Starting as the young master of a medicine shop, he practiced swordsmanship for twenty years

Noon!

The sun blazed, and even the air seemed to shimmer with heat. A carriage sped along the dirt road, kicking up dust.

The two figures outside the carriage were drenched in sweat, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"Young Master, we're almost there. Ahead lies Willow Creek Village."

The occupant of the carriage was none other than Lu Xuan, who had been traveling from the county town.

A large hand lifted the curtain, hooking it to the side. Lu Xuan's eyes narrowed as he gazed into the distance.

In the distance, he could make out the vague shapes of buildings and the sparse figures of people moving about.

Before long, the carriage began to slow its pace.

A massive stone came into view, its surface covered in patches of moss. Carved into its center were three large characters:

Willow Creek Village!

The houses in front became clearer, and the number of people increased. A group was gathered near the village entrance.

"Huh!"

"Young Master, there are constables over there. What's going on?"

Li San's voice was filled with confusion. Lu Xuan also noticed the constables among the crowd.

Lu Xuan wasn't the only one observing the village; the villagers had also noticed the activity at the entrance.

A carriage had quietly stopped outside Willow Creek Village, with three people standing beside it.

Such an unusual sight made it impossible for Lu Xuan and his party to go unnoticed.

Before long, a group of Willow Creek villagers slowly approached the village entrance, looking at the suddenly appearing strangers with curiosity.

Then, a path opened within the crowd, and an elderly man was helped forward.

The old man had a head of white hair and a snow-white beard.

He carefully examined Lu Xuan and his companions, his gaze finally settling on Lu Xuan, who stood in the center.

Lu Xuan was dressed in black brocade robes and possessed an extraordinary bearing, which surprised the old man. He politely addressed Lu Xuan.

"Esteemed guests, who are you? Where do you come from, and what brings you to my Willow Creek Village?"

"I am the village chief of Willow Creek Village."

Seeing the old man's inquiry, Lu Xuan bowed in respect and slowly replied.

"Village Chief, I come from the county town, where my family runs a small pharmacy."

"I'm traveling outside the county town to purchase medicinal herbs and happened to pass by your village, so I wanted to inquire."

"Oh, so you're esteemed guests from the county town here to purchase herbs! You are most welcome, though I fear we are unprepared."

Lu Xuan's words surprised the village chief, and a look of joy appeared on his aged face.

One of Willow Creek Village's biggest sources of income was outsiders coming to purchase medicinal herbs.

A large portion of the village's able-bodied men relied on venturing into the deep mountains to gather herbs and sell them to outsiders like Lu Xuan.

However, the people who came to purchase herbs this time were somewhat strange. Usually, they came in large groups.

He had never seen anything like Lu Xuan's group before.

Just a few people all alone, with a carriage. Had the world outside become so safe?

Although he was puzzled by Lu Xuan's background, the old village chief didn't dwell on it for too long.

Instead, he seemed to remember something, and the joy on his face disappeared, replaced by a worried expression. His aged face resembled a dried-up orange peel.

Finally, the old village chief said apologetically, "Esteemed guests, I am truly sorry."

"Willow Creek Village has been experiencing some trouble lately, and we don't have enough manpower to go into the mountains to gather herbs."

"I apologize on behalf of Willow Creek Village and ask for your understanding."

After all, they had traveled all the way to Willow Creek Village, only to find that there were no herbs available, which would affect Willow Creek Village's reputation in the future.

Therefore, the old village chief adopted a humble attitude, his face full of apology.

"It's no matter, Village Chief."

"I've traveled a long distance and would like to find a place to rest for a few days. What do you think, Village Chief...?"

"No!"

The old village chief understood Lu Xuan's intention and anxiously refused, raising his voice.

"Esteemed guests, to be honest, some things have happened in Willow Creek Village these past few days, which is rather inconvenient."

"I'm afraid that you might be accidentally implicated. We in Willow Creek Village wouldn't know what to do then."

"Esteemed guests, please take advantage of the early hour and continue on your way as soon as possible. You can reach the post station not far from here before nightfall."

Faced with the old village chief's stern refusal and his mention of trouble, Lu Xuan was somewhat surprised.

Trouble?

Could it be those dirty things?

Thinking of this, Lu Xuan looked at the old village chief's stern refusal and had an idea.

Leave?

That was impossible.

Those extraordinary and strange things were exactly what Lu Xuan desired most right now.

"Village Chief, you see, we've traveled a long distance, and the horses pulling the carriage have reached their limit. Could you allow us to stay here for just one night?"

Lu Xuan put on a tired appearance, which made the old village chief hesitate, unsure whether to refuse.

At this moment, a path opened up outside the crowd again, and five or six men in constable uniforms strode in.

"Hey, what are you all gathered there for? Where's the old village chief? I have some questions to ask him."

The leading constable looked somewhat chubby and had a young face.

"Ah!"

"You, you, you..."

The moment the chubby young constable's gaze fell on Lu Xuan.

He immediately revealed a look of seeing a ghost in broad daylight, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

"Oh my!"

"I knew this village was strange! A ghost!"

When Lu Xuan saw the chubby constable, he frowned slightly and looked at him with some surprise.

"Liang Cheng? What are you doing here?"

"Mommy, the ghost can even talk! Help!"

Hearing Lu Xuan speak and even say his name, the chubby constable didn't hesitate and tried to run away.

But no matter how much strength the chubby constable put into his legs, his body didn't move an inch.

It turned out that a large hand was tightly gripping the back of the chubby constable's collar, and the owner of this large hand was none other than Lu Xuan.

"Liang Cheng, why aren't you in the county town? What are you doing running all the way here?"

"Also, it's broad daylight now. You're too early if you want to see a ghost."

Lu Xuan secretly mobilized the Qi and blood energy in his body, and his voice was as loud as a bell, instantly sobering up the chubby constable.

"That's right, it seems."

"No, Cousin, you, you, how did you come here?"

It turned out that Lu Xuan and this chubby constable were related.

Lu Xuan's sudden appearance almost scared the chubby constable to death.

It couldn't be blamed on him. In the chubby constable's memory, Lu Xuan had never left the county town since he was a child.

Suddenly appearing here like this, anyone would think they were seeing a ghost in broad daylight.