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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 5: The Strange Person in the Cage
Though the words carried a hint of intimidation, they were also a kind warning. Ji Zichen did not wish to provoke that red sweet potato. She casually asked, "How far is it from here to Fangwen Mansion?"
The attendant set down the tea tray and served them tea, saying, "About a day and a half."
He scrutinized them for a moment before continuing, "Fangwen Mansion is known for its bronze production. You two don’t seem like merchants."
Ji Zichen smiled slightly and replied, "We’re not here for business; we just want to visit a friend."
The attendant looked puzzled. "Why go through Underworld Forest to visit a friend? It’s not that urgent. Taking the main road outside might take a few more days, but it would save you the trouble of climbing mountains and crossing rivers."
Ji Zichen changed the subject. "Are there many outsiders in Underworld Town?"
Noticing Ji Zichen had shifted the topic, the attendant responded thoughtfully, "There are some. Are you two traveling through the night or…?"
Ji Zichen said, "Even if we’re in a hurry, we can afford to rest for a night before continuing."
"Alright then," he said. "I’ll prepare a room for you."
After Ji Zichen and her companion finished their meal, they noticed the attendant passing by with a two-tiered lunchbox. The Keeper was at the counter tallying accounts when he saw the attendant leaving and asked, "Delivering food to that strange person?"
The attendant replied, "Isn’t that right? That person isn’t crazy or foolish; they just locked themselves in a cage and expect me to bring them food. What kind of situation is that?"
Lin Chuyu, curious at the moment, interjected, "Why does that person lock themselves in a cage and have you bring them food?"
The attendant chuckled lightly. "Who knows? As long as they’re not behind on their meals, that’s all that matters."
Lin Chuyu found it interesting and asked, "Where is that person locked up? Can I go take a look?"
Er smiled and said, "Of course you can. If you have some free time, why not come with me? Many people have already gone to see the commotion, but he pays no attention to them."
Lin Chuyu glanced at Ji Zichen, seemingly seeking his agreement. Ji Zichen also felt curious and replied, "Then let's go. It will be like taking a stroll."
The three of them left the inn, and as they looked down the long street, they saw lanterns everywhere, stretching all the way to the Town market.
Beyond the market stood an abandoned temple. The temple had fallen into disrepair, and the three entered. In the center of the temple courtyard was a large incense burner, next to which stood an iron cage. The cage was about half a person’s height, and a man was sitting inside, slightly hunched over. When he saw Er approaching with a food box, he complained, "Er, why are you so slow tonight?"
Er replied, "Slow? Tonight Goddess Luo is inspecting the inn; it's a miracle I could come at all."
Upon noticing Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu, the man in the cage ignored them and said, "Hurry up and give me my food; I'm starving!"
Er opened the food box and placed the meal outside the cage. The man reached out through the bars and grabbed the food to eat.
Er remarked nonchalantly, "If you're so hungry, why don't you go to the inn? It would save me this trip."
The man wore a heavy expression, his face unusually complex. He slowly said, "I can't go."
Lin Chuyu listened to Er's conversation with him. The man spoke fluently and didn't seem like someone who was mentally impaired. But why would a perfectly fine person lock himself in a cage? The man appeared to be in his forties. Lin Chuyu stepped forward two paces and tentatively asked, "Uncle, why do you lock yourself in there?"
The man inside the cage continued eating without answering.
Er said, "Miss, don't ask him anymore; many people have already inquired about him, but he has never responded."
The man finished his meal, placed the coins on the plate, curled up, and fell into a deep sleep inside the cage.
After the second person collected the bowls, seeing that he was already asleep, they felt there was no need to linger any longer. The three of them headed back to the inn. On the way, Ji Zichen remarked, "You all call him a strange man; why not just name him as an outsider?"
The second person praised, "Guest, you have a keen mind! I don't even know when he arrived in Underworld Town. Seven days ago, in the evening, a girl came with some coins and asked me to deliver food to the dilapidated temple. At that time, I found it odd; that broken temple is deserted and has no one living there. Why would she want me to deliver food there? Initially, I thought the child was just playing around and ignored her, but the Keeper saw that the coins were genuine."
"Opening the door for guests, how could one not make money? I had no choice but to deliver it. The first time I saw him was just like when you all first met him. By the time we reached the second Town, word had spread that a strange man had come to the dilapidated temple. Many people went to take a look, and quite a few children threw stones at him. But he didn't get angry at all; it was as if he didn't care about anything. After a few days, once the novelty wore off for the townsfolk, no one went to the temple anymore."
Lin Chuyu asked, "Was that girl his daughter?"
The second person chuckled lightly. "No, she is Cai Laosan's daughter. That girl is quite mischievous; she probably went to play at the temple and happened to run into that strange man."
The more Lin Chuyu thought about it, the more curious she became. She asked Ji Zichen, "Brother Ji, why does that man act like this?"
Ji Zichen shook his head. "I don't know."
The second person yawned and said, "Today has truly exhausted me. You two guests must be tired from your journey as well. It's best to return to the Inn and rest properly; there's no need to worry about that strange man."
The next day, with the sun high in the sky, Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu had just finished lunch and were about to leave town when they stood up from the table and heard loud gong sounds coming from the street. As soon as the gong stopped, someone shouted loudly, "Goddess Luo is inspecting; hurry out to welcome her!"
The second person and Keeper were still busy inside the shop. Upon hearing the gong, they quickly called out for seven or eight attendants to go outside and bow on the ground.
Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu were puzzled and stepped outside to see a long street lined with townsfolk kneeling in worship.
Goddess Luo led three guards confidently down the street with a broad smile on her face. "You better kneel sincerely; otherwise, when my father Judgment Order arrives, you will suffer!"
After the three guards, there were four attendants carrying a large iron cage on their shoulders, supported by two wooden poles. The man they had seen last night was still inside the cage.
Lin Chuyu looked on in surprise and quickly asked, "Brother Ji, where are they taking that uncle?"
There was no need for Ji Zichen to answer; a guard behind Luo shouted, "This outsider is quite bold. Goddess Luo kindly allowed him to come out for a bath, but he refused. Who in the world likes to be dirty? Today, you will see what happens to someone who doesn’t appreciate cleanliness!"
The townspeople trembled in fear, not daring to look up or respond.
Suddenly, the man in the cage shouted at Luo, "You fat pig! Whether I take a bath or care about being clean is none of your business! I'm just staying in this broken temple; I haven't bothered you. Where do you want to take me?"
Luo was particularly sensitive about her weight. Her face turned red with anger as she thundered, "Let him down!"
The attendants lowered the cage, and Luo angrily declared, "You filthy insect! Come on, let him out! Execute him on the spot!"
One of the guards stepped forward, opened the cage door, and dragged the man out. A long sword was pressed against his neck. The man turned pale and exclaimed, "What do you want to do? What law have I broken?"
Luo laughed heartily. "In Underworld Town, I am the law! I detest those who don’t care about cleanliness! Today, I will use you as an example!"
As the guard raised his sword to strike at the man's neck, Lin Chuyu's eyes widened in alarm. Lin Chuyu caught a glimpse of the man's memories.
Lin Chuyu cried out, "Brother Ji! This man has seen the Vermilion Bird!"
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