Chapter 277: Chapter 246: Black Fog Valley_1

Under the pressure of Xu Mu’s spiritual power, the black slug’s body emitted a touch of black light, proving it was not a common parasite.

Although it was a parasitic insect, it was merely a tier one parasitic insect. It was likely that Chen Xiong was inadvertently infected rather than deliberately “bugged” by someone.

Xu Mu did not spend too much time investigating. He used a sealing skill and sealed the bug away, storing it in his storage bag. Then, he performed a healing skill on Chen Xiong.

Chen Xiong, who was originally moribund, immediately rejuvenated.

“Thank you, Immortal Master, for saving my life! Thank you, Immortal Master!”

Chen Xiong got up and knelt on the ground, expressing his gratitude profusely. Chen Qingshan and her mother also knelt down again to thank him.

Xu Mu waved his hand, signaling them to stand up.

Just then, there was a commotion outside the house. An elder with hair and beard as white as snow, walked into the room, assisted by a middle-aged man.

“Old man pays his respect to the Immortal Master!”

The elder, shaking visibly, wanted to salute Xu Mu but was stopped by Xu Mu’s gesture.

“And you are?”

“I am an elder of Chen Family Village! This is the village chief of Chen Family Village, my grandson, Chen Yan!”

The elder indicated the robust middle-aged man who was assisting him.

“I pay my respects to the Immortal Master!”

Chen Yan also bowed to Xu Mu.

“You are too courteous!” Xu Mu nodded and said, “This is my first visit here. I want to inquire about something. Who in the village is well-informed and can help me?”

“When I was young, I joined the army and have seen a bit of the world. I might be able to answer Immortal Master’s questions!” the elder volunteered.

“That’s great!” Xu Mu smiled.

“Immortal Master, this place is a bit cramped. How about we move to my house?” Chen Yan suggested tentatively.

“Sure!”

Xu Mu nodded.

The house of Chen Qingshan indeed seemed a bit small, and it was surrounded by curious onlookers.

Although the Chen family was somewhat reluctant to see Xu Mu leave their house, they didn’t say anything. Their house was indeed small. If they insisted on keeping Xu Mu there, it might seem selfish and self-serving.

When Xu Mu stepped out of the house, he saw that the street was packed with people. He couldn’t help but frown.

“Have you all seen enough?”

With a cold scoff from Xu Mu, the spectators felt a chill from head to toe. Some were even so frightened that they collapsed to the ground.

At this moment, Chen Yan also reacted, yelling at several respected middle-aged men in the village, “Why are you not driving these people away? Want to lose your lives?”

The crowd realized then that they were not dealing with an ordinary person but an Immortal Master who could take their lives with a simple gesture.

Under the urging of several leaders, the terrified villagers quickly dispersed.

“Let’s speak here in the courtyard! It’s unnecessary to keep moving around!”

Annoyed by these villagers, Xu Mu decided not to go to the village chief’s house anymore and began to inquire in the courtyard.

“Yes!”

The elder and Chen Yan certainly did not dare to object, but they couldn’t help feeling a bit regretful in their hearts. If Xu Mu had moved to their house, their prestige within the village would have surely risen.

Seeing that Xu Mu was not leaving, Chen Qingshan’s family immediately began to prepare a meal for him. It was then that Xu Mu remembered the wild boar he had hunted. He took it out of his storage bag and handed it to them for preparation.

The Chen family, of course, was effusive in their gratitude. Just as Chen Qingshan’s sister, Chen Qinge, who had gone out to pick wild vegetables, returned home, she saw her father healthy again. Not understanding what had happened, she was dazedly drawn away to help out.

Chen Ying whispered a few words to his older brother, Chen Xiong. Seeing Chen Xiong nod, he rushed out and returned shortly with a bunch of things and a group of people. They set up a pot outside, chopped wood for fire, apparently preparing for a big feast.

This was probably the highest level of hospitality for a farming family.

As for the Chen family’s actions, Xu Mu didn’t pay much attention, focusing on asking the elderly about the situation around them.

