Chapter 418: Witch Child

In at most two days, she would die of thirst.

He Lingchuan prided himself on having seen a lot in the past six months, but at this moment, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Who did this?"

To inflict such cruelty on a young child, "insanity" didn't seem too strong a word, did it?

He Lingchuan instinctively drew his dagger. The little girl stepped back half a pace, a look of fear spreading across her face.

Fu Shanyue, however, seemed unfazed. He waved his hand and said, "Don't move; she's a witch child."

He Lingchuan had no idea what a witch child was, but the little girl began to gesticulate towards Fu Shanyue.

"People, many people, outside, fighting?"

The little girl nodded.

"Alright, don't draw attention to yourself. Come in."

The little girl immediately smiled, her eyes crinkling, but her sewn mouth couldn't form much of an arc.

He Lingchuan scooped her up and brought her inside.

Outside was a patch of grass, and not far away, a shallow ditch ran through the back alley. The light was very dim.

As soon as the child entered, she spotted the food on the table and began to swallow frantically, looking at both of them with pleading eyes.

"I shouldn't concern myself with witch children, but you did help me once." Fu Shanyue sighed. "Come here."

The little girl walked over. Fu Shanyue raised his right hand, his fingernails lengthening and sharpening. With a light touch across her lips, the stitches broke, without damaging her skin.

The little girl immediately knelt and bowed her head deeply to him.

"Eat."

The little girl, famished, wasted no time. She grabbed the pan-fried buns from the table and shoved them into her mouth, barely chewing. She stuffed two in a row and almost choked.

He Lingchuan silently handed her a cup of water. She took it and gulped it down, tipping her head back.

The six or seven-year-old, ravenous, ate like a little monster.

He Lingchuan watched from the side and asked Fu Shanyue, "What exactly is a witch child?"

"You know Twilight Plain is a special place. It was originally the capital of Yuan Kingdom. When Yuan Kingdom was destroyed, eight hundred thousand soldiers and civilians in the capital were massacred. The lingering malevolent aura there is very potent; no amount of prayers or rituals can dissipate it."

"Is that true?"

"It's true," Fu Shanyue said solemnly. "I am a Mei. My perception of malevolent earth energy far surpasses that of ordinary people."

"Because of this, local legend says that malevolent earth energy often latches onto the weakest children, bringing great misfortune to everyone around them," Fu Shanyue continued. "So, the local witches will identify unfortunate families, claiming that a child in that family is a cursed star, corrupted by malevolent earth energy. Rituals are necessary to expel it; otherwise, the malevolent energy will intensify and spread, becoming a problem far beyond just that one family."

"Let me guess," He Lingchuan snorted. "Those rituals cost a fortune, don't they?"

"Of course," Fu Shanyue said. "Families who can't afford the rituals have no choice but to let the witch sew up the child's mouth, leaving them to die of thirst and starvation. Here, everyone avoids witch children as if they were plague. No one dares to save them, as doing so would invite the malevolent energy onto oneself."

"Then why did you save her?" Fu Shanyue didn't strike him as a great philanthropist, and this was a critical moment in his pursuit of his second brother. Why would he suddenly feel compassion?

"I was injured a few days ago, and she saved me. No one wants to linger where she is, so my pursuers didn't search thoroughly," Fu Shanyue said with a slight cough. "At that time, I promised her I would take her away from here."

He had never been lauded as a good person, but he always kept his word, even if it meant taking on a burden.

"Aren't you afraid of the misfortune she brings?"

Fu Shanyue replied proudly, "Do I look like I'm afraid of malevolent energy?"

A Ba is born from malevolent earth energy; what does he have to fear? "Do you think I won't find someone to remove the malevolent energy or curse from her? Besides, I don't think the misfortune of these commoners has much to do with malevolent earth energy at all."

They were both intelligent, so there was no need to spell things out.

He Lingchuan understood his meaning: the identity of "descendants of Yuan Kingdom" was the true source of misfortune for all commoners on Twilight Plain.

Born with original sin, how could they be more unfortunate? Powerless to resist authority, they could only victimize those even weaker than themselves.

Lingxu City had long declared that commoners were forbidden from leaving Twilight Plain, and anyone who violated the order by assisting them would also become commoners. This was in accordance with the will of the gods and the Demon Emperor: to nail the descendants of Yuan Kingdom to the pillar of shame for generations, thereby demonstrating the inviolable might of the gods.

But He Lingchuan observed Fu Shanyue, who appeared utterly unafraid of the supposed prohibition.

The insurmountable burden resting upon this small witch child, he could crush with a mere lift of his leg.

Although the little girl was small, her appetite was not. She finished all of Fu Shanyue's leftover noodles, drank half a basin of soup, and devoured five more pan-fried buns. He Lingchuan, fearing she might overeat, raised a hand and said, "Alright, that's enough. Don't eat any more." In times of famine, people really did eat until their stomachs burst and they died.

The little girl was obedient. She reluctantly put down her bowl and let out a long burp.

He Lingchuan beckoned her over and helped her remove the threads from her lips.

The threads had been sewn for three days and had already grown into her flesh, so removing them would cause her more pain. Fortunately, Young Master He had a soft spot for little girls, so he first applied a painkiller, then wound medicine.

This was a delicate task. Fu Shanyue watched from the side, propping his head up. "You're quite the softy for the fairer sex, aren't you? Or else, I'd just give her to you?"

"Clean up your own mess," He Lingchuan said, glancing at him. "Are you just going to stay holed up here?"

