Arc 3: Luodong Village

Chapter 28: Rumor

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5039729
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com

The chicken blood spreading in the water seemed to have great killing power against that pale face. After a short while, the evil spirit retreated. The silent and invisible dark cloud pressing above also went away.  

The boatman stood up shakily, looking frightened.  

“Big brother.”  

The water was flat like a mirror. Only the ripples at the stern spread little by little. There was no hidden storm like before. Qin Dongwan didn't relax her guard at once. She went forward and pretended to be timid and asked softly,  

“I didn't see clearly before. What does it mean to throw chicken blood into the water?”  

This task was said to be about avoiding the control of the mountain god. But the given range was very broad. The chance of a mountain god being in the water was low. Yet she feared bad luck, so she only asked about the boatman’s strange move.  

While she spoke, the mountain village came clearer as they drew near. Green trees grew thick along the winding mountain road. The village houses stood inside them. Qin Dongwan stood at the stern and looked carefully. She saw the boatman’s face grow calm as they neared the village. After hearing her words, he only grew a little tense then eased.  

“Chicken blood drives away evil. Only by spreading chicken blood will the mountain god bless us.”

The saying that chicken blood drives away evil came down from ancient times. In some places, even a chicken coop can have spiritual meanings.

Qin Dongwan had only gone to the countryside of other places when she was a child. She once saw blood from a white rooster used at a burial, saying it could keep away evil. But in truth there was no scientific proof. In her real world where science was more advanced, it would surely be called feudal superstition.  

But in this dungeon world where real world science cannot be used, it was not certain. From the second level on, Qin Dongwan had to be more careful. She no longer trusted NPCs like on the first level. She had her own thoughts. Hearing the boatman say chicken blood drives away evil, and with the story of the mountain god, she could guess that this village was backward.  

Backward villages mostly had simple customs and fine scenery. Tourists liked to come to such places. Many backpackers loved to feel local customs. But that tour guide she saw at the start really didn’t look like a normal person.  

“Pingping is here——”

After the long whistle sounded came the boatman’s shout. Three small boats cut through the waves, wanting to dock at shore. In the middle of all the green stood a small girl. When she saw the boats with guests returning, she looked shy and wanted to hide. But the teasing from the three boatmen made her face grow redder. She stomped her foot and said,  

“My mother said the guests will all stay at our house and Brother Binzi’s house. Brother Binzi went fishing, so she told me to bring some of you back first.”  

Pingping’s voice was clear. It still carried the tender softness of a seventeen or eighteen year old girl. Her oval face was fine and smooth. She was a pretty girl raised by the gentle mountains and rivers. The fear piled up on the boat faded a little when they saw her. Many eyes showed longing.  

Everyone liked being with a harmless looking girl. Just like when they fought for the boat before, the people rushed over after stepping on shore like wolves seeing meat. This made Pingping a little overwhelmed by their excessive enthusiasm.

In the end, out of ten people, five were called over. Qin Dongwan’s group and the tall young man were in it. After self introductions, she heard the young man’s name was Lin Fengque.  

Lin Fengque was a very good looking young man. His black hair was a bit longer than normal men’s and tied at the back in a thin short ponytail. His face was gentle and had no aggression, yet it didn’t look androgynous either.

He went forward to talk to Pingping. As the distance closed now and then, the small girl often blushed and turned away.  

“The scenery here is nice. It’s worth us coming. But the five of us living at your house, will there be enough space? We won’t bother your family, right?”  

Lin Fengque didn’t lower his voice on purpose, so people behind could hear too. Pingping, with no schemes, answered straight,  

“No, Father and Mother don’t mind noise. And the next few days there’s a bonfire party. Father and Mother went to help with it. Only I’m home. My house is a stilt house with three floors. The rooms are big. You can just stay in two rooms.”

Five people shared two rooms. With three men and two women, it was barely enough.  

The NPC didn’t give too much or too little information. Asking more couldn’t get any key details for now. Even the bonfire party was brushed off with a vague “I don't know.”  

Seeing this, the others gave up on probing. The whole way was silent until they saw the stilt house they were about to stay in up close. Only then was there some stir.  

The stilt house was built along the mountain and hung high above the ground. Only a bamboo ladder could reach the living area. The bottom was piled with all sorts of things. Between the pillars, dry fir wood was slanted and locked tight, making the house look very solid.  

The setting sun laid a warm glow over the flying eaves. The whole house shone with golden light from layers of tung oil, looking wide and grand.  

The moment she saw the stilt house, Qin Dongwan noticed Lin Fengque at her side had a tiny change in expression.  

“The third floor has a small room for storing food. You shouldn’t go there. The other two rooms are already tidied up. Big brothers and sisters can live here these few days. If nothing else, I’ll go make some food. You must be hungry after walking so long, right?”  

