Chapter 643

Chapter 643: Five Marshes Merchants

Alas—

The long call echoed through the mountains and valleys, resonating with a deep and powerful sound. As these calls sounded, the crisp jingle of copper bells also rang out in the valley.

Lolan Hill stood atop a high rock, gazing at the distant fields and mountain paths where a group of over ten people were driving ox carts slowly towards the village. The gentle breeze of the valley caressed her soft, long hair, making it sway gracefully. It brought her a sense of comfort as well.

Though she had not studied any great doctrines, Lolan Hill still felt a natural affinity for the wind and atmosphere.

Even now, she could easily alter the direction of a slight breeze and feel the distant scent carried by the wind. Everything was so natural.

If Bai Zao were to describe it, she might be very suitable to become a Wind Priestess.

Wind Priestesses are one of the Four Priestesses, with the others being Rain Priestesses, Fire Priestesses, and Mountain Priestesses.

In this world, those who worship the dragon veins and regulate the weather are called Wu Zhus. Wu Zhus naturally have different ranks. In smaller areas, worshipping the dragon veins of a single mountain, river, or wilderness is considered the most basic form of Wu, progressing to Great Wu, then Priestess, Four Priestesses, High Priestess, and so on. There is a saying that a lesser Wu sees a greater Wu and loses all their spiritual energy, used to metaphorically describe a vast difference in ability, making them incomparable.

[Han · Chen Lin’s Letter to Zhang Hong: “Now Jing Xing is here, and you and Zibu are there, just like a lesser Wu seeing a greater Wu, all spirit and energy is exhausted.”]

It is the same among Wu Zhus; facing a more powerful Great Wu, controlling the weather across several regions can either save a nation or bring it to ruin with a single thought.

—

Forgetting those fleeting thoughts, Lolan Hill lightly leaped down from the rock, landing gracefully on the ground below. Her long hair and dress gently floated down with the air currents.

“It’s Sister Lan!” A child shouted, and then several others curiously gathered around.

Having lived in this village for a few days, Lolan Hill gradually became familiar to these children. Just like Bai Zao initially thought she was a mountain deity, these children believed she was a celestial being descended from the heavens.

This was truly because of her unique appearance and attire.

Firstly, her pure white dress was particularly special. White was the most noble color among the Yeyu clan; they wore white clothes during weddings and celebrations. But no white garment was as pure as hers, and looking at her dress, it seemed seamless, as if made by heaven.

Due to the current dyeing technology, obtaining pure white was not easy, and labor in the mountains often dirtied white clothing.

Yet, even while moving through the mountains, she managed to keep her dress clean, light, and graceful, as if she were an elf, never dirtying her clothes. This amazed the Yeyu clan, who spent much time in the mountains.

It was precisely because they lived in the mountains that they understood how difficult this was. Moreover, the texture and shape of this young lady were simply unlike what ordinary households could produce. Hands that labored daily would never be so delicate and fair.

Under such speculation, many elders in the village truly believed this young lady was a ‘mountain ghost’ born into the world, having lost her magical powers in a great calamity and temporarily becoming a mortal.

Thus, people naturally showed respect towards her. Some inexperienced young men who stared at her continuously were scolded by some elders, who said that deities should not be disrespected.

In this tribe deep in the mountains, they still maintained a simple and pure reverence for ghosts and gods, unlike the complicated thoughts outside.

—

“Those are people from the Five Marshes Merchant Guild,” said a few children when they saw the young lady approaching the village entrance.

“The Five Marshes Merchant Guild comes every few months to buy and sell things before leaving.”

“My sister bought a bead pendant from the Five Marshes Merchant Guild at the beginning of the year, but I broke it, and she was angry for a long time.”

“I wonder if they will bring anything useful this time. My father wants to get a new knife.”

As the children gathered at the village entrance to watch, some adults slowly joined them.

“I didn’t expect the Five Marshes Merchant Guild to come earlier this time,” a young man estimated.

“Perhaps they received news from a Great Wu. There might be heavy rains and heat this summer.”

“Ah, at that time, Minze will be muddy, and no one can walk through.”

Beyond these mountains, Minze would flood each summer, turning into a marshland, making it hard for people and horses to pass. Generally, it was better to travel in autumn and winter. Even in spring, one had to be careful, or they would sink into the swamp and turn into bones.

“Is Miss Lan here too?” Yubaiqiu walked over in large strides. Recently, he had started calling Lolan Hill ‘Miss Lan’ like the children.

“Yes, Uncle Yu,” the young lady said curiously, watching the approaching merchant caravan.

These merchants wore dark gray clothes and rode tall yellow oxen, carrying loads as large as small mountains, slowly walking through the mountains. With each step of the oxen, the copper bells around their necks jingled.

These yellow oxen were not ordinary creatures. They had autumn-yellow scales. From the young lady’s observation, most were Sequence 2, with a few reaching Sequence 3. However, compared to the tiger-striped giant ox she had previously encountered, these oxen seemed very docile.

“That is a Qiu Niu, Little Lanxi,” Bai Zao appeared beside Lolan Hill and explained.

During her stay at Bai Zao’s home, Lolan Hill occasionally helped with chores, and they grew closer.

“This kind of ox is a special beast from the Hidden Dragon path. They are incredibly strong but docile, and enjoy music. Generally, drivers only need a bamboo flute to guide them, without needing a whip. Many merchants like using them. There are even masters specializing in breeding these beasts in the Dragon Servant lineage.”

“Moreover, this Qiu Niu has a good sense of soil. It can solidify the soil under its hooves, making it firm, allowing it to walk easily on swamps and cliffs without sinking or falling. This greatly eases concerns.”

As Bai Zao told the young lady about the history of these Qiu Nius, the travelers gradually reached the village entrance.

“Five Marshes Merchants, repelling all poisons!” A gong sounded, echoing throughout the village, followed by another.

“Five Marshes Merchants, repelling all poisons!”

After three such calls, the village elders came out, loudly shouting in welcome. Only then did the group of merchants, led by the Qiu Niu, enter the village.

They found a familiar open space, stopped the caravan, and set up barriers to unload their goods. Many villagers also came out of their homes to watch, hoping to see something new.

“Let’s go over, Lanxi. I’ve seen you wearing this white dress for a long time; you should buy a new one,” someone suggested.

“But money—” Lolan Hill thought about her lack of funds, hesitantly saying.

“Haha, let your sister pay for you. When you have more money in the future, you can repay me when you visit again,” Bai Zao said.

“Pretty girls should learn to dress well to outshine cunning fox spirits,” Bai Zao imparted life lessons.

“Mmm, I don’t want to get married,” Lolan Hill shook her head adorably, still wanting to explore the world.

PS: Everyone doesn’t need to worry about the protagonist losing her memory. She will regain her memories soon and remember past events gradually (discovering her past self is actually quite interesting).

Additionally, the theme of this book remains single and not marrying. (Don’t worry about little Lolan getting married.)

(The End)