Li’er’s parents were working in the fields.

Li’er seemed to like Cui Xun and Li Ying very much. He said he had never seen such beautiful people before, just like immortals.

Cui Xun asked: “Do you know what immortals look like?”

Li’er took a big bite of flatbread: “Yes, the Immortal Master has shown us.”

“Immortal Master?”

“He’s an immortal who came down to the mortal world specifically to guide ordinary people like us. He often tells us what the Celestial Palace looks like. He says there are endless flatbreads to eat, endless clothes to wear, and very large houses. No one there grows old or dies. Only those who have done many good deeds can go to the Celestial Palace after death.”

Cui Xun pondered for a moment, then asked: “Do you see this Immortal Master often?”

Li’er nodded: “Yes, he comes to our village frequently.”

Cui Xun slightly furrowed his brows. Li Ying also detected something from Li’er’s words. She glanced secretly at Cui Xun, whose expression remained unchanged as he followed Li’er to find his parents. Along the way, they saw many women carrying children. Li’er greeted each of them, and the women asked: “Li’er, who are they?”

“They’re a brother and sister who came to my home to borrow water.”

As Li’er stopped to talk with these women, Li Ying also paused. She looked at the women, who had not the slightest trace of living energy about them. The infants they carried neither cried nor made a fuss, but stared fixedly at Li Ying. Li Ying forcibly suppressed her fear and smiled at one of the women: “What a good child. May I hold him?”

The woman cheerfully handed the child to Li Ying. Taking the infant, Li Ying used the opportunity to touch its hand, which was indeed as cold as ice—a ghost infant.

As the woman went to chat with Li’er, Li Ying carefully examined the infant in her arms. Suddenly, the infant grinned and gave Li Ying a sinister smile. Li Ying was so frightened she almost threw the baby away, but Cui Xun quickly took it from her. He held the ghost infant, who then smiled eerily at Cui Xun, attempting to scare him. Cui Xun merely gave a cold laugh, then his fingers stroked the ghost infant’s neck and slowly tightened. Fear finally appeared in the ghost infant’s eyes as it waved its arms pleadingly. Seemingly realizing that pleading with Cui Xun was useless, it turned to Li Ying with a beseeching expression. As soon as it showed this pleading look, Cui Xun released his grip on its neck and handed it back to the woman.

Li Ying thought: …No wonder they say ghosts fear the wicked.

The ghost infant no longer dared to cause mischief and didn’t even dare to look at Cui Xun. Li’er obediently said to the woman: “Auntie, I’ll take the brother and sister and go now.”

He then waved to Cui Xun and Li Ying, indicating they should follow him, as he happily led the way. Li Ying whispered to Cui Xun: “That infant just now must be a ghost fetus.”

A ghost fetus refers to a child who died with its mother before birth. Ghost fetuses carry heavy yin energy and are extremely vicious. Cui Xun nodded and said, “Li’er’s aunt must have died while pregnant, which is why her child was born a ghost.”

“Were they killed by someone?”

Otherwise, it was hard to imagine under what circumstances a pregnant woman would willingly give up her unborn child and die.

Cui Xun didn’t answer but said, “Let’s go meet Li’er’s parents. Perhaps we can get some answers.”

Cui Xun lit a flint and followed the skipping Li’er to find his parents. Along the way, Cui Xun tried to ask Li’er what happened on the day he died, but Li’er was too young to remember what happened. Moreover, he didn’t even realize he was dead.

So Cui Xun could only turn his attention to Li’er’s parents working in the fields.

Niujia Village was now wasteland, and even the soil emitted a putrid smell. The fields were overgrown with weeds, and withered branches and leaves lay everywhere. Yet Li’er’s parents continued to till the soil with their hoes, sweating profusely. Strangely, their hoes never actually penetrated the soil but merely struck it soundlessly. However, they appeared utterly serious, clearly believing in their minds that they were plowing the fields.

Just as in Li’er’s eyes, the pile of grass in the stove was burning.

Li’er’s parents wiped away their sweat and left the field to rest. When they saw Cui Xun and Li Ying, they were initially startled. After Li’er’s straightforward introduction, the couple smiled simply: “So you’re travelers asking for water.”

Cui Xun said, “Li’er just gave us some water to drink, so we wanted to come thank you both for raising such a sensible child.”

Li’er’s father scratched his head: “It’s just a mouthful of water, no need to be so polite.”

“It’s only right,” Li Ying quickly added.

Cui Xun glanced at the barren field: “This wheat is growing well.”

“Wheat?” Li’er’s father laughed: “This is rice.”

Cui Xun nodded in understanding: “Ah, so it’s rice.”

“Sir must come from a wealthy family to not distinguish between rice and wheat.”

Cui Xun smiled: “I thought it was March, so I assumed it was rice.”

