Chapter 62: The Village Head's Home

  Rumors about Shexian's possession emerged around that time. In the past few years, Zhaodi took her child to see doctors everywhere, some of whom said it was a psychological illness, while others simply said it couldn't be cured.

  The outsiders' gossip and rumors were too much, and it was inevitable that they would enter her heart. Zhaodi thought, could it be true what the villagers said, that she really had some kind of evil disease, so she took the child to see the great immortal, but the great immortal remained tight-lipped about this matter, saying nothing at all.

  And recently, the child's symptoms were not just crawling like a snake, Zhaodi discovered something even more terrifying.

  Zhuāi buried her face in her hands, painful memories.

  It was just recently that Zhaodi discovered that every night at 12 o'clock, the child would become emotionally unstable and go crazy, like a wild beast, doing some crazy things. The last time he ran out in the middle of the night, rushed into someone's house, bit their child, and was beaten half to death. Zhaodi was heartbroken and had to apologize nonstop. With no other choice, she locked him up with chains.

  In the past two years, in order to take their child to see a doctor, Zhaodi and her husband spent all of their savings. Unfortunately, the child cannot be left alone, so Zhaodi's husband had to work outside while Zhaodi stayed at home to care for the child. They have borrowed money from relatives and friends until now they are too embarrassed to ask others again.

  At this point, Zhao Di's tears had already begun to fall non-stop. Cao Ke Rui was also sitting on the side with moist eyes, constantly patting Zhao Di's back with her hand. My attention, however, was drawn to the symptoms of the child she mentioned.

  How come the more I listen, the more it sounds like Ye Hua back then? This place is 108,000 miles away from Mount Luofeng, it shouldn't be such a coincidence.

  "When you're sick, you should go see a doctor, don't believe what some charlatan says. This kind of illness is mostly hysteria. Can't find a few media outlets now, isn't it all about fundraising? Can't let the kid drag on like this," said Lao Da.

  Lao Da has always believed in the power of science and the Party's policies. He is a straightforward and honest middle-aged man. But after returning from Maoer Mountain, I realized that there are some things you just have to believe in.

  "Which great immortal are you talking about?" Could it be possible that they're looking for the same person as that group of mysterious people?

  "In the village, there is only one person who can write characters and tell fortunes."

  It seems that I really have to return it tomorrow, if it's really possessed by evil spirits, there must be a way to exorcise them. If it's really related to Maoer Mountain... damn, I'd rather die.

  I patted Xindi's shoulder and said "Don't worry, I'll take care of this" I don't know where the inspiration came from to say such a sentence.

  After I finished speaking, Lao Da and the others, as well as Zhao Di, all looked at me with confusion. I coughed awkwardly twice, "What I mean is, uh, I have a connection at Beijing Hospital."

  Zhuāi wì le xià yǎn lèi 'xiè xiè nǐmen le'

  Translation:

  Zhua wiped away her tears "Thank you guys"

  Before we knew it, it was already the second day, and before dawn broke, we lay down again.

  "Boss, you think this hospital can really cure the illness?" Lu Huan asked, looking at the roof of the shed.

  "As long as you have money, all diseases can be cured."

  Lu Huan let out a sigh, and no one said anything.

  The next morning, Zhao Di saw that we were all packing our luggage and came over to ask, "How is it? Are you leaving after just two days? Have you finished everything on the mountain?"

  The boss tightened his backpack and put it on his back. "No, we'll move to the village chief's house for a few days. It's not convenient to always bother you."

  Zhuāi wiped her hands on her apron and said, 'It's also good that you're going to the village chief's house. The food and lodging will be a bit better.'

  Zhuāi saw us off at the door, I made an excuse saying that something had been left in the house and turned back. From my wallet, I took out all the cash and pressed it under the lid of the trunk. Just as I lifted the curtain on top, I saw the dragon column that Lao Da always wore on his body.

  I smiled and put down the money, then covered the curtain again.

  Several people had already walked far away by the time I went out. I ran quickly to catch up with them and patted Lao Da on the back, "Don't you feel heartbroken?"

  The big brother didn't even glance sideways and hastily walked forward.

  Why are you in such a hurry?

  I'm afraid I'll regret it later if I take it back now

  The village head is very hospitable, before we even reached the entrance of his house, the whole family came out to greet us. Seeing us, they quickly went up and grasped the hands of the elderly. No wonder he's a government official, at a glance, you can tell who's the boss and who's the underling.

