!" The old man replied without missing a beat.
創作者的想法 
ShiXiaoLing
ShiXiaoLing Please dont buy anything a shady man from the alley sells you. Please don't.
What is the reason behind the Blood Melon village's strange custom of dancing around the fire and singing in an unknown language at night? Why does Old Mayo feel guilty about not being able to provide a better life for his daughter? What kind of dangers await Mayo Chan on his journey outside the forest?
Comment your guesses
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