“March?” Li’er’s mother also looked puzzled: “It’s August.”

Cui Xun feigned confusion: “August? Isn’t today the second day of the third month in the twentieth year of Taichang?”

Li’er’s mother corrected him: “Today is the sixth day of the eighth month in the twenty-first year of Taichang.”

Li Ying quickly smoothed things over: “I’m sorry, my husband drank a bit last night and is still hungover, which is why he’s confused about the date.”

Hearing this, Li’er’s parents no longer questioned it and cheerfully said to Li Ying: “Later, we’ll have Li’er make some bean sprouts for your husband. That will help with the hangover.”

This couple, with barely anything to their name, could still be so warm and hospitable to strangers. Li Ying thought about how such good people had mysteriously died thirty years ago and felt quite unsettled. She continued: “By the way, Li’er mentioned that an Immortal Master often visits your village. My husband and I would like to meet him. Has he visited recently?”

“Not for a long time.”

Li Ying pretended to be disappointed and asked: “When was the last time he came?”

“March 14th of last year.”

Li Ying and Cui Xun exchanged a glance. March 14th? March 15th was when the people of Niujia Village collectively died suddenly. The Immortal Master’s visit on March 14th was too coincidental.

Cui Xun then asked: “Oh~ Did the Immortal Master leave any teachings when he came?”

“Indeed, he did.”

Li’er’s parents then elaborated at length about the immortal’s teachings. As Cui Xun and Li Ying listened, it was essentially about doing good deeds, accumulating karma, and how after death, one could be reborn into a wealthy family. Those who had done many good deeds could even have their souls go to the Celestial Palace for blessings. The messages seemed to be encouraging people to do good, with nothing inappropriate.

Li’er’s father smiled: “The Immortal Master said that if we do many good deeds, our Li’er could even become an official in his next life.”

Li Ying couldn’t help asking: “An official?”

Li’er was about the same age as Madam Yan’s grandson Hu Nu, and both had similar chubby tiger-like faces. Hu Nu had been sent to study with Cui Songqing through Cui Xun’s recommendation letter. Hu Nu was reportedly very intelligent, and Cui Songqing was quite fond of him. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Hu Nu should be able to pass the imperial examinations at a young age and enter government service. Li Ying unconsciously connected Hu Nu with Li’er, so she reflexively asked: “Isn’t Li’er only six years old? Can’t he become an official in this life? Why wait until the next life?”

Li’er’s father laughed: “We are farmers. He will also be a farmer all his life. How could he possibly become an official?”

Li Ying suddenly had a realization. This place was so strange that she had forgotten these people had died in the third month of the twentieth year of Taichang. At that time, the new policies had not yet been implemented, and the imperial examination system had not been established. It was impossible to see someone “morning in fields, evening in imperial halls.” No matter how intelligent Li’er was, his birth had already determined his fate at that time.

But if Li’er had lived until the following year, when the new policies were implemented, he would have had hope to change his fate. Unfortunately, his life was destined to forever stop at the age of six.

Cui Xun asked again: “When the immortal comes, does he leave any sacred objects?”

“Yes,” Li’er’s father said. “Each time, he gives us a bowl of sacred water. Drinking it cures any illness. It’s very effective.”

Having overseen criminal cases for three years, when Cui Xun heard this, he had a general understanding. He bowed to Li’er’s parents: “Since the immortal isn’t coming recently, we won’t wait any longer. It’s getting late, and we need to continue our journey. Until we meet again.”

Li’er’s parents nodded with smiles. Li’er, who was playing in the field, saw that Cui Xun and Li Ying were leaving and hurriedly ran over: “Are Brother and Sister leaving?”

Though a ghost, Li’er still retained his childish nature. When reluctant to part, he pouted and looked glum. Cui Xun looked at him and smiled slightly: “Yes, we’ll see you next time.”

After Cui Xun and Li Ying left the fields, Cui Xun recalled what the innkeeper had said. That morning, the innkeeper had mentioned that from Taoyuan Town to Gongzhou City would take seven or eight days, but if they could cross Wanhe Mountain, the time could be shortened to just one day. Niujia Village was on the necessary path to Wanhe Mountain. So Cui Xun headed in the direction of Wanhe Mountain, but the closer they got, the thicker the fog became. Eventually, they could barely see their hands in front of their faces. Only with Li Ying’s ghost fire were they able to barely make it through the dense fog.

Once out of the fog, they discovered they had returned to their starting point. It seemed this fog was some kind of formation, and not an easy one to break through.

With no choice, Cui Xun and Li Ying could only retrace their steps, first returning to the village entrance to decide what to do next. As they walked back, they encountered many villagers, all of exception were ghosts. When Cui Xun stepped out of the village, he frowned again, looking back at the densely packed graves before pressing his lips together and leaving.

