In the depths of winter, snow fell heavily, blanketing everything in white, as the wind carried the snow across the hills and mountains.
The ditches froze, the rivers were frozen, all beasts disappeared, and no human trace was visible. The snow became a silver lock, sealing off the mountains and forests. The villagers rested, the wealthy decorated their houses with colorful paper decorations and awaited good fortune for the coming year, while the poor gathered in their houses, calculating their winter needs and carrying their hopes for the coming year.
Most of those with no way to survive died that winter. The snow cut off their path to life, leaving them either to dig for food in the mountains and fields with hope, or to commit murder and robbery against all moral principles.
But the most chaotic time is the transition between winter and spring. At that time of year's change, people with true faith in divine protection are willing to endure the passing of life and wait for the hope that belongs to the new year.
However, that chaos will not exist for Woniu Village, because a great figure has emerged from Woniu Village. How great is he? So great that many people in the entire Qingmang County and even the other two counties know about him.
As the saying goes, a place that produces outstanding people is blessed by the spirits of the land. After a great man from Woniu Village achieved enlightenment, naturally even his chickens and dogs were blessed with good fortune.
Not only did the autumn tax collection process involve distributing surplus grain to each household according to their needs, but they also distributed seeds that could be planted in winter and prepared various high-quality medicines to treat various ailments.
In just three months, look at what's happened! Even the most destitute widower has built a house and married a woman from another village under the new village chief's leadership. Who doesn't know that Woniu Village is about to prosper? The sooner you go, the better you can enjoy it!
As the village prospered and farming became a promising endeavor, the villagers of Woniu Village quickly forgot the efforts of their former village chief and the tragic deaths of those who had died after Daochengyi repaid his debt of gratitude.
They lived a peaceful life, sowing seeds, fertilizing and irrigating regularly, and the fields were still growing crops. As the New Year approached, lush green vegetables began to sprout in the fields.
Finally, at the suggestion of the new village chief Zhao Yiwu, every household erected a shrine and burned incense and prayed day and night. Those who showed the most piety could receive extra rewards.
Therefore, in this year's snowy days, no one in Woniu Village was without clothes to cover their body, their houses were dilapidated and could not keep out the wind, and they lived alone without wives on their kang (heated brick bed).
Every household burns incense, every household has firewood, every household is reunited, and life is getting better and better. What a harmonious, peaceful, and happy family scene!
There is no sorrow in the warm Woniu Village. In the village, the former landlord's house, now the village chief's house, is guarded by plump and burly guards who patrol the mansion for security, led by martial arts servants.
The hunters from outside the village and the village militia combined to form the security force of Woniu Village, patrolling the farmland and ensuring the safety of the village despite the heavy snow!
After the death of the great hunter Niu Shou and the removal of the old village chief Niu Fen from his post by the villagers, who then disappeared with his son, Woniu Village became the domain of Zhao An and Zhao Yiwu, a father and son who had long since surrendered to Dao Chengyi. They were now conducting various experiments in Dao Chengyi's place.
The incense smoke was thick and strong, and a thick layer of black ash had accumulated on the top of the house. A statue that seemed to be breathing out clouds and mist floated gracefully in the thick smoke.
He was dressed in a blood-stained robe carved from red sandalwood, yet his face was handsome and pitiful. A multi-winged blood raven with its head bowed majestically rested on his shoulder. In his left hand he held a beast-patterned sword, in his right a powerful cauldron, and on his feet he stood on a white jade lotus platform.
This deity was modeled after Daocheng. The master craftsman who sculpted it once said that he would never be able to sculpt such a lifelike and divine statue again in his lifetime.
The purple incense burner in front of the statue was densely filled with the finest sandalwood incense sticks, and piled high with grayish-white ash. Even so, in this room filled with the strong scent of incense, the obese Zhao An solemnly offered incense to the statue.
Beside the statue of the deity is a smoked, preserved rabbit, also receiving offerings. The deity's care and attention are probably even greater than that given to one's parents and ancestors, and indeed, that is the case.
"May Heaven protect us, may Heaven protect us!"
To erect a shrine for a living person is a great achievement, but to attribute it to a deity would be considered extremely disrespectful. Yet Zhao An was so devout, without the slightest falsehood.
The name Dao Tian was also derived from his dream. After all, Dao Chengyi's rise to power was too legendary, and it was probably only possible for a god to descend to earth.
"Father, everything is ready. The sentries are in place, and we can react quickly at the slightest sign of trouble."
At this moment, Zhao Yiwu walked in from outside. He was more heroic than before, and his figure was more powerful and beautiful. His skin was like bronze, and he had a bronze and iron aura. He was holding a bronze ball in his hand and would occasionally take a bite of it.
"That's not enough. You will take some men to guard the area later. There must be no mistakes. This is the task that the adults have given us."
After bowing respectfully three times, Zhao An turned around again and spoke seriously to Zhao Yiwu.
"I will, all for the sake of the adults, for the revival of the Zhao family!"
Zhao Yiwu nodded and swallowed the copper pill in one gulp. He felt his body become exceptionally active after swallowing the metal. It had been a month and a half since the Qingmang Battle, and today was the day before the New Year.
The village had prepared the fireworks well in advance. As a village that had become wealthy, it had the resources to prepare a fireworks display just like the town or city. The villagers gathered outside early to watch.
Meanwhile, Qingmang City will be just as lively as Sanniu Town tonight, with the joy of the New Year and the traditions of the past inspiring people to be cheerful and festive.
However, it is also because of such festivals that, with the crowds thronging and everyone present, a thorough annihilation can be carried out, completely drowning out the deafening sound of fireworks.
Woniu Village will be like this, Sanniu Town will be like this, and so will all places with traces of the Mu family. Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.
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