I am the Ruler of the Kingdom of Mysterious-Chapter 94 - 75: Relay Station

All the corpses were burned in a big fire, including the cursed medicine bottle in the Li Family Widow’s hand, which was also consumed by the flames.

What kind of changes might happen in the future, no one knows.

Sang Que could only think in her heart, next time she sees He Buning, it might be better to remind him, but it’s also possible that He Buning, as a Night Travel Captain of the Evil Suppression Bureau, doesn’t fear curses at all.

The villagers resumed their journey, the atmosphere oppressive and somber.

Someone said that if the Li Family Widow hadn’t died, no one would dare to take her along the road. Yesterday, she not only bit her mother-in-law to death but also the father of two children.

Now that she’s dead, everyone felt a sense of relief and instead sympathized with the child she left behind, accepting the old village chief taking the child along.

In the past, if there was an orphan in the village, it was common for capable families to take the child in, adding a labor force to the household. But this child, everyone disliked.

Though children under three have a Life Scroll protecting them from evil spirits, the Li Family had dealings with the Earth Ghost, who knows if the child might be tampered with like the previous one.

Today the sky was gloomy, with a fog shrouding everything. The group didn’t travel far from the forest before seeing the original Tangyuan County, the city walls collapsed, and a thin blood mist enveloping it, deathly silent, devoid of life.

At this time in the past, it would be when the city gates were wide open, ready to welcome vendors from nearby villages gathering in excitement.

A black flag with the words ’Evil Suppression Bureau’ written boldly was planted in the middle of the road leading to Tangyuan County, fluttering in the gloomy wind, as if with an invisible aura, isolating the blood mist from Tangyuan County behind it.

The daytime journey was exhausting without any special events. The road was long, and no one dared to stop, almost jogging all the way, fearing they wouldn’t reach the post station by nightfall.

Those who were not physically capable took turns resting on the donkey cart, stopping only for water or nature calls.

The previous night, they were lucky, and tonight might not be the same; no time could be wasted.

On the road, they met a few others equally lucky, escaping from various villages, not many, scattered individuals. Seeing the large group from Black Mountain Village, they naturally tagged along.

Among them were also villagers from Shihe Village rescued by He Buning and his party. The group had more elderly, women, and children, all in shock, looking terrified. Barely twenty of them managed to escape the whole village.

Sang Que noted from their conversations with others that shortly after He Buning and his two companions left, the people of Shihe Village encountered Yin Soldiers crossing.

Originally, over eighty fled, but were drafted by the Yin Soldiers, leaving only twenty elderly, women, and children.

The group pressed on tirelessly, and by the time only a sliver of sunset remained, they finally saw smoke from cooking fires, reaching ’Wanfu Post Station’.

The post station staff, seeing their enormous group of over a hundred, were not surprised at all and had already prepared several large shared sleeping quarters, with hot water and meals ready.

Most importantly, someone had already paid, ensuring the post station would properly arrange for refuges from the vicinity of Tangyuan County.

Both Kou Yushan and Sang Que simultaneously thought of He Buning; only he would know so many people would head towards the post station.

Exhausted people wept with joy, finally able to catch their breath, wash up, and have a hot meal.

Everything else could wait until everyone’s strength was restored to discuss further.

Sang Que didn’t want to stay in the shared quarters with the women and children from Black Mountain Village; she still wanted to rush home. She had promised her mother she would return on the nineteenth, which was today.

Thankfully, she had the silver coins looted from Yan Daozi, paid one-tenth of a silver for a single room upstairs at the post station.

Xia Chan was frightened to stay with others, so Sang Que had to take her along, asking the innkeeper for hot water and a bath tub at night, helping Xia Chan take a good bath and change into clothes borrowed from He Shouhui.

Afterward, she let Xia Chan enjoy a nice meal and assured her she would be back the next morning after stepping out that night.

After Xia Chan repeatedly confirmed she wasn’t lying, she hugged the soft bedding and fell asleep.

Kou Yushan had been informed Sang Que would be out for a while that night, returning the next day, and asked him to watch over Xia Chan.

Having settled everything, just at eight in the evening, Sang Que took the soul lamp, Corpse Mud Jar, and Xia Chan’s dirty clothes, and along with Xuan Yu, opened the door from where she was staying.

Passing through the darkness, about three steps away, Sang Que saw a door, which, when opened, revealed the familiar living room of her home.

"Mom, I’m back!"

Meow~

The study door almost immediately opened, with Sang Wan standing at the threshold on a prosthetic leg, seeing Sang Que return safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Sang Que had only been away for three days, but it felt like three years to Sang Wan.

Woof woof! Woof woof!

Little General, carrying its tennis ball, ran out excitedly, dropping it in front of Xuan Yu, whimpering with wagging tail.

Xuan Yu swatted the tennis ball away with a paw, then went to nuzzle Sang Wan, meowing for canned food. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Sang Que also extended a hand, asking for a phone from Sang Wan. "Mom, let me order some takeout!"

One person and one cat, eagerly waiting to be fed.

After ordering a bunch of food, Sang Que quickly headed to bathe, while Sang Wan sat in the dining room, feeding Xuan Yu canned food and cat sticks.

Once Sang Que was done, wearing comfy pajamas, she came out of the bathroom, seeing her mom limping to the door to receive her takeout.

In those short three days, her mom had become much steadier walking with a prosthetic, evidence of diligent practice. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before her mom could walk normally.

Sang Que knew her mother’s strong sense of self-esteem and didn’t offer help, instead tossing the dirty clothes into the laundry machine.

Uncovering the spicy hot pot, the aroma assailed her senses immediately, making Sang Que’s stomach growl, while Xuan Yu, done with one can, was already having Sang Wan open another.

Sang Wan waited until Sang Que slowed down her eating speed, becoming about eighty percent full before speaking, "How have the past few days been?"

Taking a sip of chilled freshly squeezed watermelon juice, Sang Que nodded, "Not bad, some close calls, but still many deaths..."

Xuan Yu, having eaten his fill, now wrestled and played in the living room with Little General. No matter how Xuan Yu swiped or bit, Little General made no noise. However, when Little General pretended to bite Xuan Yu, Xuan Yu immediately sprang up, delivering a flurry of blows with its paws.

"...that’s about it. We’re staying at the post station for now. Discussing the next steps probably won’t begin until tomorrow morning."

Sang Wan’s palms broke out in a sweat, not anticipating so much to happen in such a short span of three days.

Though Sang Que glossed over the dangers with a few words, Sang Wan could imagine the peril at the time.

Sang Que had also mentioned having an older brother in the Deceit Dynasty, leading to unexpected surprise and concern for Sang Wan.

"Little Que, having a brother in this world makes mom so happy. I wholeheartedly support you finding your brother, but there’s something bothersome I need to say. Remember that talk show on child trafficking and family searches we watched together?"

Sang Que looked puzzled, "I remember, why?"

"What I mean is, those children were all adorable and well-behaved when young, yet, after being abducted for so many years, their environments shaped them into different people. Some turned out good, others... have served time in prison."

"It’s not my intention to defame or look down on anyone. However, with so many real cases, I can’t help but wonder. Would your brother, who should be in his early twenties now, in a place like the Deceit Dynasty, really become someone as kind and upright as you?"

"You’re outstanding, and if accompanied by an equally outstanding brother, mom would be overjoyed. Thus, I don’t oppose you seeking him, but I must consider even the slimmest chance of the worst scenario and request only one thing from you. Once found, don’t rush to reveal your identity and reunite, observe him for a while first, okay?"