The sun was at its zenith, casting short, sharp shadows. The air shimmered with heat, and the horizon blurred like a mirage. A young warrior trudged slowly along the scorching sandy road. His dark hair was gathered into a high ponytail, revealing a determined face with a firm gaze. He wore well-made armor in dark brown and burgundy tones. At his side, hanging from a carved belt, was a sword – a faithful companion in his travels. At some point, San Zheng stopped abruptly, becoming alert. His attention was drawn to the voices of people nearby. He glanced in the direction where the voices were coming from and noticed two men leaning over a third person. From the back, it was impossible to determine whether the stranger was male or female, but one thing was clear: two rough-looking men were looming over them like vultures over their prey.
"What's going on here?" San Zheng's voice was harsh, like the scraping of metal, as he approached the three figures.
"Is that any of your business?" One of the bandits spat on the ground, twisting his lips into a sneer. "Go on your way."
"Since I've come, I suppose it is my business. Although, mind you, you're the ones who drew attention to yourselves. I was just passing by and saw two thugs bullying someone weaker. Seems a bit childish for bandits, don't you think?" San Zheng spoke the last phrase with obvious mockery in his voice.
The bandits exchanged glances, unsure how to react. It was hard to tell whether their eyes held anger or confusion.
"We told you! Get lost while you're still in one piece, smartass! Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong!" The second bandit hissed through gritted teeth, his lips pressed tightly in anger.
"I'll leave when you leave him in peace," San Zheng replied. He continued to stand his ground, unwilling to yield to the two fools. The mercenary's hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
"You don't seem to understand simple words," the lead bandit said irritably, stepping towards San Zheng. The bandit smirked and pulled out a knife. "Maybe we should teach you some manners!"
The bandit moved closer to the mercenary, intending to swing his weapon, but he didn't even have time to put his knife into action. San Zheng, reacting instantly, punched the leader in the face, causing him to stagger back and bend over slightly in pain.
"Bastard!" The leader exclaimed, rubbing his jaw and wincing after the powerful blow.
The other bandit lunged forward, wanting to help his companion, but meeting San Zheng's stern gaze, the bandit hesitated and didn't dare approach. The mercenary glared at the second bandit. His gaze held a warning. Finally, the second bandit approached his friend and said quietly, "Let's get out of here. We won't waste our strength and time on these nobodies."
"Damn bastard, you win this one. We're leaving," the leader muttered indistinctly, casting an angry glance at San Zheng. Then he smirked and added with a sarcastic sneer, "This poor wretch doesn't have anything valuable anyway. So, mercenary, you won't be getting much out of him either."
After that, the two bandits left, continuing to grumble with discontent.
The young man was the first to break the silence.
"Well, since it's all over, I guess I'll be going. Thank you for your help. Again," the young man smiled slightly sardonically. "Good luck to you, noble mercenary!"
The young man turned and walked along the road. Zheng stood silently in his place, watching the receding back of the young man. Only when the figure had moved a considerable distance away did the mercenary finally emerge from his thoughts.
"Hey, wait!" Zheng called out, before suddenly quickly moving to follow the young man. The young man turned around.
"What is it?"
"Where are you planning to go?"
"Ah, to a village north of Hai'pa city."
"North of the city..." San Zheng pondered. "That's quite a distance." He glanced at the young man again. "I'll go with you, if you don't mind, of course."
"I don't mind. Besides, it will be easier together, and not so boring."
And so, the two young men continued along the road.
For a while, they walked in silence until San Zheng broke the quiet.
"Since we're now traveling companions and will be together for a while, what's your name anyway?"
"Lin Hua," the young man replied.
"Lin Hua..." San Zheng repeated. "I'm San Zheng."
"Well, pleased to meet you, San Zheng," Lin Hua smiled.
Silence fell again, but now it wasn't as tense as before.
"So, what's in that village?"
"They say that the village is being haunted by a spirit, Xiren."
"The spirit of the dead?"
"Yes. Rumor has it that it's the spirit of a dead child. Five years ago, a mother drowned her newborn child, and after death, it took the form of a snake, crawled into her house at night, and strangled the woman."
"I see... But why is the spirit haunting the other villagers?"
"I don't know, but I really want to find out," Lin Hua replied, sounding inspired. San Zheng nodded.
And again, silence, which was interrupted by another question from the mercenary.
"How much further is it to the village, approximately?"
"If I've calculated correctly, it's about four hours away, we should arrive by evening."
"Not long."
"No," Lin Hua smiled slightly. "I can't wait to find out everything as soon as possible."
San Zheng also smiled a little.
"Then let's not waste any time," the mercenary quickened his pace slightly.
Lin Hua nodded and also sped up, walking side-by-side with his companion.
***
As evening approached, the travelers reached the village. Small wooden houses huddled close to the ground, as if seeking protection. The air smelled of herbs and hearth smoke. It seemed that people lived in close harmony with nature, but were also cut off from the rest of the world. The village head, Mr. Li, was an elderly, frail man of about seventy years, dressed modestly in worn and time-tested clothing. It was clear that he was poor. Sparse gray, almost white, hairs partially bared his head. His pale brown eyes were almost always half-closed. The old man told the guests about the spirit that often frightened the villagers.
