Several people surrounding Wang Shi exchanged bewildered glances.
Then, pairs of eyes scanned Wang Shi from head to toe.
A short shirt, long pants, coarse cloth patched all over, the trouser legs so tattered they barely reached mid-calf, and cloth shoes that exposed three toes.
This dishevelled, foul-smelling appearance: "Who is this madwoman?"
One man, hand on the long saber at his waist, drew it swiftly, and several blades were simultaneously pressed against Wang Shi's neck.
A Jiu's tears instantly streamed from between her fingers: "Grandma..."
Then, a bearded general in armor, hand resting on his long saber, strode over.
"What's going on?"
"General, this madwoman claims she can pray for rain," the city guards reported with clasped fists.
"Pray for rain?"
The robust general stroked his beard and looked thoughtfully at the haggard old woman.
"She also said to have Lord Wang come see her personally."
These words were difficult for the soldiers to utter.
"Take her to Lord Wang, the Prefect. He'll know what to do."
The general gave the order; if she was just putting on a show, she'd be locked up on the spot.
Then, several men stepped forward, grabbed Wang Shi, and dragged her into the city.
"Grandma..." A Jiu rushed out in a panic. This had blown up. Her grandmother had actually boasted to the officials.
Unaware of the urgency, A Jiu stumbled and fell, her skirt held up forgotten.
"Grandma..."
Without parents, her grandmother was her only remaining family.
Wang Shi turned back with a grin, winking mischievously…
A Jiu forgot the pain in her knees, tears still on her face. She suddenly felt as if her vision was blurred. How ill must her grandmother be?
Watching her grandmother being dragged away and disappearing into the city gates, A Jiu finally couldn't hold back her tears.
People flowed in and out of the city gates, and the guards soon began their routine checks in an orderly fashion.
A carriage slowly drove out. The old man driving presented his permit. A few steps past the city gate, he pulled back on the reins.
He dismounted and rushed to A Jiu's side: "Child, what's wrong?"
He helped her up and brushed the dust off her clothes: "Did you get hurt?"
A Jiu gritted her teeth and shook her head: "No, thank you, Grandpa Niu."
"Did you... find the medical clinic you were looking for?"
"Mm, I found it..." A Jiu didn't say more, her gaze fixed on the direction of the city gates, her eyes devoid of light.
"Where's your Grandma?" Niu Dasheng led the girl to the carriage. He was about to head home, but he looked around and couldn't see the immortal.
He had kept his promise; the immortal should keep hers too, shouldn't she?
"Grandpa Niu, please don't look. My Grandma was taken into the city by people."
A Jiu had no intention of boarding the carriage, her eyes fixed on the city gates. Her grandmother and parents were in the city, and she wanted to go in.
"Ah?" Grandpa Niu's condition immediately worsened. If she was arrested, how would he find his granddaughter?
"Grandpa Niu, I want to go into the city. My two brothers, aunt, and two younger cousins at home, can you take care of them?"
As A Jiu said this, she stared intently at the city gates.
"What? That won't do at all. Child, you know how hard it is to get my permit... No, absolutely not. You get in the carriage quickly."
Grandpa Niu recovered his senses, his eyes bulging, his legs trembling.
He supported A Jiu with surprising strength and pushed her into the carriage.
"Giddy up!"
Grandpa Niu's hands trembled as he held the reins.
He needed to find an opportunity to explain things properly to this child.
Finally, they left Nanming City, passed through Willow County, and reached the village road before he reined in the horses.
Because since being put into the carriage, the child hadn't spoken or cried, he feared she might do something rash.
He opened the carriage door. A Jiu sat there expressionlessly, as if devoid of any sadness.
Grandpa Niu was terrified. His stunned gaze gradually softened:
"Jiu'er, it's not that Grandpa disagrees. You see, when I went to queue for water, I overheard the soldiers saying they'd traced the person who conjured gods and ghosts to Meng Hua City. Grandpa is afraid you'll be taken in for questioning."
A Jiu's pupils contracted: "Really? How could it be..."
"Sigh, don't ask. In any case, the officials have found a lead. They're insisting that people from the north of your Meng Hua City used demonic means to kill people. But Grandpa doesn't believe you, child, are like that. So, come home with Grandpa first."
Saying this, Grandpa Niu whipped the horse, eager to get home quickly.