After resting for a moment at the intersection of the small village, Master Xun also asked everyone to get back on the road. The wheels of the carriage creaked and the team continued towards Fucheng.
It was a scorching sun in the sky, and Song Mu couldn't sit still in the carriage, so he simply got out of the carriage, rolled up his robe, and wandered forward. Occasionally, he met one or two farmers and woodcutter on the road, and they all saluted each other.
When the people saw that the people in this convoy were dressed like scholars, they naturally knew that this was a team going for the exam, and they treated them respectfully. Even when they passed by some villages, children followed behind and booed, and village elders came out to ask questions. Do you need help?
Master Xun refused one by one and urged the convoy to speed up, and finally arrived at the inn station in a small town before sunset.
This small town is called Asada Town. It is not a big town, and the posthouse is also located at the intersection. It is managed by an old couple and their son and daughter-in-law.
Master Xun took out his candidate's badge and handed over the money for food and lodging. The couple quickly welcomed everyone into the post house, and dozens of people filled the post house at once.
Song Mu was helping the carriage stop in the courtyard, unloading the carriage with the old coachman, and then took the accompanying bedding to the side room in the other courtyard.
"Brother Kong, we are sleeping together tonight."
"Haha, it doesn't matter. This kind of experience is quite novel. I just don't know if Kong will snore in the middle of the night. Don't disturb Brother Song then."
Kong Zong took the bedding from Song Mu's hand, and together with several boys, he tidied up the bed boards and spread the mattress on the Datong bunk.
Song Mu also stepped forward to help. This is a six or seven meter long Datongbu. It can accommodate about ten people. It is very simple, but it can have a place to shelter from the wind and rain when going out. Moreover, the house is cleaned by the owner. It was also quite clean, so no one disliked it too much.
"Young gentlemen, you have been miserable all night. The kitchen is preparing dinner. There will be hot water after dinner. You gentlemen can also soak your feet and rest."
The person who spoke was the owner of the inn, a sixty-year-old man. He was wearing coarse clothes, but he was still very clean.
While he was talking, the old man's grandson came in holding two oil lamps and placed them on the table.
Song Mu also handed over his hand at the moment: "Thank you very much, old man. Today is considered a nuisance."
"It's not in the way, it's not in the way. If you young masters have any needs, just tell the old man and he will definitely try his best to do it."
The old man was very respectful to these scholars, and even took care of them a little more diligently.
After the old man left, Song Mu helped pack the bedding and went to the courtyard of the post house. The scholars were washing up. After walking for a day in this hot weather, everyone was sweating.
Fortunately, the courtyard is full of men and there are no worries.
Song Mu walked outside the courtyard. There was a bamboo forest on one side of the post house. The evening breeze blew in, and a bit of the fragrance of the grass and trees came.
Song Mu glanced around for a week, looking at the small town separated by several fields of farmland on one side of the road. The small town was now filled with smoke, and the setting sun fell from one side on the rice fields where the second crop of rice had just been planted, reflecting a golden color.
Such rural scenery makes people feel relaxed and happy.
But soon, the silence was broken by a few men coming out of the town.
"Brother Huang, are you at home?"
The leader of the man in rough clothes shouted towards the post house, and several men following him also shouted quickly. Although each of them had tools in their hands, there was no fierce or angry expression on their faces, and neither did Song Mu. How nervous you are.
However, when these people came and saw Scholar Song Mu dressed up, and saw many scholars coming into the post house, they all looked a little stunned, restrained their hurried looks, and even raised their hands towards Song Mu. Just walked into the courtyard.
Several people walked into the nearby courtyard, and the sound of chatting came from inside.
"Brother Huang, how are you thinking about it? Let's go find out the truth tonight."
"Boss Wu, I'm afraid we'll be in trouble today. There are so many talented people here, and my father and mother are too busy. Let's talk about it some time later."
"This won't work. How about I ask my mother-in-law to come over and help. We have already discussed this matter. If something goes wrong, who knows whether we can catch it next time."
"Yes, Brother Huang, that monster has injured our people several times. Granny Song went to the mountains to pick herbs two days ago and was injured by that guy. Now she can't even move her legs."
Several people's conversations came from the other courtyard, but Song Mu raised his eyebrows when he heard this.
These men seem to be going up the mountain to hunt monsters?
This moment aroused Song Mu's interest, and he immediately walked over. In the yard, a strong man with a similar face to Old Man Huang was working hard to chop pig bones.
"Brothers, I'm afraid it's going to be really hard for us today. Scholars all have to take exams. If we neglect them, we can't afford it."
"Second brother, it's not that troublesome. Just go and help me place traps and traps. We are from all over the country. Who knows that you are the best at setting traps?"
"If this thing is done, there will be a lot of rewards. Second brother, don't refuse."
The leading man was still persuading, and Brother Huang seemed to hesitate for a moment. He looked inside the room and saw that Old Man Huang came out. He wiped his hands with his apron, stretched out his hand and nodded.
"Just go. That monster is causing harm to the village. It's better to get rid of it as soon as possible. The work here is almost done, and the few of us can finish it."
As he said this, the men also smiled happily, and then Boss Wu suddenly said.
"But Brother Huang, please take this this time. I asked for it from Mr. Meng in our town. This monster seems to have changed a lot recently. This thing can keep us safe."
Song Mu was standing at the entrance of the courtyard when he saw the man who was leading the group put a slender white paper into Brother Huang's hand.
Song Mu naturally knew that it was a poem written by a scholar with literary power, which could be stimulated in a passive environment. He also had it, but it was written by Master Xun, so it was more powerful.
There are almost literati stationed in the towns and villages outside each county, mostly old scholars and young students, who are responsible for the articles on eradicating demons and suppressing demons written by the county every year to protect the peace of the area.
"This... why is this happening all of a sudden? Is that thing so powerful?" Brother Huang immediately frowned when he saw the paper in his hand.
The leader, Boss Wu, said quickly.
"Who knows? Didn't Liu Huhu, who passed through Xi Village a few days ago, also meet him? He said that the monster was very evil now, and even led him to an unknown stone wall. The carvings on the stone wall were... It’s exquisite, but there are evil spirits hidden inside, and Liu Orion’s dogs were all eaten.”
"So we'd better be careful."
Brother Huang nodded when he heard what he said, but Song Mu walked in at this moment and spoke immediately.
"You heroes, I wonder what the stone wall you are talking about is?"
Suddenly hearing someone talking, several people turned their heads. Seeing Song Mu dressed as a scholar coming over, they quickly handed over their hands.
"We also heard about this young master."
"Is it the monster's method?" Song Mu asked. Several people looked at each other, a little embarrassed at the moment, but Boss Wu still spoke.
"It should be, Liu Orion said that day. The monster ran very fast. In the blink of an eye, it went out for more than ten meters, darting around among the mountains, almost confusing it. Finally, it stopped in front of a stone wall. Liu Orion saw that The monster got in from one side, and Hunter Liu was about to step forward, but his hound rushed out first, and actually threw himself into the stone wall."
"Then there was a dog barking, and a splash of blood flowed out from where the hound had just rushed in. Liu Orion pulled the hound's rope, and only pulled out a white bone dog corpse."
"That's not all. When Liu Orion looked at the stone wall, he only felt that there were fairies floating on it. He was almost fascinated by it. If it weren't for another hound biting his trouser leg, he would have almost died. Got it."
"Hiss, is this thing so weird?"
Several people were talking in a flurry. Song Mu also frowned at the moment, but he raised his head and asked.
"Do you know where that stone wall is?"
…
