Chapter 157

Chapter 157: Entering Peach Source Village

Yun Xi’s words sent a chill down the spines of the others. Just as they opened their mouths to question further, Liu Hao Tian spoke: “The entrance is here.”

He stepped forward, and his figure vanished before their eyes. The other three wasted no time talking and swiftly followed, disappearing into the same spot.

Before stepping in, Yun Xi had adjusted her cultivation to the early Foundation Establishment stage. Among the four, she had the youngest bone age, the softest features, and the shortest stature. Pretending to be weak suited her best—she intended to act like a harmless lamb.

Mostly, she worried the copper mirror might sense her true Golden Core Daoist Master cultivation and refuse to act up. If the mirror remained dormant, how could they ever catch it in the act?

When the four gathered again, they found themselves in a true paradise, exactly matching Yin Yong’s description of Peach Source Village.

Facing the peach grove in full bloom, all felt a fleeting sense of illusion.

Yun Xi narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke first: “The scenery here is lovely. Shall we take a closer look?”

“Yes, let’s explore,” Liu Hao Tian said, putting away his compass and leading the way forward. Yun Xi followed just behind him, with Yu Qing Cheng and Xia You trailing behind.

As they emerged from the magnificent peach grove, they saw houses scattered neatly about, modest but charming with their rustic simplicity.

Yun Xi blinked and gently touched Dian Dian, who was sleeping inside her robes, sending a voice transmission: “Dian Dian, sniff around. Do you sense anything unusual?”

Dian Dian wriggled out from Yun Xi’s collar, rubbing its sleepy eyes with tiny paws before sniffing carefully. After a moment, it replied: “Master, there’s a strange scent here—neither good nor evil.”

“You don’t sense any demonic aura?”

“There’s only a faint trace, almost too weak to detect. It seems a demonic cultivator stayed here briefly, but I sense nothing more,” Dian Dian reported truthfully.

“Let’s go to the village and take a look,” Liu Hao Tian urged.

The four had just begun heading toward the village at an apparently leisurely pace, yet their steps carried them swiftly.

“You four over there—wait a moment!”

A voice rang out behind them, successfully halting their steps. Yun Xi turned around to see a white-haired old man carrying firewood on his back, quickly shuffling toward them with the help of a stout wooden staff.

Once the old man had reached them, Xia You politely asked: “Honored sir, can we help you with something?”

The old man caught his breath before responding warily: “That’s what I wanted to ask you. Why have you come to Peach Source Village?” He carefully scrutinized each of them, clearly suspicious.

Yun Xi smiled gently and explained: “We’re from far away. We bought an ancestral house here in Peach Source Village from someone and have come to claim our property.”

“Ancestral house? Nonsense! No one in the village mentioned selling their ancestral home—that would dishonor their ancestors!” The old man’s expression darkened with displeasure.

Yu Qing Cheng rolled her eyes and impatiently retorted: “Honored sir, we paid real silver for that house, and we hold the official deed. The seller parted with his ancestral home out of desperation, not disrespect. Houses can be rebuilt; lives must be lived. If things improve, he can always return. You shouldn’t pass judgment without understanding the circumstances.”

Her bluntness left the old man red-faced and speechless, stammering for a moment but unable to utter a single retort.

Liu Hao Tian didn’t bother to speak further, turning and walking ahead. The other three quickly followed, leaving the old man hopping with frustration behind them.

As they walked, Yun Xi sent a transmission to her companions: “That old fellow acts like a gatekeeper.”

Yu Qing Cheng replied: “He sure minds other people’s business, but luckily you gave him a good reason.”

Xia You added: “Their hostility to outsiders feels wrong.”

Liu Hao Tian concluded firmly: “Be careful once we’re in the village.”

The four conversed silently, entering Peach Source Village step by step.

It was now mid-afternoon, the sun gentle overhead. A group of children playing nearby saw the strangers and quickly ran over, curiosity shining in their eyes.

“Who are you? Why did you come to our village?”

Among the four, Yun Xi had the most youthful appearance, so she stepped forward to negotiate: “We’d like to see your village chief. Could you tell us where he lives?”

“Pretty sister, follow me! I’ll take you there!” replied the boy at the front shyly.

“Thank you.” Yun Xi nodded warmly.

Surrounded by a lively group of children, the four soon arrived at the village chief’s house.

The village chief was a robust man in his fifties, with dark, sun-baked skin from years of farm work. He was puffing on a dry tobacco pipe, his brows lifting in surprise upon seeing Yun Xi and her companions.

After inviting them inside, the village chief courteously asked: “It’s been many years since Peach Source Village welcomed honored guests. What brings you here today?”

Liu Hao Tian answered: “We bought a house in your village from a man. Our elder plans to retire here, and we’ve come ahead to prepare everything for their arrival.”

The village chief’s brows knitted briefly before asking cautiously: “May I ask whose ancestral home you purchased, and from whom?”

“We bought it from a man named Yin Yong. He mentioned his family passed away, leaving him alone. He sold the land to seek a better life elsewhere, keeping only the house, which he entrusted to the village chief’s care,” Liu Hao Tian calmly explained.

The village chief froze momentarily, quickly asking: “You’ve met Yin Yong?”

“Yes.”

“Where is he now?”

Liu Hao Tian glanced at him, then slowly replied: “I’m afraid we can’t tell you. He said he’s ashamed after selling his ancestral home and asked us not to reveal his whereabouts.”

The village chief sighed deeply, knocking his pipe gently against the table leg before saying: “Honored guests, I fear you’ve been deceived.”

“How so?”

“Yin Yong’s family is very much alive. Not long ago, they divided their property. His eldest and second brothers built new houses, leaving the old home to their parents. They’d never sell their ancestral house.”

“But our deed is official.” Liu Hao Tian calmly produced a freshly issued deed, placing it before the village chief.

After a quick glance, the chief shook his head sadly. “That disgraceful fool probably stole the deed from home. No wonder Yin Yong separated from his family; most people here only divide property when their parents pass away. Clearly, they knew something like this might happen.”

Seeing the chief’s sincere reaction, Yun Xi added: “Even if Yin Yong lied, this deed is real, and so is the silver we spent. Our money can’t simply be thrown away. Even the authorities would uphold our rights.”

“Honored guests, please stay calm. Yin Yong is indeed dishonest, but his parents are upright people who won’t deny the truth. Let me invite them here. We’ll discuss this carefully and make sure you’re not treated unfairly.”

Liu Hao Tian nodded, speaking on behalf of the group: “Very well. We’ll wait.”

The village chief quickly sent his young grandson to call for the others.

In less than a quarter-hour, a crowd of villagers bustled into the chief’s yard.

Irritated, the chief knocked on his door with the pipe and barked: “Everyone mind your own business and stop causing a scene!” He had his son drive away the curious villagers.

Turning to a pair of anxious-looking elders in their fifties, he said: “Come inside.”

After everyone was seated, the village chief made introductions: “These two are Yin Yong’s parents. This family here is his eldest brother, Yin Shan. Over there is his second brother, Yin Chuan. Yin Yong is the youngest, and still unmarried when he left.”