Dark Moon Era

Chapter 165: Really Mean (2 in 1)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

One night on the 4th of March, Jia Zheshi of the Jia family disappeared in Guangtian village.

On the 6th of March, two young children from the Lee family disappeared from Jiming town. The wife was found dead with broken remains and bite marks were found on the body.

On the 8th of March in Muxu village...

...

News could not spread fast and wide in ancient Huaxia, but with some digging around, many things could come afloat.

It was only the 15th of the month, yet after a quick investigation, there were a total of ten cases of both missing people and deaths believed to be the work of the so-called jiangshi in the villages and towns in the area.

The townspeople of Qingxi town were livid with fear. The capable ones quickly packed up lightly and left town to seek refuge with their relatives further away.

Those who were incapable of leaving hoped that the wealthiest family, the Tang family, could do something, especially Second Young Master Tang. He instantly became the center of reliance to many people.

None of them dared to go back to their homes because they were afraid of the jiangshi jumping into their homes.

Therefore, Master Tang was bound by his duty as an influential person in town. He opened the estate that he had in the suburbs and settled the terrified townspeople there. He originally planned to send Grandfather Han there to take care of everyone, but Tang Ling insisted on bringing Grandfather Han to the county.

Thankfully, before he left for the county, he left some comforting advice, “Don’t be afraid. Assign someone to be on guard day and night. Take shifts in between. If there is really jiangshi out there causing trouble, burn them. Don’t be afraid. They can’t fly or phase underground. I’ll surely return Qingxi town to its peace in a few days.”

******

After dishing out his advice, Tang Ling brought Grandfather Han along to the county early in the morning.

The journey was not a long one. It only took around 4 hours by wagon.

In the best restaurant of Wanghe County, the Returning Cloud Pavilion, Tang Ling was sitting beside the river on the second floor. He was enjoying the best alcohol in the Returning Cloud Pavilion, the Drunken Eight Deities, and eating the most famous dish, the Eight Treasure Duck, while reading the county journal. He looked like some foppish person in the county. Beside him, Grandfather Han was looking at him from time to time with a complicated gaze.

“Grandfather Han, would you like a drink?” Tang Ling was smiling as he flipped through the county journal a few times although he did not get any useful or special information.

Grandfather Han shook his head. “No.”

“What about something to eat?” Tang Ling generously tore the drumstick off the Eight Treasure Duck and placed it into Grandfather Han’s bowl.

Grandfather Han did not touch his chopsticks. He was rather upset as he responded, “Young Master, great calamity has descended upon the town. We should report it to the county magistrate and let him solve the problem. Even if you don’t want to report it, we should hasten our travel back to the town after reading the county journal. Something might happen to the townspeople.”

“You and I are martial arts practitioners. What is the essence of practicing martial arts? It’s to serve the country and...”

Didn’t he say he doesn’t like practicing martial arts? And now he claims to be a martial arts practitioner? It seems like I attracted quite the attention last night.

Tang Ling finished another cup of Drunken Eight Deities. He looked at the flowing river and closed the county journal in his hand as he said, “No worries, no worries. It’s still early.”

“It’s still early?” Grandfather Han felt utterly helpless. After he saw how quick and strong Tang Ling was at beheading Grandmother Wang last night, he no longer dared to forcefully teach him a lesson. He suppressed his agitation but did not move his chopsticks or eat anything.

Tang Ling was not in a hurry at all. He slowly enjoyed the food and drinks. After he finished the first bottle of Drunken Eight Deities, he ordered a second. After devouring the Eight Treasure Duck, he ordered another Phoenix Fish Belly.

He behaved very well. If he brought his glutton personality from Safety Sector No. 17 here, the owner of the Returning Cloud Pavilion would suspect that a jiangshi had raided the place or a swarm of locusts had attacked it.

He started his meal in the afternoon and finished in the evening. Tang Ling then lazily walked out of the restaurant, patting his stomach and tightened his lips. He muttered, “Not interesting at all.”

Grandfather Han was furious! ‘Not interesting? You drank almost a whole earthen jar of the best alcohol in the Returning Cloud Pavilion! You ordered the two best dishes three times and spent one tael of silver and more in a single meal! Who would beat you in an eating contest? Yet, after you finished everything, you say it’s not interesting?’

Of course, it was not interesting to Tang Ling. He could eat but could not feel full. It was not something he could explain to Grandfather Han and expect him to understand.

After he returned the county journal, he hailed his family wagon from the inn.

Tang Ling suddenly said, “I’m a little drunk and sleepy. The family wagon is too small. Why don’t we rent another one here?”

