Chapter Thirty-Six: A New Beginning

The story was somewhat convoluted, but at least Cui Xiu had managed to piece together the old woman's identity. Of course, this was his own deduction—Wu Yu’s information hadn't specified exactly who the old woman was.

The old woman’s surname was Hua. It was strange: a woman past fifty still wandering, eventually ending up in Liu Family Village. The villagers, seeing her pitiful state, took her in and even built her a thatched hut. No one knew her full name, only that her surname was Hua, so they called her Granny Hua.

At first, everything was harmonious. But later, the villagers began to notice that Granny Hua behaved oddly. Sometimes, she would wander the village at night for no apparent reason. Sometimes, passersby would hear her muttering over a jar at her home. Other times, she would disappear into the mountains for a day or two. Once or twice might have been nothing, but this happened often enough to make the villagers uneasy.

Especially after strange things began to happen in the village, suspicion gradually shifted onto Granny Hua. Inevitably, the villagers’ attitudes toward her changed.

Matters escalated. The village headman, seeing things could not go on this way, decided to speak with Granny Hua. He was old himself and would not live many more years; though afraid, he was willing to stand up, not wanting the village to remain so tense.

Yet, before he could act, someone in the village brought in a deity of some kind, hoping this spirit would improve the village’s fortunes. The spirit seemed powerful. After it arrived, everything in Liu Family Village went smoothly. The people put their faith in it. But the deity demanded offerings. At first, it was cattle and sheep. Later, this changed...

All minds turned first to Granny Hua.

Thus, she became the first sacrifice. The villagers, following the deity’s instructions, tied her up and killed her in the very woods where Cui Xiu had seen the old woman.

Afterward, under the spirit’s protection, everything in Liu Family Village truly went well. And so, the practice of sacrifices became unstoppable.

Passing travelers became their targets. Of course, the villagers were not entirely reckless—they avoided those who looked formidable or of high status, focusing instead on solitary wanderers. Among these, itinerant scholars were the most common victims.

What happened after is hardly worth repeating. Besides Granny Hua’s fate, Cui Xiu and Wu Yu had already learned much about Liu Family Village.

After hearing Wu Yu’s account, Cui Xiu understood why the old woman had warned him not to stay in Liu Family Village. Perhaps she had been moved by a rare moment of kindness—or, more likely, she sought some form of revenge.

Still, the specifics about the old woman’s identity and the short staff remained unclear—a pity, really.

“Brother Wu, that thing is no longer in our hands. I doubt we’ll have further dealings with that old woman. As for Captain Guan, with his position in the Ministry of the Living, he shouldn't be concerned about these matters. We’ll simply tell him when we see him.”

He also planned to ask about the origins of the short staff. Their visit to Liu Family Village had been so rushed that Cui Xiu hadn't had the chance to inquire. When Guan Yuan returned, he could bring up the old woman and ask about the staff without seeming abrupt.

This was what Cui Xiu was turning over in his mind.

Wu Yu nodded slightly and moved on to another topic: “Brother Cui, what are your plans now? Will you prepare for the provincial exam, or do you intend to continue your studies in the prefectural city?”

After several days together—and especially after facing mortal danger side by side—their relationship had grown much closer. The matter of the short staff meant they would have further dealings, so Wu Yu felt comfortable asking about Cui Xiu’s intentions.

Cui Xiu shook his head, then nodded: “I don’t plan to return to the academy, Brother Wu. You know my family’s situation. Having failed the provincial exam and being no longer young, I must find some work. Besides, I hope to continue learning from you, so I intend to seek employment in the county seat.”

“Do you have any suggestions, Brother Wu?”

Wu Yu didn’t find the question presumptuous. He thought for a moment, then replied, “I might know of a place, though I fear you might mind.”

“You jest, Brother Wu. I’m from a farming family. I don’t care what kind of work it is, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my studies. You know I’ve been training in martial arts lately—I don’t mind hard work. My only worry is troubling you.”

Wu Yu shook his head: “Nonsense, Brother Cui. If not for you, I would never have persuaded Captain Guan to help. This is a small matter. While my family has had some minor troubles lately, I can still offer this little assistance.”

“You’ll still need to study for the classics and the provincial exam, so other jobs aren’t suitable. My family owns a pharmacy in Anyuan. The accountant there recently left with a senior family member to conduct business elsewhere. If you don’t mind, you could give it a try.”

“With your talent, the accounting work would hardly be a challenge. It won’t take much effort—just keep the books in order, and you’ll have plenty of time to study. For now, it’s an adequate position.”

Wu Yu added, “If you find a better opportunity in the future, you’re free to move on.”

Cui Xiu’s question had been casual—he’d hoped Wu Yu might suggest a few places in Anyuan County, nothing more. He hadn’t expected Wu Yu to offer him a job at his own family’s pharmacy.

He didn’t mind working for the Wu family. After all, given his current circumstances, he would be working for someone wherever he went.

He didn’t feel entitled to greatness just because he held a degree or remembered a past life. Being a licentiate was nothing remarkable. And as for pride outstripping ability, he’d seen plenty of that in his former life—he had no such ambitions.

Besides, his main goal in seeking work was simply to avoid living off his family’s support and to earn some living expenses himself. With his special abilities, martial training shouldn’t require too many resources, and earning some capital to prepare for the next provincial exam was only prudent.

If he passed the next examination and became a recommended scholar, many doors would open for making money.

He had other ideas, too. Now that he’d befriended Wu Yu, he could devise some inventions and collaborate with the Wu family. But that was for the future. Even if he wanted to, he’d need to first understand the current government and the Wu family’s situation.

Long-term plans could not be rushed. Though he wasn’t young by local standards, he was still only eighteen, and his family wasn’t lacking for food or clothing. There was no need to be reckless.

“Brother Wu, I’m deeply grateful for your consideration.”

Cui Xiu decided to accept and smiled. “But I know little of accounting. I’ll have to try it out first—I only hope I don’t do a poor job and let you down.”

Wu Yu laughed. “You underestimate yourself, Brother Cui. With your intelligence, it should be no trouble. Very well, I’ll make arrangements. You can stay here with me for a few days, and we’ll discuss other matters in due course.”