Chapter 1913: Locust Plague
ossoms grow in very hidden places, otherwise they would have been eaten by monsters long ago. Without my guidance, even if you reach Crimson Leaf Island, you wouldn't find the spirit blossoms.”>Though...When the fish was pulled aboard, it turned out to be a large carp weighing seven or eight pounds.
The harpoon plunged deep into the fish's belly.
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This fishing spear is made by splitting the end of a bamboo stalk into three parts, separating them with wooden sticks, and binding them together with hemp rope. Three pointed tips are carved out.
One of them had pierced through the belly of a fish, and its blood was flowing out uncontrollably.
The little boy's mouth opened wider, he couldn't believe his eyes.
The old man who personally pulled the bluefish up was also surprised. This fish spear he had casually made to coax the child actually had such power
This girl...
All the people on board looked at Xiao Wu with strange eyes.
Qin Sang drank the wine in his cup and laughed, "Xiao Wu was born with great strength. This blue fish will be enough to pay for our boat fare..."
As they were talking, the river ahead curved again, continuing to flow south.
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Just past the bend, there was a pier ahead.
Seeing the scene at the pier, the old man let out a surprised exclamation. He didn't even bother with Little Five, instructing his grandson to clean the bluefish and hurried up to the bow of the ship, squinting into the distance.
Along the way, they passed several wharfs, scattered along both banks of the river, with two ships each going their separate ways.
The arrangement was once again that of the wharves facing each other, but the scenes on either side were vastly different.
On the east bank, a few passengers stood scattered. On the west bank, the pier was crammed with people.
The place was crowded with people, all carrying bags of different sizes.
But these people were mostly middle-aged men and women, the pillars of their families. There weren't any children or elderly people, and it didn't seem like they were fleeing in desperation.
The lead ship was docked at the pier, its stern packed with people, and it was taking on a lot of water.
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As the pier was overflowing with people, passengers still tried to cram onto the boats. Some almost fell into the water, causing a big man to shout angrily.
Upon seeing the approaching ship, the man named Da Han's eyes lit up. He shouted to Chen, "Chen Uncle, my boat is full, you bring them aboard!"
Having said that, the Han man didn't hesitate. He untied the reins and with a strong push of his oar against the shore, the boat's speed noticeably slowed down compared to before.
The old man hurriedly turned the bow of his boat, first going to the east bank to pick up his passengers, then steering towards the west bank.
As soon as the ship pulled up, people couldn't wait to board it.
On the shore, people were packed together in a dense crowd, afraid of missing the boat. They desperately pushed their way onto the pier.
The wooden dock creaked and groaned, making me worry it might collapse under my weight.
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"Don't worry! Don't worry! It fits! It fits!"
The old man hurried to greet everyone, stabilizing the boat and blocking the bow so people could board one by one.
The first to come up was a sturdy merchant, who was grabbed by the old man.
"Old Yue, why are all of you from Xiwu Village here What happened"
The farmer sighed heavily, "Disaster has struck!"
>
"What"
The old man was startled, and there was a commotion in the hold. The previous passengers poked their heads out of the hold and asked in astonishment.
"Trouble"
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"What disaster What kind of disaster"
These are all villagers who depend on farming for a living. They are most sensitive to the word "disaster."
In times of disaster, people suffered greatly. Those who lived through such years even dared not to recall them.
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Fortunately, the feng shui in Beikuo County is quite good. It doesn't experience major disasters every ten or eight years, so it's still livable.
>
This year hasn't been ideal with the weather, but it's far from a disaster.
Moreover, other villages were unaware and only these five villages suffered the disaster.
"Locust plague!"
“A locust plague is coming!”
The people on the pier were chattering.
“What! A locust plague!”
"Are locusts coming from the west"
The crowd was stunned, with a few people rushing out of the cabin, their faces full of panic. "Is there really a locust swarm"
Bei Kou County borders mountains and water, and there hasn't been a locust plague in at least a hundred years.
But the common people have all heard how terrifying locust plagues are, even worse than floods and droughts. Now it's a time when crops are not yet harvested and there is little food to be found in the fields.
After the locusts have passed, there is nothing left to harvest. How will we survive this year
"I haven't seen the locust swarm yet," Lao Yue shook his head, "Our village elder keeps a hawk. You know, that hawk is very spiritual and can send messages across many mountains. A couple of days ago, a message came from the west saying that hunters deep in the mountains found several mountains almost devoured, flying black and dense towards the east, possibly heading towards our Bei Kou County."
“When the locusts swarm, even the mountains are bare. Where is there a way for people to survive Go to the city early and find some work to earn enough to get through the winter...”
When the locust plague struck, countless refugees poured into the city. No wonder they were so anxious.
Hearing this, the passengers on board were also panicked. Some immediately shouted to disembark and rush back to report.
The peasant envied the old man and said, "Old Chen, you eat food from the river. You don't have to worry. Everyone in our village is running to the city. They can survive for a year by doing so in just a few days."
“All the grain in the village fields has been eaten, where can we buy food”
The old man saw clearly, shook his head and sighed. He called the little boy over and mumbled, "Boy, once you're in town, go to the shop and buy a few more bags of rice. Grandpa has to run back and forth a lot today..."
