Quinn Shepherd pocketed the gold ingot and said, "Big guy, focus on your cultivation. I'll come find you again tomorrow. Whatever you do, don't go into that side hall—the demon in there is as cunning as they come!"
The Demon Ape nodded.
Quinn immediately set off for Oldridge Village. Before long, he arrived outside the village and saw, from a distance, two paper boats hovering in the air at the gate, with paper cranes perched beneath the trees at the entrance. But there was no one on the boats or cranes—they must have already entered the village.
He walked into the village and saw the old man who'd spoken from the boat now sitting across from the Village Chief, chatting: "I've heard Granny Sue's craft is superb, so I came to ask if she could help tailor a few garments."
The Village Chief asked, "May I ask what kind of garments you need, and what measurements?"
The old man replied, "I need burial shrouds—nine sets, tailored to your villagers' sizes. I've also heard Grandpa Mark is quite the carpenter, so I'd like to trouble him to make nine coffins, each sized to fit your bodies."
Suddenly, the old man noticed Quinn approaching, looked surprised, and corrected himself: "Ah, I misspoke—make that ten sets of burial shrouds and ten coffins. Miles Everfall, pay the deposit."
The man named Miles Everfall stepped forward and waved his hand. Instantly, one of the paper boats at the entrance drifted over and landed beside the Village Chief. Quinn saw that the boat was loaded with funeral goods: paper money, gold ingots, candles, mourning sticks, white banners—all sorts of ominous items!
The old man had him park the paper boat at the gate and said, "This is the deposit for ten burial shrouds and ten coffins. May I ask Granny Sue and Grandpa Mark—can you finish them today? To be honest, I'm in a hurry to use them."
The village's Crippled Joe, Mute Smith, Apothecary, and others were all busy with their own tasks, but suddenly everyone fell silent. Granny Sue tottered over, smiling, "Ten burial shrouds, all in one day? That's a bit rushed, dear guest."
Grandpa Mark walked over and said coldly, "My hands are quick—I can finish the coffins today. Can you wait, sir?"
The old man chuckled, "It is a bit rushed, but with such capable folks, I’m sure you can manage."
Granny Sue glanced at the paper money and candles on the boat, snorted, and said, "If you’re so eager to wear them, I can start right now. Just so happens I bought some cloth the other day."
The old man bowed slightly, "Thank you for your trouble, Granny."
Granny Sue returned to her house, brought out several bolts of cloth, and with a flick of her hand, sent them floating into the air. A pair of scissors flew from her basket, snipping away midair, and soon the shapes of the garments began to form.
Then, silver needles shot out from her little basket, threading and sewing in the air. In no time, each burial shroud was stitched together.
Meanwhile, Grandpa Mark strode outside the village to the riverside, beneath the thick willow trees. Green qi streamed from his fingertips, swirling around each tree. Soon, the massive trunks were sliced into whitewood coffins.
These whitewood coffins floated over and landed at the village entrance.
Granny Sue’s garments were finished, too. With a gentle wave, she sent each burial shroud drifting onto a coffin.
Grandpa Mark strode up, his voice cold: "You brought plenty of money, so I generously made two extra—twelve coffins, custom-fit. Lie down and I guarantee not an inch too long or short! Satisfied, sir?"
Granny Sue smiled, "I also made two extra sets of burial shrouds for free. Guaranteed to fit."
The old man laughed, "Very satisfied, very satisfied."
Quinn felt the atmosphere growing eerier. He secretly counted: together, the green-robed visitors and the old man made exactly twelve people!
The Apothecary approached, his face sinister but his voice gentle: "Sir, your accent isn’t local—it sounds Southern Frontier to me."
The old man smiled warmly, "Indeed, we’re from the Southern Frontier, the River Lee region."
Crippled Joe came over, grinning, "River Lee has a famous sect by the river. I’ve heard it’s a big one, full of experts. Their sect master is called Elias Mornwind—his powers are legendary, said to be able to sever a river with a single gesture."
