The villagers, their hands bound, trailed behind the horses. Before long, several of the less physically robust women and young boys began to look haggard, their lips parched and peeling from the trek.
Some could no longer endure it and cried out to the constables for help. Had Gu Qingyun not previously witnessed the ferocity with which they spoke of sacrificing female infants, she might have softened her heart.
Now, she only wanted to turn a blind eye. It wasn't that she didn't know these women might have had no say in the matter, but for them to cold-bloodedly abandon children they had carried for ten months—how were they any different from the men?
“Please, give us some water to drink, we’re so thirsty.” During a brief rest, the women noticed that Gu Qingyun was also female and immediately approached her.
Gu Qingyun looked at them coldly, her expression entirely unmoved.
an eight-year-old boy, seeing she wasn’t moving, ran straight over to snatch the water canteen from her waist. Gu Qingyun caught him, and the boy glared at her fiercely.
“You worthless girl, hurry up and give me your water. I am a precious boy!”
Gu Qingyun let out a cold laugh. She tightened her grip on the boy’s hand and pinched his ear hard with her other hand.
“Aah! It hurts! Father, Mother, save me!”
The boy let out a shrill cry and struggled frantically, trying to break free from Gu Qingyun’s restraint.
His parents, hands bound, stood not far away, not daring to come over. Gu Qingyun waited until his cries turned hoarse and his face was covered in tears and snot before she let go in disgust.
“Get lost. If you dare come near me again, I’ll break your hand.”
Gu Qingyun unhurriedly ate her steamed bun and drank her water. Meeting the covetous gazes of the villagers, she took a large gulp of water.
Then, she poured a little water from the skin to meticulously wash each of her fingers. She looked at those people—who were seething with suppressed rage while incessantly swallowing their saliva—and gave a cold smile.
This was nothing compared to what they deserved. After all the people they had harmed over the years, their true suffering would only begin once they reached the county seat.
Head Constable Liu sat down beside her.
“Qingyun, in a bad mood? Still angry about the village sacrificing girls?”
Gu Qingyun gave a soft hum of agreement.
“Uncle, maybe I’m being a bit narrow-minded, but I just feel… drained. How can people be this cruel, with no reverence for life?”
Head Constable Liu patted her shoulder and sighed.
“Qingyun, you live in a prosperous age now. You don’t know that over a hundred years ago, during the chaotic times, many places suffered droughts. Sometimes there were no harvests at all, and some families even exchanged their children to eat them.
“Things are better now, and such things rarely happen, but in some remote mountain villages, people are still very ignorant. Just keep a clear conscience and don’t overthink it.”
Gu Qingyun nodded. “I understand, Uncle Liu.”
After the giant serpent died, Gu Qingyun had learned from a lingering wisp of its spirit that it hadn't always been this way when it first gained sapience. It had been dedicated to its cultivation, and the villagers had made offerings to it.
Whenever the village suffered from a rat infestation, it would personally deal with it. If a villager was injured, it would venture deep into the mountains to gather the right medicinal herbs for them.
Humans and serpent had lived in harmony for a warm period, their relationship growing closer.
However, as the serpent grew larger and more powerful, the desires of the villagers began to expand.
They were no longer satisfied with working at sunrise and resting at sunset; they wanted a better life. Thus, they prayed at the Mountain God temple, hoping the Mountain God would protect and bless them.
With that, they began hunting in the mountains. Because this entire area was the giant serpent’s territory, they encountered no danger in the deep woods and returned with full loads every time.
With income came greater greed. They wanted to earn even more silver, and the giant serpent, amidst the greedy air of incense faith, lost its original heart. It completely devolved into an evil god, stepping onto a path of no return.
And the villagers, to make the giant serpent grow faster, began to sacrifice young girls. After days of devouring these offerings, the last of the serpent’s reason vanished completely, leaving no way back.
It wasn't until Gu Qingyun and the others stepped into this mountain village, noticed everything, and brought it all to an end.
Gu Qingyun let out a breath and stopped dwelling on it.
…
Leading the group through several days and nights of travel, Gu Qingyun and her companions finally returned to Jiangyin County. Just as they entered the yamen, the County Magistrate himself came out to meet them.
Accompanying him were Zhang Yutang’s parents, Shen Qinghe, and Wen Zhiyuan’s parents. Seeing their sons return safe and sound, though much thinner, the three families broke into tears of relief.
Zhang Yutang, in particular, hugged his father and began to complain.
“Father, Mother, I almost didn't make it back. If these constable brothers hadn't risked their lives to save me, your son would have been swallowed by a snake. Father, your son’s life is very valuable; you must thank them properly.”
He pointed at Gu Qingyun and Lu Hu.
“Especially these two, they fought the giant serpent and even suffered internal injuries. Father, you must buy some top-quality medicinal herbs for them to recuperate.”
“Father, make sure the reward money is a bit higher. I am your only son, after all.”
Master Zhang’s heart was filled with a mix of emotions. He was relieved his son was back, but his son’s behavior made his hands itch with the urge to give him a beating.
Gu Qingyun looked away; she hadn't expected this scholar to be like this.
Master Zhang pushed Zhang Yutang aside, pinched the bridge of his nose, and took incense pouches from a tray held by his steward. He gave one to each of them, offering his thanks to everyone with impeccable etiquette.
Gu Qingyun and the other nineteen constables accepted the silver without any guilt. If it weren't for her presence this time, the entire squad might have been wiped out.
Once the three families had taken the three scholars away, County Magistrate Yu, having heard the whole story, slammed his hand on the table, his face ashen with rage.
“Every man who participated in this shall first receive fifty lashes, then be exiled to Ruoshui along with the women. As for the boys, repatriate them to nearby villages, give them a piece of land, and ensure they don’t starve.”
After speaking, he turned a gentle gaze toward the constables.
“You have all worked hard. The danger of this mission was beyond my expectations. Those of you who are uninjured may return home to rest and report for duty tomorrow. Constable Gu and Constable Lu shall rest at home for two more days before returning to duty.”
…
Just as Gu Qingyun reached the yamen gates, she was stopped by Bai Fan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news. He looked deeply worried.
“Sister Yun, are your injuries serious? Why don’t you take a few more days off and rest at home?”
Gu Qingyun clutched her chest and leaned against the wall.
“It’s fine, just a minor injury. It’s been hard on you, patrolling alone these past few days. I’ll share some of the reward silver I received with you later.”
Bai Fan’s voice wavered with urgency. “What are you saying? How could I take silver my brother almost died for? That’s yours. If I took it, what kind of person would that make me?
“The Zhang family was quite tactful. Knowing the yamen sent twenty constables and that the rest of us were swamped with work, they gave everyone at the yamen a red envelope. Don’t worry; though it’s not as much as what you got, it was still very generous.”
Gu Qingyun gave a faint smile. “That’s good then. Practice your martial arts more; there will be plenty of opportunities for field missions in the future. We can earn some extra income together then.”
Bai Fan waved his hand. “Let’s not talk about that. Look at you, you’re injured. Come, I’ll walk you back. Grandma Zhang will surely be worried.”
“Forget it. My injury isn’t that severe; I just need a couple of days to recover. I can get back by myself. Go on and mind your business.”
After sending Bai Fan away, Gu Qingyun slowly walked toward home. Sighing, she felt a bit embarrassed about faking her injuries every time, but wasn't it all to avoid unnecessary trouble? It was better to be cautious; the bird that sticks its head out gets shot. That saying was certainly true.
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