People on the dock boarded the ship one after another. The cabins were full, and people stood at both the bow and stern of the vessel.
Further on, I'm afraid it wouldn't fit a few people, and the rest would have to be left behind.
In the crowd, that green horse stood out, a head above the rest.
“The Boatman...”
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Qin Sang didn't know when he had brought Xiao Wu to the stern of the boat and called out, "Tie up the stern to shore. The poor monk has eaten and drunk his fill, and the horse has also rested enough. Make room for the folks."
"Goodness! Look at how this thing has blown up..."
The old man, after drinking the medicinal wine, viewed Qin Sang as a divine being. He was filled with reluctance at the thought of Qin Sang leaving the boat.
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It was as if fate had played a cruel trick. If Qingma went down, it would indeed leave a large expanse of space.
Seeing Qin Sang's insistence, he had no choice but to turn the ship around and dock at the shore.
"Boy, hurry up and get the rest of the bacon..."
"Oh!"
The little boy was very quick-witted. Before his grandpa could finish speaking, he understood. He grabbed the package filled with bacon and ran to the stern of the boat. Without hesitation, he shoved it into Qin Sang's arms.
"Thank you to the boatman and the younger brother for their kindness."
Qin Sang didn't decline, took it over, placed it on the horse's back, helped Xiao Wu up too, bowed his hand, and was about to jump onto the shore.
"Hold on!"
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The little boy suddenly shouted, rummaged through the treasure chest for a while, ran back to Qing Ma's side, held up what was in his hand high, and said crisply:
"Here you go, Xiao Wu!"
The little boy held a tambourine in his hands. The drumhead was covered with painted felt, with a tiger's head drawn on it. When the ball hit the drumhead, it made a "dong dong" sound.
... is the most delicate, and also his favorite toy, in the treasure chest.
Little Five hung his head and did not reach out to take it.
"Here you go!"
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The pony was tall, the little boy bravely approached its body, tiptoed up, and with all his might stuffed the tambourine into Little Five's hand.
Little Five 'looked' towards Qin Sang.
"Remember what you're supposed to say" Qin Sang reminded softly, without interfering.
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Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Thank you."
You're welcome.
The little boy grinned, his sweat glistening in the sun.
'Bang!'
The Qingma leaped forward, and in the gasps of the crowd, it took a single step across the river surface, landing firmly on the other bank.
The little boy stood at the stern of the boat, waving his hand with reluctance.
Suddenly, Xiao Wu pulled on the reins and turned his horse around, "What...is your name"
“Me”
Here is your response:
The little boy scratched his scalp and suddenly regretted it immensely. He wished he had begged his grandfather before to ask the master to give him a name.
His eyes lit up suddenly, and he shouted.
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“Boy! Grandpa calls me boy! Grandpa's name is Chen, my name is Chen Boy!”
'Bong...'
'Knock, knock, knock...'
The rich drumbeat echoed through the woods.
Sunlight filtering through the leaves dappled the forest path, occasionally punctuated by bird calls that harmonized with the drumbeats, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.
Having disembarked, Qin Sang did not choose to head south but instead followed a path along the shore toward Xi Wu Village, the place spoken of by many.
Little Five sat on the horse's back, gently shaking a tambourine. There wasn't much of a smile on his face, more like an unconscious movement.
'Pfft!'
Zhuge was pinned down by Qin Sang, not even managing to take a bite. He could no longer contain himself and plunged into the package, opening his mouth to snatch up a piece of cured pork.
"Bah! Bah! Bah!"
The pungent fishy smell rushed straight to her nose, Zhuque hurriedly spit it out, “Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! It’s disgusting!”
Was that fish soup you just made really cooked with this
"Hahaha…"
Seeing Zhuque's embarrassed state, Qin Sang burst into laughter.
>Luohou raised his forelegs and let out a neigh.
Xiao Wu didn't smile, but the tambourine in his hand shook even more cheerfully.
Zhu Que was furious and shouted at them.
>
Here you go.
After the laughter subsided, Qin Sang took out a bowl of fish soup with meat in it. He had specially kept it aside just now.
Zhuge looked at Qin Sang suspiciously, sniffing around east and west before finally relaxing and eating with gusto.
The little path twists and turns.
Over a mountain ridge, you can see vast fields of crops, and a village sits at the foot of the mountain.
The small path runs through the village and continues westward. The terrain remains relatively flat, and you can still see fields and villages at the end of your vision.
Both sides of the path were lined with willows, their verdant foliage casting a cool shade, far more lush than any other trees.
The village at the foot of the mountain was eerily quiet, with no smoke rising from chimneys. It seemed as if everyone had vanished.
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Qin Sang and the others continued forward, until they passed through the fourth village, turned around a mountain pass, and the front suddenly became lively.
Originally, the villagers of five villages had all gathered together. The people crowded along the roadside.
There was a group of people, carrying a long table at the front. The people behind them were dressed in red and colorful decorations, blowing trumpets and beating drums. Despite being made up of women, children, and the elderly, they were still full of excitement and energy.
