Book 5: Chapter 49: The truth gradually surfaces, (1)

Book 5: Chapter 49: The truth gradually surfaces, (1)

Seeing the chief have misgivings, Wan Li once again mentioned some of Witch Doctor Ah Bais appearance and mannerisms, including the red coral necklace around her neck and the snake-shaped ornament made of white pearls. Because he spoke in such detail, the chief completely believed him.

I have extreme respect for your beliefs and religion. However, I have a question. I heard that people who raise Gu must repay the Gu in some way. The more evil the Gu, the harsher the requirements. Gu that kill people must use their victims as nourishment. If, someday, the so-called evil people have all died, the person raising the Gu must offer it innocent lives to prevent themselves from being devoured. Is the drug spirit the same way? Im guessing the people here must have suffered plenty of harm from this? Wan Li took a guess at seeing the chiefs expression. Unexpectedly, the chief really nodded. It seemed this place truly had suffered from Gu poison before.

Its normal to fear retaliation. However, allowing this killer to roam free might result in an even worse outcome. We also promise to protect the village. Wan Li said sincerely. My friend is actually a very powerful Daoist. He will definitely keep the villagers from harm if you help. Please trust us.

The village chief remained silent. He was clearly having an internal struggle. He wanted to protect the village but was also afraid of bringing supernatural retaliation upon his family. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and was temporarily unable to choose.

Wan Li understood the chiefs dilemma and didnt rush him. He just waited quietly to one side. After a long time, Ruan Zhan who had been silent the whole time suddenly spoke. I think that Witch Doctor Ah Bai showed Xiao Xia this dream because she wants us to get rid of this Gu caster. After all, only the god of all things has the right to preside over life and death. No one should be allowed to act in the place of god. Since she has already become an immortal, shes unable to make a move herself. Therefore, she wants us to resolve this matter.

He knew the villagers worshipped their god of all things. They also revered and trusted this Witch Doctor Ah Bai, even to the point of blind worship. Therefore, he used these points to persuade the chief.

Ruan Zhan also believed Ah Bai was trying to tell them something. Otherwise, Xiao Xia wouldnt repeatedly have these visions. He had previously investigated this bamboo building. There werent any spirits lingering here, and there was also no evil aura. It wasnt a place where Yin and Yang collided. That was just hearsay and legend turning it into something mysterious. As for the visions, there was no malicious intent within them. Ah Bai must have foreseen some things and used witchcraft they didnt understand to leave behind her will. It was like a video recording. That wedding dress was like the play button on the video.

It is said powerful witches could foresee the future. Ah Bai was a famous witch doctor from the past. It wasnt that strange for her to have this ability. Perhaps some of it had occurred right under her nose, but she had been powerless to change them. Therefore, she was asking for help from those who came after.

His words were effective in persuading the chief as expected. The elder hesitated again, and seeing their sincere faces he finally decided to tell them everything he knew.

In our generation, Witch Doctor Ah Bai was extremely revered. Every village in the area would look for her if anything occurred. She wasnt like those powerful Daoist Lords who would charge high fees for their services. She also wasnt like those witches who were unapproachable. Her powers were incomparable yet she didnt charge the villagers a single penny. She lived an extremely simple life. This bamboo building and her daily necessities were all willingly donated by the villagers. Since she was powerful and kindhearted, our villages remained safe despite being impoverished, no matter what was going on outside the mountains. Everyone said it was due to her protection. The people here practically believed in her like the god of all things. However, she suddenly vanished not long after the emancipation. We saw no signs of her, alive or dead. Some say she had revealed too many of heavens secrets and was punished for protecting too many people. Others say she had become an immortal. Regardless, no one saw her ever again. Since then, no witch doctors here were ever as powerful or as kind as her. The chief let out a long sigh. Actually, Ive only just turned sixty this year. I almost have no impression of this incredible witch doctor. However, my dad was the previous chief. Ive heard him speak about Witch Doctor Ah Bai too many times. The elders still around in the village all know about her too.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Was she married? Wan Li asked.

Its said her abilities are innate, which is to say bestowed by the heavens. Therefore, she couldnt marry a man of our world. However The chief hesitated for a moment. The elders said people have seen a man around her bamboo building before. Because she was of the Su Su Tribe, everyone assumed she took a drug spirit as her husband. Yet shes lived here for so long and no one ever came to harm. It shouldnt have been a drug spirit.

Then did she take any apprentices? Ruan Zhan raised another question.

Their main goal was to get information regarding Ah Bais lover Si Ma Nan and the groom from back then. Various pieces of evidence suggested that the two were intricately linked with this entire matter. The plan was to gradually approach the topic before bringing up the groom. However, the chiefs expression immediately changed at the mention of the word apprentices.

Although this matter is very tragic, why is it so taboo to discuss? Wan Li gently guided the discussion. When we asked around in the village, none of those elders were willing to talk. They seemed very afraid. Did something happen afterwards?

Thats because Ah Ya alsoalso. The chief struggled for a while, unable to find the right words to describe the man no one in the village was willing to mention. He used extremely vicious methods to retaliate against those involved.

What happened? Ruan Zhan frowned. He knew the chief was about to get to the heart of the matter.

The chief swallowed, clearly still a little frightened. Have you guys looked into the brides family? He asked.

We have. Ruan Zhan answered honestly.

And?

The brides parents died shortly after of unknown causes.

Ai, looks like thats still the official explanation.

Things didnt happen like that, right? Wan Li pressed.

This region was rife with Gu poison and knowledge of witchcraft. The normal people were already filled with reverence towards those with powers. Towards a divine child like Ah Ya, they were both reverent and afraid. In the minds of the commoners, each place would have a powerful sorcerer for protection. Yet if that person was angered, it would affect the entire region. There would be plague and calamity to come. As expected, everyone worked together to cover up what Ah Ya did in his anger and humiliation. They were afraid to anger him further into retaliating against the village.

Someone whos been bullied from a young age suddenly became a divine child respected and feared by all. Unless his willpower was exceptional, he would naturally become arrogant and intolerant. Huang Shi Tou, or rather Ah Ya, was a little more extreme. His transformation occurred during his childhood. He had yet to mature at the time. He had a cripple and a madwoman as parents. From a psychological standpoint, his personality would change even more violently.

Therefore, when his love and marriage suffered a setback, it was way too likely for him to become enraged. It was essentially guaranteed.

His parents were actually the first to die. The chief shook his head, clearly still apprehensive. They died three days after the wedding. They were smiling in death, as if they had seen what they most wanted in the world. However, their bodies were stiff like wood, their hands grasping upwards even in death. Everyone knew what had happened, yet no one dared say anything. They didnt expect him to be so horrifying as to vent his anger on his own parents. He avoided others during those days, like when he was a child. He didnt speak, and he would glare creepily at anyone who walked by. He went all over the mountain every day, until one night ten days later. That night, over twenty people disappeared from Naman and Najin. They were all involved with the wedding, including the brides parents. The scholarly youth had returned to the city so he wasnt included.

What on earth happened that night? Wan Li was impetuous in nature and couldnt help but rush. He was stopped by Ruan Zhans look, which told him to calm down and keep listening.

Ya is the word for mute.