novellaaa Chapter 38: Mountain Mist Clears After Rain
Chapter 38: Mountain Mist Clears After Rain
The crowd gradually dispersed, like a receding tide, leaving behind a scene of devastation and a sense of calm after the catastrophe. The shadow of the old locust tree lay obliquely on the bluestone slabs, cutting the mottled bloodstains into fragments of light and shadow. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, sifting down fine golden rays that fell on Lin Yan's robes, which were covered in dust and bloodstains, giving them an antique, bronze-like sheen.
Su Qingyao squatted beside the medicine pot, stirring the thick, brownish broth inside with a wooden spoon. Steam rose, blurring her features, but fine beads of sweat condensed at her temples. Suddenly, she looked up, her gaze passing over the rising steam to land on Lin Yan not far away.
The young man leaned against the locust tree trunk, eyes closed, meditating. His tattered clothes were slightly lifted by the wind, revealing scabbed wounds beneath. Morning light danced on the faint, grayish-black aura surrounding him, as if coating him with a thin, shimmering halo. "Profound Realm"—these three words rolled on her tongue, carrying an unbelievable lingering echo.
She recalled his meticulous analysis of the situation in the cellar last night, his careful planning when arranging the demon-attracting incense, and his resounding words when he announced the "Black Stone Guard." Such insight, strategy, and composure were far beyond what an ordinary squad leader of the Demon-Suppressing Division could possess.
"Lin Yan," she called softly, placing the wooden spoon on the edge of the pot, making a slight "tap" sound.
Lin Yan opened his eyes; the deep, dark vortex in his gaze had vanished, leaving only his usual calm. "Hmm?"
Su Qingyao stood up. Her moon-white short dress appeared slightly yellowed in the sunlight, likely due to the accumulation of dust and medicine stains. She stopped three steps in front of him, her clear eyes fixed on him, filled with undisguised curiosity and inquiry: "What you just said... about forming a guard, eliminating remaining threats, opening up channels for mountain goods, and even how to deal with Qingzhou Prefecture in the future... these insights don't seem like something you learned in the Demon Suppression Division."
She paused, lowering her voice slightly, as if afraid of disturbing this rare tranquility: "My father often dealt with the people of the Demon Suppression Bureau, mostly rough and brutish warriors who valued quick revenge and rarely considered things in such a comprehensive way." She carefully chose her words, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the cloth bag belt at her waist, "It's more like... someone who has read many books and seen much of the world."
Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat.
He looked up at Su Qingyao. The girl stood backlit, her hair slightly disheveled by the morning breeze, a few stray strands clinging to her sweaty forehead. There was no doubt or interrogation in her eyes, only pure curiosity, and a hint of... a light of almost worship that she herself might not even be aware of.
The bright light made him feel somewhat uncomfortable, yet also inexplicably touched.
"Before my family fell on hard times, I did attend a private school for a few years." Lin Yan shifted his gaze to the men carrying wolf carcasses in the distance, his voice as calm as if he were talking about someone else's story. "Later, after my parents passed away, I joined the Demon Suppression Bureau to make a living. The principles in books and the way of life in this world are ultimately two different things." He paused, then added, "It was just theoretical knowledge that I happened to be able to apply."
This statement is half true and half false. The vast amount of knowledge and thought patterns from his past life have long been ingrained in his very being, becoming one of the things he relies on to survive in this chaotic era of demons. But this origin is destined to remain untold to others.
Su Qingyao let out a soft "Ah," her eyes shining even brighter. "I see," she murmured, then frowned, her tone tinged with self-deprecation and confusion. "Since I was little, my father forced me to read the 'Hundred Herbs Chart,' the 'Demon-Slaying Chart,' and many ancient books on array formations and talismans. I read them until my head was spinning, and I only learned the basics. How come you, after only a few years of schooling, can... can understand so much?"
She tilted her head, a gesture that revealed a touch of youthful naiveté amidst her usual composure: "Father often says, 'Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles,' could it be that you…" She didn't finish her sentence, but her eyes remained fixed on Lin Yan, filled with a thirst for knowledge that demanded, "Tell me quickly how you are so amazing."
Lin Yan felt a chill run down his spine from her gaze.
