madnovel Chapter 74 The Immortal of the Labyrinth
Chapter 74 The Immortal of the Labyrinth
As the sun rises, the dew gradually disappears.
The sudden rain last night has quietly receded, leaving behind muddy roads and a stifling dampness.
Disordered footsteps stretched from the distance to the old houses at the end of the village.
A group of children, around seven or eight years old, peered curiously through the window at the sleeping blind scholar. Their playful noise disturbed the person lying on the bed.
"who..."
"Having heard yesterday that you had injured your leg, Uncle Luo Jing specially went up the mountain to find this golden pheasant to help you heal your injury."
From among a dozen or so children stepped forward a boy carrying a golden pheasant. He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a resolute face, with his thick black hair tied up in a bun with a light blue ribbon. Although his clothes were covered in patches, he exuded an air of maturity beyond his years.
The boy, named Luo Licheng, was the most promising candidate in Shiliang Village to pass the imperial examination for the lowest degree.
"So it's the ceremony's over. Just leave the things at the door... Who else is around here after the ceremony?"
Luo Licheng bowed respectfully as a disciple and introduced the other students in the classroom.
"The student wishes to take care of the teacher until he recovers, and hopes that the teacher will not refuse."
The blind scholar, whose real name was Luo Ji, was the only person from Shiliang Village to pass the provincial examination with the highest score. However, he was attacked by bandits on his way to the metropolitan examination.
Although the bandit spared Luo Ji's life out of respect for the scholar, he still took away the scholar's eyes to ensure that his appearance would not be revealed.
How could a proud and arrogant scholar have ever suffered such hardship? As a result, Luo Ji, who was well-read and humble, never recovered and used to make a living by teaching the children of Shiliang Village.
His students were not the kind of cold-hearted people. Long ago, they proposed to take turns taking care of Luo Ji, but Luo Ji refused them all.
It wasn't that he didn't need it, but rather that his lingering pride wouldn't allow his students to see his usual stumbling and pathetic state.
However, no matter how aloof he was, his legs refused to obey him. He was also lacking someone to look after him during the day.
"Li Cheng, this child... the provincial examination is in seven days... he has studied diligently for years and is well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, this year should be his most confident year, I can't let him down..."
Luo Ji weighed his options in his mind, hesitated for a long time, and finally refused Luo Licheng. Even the other children who were watching the commotion were lectured.
"Go back now. Don't think that I'm too busy to take care of myself. As long as you study hard to pass the imperial examination, that will be the best comfort for me."
"As for the other students, they must also study diligently, lest they waste their time until they are old and gray, only to regret it in vain. Go back... all of you go back..."
Luo Licheng was not a dull person; on the contrary, having experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships, he had a clearer understanding of human nature and social customs.
His face flushed red and then paled, but his resolute gaze never wavered. Having lost his father at a young age, he yearned even more to pass the imperial examinations and bring honor to his mother.
Even his unmarried uncle placed all his hopes on him, and if he failed the exam... that would be an outcome that Luo Licheng could not accept under any circumstances.
"The students are aware..."
The driven crowd had no choice but to return home along the road.
...
"Brother Licheng, why don't we go to that mysterious cave in the mountains to pray for blessings..."
The boy, sniffling with clear snot, offered his suggestion.
"And where is that?"
"Yes, yes... I've never heard of this 'mysterious cave' before..."
"A powerful immortal is said to reside in that labyrinthine cave, granting all requests..."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go pray for the master, hoping he will be safe and sound, live a long and healthy life, and be protected from all evil..."
The chattering of a group of children further fueled Luo Licheng's already somewhat irritable mood.
"Where you go is none of my business, but since you came with me, you must come back with me. Let your parents know you're safe before we do anything else..."
The other children readily agreed, since those who came with him were all very perceptive and naturally understood the reasoning behind it.
To prevent any accidents, Luo Licheng even went door-to-door to return the children to their homes before going to work in the fields.
...
Luo Jiheng and Luo Hongxuan were considered the next bright and clever couple in the village, and their childish curiosity and playfulness were naturally impossible to hide.
"Brother Xuan, why don't the two of us go to that so-called Immortal Cave alone? Firstly, to pray for the master's well-being, and secondly, to find out if there really is a great immortal inside that labyrinthine cave. What do you say..."
"Heng-ge, let's ask Father about this first. If he says there's no danger, then we can gather them together. I don't want to anger Father..."
They seemed to recall the taste of stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat, and the two brothers were both filled with fear.
"This matter will be discussed again...discussed again..."
...
As the lingering glow of the setting sun faded along the border, night fell and the crescent moon gradually became visible.
The farmers, having worked hard all day, returned home one after another. The two brothers, who had already prepared a meal, stood at the door, eagerly awaiting their return.
"Father, Mother...you have returned..."
The two brothers ran over to him with great joy. The dark-skinned man, dressed in an indigo linen shirt, cloth skirt and trousers, and straw sandals, took off his straw hat and picked them up.
Behind him followed a woman dressed in a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), carrying a bamboo basket and a small, jet-black rabbit.
"Your father specially found this for you and your brother, so be sure to take good care of it. Don't let its small size fool you, it can jump quite fast."
"It's a rabbit!"
The two brothers broke free from their father's broad arms and ran towards their mother. Looking at the exquisitely beautiful baby rabbit, they cheered even more.
The dark-skinned man smiled upon seeing this and then properly placed the farm tools.
On the table and chairs
The family of four enjoyed their meal together in a happy atmosphere.
"Father, Father. It is said that there is a great immortal in that mysterious cave in the mountains. Tomorrow, I would like to go with my brother Xuan to pray for your well-being..."
To everyone's surprise, the man's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He stood up abruptly and stared intently at the two brothers.
"Where did you hear that from?"
Seeing their father's near-furious expression, the two children were so frightened that they started to cry. Their mother, standing nearby, tried to comfort the two brothers.
"Tell Mother how you found out, okay...?"
With tears streaming down his face, Luo Jiheng wiped away the water droplets before responding in a sobbing voice.
"Today, I went to Mr. Li's house with Brother Li to deliver a golden pheasant, according to the child who accompanied us. I don't know him, and I've never seen him in the village before."
"So that my husband can recover soon and return to school, we've been thinking about whether to go to the mountains to search for him."
It was clear that the two brothers did not reveal their main purpose, but that was enough to get by.
The man gradually calmed down, and with an apologetic look, he pulled the two brothers into his arms and patted their heads.
"That's not some kind of immortal...it's a demon...Remember, never open the door at night, no matter who knocks, unless the person outside has a shadow..."
"Do not listen to those elusive, seductive voices..."
"Tomorrow we'll find that gossiping child and teach him a lesson!"