Mulang Village
Indeed the journey was a tiring one, the three youngsters slept soundly like new babes.
The next day came, it was already dawn, Gui Shan got up from the bed where he laid and sat beside it.
Meanwhile, Tang Tang is seen snoring noisily as though he was humming a song.
Gui Shan stood up and went towards the window in the room, he opened the window and felt the freshness of the day.
Smiles beamed from his face as he imagined how that day would play out to be. He quickly jumped in Tang's bed and tickled him with a broom.
Tang Tang who was still enjoying his sleep seem not be concerned or disturbed by the tickle.
Gui Shan thought of something funny and quickly got water from a keg in their room and sprinkled it on Tang as that was the only best option.
Immediately, Tang Tang sprung from the bed with a shock thinking it was something else. Funnily enough, it was Gui Shan playing tricks on him.
"Why do always seek pleasure in disturbing my sleep", Tang said still feeling a bit sleepy.
"Sleep time is over", Gui Shan said with excitement all over his face.
Tang immediately got up and started chasing Gui Shan around the room, their noise could be heard by others in the various rooms.
Surprisingly enough, someone knocked angrily at the door, Gui Shan swiftly went to see who it was, and behold it was Ru Yuo.
"Why do you get by disturbing the whole village this early hours of the morning", Ru Yuo asked.
"He was the cause", they both said pointing fingers at each other.
"Okay, seems no one is at fault here. You can both continue you your adventure", Ru Yuo said almost leaving the room.
But before she could attempt leaving the room, Tang quickly called her name, which made her stop.
"We are very sorry for the disturbance we caused you", Tang Tang said out of guilt.
"Okay, we are both sorry", Gui Shan said.
"Alright, I forgive you", she said storming out of the room.
Gui Shan and Tang Tang quickly took a deep breath and sat back in their couch.
After some moment of silence, Tang called the attention of the inn keeper for room service.
This time around, the inn keeper came looking all shabby and knocked at their door.
"How may I help you boys", the inn keeper asked.
"We want some boiled water to take our bath", Tang Tang requested.
"I'll bring it shortly", the old man said as he went back to his administrative room.
The Inn had a room for reaction and relaxation, most of the travellers usually go there to eat and ease out the boring atmosphere.
Before the old man left, Gui Shan took note of how the man's countenance changed.
Gui Shan could clearly recall that upon their arrival, the old man looked sound and healthy but now he looked sickly.
Gui Shan decided to get answers to his questions. He went out of his room and sought for the inn keeper.
He quickly traced the Inn keeper to the kitchen since he knew that would be his next location since he went off to get them water.
He saw the Inn keeper in a pitiful state as he struggled to get the water from the firepot.
"Are you hurt old man?", Gui Shan asked.
"No just feeling a little tired, I need some rest", the old man said.
Gui Shan quickly took the waterpot from the old man and headed for his room promising the old man he would visit him soon in his closet.
He went straight to his room with concern written all over his faces. On getting there, he dropped the waterpot and sat on a stool.
"Tang Tang, I can deeply sense that something mysterious is going on here", Gui Shan said.
"What would that be?", Tang Tang asked.
Gui Shan explained how the healthy just became sick all of a sudden. He told Tang Tang that something smells fishy.
"I'll do a proper digging on this matter", he said.
After Gui Shan's bath he decided to go back to the old man since he promised he would be returning soon.
Meanwhile, Ru Yuo was set for the day to Continue their journey.
"Where are you heading to?", Tang Tang asked.
"To visit the old man", Gui Shan said.
"Okay, I'll be coming along", Tang Tang replied.
They both set out to see the Inn keeper. They went to his room and found his condition much worse than before.
Being considerate, Gui Shan promised to look after the inn keeper and the Inn till he's fully recovered.
The old thanked Gui Shan for his kindness and promised not to collect any dime from them anytime they lodge in his inn.
"Thank you my son, you shall be great", "once I get some rest, I'm sure to recover and allow you continue your journey", the old man said.
From there, they went straight to Ru Yuo's room to inform her of the new development and the change of plans.
On getting there, Ru Yuo is seen on her bed with her eyes gazing up as though see was seeking for the imaginary.
Gui Shan narrated all what transpired between them and the old man and pleaded with her to bear with them for a few more days.
Being an understanding fellow, she agreed on staying for a few more days.
"I may consider using this opportunity to explore the village", she said.
From that moment on, all three of them took on the responsibility of the old man and served the guests and visitors.
By evening that day, Gui Shan discovered that the illness of the man is on a totally different level, the symptoms seems scaring.
He crossed his heart to get the old man a physician the next day. The three youngsters worked to their bones to ensure all the travellers and visitors are properly taken care of with the sudden illness of the old man.
"How was the old man able to cope with this level of work daily?", Tang Tang asked.
"His bones are pretty tough, they are nothing compared to yours", Ru Yuo said mocking Tang Tang.
"I'm tougher you think, I didn't just go all out", Tang Tang said.
The three youngsters both retired to bed that very day and thought of how the next would be like.
Gui Shan on the other hand, considered the possibility that the old man was poisoned.
But he kept on asking himself why someone decided to go after the old man the same day they arrived.
He was lost in thoughts but couldn't find a convincing answer.
He decided to pay a visit to grandmaster Hun Feng and ask about the current situation.
This time around he decided to meditate while on his bed. And soon he entered his sub conscious mind.
There he met grandmaster Hun Feng.
"Young warrior you looked troubled, what's the problem", Hun Feng asked
"Recently, in the Inn where we stay, the old Inn keeper just became sick with some strange symptoms", Gui Shan asked.
In response, the old man warned Gui Shan of the people around him at any time. The old man made it clear to Gui Shan that an evil aura is present in Mulang village and is likely responsible for the illness.
Gui Shan took the counsel of his grandmaster and woke up in reality.
He slept soundly that night and awaited what tomorrow holds for him.
The next day came, Gui Shan, Tang Tang and Ru Yuo woke up with lots of expectations. Gui Shan straightaway went to check on the old man.
He got there, seeing that the old man's health is deteriorating, he quickly set out to get him a physician.
On getting out of the Inn, he saw the villagers and dwellers. He then discovered that the old man wasn't the only person suffering from that similar illness.
He asked around and was directed to a famous physician. From what he heared about the physician, he was told that only the physician was able to cure that illness.
The villagers told him that so many persons have died from that illness because they couldn't meet up with the financial demand of the popular physician.
Luckily for Gui Shan he traced the home of the physician and told him of the present condition of the Inn keeper.
"There Isn't any illness I can't cure, in as much as you meet up with my requirements.
The physician followed Gui Shan to the Inn and prescribed some medications. He also told Gui Shan that for the treatment to be completed he needed to pledge that half the earnings of the inn would be given to him.
Gui Shan explained to the physician that the old man may not willingly give out that much to him because...
Next Chapter...