PCA Chapter 153

Even normally, someone appearing silently behind you would startle you, especially in such an eerie atmosphere.

 

Su Cen frowned, examining the old woman before him. Her withered wrist leaned on a fire poker, her hair was white and disheveled, her cheeks and eye sockets deeply sunken, and she was staring back at Su Cen with cloudy, vacant eyes.

 

If it weren’t broad daylight, with sunlight exposing everything with nowhere to hide, Su Cen might have joined Qu Ling’er in believing in the existence of demons and ghosts.

 

“Grandmother,” called Lu Xiaojiu, coming out from the backyard.

 

Su Cen then remembered that Lu Xiaojiu had mentioned living with his grandmother – this must be the grandmother he spoke of.

 

“We got lost and came here hoping to stay for a night. We apologize for the intrusion,” Su Cen took out a few pieces of silver and offered them to her. “Please accept this small token of our gratitude.”

 

The old woman remained unmoved, her cloudy eyes vacant yet stubborn. If she hadn’t blinked occasionally, one might have doubted she was even alive.

 

“What is this?” Lu Xiaojiu came forward and took the silver pieces from Su Cen’s hand, holding them up to the sunlight. He turned back to Su Cen and asked, “Is it stone? Why does this stone shine?”

 

Qu Ling’er exclaimed in surprise: “You don’t know what this is?”

 

Lu Xiaojiu shook his head, the confusion on his face appearing genuine.

 

Qu Ling’er looked back at Su Cen, who stood thoughtfully for a moment before patiently explaining to Lu Xiaojiu: “This is silver, used to buy things. If you like it, it’s yours.”

 

Lu Xiaojiu broke into a delighted smile and happily pocketed the two pieces of silver.

 

He then added, “My grandmother’s hearing isn’t good; she can’t hear you talking like that. You need to look directly into her eyes when you speak.”

 

Su Cen followed the instructions and repeated what he had said. The old woman’s unwavering gaze finally slowly shifted away.

 

Realizing they were dealing with actual people, Qu Ling’er relaxed and complained to Lu Xiaojiu: “If there was someone at home, why did you lock the door? You gave us quite a scare.”

 

“I already told you my grandmother can’t hear,” Lu Xiaojiu examined the silver pieces carefully. “She can’t open the door for me from inside, so I have to lock it from the outside.”

 

Su Cen pointed out the key issue: “But why must the door be locked at all?”

 

Normally, doors wouldn’t be locked when people were home, allowing for escape in case of fire or other emergencies. But this place was clearly different. On their way here, he had noticed that every household kept their gates tightly locked. Logically, since Lu Family Village was isolated from the outside world, there shouldn’t be any concern about thieves or bandits. If they weren’t guarding against thieves, what were they afraid of?

 

“That’s because…” Just as Lu Xiaojiu was about to speak, a “knock, knock” suddenly came from the gate.

 

Everyone in the courtyard looked toward the door, even the hard-of-hearing grandmother turned her gaze in that direction.

 

The knocking wasn’t particularly forceful, and it had a certain rhythm—three long knocks followed by one short one—but in the silent environment, it stood out starkly.

 

After the knocking continued for more than a dozen times with no one going to open the door, Su Cen glanced back at Lu Xiaojiu and saw that his face had turned deathly pale. He stood frozen, his eyes shrinking, clearly showing—fear.

 

Su Cen suddenly had an inkling of why people here kept their doors locked.

 

Since they couldn’t let the knocking continue indefinitely, Su Cen asked: “Should we open it?”

 

Lu Xiaojiu came to his senses and nodded, looking at Su Cen with eyes that were nearly in tears: “We… we have to.”

 

Su Cen tentatively suggested: “Shall I open it?”

 

Lu Xiaojiu was momentarily stunned, his eyes brightening as he nodded emphatically at Su Cen.

 

Su Cen walked to the door, his hand pausing briefly on the bolt.

 

He wanted to see what fearsome creature was behind this door that could terrify someone so thoroughly.

 

As the door creaked open, both the person inside and outside were momentarily startled.

 

Outside was neither flood nor beast, but a man in white clothes, about thirty years old, with rather handsome features. After his initial surprise, he stepped familiarly into the courtyard, nodding and smiling at Su Cen: “You must be the esteemed guest who just arrived. Our Lu Family Village hasn’t seen visitors for a long time. I’m so delighted I hardly know what to say.”

 

Then turning to Lu Xiaojiu, he said: “And you, Xiaojiu, you didn’t even tell us there were honored guests in the village. How can we be so negligent?”

 

Su Cen frowned slightly. He had entered the village with Lu Xiaojiu barely an hour ago and hadn’t even settled into the house yet. How did this man know he had arrived?

 

“We were lost and happened upon your esteemed village. We apologize for entering without announcement. Please forgive any offense.” As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face. Su Cen replied politely while glancing at Lu Xiaojiu from the corner of his eye. The boy’s entire body was tense, leaning backward with his weight on his toes—an instinctive retreating posture, though some intimidating force compelled him to stand his ground.

 

Lu Xiaojiu was afraid of this man.

 

The man in white asked: “May I inquire about your surname, sir?”

 

Su Cen used his alias, Li Xu.

 

The man in white smiled: “Oh, you share the imperial surname.”

 

“We’re from a humble family, blessed by our ancestors’ legacy, and dare not make grand claims,” Su Cen replied.

 

The man in white asked further: “I just heard Brother Li say you got lost and came here. May I ask where you were originally headed?”

