How can one know the suffering of others without experiencing it firsthand?
What happened that day, You Youju probably never wanted Chaolan to know.
The sky was a hazy gray, and even the faint light that pierced through only cast layers of fog, pressing down on the village and making it hard to breathe.
Right there in the small square where Chaolan was imprisoned, You Youju found a chair, sat in the center, and burned a talisman in the air. As if controlled, everyone in the village walked towards the square. Those who could walk carried those who couldn't, and those who were freed from their restraints. Dozens of people gathered there with terrified expressions. Among them, there were only six young girls and two middle-aged women. They were covered in dirt and hung their heads, looking out of place.
The person seated was not visible, and a person who seemed to be asleep was leaning against him. Everyone around them was unable to lift their heads, as if they were being pressed down by something. A little girl was being held tightly by one of the men, and tears were flowing silently from her eyes.
You Youju didn't seem to open her mouth, but her voice reached everyone's ears precisely: "Those who participated in the kidnapping just now, step forward."
The twelve men, including Muramasa, walked out uncontrollably with heavy steps. They were all drenched in sweat, as if they had offended some deity. Their legs pitifully supported their trembling bodies, but eventually they could not support themselves and all collapsed to the ground, unable to make a sound or control anything.
Those with weak mental fortitude cried so hard that their lower body was soaked with tears.
Several younger children present were affected by the spell and all fell into a deep sleep.
Then the twelve people's heads and limbs spun 540 degrees, making a horrifying eye contact with the person standing behind them with their head down. Their eyes bulged out, blood and tears streaming down their faces, yet they were still not quite dead.
Several people present fainted from fright, but You Youju pointed a finger at them and forcibly pulled them back to sleep.
"Whatever I say next, please do it. It's best not to make a sound."
The women felt light all over and lost their balance, falling to the ground.
In fact, You Youju probably knew what had happened, so in his eyes, ninety percent of the people here didn't need to live.
You Youju glanced at everyone's faces and called on a woman who looked to be of average age, with no tears on her face and who seemed to have a strong mentality, to be their representative.
"Please tell me about yourself and this village."
The woman appeared calm, but her trembling body and tightly clenched lips betrayed her. She forced herself to take a deep breath before saying in a trembling voice, "I and the other girls here were all abducted. We come from all over the country, and we are all girls from respectable families."
We were all abducted after watching the same weird show.
Every year, the men of this village form a troupe and travel around, abducting women of childbearing age…
She choked on her sobs a few times before bursting into tears, leaving white streaks on her cheeks. The other girls were already crying uncontrollably, huddled together. Youju couldn't bear to watch and looked away.
She clenched her fists, as if to encourage herself: "Before us, these beasts have burned, killed, and robbed countless girls! They drug people with sleeping pills every day, and they're afraid we'll run away."
Pregnant women suffered even more tragically. If it was a girl, she would be strangled, drowned, or burned to death! If it was a boy, he would continue to give birth, regardless of whose child he was born to. It's a pity that Heaven is blind, unable to kill these beasts to avenge everyone's hatred!
You Youju gasped, a sharp pain shooting through her head.
He pointed to the table next to him: "I know your suffering, but I can only do my best to help you leave this place."
On this table are protective spirit stones and silver. Those who wish to leave, please step forward and take five ingots of silver (one ingot is ten taels), and a protective stone to ensure your safe journey home. Those who wish to stay and cherish their children, please take three ingots of silver to help you through this difficult time.”
His eyes felt a little sore and hot. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the sky was already bright.
He pulled Chao Lan closer, his throat feeling a little dry: "There's not much I can do to help... If you're homeless and have nowhere to go, come to Chaoyun Mountain. Those with the talent can study there, and those without can live there."
Upon hearing this, the girls realized that the Taoist priest from Chaoyun Mountain was the one who had spoken to them. They all wanted to thank him, but Youju stopped them with a flick of her finger, saying, "This is what I should do. You... have suffered."
Once the girls were ready, You Youju told them to leave. Only the woman who had asked the question earlier stood firm and refused to leave, letting her tears and snot flow, determined to see what would happen to this group of people.
At the same time, a young-looking woman nestled timidly in her arms.
The group of men were already terrified. After hearing what had just been said, some were pulling and some were crying, never expecting their fate today.
Just as they were about to deal with the situation, a woman who hadn't gone far ran back and tightly embraced one of the disheveled middle-aged men. Undeterred by the filth on the ground, the woman kowtowed to You Youju, pleading, "Taoist Master, please have mercy! My husband was forced into this! We are a loving couple, we have no ill feelings for each other, please have mercy!"
She was crying her eyes out, and before You Youju could even look at the girl from before, the girl yelled, "Bullshit! You were kidnapped by him! Have you forgotten what torture you suffered?!"
Despite her bloodied and mangled body, the woman cried out, "But it was only because he married me that I was able to escape from the clutches of others!"
