Chapter 630: Wolves
Chapter 630: Wolves
Back in their village, even if it was night time, there would still be some noises like dogs barking whenever you got near the houses.
But right now, there was only absolute silence all around them.
The doors and windows of the houses were shut tight.
Not even a sliver of candlelight could be seen.
Only the warm summer night breeze could be heard together with the distant chirping of the insects at night.
"Be careful." Lao Er whispered softly to Ling Er while he walked up to one of the houses.
Ling Er nodded her head and followed closely behind.
When she wanted to take another step forward, Lao Er stopped in his tracks and drew out his sword.
"Wait... We... We thought you were wolves." A man’s voice stammered in the distance from Lao Er.
Lao Er lowered his sword and asked, "Wolves? What do you mean by that?"
When he saw Lao Er’s sword lowered and pointed at the ground, the man walked out from his cover and revealed himself.
He was an ordinary looking villager, looking just like one of those uncles in Lao Er and Ling Er’s village.
"There is a pack of wolves which appeared in the forest recently.
"They had killed off some of the goats and cows when we let them roam around in the grass patches nearby.
"Every time when we tried to save our livestock, we were always too late to do so.
"We could only hear the howls of the wolves in the distance."
Lao Er glanced at the man and asked, "Were there any tracks left behind by the wolves?"
The man gave out a sigh, shook his head and said, "Every time it happened, we would be busy with getting our livestock back to safety, rather than looking for tracks."
"There aren’t any hunters in the village?" Ling Er stepped forward and asked.
"No, we are all farmers raising goats and cows in this village." The man said and more people emerged from the darkness with sticks, sickles and clubs in their hands.
"Have you reported to the officials?" Lao Er asked and the man shook his head at him.
"The officials are busy in other places." The man said and the other villagers began to chatter.
Finally, an old man stepped forward and said, "I’m the village head of this village. It’s late in the night, we better talk in my place."
Lao Er glanced at Ling Er, and Ling Er nodded her head at him.
Both Lao Er and Ling Er couldn’t sense any Spirit Qi in the villagers, so it should be safe for them to spend the night here in the village.
They should be able to figure out more in the morning.
Lao Er cupped his hands at the village head and said, "We are so sorry for the intrusion.
"Both of us were traveling around looking for herbs.
"And somehow we wandered for too long until it was already night time.
"We would be glad if you could offer a place for us to spend the night in.
"Don’t worry, we will be paying for the lodging."
The village head nodded his head at Lao Er and Ling Er.
Both of them reminded him of his grandson and granddaughter.
He waved at the other villagers, gesturing for them to disperse and said, "Come with me."
After which, he turned and walked towards a house at the far end of the village.
Lao Er and Ling Er quickly followed behind him.
The village head’s house was exactly like the houses in their village.
It was mostly made of wood, with tiles on the rooftop.
The goats and cows were kept behind barricades next to the house.
Making the air have a pungent smell to it.
But it was something that the villagers were used to.
And thankfully, being brought up in the villages, Lao Er and Ling Er were also used to it.
Creak.
The doors creaked open when the village head opened them.
"There isn’t much in here so there’s no need for any payment for the lodging." The village head said and he entered through the doors.
"No, we insist." Lao Er and Ling Er replied in unison.
But the village head pretended not to hear and he gestured at one of the rooms in the house.
"You can sleep for the night in that room. It’s late, we can talk tomorrow." The village head said and he headed into another room.
Lao Er didn’t think much and he entered the room.
But when he saw that there was only a single bed inside the room, he frowned.
"What are you standing here for?" Ling Er shook her head at him and barged into the room.
Then, she realized why he was standing at the door.
Although they had been staying together, they always slept far apart.
But right now...
Lao Er inhaled slowly but his heart was beating faster.
He had to fake a cough when he feared the sound of his heart beating would be heard by Ling Er.
Ling Er on the other hand, felt her neck, ears and cheeks burning hot.
There were a few moments of silence where both of them could hear each other’s breathing and every little movement due to their heightened senses as cultivators.
Finally, Lao Er pointed at the bed and said, "You can sleep on the bed, I’ll take a rest and cultivate on the floor."
Ling Er nodded her head and was unusually quiet.
"That’s it then." Lao Er quickly sat down on the floor in lotus position.
Ready to cultivate throughout the night.
Ling Er proceeded to lie on the bed and tried to get to sleep.
She didn’t know how long it took, but it was after a long while before she got tired enough to fall into a slumber.
Lao Er stole a glance at her but stopped himself immediately and he tried to get back to his cultivation instead.
If only Grand Ancestor Lin were here to tell him what to do. Lao Er closed his eyes and thought to himself silently.