Damn it! Let’s smash the darkness together!

Chapter 1453 - 204: The Widow of Luling

As she spoke, Yang Su took a fond glance at the gold ring in the broken bowl, then slightly lifted her coarse cloth attire, reaching beneath her heavy bosom and around her side to pull out a wooden Qiang flute, nodding to the two of them.

After a brief pause, she found the melody, puffed up her cheeks, and began to play.

"Whoo... woo woo~"

She was playing an unknown ballad, with a distinct rhythm where vibratos and auxiliary notes alternated in cycles,

Accompanied by breathing and the movements of playing, a kind of melancholy unique to the Qiang flute, or perhaps a somewhat heroic sound akin to a bugle, emerged and spread across the bridge, quickly buried by the falling heavy snow.

Why does the Qiang flute lament the willow?

The spring breeze does not pass Yumen Pass...

She indeed wasn’t lying; there was a certain musical talent hidden within her.

Just after the opening notes, she conveyed through the flute her despair from a bitter and tragic life, yet also her teethed persistence, her refusal to bow to an oppressing world, and her determination to live no matter what. (Note 1)

"This..."

Xu Shu and Xiao Ya exchanged a slightly surprised glance, seeing a hint of astonishment and doubt in each other’s eyes.

Xiao Ya said, "Baishi Town? Xisha Square? Luling County... were these previous names of Luling Platform? Nowadays, the places she mentioned seem to not exist... And, continuous turmoil and year after year of famine? This doesn’t sound like language from this era.

"Rumor has it, within the Four Sufferings Mysterious Sect, a part of history’s gaps is preserved, perhaps glimpses of a vanished past can be found.

"I initially thought the history of the Mysterious Sect only traced back a hundred years or so, but now it seems far more extensive.

"From her words, judging the epoch of the No-Life Mysterious Sect’s relics might be two or three hundred years, or even earlier.

"However, it’s peculiar; the rumor has it the Four Sufferings Mysterious Sect was made by Bai Yujing before he vanished, which means it should only be decades old, right? What’s going on here?"

She mused aloud, stroking her chin, as her small face revealed large wisdom, engaged in "deep thought."

No-Life Mysterious Sect, just this mother and daughter pair seemed to come from three hundred years ago, and the geography significantly differs from the reality of Luling Platform, which puzzled Xiao Ya.

Sadly, in this moment within the relic, the ascension drive couldn’t be activated.

Otherwise, "mechanical expert" Xiao Ya wouldn’t just engage in deep thought, but indulge in "network search," digging deeper for answers.

Meanwhile, Xu Shu opened his mouth.

After listening to the beggar girl, no, the singer-girl Yang Su’s statements, he too found puzzling aspects.

But his questions were completely different from Xiao Ya’s.

Yang Su spoke of how famine has ravaged their era for a long time, and indeed, her daughter appeared malnourished, reflecting a state of nationwide destitution.

Thus, the questions arise.

In such lean times, why does your bosom remain so well-rounded and ample, teetering on the brink? Why do they appear so plump and ripe?

This must be all fat, right?

Logically, when a person is extremely starved, the body tends to ’self-consume’ to sustain physiological functions, leading famished people to embody a skin-and-bones appearance.

Yet, Yang Su this... just a mere disaster victim, plump and smooth to an excess, right?

What are you eating to maintain such immense enhancements?

Is it silicon particles directly stuffed in?

Xu Shu had big questions marked over his head.

This, was his puzzling point, two full points, in fact.

Nonetheless, whether his and Xiao Ya’s curious points were a single point or different, when left unsaid, they appeared roughly the same.

Xiao Ya raised her head to look at Xu Shu: "Something’s off, the things this singer says... It seems that Baishi Town is problematic."

Xu Shu glanced at Xiao Ya, similarly agreeing: "Indeed, the problem concealed here is significant! If we peel it apart for a closer look, we might uncover great secrets."

The two nodded to each other and nearly spoke in transmission simultaneously.

"You think the same way?" Xiao Ya was surprised; she thought Xu Shu wouldn’t notice.

"Of course!"

"Then what’s your thought?" Xiao Ya asked with a smile.

Xu Shu stroked his chin: "In the relics, the scene of chaos, mutual seizing isn’t present, suggesting the treasures are also deeply hidden. And those who entered are quietly exploring, not wanting others to know their movements.