That look in his eyes reminded him of the students in his past life who would chase after professors asking questions—pure, eager, and relentless until they got an answer. He coughed lightly, trying to change the subject: "In chaotic times, survival is the greatest skill. Qingyao, your expertise in medicine and formations is a real ability to save lives, far superior to my empty talk."
He turned and looked towards the direction of Canglang Mountain. The morning mist had dissipated, and the outline of the mountains was clearly visible under the clear sunlight. However, deep within the dark green forest, there was still a heavy, lingering eerie aura and deathly stillness.
"The troubles in Blackstone Town have only just begun." Lin Yan's voice deepened. "Although the demon wolves have been defeated, their remnants remain. Those who have fled from the mountains, as well as insidious creatures like the cave spiders, will not be spared until they are completely eradicated. As for Qingzhou Prefecture..." He paused, not finishing his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Su Qingyao's attention was indeed diverted. Following Lin Yan's gaze, she looked towards Canglang Mountain, her curiosity gradually fading, replaced by a serious expression. "You mean, we're going to proactively enter the mountain to wipe them out?"
"That's right." Lin Yan nodded. "Passive defense is ultimately a poor strategy. Only by completely eliminating the threat can Blackstone Town truly be at peace. And the medicinal herbs, mountain delicacies, exotic fruits, and even the hides and bones of demonic beasts in the mountains are the most scarce resources in Blackstone Town right now. Only by opening up this source of income can the town have the resources to repair the city walls, provide compensation for the wounded and injured, and maintain its guards."
His words were clear and logical, with a far-sighted perspective. Su Qingyao listened intently, her earlier slight curiosity replaced by the more urgent and grander picture before her. She took a soft breath, feeling something ignite within her—not a girl's petty thoughts, but a broader, more expansive surge of emotion, a desire to participate in changing the fate of a group.
"Lord Lin!" At that moment, a rough shout came from afar.
Uncle Zhang and Shi Hu walked in one after the other. Uncle Zhang had changed into a clean coarse cloth jacket, but the white cloth wrapped around his arms and thighs was still stained with dark red. Shi Hu, on the other hand, was still wearing the same tattered single garment, his one arm hanging limply, and he was leaning on a makeshift wooden cane with the other hand. He walked with a limp, but his back was straight and his eyes were as sharp as ever.
The two men walked to the locust tree and first clasped their hands in a fist salute to Lin Yan—this gesture was much more respectful than before, revealing genuine admiration. Zhang Bo rubbed his calloused hands and said, "Lord Lin... Lord Lin." He was clearly not used to this form of address, pausing before continuing, "The casualties and losses have been roughly tallied. Forty-seven dead, twenty-one seriously wounded, and the number of minor injuries is negligible. The breach has collapsed more than eight zhang (approximately 33 meters), and several sections of the nearby earthen wall have also weakened. The captured weapons and armor can only be pieced together to make fifty or sixty decent sets. The grain and silver are still being tallied, but... it won't last long."
At this point, Zhang Bohua's white eyebrows furrowed, his face showing a mixture of resentment and frustration: "There's something else... Chen Fuhai's scoundrel, Qian Lu, took advantage of the chaos yesterday to injure the young guard and escape! The young man broke two ribs and is still in bed. I never expected that this scoundrel, who usually acts so pretentious, would be so skilled in martial arts and so ruthless... It's all our fault for being careless and letting him hide so well and slip away!"
The old blacksmith's voice was low and weary: "The villagers haven't left yet; they're all busy packing up. But what's next... what should we do next? I'll have to ask you for advice."
Shi Hu didn't speak, but looked at Lin Yan with his hawk-like eyes, his one arm muscles slightly tense, a posture of being ready to act at any time.
Lin Yan nodded, gesturing for the two to sit down on the stone bench under the shade of the tree. Su Qingyao silently followed, sitting down a little further away from Lin Yan. She took out a water pouch and a clean cloth from her bag and handed them to Uncle Zhang and Shi Hu.
"Qingyao and I were just talking about this." Lin Yan took another cloth from Su Qingyao, wiped his hands, and slowly said, "If Blackstone Town wants to survive and live a decent life, it can't just stay here guarding these dilapidated town walls and wait for the next monster or human to come and bully it."