  The boss said with embarrassment, "Hey, how did you know we were coming?"

  The village chief patted Old Yang's hand, laughing with a wide grin "Yesterday, Old Yang told me that he told you to come to my house today. I figured it was too late last night and thought you'd arrive early this morning. And here we are, running into each other just as I came out."

  The boss nodded and bowed, saying "We'll be troubling you for the next few days"

  No trouble, no trouble. If you can figure out what's going on with this mountain, we should be the ones thanking you. Because of this man-eating forest, our village has been affected a lot. Not to mention tourism, outsiders don't even dare to come in.

  "We did our best," said Lao Da, continuing to nod and bow.

  The woman standing next to the village chief pushed him and said, 'Don't stand there talking, invite the guests into the house to sit.'

  The village chief patted his forehead and said, "Look at this brain of mine. Come on, come in and sit down."

  "Village head," Lao Da had just opened his mouth when he was interrupted by the village head. "Just call me Old Shang."

  Lao Da responded with a nod, "Shang Gege, I heard there's a fortune teller in the village? Don't know where he lives?"

  "You're talking nonsense"

  "Uh, I guess so. Isn't there just one fortune teller in the village?"

  "Never mind the great immortals, when villagers have a persistent high fever or unending bad luck, they all go to find Blind Guai for help. Some people who have committed some wrongdoing or have their own troubles are also willing to go to Blind Guai to talk about it. As for Blind Guai, he can't recognize anyone. The person speaking gets a sense of relief and doesn't worry that their affairs will be spread around by outsiders. Blind Guai helps people resolve their worries and collects some rice and flour, solving the problem of food and clothing, so everyone gets what they need."

  "We don't have to eat instant noodles today." As soon as we entered the house, Cao Ke Rui poked me and whispered.

  I took a look and in the middle of the house was set up a big table of dishes, most of which I couldn't name. They were probably all local specialties, it's just that I had never seen them before.

  The village chief invited us to sit down and eat, and we immediately rubbed our fists and sat down. We said sorry, sorry in our mouths, but our eyes were almost dropping onto the plates. I've had enough instant noodles for these few days. Finally, we can have a sumptuous meal.

  The village head is called Shang Dage by Lao Da, I thought about this kinship and finally decided to call him Shang Shu, Cao Ke Rui and Lu Huan also followed suit. A meal was eaten with great harmony and laughter.

  "Didn't you all evacuate last time? How come there are still a few of you left. Is something wrong with the mountain again?" The village chief took a sip of wine and asked Lao Da.

  The boss was tapping his wine glass with chopsticks, looking a bit drunk. 'Nothing, just some things haven't been settled yet.'

  The village head nodded, with a hint of drunkenness in his tone. "Not to mention anything else, just this village. Whatever you want, it's got it. If we talk about tourist resources, it's no worse than the surrounding villages."

  The village chief pointed angrily towards the mountain, "There are good cedar trees and medicinal herbs on the mountain. No one goes to pick them up. Even if there is a brave person in the village, he can't pick much. Everyone avoids this tree forest that swallows people, no one wants to go. I look at the treasure on the mountain, but it can't be turned into money, and my heart is anxious." The village chief said excitedly, pounding the table heavily.

  The old man threw down his chopsticks and patted his chest, saying "Just you wait, this time I'll make it clear to you what's going on with the mountain!"

  The village head listened to this and slapped the old man's shoulder hard: "I've been waiting for you to say that!"

  As a result, the two met too late, and heroes regretted meeting other heroes, only to lament with their heads in their hands.

  I shook my head and continued drinking my wine. Well, this farmhouse dish really has flavor. A small dog ran over from under the table, whimpering and rubbing against my leg, I threw down a piece of meat, and it trotted away contentedly with its prize.

  After finishing lunch and taking a nap, go to the Wang's house in the afternoon. Ask around about what that mysterious group of people wanted with him at the time, and also ask about what kind of illness the child in the Zhang family has contracted.

  The village chief and Lao Da were now discussing how to develop the village's tourism industry, I shook my head with a smile. Lu Huan whispered to me 'It seems that Lao Da has found someone who understands him', I nodded.

  The meal was almost finished, and I sat there peeling peanuts, listening to the village chief and Lao Da's grand discussion, not knowing when it would end. Just then, something unexpected happened. This matter made Lao Da quickly sober up from his slight intoxication.

  Cao Ke Rui is drunk.