“Then thank you.”

Seeing Pingping walk into a room, Qin Dongwan quietly noted the kitchen’s place, then followed the others up to the third floor.  

The stilt house was a bit old. The wooden boards, worn by sun and rain, seemed unable to hold so many people. They creaked under their feet in protest.  

On the third floor, they split to choose rooms. Qin Dongwan and Luo Shu were on the side facing the sun. Inside, there was already a clean quilt laid out with care. At the head of the bed sat a cloth doll, finely made, clearly meant as a trinket for girls.  

The cloth doll had thick brows and big eyes. It faced the doorway and showed a stiff smiling face.  

“A’Shu, don’t touch it!”  

A vague guess had already formed in Qin Dongwan’s mind. She stopped Luo Shu, who wanted to take a closer look, and patted her shoulder to signal patience.  

“Let’s go out first.”  

They were all players, so they had no luggage. None of the NPCs found it strange, since what mattered was only pushing the story forward. They entered the room just to take a simple look. In this dungeon, they couldn’t be careless with anything.  

The three men also looked around briefly and then came out. The two rooms were face to face. Next to them was a corridor with a railing half the height of a person. From there, one could clearly see the scene below. Qin Dongwan first picked a hidden spot, making sure she could watch the bottom without being noticed. Then she said,  

“This should be Xiangxi*.”

*referring to Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Western Hunan 

Except for Lin Fengque, everyone showed some doubt at her words.  

In the China of the world where Qin Dongwan used to be, there was an area called Xiangxi. Its scenery was strange and beautiful, attracting endless tourists. But mixed in were many ghostly and supernatural tales.  

At first the scenery wasn’t enough to tell. But with the stilt house, and the system’s hint about the mountain god, it was clear this dungeon was set against Xiangxi legends.  

“I once traveled to Xiangxi before I entered this game. Many people in Xiangxi believe all things have spirits and worship witchcraft. The three evils of Xiangxi* are corpse driving, gu poison, and the fallen flower cave maidens. Any of these could appear.” Lin Fengque added.  

*Three mysterious and often sensationalized folk practices from the Xiangxi region:

 1. Corpse Driving- A ritual where a Taoist priest supposedly leads corpses home for burial by making them “walk” at night. Often depicted with bells, gongs, and symbolic talismans.

2. Gu Poisoning- form of black magic involving venomous ancient insect (called Gu) or toxins, allegedly used to harm others. Often tied to superstition and misunderstood illness.

3. Fallen Flower Cave Maiden - A tragic legend of unmarried girls who, after gazing into a sacred cave, stop eating and die with a smile. Believed to be “marrying the cave god.” Families hold wedding rites instead of funerals. 

“Three evils of Xiangxi?”  

The strange words came out of Tang Zihang’s mouth. A chill crawled up his back. The village was surrounded by mountains, and the stilt house they stayed in was built by the mountain. The high mountains not far away were covered in green. He hadn’t felt anything before. But after hearing Lin Fengque speak of those three things, he felt like the green mountains trembled a little.  

All else stayed the same. Only the mountains seemed to quiver, as if sensing some ancient ritual.  

“That’s right.” Lin Fengque explained with focus. He didn’t notice anything odd. He was about to go on about the three evils when Hua Qingjiu beside him tugged his sleeve. He got the hint and stopped talking.  

Pingping, who should have been busy in the kitchen, was suddenly at the stairs below. She walked up slowly, her steps so light they were barely heard. Seeing the group gathered and talking heatedly, the young girl lifted her face and showed a pure and innocent smile.

“The food is ready.”  

Next to the rooms on the second floor was the main hall. Inside was a fire pit. Most meals in stilt houses were eaten there. Pingping looked warm and friendly. On the table, dishes were spread out. Red chilies were sprinkled on rice noodles. The sour and spicy smell of pickled fish filled the air. Five bowls of rice and chopsticks were laid neatly on the table.  

“You eat first. I’ll go bring some food to my parents.”  

The small girl smiled sweetly. She waved at them, then left with a lunch box. From the earthen stove came steam and fragrance, white mist curling and rolling. Inside was also a big dish of chicken fried with green peppers.  

Next was clearly the time NPCs left for players to explore. They didn’t know how long it would last, but it had to be used quickly.  

Tang Zihang didn’t have a strong sense of danger. The road from the shore to the stilt house was long. He was already worn out from being startled again and again. He plopped down and started eating first.  

He scooped soup from the pickled fish and poured it over white rice. The thick smell teased his appetite. He took a mouthful, then right away frowned.  

“This pickled fish has way too much salt. Even the sour water tastes bitter and salty.”

Author's Note:

Sorry for the long wait, there will be more later. This instance dungeon has a slower pace and will be longer than the previous ones.