After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 101: Chapter 102: Deep Waters Hold Big Fish

Hee Chunhua nodded. ”Old Mo went to take care of it.” The village had just finished harvesting its wheat, piling it into small mountains behind the houses. They shouldn’t be short on grain for now, so supplying a hot meal would be no problem.

Madam Ying glanced at the flatbreads on the table. Although they were freshly made and carried a faint scent of wheat, the bread was too thick. The edges were slightly burnt while the center was still pale and doughy. Clearly, the hostess hadn’t put any effort into her cooking.

What’s more, the bread was completely plain—no sesame seeds, no scallions, not even any oil.

It seemed uninvited guests were not welcome.

Madam Ying smiled at the homeowner. ”You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? We won’t use up your rations. Just some hot water will be fine.”

The man stood up and walked to the back kitchen. ”I’ll get the water.”

The water in the kettle was hot. As the man was about to pour it into cups, the steward, Old Mo, stopped him. ”Pour it out and boil a fresh pot. And wash the kettle properly.” After speaking, he took out a small string of copper coins. ”We’ll also be borrowing your kitchen.”

The man was taken aback but had no choice but to comply. After all, a normal villager wouldn’t argue with money.

Old Mo immediately followed him, watching his every move as he ladled water from their vat, filled the kettle, and placed it on the fire. He didn’t blink for a second.

Nanny Qian, who was traveling with them, also came in, holding a sack. ”I’ve spoken with the mistress of the house. She gave me some fruits and vegetables.”

She was an old family servant whom Madam Ying had brought with her from her maiden home, and she had always managed the Hee Family’s daily affairs. Though her title sounded old, she was actually only in her early forties.

She borrowed the man’s kitchen and started washing rice to prepare a meal. It looked like she was making several dishes, a pot of hot soup, and even a dessert of sweet fermented rice with rice balls!

The rice, oil, dried fruits, and jerky had all been brought from Black Water City. The sweet fermented rice had been purchased from a famous restaurant in the last city they passed through. As it began to cook, the sweet fragrance of rice wine filled the entire house.

The man watched from the side, dumbfounded. ”My, you lord officials are so particular about your food and drink, aren’t you?” ’Damned bureaucrats!’

”Of course we are,” Nanny Qian replied simply.

When no further explanation was offered, the man had to ask, ”So, where are you all headed?”

Nanny Qian opened her mouth to speak, but Old Mo nudged her lightly with his elbow, and she fell silent.

Unable to get involved, the man returned to the main room with a troubled mind. He was startled to find the guests gone. ”Where did they go?”

His wife stammered, ”O-Out. They said they were going for a walk.”

The cottage was too small. The four members of the Hee Family were all adults, too many for one house to accommodate, so the Hee Brothers were sent to another farmhouse.

After dinner, Hee Yue strolled to the lakeshore and stretched. ”We don’t have such a vast expanse of water back home. It’s truly refreshing.”

After being crammed in a cramped carriage for most of the day, standing by the boundless, misty lake made one’s spirit soar.

Hee Lingchuan picked up a stone from the ground and skipped it across the lake’s surface.

The stone bounced one... two... three times.

Hee Yue, feeling playful, also grabbed a stone and blew on it for good luck.

Hee Lingchuan laughed at him. ”You won’t make it!” ’This little bookworm has probably never learned any outdoor skills.’

Hee Yue glanced at him, then flicked his wrist and sent the stone flying.

The stone skimmed close to the surface, skipping four times in a row.

Hee Lingchuan’s smile froze slightly. ”You got lucky.”

”It’s not luck.” Hee Yue picked up another stone, weighed it in his hand, and threw it.

This time, it skipped an incredible six times.

Never mind Hee Yue’s own surprise; even Hee Lingchuan was stunned. ”When did you secretly practice this?”

”A trivial skill like this needs practice?” Hee Yue’s smile was a little smug. ”You just need to pick a flat stone and release it close to the water’s surface.”