 

This was clearly a test. Fortunately, Su Cen had studied the local county records beforehand. Furrowing his brow with a troubled expression, he said, “I heard that Liu Pu Village is known for medicinal herbs. We were originally headed there to purchase some. Someone directed us to follow the foot of the mountain, but somehow we took a wrong turn.”

 

“Then Brother Li must have gone in the opposite direction,” the man in white laughed. “Liu Pu is southeast of Mount Mang, while we’re northwest. To get there, you’d need to cross most of Mount Mang.”

 

Su Cen feigned sudden realization: “I see. Then we’ll rest a bit before setting out again.”

 

“Since you’re here, it must be fate. Brother Li needn’t hurry off. Why not stay with us for a few days and let us extend our hospitality as hosts?”

 

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Su Cen finally relented, claiming he couldn’t refuse such sincere hospitality. As he was leaving, the man in white added: “Are you comfortable staying here? Xiaojiu is just a child, impetuous and careless. I fear he might not provide adequate hospitality. Why not come stay at my home instead?”

 

During their conversation, the man in white had glanced at Lu Xiaojiu several times, frightening the boy to the point where he was visibly about to tremble.

 

“That’s very kind of you, but we’re quite comfortable here,” Su Cen’s words were pleasant, but his eyes were cold. The man in white didn’t insist further, exchanged a few more courtesies, and then took his leave.

 

Su Cen escorted him to the gate, bolted it securely upon returning, and then asked Lu Xiaojiu: “Who was that man?”

 

Lu Xiaojiu seemed still shaken, and after a long pause said: “Let’s talk inside.”

 

Inside the house, much of the light was blocked by a towering phoenix tree outside, and a cool air hit them as they entered, causing an involuntary shiver. After adjusting to the dim light, Su Cen could see the room clearly.

 

The furnishings were simple, and everything could be taken in at a glance. There were only two sets of bowls and chopsticks, indicating the grandmother and grandson lived alone.

 

Lu Xiaojiu picked up the copper kettle from the table and poured himself a cup of water, drinking it in one gulp to calm his nerves, before saying to Su Cen and Qu Ling’er: “He’s one of the people from the big mansion.”

 

Su Cen and Qu Ling’er sat down on a long bench, and Su Cen asked: “Didn’t you say the family in the big mansion were good people? Why are you so afraid of them?”

 

“I wasn’t afraid!” Lu Xiaojiu insisted stubbornly, jutting out his neck. “I just… I just had a cramp in my calf, that’s all, and couldn’t move!”

 

Qu Ling’er let out a meaningful “Oh,” and said, “That’s quite impressive – having a leg cramp but still being able to stand.”

 

Lu Xiaojiu’s face reddened at being exposed so directly. Su Cen smiled slightly and, no longer wanting to embarrass him, changed his approach: “How did he know we had arrived?”

 

“They know everything,” Lu Xiaojiu said, lowering his head with half his face hidden in shadow. “Which family lost a chicken, whose dog died, who beat their child – they know it all. They even knew when the Xiaohua family at the village entrance lost a kitchen knife.”

 

Su Cen asked: “So you’re afraid of living under their surveillance?”

 

“It’s not just surveillance,” Lu Xiaojiu looked around as if worried about something, then pursed his lips and lowered his voice: “They want everyone here to live exactly the same way. We can’t speak loudly, can’t leave the village, have unified meal times, unified bedtimes. People here have nothing that truly belongs to them.”

 

Qu Ling’er frowned. Even when he was in the Secret Door, he hadn’t been monitored so strictly. He asked in confusion: “What if you don’t do as they say? Will they beat you?”

 

“No,” Lu Xiaojiu gave a miserable smile. “If we don’t comply, they just stop caring for us.”

 

Qu Ling’er: “Then why do you still…”

 

“‘Stop caring’ means they won’t give us food or clothing anymore, letting us starve or freeze to death.” Lu Xiaojiu bit his lower lip hard. “Remember the Xiaohua family I just mentioned? Their kitchen knife wasn’t lost; it was hidden. After it was discovered, they stopped sending food to the Xiaohua family. When the three of them were found, they were all dead in their home, each one skinny as a skeleton but with swollen bellies. When they were opened up… their stomachs were full of straw.”

 

As his words fell, the room suddenly grew quiet. A chilling atmosphere slowly spread, making everyone shiver. Su Cen pressed his lips tightly together; he didn’t want to ask anymore, fearing that if he continued inquiring, he might do something reckless.

 

This Lu Family Village wasn’t a village at all, but a giant cage, where people were kept like animals, with rules established to control their behavior – disobey, and they wouldn’t be fed.

 

“Lawless!” Su Cen said with furrowed brows, his voice frighteningly cold.

 

“So if you can leave, you should leave quickly,” Lu Xiaojiu said softly, head lowered. “You’re not from our village; if you want to go, they probably won’t stop you.”

 

“I’m afraid it won’t be that easy,” Su Cen said. “That man just now was intent on making us stay. It can’t be simple hospitality, can it?”

 

Lu Xiaojiu’s face turned pale: “What should we do then?”

 

“They haven’t yet fully investigated our background, so they shouldn’t act rashly,” Su Cen slowly stood up. “You’re village people; they can hide you here without anyone noticing. But we’re different – if two grown men suddenly disappear, it would certainly raise suspicions.”

 

“He doesn’t want us to leave,” Su Cen looked thoughtfully at the phoenix tree in the courtyard. “As it happens, I also want to test the waters, to see just how deep this pond is.”

 

 

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