The uninformed might think there's a temple play here, or some happy occasion, but everyone's faces are somber and worried.
Qin Sang walked over without any hesitation, his leisurely pace immediately drawing attention. More and more people noticed them, whispering to each other.
The group carrying the long case hurried towards the mountain path to the west. Leading them was a white-haired old man, his body strong but his spirit waning. His cloudy eyes held deep sorrow.
He held a long pole, leading the team forward.
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The old man carrying the long case was getting on in years. After walking a short distance, he grew tired and signaled for a break.
At this moment, the white-haired old man noticed the stranger's arrival. Seeing Qin Sang dressed as a Taoist priest, his eyes lit up. He whispered a few words to someone, put down his long staff, and hurried over.
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"This Immortal…" Upon reaching Qin Sang, the white-haired old man first bowed respectfully.
“My Dharma name is Qingfeng. Old man, are you offering incense to the gods” Qin Sang looked at the long table where there were fruits and incense burning.
"God... Yes! Yes! Yes! Worship the gods! It's a sacrifice to the gods!"
The white-haired old man nodded excitedly, his face full of expectation. "Immortal, you are a venerable and wise person, surely you know about ghosts and spirits"
"I know a little bit."
Qin Sang nodded slightly, "However, this poor monk can't see what god you are worshipping. Hearing that locusts are coming, are you inviting the gods to protect you"
"This..."
The white-haired old man glanced behind him, pulled Qin Sang out of the crowd, and bent his legs to kneel down. "Please, Immortal, guide me!"
Qin Sang grasped his arms, "Old man, there's no need for such formalities. I came here because I heard about this matter. If I can help, I will naturally lend a hand; if I cannot, there is nothing to be done."
"To be honest, Immortal Master, two days ago I had a dream..."
The old man with white hair had been holding it in for so long, until finally he met a Taoist priest, like grabbing a life-saving straw, and poured everything out.
As it turns out, the white-haired old man is the village head of the first village, named Yue Kaishan.
A few days ago, Yue Kaishan suddenly had a dream, dreaming of a scholar in green robes and an emei crown.
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A scholar dreamed that a locust god would soon arrive, bringing a locust plague. He was urged to prepare in advance.
Yue Kaisan was startled awake that moment. After waking up, he found everything normal. Unexpectedly, the same dream occurred the following night, which made him realize something was amiss.
He released his falcon on the mountain, but the bird flew westward over several mountains and then returned, circling in the sky incessantly, chirping loudly, refusing to fly west.
That night, Yue Kaishan had the same dream again. He couldn't sit still anymore; it was better to believe there was something than to believe there wasn't.
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But how could villagers believe in a dream They even sought the village land temple, but it remained unresponsive.
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After much deliberation, Yue Kaishan forged a letter and, following the scholar's instructions from his dream, set up an altar on Mount Xishan. He invited the locust god and pleaded with it to change its course, but whether it would listen was unknown.
During this time, Yue Kaishan has been bearing the pressure alone. He can't even bring himself to drink tea or eat, and his body is almost broken.
"The God of Locusts..."
Qin Sang pondered for a moment, glanced at the willow tree beside her, and said, “It sounds like ghosts and gods entered the dream to warn. The old man should follow what the scholar said and it should be fine. Rest assured, I won't leave before the ceremony is over.”
Upon hearing this, Yue Kaishan felt as if a stone had been placed in his heart. He returned to the front and continued to preside over the ceremony.
The ceremony lasted for three days. The incense offerings were placed at the entrance of Xishan Pass, with new offerings replaced each morning.
Early on the fourth day.
On the mountain path outside the pass, suddenly came a woman riding a donkey, exactly as the scholar had described.
Yue Kaishan led everyone, following the scholar's instructions, kneeling and pleading: "Life is hard for all living beings. I beg the Locust God to show mercy and spare us."
The woman stopped before the long case, snorted, and said, "That damned willow tree is such a chatterbox, blocking my way! The rice paddies would be saved from disaster. Since you're willing to appear and take the blame, then suffer the consequences!"
Having said that, he diverted the donkey's head and turned into the deep mountains.
Soon, dark clouds appeared in the west sky. A swarm of locusts flew and covered the sun, making a loud buzzing sound.
Everyone was terrified.
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The locusts flew over their heads, not landing in the rice paddy but gathering on the willows. Then they flew into the barren mountains.
Where locusts pass, willow leaves are devoured completely, and the once vibrant willows now wither and decay.
“Let’s go!”
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The locusts are gone!
"I didn't eat the crops! I really didn't eat the crops!"
After surviving the ordeal, everyone cheered with joy.
Qin Sang stood at the edge of the mountain path, witnessing everything but did not intervene. The God of Locusts didn't notice him.
His gaze swept over the weeping willows. Qin Sang plucked a few drops of jade liquid from his fingertips, which transformed into fine rain of cow hair and sprinkled onto the trunk of the tree.
“Master, why didn't you kill her” Little Five raised his head, with a face of innocent and puzzled.
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(The End) and I hope you two will keep this a secret," Qin Sang smiled faintly, put away the Yuying Fu puppet, and focused his gaze on the jade knife.This jade sword, was most likely the first spirit treasure...