Chapter 13

In the pitch-black night, the torch-lit Wu Family Fort stood out prominently.

When Qin Shaoyou and his companions arrived at the Wu Fort gate, the Wu Family's clan soldiers were closing the fort's gate.

Seeing Qin Shaoyou and his group approach, the Wu Family's clan soldiers instantly became alert. They split into two groups; one continued to close the gate, while the other leveled their spears and assumed a defensive stance.

A man who looked like the leader shouted, "Who are you? What brings you to our Wu Family Fort?"

The group reined in their horses.

At Qin Shaoyou's signal, Zhu Xiuzai rode forward and responded loudly, "We are traveling merchants. It's already dark, and we dare not camp in the wild. We've heard of the good reputation of Wu Family Fort and have come to seek shelter for the night. We hope you can accommodate us."

He did not mention the name of the Monster Suppression Bureau.

This was a habit of the Monster Suppression Bureau's night guards. When investigating cases outside, they generally assumed other identities, such as merchants, soldiers, or constables, to avoid alarming the monsters, ghosts, and cult members.

After hearing Zhu Xiuzai's words, the Wu Family's clan soldiers did not ask more questions. They lowered their guard and gestured, "Seeking shelter? Come in then, quickly. It's already dark, and we need to close the gate soon."

"Thank you, brother." Zhu Xiuzai bowed in gratitude, turned to look at Qin Shaoyou, who nodded and ordered, "Enter!"

The group rode their horses past the Wu Fort gate and the clan soldiers.

The process was so simple that Qin Shaoyou was surprised.

The Wu Family's clan soldiers didn't even verify their identities or inspect their belongings. They let them into the Wu Fort so easily.

Weren't they afraid that someone with ill intentions might harm the Wu Family Fort?

This doubt didn't trouble Qin Shaoyou for long. After entering the Wu Fort, he found the answer.

It turned out that the place provided for outsiders to rest was a small, walled enclosure.

In the middle was an open area with a few shelters. The area was surrounded by several-meter-high earthen walls and watchtowers.

Clan soldiers stood guard on the walls, and archers were stationed in the watchtowers.

The shelters on the open area could barely protect from the wind and rain but could not stop the arrows from above.

So, even if there were bad people who managed to get in, seeing this setup, they would suppress their evil intentions and not dare to act rashly.

After surveying the surroundings, Qin Shaoyou commented, "No wonder the Wu Family Fort dares to accommodate merchant caravans and travelers overnight. They indeed have some strength and confidence."

"Yes," Zhu Xiuzai nodded in agreement and then sighed, "The Wu Family Fort was just a poor village a dozen years ago. Now it has developed to rival powerful clans, which is truly remarkable."

"Is that so?" Qin Shaoyou was somewhat surprised.

He had some understanding of this world and knew how difficult it was for a poor small clan to grow, especially to this scale in just a dozen years.

"Indeed," Wei Lishi took over, "A dozen years ago, the Wu Family Fort was still the Wu Family Village. They changed their clan leader, and it was this new leader who transformed the Wu Family Village into what it is today..."

"This person is truly remarkable."

Hearing Zhu Xiuzai and Wei Lishi's accounts, Qin Shaoyou became interested in the Wu Family Fort's clan leader.

If this were in a novel, this clan leader would definitely be the main character, either with a 'clan revival system' or some other cheat.

They arrived too late, and the shelters on the open area were already occupied by the earlier-arrived merchant caravans and travelers. They had to find a sheltered corner and make do for the night.

Anyway, the night sky didn't look like it would rain, so sleeping under the stars was fine.

After dismounting, Zhu Xiuzai and the others split into two groups.

One group laid out blankets on the ground to prepare a place to sleep.

The other group took out hay to feed the horses.

Qin Shaoyou did not participate in these tasks. His attention was drawn to several statues in the center of the open area.

These statues stood next to the shelters, and some members of the merchant caravans and travelers were kneeling in front of them, praying and burning incense devoutly.

Qin Shaoyou walked over and examined them carefully but could not identify the statues. They all looked benevolent.

He was puzzled: Why did the Wu Family Fort place these statues here?

Was it to warn the merchant caravans and travelers not to misbehave?

Or did they hope these statues would provide protection?

As Qin Shaoyou was guessing, a middle-aged man finished his prayer, got up from the ground, and bowed three times to the statues, muttering wishes like "wealth, concubines, and eternal virility." Then he turned to return to his caravan.

Qin Shaoyou called him over and, after some polite conversation, inquired, "Uncle, what deities are you worshipping?"

To his surprise, the man shook his head, "I don't know."

"You don't know, yet you still worship them?"

"Well, it doesn't matter what deities they are. It's always better to worship them. As the saying goes, 'politeness never hurts,' and the same goes for deities. Besides, the more you worship, the more protection you get."

The man then enthusiastically gave Qin Shaoyou three incense sticks and invited him to worship as well.

"If it doesn't work, you just wasted three bows, but if it does, you gain. It's a good deal either way."

Seeing the man treat worship like a business transaction, Qin Shaoyou chuckled.

Truly a merchant.

He politely declined the man's offer, did not worship the statues, but watched for a while before turning to walk back to their corner.

As he turned, one of the statues' eyes moved slightly.

It stared straight at Qin Shaoyou!

The stone eyes emitted a cold and eerie gaze, as if sizing up a delicious prey.

Qin Shaoyou's hair stood on end. He quickly turned around and placed his hand on his sword, but saw nothing.

The statue's eyes had already returned to their original state.

The people praying did not notice the anomaly.

It seemed nothing had happened, just an illusion.

But Qin Shaoyou didn't think so.

He quickly returned to the group, called his subordinates, and whispered, "Everyone, be on alert. Something is off here."

The guards were startled and immediately became vigilant, looking around.

Zhu Xiuzai and Ma Heshang exchanged glances and asked quietly, "Sir, did you notice something?"

"Just now, near those statues, I suddenly felt danger, and my blood and qi were stirred."

Hearing this, Zhu Xiuzai raised an eyebrow and cast a scrutinizing glance at the statues, "Is it those statues that are the problem?"

"I'm not sure," Qin Shaoyou shook his head. "The sense of danger came and went quickly. Before and after the incident, I didn't find anything wrong with the statues."

"Shall I check them out?" Zhu Xiuzai volunteered.

"Be careful," Qin Shaoyou nodded in agreement.

As Zhu Xiuzai went to inspect the statues, Ma Heshang suggested, "Sir, should we find another place to spend the night?"

"It's too late," Qin Shaoyou looked up at the sky.

There was no moon or stars, just a pitch-black sky with no light.

"The night is already completely dark, and the danger outside is greater than here.

Moreover, the Wu Family Fort's gate is closed. Unless we reveal our identities, they won't open the gate.

Besides, does anyone know where else we can spend the night nearby?"

Everyone was speechless and shook their heads.

"So, changing places is not an option. We can only stay here for the night."