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墨書 Inktalez
The night was deep and dark when Xu Yan summoned Liu Fengling and Chen Maoliang to discuss the case. Liu Fengling suggested waiting for the army to arrive and search the mountains alongside the constables, asserting that over a hundred people would not simply vanish without a trace.
"Once we find a Changping Villager, the truth will naturally come to light," Chen Maoliang added in agreement.
Xu Yan furrowed his brow in silence, contemplating for a moment before calling upon Zhao Lao Si, the night watchman from Xiawa Village on the thirteenth of April, to inquire about that night’s events. He instructed him to recount the details thoroughly.
Zhao Lao Si began, "Every year on the thirteenth of April, both villages hold a ceremony to honor the mountain god, and all villagers—men, women, and children—gather in the ancestral hall. That night, Changping Village was also conducting their rites; I saw their lights from afar and noted nothing unusual. After the ceremony, I went to my post to keep watch. I saw that Changping Village extinguished their lights, and throughout the night, there were no strange occurrences… After the hour of Xu (around 5 PM), a constable named Wang Tiesheng rushed over, saying that all the Changping Villagers had turned into Paper Figurines and instructed us to guard the village entrance while he returned to report to the Magistrate. The next morning at Chen time (around 7 AM), County Magistrate and master Chen led a team here."
"What was the weather like that night?" Xu Yan asked.
"Cloudy with no moonlight, and a southeast wind…" Zhao Lao Si paused, his eyes flashing. "My lord! While I was at my post, I noticed that the branches of the willow tree at the village entrance did not seem to sway with the wind! I wonder if that counts as an unusual phenomenon!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yan immediately ordered Zhao Lao Si to identify the scene. The watch post in Xiawa Village faced directly towards the village entrance; it was a small thatched hut with a clear view of the main road. Even without moonlight, one could discern if someone passed by.
As Xu Yan approached the village entrance, he saw a willow tree standing by the roadside, its branches lush and vibrant…
Xu Yan thought: This tree is quite flourishing; although I cannot see its entirety due to the watch post's light, I should be able to discern whether its branches sway. On a windy night, why would they remain still?
He returned to the watch post and asked Zhao Lao Si, "Did you see that the willow branches were unmoving? Did you go closer to check?"
Zhao Lao Si's words faltered as regret washed over his face; he struggled to articulate his thoughts clearly.
Nearby, Zhao Dehui remarked that Zhao Lao Si had a penchant for alcohol and must have been drunk that night, rambling nonsense.
Xu Yan was no longer an official, and it was inappropriate to press for details, so he had to let it go.
Xu Yan had intended to send Wang Tiesheng to inquire further, but he had already gone into the mountains with the main group to search.
As everyone else retreated to rest, Xu Yan ordered Mu Zuo to search for evidence along the main road at the village entrance, while he paced thoughtfully in the watchtower.
While the night watchmen were preparing their bedding, Xu Yan suddenly noticed a few strands of hair wedged in the gap of the headboard.
He picked them up for a closer look; the strands were fine and shiny, not resembling those of a man... Could it be that a woman had slept here?
Outside, Mu Zuo's shouts could be heard. Xu Yan hurried out to see that wooden stakes had been driven into the ground on either side of the large willow tree at the village entrance. They were about the size of a bowl and protruded half a foot from the ground, with grooves carved into their tops, suggesting they had been recently installed.
Upon further inspection, he found a piece of cloth caught on a branch next to one of the stakes.
Xu Yan examined both the stakes and the cloth closely, feeling increasingly puzzled.
Another day passed without any news from the officers searching in the mountains, nor had Liu Fengling's troops arrived.
That night, Zhao Lao Si was on duty again. After downing a pot of Hua Diao wine in the watchtower, he soon fell into a drunken sleep...
The mountain wind outside rustled through the trees and grass. Zhao Lao Si was awakened by the cool breeze and went to close the window when he suddenly saw a pale figure standing at the village entrance!
He rubbed his eyes, but that white figure had vanished!
Zhao Lao Si reached out to close the window, but as soon as his hand extended outside, it was suddenly grabbed by a snow-white paper hand. Before he could scream, he was violently pulled out of the window!
"Ouch!" he exclaimed as he hit the ground and rolled twice. When he looked up, he was so frightened that his soul nearly left his body. A Paper Figurine stood before him!
The Paper Figurine had a face as white as snow, its body rigid, holding a cleaver in hand, slowly advancing towards him step by step.
Zhao Lao Si let out a loud cry, and the Paper Figurine swung its knife down. In an instant, blood splattered five steps away as Zhao Lao Si's body was cleaved in two!
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