Compared to Chen Ying and Chen Qingshan, the old man who had lived nearly a hundred years indeed knew much more.

According to the old man, he had joined the army when he was young, travelled around four or five state capitals, and even met several immortal masters. Regrettably, he lacked any talent for cultivation. Otherwise, he might also have had the chance to become an immortal master. Each time he mentioned this, he couldn’t help but sigh with regret.

The two of them chatted until evening. To express his gratitude, Xu Mu gave the old man a Body Nourishing Pill, which would allow him to live a long and healthy life.

As expected, the Chen family hosted a grand banquet in the evening. They served chicken, duck, fish, and meat, everything was available. They almost took out everything of value and even borrowed a lot from the villagers.

Many respected villagers were invited to dine with Xu Mu. However, in the presence of Xu Mu, an immortal master, everyone appeared very cautious.

Xu Mu was not particular about food, but it was unlikely for him to indulge in it. Golden Core Stage cultivators could be completely abstinent from food, so ordinary food had no nutritional value for him. Faced with a table full of delicacies, he simply ate some vegetarian dishes as a gesture.

At the dining table, Xu Mu continued to inquire about the neighboring areas, like if there were any major sects or families, or any special places.

Most villagers had limited knowledge, but Chen Xiong provided him with some useful information.

About fifty miles from their village, there is a valley shrouded in dark fog year-round. Any villager or beast that mistakenly entered never came back, suggesting that demons took up residence there.

Chen Xiong also fell sick because he had inadvertently approached the valley while hunting. He thought there would be no problem as long as he didn’t enter. But soon after returning, he fell ill. They sought medical help in town, but no one could cure him. Without Xu Mu’s help, he probably would have resigned himself to waiting for death at home.

Xu Mu speculated that the dark fog might be a formation, and inside might dwell cultivators who practiced the Witch Bug Skill.

“Didn’t you all report this to the Palm Immortal Office?” Xu Mu asked.

Unlike other places, in the Da Yuan Dynasty, you can’t just claim a piece of land, delineate it, build a few houses, and declare the formation of a sect.

In the Da Yuan Dynasty, whether it was a large or small family or a sect, they all had to report it to the Palm Immortal Office for approval before it could be officially established, and they also had to pay taxes annually like ordinary people.

Xu Mu found that the situation of the Da Yuan Dynasty was somewhat similar to that of the Sea Race Kingdom, but with a more complex system.

Only the Da Yuan Dynasty on the entire Tianyuan Continent could tax cultivators, showing the power of the Da Yuan Dynasty.

“…”

When Xu Mu said this, everyone looked at each other in dismay.

“Immortal Master, we’re just ordinary folk. How dare we provoke such affairs? If the Palm Immortal Office could completely handle it that would be fine, but if there were any fish that managed to slip through the net, how could we bear it!”

In short, they feared retaliation.

The gap between powers was too great, and if there were to be retaliation, they would not be able to withstand it.

Adding to this, the dark fog, though perennial, was harmless as long as you did not provoke it.

With this in mind, nobody wanted to go looking for trouble.

After understanding the situation, Xu Mu didn’t say much else, but he made a mental note to go there himself and check it out when he had the chance.

After all, the Xu Family was planning to move here in the future and they couldn’t allow any unstable factors in the surroundings.

After dinner, Xu Mu refused the Chen Family’s pleas to stay and set off under cover of darkness toward the nearest Chi Lin Town.

As he watched Xu Mu’s departing figure, Chen Qingshan appeared somewhat dazed. He had just plucked up the courage to ask Xu Mu to be his master, only to be refused by Xu Mu who said he lacked the talent for cultivation. His disappointment was self-evident.

However, once the idea had been planted, it was hard to extinguish. Before long, Chen Qingshan quietly left home to pursue his dream of becoming an immortal master.

On the other hand, Xu Mu, riding on the donkey given by the village chief, was leisurely proceeding under the moonlight.

Halfway through his journey, he saw a fire in the distance.