"This spirit has been haunting our village for several years," said the village elder.
"We need details," said San Zheng, crossing his arms over his chest.
The elder nodded. "You must have already heard the story of the woman who killed her child several years ago..."
San Zheng and Lin Hua exchanged glances, then looked back at the elder and nodded silently. The old man continued the story.
"After death, the child became a spirit. It took the form of a snake. Then, as a crawling creature, it entered the woman's house and killed her."
"Is the reason why the woman killed the child known?" Lin Hua asked.
"That child..." the old man began to say, but stopped and pondered. After a short pause, he said, "If the woman is to be believed, the child was the result of a rape."
"So the woman was raped?" San Zheng raised his eyebrows.
"That's right," Mr. Li nodded. "She didn't say who did it. Maybe she was afraid, or maybe she deliberately decided to keep the rapist's identity a secret."
"Ha! How stupid..." San Zheng scoffed.
"San Zheng," Lin Hua glared at the mercenary with a disapproving look.
"What?" Zheng looked at his companion in surprise.
"A little more polite, please," the young man requested. "Please."
"As you wish," the mercenary rolled his eyes.
Lin Hua nodded and returned to the conversation with the elder. "Mr. Li, is there any other information about the spirit? How exactly does it haunt the village?"
The elder paused for a moment. "This filth lures people into its trap."
"Trap?" Lin Hua asked again. The old man nodded and continued.
"Sometimes... A child's cry is heard from the forest. So innocent, so full of longing and sorrow... It touches the soul, your heart aches with pity. And the people... They fall for it. Trusting, compassionate... They follow that sound, going deeper and deeper into the forest. But... No one ever comes back from there. Never."
San Zheng, who was standing by the wall with his arms crossed, smirked. Lin Hua glanced at the mercenary.
"San Zheng," the young man said reproachfully.
The mercenary said nothing, pushed himself off the wall, and silently left the house.
Silence reigned in the room for a while, but soon Lin Hua spoke. "Don't worry, Mr. Li, we will find out what is happening and deal with the spirit."
The elder smiled slightly, but the smile quickly disappeared from his old face. "Thank you. But please, be more careful."
"Alright," Lin Hua nodded.
After the conversation with Mr. Li, the two travelers were fed. The dinner was meager, but filling. Then they were led to a room for the night — tiny, with a low ceiling, smelling of dust and stale air. The furnishings left much to be desired: two cots pressed against the walls, creaking like bones; a cracked table with a battered tabletop, on it a dim lamp with a barely smoldering wick, and a couple of stools. Nothing more.
"If the old man is telling the truth and this Xiren is really so dangerous, we need to be prepared to face him?" the mercenary said, preparing his bed for sleep. There was a hint of mockery in his voice.
"'If he's telling the truth'?" Lin Hua stopped preparing for the night and looked questioningly at San Zheng. "You think the village head is lying?"
"No. What does that have to do with it?" Zheng smirked and shrugged, folding the blanket. "It just sounds like a story to scare little kids so they'll obey their parents."
"Maybe," Hua pondered. "But you know, you're right, we should be prepared anyway."
Before going to sleep, San Zheng and Lin Hua also prepared everything necessary for an encounter with the spirit. San Zheng took his blade from its sheath and carefully wiped it with a piece of old cloth, removing the dust. The blade gleamed in the dim light of the lamp. Lin Hua, meanwhile, was putting things into his travel bag. The bag was old, but well-sewn. San Zheng noticed several rolled-up bandages, vials of murky liquids, some herbs wrapped in cloth, and a small wooden amulet, decorated with carvings of a snake. San Zheng smirked slightly, seeing how his companion was preparing for their adventure tomorrow. Lin Hua, noticing the smirk on the mercenary's face, looked at him questioningly.
"What?"
"Pff, nothing," the mercenary snorted, smiling. "It's just a little amusing how you're preparing for our mission. You're like you're going to war. You think the spirit will hurt us?"
"It's not impossible, but you yourself said that we must be prepared for anything," Lin Hua replied.
"Heh, can't argue with that," San Zheng nodded, realizing that the young man had beaten him with his own words. The man took the amulet and looked at it with curiosity. "Amulet against evil spirits? Is it obligatory?" Zheng quipped.
"Not for you, my friend," Lin Hua retorted sarcastically, taking the amulet from San Zheng's hands and putting it in his bag. San Zheng just grunted, he didn't want to continue the conversation any further.
Soon, all the preparations were completed and the travelers, ready for any surprises, went to sleep on the hard cots. After such a hard day, San Zheng fell asleep instantly, while Lin Hua took some time. The young man lay for a while, looking at the ceiling and thinking about something. Only after some time was Hua able to fall asleep, plunging into a deep and sound sleep.