Chapter 5: Chapter Five: The Wooden Carving

The silent mountain village, the ground littered with corpses, Gu Zhao standing frozen with a strange smile…

A light breeze stirred, crows cried mournfully; a corner of the green robe lifted, black powder drifted like willow fluff, reflecting dozens of scattered swords and spears…

Gu Zhao looked around; the eyes peering through door and window cracks vanished instantly. A child’s sob surfaced, then was instantly muffled—only faint, indistinct whimpers remained, direction impossible to trace.

Gu Zhao, “…”

Gu Zhao was speechless. Was this the real-life version of something that could stop children from crying at night?

“Squeak—”

The silence was broken once again by the oldest-looking elder.

The elder, leaning on the little girl, stepped out shakily, his gaze toward Gu Zhao cautious and careful: “Old man humbly greets the Master. Thank you, Master, for slaying the ghost and saving our lives!”

In contrast to the elder’s caution, the little girl’s eyes fixed on Gu Zhao with unreserved admiration and excitement, her clear pupils glowing as if lit from within.

Gu Zhao glanced at the pile of black ash, then looked up at the sun.

This world actually has ghosts—and they can appear in daylight?

Gu Zhao shifted his gaze, organizing his words: “Though I arrived here by accident, since I happened upon this ghost causing harm, eliminating her was merely a matter of convenience. Old man, no need for thanks.”

The elder glanced at Gu Zhao’s bare feet, then pretended to notice nothing, nodding repeatedly as he bowed and invited: “Master, you’ve labored to slay the ghost. If you don’t mind, please rest inside. Let old man serve you tea.”

Gu Zhao wanted to probe this world’s truths. The elder before him clearly knew much, and Gu Zhao had saved their lives—wasn’t he the perfect source of information?

Thus, under the elder’s invitation, Gu Zhao entered the house to rest, chatting casually with him.

The elder’s surname was He, the oldest and most respected man in the village.

The little girl beside him was He Xiuniang, He’s granddaughter, orphaned of both parents, raised solely by him.

Seeing Gu Zhao and He chatting amiably, the villagers gradually emerged. The bold ones bowed to Gu Zhao, then went to gather the bandits’ corpses; the timid ones lingered nearby, watching.

“This place is Cuishan Village. The mountain behind us is Cuiluo Mountain. Beyond, mountains stretch endlessly, hiding many mountain strongholds and outlaws.”

He explained, “But those outlaws follow rules—they never prey on their own neighbors, and we have nothing of value. This time, I don’t know how it happened…”

“Not far ahead lies the imperial road. Thirty li east is Xiuyue County; over a hundred li west is Wuhe County. If Master wishes to reach Changping Prefecture, head northwest,” He added.

Gu Zhao nodded. The mini-map activated, illuminating three towns besides the starting point: Changping Prefecture, Wuhe County, Xiuyue County.

Gu Zhao conversed with He, listening more than speaking, organizing the information.

He didn’t seem surprised at all, and went out of his way to explain everything he knew.

“Master!”

A farmer dressed man entered the house cautiously, bowed to Gu Zhao, greeted He, then gently placed a bundle on the table between them.

“Master, these are the gold and silver taken from the bandits. We haven’t touched a single coin.” The man spoke respectfully.

Gu Zhao blinked, then lifted the bundle. Inside lay scattered copper coins, two standard silver ingots, and five or seven crude brass and silver ornaments.

Hmm… worth next to nothing in the modern world.

Considering he might need them later, Gu Zhao took two silver ingots and a handful of copper coins, then pushed the rest toward He: “The rest is yours to distribute.”

He knew Gu Zhao had no interest in such trinkets and accepted without protest, handing the bundle back to the farmer: “Give more to families whose homes were smashed hardest.”

“Yes!” The farmer beamed, bowed again to Gu Zhao, then ran out with the bundle.

He Xiuniang passed the farmer, holding a pair of leather boots, freshly washed, still damp with water droplets.

“Master!” He Xiuniang blinked her bright eyes, hopeful: “I found a pair that fits you. I’ve cleaned them…”

“Enough!” He startled, scolding her: “How dare you comment on how the Master dresses?”

He Xiuniang flinched, startled and at a loss.

Gu Zhao was equally confused—why had He suddenly become angry?

He quickly turned and apologized: “Xiuniang is still young and speaks without thought. Master, please forgive her!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Gu Zhao waved his hand.

Seeing Gu Zhao’s gentle nature and He Xiuniang’s tear-filled, pitiful expression, He softened. He explained to her: “Master is young, yet he subdues demons and expels ghosts with a single strike, slaying the female ghost effortlessly. In a few days, even fiercer spirits won’t stand against him.”

He Xiuniang half-understood. Gu Zhao suddenly realized.

So He thought he’d encountered a powerful ghost, been driven into retreat, stripped to his undergarments, even lost his shoes.

Hmm… so little regard for him? Should he give He a little electric therapy?

But now Gu Zhao understood why He asked nothing and went out of his way to describe the surroundings.

Gu Zhao chuckled, offering no explanation. Instead, he took the boots from He Xiuniang and smiled warmly: “Thank you, Xiuniang. Barefoot is indeed less comfortable than wearing shoes.”

He Xiuniang beamed instantly, two dimples appearing on her cheeks: “Master likes them? That’s wonderful!”

“Oh! And this too!” He Xiuniang said, reaching into her robe and pulling out a wooden carving, about twenty centimeters tall, offering it to Gu Zhao: “Only this was found on the female ghost’s clothes. Perhaps Master can use it!”

Gu Zhao took it. The carving depicted a handsome man clad in armor, cloak billowing, a jewel atop his head, standing on clouds, one hand raised, one pressed down, dual swords in hand, majestic and awe-inspiring.

The carving had a red base with golden patterns. As Gu Zhao examined it, he saw two characters carved on the base: [Jin Feng]. And…

Gu Zhao sensed this carving was no ordinary object—its surface faintly shimmered with energy.

“This energy seems to leak outward, and within, it’s saturated with it—almost spiritual in nature,” Gu Zhao felt his spiritual sense, where the Five Thunder Talisman resided, tremble.

He probed gently. The spiritual energy was impure, laced with chilling darkness—similar to the power the green-robed woman had wielded.

Could this be her magic treasure?

She hadn’t even had time to activate it before I obliterated her with a Palm Thunder?

Gu Zhao: (◔◡◔)