His gaze swept over Zhang Bo and Shi Hu: "The first thing to do is to wipe out Canglang Mountain."
Zhang Bo and Shi Hu were both startled.
"There are still some escaped demon wolves in the mountains, their number is unknown, but they are already frightened and are no longer a threat," Lin Yan continued. "The troublesome ones are the lurking demons, such as the cave spiders. These things are insidious and cunning. If they are not eliminated, the townspeople will be sending themselves to their deaths if they go into the mountains in the future. Therefore, I must go into the mountains first and remove these hidden dangers one by one."
A glint of light flashed in Shi Hu's eyes, and he gripped his wooden staff tightly with his one arm: "I'll go with you!"
"No," Lin Yan shook his head. "You have more important matters to attend to. The Black Stone Guard is newly established, its morale is low, and its rules are not yet set. Uncle Zhang is older and more experienced, but when it comes to military training, we still need a tough soldier like you to take charge. Before I eliminate the major threats in the mountains, the Black Stone Guard's primary task is to assist in repairing the town walls, maintaining order within the town, and at the same time—" He looked at Shi Hu, "begin the most basic training. Standing in formation, obeying commands, familiarizing yourself with your weapons. Can you do these things?"
Shi Hu's chest heaved, and he bowed deeply: "Yes!"
"Alright." Lin Yan turned to Uncle Zhang. "Uncle Zhang, you'll be in charge of coordinating all the town's resources, providing compensation to the wounded and injured, organizing women, children, and the elderly to make dry rations, mend clothes, and care for the injured. You'll also be responsible for allocating the manpower and materials needed to repair the town wall. Are you capable of handling this?"
Zhang Bo raised his white eyebrows and straightened his slightly hunched back: "This old man may not have any other skills, but I've lived in Blackstone Town for over sixty years. I know exactly how many people are in each family and what kind of work everyone is good at! Don't worry, Lord Lin, I won't make any mistakes!"
"The second thing," Lin Yan's voice rose a few decibels, "is to organize the townspeople to go into the mountains once the threats in the mountains have been largely eliminated."
He described in detail the possible produce from the mountains: mature and medicinally potent Crimson Sunflower, Bone-Eating Grass, and Heart-Clearing Orchid; delicious matsutake mushrooms, monkey head mushrooms, and wild ginseng that could fetch a good price; the occasional exotic fruit containing a faint spiritual energy; and materials from demonic beasts such as wolf carcasses and spider shells… With each item he mentioned, Uncle Zhang's eyes lit up. These were the hard currencies that Blackstone Town was currently most in need of.
"With these, we can exchange them for grain, salt, iron, and cloth, allowing the town to recover," Lin Yan concluded. "But all of this depends on the mountains being safe enough."
Shi Hu pondered for a moment, then asked in a hoarse voice, "Lord Lin, even if you clear out the demons, ordinary townspeople entering the mountains will inevitably encounter poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, or suffer injuries from falls. Perhaps... the Black Stone Guards should scout ahead first, demarcate a safe area, and then allow the townspeople to enter in batches?"
Lin Yan gave him an approving look: "That's exactly what I meant. You'll be in charge of arranging this matter. Remember, in the early stages, it's better to be steady than hasty. It's better to gain less than to lose a life."
"Understood!" Shi Hu replied in a deep voice.
"The third thing," Lin Yan's gaze deepened, "is also a long-term plan—to enhance the strength of the Black Stone Guards."
He looked at Shi Hu, then glanced at the men who were busy at work not far away, the men who had fought alongside him the night before: "Compared to the demon race, humans are naturally at a physical disadvantage. To defeat the strong with the weak, in addition to bravery, cooperation and skill are also needed."
He paused, then turned to Su Qingyao, his tone questioning: "Qingyao, I have something to ask of you."
Su Qingyao was listening intently when she heard this, and she paused slightly before sitting up straight: "Go on."