“Young Master, it’s a little...” Grandfather Han did not object, but he could not help but voice his concern and want to scold him.

Tang Ling, however, did not listen to him at all and hailed another wagon. After messing around for a bit, the sky had darkened and a clear moon rose from the west.

The two wagons then started their journey.

The so-called official route was nothing but a wide and rather flat muddy road. The wagon felt a little bumpy on the road.

Tang Ling was in pain inside the carriage as sweat covered his face.

That’s why I questioned the meaning of eating in the dream. I can’t fill my stomach with things I’ve eaten. I still have to rely on this tasteless and disgusting Level 2 vicious beast meat!

So, is there no food that can fill my stomach in the Dream Domain? Does it mean I have to bring my own food every time I enter the dream?

It was not ridiculous for Tang Ling to think as such. He had to live by the timeline of the dream whenever he was inside even though it was only a minute or two back in the real world.

In short, it had been more than a day since he entered the dream. Even though he replenished himself and got stronger before he entered the dream, he was still a little hungry.

If such a situation had happened back in the Hope Barrier, he would not have to actually find something to eat since he had to save his limited resources.

Nevertheless, in order to verify something, Tang Ling still ate 150 grams of Level 2 vicious beast meat. He digested the meat as always and his body got a little stronger.

Tang Ling was very pleased about it because he was able to verify the thought he had before entering the dream. Time flowed differently in the dream, so he could use the time advantage to quickly power himself up.

Back in reality, even if the vicious beast meat was something beneficial, Tang Ling could not keep eating it either. Even if he could digest it, his body would not be able to absorb the energy, and it would go to waste.

I still can’t prove it just yet. I can only prove it after I wake up. If I consume the meat and I power up in reality, then it will work.

After traveling for a third of the journey, Tang Ling was completely recovered. With his vigilance, he could only relax when he fully proved his thoughts or theory.

However, even if his power-up in the dream did not reflect back to reality, he still got it in the dream.

It was certainly a huge confidence booster.

With that thought in mind, Tang Ling carefully wiped the sweat off his forehead and lifted the curtain at the window. It was dark and quiet outside the window with the moon hanging high on top.

Grandfather Han’s wagon was wobbling behind his as the horse galloped and the wheels rolled. There was a smile on Tang Ling’s face, but his gaze was getting more profound.

Four hours later, the wagons finally returned to Qingxi town.

Tang Manor was located in the south of the town, so the wagons that came from the south would immediately stop at the entrance of the Tang Manor.

Tang Ling came down, but Grandfather Han did not.

“Grandfather Han, you are not coming?” Tang Ling asked in curiosity when he saw that Grandfather Han remained in the carriage.

“I’m going to the suburb for a look. If it wasn’t for you today, I would’ve spent my day in the estate protecting everyone, but I followed you to the county and you did nothing but delay me,” Grandfather Han complained incessantly.

Tang Ling felt a little responsible for the delay, so he smiled awkwardly and said, “Go home, Grandfather Han. I’m tired. I’ll go have a look after a rest tonight.” Before his voice subsided, he added, “What’s the worst that could happen? What do you think, Grandfather Han?”

“Hmm, we have to get a closer look to know. I thought you were finally becoming something great,” Grandfather Han grumbled before he told the wagon to move.

Tang Ling stood under the moon and watched the wagon rumble away from his sight. He then walked into Tang Manor.

******

“It’s not fresh anymore.” A meek lady’s voice sounded in the room. As the voice spoke, a pair of tender hands started to massage the shoulders of a man inside the room.

Outside the room were endless muffled groans. It sounded like the person groaning had his or her mouth stuffed. The groans were soft and the speaker could barely utter a complete intonation.

“It’s fine.” The man raised a delicate porcelain saucer, inside which was a very intricate piece of almond beancurd. He picked up the teaspoon and ate half of it before giving it to the woman behind him.

The woman took the saucer and scoffed before chuckling. “You are still the best, my husband. My wait for a whole day and night wasn’t wasted.” She then slowly ate the almond beancurd.

After she swallowed the beancurd, she licked the edge of her lips with her tongue alluringly. Her charming movements coupled with her beautiful face looked extra tempting under the dim light of the oil lamp.

However, the man was not in a mood to savor her beauty. He lowered his head and gobbled up the delicate meat dish on the table. He did not drink any alcohol or touch the rice and bread.

The woman sat beside the man with her chopsticks, clipping little morsels of the dishes and taking small bites from time to time. She then chuckled gently and said, “Husband.”

