Chapter 54 – Green Willow Hamlet

  Lin Yue nervously stood at the edge of Jun De’s courtyard. Her fingers clutched at the sleeve of her robe as she hesitated. A breeze stirred her hair, brushing it against the jade pin he had given her, and she looked up at Jun De as she found her resolve to speak.

  “My grandparents live near the Green Willow Hamlet. It’s not too far, but it’s outside Tranquil City’s protection wards. I haven’t heard from them in a few weeks, and I know they are probably fine, but with all the rumours of disappearances-”

  “I’ll come with you.” Jun De said, interrupting Lin Yue as her voice trailed off. She was startled at the immediate response, and she blinked in surprise.

  “You don’t have to. Really, it’s probably nothing and I don’t want to bother you.” Lin Yue said, although secretly she was filled with relief. Her cultivation was only at the beginning of the 3rd Level of Qi Condensation, while Jun De was much stronger.

  If something had happened to her grandparents, she would be more than happy to have him there supporting her.

  “I want to come, even if it’s nothing. Besides, it will be good to get out of the Sect for a little while. Things have been becoming more hectic here.” Jun De replied.

  The longer he stayed in the Sect, the greater the chance the Sect would assign him to one of the groups investigating the disappearances. It was better to leave now and hide out with Lin Yue’s grandparents for a while until things settled down.

  He really doubted a pair of elderly cultivators in the 1st Level of Qi Condensation would interest whoever was kidnapping people. From what Elder Mu had told him, not only was cultivation important, but so was the physical health of those they refined.

  They were literally turning life force into cultivation resources and required young, healthy victims.

  Lin Yue gave him a large smile that lit up her entire face as her worries lessened.

  “Their village isn’t far. Thank you, Senior Brother Jun.” She lowered her eyes, clearly relieved, and a blush came to her cheeks at the prospect of spending a long time alone with him.

  “There is nothing to thank me for. Maybe I’ll find an opportunity along the way to reach the 6th Level of Qi Condensation. Let’s inform Elder Shen that we will be leaving the Sect for a little while.”

  They left the courtyard together, the path to Elder Shen’s home was quiet and calm as if nothing was wrong in the world.

  After speaking to the Elder and assuring him that they would be careful and would return in a week or two, the pair left the Sect.

  Jun De and Lin Yue passed through the outer gates of the Tranquil Mountain Sect shortly after dawn, their steps quiet but purposeful. The Sect’s stone path gave way to cobbled streets as they descended into Tranquil City, and almost immediately, they could feel the atmosphere shift.

  The city felt thinner, less alive than it had been in the past. The usual bustle of merchants shouting about their wares, or the cultivators haggling in shops or at stalls, was more subdued. The few people they saw moved quickly, keeping their heads down and not stopping to speak to one another.

  “I hope the Sect can resolve this matter quickly.” Jun De stated as he glanced around. Lin Yue nodded while her eyes scanned the thinning crowd.

  “The disappearances are getting harder to ignore. There were notices on the task board, even Outer Sect Disciples have been vanishing.” Lin Yue replied.

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  They passed a trio of the City Lord’s guards marching in formation, their armour trimmed with silver, and their expressions were grim. They spotted several other Outer Sect Disciples as they passed through the city, patrolling the streets or going about whatever business had brought them down from the Sect.

  It was clear to Jun De that the city was no longer pretending that things were fine.

  Jun De and Lin Yue kept to the main street as they left the city. The fields beyond its walls were green, while they could see some farmers working in the rice paddies along the hills in the distance. But most of the fields were empty, and those that had workers were guarded by men and women who watched the pair pass with hard eyes.

  When the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting the sky in shades of orange and red, Jun De and Lin Yue crested a gentle rise on the road they followed and saw their destination. Green Willow Hamlet was nestled in a bend of a river and framed by tall trees that gave the town its name.

  Smoke curled from the chimneys, and a warm glow from lanterns flickered in the windows of the homes. The Hamlet looked peaceful, as if it were protected from the tension that gripped Tranquil City.

  They could even hear children’s laughter drifting faintly on the wind, and the smell of cooking lingered in the air.

  As they approached the outer edge of the village, a pair of cultivators in plain armour stepped forward from a small wooden outpost. Both of them wore simple green sashes around their waists and held spears in their hands.

  The Qi around the pair of guards was weak, barely at the first level of Qi Condensation. They straightened quickly at the sight of Jun De and Lin Yue approaching in their blue Tranquil Mountain Sect robes and their much higher cultivation.

  “Ah, Senior Disciples! We weren’t expecting anyone from the Tranquil Mountain Sect!” One of them stammered as he bowed low.

  Jun De held up a hand and kept his tone casual.

  “We’re not here on official Sect business, we’re just here to visit family.” Jun De explained. Lin Yue stepped forward and offered a polite nod to the guards.

  “My grandparents live here, I just wanted to make sure they are safe.”

  The guards relaxed slightly, although they still looked nervous under the weight of Jun De’s presence. His Qi was far stronger than theirs, and his appearance was remarkable.

  “Ah, of course. There haven’t been any problems here, but everyone is nervous to leave the village.”

  Jun De gave them a faint smile and nodded while assuring them that they would assist in the event of trouble, before moving into the village. The road beneath their feet turned to worn stone, and the lanterns guided their way.

  Lin Yue led him down a narrow path lined with herbs and flowers, her steps quickening as she neared a modest home tucked beside a grove of willow trees. The roof was patched in places with fresh tiles, and bundles of drying talisman paper hung from the eaves like small banners.

  Before they had even reached the door to knock, it slid open with a clatter.

  “Yue’er?” An older woman called out, her voice full of disbelief.

  “Grandmother!” Lin Yue exclaimed, and the two embraced tightly. A moment later, a short, wiry man with ink-stained fingers stepped out from behind the older woman, blinking in surprise.

  “What are you doing here, Yue?” Her grandfather said as he adjusted his glasses.

  “You didn’t write, and I was worried. I didn’t know if something happened to you.”

  Her grandmother gave her a gentle smack on the arm.

  “You should have known better than to worry about us. Travel to Tranquil City has been restricted until things settle a bit more.” Her Grandmother chided.

  The pair both turned to look at Jun De, who had been standing quietly nearby. Her grandfather peered at him with sharp eyes, taking in his blue robes, calm posture, and the strong spiritual energy that surrounded him.

  “And this Senior is?” Lin Yue’s Grandfather asked, politely addressing Jun De as ‘Senior’ due to his significantly stronger cultivation.

  Lin Yue stiffened, and her cheeks turned crimson.

  “This is Jun De. He’s…a friend from the Sect.”

  Jun De stepped forward and offered a respectful bow.

  “Greetings, I’ve heard much about your talismans and herb gardens from Lin Yue.”

  The old woman chuckled.

  “Oh, I like this one! Very polite, and handsome!” Lin Yue’s grandmother said, and Lin Yue blushed even more. Her grandfather gave a small grunt of approval.

  “Your cultivation is at the 5th Level of Qi Condensation, if I’m not mistaken. You are very young for that.”

  Jun De gave a modest smile and shrugged.

  “I’ve just been lucky.”

  “Ah.” Lin Yue’s grandmother said, clearly not believing him. She took Lin Yue’s arm and pulled her inside.

  “Please, come in, both of you. You’ll stay the night, of course. We’ll make something for you to eat. Yue’er, pick some chives from the garden. Jun De, sit down before I start asking you about your intentions.”

  “My…what?” Jun De stammered in surprise, while Lin Yue made a strangled noise and darted toward the garden, her face red to her ears.