Unable to bear it any longer, You Youju released the man from his forbidden spell. Upon realizing he could move again, the man immediately howled, "That's right, Immortal Master! We didn't even have a chance to touch any of these new women! Those things I did before were just my youthful ignorance! I will definitely repent and reform myself, Daoist Master!"
You Youju sneered, her eyes blazing with anger: "You beast, you think you've done a good deed? Look at yourself! You're still young and naive, and your naivety is making others pay the price?"
Upon seeing this, the woman immediately kowtowed again, but You Youju flicked her sleeve and slapped her to the ground: "You're a victim too. Save your husband? Fine..."
Before the words were even finished, a look of sorrow filled the two girls' eyes. After all, the Taoist priest was still a man. How could he know, and how could he possibly favor those of us who were truly suffering? They only regretted that they were powerless to take revenge on their enemies.
You Youju continued, "Pry open your husband's mouth."
The woman did as she was told, and You Youju put a black talisman inside: "After you take this spell, you will experience the pain of pregnancy every day and the pain of childbirth once a month."
But you are a man, destined to be childless, and unworthy to bear children. During the agony of childbirth, you will experience the same pain, expelling bloody tumors. This will continue for five years, resulting in sixty births of these tumors. If you dare to beat or scold women, your sin will be compounded.”
Their faces went blank, as if they had been terrified. You Youju, refusing to let the man speak, asked the woman, "Are you willing?"
The woman nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes, as long as I survive! As long as I survive!"
You Youju turned her head and said in an almost commanding tone, "Go quickly."
Only when everything behind her fell completely quiet did You Ju resume her work. At that moment, the younger girl gasped softly and spoke to the girl who had just been there.
The girl nodded and said to You Youju, "Immortal Master, could you please keep Wang Bo? He's the man with the little girl sleeping behind him. He often passed on messages from the outside world to us, which is how he was discovered and had his leg broken... Moreover, back then, he took the abducted child in and raised her with his son as a sibling because she was still very young."
You Youju let out another cold laugh, thinking that the two girls were very innocent and kind.
The veins on his forehead throbbed: "I've erased that little girl's memories. Are you willing to take her away and raise her?"
The two girls exchanged a glance, seemingly puzzled.
“Say directly whether you are willing or not, and don’t let them meet again, and don’t let the children come back.”
The two girls seemed to have figured it out, and nodded in unison without any hesitation.
Seeing that there were no objections, he smiled with relief and tossed his money pouch over: "There should still be twenty taels in here, as well as some amulets. You can take the girl away first. It's really not suitable for the two girls to see her now. Don't worry, I will spare Wang Bo's life."
The two girls picked up the child and, with Wang Bo looking at them with reluctance and pain, promised him, "We're sorry, Uncle Wang, we will definitely take good care of Xiaomin."
By this time, the sun had already risen over the mountains, its scorching light dispelling the gloom. Under the clear sky, the two girls' determined figures walked further and further away, never looking back once.
Taking advantage of the lifting of the ban, Youju went home. At that time, she was taking Zhuxun on a "cloud tour" and also testing the time and scope of the ban.
You Youju walked through the bamboo grove until he reached the entrance, still feeling dazed. The barrier was still there, but judging from his current magical power, it was still too weak. If someone wanted to enter, it wouldn't be too difficult. But at this moment, everything was peaceful, so there shouldn't be any trouble.
After a moment's thought, he raised his palm to reinforce the barrier. The sound of horses' hooves came from not far away, and You Youju tensed up instantly, staring at the source of the sound. Without sensing any danger, he took two steps forward.
"And who are you? The head of the family?!"
The newcomer dismounted swiftly and bowed deeply to You Youju.
You had a meal, and only then did you realize that it was the person who regularly came to your house every week to sweep and clean the courtyard.
In a daze, he was transported back to the time when he was still an "uncle." You Youju chuckled softly and nodded at him.
The servant, his face flushed, tied the horse's reins, opened the door, and welcomed You Youju into the house: "Master, why are you standing here instead of coming in? Have you returned from your outing? Should we prepare dinner for Young Master Zhu?"
A bluebird spun twice overhead and landed steadily on the ridge of the gate, preening its feathers.
You Youju shook her head, indicating that she wouldn't go back: "I'm just coming back to grab something and leaving. Today is the day to maintain the courtyard."
The servant nodded: "Yes, everything was prepared yesterday. Today, only I am here to fertilize it. When will the master return? The servants should prepare accordingly."
You Youju also forgot the exact time. It was probably at the end of the year when she went home, but... sigh.
"Around the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, finish tidying up before then and go home for the New Year. See who has free time and leave a few at home to take care of the family during the winter. I'm leaving now."
The servant bowed and said, "I will inform the master. Please take your time, sir."
He only looked up when the footsteps in front of him were far away, watching You Youju's figure slowly disappear into the bamboo forest.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
