Free Web NovelChapter 590: Chapter 590: Sweeping the Strange (Part 1)
A towering mountain appeared in Zhang Yuan’s sight.
Liping Mountain.
This large mountain is far from West Plain City and is surrounded by only a few scattered mountain villages, thus maintaining a very natural environment, with dense and lush forests where birds and beasts occasionally appear.
But the extent of desolation here greatly exceeded Zhang Yuan’s expectations.
The small paths leading into the mountain have long been covered by waist-high wild grass and vines, making it impossible to discern an accurate route.
When Zhang Yuan entered the mountain, he saw a nearby mountain village.
This mountain village had no trace of human presence, with most of the houses either collapsed or encased by plants.
It looked particularly desolate.
Combining the information from the dossier, Zhang Yuan could basically confirm that this village had suffered a supernatural disaster.
Maybe everyone in the village was dead.
Although West Plain is a Dao City, the influence of the Upper Scenic Celestial is difficult to extend to this marginal area.
Such situations are very normal.
In fact, Zhang Yuan’s predecessor was somewhat accomplished and wasn’t just holding a position without merit.
Unfortunately, his luck was not good.
Sighing quietly, Zhang Yuan rode his Gray-toothed Lynx deeper into the mountain.
The Red-eyed Crow flew overhead.
Pointing the way.
Before long, Zhang Yuan heard the trickling sound of the stream.
Following the mountain stream upstream, he arrived at a small valley.
The valley environment was beautiful, with surrounding mountains rising and falling and towering trees, faintly revealing a waterfall at its deepest part.
And within the valley, there was a village.
Without any suspense, this mountain village was similarly abandoned for a long time.
What surprised Zhang Yuan was that the Red-eyed Crow, scouting the air, unexpectedly found someone active in the village.
He immediately secured his Gray-toothed Lynx and walked into the village.
After all, the size and appearance of the Profound Beast were too fierce, and ordinary people would easily be frightened at first glance.
Woof woof woof!
Just after Zhang Yuan walked a distance of about a hundred steps, a big black dog emerged from somewhere, blocking his path and barking loudly, eyes full of vigilance and guarded manners.
Zhang Yuan smiled, reached out, and tossed a piece of fresh lamb.
The result was that the big black dog immediately retreated a few steps, eyeing the meat on the ground with drooling longing, yet sternly resisting the urge to eat it, maintaining its intimidating stance toward Zhang Yuan.
A good dog!
Just as Zhang Yuan was about to chase it away, an elderly man in clothes appeared carrying a hoe.
Seeing Zhang Yuan, he was very surprised: "Who are you looking for?"
This old man had rough skin and a worried face, his skinny black hands full of calluses, evidently a lower-class citizen who had labored hard for years, his tone carrying unnatural fear.
Moreover, his accent was very strong.
"Old man, don’t be afraid."
Zhang Yuan smiled slightly and said: "I’m a wandering hero here to collect herbs and seek treasures. Is there only you in this village?"
"Wandering hero?"
The old man’s eyes were a bit confused.
But he could see Zhang Yuan had no malicious intent, thus reducing some of his fear: "Yes, just me in the village."
Zhang Yuan nodded and said: "Old man, may I ask for a bowl of water? Is that convenient?"
"Oh, oh."
The old man came to his senses and quickly replied: "Alright, alright, follow me."
The old man’s home was at the east end of the village, three thatched huts, which were the only intact houses in the village.
He brought out a wooden table and stool from the house, placing them in the small courtyard to welcome Zhang Yuan.
He wanted to brew a pot of mountain tea for Zhang Yuan.
But Zhang Yuan declined: "Old man, no need to trouble yourself, just a bowl of spring water is fine."
So the old man fetched a pot of spring water, apologetically saying: "Sir, I’m sorry, there’s nothing in my humble home to offer, I’m neglecting you."
"Hmm?"
Zhang Yuan was slightly surprised.
Because his words were evidently different from before, as he seemed to recognize Zhang Yuan’s extraordinary status.
Although Zhang Yuan didn’t deliberately hide his identity, this mountain village old man was clearly not of dull wit.
"It’s alright."
Zhang Yuan waved his hand: "Old man, sit down, let’s chat."
Saying this, he lifted the kettle and poured himself a bowl of spring water and drank it openly.
With Zhang Yuan’s current cultivation, and his immunity to all poisons, even if there was deadly poison in the water, it wouldn’t harm him a bit.
It was precisely his fearless attitude that made the old man let down his guard, relaxing significantly.
Cautiously, he sat across from Zhang Yuan, asking: "Sir, what do you want to know?"
Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment and asked: "Old man, how old are you this year?"
The old man raised four fingers: "Sir, I’m forty-four this year."
Forty-four?
Zhang Yuan almost spat out the water he just drank.
Because the old man looked as if he was eighty-eight!
He couldn’t help but ask: "What about your family?"
The old man smiled bitterly: "They’re all dead, my parents died over ten years ago, my wife died seven years ago, and my two children died three years ago."
He wore a smile on his face but his eyes were filled with sorrow and pain.
Great sorrow leads to a dead heart, living merely as a walking corpse!
Zhang Yuan was silent.
After a moment, he asked gravely: "Was it because of the supernatural?"
The old man shuddered and slowly nodded: "My wife and children were all killed by the supernatural."
"The people in the village, those who could run ran, those who didn’t are dead, just me left."
Woof!
The black dog sitting beside him suddenly raised its head and barked loudly.
Perhaps it was indicating that it was still with him.
The old man couldn’t help but pat its head, saying: "Thanks to Black accompanying me, otherwise I’d be dead too."
Zhang Yuan frowned: "After the supernatural event, didn’t your village report to the county?"
"Of course!"
The old man sighed: "But no one from the county came down. Not just our Wang Family Village, all the nearby villages have suffered, either dead or escaped."
"I’ve lived long enough, really don’t want to run, just waiting for the supernatural to take my life."
The black dog leaning beside him whimpered, apparently sensing its owner’s mood.
"Sorry."
Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but breathe deeply, saying: "To be frank, I am the newly appointed Dao General of West Plain City, Zhang Yuan. I came to Liping Mountain to sweep out the supernatural."
"I arrived a little late!"
"Ah?"
The old man was dumbfounded.
Lower-class people have wisdom; he lived for decades, his life experience was not lacking, so he could tell Zhang Yuan’s extraordinary nature.
But this old man never imagined that Zhang Yuan had such significant standing!
West Plain City Dao General!
To him, it was practically a figure from the heavens.
