I didn't answer directly, but looked at the middle-aged man expressionlessly. He smiled awkwardly and introduced himself:
"I am the village chief of this village, and my name is Ge Fugui."
It's not that I'm cold-hearted, but my current status is that of a highly skilled person invited by Ge Wang, so I have to maintain a certain air.
Besides, it was the village chief who was in the wrong. Before letting others introduce themselves, they should at least introduce themselves first.
"So you're the village chief."
I took the cigarette he offered, smiled, replied, and nodded.
"You guessed right, I am the master he invited."
"Master, you've finally arrived! The people of our village have been waiting for you for so long."
Upon hearing my affirmative answer, the village chief looked excited.
He grabbed my hand, and I could feel the roughness of his hand, which even scratched my palm and hurt a little.
Then he bowed deeply to me: "Master, our village's evil spirit is all thanks to you!"
The villagers who had been watching also gathered around, their gazes filled with both excitement and suspicion.
I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the time when I looked so old.
At least back then, wherever I went, everyone thought I was a master and never doubted my abilities.
Instead of the current situation where everyone holds the view that Ge Wang, being young and inexperienced, is unreliable.
However, I can understand this. If I had to choose between my venerable master and myself, I would definitely choose my master without hesitation.
It can only be said that every cloud has a silver lining.
"Gentlemen, you look so travel-worn, you must not have had lunch yet. My meal is almost ready. Why don't you come and have a bite at my humble abode?"
I was a little surprised to see the village chief being so solicitous.
He was the only person in the entire village who didn't have any doubts about us just because we were young.
Or perhaps he, like the villagers, doubted our abilities, but he didn't show it at all.
It can only be said that he truly deserves to be called the village chief; his conduct and way of dealing with people are far superior to those of the villagers.
Take going to his house for dinner, for example; it's already afternoon now.
By normal circumstances, they would have already eaten.
But the village chief said that they had prepared a meal at home, which was obviously for us.
Sure enough, at a glance, I noticed that none of the chimneys in the surrounding houses were emitting smoke.
Only the largest and most imposing house on the east side still had smoke coming out of its chimney.
Before I could even speak, Li Huai patted his stomach and said:
"Great, I'm feeling hungry too."
I couldn't help but glare at Li Huai with annoyance. This kid isn't quick at his work, but he's quite enthusiastic about eating.
"Very well, please come, Master."
The village chief pretended to lead the way, then shouted to the villagers who had gathered around:
"Fellow villagers, the master has arrived and will surely be able to solve our village's problems. Let me take the master to my home for a meal first."
I turned my gaze to the surrounding villagers and said in a deep voice:
"Don't worry, everyone. I already know about the experiences of those people and those Taoist priests. Since I dared to come, I naturally have my reasons."
After hearing my words, most of the villagers looked relieved.
In their view, given all the tragedies that have occurred here, only a fool or someone who isn't confident in themselves would come here to die.
Among the crowd, old man Ge Wang took a deep drag on his pipe, his gaze deep and unfathomable, lost in thought.
We soon arrived at the village chief's house.
It has to be said, his house is quite big. Luo Tianhe drove the car into the yard, then jumped out and patted the village chief on the shoulder with a smile:
"Village chief, your house is quite impressive."
The village chief forced a smile:
"Well, it's just a rural area after all, and the land isn't worth much. It can't compare to the city. It's just that there are a few more bricks and tiles."
He's right; in the village, almost every family has built their own house.
If you're willing to spend more money on bricks, tiles, and hiring construction workers, you can indeed build a very impressive house.
I looked the house over and it seemed like only two people had lived there.
"Village chief, do you and your wife live here alone?"
The village chief nodded, seemingly with some admiration:
“That’s right, only my wife and I live here. I asked my parents to take the kids to the city. You know, after all this incident.”
I nodded and asked:
"Have you been having nightmares lately, and do you feel listless and weak?"
Upon hearing what I said, the village chief nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, as the village chief, how could I possibly sleep well when a zombie has appeared in the village?"
I secretly curled my lip.
That village chief is so slick, he doesn't seem like a responsible person at all.
Upon seeing such a thing happen in the village, their first thought was not to solve the problem, but to send their parents and children to the city to escape for their lives.
It would be understandable if other villagers did this.
After all, the elderly and children are more susceptible to being haunted by evil spirits, but he is the village chief, the backbone of the village!
He was the first to desert; what would the other villagers think of him?
What do people who don't have the connections to get their parents and children into the city think?
It can only be said that this village chief is quite selfish and self-serving.
"Such a big place, and now only two people live there, it feels a bit empty."
Luo Tianhe stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought.
The village chief immediately echoed enthusiastically:
"You guys can stay here tonight. I happen to have enough empty rooms and clean bedding. Although other villagers can also provide accommodation, they can't possibly provide accommodation for three people at once. You'll have to stay separately, which is very inconvenient."
The village chief spoke very quickly, as if afraid we would refuse.
I know what he means; in his eyes, I am a highly capable person.
Staying at his house would also provide him with a degree of security.
However, this was a mutually beneficial arrangement for me, as he also provided me with assistance.
“Village chief, your frequent nightmares and weakness are not because of that evil spirit in the village.”
Upon hearing what I said, the village chief's eyes widened immediately:
"How...how could that be? But if that's not the case, then what could be the reason?"
"The zongzi has been appearing for fourteen days. In the first two days after it started, did you not have any nightmares, nor did you feel noticeably weak or lack energy when you woke up in the morning?"
The village chief fell into deep thought. After a while, he nodded thoughtfully at me.
"That explains it. Has this started happening ever since you sent your parents and children away? It's because your house is too big!"
"If there are too few people living there, people will bully others."
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