"I have observed that the Su family's 'Demon-Slaying Manual' contains not only medicine and talismans, but also a few array formations and combined attack techniques," Lin Yan said slowly. "I wonder... if you would be willing to teach the Black Stone Guards a few of the simplest array formations? They don't need to be very sophisticated, just enough to enable them to form small teams of three to five, cooperate in offense and defense, and unleash combat power far exceeding that of an individual."
His voice was sincere: "For humans to fight against demons, combined attacks using formations are the only way to make up for individual disadvantages. This matter concerns the future survival of the Black Stone Guards, and it cannot be done without you."
Su Qingyao's eyes lit up.
She didn't answer immediately, but lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath her eyes. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the fine stitches on the cloth bag—orchids embroidered by her mother before her death, now somewhat worn.
My father dedicated his life to studying demon-slaying techniques, his greatest regret being that the Su family's array formation tradition was interrupted due to a sudden family upheaval, never truly used to protect the people. Now, he has the opportunity to put this family skill to practical use, to protect the inhabitants of this town…
She raised her head, her eyes no longer showing any hesitation. Lin Yan's image was reflected in her clear gaze. Her voice was soft, but every word was clear: "I do."
She paused, then added, "The *Demon-Slaying Manual* does contain several basic battle formations, such as 'Three Powers Defense' and 'Five Elements Rotation.' While not particularly advanced, they should be sufficient for small-team coordination and dealing with low-level demons. However…" She frowned slightly, "Practicing formations requires precise control over footwork, positioning, and timing, and even more importantly, it demands perfect teamwork. The Black Stone Guard is newly established, and I'm afraid…"
"It's alright," Lin Yan said. "Let's teach them the simplest things first, so they can get a general idea. With diligent practice, they'll naturally become proficient. I'll leave this matter to you." He cupped his hands and bowed.
Su Qingyao quickly stepped aside, her cheeks slightly flushed: "It's my duty, there's no need for such formality."
Zhang Bo and Shi Hu exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes. Lin Yan had a long-term vision, and Su Qingyao filled in his gaps; with the two of them working together, the future of Blackstone Town seemed to truly have hope.
"In that case," Lin Yan stood up, dusting off his robes, "we should not delay. Shi Hu, go and gather all the able-bodied men who are willing to join the Black Stone Guard, as well as the former Demon Suppression Division soldiers who performed outstandingly last night. They shall assemble here in one hour."
"Yes!" Shi Hu leaned on his cane, about to get up.
"Wait a minute." Lin Yan called out to him, taking out two thin, worn-out booklets from his bosom—the most basic copies of "Qi and Blood Guiding Technique" and "Wind-Breaking Saber Technique" that he had found in the Demon Suppression Bureau's warehouse.
"Pass these two down first." Lin Yan handed the booklet to Shi Hu. "The Qi and Blood Guiding Technique is a foundational method that requires diligent daily practice. The Wind-Breaking Saber Technique, though rudimentary, has simple and ruthless moves, suitable for battlefield combat. Have literate people teach everyone. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me when I return."
Shi Hu took the booklet with both hands, his one arm trembling slightly from the effort. He knew the significance of these two items—in the past, these cultivation methods were firmly controlled by Chen Fuhai and Zhao Mang, and ordinary townspeople couldn't even dream of seeing them, let alone practicing them. Now, Lin Yan had taken them out so easily.
His Adam's apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he simply clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, leaving everything unsaid.
"Uncle Zhang," Lin Yan turned to the old blacksmith, "I would like to ask you to organize a team to register and properly store the grain and supplies confiscated from the town magistrate's office, the Demon Suppression Bureau, and the Chen and Zhao families. As for the compensation, we will proceed with utmost care and speed, as we just discussed. If you encounter any difficulties, please come to me at any time."
"Okay!" Uncle Zhang nodded emphatically.
Having given his instructions, Lin Yan said no more. He nodded slightly to Su Qingyao and turned to walk out of the town. He needed to first investigate the situation in the mountains and eliminate any lurking monsters that might pose a deadly threat to the townspeople.
Su Qingyao watched his receding figure, which stretched long in the sunlight. Despite being covered in wounds and dressed in tattered clothes, he seemed to hold up the world. She gently bit her lower lip, then turned to Uncle Zhang and Shi Hu and said, "Let's start preparing too."