Hee Lingchuan shrugged. ”You’re right. This isn’t fun. I’m done playing.”

’This brother of mine gets so competitive when he loses.’ Just as Hee Yue was about to retort, a sudden WHOOSH broke the lake’s surface, sending out a wide ripple.

There was probably a big fish down there.

Both brothers jumped, then looked at each other and grinned.

Suddenly, Hee Lingchuan flung two stones into the bushes by the shore.

Two yelps of ”Ouch!” followed, and two or three people emerged from behind the bushes.

Hee Yue’s smile vanished. ”What are you doing?”

”Taking a piss,” one of them said. The three were dressed as villagers, and one even hitched up his pants. ”What are *you* doing here?”

Hee Lingchuan stared at them. ”I thought you were hiding there, listening to our conversation.”

”What’s so interesting about your conversation?” The men sneered and sauntered past the Hee Brothers.

The village chief had agreed to Old Mo’s request to have the village women prepare hot food for the troops. Of course, the village didn’t normally keep enough provisions for three to four hundred people, so the Hee Family’s Personal Guard Corps had volunteered to haul wheat from the storehouse and grind it into flour.

That was why there were so many people by the lake at the moment.

Hee Lingchuan watched their retreating figures and said slowly, ”Those guys have shifty eyes. They look like they’re up to no good.”

Hee Yue laughed. ”They’re just villagers, brother. You think everyone looks like a bad guy.”

”Who the hell pisses by the same lake they get their drinking water from?” Hee Lingchuan sneered. ”And those guys looked like they came around the lake from downstream. Why would they be sneaking into Xianling Village in the middle of the night?”

”Maybe they were just returning late,” Hee Yue said, frowning at the lake. ”But now that you mention it, I’ve lost my thirst.”

Just then, Hee Chunhua and his wife ambled over from the opposite direction, several Personal Guards following closely behind them.

’Dad’s certainly cautious in a foreign place, always making sure he’s protected.’ Hee Lingchuan went to greet them. ”Father, you two are in a leisurely mood?”

”Dinner isn’t ready yet, so we came out for some fresh air.” With no villagers nearby, Madam Ying could finally speak freely. ”The house smells awful. The bedding probably hasn’t been washed or aired out in days.”

”Dinner?” Hee Yue subconsciously glanced at the lake. ’Are they using water from this lake to cook?’ He suddenly lost his appetite.

Under the bright moonlight, something dark seemed to break the surface of the lake.

Before he could get a good look, it sank back down.

Madam Ying saw it too and exclaimed in surprise, ”What was that?”

”Deep waters breed great fish,” Hee Chunhua said with a smile. ”Immortal Spirit Lake has existed for a very long time. It wouldn’t be surprising if it nurtured a massive Spiritual Object.”

He looked at his two sons. ”Did you know that the Yuan High Ancestor began his campaign right here on the shores of Immortal Spirit Lake? He built his legacy step by step, which led to the vast territory of the Yuan Kingdom we have today.”

Of his two sons, one nodded in acknowledgment, while the other asked in surprise, ”Oh, so this is the place?”

”On the shore of the lake, yes, but not right here.” Someone nearby chimed in. The Hee Family turned to see the village chief’s nephew, Lui Han, approaching.

The sturdy man was very enthusiastic. ”If you’re interested, Lord Official, I can lead the way. The scenery there is exceptional. There’s a spectacle of two moons, and scholars and poets often come to visit.”

”Two moons?” Madam Ying was intrigued. Hee Chunhua looked around. ”Where is the village chief?”

”He’s feeling unwell, having caught a cold, so he instructed me to entertain you all properly.” The sturdy man turned and gestured. ”This way, please.”

”No, thank you. The meal back at the house is almost ready, and it’s getting late. We can go see it tomorrow morning,” Hee Chunhua said, shaking his head. ”I must say, Mr. Lui, you’re very well-spoken. Not like a typical villager.”