The Kangju horse they had tied to the tree was now lying on the grass, asleep. Cui Xun and Li Ying sat on the ground. Although it was summer, the evening breeze was still somewhat chilly, especially from the direction of the Ghost Village. The wind blowing from there was bone-chillingly cold. Li Ying wanted to get the fox fur from the baggage on the Kangju horse to wrap around Cui Xun, but he stopped her: “No need.”

Li Ying asked with concern: “Aren’t you cold?”

Especially with such a severe cold condition.

Cui Xun shook his head. Li Ying didn’t quite believe him, so she reached for his hand. Indeed, Cui Xun stiffened slightly. Li Ying looked up, somewhat annoyed, and gripped more tightly. Cui Xun immediately didn’t dare move at all. Fortunately, Li Ying didn’t intend to quarrel with him today. She felt his hand, which was indeed very warm. Li Ying said, “Didn’t you miss tonight’s medicine? How is your hand so warm?”

In contrast, she had just come out of the Ghost Village, and her hands were ice cold.

Cui Xun vaguely replied: “It’s nothing.”

Li Ying wondered how his cold condition had suddenly improved after leaving Chang’an. But then she thought, perhaps as Cui Xun had said, grain by grain makes a tower. He had been taking medicine for several months, and it had finally taken effect. So she smiled brightly: “Well, I’m glad you’re better.”

She was genuinely happy for him. Perhaps because her joy was so pure, Cui Xun slightly lowered his gaze, not daring to look at her. He paused, then changed the subject: “I think I know why Li’er and the others died.”

“Why?”

In Cui Xun’s mind, everything slowly connected into a single thread, from the graves they had seen to the words of Li’er’s parents. After considering for a moment, he said: “It must be the Immortal Master Li’er mentioned. Thirty years ago, he enticed them to drink ‘sacred water’ laced with deadly poison, causing the 220 people of Niujia Village to die suddenly in one night. Afterward, that Immortal Master used an extremely vicious formation, setting it on the graves to trap their souls, making them believe they were still in the world of the living.”

Li Ying was shocked: “So that’s why they think it’s daytime whenever it’s night, and they only come out at night?”

Cui Xun nodded. Li Ying asked: “Why would the Immortal Master do this? Why kill 200 farmers? What benefit would this bring him?”

Cui Xun thought for a moment, then said: “If I’m not mistaken, it’s a life-extension method.”

“Life extension?”

Cui Xun nodded: “I previously handled a case where the people in Prince Qi’s fief accused him of wanton killing. Upon investigation, the accusation proved true. Prince Qi had contracted a serious illness. To prolong his life, he listened to a sorcerer’s advice and captured innocent people to kill, intending to transfer their remaining years to himself. The Niujia Village incident is very similar to Prince Qi’s case. The farmers of Niujia Village could barely feed or clothe themselves. What benefit would there be in killing them? Unless they possessed something valuable. And what could that be, to make the Immortal Master harbor such evil intentions? Beyond their remaining years of life, I can’t think of a second explanation.”

Li Ying listened with a racing heart: “Yes, no wonder I felt so uncomfortable approaching those graves. The graves must have been set with a prohibition against ghosts. And with their souls trapped, the Book of Life and Death in the underworld certainly wouldn’t record their death year. The remaining years of their lives could then be transferred through the Immortal Master’s methods.”

She immediately felt great sympathy for Li’er and the others. Not only had they died inexplicably, but their souls were also forever trapped in Niujia Village. They believed doing good deeds would lead to a better rebirth in the next life, not knowing they didn’t even have the chance to be reborn.

Li Ying felt saddened and asked Cui Xun, “Seventeenth Young Master, is there a way to save them?”

“Since that Immortal Master wants to use the lives of the Niujia Village people, he probably hasn’t gone far. If we find him, we can save Li’er and the others.”

“Then let’s go find…”

Li Ying’s words caught in her throat. She stared at her toes, her fingers slowly gripping her skirt: “Seventeenth Young Master, I know you’re in a hurry to reach Lingnan, because the hope for clearing the Tianwei Army’s name lies in this journey. If we go to find that Immortal Master, perhaps it will delay your trip to Lingnan…”

She trailed off, not knowing how to continue. She knew how much Cui Xun had suffered for the sake of clearing the Tianwei Army’s name. In the process, he had transformed himself into an evil ghost on the path of asuras. His heart had gradually grown cold and unfeeling. If he chose to go to Lingnan now instead of saving Li’er and the others, she wouldn’t be surprised.

But Cui Xun suddenly said: “Let’s go find that Immortal Master.”

Li Ying looked up in surprise. Cui Xun said, “It won’t cause a delay.”

Li Ying gazed steadily at Cui Xun, then suddenly smiled like a blooming flower and nodded firmly: “Good.”