The old man quickly replied, "You flatter me. I am Elias Mornwind. Our River Lee Sect is really just a small group scraping by, living off the river. I have five junior brothers—people call them the Five Elders of River Lee."
Quinn’s heart skipped a beat, his face changing slightly. Weren’t the Five Elders of River Lee the very ones Granny Sue killed?
Could it be that Elias Mornwind brought his people here to avenge the Five Elders of River Lee?
He’d ordered ten coffins and ten burial shrouds—clearly meant for everyone in Oldridge Village. After killing the villagers, he’d dress them in burial clothes, stuff them in coffins, bury them on the spot, and then burn paper money and candles!
Even the paper boats and cranes were meant for Oldridge Village’s dead!
Elias Mornwind turned his jade thumb ring, speaking slowly: "Two years ago, the imperial court recruited us. The Imperial Preceptor himself brought the edict to River Lee Sect and sat with me to discuss the Dao. In the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, I wholeheartedly accepted, received the edict, and thanked the emperor for his favor. The emperor and Imperial Preceptor honored our sect, appointing me Governor of the Five Miao Prefectures, a second-rank official overseeing the region. The Five Elders of River Lee were made Deputy Protectors, third rank. Although we hold titles now, we still prefer wandering as before."
The Village Chief smiled, "The Everpeace Empire is just a sect disguised as a country. Its emperor is aided by the Imperial Preceptor, the foremost mortal beneath the gods. In recent years, the empire’s fortunes have flourished—they’ve subdued many sects and sent their disciples into the army to conquer new lands. Brother Elias, you were once free as a bird, but now you’re bound by the law of the court. It’s only natural you find it hard to adapt."
Elias Mornwind said, "That’s right. My five junior brothers grew restless and wanted to travel. They took the Five Disciples of River Lee into the Great Ruins for training. These disciples are their students—talented enough, my brothers wanted to give them a taste of hardship."
Grandpa Blindeye approached, leaning on his bamboo staff. "The Five Elders of River Lee entered the Great Ruins for training? And brought disciples? The Great Ruins is perilous—I can’t help but worry for them."
Elias Mornwind sighed, "Indeed. The Great Ruins is far too dangerous, full of fiends and monsters. They’ve been gone for two months, and I haven’t seen them return. I feared something went wrong, so I searched and eventually found where my brothers met their end. They died horribly—the wounds on their bones show they were killed by an expert from the Cult of the Heavenly Demon, about Granny Sue’s size."
(This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Click next page for more!)
He shook his head, "Later, I found where their disciples died—a canyon, their bodies ravaged by beasts. Such a tragic end... Judging by the wounds on their bones, the killer was a young martial artist, about this young man’s age. I heard your village has a tailor and a carpenter, so I came to order shrouds and coffins for the murderers of my brothers and nephews, ready to put them inside."
He showed a hint of pride: "Though I’m now a court official, I’m still a country man at heart, unused to the court’s red tape. So I’ll handle this by Jianghu rules and personally avenge my brothers and nephews. Miles Everfall."
With that, the old man fell silent.
Behind him, a young martial artist stepped forward and looked at Quinn Shepherd. It was the same man who’d tossed Quinn a gold ingot from midair when asking for directions. He said, "My junior brother Kurt was beaten to death by saber technique with a wooden stick. Little brother, you carry a saber—care to show your blade and spar with me?"
Quinn hesitated and glanced at Granny Sue and the Village Chief.
Granny Sue couldn’t help but say, "Quinn, the Southern Frontier folks are fierce—they never hold back. If he asks you to draw your blade, then do it..."
"Enough!"
The Village Chief barked, stopping Granny Sue. Calmly, he said, "They’re following the rules, not using the court or the Imperial Preceptor to pressure us. We mustn’t break the rules either. No one is to advise Quinn or help him."
His gaze turned icy as he looked at Quinn. "Quinn Shepherd, the coffins and shrouds are right there. If you show mercy, one of those coffins will be yours. Either he dies or you die! He’s challenged you—why are you still standing there? Go!"