“Hmm?”

“I feel that I am getting more and more squeamish by the day.”

“How so?” the man asked in doubt but did not pause the movement of his chopsticks.

“These dishes, they are getting more and more intricate when I’m cooking. If they aren’t intricate or tasty enough, I can’t put them into my mouth.” The woman chuckled with her wide sleeve over her mouth.

The man did not show any reaction to what she said. He put his chopsticks down because he was done eating the meat on the table.

“Are you full?” the woman asked, a little afraid.

“It’s fine.” The man grasped the woman’s hand. His gaze was deep and profound as no one knew what he was thinking.

“I’m to blame for this. I only take the best cut of the meat. The rough parts, the damaged parts, and the dirty parts are all repulsive. Thankfully, you and I never get fed up eating these from the downstream,” explained the woman.

“It’s good that the dishes are intricate. The more intricate they are, the better I remember that I’m still human,” lamented the man.

The woman’s thoughts were profound as she leaned into the man’s arms and said, “My husband, if you aren’t full, let’s take care of the meat outside the house.”

“I’m still a little hungry, but let’s not cook the one outside. Let’s eat it raw.” The man seemed to have come up with a decision.

“Why?” The woman was a little surprised because the man exclaimed about the intricacy of the dishes, but now he wanted to eat the meat raw?

Then, something suddenly jolted her and she asked, “Isn’t it a little risky bringing him here?”

“There are changes to the plan. We can’t think about the risks anymore. Let’s fill our stomachs first. After that, tidy up and we’ll go back to the mountain.” The man was not elaborative with his answer.

“Huh? We’re going back to the mountain? What happened?” She was obviously shocked this time.

“Hmm, what happened? I can’t see through that Second Young Master Tang! From the moment he returned to town, I can’t seem to fathom his actions,” said the man as he hugged the woman.

He suddenly pushed her forward and said, “Go settle the meat outside the house. Finish it and we’ll leave. I’m so hungry that I’m exhausted.”

“Yes.” The woman did not press the topic and went out of the house straight away.

In the center of the courtyard outside the house, a black glamourous wagon with gold-plated edges was parked.

The horse was strapped to the side, chewing on the hay, while the wagoner was leaning on the pillar beside the horse.

The night wind was cold. It was not his intention to sit outside here, but his hands and legs were tightly shackled to the pillar.

A broken rug was stuff in his mouth, silencing him. Moreover, the courtyard was surrounded by tall walls, preventing intentional prying eyes from outside.

The conversation between the man and woman came from inside the house. Although unclear, he could make out something like “hungry”, “meat” or something like that.

The more he heard, the scarier he felt. His heart was drowned in fear. Anxious beads of sweat rolled down the wagoner’s cheeks. Are they referring to me as the meat? If it was not for his manly pride, he would have peed his pants.

Tssssk!

The door opened.

A woman with unrivaled beauty slowly walked over to the wagoner. She held an oil lamp in her hand and put on an alluring smile.

The wagoner did not feel at ease when he saw the woman. Instead, he was groaning in fear. Albeit being tied up, he started to struggle, leaving two shallow lines on the ground beneath his feet.

“Young man, what are you afraid of?” The woman squatted down in front of the wagoner. Her gaze at him was sympathetic and doubtful at the same time. She looked strangely proficient with her expressions.

Indeed, only an imitation could be considered accomplished and proficient. The basic emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were natural human feelings, so how could one imitate it?

However, the words scared the wagoner even more, and he started to dodge her.

A knife appeared in the woman’s other hand. She swung it at the wagoner’s face, leaving a cut on his cheek. The woman extended her tongue like a snake and licked the blood on the blade. “Don’t be scared, young man. You will soon be free of pain. Speaking of which, I hate the body of older people because there are too many tendons in their muscles. I guess a young man like you is fine although you might be a little chewy. The best is still children’s meat.”

The wagoner was drenched in sweat, his gaze slowly going out of focus.

It was then that the man came out of the house. “Why are you talking so much? Kill him and eat him.”

“Even if I don’t kill him, I can still eat him...hehe.” The woman cackled gleefully.

It was at that moment when knocks came from the wooden door of the courtyard followed by a lazy voice asking, “What are we eating today? I love to eat.”

The man and woman were shocked as they exchanged vigilant gazes. However, in less than the span of a breath, a loud bang came from the wooden door of the courtyard as it was shattered by a single kick.

A figure rose from the broken wooden door planks.

“Grandfather Han, you are really mean. Why didn’t you invite me over for a meal?”

Tang Ling sauntered over.