The passage through the tunnel was deep and seemingly endless. Although narrow at the entrance, it gradually opened up, becoming more spacious and level as they ventured further in.
Ling Feng could sense a strange fluctuation of energy, almost like the workings of an unusual array.
Gu Tengfeng noticed it too and was puzzled as to why such an intricate formation existed in a remote small village.
It seemed that this array was what had shielded the residents from detection by those with spiritual consciousness, allowing Jiang Xiaofan's family to narrowly escape disaster.
Could it be that Jiang Xiaofan's ancestors were not ordinary people? Ling Feng pondered but kept his questions to himself under the circumstances.
After what felt like an eternity, a faint light appeared at the tunnel’s end. Jiang Xiaofan quickened his pace, bursting out into the open. To his surprise, the tunnel led to a cavern where torches flickered against the stone walls. Several bedraggled villagers huddled together, trembling in fear.
At the sound of footsteps, a few bolder villagers brandished makeshift weapons—baskets and hoes—nervously positioning themselves between the newcomers and the women and children.
"Uncle Zhong! Second Uncle Wang!" Jiang Xiaofan cried out, his voice full of relief as he recognized his neighbors from the Jiang family community.
"Xiaofan?" The villagers, seeing Jiang Xiaofan emerge from the tunnel, were overcome with emotion. Tears of relief streamed down their faces.
In the entire Xuanwu Village, the Jiang family was the only one with martial artists. It was Jiang Xiaofan's father who had taught the villagers basic martial skills, earning the family deep respect and affection. With Jiang Xiaofan's admission to the prestigious Tianwei Academy, he had become a local hero and their beacon of hope.
Following closely behind Jiang Xiaofan, Ling Feng, Gu Tengfeng, Lin Xian'er, and Yun Yiyi stepped into the cavern. Their elegant attire caught the villagers' eyes, filling them with unease. To these simple folk, such finery was the hallmark of young lords and young ladies from the city, people who typically looked down on country folk.
"Do not be afraid, everyone," Jiang Xiaofan reassured them, seeing their anxiety. "These are my senior brothers and sisters from Tianwei Academy, as well as my good friends."
Although he recognized many faces, Jiang Xiaofan did not see his parents or his younger sister, Jingjing. He turned to Uncle Zhong with growing worry. "Uncle Zhong, where are my father, my mother, and Jingjing?"
"Xiaofan!" Uncle Zhong dropped his hoe and rushed to embrace Jiang Xiaofan, sobbing uncontrollably. "I’m so sorry, Xiaofan!"
"What happened?" Jiang Xiaofan felt a chill of dread as he gripped Uncle Zhong's shoulders urgently. "Tell me, what happened to my family?"
"I... I..." Uncle Zhong’s eyes were red. He struggled to find the words, overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow as he looked at Jiang Xiaofan.
"Speak! Please, tell me!" Jiang Xiaofan's voice rose, his forehead beaded with sweat from anxiety.
"Fan'er!"Just then, a middle-aged woman in simple clothing stepped out from a deeper recess of the cave while cradling a young girl. The child, appearing no older than eight or nine, was pale and listless, her eyes wide and blank with terror.
Jiang Xiaofan rushed over immediately. Seeing his mother's haggard appearance, his heart sank as he guessed the worst.
His father must have been killed!
"Xiaofan..." The middle-aged woman’s tears fell, her voice choked with emotion. "Your father... he always thought of others first and always wanted to save others!"
The other villagers began to wail, "The village chief is our hero!"
"He was captured by the demon while trying to save us!"
Jiang Xiaofan clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms and blood dripped to the ground unnoticed.
He had come just a step too late!
Ling Feng sighed softly and placed a reassuring hand on Jiang Xiaofan's shoulder. "Xiaofan, what's done is done. The only way to avenge your father is to catch that demon."
Jiang Xiaofan's body trembled. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down his face.
"Urgh..." Gu Tengfeng and the others could only sigh, knowing they had arrived too late despite their haste.
"Xiaofan, pull yourself together. We must ensure that the demon gets the punishment he deserves!" Lin Xian'er comforted him.
"Yes, junior brother, we will all help you!" Yun Yiyi added, biting her lip. She understood his pain; her own father had died in battle against the demon race, hence she was able to empathize deeply with Jiang Xiaofan's loss.
Jiang Xiaofan bit his lip hard, struggling to speak through his sobs.
Who said men don't cry easily? It's only because their hearts haven't been truly broken!
Ling Feng patted Jiang Xiaofan’s shoulder again, knowing that any further attempts to console him would be futile. He needed time to calm down on his own.
Looking at the young girl in Jiang Xiaofan’s mother’s arms, Ling Feng sighed and approached her. Bowing with a fist-and-palm salute, he said solemnly, "Auntie, I am Xiaofan’s classmate from Tianwei Academy. I have some knowledge of medicine. Your daughter seems to have suffered severe trauma, leading to mental disturbance. If untreated, it could affect her mind permanently."
"Can... Can you really cure Jingjing?" Hope flashed in Jiang Xiaofan’s mother's eyes as she looked at Ling Feng intently.
Ling Feng nodded. He knew that in times like these, any good news could lift their spirits.
"Big Brother, you must save Jingjing," Jiang Xiaofan said, taking a deep breath and pulling himself together. He knew he had to be the pillar of strength for his mother.
Despite his deep sorrow, he realized that if he didn't stay strong, his mother and sister would have no one to rely on.
"Don't worry," Ling Feng reassured him with a slight smile. He reached out to take Jingjing from her mother’s arms, but the little girl bit his hand.
"Jingjing, what are you doing? Let go!" Her mother scolded her hastily.
"It's alright," Ling Feng said, shaking his head with a smile and allowing the girl to bite his hand. He gently held her and spoke softly, "This is a condition caused by extreme fright, making her react defensively. As long as she understands I mean no harm, she will be fine."
Ling Feng gently smoothed out Jingjing’s bangs while speaking softly, "Don’t worry, I’m here to help you."
Jingjing blinked after tasting the blood from Ling Feng's hand. She quickly released her mouth and tried to return to her mother's embrace.
With a gentle touch, Ling Feng put her to sleep and then took out a set of golden needles to begin treating her.