abnabooks Chapter 43: The Rise of Turbulent Times in Qingzhou
Chapter 43: The Rise of Turbulent Times in Qingzhou
The following evening, as the sun slanted sharply in the west, it bathed the clouds in a blushing orange-purple hue. The old locust tree cast a long shadow, stretching across the newly compacted earth and shrouding half of the council shed in its light. The shed had only been erected the day before, its pillars made of several freshly felled fir logs, still bearing their green bark, and its roof covered with old tarpaulin salvaged from the town mayor's office, with the gaps haphazardly plugged with thatch. A gust of wind caused the roof to rustle, and the shadows cast within to sway, making it appear somewhat unsteady, yet all the more precious was the presence of people within.
Inside the shed stood a wooden table, chipped at one corner and leveled with pebbles. On the tabletop lay a roll of coarse linen cloth covered in writing with charcoal sticks, the ink stains varying in shades, conveying a sense of haste and financial hardship. It was a list that Uncle Zhang, along with several literate elderly men, had spent an entire day meticulously inventorying every single item and penny of Blackstone Town's current assets.
Lin Yan stood by the table, his gaze slowly sweeping over the writing. He wore a faded indigo robe, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing taut lines on his forearms, a mix of newly healed wounds and old scars. The last rays of the setting sun slanted in from the awning, falling directly on half of his face, gilding his deep-set eyes with a warm gold, yet unable to conceal the deep concentration in his gaze.
His fingertip paused on a spot in the hemp cloth, tapping it lightly. His voice echoed in the quiet shed, not loud, but like a pebble thrown into a deep pool: "Rice, 137 shi (a unit of dry measure) stored. The town currently has a population of 642. Four shi a day is just enough to keep them alive, not enough to fill them up. We'll have about a month and a half to last until the autumn harvest."
He moved his fingertip away, leaving a faint gray mark. "Medicinal herbs," he paused, his gaze lowered slightly, "hemostatic, tissue-regenerating, detoxifying, calming... of everything Miss Su requested and could use, there are only scraps left in the storeroom. The last three doses of wound medicine she prepared yesterday were given to the Li family boy who was bitten by poisonous insects while on night watch, and to two veterans whose wounds were festering. The newly harvested herbs are only enough to brew some daily soups to ward off miasma and expel insects."
He then glanced at another, smaller scroll bound with thin hemp rope on the corner of the table—it was presented by Shi Hu, recording the Black Stone Guard's meager possessions. "Eleven waist knives, seven from the old storeroom of the Demon Suppression Division, their blades all worn and brittle; four confiscated from the Chen family's private stash, looking shiny but unused, their usability unknown. Seven spears, the wooden shafts worm-eaten and the spearheads rusted so badly they couldn't be polished even with a cloth. Fourteen sets of leather armor, the standard armor worn by Zhao Mang's soldiers, but most were torn and rotten, less than half were even fit to wear." He raised his eyes to Zhang Bo, squatting at the entrance of the stall. "Where are the crossbows? The arrows? The talismans and gunpowder?"
Zhang Bo was squatting on the threshold of the shed, unconsciously rubbing a handful of dry soil he had dug from the base of the wall. His rough fingertips crushed the soil into fine powder, which fell down in a flurry. Hearing this, he raised his head, his bronze face etched with deep lines in the twilight. His lips moved slightly before he said in a hoarse voice, "Crossbows... Years ago, the Demon Suppression Division had two three-stone crossbows, but they fell into disrepair over the years, and the mechanisms rusted away. Zhao Mang, that bastard, didn't care. There are about a hundred arrows, but the arrowheads are all made of pig iron, so they don't shoot far and can't penetrate thick skin. Talismans... We found a few 'evil-repelling talismans' and 'mind-calming talismans' in Chen Fuhai's mansion, but they're all ordinary stuff. They might be useful against minor demons and monsters, but if we encounter a truly powerful one, they probably won't be able to withstand it. Gunpowder and sulfur... Last night, while guarding the breach, to create a show of force, Shi Hu and his men burned almost all of it. The remaining black residue is only enough to stuff a few firecrackers for a bang."
