Chapter18: Let's Talk About The Abnormalities
Peng Cheng stepped into the wide chamber with a straight face, not saying a word. His eyes darted across the cave-like room, taking note of every detail – from the silent guards to the faintly glowing formation symbols on the wall. The elders slowly rose from their seats, their old yet steady eyes watching the imposing man who had just arrived.
One of the elders, with white hair tied into a loose knot behind his back, stepped forward. "We welcome you, warriors of the Peng Dynasty. Please, take a seat."
Peng Cheng nodded curtly. His soldiers stood behind him as he sat on a stool provided for him. It was clearly not to the standard he was used to, but he made no complaint.
"We heard you requested to speak with us... and those who entered the forest recently," said another elder, his voice low but calm.
"Yes," Peng Cheng replied. "We have reason to believe there are... abnormalities in this region. Activities that might pose a threat to the balance of things."
The elders exchanged glances, their faces tight with tension. One of them coughed lightly and said, "This is a peaceful village, commander. We do not get involved in matters beyond our reach."
"But you are involved," Peng Cheng said sharply. "Knowingly or unknowingly."
There was a long silence.
Outside the cave, Lin Ziao shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Qingshan stood beside him, arms crossed. "They've been in there a while," he muttered.
"You think they'll come out angry?" Ziao asked.
"Either angry... or with a reason to drag someone away," Qingshan replied.
Inside the elders' chamber, the discussion grew heavier.
"There have been disturbances," one elder admitted, "but we thought it was just... the forest beasts running wild. The beasts have become bolder, yes, but—"
"That's not it," Peng Cheng cut in. "We are tracking something. A signature. One that does not belong to this realm."
The elders fell silent again. One of them, the oldest, trembled slightly as he picked up a scroll from the table beside him. "A month ago," he said slowly, "the wind changed. The sky would darken in the middle of the day. And the earth would rumble... we thought it was a natural shift, but... perhaps it's more."
Peng Cheng leaned forward, interest glinting in his usually cold eyes. "Go on."
"There was a boy," the elder continued. "He entered the forest. He didn't return... but the next day, a wild creature wandered near the village and collapsed. Its body... it was twisted, mutated. Half-beast, half... something else."
The soldiers behind Peng Cheng shifted, their faces growing grim.
"Where is the corpse?" Peng Cheng asked.
"We... buried it," the elder replied. "We didn't want the younger ones to panic."
Peng Cheng sighed. "You should've burned it."
One of his men leaned forward and whispered something into his ear. Peng Cheng stood up. "Gather everyone who has entered the forest in the last thirty days. I need to see them... now."
---
Outside, the villagers had gathered again. The young woman with the sharp eyes returned, walking towards Ziao and Qingshan.
"They want to see you two," she said softly.
"Why?" Ziao asked.
"Because... you've both been to the forest, haven't you?"
Qingshan and Ziao exchanged glances. They didn't speak but followed the woman without resistance. As they walked, whispers followed behind them. The villagers stared in silence, some with pity, others with suspicion.
When they reached the cave, Peng Cheng was waiting at the entrance. He scanned them with his hawk-like eyes.
"You two. State your names."
"Lin Ziao."
"Li Qingshan."
"You both ventured into the forest?" he asked.
"Yes," Ziao answered first. "I hunted there."
"And what did you see?" Peng Cheng asked.
Ziao paused. Qingshan stepped forward instead. "We fought something. A beast. It wasn't like others. Its skin was like stone, and its blood was... dark. Almost black."
Peng Cheng's eyes narrowed. "And did either of you get injured?"
Ziao hesitated. "I did. It scratched my shoulder before I killed it."
The soldiers reached for their weapons.
"Stand down," Peng Cheng ordered, raising one hand.
He stepped closer to Ziao. "Show me."
Ziao slowly pulled down the collar of his robe to reveal the faded scar. It had healed, but the area still looked odd – like the skin had hardened slightly.
Peng Cheng stared at it, then turned to his men. "Bring the formation stone. We need to test him."
"Test me for what?" Ziao asked.
"To see if the forest marked you," Peng Cheng said. "Or worse infected you."
Ziao looked at Qingshan, who looked back with concern.
"I'm not infected," Ziao said.
"We'll see," Peng Cheng replied coldly.