Chapter 1: The Haunted Village

Two individuals dug up a considerable amount of sweet potatoes. In order to save some firewood for their family, they decided to roast the sweet potatoes locally. Now that they have grown up, they also wish to share the burden with their mother

The beauty they speak of is named Bai Yan'er, who is twelve years old, yet has already blossomed into an extraordinarily enchanting figure, possessing an innate charm that has stirred many to desire her.

Only the ancestors have lived here for generations, and the descendants dare not relocate, fearing it may affect future generations

"I heard you really like Bai Yan'er? My father told me that Bai Yan'er's mother was promiscuous; after giving birth to Bai Yan'er, she ran off with another man. They say Bai Yan'er looks just like her mother, and I fear her temperament might be the same. I heard that her father used to be very healthy, the strongest man in our village, but ever since he got together with her mother, his health has deteriorated, and he has been in a state of half-death ever since, with no improvement. My father says Bai Yan'er is a source of trouble and advised me not to get too close to her to avoid bringing misfortune upon myself." Wu Xiaobai noticed that Daoyan's expression was not right and, out of concern for their friendship, kindly reminded him.

Migrating away from a place is indeed a significant matter

Daoyan has a relatively slender build and is not very tall, but he possesses considerable strength. He holds the steaming roasted sweet potatoes in his arms and says, "If the village chief thinks that our grain contribution is insufficient and takes even our roasted sweet potatoes, where will we go to cry then? While the sweet potatoes are still hot, let's hurry home; they won't taste good once they cool down. We'll leave these here just in case."

"Let's go, Xiaobai, come to my house for dinner today." Daoyan immediately changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on this matter.

"It's fine, a man bleeds but does not shed tears. I didn't cry, so why are you crying? I know where there is food," said Daoyan with a hint of irritation.

"Hahaha, Daoist Jia, we have been collaborating for so many years, so it is only right for me to cooperate with you. It is a rare honor for our village to have such a beautiful person gain your favor, and it is indeed her privilege." An elderly man, already fifty years old, spoke in a hoarse voice, with a lewd smile and a face glowing red.

"Haha, you are still the clever one." Wu Xiaobai quickly buried the place where the roasted sweet potatoes were with soil and immediately ran home with Daoyan

No need, your family is not doing well either, and your parents will have their opinions. Moreover, the whole village has to contribute money to invite the Taoist priest, and your family is no exception. That silver bracelet is a token of my mother's feelings for my father. Every now and then, she looks at the silver bracelet and silently weeps. How could I let her pawn the silver bracelet? Dao Yan has always had a strong personality since childhood. The pawnshop is run by the village chief, and something worth one tael of silver can only fetch fifty copper coins when pawned there. To redeem it, one would need to pay back two taels of silver, which is quite exploitative. The pawnshop is run by the village chief, and something worth one tael of silver can only fetch fifty copper coins when pawned there. To redeem it, one would need to pay back two taels of silver, which is quite exploitative.

Dao Yan... Wu Xiaobai knew that Dao Yan's life was quite difficult, and he did not know how to offer comfort; he only felt a deep sadness in his heart

Behind the village, there is a field of sweet potatoes... Dao Yan looked towards the moderately high mountain ahead.

Beside him, three village children followed, all trying to curry favor with him, acting as his henchmen. This was because, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the next village chief would be this Cai Qiang, who came from a powerful and influential family. Naturally, they were all eager to be Cai Qiang's lackeys

Just as they ran out of the back mountain, they saw a young man who was a head taller than them, around fifteen years old, the son of the village chief, named Cai Qiang. He was somewhat plump and a bit dark-skinned, and he often took advantage of others, relying on his status as the village chief's son.

Dao Yan and Wu Xiao Bai walked out of the wooden house

Mother, what is the matter? Isn't this what Father gave you on your wedding day? Why do you want to change it? Moreover, there is clearly still a good amount of rice and grain at home

Isn't our village haunted? I heard it by chance. The village chief invited that Daoist Jia, who said that Bai Yan'er was born in a year, month, and hour of the sun, capable of dispelling all ghosts and evils, making her the most suitable candidate to be the saintess. He instructed Bai Yan'er to bathe and change clothes at noon when the yang energy is at its peak, to absorb the yang energy for seven consecutive days. Finally, she should sit in the stone tower, which can drive away ghosts and eliminate evil, ensuring that the entire village will no longer be plagued by supernatural beings.

Dao Yan ... ... '' Wu Xiaobai's eyes turned red upon hearing this. Relatively speaking, he had a kind personality and a good temper, often being bullied by others. Dao Yan frequently protected him, which is why he had always regarded Dao Yan as his older brother. At this moment, Dao Yan felt distressed, and naturally, Wu Xiaobai was also uncomfortable.

In front of me stands a small wooden house, occupying an area of approximately 30 feet in diameter

Beside the square, there stands a uniquely designed building known as the Town Demon Stone Tower, which serves the purpose of warding off evil spirits and demons. It is said that this location is the foundation of the village.

Several houses are surrounded by several acres of farmland, all of which belong to the village chief. Each year, they are rented out to villagers for cultivation, with a certain amount of grain tax collected.

Wu Xiaobai nodded repeatedly and said, "Aunt Wu, please do not be sad. Dao Yan and I will go out to find something to eat and will be back soon"

"Shameless, Daoyan, come over here." Cai Qiang saw Daoyan and Wu Xiaobai from a distance. He had been accustomed to being overbearing since childhood, and the adults in the village were not afraid of him, let alone children of a similar age.

There are nine provinces in total, hence the name.

"Daoyan, have you heard? Our village has selected a saintess." One of the boys, missing two front teeth and speaking with a slight lisp, is named Wu Xiaobai, nicknamed 'No Teeth' because it sounds similar to 'shameless,' which often leads to him being mocked by his peers.

