Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 375 - 12 Water Corpse (Part 1)
Chapter 375: Chapter 12: Water Corpse (Part 1)
Chapter 375: Chapter 12: Water Corpse (Part 1)
After rushing on the road for several days, Li Yan and Cha Xiaodao felt nothing, but Cao Yongchang was starting to struggle.
It wasn’t because the young man was frail, but rather that Li and Cha were inhuman in their ability to endure hardship.
Amidst the mountain-sealing snow, they insisted on driving the cart, continuously braving the blocked paths.
Even more bizarre were the dangers they faced along the way, which could be described as tigers and bears obstructing the path, the flying snow a lethal force.
Wild beasts seldom encountered in the deep forests were faced by the trio one after another.
Just the wild boars weighing over six hundred pounds, they encountered two, both charging at the cart in a fury, only to be taken down by Cha Xiaodao. Since the game was too heavy, Cha Xiaodao only cut off two large chunks of tenderloin and hit the road, with no need to freeze the meat in the snowy wilderness.
They also came across a white-browed tiger over three meters long, which was an eye-opener for Cao Yongchang. However, this wild beast seemed quite intelligent; it followed the cart for several days, only to quietly leave in the end.
Throughout this ordeal, the snow never stopped, turning the once smooth journey into an incredibly arduous one.
The twists and turns along the way finally took their toll on Cao Yongchang, who fell ill. Not only Cao Yongchang but even the horse they hired suffered from frostbite, its skin turning purplish-blue.
The other horse, Flying Thunder, remained lively and spirited, but it was not an ordinary beast and therefore could not be compared.
Li Yan was not initially in a hurry to travel, but upon seeing Cao Yongchang’s condition, he discussed with Cha Xiaodao and decided to seek shelter at an inn to rest for a while.
However, the region of Liaodong was desolate after all. With the scarcity of large towns that had inns or stations, the three had to drive their cart out of the forest and seek shelter in the nearest village with signs of life, hoping to stay overnight in the town.
This place was called Niutoulan. In front of several houses built with blue stones and roof tiles, red lanterns hung, with a signboard in the middle that read “Zhen Residence.” Even the tile door knockers were shiny new. Judging by the looks of this residence, it was undoubtedly the house of a wealthy family.
It was naturally Li Yan who stepped forward to call at the gate, and the one who came out was a young girl dressed as a maid in green clothing, with a radiant appearance.
Seeing a man standing in the snow at the door, with a sword box on his back and dressed in chain mail, the girl couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her sleeve in surprise, “May I ask who you are, sir? What brings you here?”
Li Yan smiled cordially, “This lady’s kindness is appreciated. My name is Li, I am a military officer from Daning Guard, carrying out military orders to go to Jiangxi. I am passing through this precious place and wish to borrow a room with a kang bed, light a stove, and shelter from the heavy snow. These two are traveling with me.”
Li Yan pointed to the two people on the cart behind him.
“I—I can’t make that decision, I have to go to the back hall and ask my lady.”
“Thank you very much, young lady.”
Li Yan took a couple of steps back.
The young maid had just closed the door when she suddenly reopened it to peek out, “Being a rustic woman with limited experience, may I ask if you have a travel pass or some kind of credential from the government office that you could show to my lady in the back hall? If the head of the village asks, we small households would have an answer.”
Although the maid was young, she spoke quite appropriately.
Li Yan simply took out the rental document for the horses from the post station, which was enough to prove his official identity.
The girl accepted the document and curtsied gracefully, her slender waist swaying like a willow in the wind as she walked towards the inner house.
After the young girl was out of sight, Cao Yongchang chuckled, “If I were in your shoes, I’d kick down the door and hang the Governor’s waist plaque on me, bellowing, ‘Call your banner bearers, armor leaders, and village heads to come see me at once!’ That young maid is rather eye-catching; I’d beckon her over and say, ‘Come, warm the bed with me!'”
His imitation was vivid, his eyebrows dancing wildly.
Cao Yongchang had long regarded Cha and Li as celestial warriors descended from the pages of storybooks. Along the journey, although Li Yan remained reserved and seldom smiled, he was extremely patient with him. Over time, Cao Yongchang began to open up.
“Keep quiet when we enter the house, and don’t cause me any trouble,”
Li Yan gave Cao Yongchang a word of caution, though the boy knew the score and was unlikely to misbehave.