"Hehe, we can do the same; why not have this singer lead us to Baishi Town for a look, perhaps it’s a ’monster nest’. Hehe, she seems extremely odd, clearly inhuman at first glance!"

"Hehe, who knew you’d actually show some smarts!" Xiao Ya expressed admiration.

"Naturally, also take a look at my moniker, I am of the cunning deceitful Way. Slurp~" Xu Shu wiped his mouth.

"Alright, let’s move... Uh..."

Xiao Ya nodded, somewhat puzzled afterward.

What’s with wiping your mouth after talking?

She didn’t ponder the thought further.

"Alright, no need to play anymore, take the gold as a reward." Xu Shu said.

Yang Su halted her flute-playing, with gratitude and tears, she knelt down, choked up saying, "Thank you! Many thanks indeed, such great mercy and kindness, this woman won’t be able to repay in this life, only in the next life, binding grass stems in gratitude..."

"No need, stand up now."

Before she could finish, Xu Shu crouched down first, lifting Widow Yang Su by her arms and helping her rise.

Given Yang Su’s devoted kneeling posture, and her notable features, Xu Shu inevitably experienced a brief physical contact while assisting her to her feet.

This was natural, not intentional on his part, especially in front of her daughter, Xu Shu was absolutely not the type without morals, not one lacking etiquette and shame.

Truly!

Really, it was good.

This tactile sensation was smooth and lush, matching Da Ya 70/30... Hmph, she’s surely not an ordinary disaster victim! And this little girl appears small and unattractive, bearing almost completely the signs of a disaster victim!

Thinking so, Xu Shu released, casually dusting off his sleeves, calmly saying: "Lead us to take a look at your Xisha Square."

"Uh... Benefactor? Why go to us, there? This woman... this woman’s husband passed less than three years ago, still, still needing..."

Up close, the rich male aura from the man before her suffused her senses, having accidentally brushed against him, her face turned slightly red, her thoughts wandered, speech stammering a bit.

Xu Shu smiled and said: "Don’t misunderstand, today’s world is chaotic; though this gold ring is small, if you wish to exchange it for wealth, a single woman with a daughter will attract dire trouble!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Su quickly replied, "No, it won’t happen. Everyone at Xisha Square is good. Occasionally aiding me, I’ve managed to survive till now..."

Xu Shu waved it off: "Really? Well, since that’s the case, I won’t hide it from you. Actually, I am a government official, newly bought a position... Oh no, acquired officially a position! I’ve come here to assume office as the magistrate of Luling County! Here is my credential!"

He casually produced a somewhat impressive-looking brocade box, not allowing Yang Su a clear view before retrieving it, then continued:

"Before coming, I heard Luling County was exceptionally lavish, rich to overflow.

"Yet upon arriving, I witnessed scenes completely opposite from the rumors.

"See that distant city, its pavilions and towers, decorated, celebratory, utterly opulent and thriving!

"But the roadside rural folk, fallen to begging for survival?

"Dressed in rags amidst cold, hungry families!

"Unfair! Far too unfair! It truly breaks this county magistrate’s heart!"

Xu Shu clenched his fist, a face full of anger, unmistakably displayed.

"Wh, what? You’re the county magistrate?" Yang Su was completely awestruck.

"???" Xiao Ya also froze, blankly staring at Xu Shu, thinking how this guy got so eloquent, each line a string of rhetoric!

Shortly after, Yang Su said: "But our county magistrate took office just two years ago, held a prayer event on Big Temple Mountain last week, seen from afar, an aged man around sixty..."

She mentioned, gazing timidly at Xu Shu.

Xu Shu sneered: "Others live in luxury while bones freeze on the streets; does such a waste have the right to be a magistrate? Soon I’ll kick him out. Remember, from today onward, your magistrate is none other than me! My name, Liu Yuan!"

"Pfft~" Xiao Ya nearly burst out.

"This..." Yang Su gaped, her mouth agape.

Though she harbored suspicion, the domineering and resolute aura exuded by Xu Shu prevented her from opposing in any way.

Seeing Yang Su wanting to speak, Xu Shu promptly said: "Enough words, lead me first to your Baishi Town for a look; this county magistrate intends to delve into the local circumstances further!"