Chapter 34: Young People, Work Hard

“The reason why our society is suddenly recruiting three new outer sect stewards is something you’ve probably heard about,” Yan Song glanced at Ning Xiu and the others, his voice grave. “A hundred li east of Lingnan lies a small town called Shanshi Town. Recently, a number of able-bodied young men there have died under mysterious circumstances. The society suspects it’s a case of the Black Calamity. Coincidentally, Shanshi Town falls within our jurisdiction, but I happened to be tied up with another task that day, so I sent three of our stewards to investigate together.”

“Among the three, the weakest was at the peak of the third rank, and the strongest had already broken through to the second rank. They’d dealt with similar incidents before, so it shouldn’t have posed much of a problem.”

At this point, Yan Song’s eyes grew somber, and the outcome was already clear to those present.

None of the three stewards survived.

“In truth, we don’t even know whether those three are dead or alive.” Yan Song’s voice was tinged with hoarseness as he looked at Ning Xiu and the others. “So, what exactly happened in Shanshi Town is a mystery to us. We can't be certain this is a Black Calamity case. Headquarters wants us to continue investigating. As long as it’s confirmed to be related to the Black Calamity, the subsequent matters will no longer be our concern.”

“Originally, I intended for the three of you to go together, but just yesterday, something major happened.” Yan Song paused, biting out each word. “Yesterday, the two remaining stewards of our branch also died. Their bodies have been sent back to the society. The location of their deaths was at Fengshui Creek, the border between our Azure Bamboo Society and the Ancient Sword Sect. The two sides have been at a standoff over this contested area for several days, so I suspect the Ancient Sword Sect may be involved. Now, our branch is severely understaffed, so I plan to assign the Shanshi Town investigation to just one of you.”

“Who is willing to go?”

Guo Xiaofeng and Du Qi both turned their gazes to Ning Xiu.

“Tasks from the society are something I dare not refuse, but my martial skills are weak and I fear I’m not up to the task. Brother Ning’s abilities far surpass mine; if he goes, there’s likely a greater chance of success,” Guo Xiaofeng said.

Yan Song shot Guo Xiaofeng a glance and turned to Du Qi.

“You agree?”

“My skills are inferior even to Steward Guo’s—he’s no match for Steward Ning, so I am even less so.” Du Qi didn’t state it outright, but his meaning was clear.

“Steward Ning, I’ll leave this matter to you. Any objections?”

“None,” Ning Xiu replied without hesitation, surprising Yan Song. He had prepared another explanation, but now had to swallow it back down.

Yan Song regarded Ning Xiu in silence for a moment before speaking: “This time, all you need to do is investigate. Confirm whether the incident is indeed related to the Black Calamity, then report back. Be careful—there shouldn’t be too much danger. If you succeed, you’ll be rewarded with a great deal of merit.”

“Thank you for your concern, Elder Yan,” Ning Xiu replied calmly.

No one present was a fool.

If the Shanshi Town incident truly involved the Black Calamity, how could it not be dangerous? If there was no risk, how did the three previous stewards die?

“Young man, work hard; the society’s future will be yours,” Yan Song patted Ning Xiu’s shoulder and turned to leave.

“The rest of you, follow me to Fengshui Creek—let’s depart!”

“Yes!”

Watching each figure depart, Ning Xiu let out a quiet chuckle and headed off in another direction.

...

A hundred li was not a far distance; with a swift horse, it was but half a day’s journey.

By the time Ning Xiu arrived at Shanshi Town, it was noon.

The streets were nearly deserted. Ning Xiu entered a tavern and took a seat.

“What would you like to drink, sir?”

“A pot of wine, and two jin of braised beef.”

He was the only customer in the tavern; the proprietor was an elderly man named Zhang.

“I recall that when I came to Shanshi Town last year, it was lively. Why are the streets empty now?” Ning Xiu asked, though in truth he had never visited Shanshi Town before.

He had not worn the Azure Bamboo Society’s attire for this trip, dressing instead as a passing traveler.

Old Zhang brought over the sliced beef and diluted yellow wine, sighing deeply as he looked at Ning Xiu.

“These days, the town is unsettled—very unsettled…”

The old man shook his head as he spoke.

Ning Xiu took a piece of silver from his sleeve and placed it on the table. “What do you mean by unsettled? I hope you’ll enlighten me.”

Old Zhang’s eyes lit up at the sight of the silver. He looked at Ning Xiu and explained: “Half a month ago—fourteen days, to be precise—a young man suddenly disappeared. At first, we didn’t pay much attention; disappearances have happened before. The young man’s family reported it to the authorities.”

“The magistrate accepted the case and promised to investigate.”

He paused, then continued, “After that, strange things kept happening. Every other day, a strong young man would vanish. As of today, fourteen have gone missing.”

“The magistrate posted a notice claiming it was the work of bandits.”

Ning Xiu could clearly hear the disdain in Old Zhang’s voice.

“But if it truly were bandits, they never demanded ransom, and most of the missing are poor. What kind of fool bandit does that?”

Old Zhang chuckled and shook his head.

“So now, the young men of the town stay indoors if they can, afraid they’ll be next. As for me, I’m just an old man with nothing to fear. If I don’t open my stall, I’ll starve.”

“I find you a congenial fellow, young sir—let me treat you to a bowl of noodles with savory sauce. Not to boast, but no one in this town makes them tastier than I do.” Old Zhang grinned, delighted at the exchange of noodles for a piece of silver.

“Thank you, sir.”

...

Before leaving, Ning Xiu asked Old Zhang if anything else unusual had happened in the town recently.

Old Zhang told many stories, but one caught Ning Xiu’s attention.

Someone passing the town’s mortuary late at night claimed to hear ghostly wails coming from inside.

There are no such things as ghosts and monsters in this world, Old Zhang laughed, mocking the man’s cowardice.

“The mortuary, huh…” Ning Xiu murmured.

If the Black Calamity was truly at work, the mortuary would indeed be a place prone to trouble.

After confirming the mortuary’s location, Ning Xiu did not linger. He rose and departed.