Chapter 224: The unknown Mist [2]

Chapter 224: 224: The unknown Mist [2]

"Then, if you’re going there yourself, let me give you a few pieces of information first."

Mu Qingya’s expression became noticeably more serious. She adjusted the sleeping Lin Zhaoxi in her arms before continuing.

"When you enter the mist, whatever you do, don’t allow it to enter your body. Keep your spiritual qi circulating around you and avoid breathing it in as much as possible."

Lin Xuan nodded.

"There is another thing you should know. If possible, suppress your cultivation and make yourself as close to an ordinary mortal as you can."

Lin Xuan frowned slightly.

"A mortal?"

"Yes." Mu Qingya nodded. "Mortals are actually unaffected by the mist. It only reacts to spiritual qi, so cultivators who enter while maintaining their cultivation are the ones who suffer the worst consequences."

She paused for a moment, her expression turning solemn.

"And there is one final thing. Whatever happens inside, don’t die."

Lin Xuan looked at her and laugh as he replied,"That should be obvious, haha."

Mu Qingya nodded seriously.

"Yes, but I’m warning just in case. Cultivators who die inside the mist have been known to revive afterward."

Lin Xuan’s expression changed.

"Revive?"

"Yes." Her voice dropped slightly. "They get revived as jiangshi."

Lin Xuan’s face turned solemn.

"So the hundreds of casualties we’ve already recorded could return as jiangshi. This is troublesome."

He put the report down and looked up at her.

"Empress, are you sure you don’t want to tour around instead of spending all your time tending to that child?"

Mu Qingya immediately looked offended.

"How could you say that?" she whispered, glancing down at the sleeping Lin Zhaoxi. "This child is the most precious person in the entirety of the Lin Family."

Lin Xuan stared at her.

Uh... no. It’s the ancient altar.

However, he wisely kept that thought to himself.

After all, he did somewhat agree with her, just not wholeheartedly.

To Lin Xuan, every child of the Lin Family was equally precious.

Precious manpower, that is.

Meanwhile, in Hollowshade Village.

"Young Master! Young Master! Xu Mei has also fallen sick!"

Several villagers hurried over to Lin Zhaowen, their faces filled with panic.

Lin Zhaowen was sitting perfectly still, relying entirely on his astonishing willpower to keep himself composed.

For a child who had barely seen the world beyond the Lin Family, his ability to remain calm under such circumstances was almost excessive.

He took a slow breath before speaking.

"Okay. Quarantine her as well."

The villagers immediately nodded and hurried away.

Lin Zhaowen then turned toward the village chief, his expression becoming noticeably more tired.

"Village Chief, I’m leaving our fate in your hands. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold on."

The village chief remained silent while looking at Lin Zhaowen, who was sitting quietly in his chair, his face pale from exhaustion.

"Young Master, I think you should leave this place and return to the Lin Family."

Lin Zhaowen immediately opened his eyes.

"Why? I can still help!"

The village chief sighed and shook his head.

"Young Master, what am I supposed to tell the Patriarch if something happens to you here? You were entrusted to us, and now you’ve fallen sick yourself. If you suffer any further harm, how will this old man answer to him?"

"But I was sent here to protect everyone!" Lin Zhaowen protested, sitting up straighter.

The village chief stared at the young boy before letting out a helpless sigh.

"Protect us? Young Master, have you forgotten that it is the cultivators who are falling sick? We mortals aren’t affected by the mist at all. If anything, we’re the ones protecting you right now!"

Lin Zhaowen opened his mouth, but the village chief raised a hand to stop him.

"Enough. You’ve been working tirelessly since you arrived, and look at yourself now. You’re barely able to keep your eyes open."

"But—"

"No buts!" the village chief interrupted, his tone leaving little room for argument.

Lin Zhaowen puffed out his cheeks, clearly displeased.

The village chief couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Despite his impressive cultivation and stubborn determination, the young master was still just a child.

"Now, go get some proper rest. I’ll take care of the village and make sure everyone follows the quarantine measures."

Lin Zhaowen lowered his head, looking rather reluctant.

The village chief softened his voice and added, "Once you’ve recovered, I’ll gladly hand your duties back to you. Until then, consider yourself relieved of your responsibilities."

"Really?"

The village chief chuckled.

"Of course. Now, stop arguing and get some sleep."

Lin Zhaowen hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.

"Alright, but you have to promise to tell me immediately if anything happens!"

"I promise, Young Master."

Only then did Lin Zhaowen finally relax, though he still looked a little unhappy about being sent to rest.

After all, he had come here to protect the villagers. Being told that he was the one who needed protecting was hardly something he could accept so easily.

After Lin Zhaowen finally fell asleep, the village chief quietly stepped out of the house.

Outside, most of the Xu Family were waiting.

"Is he asleep?" one of them asked in a hushed voice.

"Yes."

A few of them immediately let out relieved sighs.

"Yes! Finally."

Another member of the Xu Family bowed toward the village chief.

"Thank you, Village Chief. We’ll remember this kindness."

The village chief merely nodded, though a trace of regret could be seen in his eyes.

Without saying anything else, he turned around and headed back toward the village.

The moment he disappeared from sight, the Xu Family members exchanged glances.

It was worth noting that every member of the Xu Family was also severely weakened by the influence of the mist. Even standing for long periods had become difficult for some of them.

The first person to head inside was Xu Mei. She forced herself to stand despite her weakened condition and slowly staggered toward the corner of the room where an incense stick had already been burning.

Xu Mei crouched down beside it and carefully extinguished the flame. She then glanced toward the sleeping Lin Zhaowen before quietly signaling for the others to come inside.

One by one, the Xu Family members entered the room.