He didn't say anything more, but simply threw the clods of dirt in his hand onto the ground, as if scattering all the pent-up frustration and helplessness in his heart. The shed was eerily quiet; even the sporadic tapping sounds from the distant repairs to the town wall seemed distant and fragile. The wind howled through the tarpaulin on the shed roof, sounding like some ominous sob. The air, thick with the stench of blood, herbs, earth, and burnt matter, seemed to solidify, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts—this was the underlying tone of Blackstone Town, a town that had survived the catastrophe, yet remained precariously vulnerable.
Su Qingyao sat opposite Lin Yan on a makeshift bench made from a door panel. She had changed into a simple, pale white cotton dress, over which she wore a slightly worn indigo vest. Her long hair was neatly tied back with an ebony hairpin, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck. The fatigue of the past few days had made her face somewhat pale, with faint dark circles under her eyes, but her eyes were exceptionally clear, like black jade washed by a mountain spring, still shining with a resolute light in the dimming light.
She didn't look at the list, but instead untied a blue cloth bundle that had been resting on her lap, took out a roll of slightly yellowed parchment carefully tied with fine hemp rope, and slowly pushed it to the center of the table. Then, she took out a palm-sized, cool-to-the-touch grayish-white bone fragment from her bosom and gently placed it next to the parchment.
"We can't just look at these numbers and worry about them." Su Qingyao spoke, her voice not loud, but each word clear, like pearls falling on ice, carrying a cold, penetrating power. "The root of Blackstone Town's predicament is not that the walls are not high enough, the food is not plentiful enough, or the swords are not sharp enough. It lies in the fact that we are on the edge of the vortex, yet we remain passive, without the eye to break the deadlock, nor the power to do so."
She raised her hand, extending three slender yet well-defined fingers, and slowly bent them one by one in the dim twilight.
"Firstly," she pressed down with her first finger, the tip turning slightly white from the pressure, "Although Chen Fuhai and Zhao Mang have been executed, their crimes have not been clearly punished according to the laws of the Great Yin Dynasty, nor have they reached the ears of the Emperor. The Demon Suppression Division of Qingzhou Prefecture is the nominal direct superior of Black Stone Town, and also the closest government office. We must personally go to Qingzhou Prefecture with irrefutable evidence—contracts, account books, secret letters, blood crystal samples, and even the signed confessions of Wang Po and others—to report this matter truthfully through official channels."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Zhang Bo and Shi Hu, her tone becoming more serious: "Only in this way can we bring Liu the head constable's involvement in this matter to the forefront of official channels, making him wary and preventing him from openly retaliating against Blackstone Town. This is called using someone else's strength against them, using the laws of the court to check and balance the local powerful families, and defusing the biggest threat at hand." Her voice turned cold. "If we don't go, or if we go too late, Liu the head constable can easily distort the truth, portraying everything that happened in Blackstone Town as a 'migrant riot,' 'troublemakers,' or even 'colluding with demons and attacking government offices.' At that time, with a single official document, he can legitimately mobilize troops and, under the guise of 'suppressing the rebellion,' raze Blackstone Town... to the ground."
"Hiss—" Uncle Zhang gasped, his cloudy old eyes widening suddenly, clearly having never considered this possibility before. He only knew that Liu Dutou was Chen Fuhai's backer and would seek revenge, but he never expected that the other party could use such "open and aboveboard" methods.
Shi Hu stood with his arms crossed, the sleeve of his one arm dangling loosely in the evening breeze. He had been silent all along, but now his brows were furrowed even more deeply.