Sure enough, before long, the young girl turned back and returned the document to Li Yan with respectful deference. She crisply said, “The lady of the house invites the three of you to the outer hall for a chat. The horse can be handed over to the servants, who will take it to the back yard.”
Flying Thunder snorted, and Li Yan spoke up, “Do not leave, young mistress. My black horse does not eat fodder; if there is any pig or sheep offal, it might as well be thrown into the manger. Although it’s somewhat extravagant, I must trouble you to take special care.”
He generously handed over a large piece of silver. The maid clutched the hefty piece in her hand, secretly astonished, and naturally agreed to everything.
The Zhen Residence boasted over a dozen large tiled rooms, adorned with New Year paintings, lined windowsills displaying dried corn, chicken coops, and dog kennels—a scene of prosperity.
The three entered the residence, and Cao Yongchang excitedly surveyed his surroundings, while Cha Xiaodao felt an uncomfortable prickling sensation.
He furrowed his brows and nudged Li Yan with his elbow, “Is there something wrong with this place?”
Li Yan was taken aback, “There shouldn’t be any problems. Before we set off, I specifically asked some former military comrades for directions. This village is supposed to have a Niutoulan, and the village head’s surname is Lin. It shouldn’t be some haunted house trick.”
Cha Xiaodao nodded, “But this house gives me the creeps.”
Upon hearing this, Li Yan became more vigilant. He himself hadn’t noticed anything amiss and actually rather liked the house, but if Cha Xiaodao felt that way, there was likely a problem.
Ever since he’d taken the Dragon Tiger Banner with him, Li Yan was prepared for this journey to be fraught with disasters.
Encountering tigers, leopards, wild boars, and black bears could just be considered a bit of excitement; they were not really a problem. However, if something made Cha Xiaodao uncomfortable, it was undoubtedly some kind of supernatural entity.
Upon entering the inner house, they were served warm tea, a fire was lit, and soon enough, a maid helped an old lady with white hair and dignified manners to emerge.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Yan learned that the Zhen family had been officials. Old Mr. Zhen had reached the peak of his career as a Sixth-Ranked Imperial Secretary, and he had retired to his hometown where he passed away within half a year.
Old Mr. Zhen had had a son who was married and did fur business in Liaodong; the family was wealthy. This house had been built new in February and was quite magnificent in the Niutoulan area. By April, Official Zhen had left for business, leaving behind his elderly mother and wife in the house, who were usually attended by servants and maids.
The maids brought fruit and snacks, along with several large steaming smoked hams and golden-brown roasted bean cakes. Having grown accustomed to the wild, Cao Yongchang helped himself without restraint.
Madam Zhen discreetly observed the boy for a moment before changing the subject, “Lord Li, if I may be so bold, you are an imperial official, and along your journey, there should be post stations to welcome and accommodate you. It’s an honor for me to host you in the midst of a snowbound mountain, to kill a fat pig and bring several jars of old wine to serve you, and to offer some travel provisions. However, I must know the rank of your official post and where you serve so that I can boast about it to others later with reason.”
Madam Zhen’s words were kind with a trace of firmness, essentially asking Li Yan for more detailed proof of his public office. After all, what kind of official travels without soldiers, accompanied instead by a child?
Accepting their hospitality, Li Yan felt that it would have been too abrupt to flaunt his rank from the start. But now that Madam Zhen inquired, he took the opportunity to present an ivory tablet.
Carved with cloud patterns on the ivory, the front read, “Great Ming Daning Chief Military Officer, hereditary Flying Cavalry Captain”. The back was inscribed with “No. 2530, rain”, stating that presenting this tablet allowed for mobilization and command, with the right to retrieve it, and any unauthorized use would be punished. Aside from its use to annually claim 150 taels of silver and some rations, it was also a credential for calling upon soldiers from the Daning Guard.
In fact, Li Yan also possessed the wordless iron plaque given to him by the Dragon Tiger Taoist, which allowed the mobilization of Tiqi from the government offices across the thirteen provinces. Additionally, he had an imperial edict, personally written by the Liaodong General, Li Rumei, meant to be shown to the local government officials in special circumstances. Neither of these items was appropriate to show in this setting.
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After examining the ivory tablet, Madam Zhen became even more amiable. She had the maids help her to stand up, but Li Yan quickly objected.
“It’s a dereliction on my part not to have welcomed you from afar, please accept my apologies.”
