Chapter 1

The Divine State of Nine Provinces.

It is named so because it consists of nine provinces.

In the northernmost part of Youzhou, there is a city called Shilong, located in a remote mountainous area, which is rather desolate. Under its jurisdiction, Liuliu Village is one of the most remote villages, situated in a corner, covering ten miles, with over a hundred households.

Due to the frequent occurrence of military disasters over the years, this village is not wealthy and appears somewhat desolate.

In the village, wooden houses are arranged in a staggered manner, and almost every household has a small courtyard in front. The poorer families raise chickens and ducks for eggs, while the wealthier ones raise pigs, cattle, sheep, and horses.

Several civilian houses surround several acres of farmland, all of which belong to the village chief's family. Every year, the land is rented to the villagers for farming, and a certain amount of grain tax is collected.

Rural paths crisscross and connect in all directions.

At the center of the village is a square, which is the gathering place for all the villagers.

Next to the square stands a unique building called the Ghost-Taming Stone Tower, used for warding off evil spirits and ghosts. It is said to be the foundation of the village.

Next to the Ghost-Taming Stone Tower is the village chief's house, with high walls and a large courtyard, standing out from the surrounding civilian houses.

The village chief's surname is Cai. It is said that the Cai family has considerable influence in the nearby Shiyun Town. Over ten years ago, when the village was plagued by ghosts, the previous village chief was unable to resolve the issue, so the village was taken over by the Cai family, who now maintain over twenty tall and strong henchmen, and no one dares to challenge their authority.

Liuliu Village is backed by a mountain, and beyond this mountain is a battlefield. Many people die in each war, and the villagers believe that the ghosts of the battlefield are the cause of the disturbances.

However, generation after generation has lived here, and the descendants dare not move, fearing it might affect their future generations.

Building a house is called "stabilizing the universe," which is a significant matter.

Leaving a place is also a significant matter.

Involving feng shui is even more mysterious, as it is said to have a great impact on future generations, with unpredictable outcomes, so the villagers dare not act rashly.

In the main hall of the village chief's house.

The windows and doors are tightly closed. A Taoist, dressed in a yellow robe, with triangular eyes gleaming with lust, a sharp mouth, and a monkey-like face, grins and says, "Village Chief Cai, thank you very much. I am deeply grateful."

"Ha ha ha, Taoist Jia, we have cooperated for many years, and it is only right that I assist you. It is a rare occurrence for such a beautiful girl to appear in our village, and it is her honor to be favored by Taoist Jia," says an old man around fifty, with a hoarse voice, a lecherous smile, and a ruddy face.

The beautiful girl they are talking about is named Bai Yan'er, who is twelve years old but already exquisitely alluring, with a natural charm that has already made many people eager.

On a rural path in the village, two boys are walking together.

"Dao Yan, have you heard? Our village has selected a Holy Maiden," one of the boys, who is missing two front teeth and speaks with a lisp, says. His real name is Wu Xiaobai, but he is nicknamed "Wuchi" (meaning "toothless") because it sounds like "wuchixing" (meaning "shameless"), so he is often teased by his peers.

"Oh? What kind of Holy Maiden?" asks the boy walking with Xiaobai, named Dao Yan. He has his own surname, but his mother does not allow him to reveal it, as it is said to be his father's instruction.

"Our village has been plagued by ghosts, and I overheard that the village chief invited Taoist Jia, who said that Bai Yan'er was born in a yang year, month, and hour, which can ward off all evil spirits. Therefore, she is the most suitable to be the Holy Maiden. She needs to bathe and change clothes at noon when the yang energy is strongest, absorb yang energy for seven days, and finally sit in the stone tower to drive away ghosts and protect the village from further disturbances," Wu Xiaobai whispers.

"Is Bai Yan'er really that powerful? I can't tell, but she is indeed very beautiful, the prettiest girl in our village," Dao Yan says, his expression changing when he mentions Bai Yan'er. The love for beauty is universal, and it is normal for young boys to develop a liking for beautiful girls.

"Speaking of which, Dao Yan, do you really like Bai Yan'er? I heard from my father that her mother, who was promiscuous, ran away with another man after giving birth to Bai Yan'er. They say Bai Yan'er looks exactly like her mother and might have the same character. Her father was once very strong, the strongest man in our village, but he became weak and half-dead after being with her mother, and never recovered. My father says Bai Yan'er is a source of trouble and tells me not to get too close to her to avoid getting into trouble," Wu Xiaobai, noticing Dao Yan's change in expression, kindly warns him out of their friendship.

"My mother also says that, but I don't care. Anyway, I am determined to marry the most beautiful woman and become the biggest official in the village to make my mother proud and show everyone who dares to gossip behind our backs that I will beat them up," Dao Yan declares, having been raised by his mother alone, who endured many people's disdain. A woman in the village often faced gossip and criticism, such as being said to bring bad luck to her husband, who went to war shortly after their marriage and never returned.