Su Qingyao then pressed down her second finger: "Secondly, Blackstone Town doesn't have what it needs." Her fingertip traced a line through the air, as if drawing an invisible picture. "Fine weapons, ample elixirs, materials for crafting high-level talismans, craftsmen and techniques for building permanent defensive fortifications, and even cultivation manuals that would allow the Blackstone Guards to advance further... These can only be obtained in a place like Qingzhou Prefecture, a hub for merchants, skilled craftsmen, and cultivators from all directions. We also have some gold and silver confiscated from Chen Zhao's residence. Although the quantity is not large, if used properly, along with the rare medicinal herbs, mountain goods, and furs that the villagers have risked their lives to collect in the mountains these past few days, we can exchange or buy them in Qingzhou Prefecture. This would be enough to support Blackstone Town through its current shortage, and even... lay a foundation for the long term."
Her words were meticulously detailed, transforming seemingly unattainable needs into tangible, tradable goals. Uncle Zhang's eyes brightened, and Shi Hu's taut jawline relaxed slightly.
"Thirdly," Su Qingyao's voice suddenly lowered, like a zither string being gently pressed, the lingering tone carrying an undisguised tremor and stubbornness, "it's my selfish reason." She raised her head, her gaze passing over the crowd, seemingly fixed on the endless, desolate night outside the shed, "My entire Su family of seventy-three was murdered overnight three years ago. All the fragmented clues ultimately pointed to Qingzhou Prefecture. Before my father disappeared, he devoted himself to researching the secrets of the ancient spiritual vein's anomalies and seals. And the inscription on this bone fragment brought back from the Wolf King's lair, 'Spiritual veins as locks, suppressing spirits in the abyss,' perfectly matches the few words he left behind. Not to mention, Chen Fuhai and Zhao Mang refined blood crystals, which were ultimately delivered to Liu, the head constable of Qingzhou Prefecture..."
She took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, and her voice returned to calm, yet it was even more resolute: "Finding the truth behind the Su family massacre and avenging my father is my inescapable responsibility as a daughter of the Su family. And to unravel these layers of mystery, Qingzhou Prefecture is a place that cannot be bypassed no matter what."
As the words fell, silence enveloped the shed once more. Only the evening breeze, weaving through the gaps in the thatched roof, emitted a soft, mournful sound, as if providing a desolate footnote to these words.
Lin Yan listened silently, his gaze slowly shifting between the supply list, the paper and bone fragments Su Qingyao pushed towards him, and the varied expressions on the faces of the three people before him. Su Qingyao's analysis, like peeling back layers of an onion, clearly laid bare before him the predicament of Blackstone Town, its potential deadly threats, and that sliver of hope.
Holding out in Blackrock Town may seem like a safe option, but it's actually a slow drain on resources. Resources will run out, morale will crumble under the daily anxiety, and external threats won't disappear because of their silence. Instead, they'll grow stronger and stronger, eventually engulfing the town that has just survived one major crisis.
Venturing out is an adventure, venturing into known dangers and facing unknown enemies and rules. But it may also be the only chance to break the deadlock, the only way to acquire resources, buy time, and even secure a longer-term future for Su Qingyao and Blackstone Town.
He needs to weigh the options, but time is running out.
"Uncle Zhang," Lin Yan suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, revealing little emotion, "If Miss Su and I were to leave for a while, could you and Shi Hu manage to stabilize the situation in this town?"
Zhang Bo paused for a moment, then abruptly stood up from the threshold, his movement so sudden it kicked up a cloud of dust. He straightened his hunched back with effort, and the deep wrinkles on his dark red face trembled slightly with excitement: "Lord Lin... don't worry!" His voice was slightly choked, yet unusually loud, "Repairing walls, allocating rations, comforting households, caring for the wounded—I've lived in Black Stone Town for sixty years, I know everyone, I know the place, I can manage! Brother Shi Hu is capable, and the brothers of the Black Stone Guard respect him. With them here, the town's safety is guaranteed! As long as... as long as Qingzhou Prefecture doesn't immediately launch an attack, giving us some breathing room, Black Stone Town... won't descend into chaos!"
He spoke with absolute certainty, yet a barely perceptible hint of worry flashed in his eyes. Stabilizing the internal situation might not be difficult; the real challenge lies in dealing with a potentially devastating external attack.
