QG Chapter44

The tide of black insects and I were in a standoff for a while. They were wary and dared not approach, but their sheer number meant I couldn’t leave either. In the dark night, only this small, warm yellow candlelight gave me a sense of security.

 

I suddenly thought of Shen Jianqing. From what Wan Ying said, he had a great talent for Gu refinement. I wondered where he was now and if that “mountain trouble” had been resolved… No, why was I caring about him? I abruptly stopped that thought.

 

But thoughts are often uncontrollable; they can’t simply be willed away. The more I tried to deliberately redirect my thoughts, the more Shen Jianqing filled my mind. And then there was what he once said… He said he had left something on me, something that would keep these insects from coming too close.

 

…Insects!

 

A thought sparked in me, and I immediately reached for my neck. The scent sachet, fastened by Shen Jianqing’s silver chain, was still there! To confirm my theory, I took the sachet off my neck and cautiously moved it closer to the insects. Before I even got very near, the insects recoiled as if they had seen a monster, scurrying backward!

 

I thought for a moment, then put the candle back in its original spot and approached the black insects with only the scent sachet. This time, they still surged backward, avoiding my proximity. When I looked back, beneath the lonely candle, some black insects were hesitantly trying to get closer.

 

So, they feared not only the light but, more importantly, the scent sachet. I couldn’t help but wonder what was so magical about Shen Jianqing’s scent sachet that it could repel these disgusting insects. I waved the scent sachet again, and wherever it swept, the black insects retreated.

 

It seemed Shen Jianqing hadn’t deceived me. This thing really could repel insects, keeping them from coming near. At least it was more effective than Wan Ying’s herbs.

 

My suspended heart finally settled, falling into place with a profound sense of security I hadn’t felt before. The immediate danger was averted; at least these insects couldn’t harm me. I sat under the light as night deepened, drowsiness crept in, and I unconsciously drifted off to sleep.

 

When I woke up again, it was broad daylight. I was slumped over the table, still clutching the scent pouch tightly in my hand, having muddled through the latter half of the night.

 

“Crack—” Every movement brought a creaking from my bones, as if they were breaking. The arm I’d used as a pillow was numb, my fingers tingling with a pinprick sensation. Both my legs were stiff, making it impossible to stand up immediately.

 

But to my delight, the black insects were gone. The room was quiet and peaceful; the terrifying scene from last night seemed like a dream, vanishing with the dawn. Yet, I knew it wasn’t a dream; everything had been real.

 

I raised my hand, examining the simple little scent sachet. When Shen Jianqing gave it to me, he said it could repel mosquitoes. I never imagined that beneath his casual remark, this sachet held such a significant power. What on earth was inside? I squeezed the sachet, then brought it to my nose to sniff. But I didn’t detect anything unusual. The more ordinary it seemed, the more intriguing it became. Finally, I paused, curiosity getting the better of me.

 

I slowly began to unravel the scent sachet. The opening was sewn tightly with several loops of thread. I unpicked it very slowly, having to pull hard in some places.

 

Finally, the sachet was opened, and a bitter, herbal scent wafted out. With a slight tremor of my right hand, I shook all the contents onto the table.

 

Amongst the dried, yellowed, or grayish-green herbs, one red object stood out vividly, even glaringly.

 

“Ah!”

 

I shrieked instinctively before I could even make it out, stepping back two paces to put a safe distance between myself and the table.

 

It was Honghong!

 

A blood-red insect lay sprawled among the herbs. Against the backdrop of the withered, dead plants, it looked even more vibrant and blood-red.

 

After a while, I calmed down, and reason slowly returned. Honghong had been taken by Shen Jianqing, so how could it be in the scent sachet? Besides, I had worn the sachet close to my body for so long; any living creature inside would have died long ago.

 

I took two deep breaths and looked again carefully. The insect still lay quietly on the table, like splashed red ink, rich with blood.

 

But this time, I saw it clearly, it did look like Honghong, yet it was merely a resemblance, nothing more.

 

That “insect” was clearly Honghong’s shed exoskeleton!

 

I reached out a finger and touched it. It was dry and hard to the touch, and with a gentle press, the exuviae lifted. The black eye parts stared blankly upwards. It no longer looked terrifying or eerie; instead, it seemed somewhat comical.

 

So, the black insects last night were deterred by just an exoskeleton? What if it were the actual Honghong? I finally gained a clear understanding of what Wan Ying meant when she said the leader could repel insect swarms and protect the Miao village.

 

Thinking of Wan Ying, I involuntarily looked toward the corners of the room. The herbs she said could repel insects, which I had sprinkled in the corners yesterday, were gone. They must have been gnawed clean by those black insects last night. She said they were for repelling insects, so why did so many insects show up last night?

 

Was it a coincidence? How could there be so many coincidences in the world? Or perhaps her herbs couldn’t repel insects at all or even… even had other uses.

 

I dared not think further. I carefully put the scent sachet back together and hung it securely around my neck. I also put away the unused herbs Wan Ying had given me; I dared not scatter them again. Whether her intentions were good or malicious, I wouldn’t use that stuff anymore.

 

Just then, I suddenly heard a long, low, muffled tune from a lusheng[mfn]A type of reed pipe instrument[/mfn] in the distance. The music was drawn out, low, plaintive, and deeply sorrowful, making one’s heart ache and feel almost suffocated by the oppression.

 

This was definitely not a joyful celebration.

 

I immediately thought of Shen Jianqing, who had been gone for a day and a night. He, he couldn’t be…

 

I quickly stepped out of the room and looked into the distance from the railing. But my view was obscured by layers of lush greenery; I couldn’t see anything. Not being able to see anything and not knowing anything only made me more anxious.

 

I admit, I was anxious; I was worried about Shen Jianqing. Although I resented him, my worry now was genuine. I’m not made of stone; after spending so much time with him… he’s a living person. No matter what he’s done, if something happened to him… No, it shouldn’t be him. He’s the future leader; surely many people protect him, and Honghong is so powerful, just an exoskeleton alone can deter those black insects, so how could anything happen to Shen Jianqing?

 

My mind was a mess, like a tangled ball of yarn, impossible to cut or untangle.

 

But things in the world often turn out contrary to our wishes.

 

I sat there, restless, trying to comfort myself with self-deception for only a short while, when Wan Ying rushed to the stilt house below, the tear streaks on her face were still wet.

 

She said, “Quick, you! something happened to, Shen Jianqing!”