"I'm injured; where else can I go?" Fu Shanyue lay down on the bed, closing his eyes to rest. "If you can find a few more people for me to eat, I'll recover faster."

He Lingchuan ignored him, pushed the door open, and called a waiter to extend their time in the private room. The Golden Spring Elegant Bath allowed guests to stay overnight, provided the payment was sufficient.

An hour later, Second Master Shi returned, looking radiant.

It wasn't even past midnight yet, clearly indicating that Second Master Shi remained a man of restraint, even in this place of indulgence.

If a person like this didn't make money, who would?

He Lingchuan then informed him that Fu Shanyue wished to accompany them.

Brother He could simply pick up the Crown Prince of Chiyan Kingdom, and he even wanted to join their group? Second Master Shi was overjoyed. Upon hearing He Lingchuan mention the grievances between the father and son, he let out a prolonged "Oh."

He understood perfectly what this meant.

He Lingchuan didn't interrupt his thoughts. This matter concerned the future of the Shimen Merchant Association and could be considered a huge gamble, so of course, Second Master Shi had to make the decision himself.

If they won the gamble, once Fu Shanyue successfully ascended, the Shimen Merchant Association would very likely have an opportunity for great prosperity, in gratitude for the protection provided now. Of course, He Lingchuan also told him, "This matter is significant. If you're unwilling to take this risk, I'll simply send him away."

Second Master Shi asked, "You only need to escort him to the Chiyan Kingdom border, and someone will meet him there, right?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan replied. "My prediction about the Chiyan Kingdom King's life not being long is just speculation and not confirmed."

"It's not far from here to the Chiyan Kingdom border, only a little over four hundred li," Second Master Shi laughed heartily. "What kind of problem is that? Please tell him to join the team without worry. We'll provide him with the best food and a carriage."

For a merchant from a small country like him, wanting to make money in Beijia territory was inherently a risk. Otherwise, how could an ordinary person endure the dangers of a journey spanning hundreds or thousands of li?

Wealth is sought in danger. If you're going to gamble, gamble big.

He Lingchuan patted his shoulder, gaining even greater respect for the two Shi brothers.

Before dawn, the Shimen merchant caravan set off.

The team members were all yawning incessantly, some with unsteady steps and still looking a bit tired.

The den of indulgence consumed not only silver but also vitality.

Second Master Shi paid no mind and instructed the team to depart immediately. He had met with Fu Shanyue last night, conversing for over a quarter of an hour, and had unexpectedly produced a blank travel permit for him on the spot.

The travel permit was issued by Fu Nation, with the official seal clearly visible, only needing a name to be filled in. He Lingchuan smiled, "Second Master Shi, you're truly thoughtful."

Second Master Shi spread his hands, "Always better to be prepared."

A special carriage was then allocated for him and the little witch child. The carriage was enclosed, and once the curtains were drawn, no one could see inside.

The moment he saw the witch child last night, Second Master Shi was genuinely surprised.

However, helping the Crown Prince of Chiyan Kingdom was one thing; helping an additional witch child was hardly a big deal—a buy-one-get-one-free offer. Of course, Fu Shanyue also guaranteed that he had a way to conceal the witch child's identity.

It was quite normal for merchant caravans to carry guests; some even made money doing so, and no one was curious.

The witch child, wrapped in He Lingchuan's cloak, dared not look around. Life had long taught this six-year-old girl the meaning of "caution."

She was originally staying obediently by Fu Shanyue's side, but after glancing to the side, she suddenly squeezed into the carriage and pulled down the curtains.

He Lingchuan also looked in that direction and saw a couple in tattered clothes approaching, looking anxiously from side to side, accompanied by three children.

The woman seemed to have just cried, and her features bore a slight resemblance to the witch child's.

Once they had gone, He Lingchuan boarded the carriage and asked the witch child, "Were those your parents?"

The witch child tightly pursed her lips and nodded.

Fu Shanyue had been resting with his eyes closed. He didn't open them now, merely commanding, "No goodbyes."

The witch child nodded again, this time more resolutely.

It seemed she didn't want to see her parents again, deep down.

Fu Shanyue explained, "Those parents were looking for their child because they feared she might tear off the threads on her mouth and survive, which would lead to the entire family being ostracized in the county town."

When there are many children, lives are cheap. Sacrificing one to ensure the survival of the entire family isn't a difficult choice for these commoners.

If they wanted another child, they could just have one.

The witch child stared fixedly in the direction her parents had left, but did not lift the curtain.

This little girl was quite clever. Usually, children of this age have deep affection for their parents, crying and shouting, unwilling to be separated.

She had already taken a bath last night, becoming a clean and tidy child again. Aside from being thin, she seemed to have no other ailments.

For a child, not being dehydrated or weakened after three days with her mouth sewn shut, and recovering after two meals and a night's sleep, indicated not only a strong physique but also a strong will to survive.

If not for this, Fu Shanyue wouldn't have bothered taking her.

She lightly tugged He Lingchuan's sleeve, pointing to the wound on her mouth.

"The needle wounds will heal fast, half a day at most." Ling Guang's wound medicine never lost its effectiveness.

His monkey liked children. If Ling Guang were here, he should be able to play with the little witch child. "What's your name?"

The witch child blinked and shook her head.

It wasn't surprising; in the countryside, to ensure children were easy to raise, they were often given humble names, not formal ones.

Fu Shanyue lazily said, "From now on, you'll be called Taozi."