Lin Yan nodded, his gaze turning to Shi Hu. The one-armed man stood ramrod straight, like a javelin planted in the earth, silent yet brimming with indomitable strength. "Shi Hu," Lin Yan's voice was deep and slow, "The Black Stone Guard is newly established, its framework just built, its flesh and blood not yet fully developed, and the hearts of its people not yet fully united. After I leave, you must prioritize stability. Daily training must not be neglected; patrols within the town and the clearing of scattered demons in the nearby mountains will continue as before. But remember, never provoke a powerful enemy, and never lead the troops on a distant expedition out of the town on a momentary impulse. All actions must prioritize the preservation of the town and awaiting our news. If a powerful enemy attacks, all efforts must be made to preserve our forces. We can temporarily avoid their advance and retreat to the designated hiding places in Canglang Mountain, awaiting our opportunity."
Shi Hu nodded emphatically, his one arm clenched into a fist, his knuckles making a slight "crack": "Lord Lin, rest assured, Shi Hu will remember this. As long as I am here, the town will exist; if the town is gone... I will still leave some embers for Black Stone Town."
His promise was simple yet profound.
Lin Yan's gaze finally settled on Su Qingyao's face. She met his gaze without the slightest hesitation or evasion. Her clear eyes reflected the flickering light of the oil lamp, and also his own reflection. In them, besides resolute determination, there was a deep-seated, almost dependent, expectation. He knew that, for the sake of Black Stone Town, for Su Qingyao, and for his own quest to uncover the mysteries of this world and the path to immortality, this trip to Qingzhou Prefecture was unavoidable and imperative.
"Alright." Lin Yan took a deep breath, as if inhaling the stagnant air in the shed along with the heavy decision he was making, and then slowly exhaled. His voice rang out in the deepening twilight, not loud, but exceptionally clear and powerful, like a knife half an inch unsheathed, its cold light flashing, "Three days later, at the beginning of Chen Shi (7:00 AM), Miss Su and I will set off for Qingzhou Prefecture."
Once the decision was made, the atmosphere inside the shed changed. The heaviness didn't disappear, but it transformed into a more concrete and actionable sense of urgency.
"This mission shouldn't be undertaken with a large force; the key is to select, capable, and quick-witted men," Lin Yan continued, his gaze sweeping over Shi Hu. "How have Li Tie, Wang Dashan, Zhou Fu, and Lu Ling performed these past few days within the Black Stone Guard?"
Shi Hu pondered for a moment and replied, "Li Tie is brave and fierce, and his swordsmanship has improved the fastest. When he was on night watch at Huokou, he single-handedly killed two demon wolves. Even after suffering minor injuries, he did not leave the front line. His men respect him. Wang Dashan is steady, strong, quick to learn formations, and can take care of his comrades. Zhou Fu is meticulous and is good at identifying medicinal herbs, scouting, and setting ambushes. Lu Ling... was originally a hunter, so he has some foundation. His archery skills are decent, and he has been working hard in training recently."
"Hmm." Lin Yan nodded. "Let's appoint these four as temporary squad leaders. Let each of them choose four trustworthy, efficient, and discreet brothers from the Black Stone Guard to form a squad. Four squads of four, a total of twenty men, to serve as the 'Black Stone Iron Guards' accompanying us this time."
He looked at Su Qingyao: "Qingyao, what do you think?"
Su Qingyao pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's excellent. A team of twenty is a good size; they can look out for each other without being too conspicuous. Li Tie and the other three are all reliable people, and having them choose their own team members will ensure better teamwork. However..." She frowned slightly, "The journey to Qingzhou Prefecture is not short, and the road ahead may be treacherous. We need to be well prepared."