"Dao Yan..." Wu Xiaobai knows that Dao Yan's life is hard, and he doesn't know how to comfort him, feeling very sad.

"Let's go, Xiaobai, come to my house for dinner today," Dao Yan changes the subject, not wanting to talk about it further.

"Great, Wu Dama makes the best food," Wu Xiaobai starts drooling.

In front of them stands a small wooden house, covering an area of three square meters.

In front of the house is a small courtyard of two square meters, with a well, a bucket, a hoe leaning against the wall, a straw hat, and a raincoat.

For their orphaned mother and child, it barely provides shelter from the wind and rain.

Dao Yan brings Wu Xiaobai into the small wooden house, where a woman is sitting on a wooden chair, looking haggard. Dao Yan approaches and says, "Mother, Xiaobai is having dinner with us today."

"Dear child, help your mother. Take this silver bracelet to the small pawnshop to exchange for money, buy some rice and vegetables, and I will cook a good meal for you," Wu Shi takes off the silver bracelet from her wrist and hands it to Dao Yan.

"Mother, what's wrong? Didn't your father give this to you when you got married? Why do you want to exchange it? And we still have plenty of rice at home," Dao Yan frowns, clearly unhappy.

"..." Wu Shi remains silent for a moment, her eyes red and tears streaming down her face. She says helplessly, "The village is plagued by ghosts, and the village chief says it costs a lot to invite the Taoist. This is everyone's business, and we all need to contribute. Our family has no money, so our rice has been taken away. If we don't sell this silver bracelet, we won't be able to get through this difficult time."

Dao Yan feels a pang of sadness and immediately says, "No, I will go out to find food, Xiaobai, let's go."

Wu Xiaobai nods repeatedly, saying, "Wu Dama, don't be sad. I will go out with Dao Yan to find food and will be back soon."

Dao Yan and Wu Xiaobai leave the wooden house.

"Dao Yan, why don't I go home and bring some food?" Wu Xiaobai is very righteous.

"No need. Your family is also struggling, and your parents would have objections. Besides, the whole village needs to contribute to invite the Taoist, and your family is no exception. The silver bracelet is a memento from my father to my mother. She often looks at it and cries on certain days. How can I let her pawn it?" Dao Yan, who has a strong personality, knows that the pawnshop is run by the village chief. An item worth one tael of silver can only be pawned for fifty copper coins, and it costs two taels to redeem it, which is very unfair.

"Dao Yan..." Wu Xiaobai's eyes turn red, being more kind-hearted and often bullied, Dao Yan often protects him, so he considers Dao Yan his big brother. Now that Dao Yan is upset, he naturally feels uncomfortable.

"Enough, a man sheds blood, not tears. I haven't cried, so why are you crying? I know where to find food," Dao Yan says irritably.

"Where?" Wu Xiaobai wipes his tears.

"Behind the village, there is a field of sweet potatoes..." Dao Yan looks at the not-so-high mountain in front of them.

"What? Behind the village? There was a battle there once, and many people died. I've heard that strange sounds can sometimes be heard at night..." Wu Xiaobai shivers, clearly afraid.

"It's still broad daylight. The ghosts won't come out. What are you afraid of? Let's go!" Dao Yan leads the way.

Behind the mountain.

Dao Yan brings Wu Xiaobai to the sweet potato field.

Dao Yan has a wild personality and is brave and adventurous. Many children dare not come to the back mountain, but he insists on exploring it. Not long ago, he discovered this field of sweet potatoes.

The two of them dig up many sweet potatoes. To save firewood for their homes, they roast the sweet potatoes right there. Now that they are grown, they need to help their mothers.

The smoke rises, and the aroma of sweet potatoes fills the air. Dao Yan and Wu Xiaobai drool, and finally, they take off their clothes to wrap the roasted sweet potatoes.

"Dao Yan, why don't you dig up all the sweet potatoes? Why leave some here?" Wu Xiaobai, with his shirt off, points to the roasted sweet potatoes in the pit.

Dao Yan, who is lean and not tall but strong, holds the hot roasted sweet potatoes in his clothes and says, "If the village chief thinks we haven't contributed enough grain, he might take our roasted sweet potatoes too. We should go home while they are still hot. If they cool down, they won't be as tasty. We'll leave some here just in case."

"Ha ha, you are smart," Wu Xiaobai quickly buries the roasted sweet potatoes with soil and runs home with Dao Yan.

As they run out of the back mountain, they see a man, taller than them by a head, about fifteen years old, who is the village chief's son, Cai Qiang. He is a bit fat and dark, and he often takes advantage of others because he is the village chief's son.

Beside him are three children from the village, who are very subservient to him, acting as his henchmen. If everything goes as planned, the next village chief will be Cai Qiang, who has power and influence, so they are all willing to be his lackeys.

"Shameless, Dao Yan, come over here," Cai Qiang sees Dao Yan and Wu Xiaobai from a distance. He has been arrogant since childhood, not even fearing the adults in the village, let alone children of his age.

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