Wu fell silent for a moment, her eyes reddening as tears streamed down her face. She helplessly said: "There are ghosts haunting the village, and the village chief said that inviting a Taoist priest would be very costly. This is a matter for everyone, and we all need to contribute money to share the burden. Our family has no money, so all the rice and grains in our home have been taken away. If we do not sell this silver bracelet, our family will not be able to get through this difficult time."

Building a house is referred to as establishing the foundation of the universe, and this is a significant matter

Oh? Which saintess to choose?" The boy accompanying Xiaobai called out, his name being Yan. He has his own surname, but his mother forbids him from disclosing it, reportedly as per his father's instructions

The main hall of the village chief's home

The Divine Dynasty of the Nine Provinces

The wisps of smoke rose gently, and the aroma of sweet potatoes wafted through the air. Dao Yan and Wu Xiaobai were drooling, and in the end, the two of them took off their clothes to wrap the sweet potatoes.

Back Mountain

It is still broad daylight now, what is there to fear? Ghosts do not dare to come out. Let's go! Dao Yan leads the way.

Dao Yan, how about I go home and bring out some food? Wu Xiaobai is very righteous

Where?" Wu Xiaobai wiped away her tears

Daoyan has a rather wild temperament, daring to fight and charge ahead. Many children are afraid to come to the back mountain, but he is determined to take a look. Not long ago, he discovered a patch of sweet potatoes here

The village chief's surname is Cai. It is said that the Cai family has considerable influence in the nearby Shiyun Town. More than ten years ago, the village was plagued by ghostly disturbances, and the previous village chief was unable to quell the chaos caused by the spirits. As a result, this village was taken over by the Cai family, who maintain over twenty tall and strong henchmen, and no one dares to challenge his authority

In front of the house, there is a small courtyard covering an area of 2 zhang, which includes a well, a water bucket, a hoe lying against the wooden wall of the house, and a conical hat and a raincoat hanging.

On the rural path in the village, two boys walk together

"Silly child, help your mother by taking this silver bracelet to the pawnshop to exchange for some money, and buy some rice and vegetables to bring back. Your mother will prepare delicious food for you." Mrs. Wu took the silver bracelet off her wrist and handed it to Daoyan.

"Daoyan, why don't you dig out all the sweet potatoes? Why leave these here?" Wu Xiaobai looked at Daoyan, who was bare-chested, and pointed to the roasted sweet potatoes in the pit.

At the center of the village is a square, which serves as a gathering place for the entire village.

Involving feng shui, it is even more mysterious and profound, said to have a significant impact on future generations, with fortunes and misfortunes being difficult to predict, thus the villagers dare not act rashly

The windows and doors were tightly shut, and there stood a figure dressed in a yellow robe, with triangular eyes glinting with lewdness, a sharp-nosed, monkey-faced appearance, grinning as he said: "Village Chief Cai, thank you very much, I am deeply grateful."

Pomegranate Village is situated next to a mountain, and beyond this mountain lies the battlefield. Each war results in the loss of many lives, which has led to the belief among the villagers that the place is haunted. Many firmly believe that the spirits of the vengeful dead from the battlefield are seeking retribution.

Dao Yan brought Wu Xiao Bai to the sweet potato field

What? There is a mountain behind the village. Once, a battle was fought there, and many people died. It is said that at night, sometimes inexplicable sounds can still be heard... Wu Xiaobai felt a chill all over, clearly frightened.

Is Bai Yan'er really that impressive? I can't tell at all, but she is indeed very beautiful; she is the prettiest girl in our village. Whenever Daoyan mentions Bai Yan'er, his expression changes noticeably. It is natural for a young boy to develop feelings for a beautiful girl, as everyone has a desire for beauty.

The country paths are crisscrossed and interconnected, leading in all directions

"Hooray, Aunt Wu cooks the best!" Wu Xiaobai began to drool

Dao Yan felt a pang in her heart and immediately said: "I won't sell it. I will go out to find something to eat. Xiao Bai, let's go."

Next to the Ghost Town Stone Tower is the village chief's house, surrounded by high walls and a large courtyard, which stands in stark contrast to the surrounding houses

For them, the orphans and widows, it is barely sufficient to shield them from the wind and rain

Due to being affected by military disasters over the years, this village is not affluent and appears somewhat desolate

Daoyan led Wu Xiaobai into the small wooden house, where a woman was sitting on a wooden chair, looking haggard. Daoyan approached her and asked, "Mother, Xiaobai is having dinner at our house today"

In the extreme north of Youzhou, there is a city named Shilong, which belongs to a remote mountainous area and is relatively desolate. Under its jurisdiction, Shiliu Village is one of the most peripheral villages, situated in a corner, covering an area of ten miles and home to over a hundred households

In the village, wooden houses are arranged in a scattered yet orderly manner, and almost every household has a small courtyard in front. The poorer families tend to raise some chickens and ducks for eggs, while the more affluent ones keep pigs, cattle, sheep, and horses.

My mother said the same thing, but who cares? In any case, I am determined to marry the most beautiful woman, become the highest official in the village, and bring honor to my mother. I want them all to open their eyes and see clearly. If anyone dares to speak ill of me behind my back, I will make them regret it. Dao Yan spoke boldly. His mother raised him single-handedly through great hardship, enduring many disdainful glances from others. As a woman, she faced countless whispers and slanders from the neighbors in the village, accused of being a husband-killer. Shortly after her marriage, war broke out, and her husband went off to fight, never to return. His mother raised him single-handedly through great hardship, enduring many disdainful glances from others. As a woman, she faced countless whispers and slanders from the neighbors in the village, accused of being a husband-killer. Shortly after her marriage, war broke out, and her husband went off to fight, never to return.