"Exactly." Lin Yan turned to Uncle Zhang and Shi Hu. "Uncle Zhang, you need to assist Shi Hu in arranging all the affairs in the town properly these three days. The distribution of pensions and rations must be fair and transparent, with clear accounts. Keeping people calm is key. Also, take some money from the public treasury to purchase enough dry rations, drinking water, salt, and necessary medicine and deworming powder for twenty people for half a month. Horses and carriages... are there any in town?"
Zhang Bo hurriedly said, "Chen Fuhai's residence has two mule carts for hauling goods, as well as three or four nags to pull them. Zhao Mang also has two warhorses, which, although not superb, are still quite capable. I will immediately have the vehicles inspected and the saddles prepared."
"Alright." Lin Yan then said to Shi Hu, "You are in charge of selecting the Black Stone Iron Guards. Tell Li Tie and the others that this journey is no ordinary one. They may face legal trouble, be ambushed, or even be drawn into a larger conflict. Those who are willing to go must be prepared for the danger; those who are unwilling will not be forced, and they will still be good brothers of the Black Stone Guards in the future. Once the candidates are selected, report the list to me."
"Yes!" Shi Hu replied solemnly.
"Qingyao," Lin Yan said solemnly, turning to Su Qingyao one last time, "the most important thing for us these three days is to categorize and compile all the evidence against Chen Fuhai and Zhao Mang—the original contracts, copies of account books, secret correspondence, blood crystal samples, and the signed confessions of Wang Po and others—along with the clues and speculations we have regarding Liu Dutou's possible involvement, into a detailed and reliable dossier. We will keep the original with us in case of any unforeseen circumstances. In addition, we need to make two complete copies, one to be secretly kept in town by Zhang Bo, and the other…" He paused, "perhaps we can try to send it to a trusted person in Qingzhou Prefecture through other means as a backup plan."
Su Qingyao straightened her back, a sharp glint in her eyes: "Brother Lin, rest assured. Organizing documents and compiling files is my forte. I will definitely get this done in the next three days."
The setting sun finally sank completely behind the western mountains, the last rays of light swallowed by the twilight. The glow of the small oil lamp inside the shed grew even dimmer, casting the four people's shadows on the muddy ground, distorted and intertwined.
The momentous decision has been made, and the direction ahead has suddenly become clear, but it also means leaving this land that has just been protected with blood, sweat, and lives, and stepping into a wider, more complex, and inevitably more dangerous world. There are towering city walls, strict laws, deeply entrenched forces, and, hidden beneath the surface of prosperity, human hearts that may be more ferocious than demons.
Lin Yan stood up and walked to the entrance of the shed. A cool night breeze swept over him. In the distance, lights twinkled in the town, and he could faintly hear women calling children home. He could smell the smoke rising from some unknown house, a mixture of coarse grains and wild vegetables. It was the ordinary, faint, yet resilient warmth of human life.
He turned around, glanced at Zhang Bo, Shi Hu, and Su Qingyao who were still discussing the details in hushed tones inside the shed, and then looked at the silent and massive silhouette of Canglang Mountain in the night.
This was his first true "base" after arriving in this strange world. It was the place where he gained power, made companions, and fought to the death for the first time not just to survive, but to protect something. The soil here was stained with his and the townspeople's blood, and the air here echoed with cries of despair and cheers of new life.
But this place is destined not to be the end of his journey. The road to immortality is long and arduous, the era of demon chaos is shrouded in mystery, the secrets of the Soul-Devouring Body, Su Qingyao's deep-seated hatred, the future of Blackstone Town, and even the ancient secret of "spiritual veins as locks, suppressing spirits in the abyss"... all are like invisible threads, pulling him, forcing him to venture into a deeper and more magnificent world of martial arts and the imperial court.
Qingzhou Prefecture will be the first step in confronting the undercurrents and truths of this era.
Night fell completely, and the Milky Way gradually came into view. The smell of cooking smoke carried on the wind became clearer, mixed with the occasional bark of a dog and the soft murmur of children laughing and being scolded by adults.
This fragile yet real peace is precisely the reason why they must go out and then fight their way back.
"Three days later, at the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), gather at the town entrance."